Dames & Moore, 1999 - USDA Forest Service

4.6.3 Threatened or Endangered Species
This section provides descriptions of federal- and state-listed and candidate species potentially occurring in
the vicinity of the Site: Table 4.6-1 1 summarizes the inf~rmation'~resented on these species.
4.6.3.1 Federal- and State-Listed Species
Gray Wolf (Canis lupus)
- Status
The gray wolf is listed by the USFWS and the State of Washington as endangered. The gray wolf is a FS
sensitive species.
Backmound Information
Wolves formerly occupied most of the North American continent. Their current distribution is from Alaska
through Canada and into the northern United States from Washington to Michigan.
Po~ulations in Vicinitv of the Site
The Site is surrounded by suitable gray wolf habitat with a year round supply of mule deer prey. Three
confirmed wolf den sites were discovered in the North Cascades in 1990 (USFWS, 1992). Several
unconfirmed sightings in the vicinity of the Site are on record with the USFS. The closest sighting just east
, of Copper Creek (T31N R17E S18 NE114) and less than Smile fiom the Site occurred on July 26, 1995.
Two other sightings in the Railroad Creek watershed include one near Hart Lake (T3 IN R16E S4) in July
1993, and one south of Mirror Lake near the head of Tumble Creek (T3 IN R18E S3 1) in September 1991.
Wolf howling surveys have been conducted by USFS biologists following visitor reports of wolf sightings
in the Railroad creek drainage. These surveys have failed to confirm any of the sightings to date. The most
reliable sighting so far has been one in Copper Basin (personal communication with Mallory Lenz, USFS,
1997).
Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)
- Status
The peregrine falcon is federally listed by the USFWS as endangered. It is also listed by Washington State
as endangered.
Background Information
The peregrine falcon has a worldwide distribution except for Antarctica. Peregrine falcons are usually
observed in Washington as a migrant or winter visitor, although some are known to breed here. Two
subspecies currently breed in Washington State: Peale's (F.P. pealei) and Continental Peregrine Falcon
(F.P. anaturn). Peale's subspecies is found along the ocean coasts while the continental subspecies is rare in
eastern Washington. Most Washington breeding records of Peale's subspecies occur along coastal cliffs in
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