NM 532 Curve Correction Project - New Mexico Department of ...

NM 532 Curve Correction Project Environmental Assessment
4.6 Vegetation
Existing Conditions –The major vegetation types are montane coniferous forest, subalpine coniferous
forest, and montane grassland. Montane coniferous woodland has a tree canopy with dominant species
consisting of ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and white fir. Subalpine coniferous forest occurs at higher
elevations than the montane coniferous woodland and has a tree canopy with dominant species consisting
of corkbark fir and Engelmann Spruce. Montane grassland grows in open areas without a tree canopy
and is dominated by grasses such as Thurber fescue, Arizona fescue, and Kentucky bluegrass. Large
areas of gambel oak thickets are also present in the project area. Portions of the project area were burned
in the 2012 Little Bear Fire (see Figures 2.1, 4.1, and 4.2).
Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – Vegetation disturbance would occur at cut and fill areas
and other roadside areas. Approximately 6 acres of vegetation would be affected.
4.7 Fish and Wildlife
Existing Conditions – High quality wildlife habitat occurs along the NM 532 Project Area. The mixture
of forest cover, open grasslands, and riparian areas with good water sources results in relatively high
wildlife populations. Both elk and mule deer have large populations and are easily observed. Black bear,
coyote, striped skunk, and a wide variety of small mammals are present. The mixture of forested and
open areas with easily accessible water sources provide good bird habitat. Important fish habitat occurs
downstream of the project area in the North Fork of the Rio Ruidoso, Eagle Creek, and Eagle Lakes.
Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – Wildlife habitat disturbance would occur at cut and fill
areas in the NM 532 Project Area, affecting approximately 6 acres. Any tree cutting or shrub clearing
would occur outside of the migratory bird nesting season (March 1 through August 30), or a nesting
survey would be completed prior to tree cutting. Wildlife would be temporarily disturbed during
construction. BMPs would be needed to ensure protection of fish habitat water quality during and after
construction. Improved drainage would reduce erosion and sediment transport resulting in improved
water quality.
4.8 Threatened and Endangered Species
Existing Conditions – Three protected species are known to occur along NM 532. The Mexican spotted
owl is listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Designated critical habitat for
the Mexican spotted owl is located adjacent to NM 532. Owls are present in the Carlton protected
activity center (PAC), which is adjacent to the NM 532 Project Area at Texas Turn. The Sacramento
Mountain salamander occurs near Last Curve. The salamander is classified as a federal species of
concern, state threatened, and Forest Service sensitive species. New Mexico stonecrop, a Forest Service
sensitive species, occurs at locations outside of the project area along NM 532.
Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures – Renovation of the existing alignment would have no
effect on federal, state, and U.S. Forest Service listed endangered, threatened, and sensitive protected
species. Specific mitigation and avoidance measures have been developed for threatened and endangered
species and are listed in Table 6.1. These measures are focused on the Mexican spotted owl and
Sacramento Mountain salamander. With these measures, the project would have no effect on the
Mexican spotted owl since construction activities will be restricted at Texas Turn between March 1 and
August 30 to mitigate potential impacts to the Mexican spotted owl. The project may affect, not
adversely affect the Sacramento Mountain salamander. The project would have no effect on other federal
and state threatened and endangered species.
March 2013 11 CN 2101140