Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Northern leopard
frog
(Rana pipiens)
102
Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species
be an incremental impact additional to
those on private lands.
Summary
The alternatives ‘may adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a
loss of viability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing’.
Alternative 1 has the greatest potential for increasing woodpecker habitat.
Alternative 2 may decrease preferred and/or potential habitat, but would not affect
the habitat or population trend Forest wide because of providing for Objective 211
(snags). Snags are not allowed to be cut unless deemed a safety hazard or within
designated firewood cutting areas. The project area is only a small portion of the
currently available habitat, new habitat acres are currently being created across the
Forest.
Habitat conditions would be provided, consistent with Objective 238b. The
proposed action alternatives would meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines;
therefore this species is likely to persist on the Forest.
Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Direct and Indirect Effects
Reductions in canopy density may Potential direct effects. Potential for habitat
cause surface temperature and soil disturbance or loss. Reductions in canopy
moisture (drying) changes that density may cause surface temperature and
would not favor this species. soil moisture (drying) changes that would not
favor this species. Noxious weed treatment
may potentially affect water quality and plant
species diversity. Risk of MPB and wildfire
would be expected to decrease, which is
expected to reduce the risk of post-fire flood,
erosion and sedimentation in riparian habitat.
Cumulative Effects
Livestock grazing at breeding sites (streams) is expected to negatively impact this
species. Recreational activities that use and/or impact streams (e.g., horse and OHV
trails through streams) are occurring and will continue to occur. Available habitat
could be supplemented if harvests increase spring/seep water yields, new
springs/seeps surface, or if soil moisture levels are maintained. Decreasing soil
moisture through timber harvest, slash/fuels disposal projects, and the disposal of
existing down woody material (fuel treatments) is expected to continue to reduce
adult foraging habitat and adversely affect dispersal. Wildfires have removed
canopy which can unfortunately increase ground temperatures, and may limit
distribution of this species the Forest. At sites where there are introduced predatory
fish, leopard frog productivity has been adversely affected (Smith & Keinath 2007).
Incremental impacts to habitat quantity are expected to be minimal because direct
and indirect impacts are expected to be minimal.
Summary
The alternatives ‘may adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a
loss of viability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing’.
The proposed action would meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines. The
proposed action would meet the intent of Objectives 213 and 221, and continue to
provide habitat for the northern leopard frog. Therefore, this species is likely to
persist on the Forest.
Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action