Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 Threatened and Endangered Species A list of federally threatened, endangered and proposed species has been provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), South Dakota State Office, and last verified on September 1, 2011 (USFWS 2011a). The USFWS lists the following endangered and/or threatened species for Custer County, South Dakota: whooping crane, sprague’s pipit, and black-footed ferret. The whooping crane and least tern have been removed from the list of species considered on the Black Hills National Forest under Section 7 consultation (letter of concurrence from D. Gober, Field Supervisor, USFWS, Pierre, South Dakota, dated August 8, 2003). It was determined that management activities on the Forest would have ‘no effect’ on these species because the Black Hills National Forest lacks suitable habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reviewed the conservation status of Sprague’s Pipit to determine whether the species warrants protection under the Endangered Species Act. The status review found that listing Sprague’s Pipit as threatened or endangered is warranted, but that listing the species at this time is precluded by the need to complete other listing actions of a higher priority. To ensure this review was comprehensive, the Service solicited information from state and federal natural resource agencies and all interested parties regarding the Sprague’s pipit and its habitat. Refer to Appendix G which contains a summary of the BA/BE completed for this project. Region 2 (R2) Sensitive Species The current sensitive species list for the Rocky Mountain Region (R2) was renewed on June 10, 2011. Sensitive species for the Black Hills National Forest are listed on the R2 threatened, endangered, and sensitive species home webpage (USDA Forest Service 2011). The pre-field review of R2 Sensitive Species was completed using survey results, district records, literature reviews, on-line databases, and the South Dakota Natural Heritage Database. There are fourteen R2 sensitive species which occur or could potentially occur (habitat may be present) in the Vestal project area. Species Presence Confirmed & Habitat Present: • Bald eagle • Northern goshawk • Black-backed woodpecker • Northern leopard frog • Black Hills redbelly snake • Fringed myotis • Townsend’s big-eared bat • Black-tailed prairie dog • Mountain sucker Species Presence Expected and Habitat Present: 70 • Hoary bat • American marten
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 • Flammulated owl • Cooper’s mountain snail • Regal fritillary butterfly These sensitive species were analyzed in the Vestal Wildlife BA/BE due to the species presence and/or presence of potential habitat in the project area. Two of the species listed, the black-backed woodpecker and mountain sucker, are also designated as MIS species. Bald Eagle (R2 Sensitive Species) Bald Eagles have been documented in all counties in the Black Hills. In South Dakota, approximately 300 bald eagles winter in the Black Hills and along the Missouri River (USFWS 2011d). This species population is a rare breeder in South Dakota, although the nesting population is slowly expanding (South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks [SDGFP] 2011a). South Dakota trends based on mid-winter surveys are reported by the SDGFP (2011b). One eagle successfully fledged in 2008 (USDA Forest Service 2010) and again in 2011 (Patti Lynch, 2011, BHNF, Mystic RD, personal communication). Bald eagles may roost near Bismarck Lake. This species has been observed within the project area. Northern Goshawk (R2 Sensitive Species) In the Black Hills, this species is usually found in ponderosa pine, especially in more closed canopy with multiple vegetation structure. Goshawks typically nest in relatively dense (dependent on forest type) forest areas and use a mosaic of structural stages for foraging within their home range (Kennedy 2003). In the Black Hills, this species is considered a rare permanent resident and has been found nesting in all the counties in the Black Hills (Tallman et al. 2002). There are two known goshawk territories that are monitored within the project area. Each has been active within five years. There is potential over-wintering habitat in the Vestal project area. Goshawk surveys were conducted June-July of 2006 through 2011 within the area. In 2011, only one goshawk territory was active; however, sightings of goshawks have occurred within the project area. Black-backed Woodpecker (R2 Sensitive Species, MIS) This species existing condition is discussed under MIS, earlier in this document. Northern Leopard Frog (R2 Sensitive Species) This species requires three types of habitat. Winter habitat, usually lakes, streams or ponds, is needed for winter torpor. High oxygen saturation is best in the winter waters. Summer habitat for this insectivorous frog is considered upland forage ground often near the breeding ponds. The third habitat is breeding/tadpole habitat. This is usually shallow bodies of water with little to no current, aquatic vegetation, good water quality, and little overhead canopy. Warmth from the sun is needed for proper development of the tadpoles. Larval development becomes an issue if water is too cold. This could explain why frogs are not breeding at springs in the Black Hills (Smith & Keinath 2007). 71
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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