Wildlife Specialist report

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scored on global and New Mexico abundance, global and New Mexico breeding distribution, threats to breeding and wintering grounds, global winter distribution and the importance of New Mexico for breeding. These species are not necessarily species of concern but do illustrate the importance of the area to New Mexican avifauna. The Forest Level Migratory Bird analysis is incorporated by reference into this analysis where all high priority migratory species and their associated habitats are considered. Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act: The bald eagle was listed by the USDI Fish and Wildlife Service as a federally endangered species in 1978. On July 12, 1995, this species was reclassified to Threatened in the lower 48 states. On August 9, 2007, the bald eagle was removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species. Even though they are de-listed, bald eagles are still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. These Acts require some measures to continue to prevent bald eagle “take” resulting from human activities. Following de-listing, the species was put on the Region 3 Regional Forester’s Sensitive Species List. National Environmental Policy Act: (DEBBIE PLEASE UPDATE) This law requires federal agencies to analyze the projects it undertakes against several significant factors; to keep the public informed about all actions it under takes; and it gives the public the opportunity to provide comments related to these projects. When issues are identified that have the potential to have a significant affect the government is required to analyzed this issues through this process. Executive Order 13443: Was signed by President Bush on August 13, 2007 and is intended to enhance hunting opportunities on federal lands. Gila National Forest Land Management Plan and associated amendments: The Gila National Forest Land Management Plan was developed under the 1982 National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning Rule (1982 Planning Rule) (36 CRF 219). Wildlife and Fish Standard and Guidelines that apply to travel management are listed in Table 7. This Wildlife Specialist report is based upon literature review (including the Gila National Forest Plan, as amended), Forest data, as well as a field assessment of habitat conditions. The techniques and methodologies used in this analysis consider the best available science. The analysis includes a summary of credible scientific evidence which is relevant to evaluating reasonably foreseeable impacts. The analysis also identifies methods used and references the scientific sources relied on. The conclusions are based on a scientific analysis that shows a thorough review of relevant scientific information. 4
ALTERNATIVES and MITIGATION MEASURES Alternative A: Proposed Action. Alternative not to be analyzed in detail and will be dropped from consideration. Alternative B: No Action. No changes in the current management of the transportation system would occur. Cross country travel would continue to be allowed. Note: In Alternatives C, D, E, F and G, cross country travel would be prohibited. Alternative C: Most motorized opportunities. Close only those routes that are necessary to meet law, regulation, policy. More areas for OHV use may be allowed. 300’ motorized camping corridors would be designated along specific routes. Motorized big game retrieval for elk, deer, bear, mountain lion, javelina and pronghorn would be permitted up to one mile from motorized routes. 38 small areas traditionally used for camping would be designated over a total of 28.3 acres scattered throughout the Forest and one 7.8 acre area would be designated for motorcycle and ATV use only on the Reserve Ranger District. Alternative D: Moderate motorized access with additional protection of sensitive resources, such as TES species, high-density cultural sites, riparian/wetland areas, low condition watersheds, and roadless areas. Big game retrieval in camping corridors only. Emphasis is on resource protection and non-motorized recreation activities. Motorized opportunities would be implemented in a manner to ensure that sensitive resources are not significantly adversely affected. Three hundred foot (300’) motorized dispersed camping corridors would be designated along specific routes. Motorized big game retrieval for deer and elk would be permitted in the designated motorized dispersed camping corridors (i.e., 300’ in the designated motorized camping corridors). No areas would be designated. Alternative E: Least motorized access, most resource protection and emphasizing non-motorized recreation. This alternative would emphasize fewer motorized uses, particularly focused on minimizing conflicts with resources including watershed, aquatic, wildlife, and cultural resources and on maximizing the opportunities for non-motorized recreation activities. No camping corridors or big game retrieval would be designated. No motor vehicle use areas would be designated. Alternative F: Emphasis on motorized recreation opportunities while considering sensitive resources such as TES species, high-density cultural sites, riparian/wetland areas, low condition watersheds, and roadless areas. More motorized routes than the original proposed action are proposed to be open. 300’ motorized dispersed camping corridors would be designated along specific routes. Allows for motorized big game retrieval within ½ mile of motorized roads and retrieval is limited to elk. Thirty-eight small areas traditionally used for camping would be designated over a total of 28.3 acres scattered throughout the Forest and one 7.8 acre area would be designated for motorcycle and ATV use only on the Reserve Ranger District. 5
Page 1 and 2: Gila National Forest Travel Managem
Page 3: that are on the Regional Forester S
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
Page 135 and 136:
area. These routes continue to caus
Page 137 and 138:
ecreational activities, game manage
Page 139 and 140:
6 th codes remains between 1.5 to 2
Page 141 and 142:
Table 107: 5th Code 6th Code Waters
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MSO PACs Analysis Area 187,083 Acre
Page 145 and 146:
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
Page 153 and 154:
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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