Biological_Evaluation_for_Listed_and_Sensitive_Wildlife_Species.pdf

USDA Forest Service – Intermountain Region – Payette National Forest “Short Form” Biological Evaluation of Effects of Goose Lake and Warren Wagon Roads Projects

Listed and Sensitive Wildlife Species December 19, 2014

Project Description:

The project involves the reconstruction and improvement of two sections of road near the town of McCall, Idaho. Both roads are currently paved and accessible to passenger vehicles. Work is scheduled to begin in fall 2015 and extend through 2017. Work may occur at night, but would not occur during the winter months. Traffic may be limited at some times. An easement would be given to Adams County for the section of the Goose Lake Road described below.

Goose Lake Road: This project would reconstruct 4.83 miles of the existing road to achieve a 26‐foot wide pavement. Spot realignments to substandard curves and intersection improvements at Highway 55 and along the route would be implemented to improve safety. Due to excessive fill heights and steep terrain over most of the project, the road would be widened into the existing cut slopes. New drainage culverts would be placed throughout the corridor. Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) structures would be installed at the two identified locations. New roadway signing and guardrails would be installed to enhance safety. The work begins at Highway 55 and ends at the junction to Brundage Mountain Ski Area.

Work would also address the intersection of Goose Lake Road and Highway 95. Project clearances include 200 feet either side of the highway for a distance of ½ mile south and to the canyon going north. Along the Goose Lake Road, clearances would include an area approximately 100 meters either side of centerline. Both culverts near the beginning of the road (0.01 miles and 0.2 miles) would be replaced with AOP’s. The two culverts near the upper snowmobile parking are not planned for an AOP unless otherwise determined to be needed.

The project also includes two potential waste areas at the Lower Brundage Parking area and Upper Snowmobile (Gordon Titus) parking area. The Goose Lake Pit is a potential gravel source.

Warren Wagon Road: This project from milepost (MP) 2.2 to 7.6 (Green Gate TH to Int. Eastside Drive) would reconstruct the existing road to achieve a 28‐foot wide pavement along with a rock fall ditch where needed. The project also includes isolated curve widening/flattening to improve pedestrian and motorist safety. Work would focus on balancing the widening. However, due to the proximity of the lake, it is anticipated the road would primarily be widened into the existing cut slopes and rock fall ditches installed along the cliff sections. New drainage culverts would be placed throughout the corridor as needed. The project from (MP) 7.6 to 9.6 (Int. East Side Drive to Francie Wallace Parking) would involve an asphalt overlay within the existing prism. The current asphalt would be milled and a new overlay installed.

Clearances should include 50 feet either side of roadway in flat sections and 100 feet to the west along the cliff/rock areas and to the lake edge on the east. Past Eastside Drive all work planned is within the existing road prism. All current material sources are county‐owned or leased.

Location/Map: see attached maps of Warren Wagon Road (p. 4) and Goose Creek Road (pg. 5).

The Project is located within the McCall and New Meadows ranger districts and on adjacent county, private, and/or state lands.

Habitat Overview:

Surrounding habitat largely consists of forested stands. The project occurs within the already disturbed and maintained Goose Lake and Warren Wagon road corridors.

Survey/Occurrence Information:

One wildlife species, Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis), listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA), as amended, may occur in the area. The projects fall within the Goose Creek and Upper NF Payette Lake lynx analysis units (LAUs). No verified sightings have occurred in the vicinity of the project activities, but one historic lynx sighting has occurred in the upper portion of the NF Payette LAU (Table 1). Each LAU currently provides about 10,000 acres of suitable habitat almost entirely above the elevation of the project activities (Table 2).

The project occurs outside the known occupied locations of the northern Idaho ground squirrel (Urocitellus brunneus brunneus) (NIDGS), a threatened species on the Council and New Meadows ranger districts of the Payette National Forest. The project is outside the range for the ESA‐listed yellow‐billed cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) (Table 1). Habitat for a variety of sensitive species occurs in the vicinity of the project (see Table 1).

Determinations:

The project would improve roads within existing road corridors. Project activities would be very limited in scope and scale (localized road improvement work over the course of two summer and fall seasons on less than 12 miles of road.) No known populations of lynx occur in the area, although transient lynx may travel through the upper reaches of the LAU. Within the context of a lynx analysis unit, the disturbances (i.e., noise, vehicle travel) associated with the activities are expected to be so limited as to be indistinguishable from other ongoing activities. The project would have No Effect to the Canada lynx.

The project would have No Effect to the Northern Idaho ground squirrel, because the species has not been documented in the vicinity of the project area. Because habitat does not exist for the species, the project would have No Effect to the Yellow‐billed cuckoo (Table 3).

Because habitat and known observations occur for some Region 4 Sensitive Species, the project may impact individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend toward federal listing, or a loss of viability for the some sensitive species. For other sensitive species, the project would have No Impact (Table 3).

Prepared By:

Date: December 19, 2014

Ana E. Dronkert Egnew, Forest Wildlife Biologist Payette National Forest

Table 1.—Lynx Occurrence Records on the Payette National Forest

Lynx Analysis Unit Name Number of Records

PNF-Disappointment-Little Squaw 1 PNF- Chamberlain 2

PNF- Cabin Canyon 1 PNF-Upper North Fork Payette 1

PNF Total 5

Table 2.—Potential and suitable lynx habitat in the LAUs that encompass the project area based on Forest Plan Protocol.

LAU

Total Acres

Potential Habitat

Acres 2003

Suitable Habitat

Acres 2003

% Suitable Habitat

Total NFS Acres

Potential Habitat

Acres 2010

Suitable Habitat

Acres 2010

% Suitable Habitat

NFS 2010

Goose Creek

54,163 11,259 10,708 95% 36,957 10,942 10,396 95%

Upper North Fork

Payette 92,218 43,317 11,717 27% 69,941 37,684 9,726 26%

Table 1: Summary of Biological Evaluation for PNF ESA‐ Listed and Forest Service Sensitive Species

Species

Status1

Species Habitat Model and Description Suitable Habitat w/in Project Area

Species Documented w/in Project Area

Determination of Effects2 and Rationale

Canada Lynx T

PVG 3, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (SHC)

Remove burned areas <=15, plantations <= 15, within 10 meter of road. (SH) * Late successional forests w/ large amounts of downed woody material for denning. Forage habitat w/ early seral forests w/ dense young trees (>4,500 stems/acre, habitat for prey species). Generally 4,000‐ 7,000 ft elevation in Douglas‐fir, subalpine fir, and spruce.

yes No (one unconfirmed sighting in 2010)

No Effect Due to the temporary and relatively small scale of the project within an existing right‐of‐way and the lack of any known populations in the area, no disturbance to lynx is expected.

Northern Idaho Ground Squirrel

T

Dry meadows and adjacent forest clearings adjacent to ponderosa pine and Douglas‐fir forest between 4,000 feet and 7,500 feet elevation. These communities provide source habitat when they coincide with slopes less than 15%, aspects 90 and 290 degrees, and specific soil types.

no no

No habitat or populations in the project area.

White‐headed Woodpecker

PVG 2, 5, 6 (westside of PNF) TS – Large CC – Low

Yes – very limited No, nearby sighting in Bear Basin

No Impact Limited habitat, populations in the project area, short term localized disturbance from project

American Three‐ toed Woodpecker

S

PVG 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11

TS – Med. And Large CC – PVG 8, 9, 10, 11 = Mod.

CC – PVG 5, 6 – High or Burn areas ≤ 5 yrs and ≥ 579 acres at >4,500” elev.

Yes No

No Impact Limited habitat, populations in the project area, short term localized disturbance from project.

1 Species Status: C = candidate (USFWS 2011); E = endangered (USFWS 2011); MIS = Forest Plan management indicator species (Forest Plan Appendix E); P = proposed (USFWS 2011); NE =

Nonessential Experimental (USFWS 2010); S = sensitive (USFS R4 2004); and T = threatened (USFWS 2011).

No Effect – (NE) May Affect, but Not Likely to Adversely Affect – (NLAA) May Affect, Likely to Adversely Affect – (LAA) No Impact ‐ (NI) May Impact – (MI) May Impact Individuals, but is not likely to cause a trend towards Federal listing or result in loss of viability in the planning area Beneficial Impact – (BI) Likely Impact – (LI) Likely to result in a trend towards federal listing or loss of viability in the planning area.

Status1

Species Habitat Model and Description Suitable Habitat w/in Project Area

Species Documented w/in Project Area

Determination of Effects2 and Rationale

Boreal Owl S

PVG 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

TS – Med. And Large CC – PVG 3, 4, 6, 7, 11 = Mod. Or High CC – PVG 8 and 9= Mod. Or High Mature spruce/fir and mixed conifer forested areas, wet situations (bogs or streams) for foraging project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Fisher S

PVG 3, 6, 8, 9, 10

TS – Med and Large CC – PVG 3 and 6 = Mod and High CC – PVG 8, 9, 10 = Mod and High Mature, dense, coniferous or mixed coniferous‐ hardwood forests w/ closed canopy.

project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Flammulated Owl S

PVG 1, 2, 3, 5, 6

TS – Med and Large CC – Mod.

Depend on cavities for nesting, open forests for foraging, brush for roosting. Occupy open ponderosa pine or forests with similar features (dry montane conifer or aspen, with dense saplings).

Yes Yes project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Great Gray Owl S

PVG 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11

TS – Med and Large CC – PVG 3, 7, 11 = Low and Mod. And High CC – PVG 6 = Mod and High CC – PVG 8 and 9 = Low and Mod. And High AND access to reasonable forage habitat in meadows.

Nests at edge of meadows in ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, Douglas‐fir, grand fir, and aspen project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Northern Goshawk S

PVG 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9

TS – Med. And Large CC – PVG 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7 = Mod and High CC ‐ PVG 8 and 9 = Mod and High Mature forest generalist. On the Rio Grande, often found in mixed conifer/aspen stands.

Yes Yes project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Mountain Quail S

PVG 1, 2, 4, 5, and 7 TS – GFSS, Sap., Small, Med., Large CC – Low ESP Low Sage, Mountain and Wy Big Sage, Shrub‐ Forest Transition Brushy ravines and mountain slopes up to 10,000ft.

No No

Status1

Species Habitat Model and Description Suitable Habitat w/in Project Area

Species Documented w/in Project Area

Determination of Effects2 and Rationale

Wolverine S C

Areas modeled as having a persistent snow pack.

Remote subalpine and spruce/fir forested areas; dens in areas at higher elevations, within persistent snowpack. Overall, this species utilizes a wide range of habitat types as it is very mobile.

Yes Yes – work occurs below primary habitat project area, short term localized disturbance from project

Gray Wolf S

Generalist, located in habitat that supports major prey specie (elk, moose, and deer). Historically, used any habitat; now uses mainly forests w/ little or no human use. Home ranges of up to 500 mi

2, including denning, foraging, rendezvous sites.

Yes Yes

No Impact ‐ No known denning or rendezvous sites occur in or near the area. The proposed work is temporary in nature and would not disturb foraging or transient wolves.

Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

S

PVG 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11

TS – GFSS, Sap., Small, Med., and Large CC Low and within two miles of rock, cliff, or talus sloped, with a ≥ 27% slope Requires cliff habitat for security and feeding; uses slopes near cliffs for feeding, breeding, resting.

Seasonal movements for breeding, lambing, and responding to forage availability and snow cover.

project area.

Peregrine Falcon S

Cliff habitat over 200 feet high with suitable ledges for nest construction. Vegetative communities that could provide source habitat conditions include all forest and nonforest vegetation types (Miller et al. 2008).

These types provide source habitat when located within 10 miles of suitable cliffs.

project area.

Spotted Bat S

PVG 1, 2, and 5 ESP grass slopes, grass montane, mountain and wy.

Big sage, low sage, montane shrub, shrub‐forest transition provide source habitat when located within six miles of roost sites (cliffs and canyons).

Roosts primarily in crevices in rocky cliffs and canyons, generally in lower elevations.

project area.

Townsend’s Big‐ eared Bat

S

PVG 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

ESP low sagebrush, mountain and Wyoming big sagebrush, montane shrub, and shrub‐forest transition when located within the maximum foraging distance (15 miles) from roost (caves, mines, and other suitable structures) locations. Forages in semi‐desert shrublands, woodlands and open montane forests.

project area.

Status1

Species Habitat Model and Description Suitable Habitat w/in Project Area

Species Documented w/in Project Area

Determination of Effects2 and Rationale

Columbian Sharp‐ tailed Grouse

S

Inhabits sagebrush‐grassland and mountain shrub habitats within the Columbia Plateau and Great Basin (Connelly et al. 1998). Breeding habitat is consists of dense herbaceous cover and shrubs that allows concealment during activities at lek sites.

project area.

Bald Eagle S Nests and roosts are usually found in open‐branched trees near larger lakes, streams, rivers and reservoirs.

No

Yes, transitory only. Nest at Upper Payette Lake above project activities.

Columbia Spotted Frog

S

Key features of source habitat for the Columbia spotted frog include the aquatic site itself, its banks and bank‐side vegetation, and the conditions of the surrounding uplands.

Yes No

May Impact Limited habitat, populations in the project area, short term localized disturbance from project. Wetland (AOP) work may displace individuals.

Yellow‐billed Cuckoo

S

These birds are rare visitors and breeders in Idaho and are associated with large blocks of riparian habitat dominated by an overstory of tall deciduous trees like cottonwoods or within willows adjacent to tall deciduous trees.

Common Loon S

Breed in clear, oligotrophic (with fish) lakes with forested, tundra, or rocky shorelines, bays, islands, and floating bogs (McIntyre and Barr 1997). Lakes are usually larger than 22 acres in size, below 5,905 feet elevation, and support adequate prey fish populations and nesting and nursery habitat.

project area.

Harlequin Duck S

Nests along swift moving, rivers and streams. Habitat components include rapids, log jams, boulders and logs in stream for resting, slack water and pools with high banks for breeding project area.

Prepared by and Date:_Ana E. Dronkert‐Egnew Dec. 19, 2014