SBCT Final EIS - Govsupport.us

Chapter 3 ⎯ Affected EnvironmentReptiles and Amphibians. One species of amphibian, the wood frog (Rana sylvatica), is commonlyfound in bogs, freshwater and saltwater marshes, and lake margins on post. Wood frogs are importantprey species for sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) (CH2M Hill 1994). No reptiles occur on FRA.Fisheries. Ten species of fish are found in Fort Richardson’s lakes and waterways. Four lakes onFRA (Clunie, Gwen, Otter, and Walden) are stocked under the Fort Richardson Army Base SubdistrictPlan (ADFG 2002). In addition, Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and coho salmon (Oncorhynchuskisutch (Walbaum)) are stocked in Ship Creek under the ADFG Enhancement Plan(ADFG 2002). FRA’s only significant non-game fish are the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteusaculeatus) and the slimy sculpin (Cottus cognatus).Threatened and Endangered Species/Species of ConcernFederally listed threatened, endangered, and delisted plant and animal species in Alaska are presentedin Appendix E of the Transformation of U.S. Army Alaska Final EIS (USARAK 2004). No federallythreatened or endangered species have been found on USARAK lands (USARAK 2007).Species of Concern. The State of Alaska has a cooperative agreement with the Alaska National HeritageProgram to identify “species of concern.” Plants considered species of concern are vulnerable toextirpation at the global or state level due to factors such as restricted geographic range, small populationsize, low population density, specialized habitat requirements, loss of habitat, or extreme sensitivityto habitat disturbances (Alaska Natural Heritage Program [AKNHP] 2002). This list considersrare vascular plants that may be imperiled but require further analysis. The State of Alaska’s listingsof endangered species and species of concern do not provide legislative protection, but does providemanagement consideration during project planning.The State of Alaska also maintains a list of sensitive species, endangered species, and species of specialconcern for wildlife. Although state listed species on may overlap those on the federal listing, thestate listed species are not afforded the same legislative protection (ADFG 1998). Animal speciesmay be imperiled, but because their status requires further analysis, the AKNHP monitors and evaluatesthese species (AKNHP 2002).By definition, a Species of Special Concern is any species or subspecies of fish or wildlife or populationof mammal or bird native to Alaska that has entered a long-term decline in abundance or is vulnerableto a significant decline due to low numbers, restricted distribution, dependence on limitedhabitat resources, or sensitivity to environmental disturbance. The list of Species of Special Concernis an administrative listing established in May 1993 and amended in October 1998 by the Commissionerof Fish and Game (ADFG 1998).Threatened and Endangered Plants. Conservationists in Alaska have become increasingly aware ofthe importance of rare plants and rare plant communities to ensure maintenance of biological diversity.Due to the vastness of the Alaskan landscape, the botanical profile in many areas is poorly understood.It is incumbent on land management agencies, including the Army, to survey, monitor, andconserve rare plants. The AKNHP helps agencies track rare plants. Moreover, the designations ofrare, endangered, and species of concern are the same as with wildlife and fisheries.The 1997 (Lichvar et al.) floristic inventory of FRA identified 26 rare plants on the post, and these arebeing tracked by the AKNHP’s Biological Conservation Database.A comprehensive survey of rare plants was included as part of a statewide floristic inventory conductedin 1994. Only one plant species on the federal endangered species list is known to occur inFebruary 2008 3–125 2/25th SBCT Final EIS