UnitedStatesDepartment ofAgriculture

ForestService

CoronadoNationalForestSierra VistaRanger District

5990 S.Highway92Hereford, Arizona 85615Phone (520)378-0311FAX (520) 378-0519

FileCode: 1950/2900Route To:

Date: March 2, 2011

Subject: DECISION MEMORANDUM: Removal of the American Bullfrog and ItsBreeding Habitat in the Huachuca Mountains, Sierra Vista Ranger District

To: FILE

USDA Forest ServiceCoronado National ForestSierra Vista Ranger DistrictSanta Cruz and Cochise County, Arizona

Section 35, Township 23 South, Range 19 East (Mud Springs Stock Tank)Section 3, Township 23 S, Range 19 East (Peterson Ranch Pond)Section 2, Township 23 South, Range 18 East (Collins Canyon)Sections 18 and 19, Township 23 South, Range 19 East (Parker Canyon)(Gila and Salt River Meridian)

BACKGROUND

The American bullfrog (Rana catesbeianat is a non-native amphibian that has established a largepopulation on the west slope of the Huachuca Mountains in southeastern Arizona. Bullfrogs arepredators of more desirable native species; they also compete with natives for habitat and food.In addition, bullfrogs carry infectious diseases that threaten the viability of other amphibians andreptiles. They are capable of traveling as many as 6 miles to colonize new habitat. As bullfrogpopulations increase, there is decreased habitat available to sustain populations of natives,including those that are classified as threatened and endangered species under the EndangeredSpecies Act (ESA; 7 U.S.c. § 136, 16 u.s.c. § 1531 et seq.); and those that comprise ForestService, Region 3, sensitive species and Forest management indicator species.

Given direction in the Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Plan; 1986, as amended),the Forest proposes to reduce available bullfrog breeding habitat and continue efforts to eradicatethe bullfrog on the west slope of the Huachuca Mountains; the ultimate goal is to extirpate thebullfrog from the area altogether. The Forest is collaborating with other government agenciesand non-profit organizations, such as the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and WildlifeService (FWS); Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD); U.S. Department of the Army(Fort Huachuca); The Nature Conservancy; and Sky Island Alliance toward achieving this goal.For example, in 2008, Scotia Canyon was treated to eliminate an established bullfrog population.The success of this treatment was instrumental in the recovery of a Federally endangeredChiricahua leopard frog population (Ran a chiricahuaensis) in the Huachuca Mountains. Theoverarching goal of the proposed action is to obtain similar results and further promote thepropagation of species that are currently threatened by bullfrog population increases andmigration.

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PROPOSED ACTION

The Forest proposes to remove bullfrog breeding habitat by implementing the following actions:

Mud Spring TankMud Spring Tank is a spring-fed stock pond behind an earthen dam (Project Record, Item #1).The tank provides a source of water for livestock on nearby grazing allotments and for wildlife.

Over a period of two weeks, the Forest proposes to

• Repair the existing four-strand fence at the tank and extend it along the north side of thepond to create a grazing exclosure

• Install a 4-foot-high, hardware cloth and metal barrier fence around the tank to preventbullfrogs from entering. The top of the fence would form an eave, which would renderthe fence inaccessible to bullfrogs. The fence would be placed to a depth of 4 inches inthe ground.

• Install a water trough for livestock and wildlife. A water pipe would be laid to connectthe stock tank to an underground cistern, which would be placed approximately 150 feetfrom the tank.

Peterson Ranch Pond, Scotia CanyonPeterson Ranch Pond in upper Scotia Canyon (Project Record, Item #1) is a spring-fed perennialpond behind an earthen dam. It provides habitat for the Arizona tree frog (Hyla wrightorum),which is a recommended by the FWS as a candidate for listing as endangered. Bullfrogs at thissite are competing with the tree frogs for habitat. At this site, the Forest proposes to

• Construct a buried pipeline 12 inches underground between the spring-box at thePeterson Ranch Pond and an existing ephemeral pond. The ephemeral pond isapproximately 200 feet south of Peterson pond.

• Install an irrigation box with a water-control valve along the new pipeline. The valvewould allow Forest personnel to divert water to the ephemeral pond when summerrainfall is insufficient. The ephemeral pond would contain water to provide tree frogshabitat. After tree frog tadpoles have matured, the pond would be allowed to drynaturally. Lack of perennial water would discourage bullfrogs from populating theephemeral pond.

Completion of the work at the Peterson Ranch Pond will require that the Forest apply to the Stateof Arizona with a Statement of Claim of Right to Use Public Waters. Work is expected to takeone week to complete.

Collins Canyon TankCollins Canyon Tank is a stock pond located behind an earthen dam on an inactive grazingallotment in upper Collins Canyon, approximately three miles north of Parker Canyon Lake(Project Record, Item #1). Bullfrogs that have populated the tank may also travel to ParkerCanyon Lake. To eliminate the availability of bullfrog breeding habitat, the Forest proposes todrain the tank before breeding season (i.e., before the 2011 monsoon season). High-clearance orall-terrain vehicles would access the site via National Forest System road (NFSR) 486. Siphonswould be used to temporarily drain the lake to deprive bullfrog tadpoles of a place to mature.This action would be repeated annually as needed.

Parker CanyonParker Canyon is located below the Parker Canyon Lake dam (Project Record, Item #1). Thecanyon contains two abandoned stock tanks and several hundred yards of surface water. Bullfrogremoval is hindered by a dense growth of willows, ash, and cottonwoods. To improve thedetection and eradication of bullfrogs in this habitat, the Forest would hand-thin intrusivevegetation. Trimmings would be scattered across the local area.

DECISION AND RATIONALE

It is my decision to authorize the proposed treatments of American bullfrog habitat on the westslope of the Huachuca Mountains. This Decision Memo (DM) documents NationalEnvironmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for the project. Because the proposed actionmeets the criteria for categorical exclusion (CE) from further NEPA review at 36 CFR 220.6 (e)(6), "Timber stand and/or wildlife habitat improvement activities which do not include the use ofherbicides or do not require more than one mile of low standard road construction", preparationof an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement is not necessary.

CONSIDERATION OF EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES

Forest resource specialists confirmed that there are no extraordinary circumstances associatedwith the proposed activities that may result in adverse effects on those resources listed in 36 CFR220.6 (b)(l) (#1 through 7).

1. Federally listed threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat, speciesproposed for Federal listing or proposed critical habitat, or Forest Service sensitive species

Determination: The District Biologist determined that proposed action would have noeffect on Federally listed threatened and endangered species and designated criticalhabitat; and species and habitat proposed for Federal listing. The project may impactindividuals of Forest Service, Region 3, sensitive species, but is not likely to adverselyaffect populations. The proposed action would have no effect on Forest managementindicator species and bird species protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (ProjectRecord, Item #2).

2. Floodplains, wetlands and municipal watersheds

Determination: The Forest Forestry and Watershed Program Manager determined thatthe proposed action is located in floodplains and wetlands. The effects on floodplainswould be negligible, and the effects on wetlands would be minimal. There would be noeffects on municipal watersheds (Project Record, Item #3).

3. Congressionally designated areas, such as wilderness, wilderness study areas or nationalrecreation areas,

4. Inventoried roadless areas, and5. Research natural areas

Determination: A Forest GIS Specialist determined that the project area is not locatedwithin a Congressionally designated area, inventoried roadless area, or research natural

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area and that the proposed action would have no effect on these resources (ProjectRecord, Item #1).

6. American Indians and Alaska Native religious or cultural sites, and7. Archaeological sites or historic properties or areas

Determination: The Forest Archaeologist determined that there would be "no historicproperties affected" by the implementation of this project; because of this, consultationwith Native American tribes and the State Historic Preservation Office is not necessary(Project Record, Item #4).

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

A Scoping Notice was posted on the Forest's public website on February 1,2011 (ProjectRecord, Item #5); it was also provided to the AGFD for review and comment (Project Record,Item #6). One comment letter was received; it was sent by the Huachuca Hiking Club (ProjectRecord, Item #7 and expressed general support for project goals and a recommendation that theForest maintain water in Collins Canyon and Peterson Ranch Pond for wildlife and hikers. Theproposed action was designed to be responsive to this comment.

FINDINGS REQUIRED BY OTHER LAWS

National Forest Management ActThe proposed action was reviewed for consistency with the Forest Plan, 1986, as amended). Theproject was designed and will be implemented in accordance with the following goals andobjectives for management of wildlife resources: "Provide for ecosystem diversity by at leastmaintaining viable populations of all native and desirable non-native wildlife, fish and plantspecies through improved habitat management" and "Improve the habitat for and the protectionof local populations of threatened and endangered species to meet the goals of the EndangeredSpecies Act of 1973." (Plan, p. 10).

Endangered Species Act (ESA):The District Biologist determined that the proposed action would have no effect on Federallylisted threatened or endangered species; designated critical habitat; and species or habitatproposed for Federal listing (Project Record, Item #2).

National Historic Preservation ActThe Forest Archaeologist determined that there would be no historic properties affected by theimplementation of the proposed action and that consultation with Native American tribes or theState Historic Preservation Office is not necessary (Project Record, Item #4).

ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND APPEAL

This decision is not subject to an administrative review or appeal [36 CFR 215.4(a) and 215.12(£)].

IMPLEMENTATION DATE

The proposed action may be implemented on the date of my signature below.

'\ POINT OF CONTACT

For additional information concerning this proposed action and decision, please contact Mr.Glenn Frederick, District Biologist, at the Sierra Vista Ranger District Office, 5990 SouthHighway 92, Hereford, Arizona; by telephone at (520) 378-0311, or via email atgfrederick@fs.fed.us.

., II [ ~~/T(ANNETTE H CHAVEZDistrict Ranger

cc: Rachel A Carroll, Glenn P Frederick, Richard A Gerhart

Attachments: Project Record, Item #1, Map of Project Area with GIS determinationProject Record, Item #2, Biological determinationProject Record, Item #3, Hydrological determinationProject Record, Item #4, Heritage determinationProject Record, Item #5, Scoping noticeProject Record, Item #6, Arizona Game and Fish comment letterProject Record, Item #7, Huachuca Hiking Club comment letter