Wildlife Specialist report
Wildlife Specialist report
Wildlife Specialist report
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INTRODUCTION<br />
This specialist’s <strong>report</strong> is a discussion and display of the direct, indirect, and cumulative<br />
environmental impacts/effects to wildlife that could result from the implementation of the<br />
different alternatives for the Gila National Forest Travel Management Project. This<br />
<strong>report</strong> only analyzes alternatives evaluated in detail; by comparing the change the<br />
alternatives propose from the existing condition.<br />
RELEVANT LAWS, REGULATIONS AND POLICY<br />
This <strong>Wildlife</strong> <strong>Specialist</strong> <strong>report</strong> evaluates compliance with the laws, regulations, and<br />
policies that control wildlife, and fish management in the Forest Service. Management<br />
direction relevant to the proposed action includes:<br />
Endangered Species Act (ESA): The Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 USC<br />
1531 et seq.) requires that any action authorized by a federal agency is not likely<br />
to jeopardize the continued existence of a threatened or endangered (TE) species,<br />
or result in the destruction or adverse modification of the critical habitat of such<br />
species. Section 7 of the ESA, as amended, requires the responsible federal<br />
agency to consult the USFWS and the National Marine Fisheries Service<br />
concerning TE species under their jurisdiction. It is Forest Service policy to<br />
analyze potential effects of management actions to TE species and document the<br />
determination in a Biological Assessment (BA). The results are summarized in<br />
this chapter and the full BA will accompany the final EIS.<br />
Forest Service Manual and Handbooks (FSM/H 2670): "Sensitive" species<br />
include "those plant and animal species identified by a Regional Forester for<br />
which population viability is of concern" (FSM 2670.5). The Forest Service is<br />
responsible for protecting all federally proposed and listed species and the<br />
Regional Forester Sensitive Species (RFSS). In addition, the Forest Service is<br />
directed to "assist states in achieving their goals for conservation of endemic<br />
species" (FSM 2670.32). State-listed species are not addressed in the project<br />
environmental impact statement, BAE, unless they are also considered a RFSS, in<br />
which case they will be discussed in the BAE with findings summarized in the<br />
decision document as appropriate. Forest Service Sensitive Species Policy (FSM<br />
2670.32) calls national forests to assist states in achieving conservation goals for<br />
endemic species; complete biological evaluations of programs and activities;<br />
avoid and minimize impacts to species with viability concerns; analyze<br />
significance of adverse effects on populations or habitat; and coordinate with<br />
states, and the United States Fish and <strong>Wildlife</strong> Services (USFWS) and National<br />
Marine and Fisheries Service (NMFS). The Forest Service Manual (2670.15)<br />
further defines sensitive species as those plant and animal species identified by a<br />
Regional Forester for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by<br />
significant current or predicted downward trend in numbers, density or habitat<br />
capability that would reduce a species’ existing distribution. Many of the species<br />
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