Kiamath National Forest PART I: WILDLIFE

Biological Assessment
For
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND WATERSHED RESTORATION (2008-20 12)
Project Name: South Taylor Hazard Project
Ranger District(s): Salmon Scott River RD
Kiamath National Forest
PART I: WILDLIFE TIERING FORM
Contact Person: Sam Cuenca/Marissa Jones
Description of Project or Activity and miles/acres affected: (e.g. Road work, trail maintenance,
trail construction/reconstruction, facilities repair, campgroimd maintenance, hazard tree removal
(include the number of trees removed and road maintenance level).
Proposed Action
The Salmon/Scott River Ranger District of the Kiamath National Forest is proposing to fell hazard trees
along Forest Roads 38N03, 38N04, 38N07, 38N10, and 38N14 (see enclosed map). These roads access
the Taylor Creek Watershed and are located 26 miles southwest of Callahan, CA. The project area is
located in Township 38 North, Range 11 West, Sections 1, 11-14, and 25 and Township 38 North, Range
10 West, Sections 3, 4, 6-10, 15-17, and 19 (Mount Diablo Meridian).
These Forest roads are considered important routes for public and administrative access in the Taylor Late
Successional Reserve (LSR) area. This remote area serves as an access to the Trinity Alps Wilderness via
the Taylor Creek Road and the Poison Creek Trailhead. Hunting, gathering of forest products and general
dispersed recreation occur in the project area. Approximately 20 miles of road will be treated in this
project. The project would be accomplished through the use of a timber sale contract or through a
combination of a service contract and timber sale contract. Hazard trees will be felled regardless of
merchantability. Ground-based logging equipment would be used to skid merchantable logs to the roads
for loading. Directional felling will be used where possible to minimize ground-disturbing activities.
Concentrations of activity-generated down woody debris (limbs, tops, bark, etc) will be piled and burned
and/or lopped and scattered after hazard tree felling operations are complete. Some hazard trees will be
felled and not removed to help meet requirements for retention of down woody debris. Where existing
down woody debris is sufficient, non-merchantable trees will be felled and skidded to small roadside
landings and decked. Decks will be available for public firewood cutting and/or burned as part of the
District pile burning program.
A hazard tree is defined in the Kiamath National Forest Hazard Tree Policy which is found in Forest
Service Manual Supplement No. 7700-2005-1. This project fulfills the requirements found in FSH
1909.15- 31.12 Categories Established by the Chief. Specifically, the project meets category 31.12 (4),
Repair and maintenance of roads, trails and landlines (36 CFR 220.6(d)(4)).
1

Purpose and Need for Action
The purpose of this project is to maintain safe road conditions within the Taylor LSR by removing hazard
trees that are likely to fall on the roadway in the near future. It is Regional policy to abate public hazards
and protect public safety. Removal of hazard trees along roadways is consistent with Forest Service
Manual direction pertaining to road maintenance. Units 1 and 2, in particular, have numerous, rotten true
fir which are susceptible to wind throw and breakage from snow load. Steep slopes in the area increase
the likelihood of trees falling on the road.
Equipment Used: Chainsaw, Yarder
Legal Location: The project area is located in Township 38 North, Range 11 West, Sections 1, 11-14,
and 25 and Township 38 North, Range 10 West, Sections 3, 4, 6-10, 15-17, and 19 (Mount Diablo
Meridian).
Implementation Dates: Begin Fall 2011, Complete Fall 2013
Land Allocation(s): Matrix, LSR, Riparian Reserve
Table 1. List of proposed facilities maintenance, road maint level, implementation dates, acres of
habitat affected by noise, marbled murrelet (MAMU) Zone and land allocation and/or Critical
Habitat for northern spotted owl (NSO) or MAMU.
Project Name: Road Implementation Acres NSO or MAMU MAMU LRMP Land
Maint Dates: nesting roosting Zone Allocation
Level: habitat w/in 1/4 mile if and/or CHU:
during breeding
1:
season
South Taylor Hazard 2/3 Fall 2011 thru Estimate 1,267 0 LSR/CHU
Fall 2013 acres of NR within 0.25
miles of proposed
hazard tree removal.
This habitat is surveyed
to protocol and will
surveys will remain
current through life of
project. 1n2011,no
NSO were detected. No
LOP required.
‘In calculating acres of habitat for disturbance use NSO nesting/roosting from the Nesting and Roosting layer. NSO critical
breeding season 2/1-7/9, MAMU breeding season 3/24-9/1 CHU=NSO or MAMU Critical Habitat.
The project area includes the five NSO home ranges (KL4O1O, KL2007, KL2008, KL2009, and KL2OI 1)
that are in the vicinity of the proposed treatment unit. The South Taylor Hazard Reduction Project area
was surveyed 3 times following protocol standards (2011 protocol) in 2011 by Forest Service contract
crew. Three surveys will be completed in 2012 and will be kept current throughout the life of the project.
Table 2, below, displays the status of the five activity centers potentially affected by the South Taylor
2

Hazard Reduction Project, a summary of the historic NSO survey data, and most recent reproductive
status.
Table 2. Summary of NSO Survey Data and Most Recent Status.
NSO Activity Center Historic Survey Data
Activity Date First Date Last Year/Highest
Center # Name Recorded Surveyed Land Allocation Status
2011 no
KL4010 Taylor 1989 response LSR Occupancy 1989
2011 no
KL2007 Garden 1981 response LSR Reproduction 1991
2011
KL2008 Henry’s 1985 single male LSR Reproduction 1996
2011 no
KL2009 South Taylor 1980 response LSR Reproduction 1996
2011 no
KL2O1 I Bark Shanty 1989 response LSR Reproduction 2002
The South Taylor Hazard Project occurs along approximately 20 miles of road in the South Fork Taylor
and Main Taylor 7th field watersheds.. There are approximately 2,024 (17%) acres of NR and 2,367
(20%) acres of foraging habitat in the two 7th field watersheds (11,728 total). The combined acres of NR
and F are 4,391 (37%) in the 7th field watersheds. This habitat is abundant with snags. Fire exclusion in
particular has caused changes in stand structure by increasing elements such as snags and downed wood.
None of this habitat is expected to be removed or downgraded with this project. Primary Constituent
Elements (PCEs) (including snags) of Critical Habitat Unit (CHU) will not be removed or downgraded.
There will be a degradation of snags in Critical Habitat but snags will remain abundant and well
distributed in the surrounding stands (Appendix 1). The proposed hazard tree removal will not affect
nesting, roosting, or foraging opportunities in the CHU.
It was determined that snags and down woody material are abundant and well distributed throughout the project
area (Appendix 1). The proposed hazard tree treatments will remove 434 trees. In addition, 365 trees will be
dropped and left on site. There is an estimate of 21 trees per mile of road to be removed. NSO habitat will not
be removed or downgraded. 58% of the hazard trees to be removed are dead. 30% of the hazard trees be
removed are >24”dbh (Appendix 2). There will be a minimum reduction of snags along the road system but
snags have been determined to be abundant and well distributed in the surrounding watersheds (Appendix 1).
Table 3. Effects on listed species and evaluation of consistency with Programmatic BA:
.
Species:
ESA Listed:
Protection
Measures:
Site-specific description of effects and determination
. .
(e.g. acres of habitat affected, proximity of nest sites):
Shortnose Sucker n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected
Shortnose Sucker
Critical_Habitat
nla No Effect to Critical Habitat
Lost River Sucker n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected
Lost River Sucker
Critical_Habitat
n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected
Tidewater Goby n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected
Northern spotted n/a May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect. No
owl removal or downgrading of habitat. There are 1,267 acres of
NR habitat within 0.25 miles of road where hazard trees are
3

.
Species:
Protection
Measures:
Site-specific description of effects and determination
.
(e.g. acres of habitat affected, proximity of nest sites):
to be removed. Surveys were completed in 2011 with no
NSO detected. Surveys will be kept current during the life
of the project. No LOP required.
NSO Critical
Habitat
n/a May Affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect.
Marbled murrelet n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
MAMU Critical
Habitat
n/a No Effect to Critical Habitat
Vernal Pool Fairy
Shrimp
n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
Yellow-billed
cuckoo
n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
Pacific fisher n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected
Mardon skipper n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
Yreka phlox n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
McDonald’s rock
cress
n/a No Effect, No Habitat Affected, Outside of known range
By signature, I certify that the effects of the above projects are consistent with effects analyzed and
consulted on in the Biological Assessmentfor FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND WATERSHED
RESTORATION (2008-2012) (dated May 1, 2008) as documented in the Tiering Form and Project
Design Standard Compliance Documentation (see below) for wildlife and plant species and their critical
habitat listed under the Endangered Species Act. I have determined that the effects of the proposed
project are consistent with the BA and the USFWS Biological Opinion (dated August 13, 2008).
Wildlife Biologist
Date: _8/16/l1
4

FACILITIES MAINTENANCE AND WATERSHED RESTORATION (2008-2012)
Kiamath National Forest
PART II: PROJECT DESIGN STANDARDS (PDSs) COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION
Project Name: South Taylor Hazard
Ranger District: Salmon Scott Ranger District
Contact Person: _Sam Cuenca/iViarissa Jones
Not Met & Explanation
Project Design Standards Met N/A (e.g. field reviewedmeets
intent)
• Noise disturbance associated with watershed x
restoration activities that generate noise over ambient
levels within 0.15 miles of “nesting and roosting”
NSO and MAMU habitat and that lead to a likely
to adversely affect determination will be scheduled
after July 9th .Road maintenance level restrictions as
defined_in_PDS_(B,_1_thru_XVI).
• Equipment must be in good working condition with x
standard noise abatement devices attached (PDS A,
III)
Removal of trees will not result in degradation of x
habitat. Trees will not be suitable NSO/MAMU
nesting habitat, will be less than 10’ in diameter, or
will be reviewed by a wildlife biologist at the project
site_(PDS_A,_1_and_PDS_A,_JIb)
Treatment of hazard trees incidental to road x
maintenance activities will be in accordance with the
Klamath Hazard Tree Guidance (February 6, 2001).
Projects involving wide-scale removal of hazard trees
will require district biologist review to determine
whether_they_fit_under_this_consultation_(PDS_A,_IV).
• For Rock Pits and Borrow Sites will be selected with x
consideration for proximity and effects to wildlife
species_and_habitat_(PDS_A,_ha)
5

Listed/Proposed Threatened and Endangered Species for
the Kiamath National Forest (KLAMATH) Administrative Unit (Candidates Included)
Document Number: 396647396-1768
August 16, 2011
TYPE SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME CATEGO CRITICAL
RY HABITAT
Plants
Invertebra
tes
Fish
Birds
McDonald’s rock
Arabis nzacdonaldiana cress
Applegate’s milk
Astragalus applegatei vetch
Siskiyou mariposa
Calochortus persistens
lily
Fritillaria gentneri Gentners fritillary
Phlox hirsuta
Branchinecta lynchi
Yreka phlox
vernal pooi fairy
shrimp
mardon skipper
* Acipenser medirostris green sturgeon
Chasmistes
brevirostris
Deltistes luxatus
Eucyclogobius
newberryi
shortnose sucker
Lost River sucker
tidewater goby
S. ORIN. CA coho
* Oncorhynchus kisutch salmon
Mammals
KEY:
Polites niardon
Brachyramphus
mnarmnoratus
Coccyzus americanus
Strix occidentalis
caurina
Martes pennanti
(PE) Proposed Endangered
(PT) Proposed Threatened
(E) Endangered
(T) Threatened
(C) Candidate
Critical Habitat
marbled murrelet
Western yellow
billed cuckoo
northern spotted
owl
fisher, West Coast
DPS
E
E
C
E
E
T
C
T
E
E
E
T
T
C
T
C
Proposed in the Federal Register as being in danger of extinction
Proposed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future
Listed in the Federal Register as being in danger of extinction
Listed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future
Candidate which may become a proposed species
Y Designated, P = Proposed, N = None Designated
Denotes a species Listed by the National Marine Fisheries Service
N
N
N
N
N
Y
N
Y
P
P
Y
Y
Y
N
Y
N
6

Appendix 1.
South Taylor Hazard Reduction Project
Snag Distribution Analysis 8/16/2011
To address the abundance and distribution of snag habitat across the South Taylor LSR
Area, the following analysis was conducted;
• Analysis of suitable Northern Spotted Owl (NSO) suitable habitat nesting, roosting and
foraging habitat in the project area.
• Field reviews to conduct snag abundance estimations in suitable NSO habitat within the
project area.
Analysis of NSO suitable habitat in surrounding watersheds.
The South Taylor Hazard Project occurs along approximately 20 miles of road in the South Fork Taylor
and Main Taylor 7th field watersheds.. There are approximately 2,024 (17%) acres of NR and 2,367
(20%) acres of foraging habitat in the two 7t1 field watersheds (11,728 total). The combined acres of NR
and F are 4,391 (37%) in the 7th field watersheds. This habitat is abundant with snags. Fire exclusion in
particular has caused changes in stand structure by increasing elements such as snags and downed wood.
None of this habitat is expected to be removed or downgraded with this project. Primary Constituent
Elements (PCEs) (including snags) of Critical Habitat Unit (CHU) will not be affected by the project and
will not affect nesting, roosting or foraging opportunities in the CHU. There is an estimate of 21 hazard
trees that will be removed per mile of road.
Field Review of Snag Distribution.
On June 23’’, 2011 a field review of snag distribution took place. This occurred along the Road systems
proposed for hazard tree removal in this project. This field review consisted of ocular estimates of snag
distribution in areas of nesting, roosting and foraging habitat.
Snags along these roads are very abundant and well distributed. In most areas of late successional habitat
(NR) snags are well above Forest Standard and Guideline minimal levels and are composed of trees >24”
DBH in a spectrum of decay classes. There were one observation of a pileated woodpecker during this
field review. This species are indicators of large snag habitat in late successional condition.
Conclusion
Based on my review of the distribution of NSO habitat in the surrounding watersheds and my field review
of the project area, I conclude that snags are abundant and well distributed far in excess of KNF Forest
wide minimum Standards and Guidelines for snags.
Sam Cuenca
District Wildlife Biologist
Salmon/Scott Ranger District
7

Appendix 2.
Live to Dead Ratio and Size Class Distribution of hazard trees to be removed for the South Taylor
Hazard Reduction Project
Live-to-Dead Ratio
Live Trees Dead Trees Ratio Total Trees
Unit 1 132 160 0.825 292
Unit 2 95 125 0.76 220
Unit 2a 84 138 0.608696 222
Unit 3 25 40 0.625 65
All 336 463 0.725702 799
350
300
250
200
150 -
100
SO
0
Unit 1
Number of Live and Dead Trees
South Taylor Roadside Hazard
Unit 2
Size class distribution by Unit
lOh1l5.9h 16-23.9” 24” +
dbh dbh dbh
Unit 1 121 95 76 292
Unit 2 72 84 64 220
Unit2a 56 91 75 222
Unit 3 23 22 20 65
All 272 292 235 799
Number of Trees
r
Uflit2a Lni13
a Dead Trees
a Live Trees
Size Class Distribution by Unit
South Taylor Roadside Hazard
I i_
140 -
120
100
Uniti U0i12 Unit2a Unit3
— 10”-15.9dbh
— 16-230 dbh
24-. dbh
8