SOW CFTEP Biological Survey Zapata County FY23 final.docx

Statement of Work for Conducting Biological Surveys for Game Fencing in Zapata County, South Texas January 2023

1.0 TITLE: Conduct Biological Surveys for Game Fencing in Zapata County, South Texas

2.0 LOCATION: Various Locations in Zapata County, TX

3.0 PROJECT BACKGROUND: In response to increasing numbers of cattle fever tick incursions to areas outside the Permanent Tick Quarantine “Buffer” Zone, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) is proposing to construct an 8-ft. high game fencing along specific areas of the permanent tick quarantine line near the U.S./Mexico border in Texas. The quarantine line follows the west side of U.S. Highway 83 and the El Indio Highway (also known as the Mines Road, Eagle Pass Road, and Farm Road 1021). APHIS proposes extending and filling in gaps in existing game fencing in Zapata County, Texas. The extended barrier will assist in limiting the movement of tick-infested wildlife outside the buffer zone.

The purpose of these biological surveys is to produce information on type and quantity of vegetation present along the proposed fencing route in preparation for Section 7 (Endangered Species Act) formal consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ Ecological Services (office located in Corpus Christi, Texas). It is anticipated that vegetation will need to be removed during construction of the fence, and there is a need to identify what type of vegetation will be removed, and whether listed and endangered plant species are present. Survey results will include a description of vegetation present along the entire length of proposed fencing locations.

The purpose of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to procure biological survey services related to the installation of high-game fencing along the proposed construction corridor at various locations in Zapata County, Texas. The construction corridor referenced herein is defined as the area impacted by construction of the high-game fencing and as noted by attached diagrams.

On-site vegetation surveys and detailed maps will need to be produced for the approximately 8.1 miles worth of combined fencing locations. The width of the evaluated area should be at least 20 feet (10 feet on either side of where the proposed fence will be installed and/or where an existing 4-ft. high fence is present). USDA APHIS Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program County Supervisors or Inspectors must accompany the individual(s) conducting the biological surveys to allow for access to private property adjacent to the proposed game fencing locations.

Specific Requirements:

· Individual(s) must be considered a qualified botanist familiar with the rare (species of concern) and endangered plant species in Texas.

· Individual(s) must have previous recognition/approval from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (attached list) to conduct biological surveys in Texas for threatened and endangered plant and animal species.

· Coordination with APHIS Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program staff (field supervisors or inspectors) to enter private premises adjacent to the proposed fencing locations during surveys.

· Create a digital geo-referenced map (or indicate on satellite image maps) and document all plant and trees species, where possible, along the proposed fencing route, and up to 10 feet onto privately-owned premises from the existing fence or property line, and from the property line to the pavement of the existing highway. Beginning and ending locations for the survey include existing high fence end posts and existing roads perpendicular to the U.S. Highway 83, Mines Road/Farm Road 1021, premises service roads, and stream and arroyo locations.

· Create a digital geo-referenced map (or indicate on satellite image maps) and document all locations where streams and arroyos cross under the existing highway or dirt road.

4.0 CFTEP REQUIREMENTS: Tasks shall include but not be limited to the following:

· CFTEP will identify all properties.

· Provide an aerial map of various properties. Include Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates in the documentation package.

4.1 CFTEP will provide personnel to serve as liaison (USDA Liaison) between USFWS, and private landowner(s). Liaison will confirm contractor access to the land areas to perform the survey work. Liaison will notify contractor in writing of access approval.

4.2 CFTEP shall be responsible for instructing contractor personnel of their duties and responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 and the requirements of a Biological Opinion (BO) issued by the USFWS on October 25, 2013.

a. Federal agencies (i.e., USDA) are directed, under consultation with the USFWS, to ensure that their actions (and actions of their contracted agents) do not jeopardize the continued existence of T&E species (plants and/or animals) or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat.

4.3 Surveys should occur between early March and early April 2023, and a final report by May 1, 2023.

Survey Locations:

Table 1. Proposed Fence Coordinates in Zapata County, TX.

Fence is planned to run along Highway 83

Figure 1. Google Earth image of Zapata fence segments

Figure 2. Overall proposed game fencing locations.

5.0 PLANTS OF CONCERN

Summarized below is a list of plants of concern, including links to additional information and/or pictures:

Ashy dogweed (Thymophylla tephroleuca) http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/T/Thymophylla_tephroleuca/ http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q1SH According to FWS, a possible sighting of ashy dogweed occurs at 3.67 meters south of FM Road 3169 and just north of the Zapata County line in Zapata (E. Reyes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, pers. comm. (email dated January 5, 2023)). Therefore, to avoid potential effects to ashy dogweed in Zapata County, APHIS will contract with a botanist to survey the proposed fence locations for ashy dogweed. If the species is found to be present, APHIS will coordinate with FWS to protect the plant before vegetation clearing and fence construction is commenced.

Prostrate milkweed, Asclepias prostrata https://www.fws.gov/species/prostrate-milkweed-asclepias-prostrata In the United States, prostrate milkweed occurs in south Texas from northwest Zapata County to the vicinity of Roma, in Starr County. All known U.S. populations are within 8 miles of the Rio Grande. The primary risk factors (i.e., threats) affecting the status of prostrate milkweed are: (1) Competition from introduced invasive grasses; (2) habitat loss from root-plowing and conversion of native vegetation to pasture; (3) habitat loss from right of way construction and maintenance from energy development and road and utility construction; (4) habitat loss from border security development and enforcement activities; and (5) the demographic and genetic consequences of small population sizes and population fragmentation.

Critical habitat units has been proposed in Starr and Zapata Counties, Texas (USDOI, FWS, 2022) (figure 3). Within these areas, the physical or biological features essential to the conservation of prostrate milkweed consist of the following components: (i) Well-drained sandy soil overlying strata of sandstone or indurated caliche; (ii) High soil gypsum concentration; (iii) Open savannas and grasslands of the Tamaulipan shrubland ecological region; (iv) Vegetation composition that includes abundant, diverse pollen and nectar plants and healthy populations of native bee and wasp species; and (v) Less than 20 percent cover of Pennisetum ciliare (buffelgrass).

Figure 3. Locations of proposed critical habitat in Zapata and Starr Counties (USDOI, FWS, 2022).

Unit 1: Zapata County, Texas.

(i) Unit 1 consists of 6 areas totaling 10.51 ac (4.25 ha) east of highway 83 in northwest Zapata County. This unit is on private land and a county road right of way.

Zapata bladderpod (Lesquerella thamnophila) http://ecos.fws.gov/speciesProfile/profile/speciesProfile.action?spcode=Q13L http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/L/Lesquerella_thamnophila/ Zapata bladderpod grows opportunistically; that is, the density of Zapata bladderpod plants and the size of populations fluctuate in response to availability of rainfall during the time of year with adequate temperatures for plant growth. Populations can respond dramatically to rainfall events, going from barely detectable to a substantial assemblage of thousands of individuals (see Figure 4 for known locations of Zapata bladderpod).

Proposed fence locations are not located in known locations or critical habitat of Zapata bladderpod. However, the FWS has indicated that Zapata bladderpod seeds can lay dormant for a few years and thus recommends plant surveys be conducted for this plant in Zapata County

Figure 4. Known locations of Zapata bladderpod (from: FWS, 2015).

References:

Poole, J.M., W.R. Carr, D.M. Price and J.R. Singhurst. 2007. Rare plants of Texas: A field guide. W.L. Moody Jr. Natural History Series, number 37. Texas A&M University Press, College Station. 656 pp.

United States Department of the Interior. 1984. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. Final rule to determine Dyssodia tephroleuca (ashy dogweed) to be an endangered species. Federal Register, Vol. 49, p. 29232-29234, July 19, 1984.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2011. Ashy Dogweed (Thymophylla [=Dyssodia] tephroleuca) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Corpus Christi Ecological Services Field Office Corpus Christi, Texas. 37 pp. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/five_year_review/doc4158.pdf United States Department of the Interior. 2022. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. Endangered Species for Prostrate Milkweed and Designation of Critical Habitat; Proposed Rule. Federal Register, Vol. 87, p. 8509–8543, February 15, 2022.

United States Department of the Interior. 2000. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. Final designation of critical habitat for the plant Lesquerella thamnophila (Zapata bladderpod). Federal Register, Vol. 65, p. 81181-81212, December 22, 2000.

United States Department of the Interior. 1999. Fish and Wildlife Service. Endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. Determination of endangered status for the plant Lesquerella thamnophila (Zapata bladderpod). Federal Register, Vol. 64, p. 63745-63752, November 22, 1999.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2004. Zapata Bladderpod (Lesquerella thamnophila) Recovery Plan. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Albuquerque, New Mexico. i-vii + 30 pp., Appendices A-B.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). 2015. Zapata Bladderpod Physaria thamnophila (Rollins & E.A. Shaw) O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz (Synonym: Lesquerella thamnophila Rollins & E.A. Shaw) 5-Year Review: Summary and Evaluation. Texas Coastal Ecological Services Field Office Corpus Christi, TX. 41 pp.

6.0 PROJECT CONTACTS

6.1 APHIS Contracting Officer (CO)

Jim Roloff USDA APHIS MRPBS Acquisition Branch 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401-2329 Tel. No.: (612) 590-7603 Email: James.G.Roloff@usda.gov

6.2 COR and APHIS Field Operations – CFTEP/Program Manager

John Picanso Director -CFTEP 903 San Jacinto Blvd., STE 220 Austin, TX 78701 Tel. No.: (512) 383-2441 Cell No.: (301) 887-7068 Email: John.Picanso@usda.gov

6.3 APHIS VS Strategy and Policy – CFTEP Entomologist

Denise Bonilla

USDA APHIS VS S&P

Building B Fort Collins, CO Tel. No.:

Cell No.: 970-305-2831 Email: Denise.L.Bonilla@usda.gov

6.4 APHIS VS CFTEP Field Operations Supervisor

Teofilo Vela Laredo Main Office 120 San Francisco Avenue Laredo, TX 78040 Tel. No.:

Cell No.: (956) 763-2666 Email: Teofilo.Vela@usda.gov image3.jpeg image4.emf image5.emf image1.png image2.jpeg