DRAFT Wildlife Assessment - a123.g.akamai.neta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai... · Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon ... Helminthoglypta hertleini

Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 0

Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project on the Rogue River Siskiyou National ForestPrepared for Charter Communications September 14, 2012 Prepared by K2 Environmental LLC

Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications i

Table of Contents

Project Background ................................................. 1

Wildlife Species Considered .................................... 1

Endangered, Threatened and Proposed Species ... 1

Critical Habitat ....................................................... 1

Essential Fish Habitat ............................................. 1

Forest Service Sensitive Wildlife Species ............... 3

Project Description .................................................. 9

Field Review .......................................................... 10

Results ................................................................... 10

Effects of the Proposed Project ............................. 11

Figures and Tables

Figure 1 Project Map………………………………………2

Table 1 Sensitive Species List………..………………12


Project Background

Charter Communication (Charter) plans to construct an aerial fiber interconnect between Grants Pass,

Oregon and Crescent City, California. Charter is requesting approval (Special Use Permit) to construct

approximately 3.6 miles of this 104‐mile line on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest. The proposed

work area falls within an existing Pacific Power & Light (PP&L) utility corridor; see Figure 1, Vicinity Map.

This portion of the project begins at the forest boundary approximately 9 miles south/southwest of Cave

Junction, Oregon in the community of O’Brien, Oregon. The line follows the West Fork of the Illinois

River and travels in a southwesterly direction, crossing two small portions of Bureau of Land

Management (BLM) property before terminating at the Oregon/California border. The purpose of this

aerial fiber interconnect is to provide critical telecommunications redundancy to rural communities in

Northern California and Southern Oregon that will increase the reliability of telemedicine and

educational and public safety networks. Anchor tenants of this network include the Oregon Health

Network and Sutter Coast Hospital of Crescent City, California.

The purpose of this Wildlife/Habitat Assessment is to review the proposed area of impact to determine

if the project may affect any federally listed endangered, threatened or proposed wildlife species or

their designated critical habitat or U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sensitive wildlife species.

Wildlife Species Considered

The following endangered, threatened, proposed and USFS sensitive species are known to, or are

suspected to occur on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest. Information from the Siskiyou Land and

Resource Management Plan (LRMP), public information and communications with forest service

specialists were used to compile and refine this list of species. In addition, the Biological

Assessment/Biological Evaluation, O’Brien to Gasquet Fiber Run Del Norte County, California (BA/BE,

November 2011) was referenced. The following list summarizes federal and state listed species and

forest service sensitive species with the potential to occur on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest.

Endangered, Threatened and Proposed Species

None

Critical Habitat

None

Essential Fish Habitat

None

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Figure 1 Project LocationCharter Communications Fiber Optic LineO'Brien to Oregon/California Border 0 0.5 10.25 Miles¯


Forest Service Sensitive Wildlife Species

Western ridged mussel (Gonidea angulata)

Oregon shoulderband (Helminthoglypta hertleini)

Highcap lanx (Lanx alta)

Scale lanx (Lanx klamathensis)

Robust walker (Pomatiopsis binneyi)

Pacific walker (Pomatiopsis californica)

Franklin’s bumblebee (Bombus franklini)

Western bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)

California shield backed bug (Vanduzeeina borealis californica)

Johnson’s hairstreak (Callophyrys johnsoni)

Mardon skipper (Polites mardon)

Coronis fritillary (Speyeria coronis coronis)

American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Lewis’ Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Foothill yellow‐legged frog (Rana boyii)

Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata marmorata)

Fisher (Martes pennant)

Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes)

Townsend’s big‐eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

Below is a brief description of each species with the potential to occur in this portion of the forest.

Western ridged mussel (Gonidea angulata)

Gonidea angulata is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater

mussel is generally obovate to trapezoidal in shape and generally does not exceed five inches in length.

The shell has an angular ridge that runs from the beak to the basal part of the posterior margin. Gonidea

angulata can be found in dense beds and requires slower flowing water (i.e. low shear stress), stable

substrate and flow refuges for survival. This mussel is found in rivers, streams and lakes with substrates

that vary from gravel to firm mud and include some sand, silt or clay. This species is more common in

eastern Oregon.

Oregon shoulderband (Helminthoglypta hertleini)


Helminthoglypta hertleini’s distribution includes the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This snail has

a thin delicate, pale golden brown, with a very narrow band of a darker shade, bounded below by an

equally narrow band of a lighter shade shell, with 5 whorls that does not exceed 18.5 mm.

Helminthoglypta hertleini can be found in rocky areas such as talus slopes, but is also suspected of being

found in areas with permanent ground cover or moisture, including rock fissures or woody debris.

Highcap Lanx (Lanx alta)

Lanx alta is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater limpet has a

symmetrical cap shaped shell with concentric growth ridges. The base of the oval shell is open, height

approximately 2/3 of shell length (4.5‐9mm diameter). Shell color evenly dark red, weathering to white.

Eggs are laid from spring to autumn in gelatinous capsules attached to plants, stones, or other objects

and hatch as young snails. They are present all year scraping food from rock surfaces, but not active in

winter.

Scale Lanx (Lanx klamathensis)

Lanx Klamathensis is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater

limpet has a low patelloid, thin shell with the base curving upwards both anteriorly and posteriorly from

midline. The shell is many times wider and longer than high (length 10‐12mm, height 4mm). They

require cold clear well oxygenated flowing waters and thus may occur in large streams, rivers, spring fed

lakes and springs. They graze on cobble and boulder surfaces in areas without sediment or silt.

Robust Walker (Pomatiopsis binneyi)

Pomatiopsis binneyi has been documented on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest in the Josephine

Creek watershed of the Illinois River basin. This small semi‐aquatic snail has a moderately high and

conical shell with 4‐5 deep and even whorls (3mm), with a light horn color. They tend to be coastally

endemic, found on the west side of the coast range at low elevations. It can also be found in perennial

seeps and rivulets, where it is protected from seasonal flushing in the rainy season; also on shallow mud

banks and marsh seepages leading into shallow streams.

Pacific Walker (Pomatiopsis californica)

Pomatiopsis californica is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This very small

semi‐aquatic snail has a moderately high shell, conical and perforate with 6‐7 deeply and evenly convex

whorls (4 mm), definitely adnate; shell rather thin with chestnut brown color. It is limited to the coastal

fog belt and is characteristically found among leaf litter and vegetation beside flowing or standing water

in shaded situations where humidity runs high.

Franklin’s bumblebee (Bombus franklini)

Bombus franklini has been recorded in Josephine County. It is readily distinguished from the other

bumble bees in its range by the extended yellow on the anterior top of the thorax which extends well behind the wing bases and forms an inverted U‐shape around the central patch of black, lack of yellow

on the abdomen, predominantly black face with yellow on the vertex (top of the head), and white at the

tip of the abdomen. It primarily nests underground in abandoned rodent borrows and occasionally in


grass clumps on the ground. Colonies are annual with flight season occurring from mid‐May to the end

of September. Habitat needs includes plentiful nectar and pollen sources (such as Lupinus, Eschscholzia,

Agastache, Monardella, Vicia).

Western bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)

Bombus occidentalis has many color variants. The subpopulation range that intersects the project shows

yellow hair on the front part of the thorax while the first through the basal section of the fourth

abdominal segments are covered with black hair. Whitish hair occurs on the lower edge of the fourth

abdominal segment and segment five. There are sparse, whitish hairs on the sixth segment, although

this section may appear black due to the bee’s black exoskeleton. The sixth segment may appear to be

whitish in some cases. The head is covered with black hair. The bee colonies emerge annually in the

spring and are often located in abandoned rodent holes.

California shield‐backed bug (Vanduzeeina borealis californica)

This rare, tall grass prairie specialist inhabits high elevation (e.g. 900 m) natural balds and meadows in

California and Oregon. This subspecies can be readily distinguished by the narrower head, truncate

apically; enlarged scutellum that covers the entire abdomen like a shield; general gray‐brown color with

trace of fuscous maculations on scutellum; scutellum with apical pale spot; connexivum more distinctly

alternated; and slightly differing female genital plates and male aedeagus.

Johnson’s hairstreak (Callophyrys johnsoni)

These butterflies have been sighted in the Siskiyou Mountains. Larvae of this gossamer‐winged butterfly

are green with red, green and yellow markings. The back has a sawtooth appearance due to raised

chevrons. The caterpillar is identical in appearance to the thicket hairstreak. The adults are 27‐34mm

long with brown or dark red wings, a thin white post‐median line on the underside of wing and the

submarginal section of the wing is brown and orange with scattered blue spots. Double tails are present

on the hind wings with inner tails being longer. They reside in coniferous forest canopy and are obligate

to old growth and late successional second growth forests old growth forest. In Oregon this butterfly

survives from 2000‐feet elevation or higher with the majority living at approximately 3500 feet. Larvae

can be found feeding on mistletoes (genus Arceuthobium). Caterpillars can be found on host leaves

April‐October. Adults fly mid –May to early September with peaks in May and August. Adults feed on

nectar from numerous genera including Actostophylos, Ceanothus, dandelion, Fragaria, Rorippa and

Spraguea.

Mardon skipper (Polites mardon)

Polites mardon occurs in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. This small (<1 in.), tawny butterfly

with a stout hairy body have a fast skipping flight, bent antennae clubs, and a characteristic basking

posture in which the forewings are held at a 45‐degree angle and the hind wings are fully spread. The

upper surface of the wings is orange with dark borders; from below the wings are light tan‐orange with

yellow to white rectangular spots. Mardon skippers are nonmigratory and emerge in June and July for a

month long flight period. After mating the females deposit eggs on bunchgrass tufts in sparsely

vegetated areas, where the larvae feed for 3 months (Festuca roemeri, F. idohaensis or F. rubra,


California oatgrass, Danthonia californica and sedge, Carex spp.). Adults prefer to feed on early blue

violet and common vetch. Nectaring also occurs on common camas prairie lupine, fine leaved parsley,

western buttercup, sea blush and yarrow.

Coronis fritillary (Speyeria coronis coronis)

This species can be found on mountain slopes, foothills, prairie valleys, chaparral, sagebrush, and forest

openings. Coronis fritillary can be identified by its tawny to orange‐brown upper side with black

markings. The underside of the hind wing has an inwardly rounded silver spots in marginal row; other

silver spots are elongated.

American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)

Peregrine falcons are typically found hunting in open areas, especially along the coast and near other

bodies of water that provide habitat for their prey. They nest on cliffs and cliff‐like structures, so during

the breeding season they are usually found near mountainous or rocky areas, or man‐made structures

that substitute as cliffs. The Anatum Peregrine is intermediate in terms of color and size. It has a salmon

or peach‐tinged breast, with stronger barring across the breast than the Tundra subspecies. The back is

slightly darker than in the Tundra Peregrine, but still has bluish‐gray tinges, especially on the upperwing

coverts and uppertail coverts. The moustache on the Anatum Peregrine is very wide, and the auricular

patch is often very small. Immatures have a solid brown crown and forehead, and have a fairly wide

moustache, although their auricular patch is often larger than that of adults. They have heavy brown

streaks on their cream colored breast and belly, and have small buffy edges to the feathers on their

back.

Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

Generally found in coastal areas or near large inland lakes and rivers that have abundant fish and shores

with large trees. The plumage of an adult bald eagle is brown with a white head and tail. Immature

eagles are irregularly mottled with white until the fourth year. Their legs are feathered half way down

the tarsus, and the beak, feet, and eyes are bright yellow.

Lewis’ Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)

Lewis' woodpeckers prefer logged or burned out areas. They prefer old growth woodlands rather than

dense forest. In winter they choose oak woodland or commercial orchards such as almond and walnut

and pecan trees. The bill and feet are dusky blue‐gray. The back of this species is black, glossed with

green, and the belly is rose red. There is a deep red band which runs across the forehead and throat,

extending behind and below the eye. The throat and wings are black with a band of dull white over the

hind neck extending forward and around the breast. The adult female resembles the male, although she

is slightly duller in color with less red on the front of the head.

Foothill yellow‐legged frog (Rana boyii)

Rana boylii is a highly aquatic species and is almost always found in, or within a short distance from,

water. The most frequently used habitats are streams, springs, and freshwater lakes, with a preference

for rocky‐bottomed creeks; it usually occurs in gently flowing water. Slow‐flowing creeks or streams with


cobble‐sized pebbles are preferred egg laying sites for foothill yellow‐legged frogs. The Foothill Yellow‐

Legged Frogs, dorsal colors often resemble those of the ground, with variations including blackish, dark

brown, reddish brown, gray, olive‐like, or greenish with varying amounts and strengths of spots and

speckles. Some individuals may possess a light spot within a dark area on the upper eyelid. Ventral

coloration is typically whitish to yellowish, with a gradient towards yellow at the posterior end of the

body and hind limbs. The throat and anterior surface of the femurs often display the most mottling.

Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata marmorata)

Actinemys marmorata marmorata is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest.

The Northwestern Pond Turtle can be identified by its low, broad, smooth carapace which is usually light

to dark brown or olive in color, either with no pattern or with an attractive pattern of fine, dark radiating

lines on the scutes. The limbs and head are olive, yellow, orange or brown, often with darker flecks or

spots. It is found in ponds, lakes, streams, large rivers, slow‐moving sloughs, and quiet waters. The

turtles prefer aquatic habitats with exposed areas for basking, with aquatic vegetation, such as algae

and other water plants, but they also live in clear waters, especially where there is cover such as

boulders or fallen trees in the water. The western pond turtle also spends significant amounts of time in

upland terrestrial habitats and has been found more than one kilometer from water.

Fisher (Martes pennant)

Male fishers are, on average, larger than females. Their coats range from medium to dark brown, with

gold to silver hoariness on their head and shoulders, and with black legs and tail. They may also have a

cream chest patch of variable size and shape. Fur color and pattern varies among individuals, sexes and

seasons. Fishers have five toes on their feet, and their claws are retractable. Fishers prefer coniferous

forests, but they are also found in mixed and deciduous forests. They prefer habitats with high canopy

closure. They also prefer habitats with many hollow trees for dens. Trees typically found in fisher

habitats include spruce, fir, white cedar and some hardwoods. Also, as would be expected, their habitat

preference reflects that of their favored prey species.

Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes)

Its name comes from the fringe of short hairs that line the interfemoral membrane. This species has a

full pelage of light brown on its back and off ‐white under parts. Myotis thysanodes is a highly migratory

species that roosts in caves, mine tunnels, rock crevices and old buildings.

Pallid Bats (Antrozous pallidus)

Adults range from 60 to 85 mm long from head to tail. Their fur has a woolly feel with a cream‐yellow to

light brown color on the dorsum and very pale to white color on the venter. This species has a U‐shaped

ridge on the top of the muzzle with the nostrils located underneath the ridge on the front of its muzzle.

Their ears have serrated outer edges that are not joined at the base. The face has small wart‐like

pararhinal glands that produce a skunk‐like odor. They occur in oak and pine forested areas and open

farmland. Roosting sites are variable, depending on what is available. They can be found roosting in

caves, rock crevices, mines, hollow trees, and buildings. They use day roosts that are semi‐dark, as long

as there is some sort of cover. Night roosts for resting between feeding intervals are near day roosts, but


are not the same as day roosts. Pallid bats prefer darkness, shelter from wind and rain, and an easy

escape if they are disturbed. Roosts are usually near a source of water, but this does not appear to be a

main requirement for roosting locations.

Townsend’s big‐eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)

Townsend's big‐eared bats are medium‐sized bats with broad wings. They have two large, fleshy glands

on either side of the muzzle. The snout is short with elongated nostril slits. Coloration varies from

population to population, although all fur colors tend to be some hue of brown or gray. The dorsum can

be anywhere from pale cinnamon brown to blackish brown to slate gray. They have a low band across

the forehead. The ears are usually directed forward while in flight. When these bats are sleeping, the

ears are generally rolled down and back across the head, resembling ram horns. Most western

populations of Corynorhinus townsendii live in montane forest. This type of forest is thick with pine, fir

and aspen trees and is bounded by shrub and grasslands. At higher elevations, the surrounding

vegetation is subalpine. Corynorhinus townsendii individuals choose roosting sites most commonly in

caves, cliffs, and rock ledges but have been found in abandoned mines and other man‐made structures.

Colonies normally choose relatively cold places for roosting, and pick hibernacula with a considerable

amount of air movement. Abandoned buildings are usually used only during the summer, while caves

and abandoned mines are preferred in the winter. Roost sites generally have open ceilings because

Townsend's big‐eared bats don't crawl well. They prefer habitats that are almost completely dark and

are extremely sensitive to human disturbance, which nearly always causes colonies to relocate.

Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The anadromous form, called steelhead, spawns and complete their early development in freshwater

mountain streams, then migrate to spend their adult life in the ocean. In freshwater, they prefer cool

water but have been known to tolerate water temperatures up to 24°C (native climates have water

temperatures around 12°C in the summer). Productive streams have a good mixture of riffles and pools

and overhanging vegetation for shade. Most importantly, they require gravel beds to lay their eggs, and

therefore, are sensitive to sedimentation and channel scouring. In general, Steelheads are streamlined,

with 8 to 12 spines in the anal fin and lack teeth at the base of the tongue (unlike their close relatives,

Oncorhynchus clarkii). The undersides tend to be silvery with a pinkish red stripe along the upper‐middle

part of the body, though this stripe can vary from dark to light. Most have black spots above the lateral

line. Resident spawning steelhead tend to be lighter with more pronounced pink stripes.

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)

The Chinook salmon is anadromous; born in freshwater, migrating to the ocean, and returning as

mature adults to their natal streams to spawn. The freshwater streams are relatively deep with course

gravel. The water must be cool, under 14°C for maximum survival, and fast flowing. It is characterized by

a deep blue‐green back, silvery sides and a white belly with black irregular spots on the back, dorsal fin

and both lobes of the tail. It also has a small eye, black gum coloration, a thick caudal peduncle and 13‐

19 anal rays.


Project Description

Charter is requesting a 20‐foot‐wide easement to construct the aerial fiber interconnect within the

outer western edge of the existing right‐of‐way. The wood poles for the project will be offset

approximately 47 feet from the existing PP&L utility poles. Poles will be between 35‐ to 45‐feet tall.

Figure 2 shows the approximate location of Charter’s thirty‐two wood poles within the PP&L alignment

that fall within the Siskiyou national forest. Two portions of the project (approximately 1.23 miles) cross

from forest lands to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. In the northern portion of the project the

alignment crosses onto BLM land for a short distance and then returns to the forest. In the center

portion, the alignment crosses from forest land to Bureau of Land Management land for approximately

one mile and then crosses back onto the Siskiyou forest until it reaches the California border.

Existing access roads will be used to access the pole sites. No new roads will be constructed for this

project. In some cases, existing dirt berms may need to be removed to allow equipment and vehicle

access. Once construction is complete in an area, any berm that was removed for construction access

will be restored.

The staging area for this portion of the project will be located at the Rough and Ready Mill in Cave

Junction, Oregon. No materials will be stored on the right‐of‐way overnight; all materials will be brought

onsite on a daily basis.

The work area around each pole site is expected to be approximately a 20‐foot radius. Vegetation

clearing will only be needed in the area where the pole will be set. Additional vegetation clearing may be

necessary to allow equipment access, but it is expected that the majority of access will on existing

access roads or by driving over low growing vegetation. An auger will be used to dig a hole

approximately 6 feet deep; the diameters of the holes are not expected to exceed 2 feet. Poles will be

placed in the excavated hole and the area around the pole will be backfilled with native material. If rock

is encountered, a jack hammer may be used to excavate the hole. Guy wire anchors will be required at a

majority of the pole locations (14 poles require anchors on forest land); anchors will be installed with

the auger or jack hammer, depending on substrate. Charter anticipates that it will take approximately 4

hours to set a pole and may complete 2 to 4 poles per day depending on conditions.

Spans between poles will range between approximately 200 and 1500 feet. The fiber optic line will be

“shot” from pole to pole using a gun powder‐charged system (4570 caliber rifle) that will shoot the line

cross country up to 1000 feet depending on the size of the charge. Several shots may be required

depending on the length of the span. In these cases, the person conducting this work will walk to the

end location of the previous shot and continue shooting the line until it reaches the pole location.

Tensioning of the line will be done at each pole location. Vehicles or equipment will not be required

between spans for this operation.


Unused spoils not used for backfill or that cannot be spread at the pole site will be removed for off‐site

disposal. Disturbed areas will be recontoured and stabilized as needed to prevent erosion. Erosion and

sediment control devices needed to prevent sediment from leaving the work area will be left in place

until stabilization has been established. As noted above, any existing road berms will be restored after

construction is complete in the area.

The following is a list of the equipment necessary to install the fiber optic line in this area:

T40 bucket truck (F700 class truck)

2 Digger derrick (s), rubber tired and/or tracked drill trucks

2‐yard dump truck

2 crew pickups (3/4 ton size)

Small case track hoe

4‐wheel quad type vehicle

Air compressor and jack hammer

4570 caliber rifle

All equipment will be cleaned prior to entering the utility corridor to prevent/limit the spread of

noxious/invasive plant species, if required by the USFS. Commercial wash facilities in Cave Junction or

the wash facilities at the forest service office in Cave Junction would be used to clean any equipment

prior to its use on the project. Servicing and refueling of equipment will not occur near any drainage and

will follow USFS Best Water Management Practice 2‐12 (USDA, 2000).

Field Review

On September 13, 2012 two biologists from K2 Environmental LLC conducted a reconnaissance level

survey for sensitive wildlife species and habitat along the project alignment. The biologists reviewed all

proposed pole locations and access roads to identify any potential wildlife concerns or impacts

associated with the proposed activities. The survey was conducted from the early morning to late

afternoon under clear and warm weather conditions.

Results

The project area is located immediately south of the community of O’Brien in southern Oregon. As

described in the project description previously, this fiber optic line will be placed within the existing

PP&L utility corridor. The project area is regularly disturbed to maintain the required vegetation

clearance for the transmission line within the corridor. The fiber project will not require any significant

vegetation clearing for the installation of the facilities.


The project area is surrounded by mixed conifer and chaparral plant communities. Dominant plant

species along the project include Jeffrey pine, cedar, fir, manzanita and tanoak. The West Fork of the

Illinois River runs parallel to the project along the eastern boundary, although no work is occurring

immediately adjacent to or within the jurisdictional areas of the river. There are several wet seeps along

the project dominated by Darlingtonia and monkey flower; none of these wet areas will be impacted by

the project.

No sensitive species were observed during the field visit and none are expected to be impacted by the

construction of this project. Table 1 summarizes the status and potential impacts to all the species listed

in the previous section of this report.

Effects of the Proposed Project

No impacts to federal, state or forest service sensitive species are expected. Those expectations are

based on the following reasons:

The project lies in an existing utility corridor that has been previously disturbed and continues to

have regular vegetation maintenance activities to remove taller vegetation.

Existing roads will be used for construction of the project.

No clearing outside of the utility corridor is required. Tree removal will be limited to a few

danger trees within the corridor and vegetation clearing will only occur in the immediate vicinity

of the pole location as required for installation.

No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River.

All permanent erosion control devices removed to provide access to the project areas will be

restored; temporary erosion control measures will be installed along any areas where water

bars or diversion berms are removed to minimize the potential for runoff.

All off road vehicle barriers will be reinstalled once construction is complete.

No refueling or servicing of equipment will occur near any drainage or wet area along the

project.

Table 1: Region 6 Special Status Species List For Charter Communications Project‐O’Brien to Oregon/California Border


Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments

INVERTEBRATES

GONIDEA ANGULATA WESTERN RIDGED MUSSEL S

SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats

HELMINTHOGLYPTA HERTLEINI

OREGON SHOULDERBAND D

SEN NI Minimal leaf litter and woody debris occur within cleared corridor to provide refugia for this species.

LANX ALTA HIGHCAP LANX S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats.

LANX KLAMATHENSIS SCALE LANX S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats.

POMATIOPSIS BINNEYI ROBUST WALKER D SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.

POMATIOPSIS CALIFORNICA PACIFIC WALKER S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.

BOMBUS FRANKLINI FRANKLIN'S BUMBLEBEE D

SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this bee. Limited rodent burrows were observed within the proposed work areas.

BOMBUS OCCIDENTALIS WESTERN BUMBLE BEE

SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this bee. Limited rodent burrows were observed within the proposed work areas.

VANDUZEEINA BOREALIS CALIFORNICA

CALIFORNIA SHIELD BACKED BUG S

SEN NI This species typically occurs in meadows which do not occur in the project work areas.

CALLOPHRYS JOHNSONI JOHNSON'S HAIRSTREAK S

SEN NI This species is typically found at higher elevations. Work will occur outside of the adult flight season.

POLITES MARDON MARDON SKIPPER D

SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this butterfly.

SPEYERIA CORONIS CORONIS CORONIS FRITILLARY D

SEN NI This species host plant was not observed in the immediate vicinity of the pole locations and all work will occur outside of the adult flight season.

VERTEBRATES

Birds

FALCO PEREGRINUS ANATUM AMERICAN PEREGRINE FALCON D

SEN NI Peregrine falcons may hunt in the area, but nesting habitat is not found in the project area. Work is expected



Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments to occur outside of the peregrine falcon breeding season.

HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS BALD EAGLE D

SEN NI One known location for bald eagle was recorded approximately one mile from the project work area. Due to the short‐term duration of construction and the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.

MELANERPES LEWIS LEWIS' WOODPECKER D

SEN NI The Lewis woodpecker was not observed during the field review. This species may occur in the area, particularly during winter, but due to the short‐term duration of construction and the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.

Amphibians

RANA BOYLII FOOTHILL YELLOW‐LEGGED FROG D

SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.

Reptiles

ACTINEMYS MARMORATA MARMORATA

NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLE

D SEN NI Work will not occur near the West Fork of the Illinois River where this species would be likely to occur. Due to topography, existing road features and lack of cover, it is unlikely this species would occur within the project work area.

Mammals

ANTROZOUS PALLIDUS PALLID BAT D

SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.

CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII TOWNSEND'S BIG‐EARED BAT D

SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.

MYOTIS THYSANODES FRINGED MYOTIS D SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate

vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of



Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.

MARTES PENNANTI FISHER D

SEN NI Due to limited canopy closure within the existing utility corridor, no impacts are expected for this species. This species was recorded approximately three and one half miles from the project area.

Fish

ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS STEELHEAD I

SEN NI No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River or in the immediate vicinity of the river. Erosion control devices will be installed to ensure silt‐laden material and/or runoff does not leave the project work area.

ONCORHYNCHUS TSHAWYTSCHA CHINOOK SALMON D

SEN NI No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River or in the immediate vicinity of the river. Erosion control devices will be installed to ensure silt‐laden material and/or runoff does not leave the project work area.

Documents

DRAFT Wildlife Assessment - a123.g.akamai.neta123.g.akamai.net/7/123/11558/abc123/forestservic.download.akamai... · Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon ... Helminthoglypta hertleini