Final Environmental Impact Statement

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Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 In the Black Hills, this species’ current distribution is considered high where suitable habitat is available (USDA Forest Service 2004). This species is vulnerable to habitat alteration/loss, introduced predaceous fish, susceptible to overgrazing, low water quality and wetland loss (Smith & Keinath 2007). Suitable habitat exists in the Vestal project area. This species has been observed along streams and at one pond. Black Hills Redbelly Snake (R2 Sensitive Species) The Black Hills subspecies is an isolated population; the next nearest population is located in the eastern part of South Dakota, some 300 miles away. Suitable habitat may be broadly distributed or abundant in the Black Hills. The snake is not rare in good habitat and is considered quite common in the Black Hills (USDA Forest Service 2000, SDGFP 2011c). The biggest threat appears to be removal of large, downed woody material and logging in wet areas. Predation, wildfire and road use can impact this species. Suitable habitat exists in the Vestal project area. Observations have occurred within the project area. Fringed Myotis (R2 Sensitive Species) This subspecies only occurs in the Black Hills and possibly northwest Nebraska. This species is considered a rare to uncommon year-round resident. Known locations are found in Lawrence, Meade, Pennington and Custer Counties of South Dakota and possibly Crook and Weston Counties in Wyoming (Luce et al. 1997, Tigner & Stukel 2003). Factors that affect this species are human disturbance of roosting and hibernation sites, low reproductive rate and habitat loss. Disturbance by humans, especially in hibernacula and maternity roosts, can be a threat to survival of these animals (Keinath 2004). No known caves that serve as bat hibernacula were identified in the project area; however, there are abandoned mine sites (Ventling) adjacent to and within the project area where this species has been detected hibernating (B. Phillips, District Wildlife Biologist, Black Hills National Forest, 2011). This site most likely serves as a day/night roost site for this species. The entire project area contains many rock outcrops, as well as snags and large trees that may be used as roost sites for many species of bats. There are other mine sites in and around the Project Area that could have potential bat habitat. Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (R2 Sensitive Species) Within the Black Hills, the species has been recorded in Fall River, Meade, Pennington, Custer and Lawrence counties (Higgins et al. 2000). Population trends appear to be declining in the Black Hills as well as throughout their range. Loss of habitat is the main contributor to lower numbers, which is attributed to the loss of large caves and dilapidation of mines. These bats are extremely sensitive to disturbances in the vicinity of their roosts, including loud noises such as those produced by motorized off-road vehicles, discharging of firearms, and other such activities (Gruver & Keinath 2006). There are abandoned mine sites within and around the Project Area. There are also manmade structures, rock outcrops, and cliff-face crevices and fissures. This species was 72
Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3 detected hibernating at the Ventling mine. This site most likely serves as a day/night roost site for this species. Other abandoned mine sites within or around the project area most likely also provide hibernation and roosting habitat. Black-tailed Prairie Dog (R2 Sensitive Species) Suitable prairie dog habitat on the Black Hills National Forest is limited to non-rocky grassland soils on the Hell Canyon RD. In 2005, there were approximately 400 acres of prairie dog towns on the Forest consisting of about 10 active colonies (USDA Forest Service 2009). The colonies are comparatively small and disjunct from adjacent known colonies. Prairie dog towns on the Forest have remained stable or have increased despite recreational shooting and disease. All of the prairie dog towns occur within grazing allotments (District records). Black-tailed prairie dogs are found to be more abundant in heavily grazed areas than in un-grazed areas in the Black Hills of southwestern South Dakota. In South Dakota the black-tailed prairie dog’s range includes most all western counties (Higgins et al. 2000). There is an active, small prairie dog town (031303-36; Glen Erin) in the project area. This area was mapped in 2011, and is 9.3 acres. Mountain Sucker (R2 Sensitive Species, MIS) The mountain sucker occurs most often in cool, clear mountain streams with moderate water velocities. Stream substrate associated with mountain sucker habitat varies widely and ranges from mud to sand, gravel and boulders, although cobbles are most common. This species is found on the stream bottom and is closely associated with cover (exposed roots, undercut banks, log jams and boulders). Mountain suckers are benthic feeders and their diet is primarily simple plants like diatoms and green algae, but small invertebrates are also ingested. Spawning occurs in the spring, but the exact timing varies by elevation and water temperature. In the Black Hills, the spawning period for mountain suckers is probably June and maybe early July (Shearer personal communication, 2006). This species is an open substrate spawner (broadcast spawner), meaning it does not build or defend a nest or redd. The incubation period of mountain sucker embryos is thought to be short, around 8 to 14 days (Belica & Nibbelink 2006). The status of the mountain sucker in the Rocky Mountain Region and the Black Hills was assessed by Belica and Nibbelink (2006) and Isaak et al. (2003), respectively. Mountain suckers are native to the Black Hills and comprise the eastern-most range of the species. Recent surveys suggest mountain suckers occur in many of its historic drainages throughout the Black Hills (Isaak et al. 2003), but localized population reductions or absence at selected sites has occurred (USDA Forest Service 2010). The mountain sucker historically occurred in French Creek. The first recorded occurrence was in 1893 at Custer, SD (Evermann & Cox 1896). Stream surveys in French Creek in 1960 found mountain suckers downstream of Stockade Lake/Dam (Stewart & Thilenius 1964). French Creek upstream of Stockade Lake was not surveyed. Surveys in 1984 and 1992-93 captured mountain suckers in French Creek downstream of Stockade Lake, but not upstream of the lake (Ford 1988, SDGFP 2009). SDGFP fisheries surveys in 2009 in streams within the Vestal project area did not collect any mountain suckers. 73
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Final Environmental Impact Statement

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