Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Long-legged Myotis (SOLC)
The long-legged myotis is primarily associated with montane forest. In the Black Hills,
this species occurs primarily at elevations between 4,500 and 6,500 feet (Turner 1974).
This species has been documented using ponderosa pine snags as summer/maternity
roosts in the Black Hills (Cryan et al. 2001) and in other regions (Rabe et al. 1998).
Cryan et al. (2001) found the long-legged myotis roosting in rock crevices in the Black
Hills where they may be subject to disturbance by rock climbing activities. Snags used
for roosting in the Black Hills were larger in diameter, in a greater state of decay, and
were in higher densities when compared to random snags (Cryan et al. 2001). Roosts
were generally on south-facing slopes within late-successional pine forests. Day roosts
are usually under the bark of ponderosa pine and in snags. These bats prefer dead snags
characterized by reduced needles and twigs, loose bark, broken tops, hard-to-spongy
heartwood, and spongy-to-soft sapwood. Roost snags are generally taller than
surrounding trees, close to other available trees, and surrounded by a relatively open
canopy. Reproductive females have been found roosting in buildings, rock crevices,
under the bark of trees, and in hollow trees (Schmidt 2003d). Hibernating individuals are
known to use caves in the Black Hills, including Bush’s and Jewel Caves (Schmidt
2003d, Luce et al. 1999, Turner 1974).
The long-legged myotis forages over meadows, ponds, streams, and open mesic habitats
of the Black Hills where it feeds on flying insects, particularly moths (Luce et al. 1999,
Turner 1974). Although this species is the most common and widely distributed bat in
the Black Hills (Turner 1974), general limits to persistence include availability of roost
sites, hibernacula, and foraging areas. The reported preference of this bat for roosting in
snags suggests that the availability of mature forests with abundant snags may be a
limiting factor (Schmidt 2003d).
The long-legged myotis is common across the western United States. Its range extends
across most of western North America, from southeastern Alaska through the western
and southern half of British Columbia and the southern half of Alberta, down the western
edge of the Great Plains states and into central Mexico (Schmidt 2003d). This species is
considered the most common and widely distributed member of the genus Myotis in the
Black Hills region and has been reported from all counties occupied by the Black Hills in
both South Dakota and Wyoming (Schmidt 2003d, Luce et al. 1999, Clark & Stromberg
1987, Turner 1974). Suitable roosting habitat occurs within the project area.
Northern Flying Squirrel (SOLC)
Throughout their range, northern flying squirrels inhabit a wide variety of woodland
habitats, typically dominated by conifers or mixed coniferous/deciduous forests (Wells-
Gosling & Heaney 1984). Recent studies have indicated northern flying squirrels occupy
a variety of forest types and are not necessarily old growth dependent (Cotton & Parker
2000). Turner (1974) noted that the highest densities are likely found in white-spruce
forests in moist canyons of the northern Black Hills. In the Black Hills National Forest,
northern flying squirrels are associated with cavities in live, quaking aspen and paper
birch trees and aspen, birch and ponderosa pine snags, as well as nests in large, live
ponderosa pine and white spruce trees (Hough 2009). Duckwitz (2001) found flying
squirrels in Wind Cave National Park in ponderosa pine types that had an open canopy
allowing understory grasses to prosper. Open pine types may provide the “openness”
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