Wildlife Specialist report

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INTRODUCTION This specialist’s report is a discussion and display of the direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts/effects to wildlife that could result from the implementation of the different alternatives for the Gila National Forest Travel Management Project. This report only analyzes alternatives evaluated in detail; by comparing the change the alternatives propose from the existing condition. RELEVANT LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICY This Wildlife Specialist report evaluates compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies that control wildlife, and fish management in the Forest Service. Management direction relevant to the proposed action includes: Endangered Species Act (ESA): The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC 1531 et seq.) requires that any action authorized by a federal agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered (TE) species, or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of such species. Section 7 of the ESA, as amended, requires the responsible federal agency to consult the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service concerning TE species under their jurisdiction. It is Forest Service policy to analyze potential effects of management actions to TE species and document the determination in a Biological Assessment (BA). The results are summarized in this chapter and the full BA will accompany the final EIS. Forest Service Manual and Handbooks (FSM/H 2670): "Sensitive" species include "those plant and animal species identified by a Regional Forester for which population viability is of concern" (FSM 2670.5). The Forest Service is responsible for protecting all federally proposed and listed species and the Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS). In addition, the Forest Service is directed to "assist states in achieving their goals for conservation of endemic species" (FSM 2670.32). State-listed species are not addressed in the project environmental impact statement, BAE, unless they are also considered a RFSS, in which case they will be discussed in the BAE with findings summarized in the decision document as appropriate. Forest Service Sensitive Species Policy (FSM 2670.32) calls national forests to assist states in achieving conservation goals for endemic species; complete biological evaluations of programs and activities; avoid and minimize impacts to species with viability concerns; analyze significance of adverse effects on populations or habitat; and coordinate with states, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) and National Marine and Fisheries Service (NMFS). The Forest Service Manual (2670.15) further defines sensitive species as those plant and animal species identified by a Regional Forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by significant current or predicted downward trend in numbers, density or habitat capability that would reduce a species’ existing distribution. Many of the species 2
that are on the Regional Forester Sensitive Species list have viability concerns for the following reasons: 1. Loss or degradation of suitable habitat (for both terrestrial and aquatic species). 2. The species is at the edge of its range. 3. Little is known about the species and prudence dictates that the species be protected until more is known about the viability of the species. 4. Excessive harvest/exploitation or persecution. 5. Disease or interactions with non-native species. 6. Combination of the aforementioned factors. The analysis of effects must include an assessment of the effects of each alternative on FSS species; this assessment is documented in a Biological Evaluation (BE) and summarized in this chapter. Only alternatives that do not lead to a trend toward listing of loss of viability can be selected. Management Indicator Species (MIS)(1982 Planning Rule)(36 CFR 219): The Gila National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan Amendment #10 for Management Indicator Species (MIS) amended the MIS list for the Gila National Forest to represent the major vegetation types potentially affected by management actions. The Forest Level MIS analysis is incorporated by reference into this analysis where all eleven MIS and their associated habitats are considered. Migratory Bird Treaty Act: Executive Order (EO) 13186, signed January 10, 2001, lists several responsibilities of federal agencies to protect migratory birds. Among them, agencies are directed to support the conservation intent of the migratory bird conventions by integrating bird conservation principles, measures, and practices into agency activities and by avoiding or minimizing, to the extent practicable, adverse impacts on migratory birds when conducting agency actions. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between USDA Forest Service and USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, signed December 8, 2008, provides additional direction. The purpose of this MOU is to strengthen migratory bird conservation through enhanced collaboration between the Forest Service and Fish and Wildlife Service, in coordination with state, tribal and local governments. The MOU identifies specific activities for bird conservation, pursuant to EO 13186 including striving to protect, restore, enhance, and manage habitat of migratory birds, and prevent the further loss or degradation of remaining habitats on National Forest System lands. This includes identifying management practices that impact populations of high priority migratory bird species on National Forest System lands. Agencies shall identify potential impacts to migratory birds and their habitats, avoid or minimize adverse impacts, restore and enhance habitats, and evaluate the effects of actions on migratory birds. Where they exist, other analyses should be used, such as the New Mexico Partners in Flight Conservation Plan. The New Mexico Partners in Flight has identified highest priority species, by vegetation types (Norris, 2003). All New Mexico breeding species were 3
Page 1: Gila National Forest Travel Managem
Page 5 and 6: ALTERNATIVES and MITIGATION MEASURE
Page 7 and 8: AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT The Gila Natio
Page 9 and 10: In 1977, a study was published by a
Page 11 and 12: Regional Forester Sensitive Species
Page 13 and 14: MacGillivray’s Warbler HP Painted
Page 15 and 16: Barriers to Animal Travel or Moveme
Page 17 and 18: occupied sites, etc.). For habitat
Page 19 and 20: Issues identified during scoping re
Page 21 and 22: Elk (Game Species identified as spe
Page 23 and 24: Table 12 summarizes the harvest ind
Page 25 and 26: Table 14: Pronghorn Analysis Area -
Page 27 and 28: Bighorn Sheep (Forest Service Sensi
Page 29 and 30: Mule Deer (Gila Management Indicato
Page 31 and 32: Wide Ranging Carnivores Table19: Wi
Page 33 and 34: from a road, except when feeding. K
Page 35 and 36: HUC 1303020202 Hot/Cold Springs 195
Page 37 and 38: Percent Change -0.17% -20.66% -45.4
Page 39 and 40: Mountain Lion and Black Bear (game
Page 41 and 42: So under this alternative through t
Page 43 and 44: microhabitat in the desert landscap
Page 45 and 46: Southern red-backed vole (Forest Se
Page 47 and 48: largely unknown, but it is thought
Page 49 and 50: Small Mammals-Effects by Alternativ
Page 51 and 52: Beaver (Gila Management Indicator S
Page 53 and 54:
White-nosed Coati, Western Red Bat,
Page 55 and 56:
2% in the Hooded Skunk and Botta’
Page 57 and 58:
The literature documents that a lar
Page 59 and 60:
iparian (cottonwood/sycamore), and
Page 61 and 62:
Reptiles and Amphibians-Effects by
Page 63 and 64:
effects to the species and its habi
Page 65 and 66:
Arizona Toad and Narrow Headed Gart
Page 67 and 68:
Under this alternative you continue
Page 69 and 70:
from grassland areas, and game bird
Page 71 and 72:
Spotted Owl and determined that roa
Page 73 and 74:
and Miller, 1997, Hamann et al, 199
Page 75 and 76:
Shrub/Grassland vegetation types, a
Page 77 and 78:
Table 49: Mexican Spotted Owl Criti
Page 79 and 80:
The potential disturbance area in P
Page 81 and 82:
Table 51: Mexican spotted owl feder
Page 83 and 84:
Northern Goshawk (Gila MIS Species,
Page 85 and 86:
Peregrine Falcon (Forest Service Se
Page 87 and 88:
dates the species’ successful nes
Page 89 and 90:
NMPIF High-Priority Species Alt. B
Page 91 and 92:
Cavity Nesting Birds-Effects by Alt
Page 93 and 94:
Findings: Table66: Hairy woodpecker
Page 95 and 96:
2008). The GBMA is primarily manage
Page 97 and 98:
trees, and succulents dominated by
Page 99 and 100:
New Mexico, where it is resident in
Page 101 and 102:
Table 71: Analysis Area - Existing
Page 103 and 104:
In these analysis areas the area of
Page 105 and 106:
Neotropic Cormorant (Forest Service
Page 107 and 108:
the Wilson’s phalarope analysis a
Page 109 and 110:
NMPIF High Priority Species Common
Page 111 and 112:
Gray Vireo (Forest Service Sensitiv
Page 113 and 114:
Song Bird Summary: Table 82 list ro
Page 115 and 116:
Costa’s Hummingbird (Forest Servi
Page 117 and 118:
Plains Titmouse (Forest Service Sen
Page 119 and 120:
For the focal species and their ass
Page 121 and 122:
the forest edge (New Mexico Partner
Page 123 and 124:
conifers with dense foliage. Limiti
Page 125 and 126:
Merriam’s Wild Turkey (Ponderosa
Page 127 and 128:
Findings: Table 96: Mearn’s quail
Page 129 and 130:
showed an increase in numbers from
Page 131 and 132:
Insect - Effects by Alternative A M
Page 133 and 134:
Dashed Ringtail (Forest Service Sen
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area. These routes continue to caus
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ecreational activities, game manage
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6 th codes remains between 1.5 to 2
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Table 107: 5th Code 6th Code Waters
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MSO PACs Analysis Area 187,083 Acre
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HUC 1302020804 Alamocito Canyon Tot
Page 147 and 148:
6th Code Watershed Alt B Alt C Alt
Page 149 and 150:
Forest Plan and Other Laws and Regu
Page 151 and 152:
Topic Threatened & Endangered Speci
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Appendix A Gila National Forest Neo
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Oak-Juniper Acorn Woodpecker Dark-e
Page 157 and 158:
Ponderosa Pine Acorn Woodpecker Chi
Page 159:
Marsh/Open American Avocet Clark’
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Wildlife Specialist report

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