prepared by: lusetta s. nelson westside shasta-trinity national...

Biological Evaluation for Plant and Fungi Species and

Supplemental Botany Report

Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project

Smilax jamesii photo taken by Lusetta Nelson on June 6, 2012

Prepared by: Lusetta S. Nelson

Westside Shasta-Trinity National Forest Botanist

Date: July 2, 2012

Blue Rock Road Fuels Project Plant and Fungi Biological Evaluation and Supplemental Botany Report – 07-02-2012

Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Trinity River Management Unit

Contents Background/Purpose and Need for Action ............................................................................................... 2 Proposed Action .......................................................................................................................................... 2 Botanical Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................. 2

Policy, Laws, and Direction ...................................................................................................................... 2 Land and Resource Management Plan .................................................................................................. 3 Categories of Plant Species of Concern ................................................................................................ 4

Affected Environment ................................................................................................................................ 4 Species Accounts and Environmental Consequences .............................................................................. 5

Cumulative Impacts .................................................................................................................................. 8 Summary of Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................ 10

Project Resource Protection Measures .................................................................................................... 10 References .................................................................................................................................................. 10 Appendix A – Sensitive Botanical Species .............................................................................................. 13 Appendix B – Supplemental Botanical Report ....................................................................................... 18

Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 18 Current Management direction and Affected Environment .................................................................... 18

Forest Plan Endemic Species .............................................................................................................. 18 Survey & Manage Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, Lichens, and Fungi ................................................ 18 Watchlist Species ................................................................................................................................ 22 Noxious Weeds ................................................................................................................................... 22

Supplemental Report References ............................................................................................................ 23

Non Discrimination Statement

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.


Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Trinity River Management Unit - 1

Background/Purpose and Need for Action The purpose of this biological evaluation (BE) is to review the proposed Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project in sufficient detail to determine whether the proposed action would result in a trend toward Federal listing of any Sensitive plant, lichens, or fungi species, as designated by the October 1, 2007 Region 5 Sensitive Species List and the 2001 Survey and Manage Record of Decision.

The project area is located approximately 2 miles north of Weaverville, California. The legal location is T34N R9W Section 33 &34, in the vicinity of Forest Roads 34N77 and 34N77AA east of Highway 3. The project area is within Management Area #7 (Weaverville/Lewiston) and within the Matrix, Roaded Recreation Land Allocation. The entire 157 acre treatment area is within the designation of Wildland Urban Interlace according to the most recent Trinity County Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and is located within the Weaverville Community Forest.

The need for specific actions was determined by comparing existing conditions with the desired future conditions as described in the Shasta-Trinity LRMP. Desired future conditions applicable to the project area are described in the LRMP in the following locations:

• Forest Goals and Objectives (pages 4-4 to 4-6) • Forest-wide Standards and Guidelines (pages 4-11 to 4-30) • Management Prescription Standards and Guidelines (pages 4-64 to 4-66) • Desired Future Condition for Management Area 7 (pages 4-107 to 4-109)

Table 1. Existing vs. Desired Condition for the Blue Rock Road Fuel Reduction Project Existing Condition • Mean fuel load of approximately 17-30 tons/acre within the project area.

• Areas of dense ladder fuels are present. • A departure from historic mean fire return interval.

Desired Condition Forest Goals and Objectives: Restore fire to its natural role in the ecosystem when establishing the Desired Future Condition of the landscape (pg. 4-4). Forest-wide Standards and Guidelines: Plan and implement fuel treatments emphasizing those treatments that will replicate fire’s natural role in the ecosystems (pg. 4-18). Consider fuelbreak construction investments when they complement Forest health/biomass reduction needs, very high and extensive resource values are at risk and to protect Forest communities (pg. 4-18). Management Prescription Standards and Guidelines: Maintain an average of 10 tons of unburned dead/down material per acre on slopes less than 40 percent. Where feasible, maintain the same amount on slopes over 40 percent. (pg. 4-65).


2 - Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Trinity River Management Unit

Proposed Action Understory thin to reduce understory fuel loading

• Live or dead conifers < 6” dbh class1 would be manually thinned on 20’ X 20’ spacing.

• Conifers would be pruned to a height of 6-8’, or to a height that leaves at least 1/2 live crown.

• Hardwood snags or dead and down hardwoods < 6” dbh class would be manually thinned and hand piled.

• Natural and activity created surface fuels < 6” dbh class would be hand piled and burned or, in areas of light fuels where there is insufficient slash to hand pile, lopped and scattered.

• Where necessary and possible, manual re-arrangement of fuels (such as scattering natural, pruned or thinned material, cutting through downed logs to lay them flat, cutting and moving larger logs to use for erosion mitigation, or pulling fuel concentrations away from snags or live trees ) would occur prior to underburning.

Underburning to reduce surface fuel loading

• Where appropriate based on fuel loading, implement underburning to reduce accumulated natural and activity created surface fuels.

• Fire control line would be constructed by hand where natural or man-made barriers do not already exist. Handline would average three feet in width and would be dug down to mineral soil.

• Initial entry underburning could be completed within 3 years after thinning treatments.

• Maintenance underburning would then be considered every 3-15 years following initial entry based on fuel accumulation over time.

Effectiveness Monitoring

• Permanent FIREMON2 monitoring plots would be established in the project area to provide data on pre-and-post treatment visual quality, stand structure, fuel loading, fire behavior, and treatment effectiveness over time.

Botanical Regulatory Framework Policy, Laws, and Direction

The following current laws, policy, and direction apply to the botanical resources within the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project: 1 Classification of trees based on diameter outside bark measured at breast height. 2 http://www.frames.gov/. “Partner sites” “Firemon”.

http://www.frames.gov/



• Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2080: Wildlife, Fish, and Sensitive Plant Management, Section 2670.3

• Northwest Forest Plan Record of Decision (April 13, 1994) • Clean Air Act of 1977 (Public Law 91-604 [42 U.S. C. 7401-7626]) • Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act [19 United States Code 1536(c)] • National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (Public Law 94-52 [42 U.S. C. 4321-

4347]) • Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan and Record of

Decision (April 28, 1995)

Land and Resource Management Plan The Shasta-Trinity National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP)4 provides four integrated levels of guidance: (1) Forest-wide direction, (2) Land allocations and Standards and Guidelines from the ROD, (3) Management Prescription Direction and (4) Management Area Direction.5

The following is specific direction found within the LRMP applicable to the Blue Rock Road Hazard Fuels Reduction Project.

Forest Goals

Biological Diversity • Integrate multiple resource management on a landscape level to provide and maintain

diversity and quality of habitats that support viable populations of plants, fish, and wildlife.6

Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive Species (Plants and Animals) • Monitor and protect habitat for federally listed threatened and endangered (T&E) and

candidate species. Assist in recovery efforts for T&E species. Cooperate with the State to meet objectives for State-listed species.7

• Manage habitat for sensitive plants and animals in a manner that will prevent any species from becoming a candidate for T&E status.8

Standards and Guidelines

Sensitive and Endemic Plants • Map, record, and protect essential habitat for known and newly discovered Sensitive and

endemic plant species until conservation strategies are developed.9

3 USDA Forest Service 1995a 4 USDA Forest Service 1995b 5 LRMP p. 4-1 6 LRMP p.4-4 7 LRMP p.4-5 8 LRMP p.4-5



• Analyze the potential effects of all ground-disturbing projects on Sensitive and endemic plants and their habitats. Mitigate project effects to avoid a decline in species viability at the Forest level.10

• Monitor the effects of management activities on Sensitive and endemic plants. If monitoring results show a decline in species viability, alter management strategy.11

Categories of Plant Species of Concern Current management direction mandates conservation of several categories of rare plants on the Shasta-Trinity National forest.

Endangered and Threatened species are those listed under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. There are no known threatened or endangered plant species within the project area. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) was designated warranted, but precluded from federal listing throughout its range on July 19, 2011. Whitebark pine is present on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest at elevations above 7,000 feet. The project area is outside of the elevation range of Whitebark pine and there is no suitable habitat for the species.

Sensitive species are those vascular plant, bryophyte, lichen, and fungi species eligible for listing under the Endangered Species Act, or whose viability is of concern. These are protected by USDA Forest Service regulations and Manual direction. The Region 5 Sensitive Plant List was updated and signed October 1, 2007.

Forest Plan Endemic species are rare species confined wholly or mostly to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. These are afforded the same protection as Sensitive species by direction in the Forest Plan. If present, these species are addressed in the Supplemental Botanical Report.

Watch List species are those that do not meet the criteria to be included on the Regional Forester’s Sensitive Plant List or the LRMP, but are of sufficient local viability concern to be considered in the planning process. If present, these species are addressed in the Supplemental Botany Report.

Affected Environment Habitat in the project area is early to mid seral mixed conifer/hardwoods. The dominant mature hardwood tree species is Californian Black oak. Ponderosa pines and Incense cedar have grown into this woodland over the last eighty years due to exclusion of fire from suppression activities and the cession of Native American cultural burning.

The project area is open and dry in general and does not support the ambient humidity necessary to produce the rich fungal diversity and microclimates necessary for several of the listed

9 LRMP p.4-14 10 LRMP p.4-14. 11 LRMP p.4-14.



Sensitive plant and fungi species. Surveys have found that there is no late seral forest within the project area, but there are moderate levels of coarse woody debris. There are no large, decomposed logs or large, moist root wads in the project area. Suitable habitat for some of the Forest Service sensitive plant species does not exist in the project area as they are either primarily associated with rock outcrops; primarily found in wet areas/soils; are directly dependent on specific soil types not present in the project area; or are restricted to higher or lower elevations.

Refer to Appendix A for a complete list of Sensitive botanical species known or suspected to occur on the Westside of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and probability of occurrence within the project area. Species eliminated from further consideration in this project BE are indicated and explained in table that are not expected in the project area and rationale.

Species Accounts and Environmental Consequences There were no known site records of invasive or sensitive botanical species previous to project level surveys. Field surveys were accomplished on May 21, 2012 and June 6, 2012 by Forest Botanist, Lusetta Nelson. There is potential suitable (though lower quality) habitat in the project area for the following sensitive species, notably in proximity to the riparian area: Moonworts, Brownie and mountain lady’s-slipper, English peak greenbrier, Thread-leaf beardtongue, Shasta chaenactis, Scott Mountain fawn lily and Veiny arnica. Four individuals of English peak greenbrier were discovered during surveys. Surveys were done at the appropriate phenology or blooming period to discover Forest sensitive species and no other sensitive botanical species were found.

Moonworts (Botrychium crenulatum, Botrychium minganense, Botrychium montanum, Botrychium pinnatum, Botrychium simplex)

Moonworts occupy wet meadows or meadow edges in middle to high elevation forests. These plants rank G3/G4/G5 S1/S212. Known threats include activities that disturb riparian habitats such as excessive grazing and stock use. No mechanized machinery will be used during fuels reduction activities for this proposed project.

No individuals or populations were discovered during field surveys. No populations of Forest sensitive moonworts were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

12 California Native Plant Society rare plant ranks describe rarity both throughout a species' range (globally, or "G" rank) and within California (statewide, or "S" rank). Ranks are on a scale of 1 to 5, with a 1 indicating critical imperilment, a 3 indicating that the species or natural community is uncommon, and a 5 indicating that the species or natural community is common and demonstrably secure. http://www.cnps.org/cnps/rareplants/.



Brownie lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium fasciculatum)

This rare orchid is wide ranging but sporadic found growing in mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of soil types at 1300-6000 feet elevation. In the drier part of California, populations tend to be small and generally confined to relatively moist habitats, especially older forests along riparian corridors. It is ranked G4/S3.2 and is found in eight western states (meaning there are 21 to 100 populations known from California, but it is considered apparently secure globally). Known threats include activities that dramatically increase sunlight such as logging and fuels reduction, excessive grazing and exclusion of wildfire. No populations of Brown lady’s-slipper were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

Mountain lady’s-slipper (Cypripedium montanum)

This rare orchid is wide ranging but sporadic found growing in mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of soil types at 1300-6000 feet elevation. In the drier part of California, populations are small and generally confined to moist, shady habitats, especially in older forests along riparian corridors. Habitat can be drier and more open than that for C. fasciculatum, but most populations away from riparian areas are confined to north or northeast aspects with filtered sunlight. It is ranked G4/S4 and is found in six western states (meaning there are greater than 100 known populations from California, but it is considered secure globally and statewide). Known threats include activities that dramatically increase sunlight such as logging and fuels reduction, excessive grazing and exclusion of wildfire.

No populations of Mountain lady’s-slipper were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

Veiny arnica (Arnica venosa)

Veiny arnica is a rhizomatous, perennial herb that is native and endemic to California. It is found in disturbed foothill woodland, yellow pine forest, mixed conifer or conifer/oak forest, especially on ridge tops and old road cuts between 1300 and 2500 feet in elevation within Trinity, Shasta and Siskiyou Counties.

No populations of Veiny Arnica were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

Shasta chaenactis (Chaenactis suffrutescens)

This perennial herb favors sandy, stabilized stream courses but can also be found in open, rocky roadcuts and on serpentine soils. It has been found only in California, primarily in Trinity and



Siskiyou Counties, and is ranked as G3/S3.2. Threats to this species appear low at this time. Possible threats include road construction or maintenance, recreation, grazing, development, and non-native plant displacement. There are 19 known populations on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 13 of which are in the Trinity River Management Unit.

No populations of Shasta chaenactis were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

Thread-leaf beardtongue (Penstemon filiformis)

This perennial subshrub is ranked G3/S3.3. This species grows in rocky openings in lower montane conifer forest on serpentine soils between 2000-6000 feet elevation in the Trinity Mountains. Possible threats to this species include logging and recreation. There are 34 populations on the Forest. The nearest documented population to the project area is near Stoney Creek Campground.

No populations of Thread-leaf beardtongue were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

English Peak greenbriar (Smilax jamesii)

This vining perennial occupies moist riparian areas including lakesides, stream banks, alder thickets, and wet slopes in montane forest. It is ranked G2/S2.3 and is known only from California and Oregon. It is found throughout the Klamath and Coast Ranges of northern California between 4000 and 8000 feet elevation.

Known threats include logging, mining, trampling, power lines, and fuels reduction. Four individuals were located during field surveys on June 6, 2012 along the northern project boundary near the creek. There are now 35 known populations on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 24 of which are in Trinity County.

Habitat for English Peak greenbriar is in the riparian forested project areas. These plant communities have evolved in a fire-dependent ecosystem (Sawyer and Thornburgh, 1977) so the species may be expected to be able to survive or respond positively to low or moderate-intensity wildfire. Historically, high-intensity wildfires were not typical in most conifer forests in the Klamath Mountains of California and many native plant species are not resilient to those impacts. There is a higher chance of death of native species individuals or populations from lethal soil temperatures that can kill underground reproductive structures. Indirectly, severe modifications in the forest canopy could be great enough eliminate necessary habitat characteristics, such as shade, necessary for native and rare plant species to survive after high-intensity wildfire has occurred.



All proposed actions may potentially harm above ground plant parts, but the deep rhizomatous perennial root system will resprout and recover after one growing season and continue to colonize new habitat created by fuel treatments in the project area. Over the long term project activities will very likely increase the population in this area due to the decrease of competition from other native perennial species such as poison oak and California grape that are currently crowding the habitat for English Peak greenbriar. It is my determination that the proposed fuel treatments may affect individuals of English Peak greenbriar but is not likely to result in a trend towards Federal listing or loss of viability.

Scott Mountain fawn lily (Erythronium citrinum var. roderickii)

This perennial herb grows in montane forests on serpentine or granitic soils, on bare mineral soils or cutbanks, skid trails, or under tree canopies between 900 to 4,000 feet elevation. It is ranked G4T3/S3 and is noted as rapidly declining in abundance.

Known threats include logging. There are 16 populations on the Forest all of which are in Trinity County. No populations of Scott Mountain fawn lily were identified during field surveys. Because of the lack of identified individuals with surveys, there will be no direct or indirect impacts, therefore no cumulative impacts to these species.

Cumulative Impacts The only species considered for cumulative impact analysis is English Peak greenbriar (Smilax jamesii). There are no known site records of Forest sensitive botanical species within the project area, and no other sensitive species were identified within the project area during field surveys. Temporal Boundary

All activities occurring from approximately 80 years in the past to approximately 80 years into the future would be considered to contribute to cumulative impacts to English Peak Greenbriar. 80 years is about the time it would take for mixed conifer forest communities to develop habitat characteristics that are suitable for this species to survive in healthy populations.

Spatial Boundary

For this analysis, the 7th field hydrologic unit has selected to adequately review impacts from past, present and foreseeable projects in and around the project area. This watershed determines the scope of the subsurface hydrology, which is one of the driving factors in plant community composition. The geographic extent of the Little Browns Creek HUC7 is 7,598 acres.

Relevant Past, Present, and Reasonable Foreseeable Future Actions

Actions that are relevant to consider during cumulative impact analysis are those actions that have occurred in areas that currently do not provide suitable habitat for Sensitive plants, but are thought to have prior to the action, based on residual habitat types and knowledge of past treatment



prescriptions. Existing habitat conditions reflect the results of the past actions and events and contribute to the cumulative impacts. Table 2 below is a summary of management actions considered in the evaluation of cumulative effects within the Little Browns Creek Drainage.

Table 2. Cumulative Actions Table

Location (Little Browns Creek 7th field

HUC number 18010211060503)

Past Projects (completed prior to September 2011). Note that

different activities may occur on the same acreages; therefore, the total acres affected are not a total

of the activities listed.

Present Projects Foreseeable Projects

(~ October 2012 forward)

Fires 1922 Unknown ~115 acres 1994 Browns Fire ~ 150 acres

USFS Timber Sales East Weaver ~ 21 acres Browns Project

Phase I ~ 186 acres

Browns Phase II-IV ~375 acres

Private and County Projects 1998 – present ~ 1,122 acres of

private land timber harvest that may include slash disposal burning

~ 350 acres of private land timber harvest

that may include slash disposal

burning

Unknown

USFS Fuels Projects 2008 - Browns RAC Fuels Project ~

95 acres

China Gulch Fuels Reduction ~ 182 acres

1999 – 2011 Brown Fuel Reduction Project(s) ~ 480 total acres

1999 – 2011 Brown Fuel Reduction Project(s) ~ 480 total acres

Other USFS Projects

SHF Jobs Partnership and Community Wildfire Protection Project-TRMU Trails ~ 3 miles



Roads Browns Road Decommissioning

Project ~ 17 miles Browns Road Decommissioning Project ~ 17 miles

Browns Road Decommissioning Project ~ 17 miles



Past, present and future planning actions that could have impacted or have future impacts on habitat for English Peak greenbriar include private logging, the Browns fire, and fuels reduction projects.

Logging can directly impact above ground and some below ground plant parts and indirectly impact forest canopy shade that this species prefers. The Browns wildfire could have had direct impacts to above ground plants but the deep rhizomatous rooting stem would resprout post fire. Directly, fuel reduction treatments could reduce forest canopy, (mostly understory cover) as underburning is reintroduced on the landscape. However, underburning could also indirectly benefit the population by reducing local competition from other native species. Because this species has a long lived deep rooting organ it is unlikely permanent harm would occur to below ground plant parts the deep rhizomatous perennial root system will recover after one growing season and continue to colonize new habitat created by fuel treatment activities and future fuels maintenance activities in the project area.

Summary of Environmental Consequences This project-level effects analysis for the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project evaluated the potential for extraordinary circumstances, as defined in NEPA (FSH 1909.15, Chapter 30). This analysis found that the potential effects of the proposed action on Sensitive plants, bryophytes, and fungi are minor or non-existent and the project would not result in any extraordinary circumstances relating to these species.

Project Resource Protection Measures

• Hand line rehabilitation will occur after burning by raking and filling in the hand line footprint with surrounding native mulch.

• Existing snag and large down log levels would be maintained across the landscape except to meet fuel reduction objectives; Forest Plan standards for snags and logs per acre would be maintained.

References Agee, J.K., Skinner, C.N., 2005. Basic principles of forest fuel reduction treatments. Forest

Ecology and Management 211: 83–96.

Brown, J. K., J.K. Smith, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen.Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 pp.



Castellano, M. A., J.E. Smith, T. O'Dell, E. Cázares, and S. Nugent. 1999. Handbook to strategy 1 fungal taxa from the Northwest Forest Plan. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-476. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 195 pp.

Castellano, M.A., E. Cazares, B. Fondrick, and T. Dreisbach. 2003. Handbook to additional fungal species of special concern in the Northwest Forest Plan. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-572. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 144 pp.

DeJuilio, J. 2009. Short-term effects of fuel treatments on vegetation in headwater riparian corridors of the Middle Rogue River Basin of southwest Oregon (Master’s Thesis). Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR.

Hickman, J. C. Ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual of Higher Plants of California. UC Press, Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.

Nakamura, G. and J.K. Nelson. 2001. Illustrated Field Guide to Selected Rare Plants of Northern California. University of California Publication 3395. 370 pp.

Miles, S.R. and C.B. Goudey. 1998. Ecological subregions of California, section and subsection descriptions. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region. R5-EM-TP-005-NET. An online database at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/projects/ecoregions/ .

Reveal, J.L. and J.D. Knorr. 2004. A new variety of Eriogonum ursinum (Polygonaceae, Eriogonoideae). Phytologia 86: 160-168.

Safford, H. D., J. H. Viers, and S. Harrison. 2005. Serpentine endemism in the California flora: a database of serpentine affinity. Madrono. 52 (4): 222-257.

Skinner, C.N., 2003. Fire regimes of upper montane and subalpine glacial basins in the Klamath Mountains of northern California. Tall Timbers Research Station Miscellaneous Publication 13, pp. 145–151.

Smith, J.E., D. McKay, C.G. Niwa, W.G. Thies, G. Brenner, and J.W. Spatafora. 2004. Short-term effects of seasonal prescribed burning on the ectomycorrhizal fungal community and fine root biomass in ponderosa pine stands in the Blue Mountains of Oregon. Canadian Journal of Forest Research. 34: 2477–2491.

USDA Forest Service. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl.

USDA Forest Service. 1995a. Forest Service Handbook 2509.18 – Soil Management Handbook

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=RedirectURL&_method=externObjLink&_locator=url&_cdi=5042&_issn=03781127&_originPage=article&_zone=art_page&_plusSign=%2B&_targetURL=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.fs.fed.us%252Fr5%252Fprojects%252Fecoregions%252F



USDA Forest Service. 1995b. Shasta-Trinity National Forests Land and Resources Management Plan.

USDA Forest Service. 2001. Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures, Standards and Guidelines.



Appendix A – Sensitive Botanical Species Sensitive Plant, Lichen, and Fungi Species Known or Suspected to Occur on the West Side of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and Probability of Occurrence within the Project Area. Species eliminated from further consideration in this project BE are indicated and explained in table.

Vascular Plants Anisocarpus scabridus (=Raillardiopsis scabrida) scabrid alpine tarplant G2G3 S2S3

Rocky, open subalpine slopes. 5500-7500 feet elev. North Coast Ranges & southern Cascades. Out of Geographic Range.

N

Botrychium subg. Botrychium and subg. Osmundopteris moonwort, rattlesnake fern G3/G4/G5 S1/S2

Riparian edges in mid to high elevation forest. Fields, shrubby slopes, shady forests; riparian areas. 1000-6000 feet elev. No undisturbed wet meadows present in treatment units.

Y

Campanula wilkinsiana Wilkin’s harebell G2 S2.2

Streambanks & springs in red fir and subalpine forests; 5500-8600 feet elev. Project area too low in elevation.

N

Chaenactis suffrutescens Shasta chaenactis G3 S3.2

Rocky open slopes, cobbly river terraces; on ultramafic soils or glacial till w/ ultramafics included. 2600-6900 feet elev. Eastern Klamath Ranges of CA.

Y

Clarkia borealis ssp. borealis northern clarkia G3T2 S2.3

Foothill woodlands and forest margins. 1300-2600 feet elev. Eastern Trinity and W. Shasta Co. Out of geographic range.

N

Cypripedium fasciculatum Brownie lady’s slipper G4 S3.2

Mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of soil types, often but not always associated with streams; 1300-6000 feet elev. Widespread but sporadic.

Y

Cypripedium montanum mountain lady’s slipper G4 S4

Mixed conifer or oak forests on a variety of soil types, often but not always associated with streams; 1300-6000 feet elev. Widespread but sporadic.

Y

Draba carnosula Mt. Eddy draba G2 S2.2

High elevation ridges and summits on rocky serpentine soils; 6000 to 9000 feet elev. Project areas too low in elevation.

N



Epilobium oreganum Oregon willow herb G2 S2.2

Wet, gently sloping stream banks, meadows, & bogs, generally on ultramafic soil. 500-7800 feet elev. Klamath Ranges of CA & OR. Out of geographic range

N

Eriastrum tracyi Tracy’s woolly-stars G3 S3.2

Dry gravelly to loamy soils on flats and benches; closed cone pine forests or chaparral; 1000-4300 feet elev. Central Valley, CA. Out of geographic range.

N

Eriogonum ursinum var. erubescens blushing wild buckwheat G3G4T2 S2.3

Rocky openings on open ridgelines in the Klamath Range; 5300-6200 feet elev. Project areas too low in elevation.

N

Erythronium citrinum var. roderickii Scott Mountain fawn lily G4T1 S1.3

Mixed conifer forest on ultramafic or granitic soils. 2900-4000 feet elev. Trinity & Scott Mountains.

Y

Frasera umpquaensis (=Swertia fastigiata) Umpqua green gentian -----

Cool, moist Douglas-fir/white fir forest margins or openings. 5000-6000 feet elev. South Fork Mountain, Trinity Co., & SW OR. Out of geographic range

N

Harmonia doris-nilesiae Niles’ madia G2 S1.1

Rocky ultramafic ridgetops & slopes with Jeffrey pine, gray pine, & shrubs. 2100-5500 feet elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M261Au) of southern Klamath Ranges south of Hwy 299. Out of geographic range.

N

Iliamna bakeri Baker’s globe mallow G4 S3.2

Chaparral, pine or mixed conifer/oak forest, juniper woodland; on rocky soil; 3800-6800 feet elev. Scott Mtn., Cascades & Modoc Plateau. Out of geographic range

N

Iliamna latibracteata California globe mallow G3 S2.2

Conifer forest and streamsides in the Klamath Range. 1600 – 6600 feet. South Fork Mountain. Out of geographic range

N

Ivesia pickeringii Pickering’s ivesia G2 S2.2

Ephemeral drainages & seasonally wet grassy slopes in mixed conifer forest, on ultramafic soils; 2500-4500 feet elev. Scott Mountain & Trinity Mtns. No seasonally wet serpentine soils present.

N



Leptosiphon nuttallii ssp. howellii (=Linanthus n. ssp. h.) Tedoc Mountain linanthus G5T1 S1.2

Jeffrey pine/incense cedar forest, usually on ultramafic soil; 4000-5000 feet elev. Localized around the base of Tedoc Mountain, Tehama Co. Out of geographic range.

N

Minuartia rosei Peanut sandwort G3 S3.2

Gravelly serpentine barrens & openings in Jeffrey pine/mixed conifer forest. 2500-5800 feet elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M261Au) of southern Klamath Ranges. Out of geographic range.

N

Minuartia stolonifera Scott Mountain sandwort G1 S1.3

Rocky slopes on ultramafic soils; montane mixed conifer forest; 4100-5300 feet elev. Scott Mountain. Out of geographic range.

N

Montia howellii Howell’s montia G3G4 S1.2

Vernally, wet sites, often on compacted soil. Below 1500 feet elev. Coastal and Klamath Mountains. Project area too high in elevation

N

Parnassia cirrata var. intermedia fringed grass-of-parnassus

Wet areas, lake edges in ultramifc soils. Below 9600 feet elev. Klamath Ranges. No seasonally wet serpentine soils present.

N

Penstemon filiformis thread-leaf beardtongue G3 S3.3

Rocky openings in lower montane conifer forest on ultramafic soils. 2000-6000 feet elev. Trinity Mountains.

Y

Phacelia greenei Scott Valley phacelia G2 S2.2

Gravelly serpentinized slopes & forest openings; 5000-7000 feet elev. Scott Mountain. Out of geographic range.

N

Raillardella pringlei showy raillardella G2 S2.2

Wet ultramafic meadows, seeps and streambanks; 4000-7500 feet elev. Klamath Ranges. Project area too low in elevation

N

Sedum paradisum Canyon Creek stonecrop G4G5T1 S1.2

Rocky outcrops in forest or woodland openings; 960-6500 feet elev. Southern Klamath Ranges of CA. No rocky outcrops in project area.

N

Smilax jamesii English Peak greenbriar G2G3 S2. 3

Shaded riparian habitat above 2900 feet elev. Klamath & Cascade Ranges.

Y

Forest Plan Endemics Arnica venosa veiny arnica G3 S3.2

Mixed conifer or conifer/oak forest, especially on ridgetops & old road cuts. 2000-5200 feet elev. Eastern Trinity & Shasta Cos.

Y



Ericameria ophitidis (= Haplopappus ophitidis) serpentine goldenbush G3 S3.3

Serpentine semi-barrens or openings in Jeffrey pine-incense cedar woodland. 2600-5600 feet elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M261Au) of southern Klamath Ranges south of Hwy 299. Out of geographic range.

N

Eriogonum libertini Dubakella Mountain buckwheat G3 S3.2

Openings in Jeffrey pine-incense cedar woodland or chaparral, always on ultramafic soils; 2500-5500 feet elev. Rattlesnake Creek Terrane (M261Au) & Chanchelulla Peaks of the southern Klamath Ranges. Out of geographic range.

N

Bryophytes – Sensitive Buxbaumia viridis bug-on-a-stick (moss) G3G4 ----

Large diameter, advanced decay logs in riparian habitat in conifer forest. Low elevation to alpine. Project area too disturbed.

N

Mielichhoferia elongata copper moss G4?S2

Exposed soil or rock containing copper minerals (in this area). Roadcuts. All elevations. No soils with copper minerals present

N

Ptilidium californicum Pacific fuzzwort G3G4

Large-diameter Douglas-fir or white fir, 3000 to 5000 feet elev. No large-diameter Firs present.

N

Fungi – Sensitive Boletus pulcherrimus red-pored bolete G2G3 S2

Coastal mature or late-seral Douglas-fir forest with hardwoods. No coastally-influenced plant communities.

N

Cudonia monticola G3 S1

On spruce needle mats and coniferous debris in perennially moist, shady late-seral forest. All elevations. No spruce present.

N

Dendrocollybia racemosa branched collybia G2G3 S1S2

Nutrient rich leaf mulch or decaying fungi in conifer forest; all elevations. No late successional reserves present.

N

Phaeocollybia olivacea olive phaeocollybia G2 S2

Mixed conifer forest containing oak or pine. All elevations. No late successional reserves present.

N

Sowerbyella rhenana orange-peel fungus G3G4 S2

Duff of moist, undisturbed, older conifer forest. All elevations. No late successional reserves present.

N

Lichens – Sensitive



Hydrothyria venosa veined water lichen G3G5

Rocks in cool water, perennial, mountain streams. No perennial streams in treatment units.

N

Sulcaria badia bay horsehair lichen G3 S2S3.2

Coastally influenced, open white oak grassland or mature Douglas-oak forest with a black oak component, growing in tree canopy. Below 1800 feet in western Trinity County. No coastally-influenced plant communities.

N



Appendix B – Supplemental Botanical Report Introduction

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to describe management direction and address potential impacts of the proposed action for species other than Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive.

Summary of botanical concerns for the Blue Rock Road Hazard Fuels Reduction Project; other than those addressed in the attached Biological Evaluation:

1. Forest Plan Endemics 2. Survey and Manage Species 3. Watch List Species 4. Noxious Weeds

Current Management direction and Affected Environment

Forest Plan Endemic Species Endemic species are rare species that are confined wholly to a localized geographic area. Forest Plan Endemics are rare endemic species confined wholly or mostly to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and management direction is described for them in the Land and Resource Management Plan.13 Forest Plan Endemics are afforded the same conservation and protection measures as Sensitive species.

There is no suitable habitat for Forest Plan Endemic species serpentine goldenbush (Ericameria ophitidis) and Dubakella Mountain buckwheat (Eriogonum libertini) within the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project area. There is suitable habitat for veiny arnica (Arnica venosa) but no plants were discovered during field surveys.

Survey & Manage Vascular Plants, Bryophytes, Lichens, and Fungi

Survey and Manage Category A&C Species

Forest wide standards and guidelines for “Survey & Manage” old-growth associated species were revised in January 2001 and described in the 2001 Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures, Standards and Guidelines14. Category A and C species require pre-disturbance field surveys prior to implementing management actions that could significantly, negatively affect the species’ habitat or persistence of the species on the site. Pre-disturbance surveys are not required if delay in implementation of a proposed action to perform surveys would result in an unacceptable environmental risk. Only Category A and C species with suitable habitat within the California Klamath Province were considered for this analysis. 13 USDA Forest Service 1995a 14 USDA Forest Service 2001



Currently, nine species requiring pre-disturbance surveys are considered to have suitable habitat within the California Klamath Province (under Category A and C):

Table 1.

Ptilidium californicum Pacific fuzzwort non-vascular/liverwort Tetraphis geniculata ---------------------- non-vascular/moss Schistostegia pennata goblin’s gold non-vascular/moss Buxbaumia viridis bug-on-a-stick non-vascular/moss Cypripedium montanum mountain lady’s-slipper vascular plant Cypripedium fasciculatum fascicled lady’s- slipper vascular plant Botrychium minganense Mingan moonwort vascular plant Botrychium montanum mountain moonwort vascular plant Eucephalis vialis wayside aster vascular plant

The project acreage consists of other coniferous forest types, hardwood forest/woodland, shrubs and chaparral, and grasses. As noted in the main report, the project area has habitats that are early to mid seral conifers and would not support these species due to the lack of late-successional habitat in which these species, with the exception of Eucephalis vialis, which would be found in strictly coastal plant communities.

All the Survey and Manage species listed above are also R5 Sensitive species with the exception of Tetraphis geniculata, Schistostegia pennata, and Eucephalis vialis. Effects to species that are also Sensitive species (Ptilidium californicum, Buxbaumia viridis, Cypripedium montanum, Cypripedium fasciculatum, Botrychium minganense, Botrychium montanum) were analyzed in the biological evaluation and will not be analyzed further in this section other than to document there will be no direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to any species due to no known site records and no species found during site surveys.

Tetraphis geniculata and Schistostegia pennata: These species occupy large, decomposed logs or large, moist root wads within coastal habitats that are moister than those found on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. To date, none of these species is known from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest and suitable habitat is not thought to exist within the California Klamath Province. There is no coastal habitat, therefore no suitable habitat for Tetraphis geniculata or Schistotegia pennata in the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project area. There will be no impacts to the species from the proposed project.

Eucephalis vialis is a rare perennial aster that is known to occupy habitat primarily between 500 and 1500 feet elevation, primarily in coastal habitats in California. In 2004 E. vialis was considered restricted to Oregon (primarily Willamette Valley), but a herbarium specimen from 1919 expanded the range of the species to California. Five populations are currently known from California in strictly coastal plant communities. There is no coastal habitat, therefore no suitable



habitat for Eucephalis vialis in the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project area. There will be no impacts to the species from the proposed project.

2011 Category B Species Survey Requirement The 2001 ROD provides direction to perform equivalent effort (project level) field surveys for all Category B Survey and Manage fungi in old-growth habitat in which province-wide strategic surveys (broad scale) have not been completed by September 30, 2010. In 2001 there were 124 Category B fungi on the Survey and Manage list. Strategic survey requirements have been met for 66 of these species, leaving 58 species that call for equivalent effort surveys prior to project completion of NEPA analysis. These species are listed in Table 2.

Table 2. Category B Fungi Species with Equivalent Effort Survey Requirement.

Albatrellus caeruleoporus Gyromitra californica Ramaria maculatipes Albatrellus ellisii Helvella elastic Ramaria rainierensis

Albatrellus flettii, In Washington and California

Hydnotrya inordinata (Hydnotrya sp. nov. #Trappe 787, 792) Ramaria rubribrunnescens

Alpova olivaceotinctus Hydropus marginellus (Mycena marginella) Ramaria stuntzii

Balsamia nigrens (Balsamia nigra) Hypomyces luteovirens Ramaria verlotensis Chamonixia caespitosa (Chamonixia pacifica sp. nov. #Trappe #12768) Leucogaster microsporus Rhizopogon abietis Choiromyces venosus Marasmius applanatipes Rhizopogon brunneiniger

Chrysomphalina grossula Martellia fragrans

Rhizopogon chamaleontinus (Rhizopogon sp. nov. #Trappe 9432)

Clavariadelphus ligula Martellia idahoensis

Rhizopogon ellipsosporus (Alpova sp. nov. # Trappe 9730)

Clavariadelphus subfastigiatus

Octavianina cyanescens (Octavianina sp. nov. #Trappe 7502)

Rhizopogon evadens var. subalpinus

Cortinarius boulderensis Otidea smithii Rhizopogon exiguus Cortinarius cyanites Phaeocollybia californica Rhizopogon flavofibrillosus Cudonia monticola Phaeocollybia piceae Rhodocybe speciosa

Destuntzia fusca Phaeocollybia scatesiae Rickenella swartzii (Rickenella setipes)



Destuntzia rubra Phaeocollybia sipei Sarcodon fuscoindicus Entoloma nitidum (Rhodocybe nitida) Podostroma alutaceum Sedecula pulvinata Gastroboletus ruber Polyozellus multiplex Tricholomopsis fulvescens Gastroboletus vividus (Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 2897; Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 7515) Ramaria aurantiisiccescens

Tuber asa (Tuber sp. nov. #Trappe 2302)

Gastrosuillus umbrinus (Gastroboletus sp. nov. #Trappe 7516) Ramaria coulterae Gymnopilus punctifolius, In California Ramaria cyaneigranosa

As an alternative to equivalent effort fungi surveys at the project level, the Blue Rock Road Fuel Reduction Project incorporates project design features that meet the management recommendations for conserving fungi habitat in the following ways:

• Existing snag and large down log levels would be maintained across the landscape except to meet fuel reduction objectives; Forest Plan standards for snags and logs per acre would be maintained

• Where necessary and possible, manual re-arrangement of fuels (such as scattering natural, pruned or thinned material, cutting through downed logs to lay them flat, cutting and moving larger logs to use for erosion mitigation, or pulling fuel concentrations away from snags or live trees ) would occur prior to underburning. This will help prevent areas from burning too hot in any one area which allows for fungi mycorrhizea persisting underground.

With the incorporation of these project design features, the Blue Rock Road Fuels Reduction Project is not expected to result in significant negative impacts to any of the 58 species in Table 2.

Manage Known Sites Requirement

The 2001 ROD requires management of known sites of any Category A, B, or E species and high-priority sites of Category C or D species. High-priority sites are those that are needed to provide for reasonable assurance of species persistence. No survey and manage species have known sites within the project areas.

The Blue Rock Road Fuel Reduction Project is in compliance with the 2001 Survey and Manage ROD.



Watchlist Species Watch list species are those which do not meet the criteria to be included on the Regional Forester's sensitive plant list, but are of sufficient local viability concern to be considered in the planning process.

California Native Plant Society (CNPS) and California Department of Fish and Game online databases, Forest GIS data, and Forest personnel were accessed to determine if any plant or fungi species not already appearing on the Sensitive or Survey and Manage lists should be considered for this analysis. Criteria for selection were as follows: known occurrences must be within proposed treatment units, occurrence information must be more recent than 1971 (i.e. within the past 30 years), and the species should rate as either CNPS list 1B (Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California and Elsewhere) or 2 (Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere) status. Using these criteria, and local expertise of Forest botanical staff, no watchlist species were identified for the Blue Rock Road Fuel Reduction Project.

Noxious Weeds The Northern Province Noxious and Invasive Weeds Program Strategy (2001) directs laws, policy and management direction for land managers at the Shasta Trinity National Forest. Invasive and noxious weeds have the potential to threaten ecosystem integrity and degrade wildlife habitat by displacing and competitively excluding native species from local plant communities.

Current management direction for management of noxious weeds is given in FS Manual 2080, amendment No. 2000-95-5, and effective 11-29-95. Policy is excerpted below:

(2080.44) - District Rangers are responsible for:

1. Determining the risk of noxious weed introduction or spread as part of the NEPA process for proposed actions, especially for ground disturbing and site altering activities.

2. Enforcing closure or prohibition orders issued under 36 CFR Parts 261.50(a) and 261.58(t) and enforcing contract specifications intended to prevent and control the spread of noxious weeds.

3. Ensuring that contracts and permits contain appropriate clauses concerning the prevention of spread of noxious weeds.

(2081.03) - When any ground disturbing action or activity is proposed, determine the risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds associated with the proposed action.

1. For projects having moderate to high risk of introducing or spreading noxious weeds, the project decision document must identify noxious weed control measures that must be undertaken during project implementation.



2. Use contract and permit clauses to prevent the introduction or spread of noxious weeds by contractors and permittees. For example, where determined to be appropriate, use clauses requiring operators or permittees to clean their equipment prior to entering national Forest system lands.

Information on weed presence and abundance was documented with information from Natural Resources Information Systems (NRIS), California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC), California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), GIS analysis, and NRIS records. A high priority weed species is one that is of important local management concern because of its currently limited distribution on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, highly invasive nature, and demonstrated potential to displace large geographic areas of native plant communities. Inadequate funding limits the ability to treat all non-native species, so emphasis is given primarily to high priority weed species.

No invasive or noxious weed species were identified during field visits.

Supplemental Report References California Department of Food and Agriculture. 2012. Noxious weed ratings. An online

database at http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/winfo_weedratings.htm.

Cal-IPC. 2006. California Invasive Plant Inventory. Cal-IPC Publication 2006-02. California Invasive Plant Council: Berkeley, CA. An online database at http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php.

Hickman, James C. Ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual of Higher Plants of California. UC Press, Berkeley, CA. 1400 pp.

USDA Forest Service. 1994. Record of Decision for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. Standards and Guidelines for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl.

USDA Forest Service. 1995a. Forest Service Manual 2080. Noxious Weed Management.

USDA Forest Service. 1995b. Shasta-Trinity National Forests Land and Resources Management Plan.

USDA Forest Service. 2001. Record of Decision and Standards and Guidelines for Amendments to the Survey and Manage, Protection Buffer, and other Mitigation Measures, Standards and Guidelines.

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/phpps/ipc/encycloweedia/winfo_weedratings.htm

http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php

http://www.cal-ipc.org/ip/inventory/weedlist.php