SNFPA Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

January 2004

Appendix C: Consistency Review of Documentation for the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment

Assessments of Individual Species

Forest Service Sensitive Species (FEIS Chapter 3, Part 4.4)

Mammals

Pacific Fisher

The Pacific fisher has been extirpated from much of its historic range in the Sierra Nevada. The species is known to be sensitive to management actions that disturb old forests. Because the proposed changes evaluated in the SEIS would modify forest management practices in the Sierra Nevada, the environmental consequences of the proposed changes on this species were analyzed. The results of such analysis are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Marten

The FEIS evaluated the effects of the alternatives on marten habitat. Marten habitat was projected to remain broadly distributed across the species' current and historic ranges under all alternatives. Proposed changes considered in this SEIS would influence habitat factors that are important to this species. Therefore, the environmental consequences of the proposed changes on this species were analyzed and are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Sierra Nevada Red Fox

This species is an inhabitant of higher elevation (generally above 7,000 feet), meadow-dominated habitats of the Sierra Nevada. This fox is indistinguishable from the introduced red fox that inhabits lower elevations. It prefers meadow complexes interspersed with a variety of forest types. Roughly 70% of its range occurs on national forest land. The availability of rodent and lagamorph prey may limit populations. Fire exclusion is thought to have resulted in an overabundance of dense forests adjacent to meadows, which is not habitat preferred by the Sierra Nevada red fox. Population status of this species is presently uncertain, but population may be declining in response to deterioration of meadows and adjacent forests. Grazing may also reduce prey availability and exacerbate a declining population trend. Increased human use of preferred habitats in summer and winter may also negatively affect this species.

The FEIS assessed the relative effects of the action alternatives by comparing levels of grazing and meadow protection, fire occurrence, and recreation activity. The current patchy distribution of habitat was judged unlikely to be appreciably affected by any of the FEIS alternatives, primarily because this species lives at elevations where human use, grazing, and fire are limited. Implementation of the proposed changes would have similar results and additional analysis in the SEIS is therefore not needed.

Wolverine

The status of the wolverine in the Sierra Nevada has been unclear for many years. In the early 1900s, their populations declined, largely due to trapping, and by 1933, no more than 30 animals were thought to occur in California. Occasional sightings are still reported, but the persistence of this species in the Sierra Nevada is questionable as there has been no documented evidence of wolverine presence for the last 50 years (FEIS 4.4.1.4 page 45).

Throughout their range in North America, wolverines prefer remote forested and alpine areas. They appear to be most impacted by increasing human use of their habitats. The FEIS assessed the effects of the alternatives on wolverines by comparing levels of emphasis on wolverine surveys and protection and anticipated road densities, recreation activity, and forest structure. Alternative 5 would have involved wolverine surveys and direct protection where sightings occur, and it was judged adequate to allow continuation of the current status of the wolverine in the Sierra Nevada. The remaining alternatives did not provide specific management direction for protection of wolverines. These alternatives provided varying levels of road, recreation, and forest management. They were all judged to provide slight decreases in overall habitat suitability for wolverines. The FEIS concluded that none of the action alternatives would result in any improvement in the distribution or abundance of this rare carnivore (FEIS 4.4.1.4, page 53). Similar conditions would result from implementing the proposed changes considered in this SEIS.

Pallid Bat and Townsend's Big-Eared Bat

These bat species are widespread in the Sierra Nevada. Both species roost in caves or abandoned mines, and forage over adjacent forest and rangeland habitats. They appear to be most impacted by physical changes or human disturbances of roost sites. Bat responses to changes in terrestrial habitats are poorly understood but do not appear to be significant under current management practices. These species were evaluated in the FEIS by comparing amounts of fuels treatment and the management programs for terrestrial habitats. None of the alternatives was judged to likely result in a change in species status from the current condition. The proposed changes considered in this SEIS are also not expected to result in a change in status of either species. None of the management options would affect roost sites, which are the primary limiting factor for pallid and Townsend's big-eared bats. Additional analysis of effects on these bat species is therefore not needed.

Sierra Nevada Snowshoe Hare

The Sierra Nevada snowshoe hare is widespread in North American boreal forests. A small but stable population persists in the Sierra Nevada, where the species has probably never been abundant. The California Department of Fish and Game lists this hare as a species of special concern and a harvest species in the state. The preferred habitat for snowshoe hares in the Sierra Nevada is riparian forest that includes willows or alders. The effects of the alternatives in the FEIS were assessed by comparing grazing practices, amount of fuels reduction work, and standards for managing meadows and riparian areas. The assessment concluded that Alternatives 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and Modified 8 would improve the existing conditions for snowshoe hares in the Sierra Nevada, because these alternatives include reductions on grazing and greater protection of riparian areas and meadows. Alternatives 4 and 7 would not result in changes relative to the no-action alternative. Implementation of the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would result in similar conditions to those resulting from Alternatives 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, and Modified 8, because these changes would still result in the same level of protection for riparian areas and most meadows. Additional analysis of effects on this species is not needed.

Birds

California Spotted Owl

Forest management can impact the California spotted owl. Because the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would change forest management practices in the Sierra Nevada, environmental consequences of the proposed changes affecting this species were analyzed. The results are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Northern Goshawk

Forest management can impact the northern goshawk. Because the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would change forest management practices in the Sierra Nevada, environmental consequences of the proposed changes affecting this species were analyzed. The results are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Willow Flycatcher

Livestock grazing can impact the willow flycatcher. Because the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would change grazing management in the Sierra Nevada, environmental consequences of the proposed changes affecting this species were analyzed. The results are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Greater Sandhill Crane

The greater sandhill crane inhabits the northeastern Sierra Nevada during spring and summer, where it breeds in remote areas of extensive wetlands and shallow marshes. Three subspecies may breed in northwestern California, and most of the breeding habitat is on private land. Sandhill cranes do not use national forest land in the Sierra during winter. The species is considered by the State of California to be threatened, but populations appear to be increasing.

The FEIS concluded that the most significant impacts to the greater sandhill crane are associated with livestock grazing in meadows and wetlands. It evaluated effects of alternatives on the species by comparing each alternative's standards for grazing and riparian/meadow protection. Alternatives 2, 3, 5, and Modified 8 would not change current habitat value for greater sandhill cranes, because they provide important habitat protections from grazing in riparian and meadow habitats. These alternatives were also expected to improve the species' population status over time. The other alternatives would cause declines in habitat quality and population status over time, because they would not provide as high a level of habitat protection. Implementation of the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would improve habitat and population status for sandhill cranes, because they would still involve the same level of protection for riparian areas and most meadows as under Alternative Modified 8. Additional analysis of effects on this species is not needed.

California Yellow-billed Cuckoo

The California yellow-billed cuckoo is listed as a sensitive species by the Forest Service and an endangered species by the State of California. Populations of this neotropical migrant have declined substantially in North America over the past several decades. The principle reason for the decline is the large-scale reduction in deciduous riparian forests, which constitute the species' required habitat. Only one breeding population of yellow-billed cuckoos occurs on national forest land in the Sierra Nevada today (and grazing or other significant vegetation disturbance is not permitted in that area). Accordingly, none of the alternatives in the FEIS or the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would have any effect on cuckoos. Additional analysis of effects on this species is not needed.

Amphibians

Foothill Yellow-Legged Frog

The foothill yellow-legged frog occurs primarily in lower elevation riparian zones, where it has been extirpated from about two-thirds of its historical range. The most significant factors that influence population trends are water diversion, urbanization, mining, grazing, recreation, and pesticide use. The FEIS noted that the Forest Service has little influence on most of the land and activities that are important to this species. It was therefore concluded that all of the FEIS alternatives would result in similar habitat conditions for the foothill yellow-legged frog and would not create a risk to the species. The proposed changes considered in the SEIS may have similar results. The environmental consequences of the proposed changes are described in detail in Section 4.3 of this document.

Mountain Yellow-Legged Frog

This species inhabits high-elevation lakes, ponds, and streams in the Sierra Nevada where it is susceptible to predation by exotic fish, pesticides poisoning, and trampling from cattle, pack stock, and recreationists. The FEIS noted that the Aquatic Management Strategy, which was included in some alternatives and adopted in the ROD, is the key to conserving this species. However, the proposed changes addressed in the SEIS would change some grazing practices, requiring that additional effects analysis be completed for this species. The results are provided in Section 4.3 of this document.

Yosemite Toad

The Yosemite toad is a species for which specific grazing management direction was adopted in the ROD. The proposed changes evaluated in the SEIS would modify this direction. Accordingly, the effects of the proposed changes on the Yosemite toad require evaluation. This information is provided in Section 4.3 of the SEIS.

Cascade Frog and Northern Leopard Frog

These species inhabit the streams and ponds of the northern Sierra Nevada. Like many other amphibians, they are thought to be affected by a variety of factors including water diversions, predation by exotic fish and amphibians, pesticide poisoning, and grazing. The Aquatic Management Strategy was developed for some alternatives in the FEIS to conserve important aquatic resources, including at-risk amphibians. The proposed changes in the SEIS would change some grazing practices. Therefore, additional analysis of effect on these species is needed. The results are provided in Section 4.3 of this document.

Batrachoseps Relictus Species Complex and Other Sensitive Salamanders

The FEIS described a small list of salamander species that typically occur as small, localized populations in the Sierra Nevada. The status and habitat relationships of these species are poorly understood, but they are thought to be particularly sensitive to further isolation of small disjunct populations. The FEIS concluded that it is not possible to assess the effects of management on these species at the scale of the entire Sierra Nevada. Assessments for these animals must be completed through the biological evaluation process at the project level, where potential impacts and appropriate mitigations can be identified. This approach would continue if the proposed changes were adopted.

Fish

Goose Lake Lamprey, Fall Run Chinook, Eagle Lake Rainbow Trout, Volcano Creek Golden Trout, Goose Lake Redband Trout, Warner Valley Redband Trout, Lahontan Lake Tui Chub, Goose Lake Tui Chub, and Hardhead

The FEIS described the life history, habitat relationships, population status, and risk factors for each of these species in the Sierra Nevada. Most of these species are isolated within one to several lakes or watersheds. Risk factors for most of the species involve habitat degradation from combinations of reduced flow; increased temperature, sediment, and/or pollutants; and in stream changes to important structural features. The FEIS evaluated the potential effects of the alternatives on these fish species by comparing the level of protection that would be afforded riparian and in stream fish habitats. Alternatives 2, 5, 6, 8, and Modified 8 would all provide special management areas that would be developed, in part, to enhance fish habitat value. Moreover, these alternatives would involve landscape analysis to identify critical aquatic refuges, and would require that watershed restoration be a high priority. Alternative 5 would provide additional protection by providing an even larger area where protective management was emphasized. Alternative 4 and 7 would result in protection that would be similar to that resulting from the no-action alternative (#1). Implementation of the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would result in conditions that would be similar to those resulting from Alternative Modified 8, because the Aquatic Management Strategy would be unchanged. Further analysis of effects on these species is therefore not needed.

Reptiles

Northwestern Pond Turtle

The northwestern pond turtle is a resident of permanent lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers below 6,000 feet on the west slope of the Sierra Nevada. Risk factors for the species include habitat degradation from cattle grazing, roads, and logging near riparian areas. Predation by introduced fish and amphibian species is also an issue in some areas. The FEIS evaluated the effects of the action alternatives by comparing programs for vegetation treatment, road building, recreation, grazing, prescribed fire, and fuel wood harvest in riparian areas. Alternatives 2, 5, and Modified 8 were judged to provide the most protection for pond turtles. Implementation of proposed changes considered in this SEIS would have similar effects, because they do not involve modification of the protections provided in Alternative Modified 8. Additional assessment is therefore not needed for effects on the northwestern pond turtle.

California Legless Lizard

California legless lizards are typically found in damp soil along streams in chaparral, pine-oak, and deciduous woodland communities of the southern Sierra Nevada. Populations are strongly influenced by noxious weed introductions, trampling from grazing, and off-road vehicle disturbances. Prescribed fire benefits this species because it curtails invasive species without appreciable soil disturbance. The FEIS compared vegetation treatments that would be carried out under each alternative and found that Alternatives 3, 6, 8 and Modified 8 would provide the best overall habitat for legless lizards, because they would include the largest programs of prescribed fire. Implementation of the proposed changes considered in this SEIS would yield similar results, because the program of prescribed fire would be similar to that of Alternative Modified 8. No additional effects analysis is therefore warranted for the California legless lizard.

Sierra Night Lizard and Panamint Alligator Lizard

These species are highly isolated and are very poorly understood. Impact assessments can be most usefully conducting during planning for individual projects. Evaluating management-caused changes in the status of these animals at the scale of the entire Sierra Nevada is not meaningful.

Coast Horned Lizard

The coast horned lizard inhabits undisturbed sandy areas on the lower westside edge of the Sierra Nevada. It typically occurs in habitat that is below the elevation of the national forests. Primary risk factors include urban development and road building, introduction of noxious weeds, and off-highway vehicle use. This species was not evaluated in detail in the FEIS because the factors that are important for its persistence are almost entirely the responsibility of other land managers. For the same reason, additional analysis of effects of changes considered in this SEIS is unnecessary.

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