Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Species Black and white warbler (Mniotilta varia) Northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) Small-footed myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) Long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) Long-legged myotis (Myotis volans) Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus) Meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius campestris) Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) 58 Species Present? (Y/N) Habitat Present? (Y/N) Include in NEPA document? (Y/N) NO NO NO NO YES YES NO YES YES NO YES YES NO YES YES NO YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES NO NO NO Rationale for not carrying species forward into the NEPA document (Anderson 2002). This area lacks the lower elevation bur oak woodlands and associated edges that is typical habitat for this species in the Black Hills (Beason et al. 2006) The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep is a R2 sensitive species and is analyzed in the Wildlife BA/BE. Atlantis Fritillary (SOLC) The Atlantis fritillary is an endemic butterfly of the Black Hills and is restricted to Custer, Lawrence, and Pennington counties. It prefers wet meadows and moist canyons (Marrone 2002). Recent surveys indicate species presence appears to be correlated with spruce, flowing water and relatively high elevation (Reiser & Spomer 2005). Due to the restricted nature of the Atlantis fritillary’s distribution in the Black Hills, development or management activities within suitable habitats pose a risk to long-term persistence. Much of the fritillary’s habitat is privately owned. Surveys conducted in 2005 throughout the forest identified 20 sites with Atlantis fritillary. Of these 20 sites, only three were known to have Atlantis fritillary presence prior to this survey. Although the species may be more common than previously thought, it still has a limited range and appears tied to permanent montane wetlands in the Black Hills. Habitat consisted of a wet area along the riparian corridor with some spruce present (Reiser & Spomer 2005). No surveys were conducted within the project area; however, there were observations of this species within the project area (French Creek and Tenderfoot). Tawny Crescent (SOLC) The tawny crescent is found in open meadows, stream bottoms, roads, trails, and riparian woodlands (Stefanich 2001). It is also found in mesic forest corridors across an ecotone between mixed-grass meadows or prairie grasslands to adjacent woodlands (Royer &
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Marrone 1992). Elsewhere in the Dakotas, adults are known to forage for nectar from a variety of floral species, including dogbane, leafy spurge and various composite flowers. Tawny crescent larvae appear dependent on asters as a food source although the specific host species and their relationship remain unclear (Stefanich 2001). In South Dakota, the tawny crescent is restricted in its distribution to the Black Hills. The populations inhabiting the Black Hills of South Dakota and Wyoming are considered genetically isolated and disjunct from crescents elsewhere (Royer & Marrone 1992). Tawny crescents were observed at two of 20 monitoring sites on the Mystic Ranger District in 2002 (USDA Forest Service 2004). However, there continue to be no reliable estimates of local abundance or population estimates for the Black Hills (Stefanich 2001). Stefanich (2001) hypothesized that the only limiting factor in the Black Hills is the destruction of this butterfly’s habitat or isolation of colonies to the extent that populations are unable to disperse. This species was observed several times just outside the project area. Callused Vertigo (SOLC) In 2002, the Forest received the final report for a contract to inventory and/or monitor 357 sites for land snails (Frest & Johannes 2002). Callused vertigo was found sparingly in 63 of the 357 sites inventoried/monitored. The sites where callused vertigo was found were wet, relatively undisturbed forest, most often closed canopied white spruce or ponderosa pine with a varied understory containing relatively diverse floras and deep litter, generally on shaded north-facing slopes and often at the slope base or extending slightly onto the adjacent floodplain. The most common substrate was limestone, but callused vertigo also occurred occasionally on schist-derived soils. Down woody material that helps maintain moist soil conditions and lessens sun exposure is an important habitat element. Foraging substrate appears to consist of decayed deciduous leaves and herbaceous plants. Callused vertigo has been found at one site in (Site 112) the project area and sites near the area, indicating that the species may be found throughout the Project Area in similar habitat (refer to Frest & Johannes 2002 for exact location of that site). The narrowly restricted geographical range of the callused vertigo includes South Dakota (51 sites), Wyoming (12 sites in the Bear Lodge Mountains), North Dakota, Minnesota, and Alberta (Frest & Johannes 2002). The callused vertigo is currently ranked secure globally but imperiled in South Dakota (NatureServe 2011). The monitoring protocol for snails was not funded in 2005 - 2008 (USDA Forest Service 2006a, 2007, 2008, 2009); therefore data to assess the status of SOLC snails is not available for then. Tronstad and Anderson (2011) modeled potential habitat in the Black Hills for these snails, and monitored some of the Frest and Johannes (2002) sites, but none were monitored in the project area. Avoidance of known sites is currently the best available option for conserving and/or enhancing habitat at known snail colonies. Mystery Vertigo (SOLC) In 2002, the Forest received the final report for a contract to inventory and/or monitor 357 sites for land snails (Frest & Johannes 2002). Mystery vertigo was found in 23 of the 357 sites inventoried/monitored. They were not generally abundant at any site. Mystery 59
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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