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Botanical Field Reconnaissance Report - East Creek Restoration Project

1 Butterfly Botanical Consultants (530) 283-1183

Appendix B BOTANICAL FIELD RECONNAISSANCE REPORT

WITH RARE PLANT AND NOXIOUS WEED SUMMARIES for

East Creek Restoration Project Note: The information from this survey and report is intended to be included in the Mountain Meadows Project documents. REPORTER: Jim Battagin, Consultant Botanist DATE: September 15, 2016

Butterfly Botanical Consultants 512 Bell Lane Quincy, CA 95971 Phone: 530-283-1183 LAND OWNERSHIP: Owned by both Shasta Forest Timberlands LLC and Red River LLC; and managed by W.M. Beaty and Associates, INC. U.S.F.S. DISTRICT OF PROJECT: Eagle Lake, Lassen National Forest QUAD(S): Greenville NW 7.5, CA, USFS map #7; 605-2C. LEGAL SUBDIVISION: T29, R10, Portions of Sections 31 and 32. See maps. LOCATION: Approximately 6 miles south of Westwood, CA. See maps. RECONNAISSANCE: Date(s) of field work: July 12 and 13, 2016 By: Jim Battagin Number of acres surveyed: Approx. 144 acres. The area indicated on the attached map was surveyed for the following Plant Species of Concern. These species were either (1) recorded in the California Natural Diversity Database or (2) of concern to this reporter as possibly being in the survey area: USFW Threatened: Orcuttia tenuis (Slender Orcutt grass). Forest Service Plant Species of concern: Carex petasata (Lidden's Sedge), Carex sheldonii (Sheldon's Sedge), Drosera anglica (Longleaf Sundew), Oreostemma elatum (Tall Alpine Aster) and Pyrrocoma lucida (Sticky Pyrrocoma).



The following type of reconnaissance was conducted in the project area: Cursory: General: Complete: X Intuitive controlled: X The reconnaissance was conducted in the following manner: The entire project area was viewed from various distances. Areas that were thought to be potential habitat for target species (either rare or noxious species) were viewed more closely (i.e. springy areas, hillocks, swales, creek channels and other unusual areas were inspected more closely).

RARE PLANT SURVEY SUMMARY Species located: Two occurrences of a Lassen National Forest Sensitive Plant Species (California Rare Plant Ranking System1B.2) were located during the survey: Pyrrocoma lucida. See "Botanical Survey and Rare Species Location Map". Occurrence PYLU-1 was discovered on 7-13-16, numbered 500+ healthy plants and covered an estimated 1/2 acre. The area was slightly sloped, lightly shaded, had little duff and was vernal in nature. This occurrence is flagged with blue and black striped flagging. The GPS coordinate in the middle of the occurrence is N40 degrees, 14.879' and W120 degrees, 53.486'. Occurrence PYLU-2 was discovered on 7-13-16, numbered about 200 healthy plants and covered an estimated 1/4 acre. The area was slightly sloped, lightly shaded, had little duff and was vernal in nature. This occurrence is flagged with blue and black striped flagging. The GPS coordinate in the middle of the occurrence is N40 degrees, 14.904' and W120 degrees, 53.599'. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) list of federally listed threatened and endangered plant species potentially occurring in the Lassen National Forest includes one threatened plant species, Orcuttia tenuis (slender Orcutt grass). Orcuttia tenuis is limited to relatively deep vernal pools or vernal pool type habitat with clay soil. No vernal pools were found during field surveys and none are known to occur in the Proposed Project area. Therefore, no threatened or endangered species are considered likely to occur in the Proposed Project area. Rare Plant Management: No federal or state listed species were found and therefore no management is required by law. However, one USFS sensitive plant (Pyrrocoma lucida) was found in two locations. Even though no protection is required by law, it is recommended that the two occurrences are re-located, re-flagged and project participants are made aware of their locations and efforts are made to avoid any disturbance in these areas. Unoccupied habitat located (how much, where, description): No suitable unoccupied habitat was seen for any species of concern.



Note: A plant species list was compiled and is included in this report (See “Plant Species List for the East Creek Restoration Project”). Every species seen was recorded. In this way, no species was overlooked as a potential species of concern. HABITAT TYPES INVESTIGATED: HABITAT TYPE 1: Intermittent creek channels.

Habitat description 1: Intermittent creek channels that are downcut to varying degrees. Some of these channels are in forested areas, but most of them are in East Creek Meadow.

HABITAT TYPE 2: Meadow.

Habitat description 2: Slightly sloping meadow toward Mountain Meadows Reservoir. Some of the meadow would be considered wet meadow with associated species, but most of the meadow houses upland species or species that tend to grow in areas that are wet in the spring but dry out fairly quickly. The upland species are mostly found along the edges of the meadow.

HABITAT TYPE 3: Forested areas.

Habitat description 3: These forested areas are mostly slightly sloped. Parts of these forested areas house the vernal habitat conducive to the establishment and growth of Pyrrocoma lucida. This plant usually grows in areas of water runoff in the spring, high water table, minimal shade and little competition from other plant species.

NOXIOUS WEED ASSESSMENT: A complete noxious weed survey was conducted in the project analysis area. The California Department of Food and Agriculture's noxious weed list divides noxious weeds into categories A, B, and C. A-listed weeds are those for which eradication or containment is required at the state or county level. With B-listed weeds, eradication or containment is at the discretion of the County Agricultural Commissioner. C-listed weeds require eradication or containment only when found in a nursery or at the discretion of the County Agricultural Commissioner. No occurrences of A or B-listed were discovered in the analysis area during the botanical survey. However, there was discovered one species on the C list, Elymus caput-medusae (old name:



Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Common name Medusa Head. Although no action is required to manage or contain Medusa Head, it is recommended that care be taken not to spread this species beyond its current boundaries . When practicable, keep machinery and even people out the estimated 4.0 acre area containing this species. The area containing this species is flagged in orange flagging with "Noxious Weeds" printed on the flagging. It is suggested that the flagging be replenished before operations begin. See "Noxious Weeds Location Map". The GPS coordinates for this area are as follows: The northeast end of the noxious weed occurrence: N40 degrees, 14.820' and W120 degrees, 53.703'. The center of the noxious weed occurrence: N40 degrees, 14.789' and W120 degrees, 53.755'. The southwest end of the noxious weed occurrence: N40 degrees, 14.734' and W120 degrees, 53.802'. The Medusa Head is scattered throughout the area designated on the map, but the area of highest density is found in the middle and SW portions of the affected area.

Plant Species List – East Creek Restoration Project

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Butterfly Botanical Consultants (530) 283-1183

Jim Battagin

Butterfly Botanical Consultants 512 Bell Lane

Quincy, CA 95971 (530) 283-1183

_______________________

Plant Species List - for the

East Creek Restoration Project Dates of field work: July 12 and 13, 2016

Note: Introduced plants are in bold print. This list does not include any species seen outside the Project area. TREES: Abies concolor White Fir Pseudotsuga menziesii Douglas-fir Pinus jeffreyi Jeffery Pine Pinus ponderosa Ponderosa Pine SHRUBS: Amelanchier utahensis Utah Serviceberry Ceanothus cordulatus Whitethorn Ceanothus prostratus Mahala-mats Chrysothamnus nauseosus White-stemmed Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus ssp. puberulus Hairy Rabbitbrush Chrysothamnus vicidiflorus ssp. vicidiflorus Sticky Rabbitbrush Prunus emarginata Bitter Cherry Purshia tridentata Antelope Bitterbrush Ribes roezlii Sierra Gooseberry Ribes viscosissimum Sticky Current Salix breweri Brewer's Willow Salix exigua Narrow-leaved Willow Salix geyeriana Geyer’s Willow Salix lemmonii Lemmon’s Willow Salix lucida ssp. lasiandra Shining Willow


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GRASSES: Alopecurus geniculatus Geniculate Foxtail Bromus carinatus var. carinatus California Brome Bromus hordeaceus Soft Chess Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Danthonia californica var. americana American Wild Oatgrass Deschampsia cespitosa Dancing Hairgrass Deschampsia danthonioides Annual Hairgrass Deschampsia elongata Slender Hairgrass Elymus caput-medusae Medusahead Elymus elymoides ssp. californicus Squirreltail Grass Elymus glaucus var. glaucus Blue Wildrye Festuca idahoensis Idaho Fescue Festuca microstachys Annual Fescue Melica fujax Small Onion Grass Melica spectabilis Purple Onion Grass Phleum pratense Common Timothy Poa bulbosa Bulbous Bluegrass Poa compressa Canadian Bluegrass Poa pratensis Kentucky Bluegrass Poa secunda ssp. secunda Mountain Bluegrass ALL OTHER PLANTS: Achillea millefolium Yarrow Acmispon americanus Spanish-clover (was Lotus purshianus) Agoseris elata Tall Mountain Agoseris Agoseris glauca var. glauca Pale Agoseris Agoseris heterophylla Annual Agoseris Allium campanulatum Sierra Onion Allocarya cusickii Cusick’s Allocarya (Plagiobothrys c. – Jepson) Aquilegia formosa Red Columbine Artemisia douglasiana Douglas’ Mugwort Artemisia ludoviciana var. l. Western Mugwort Asclepias speciosus Showy Milkweed Aster campestris Western Meadow Aster Aster occidentalis var. occidentalis W. Mtn. Aster (Aster spathulatus v. s. – Clifton) Balsamhorhiza platylepis Chocolate Sunflower Boechera pinetorum Woodland Rockcress


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Brodiaea hyacinthina Wild Hyacinth Brodiaea minor Small Brodiaea Camassia quamash ssp. breviflora Small-flowered Camas Carex angustata Well-fruited Sedge Carex athrostachya Slender-beaked Sedge Carex nebraskensis Nebraska Sedge Castilleja lacera Cut-leaved Annual Paintbrush (bright yellow) Castilleja tenuis Hairy Annual Paintbrush (was Orthocarpus his.) Claytonia rubra var. rubra Reddish Miner's Lettuce Collomia tinctoria Yellow-staining tinctoria Convolvulus arvensis Bindweed Cryptantha torreyana Torrey’s Cryptantha Downingia bacigalupii Bacigalup’s Downingia Dichelostemma multiflorum Many-flowered Brodiaea Eleocharis acicularis var. acicularis Needle Spike-rush Epilobium brachycarpum Panicled Willowherb Epilobium densiflorum Dense-flrd. Spike Primrose (Boisduvalia d. –

Clifton). Dark pink, wet areas. Epilobium glaberrinum var. glaberrinum Glaucus Willow-herb Equisetum arvense Common Horsetail Eremocarpus setigerus Turkey-mullein or Dove Weed Erigeron bloomeri var. bloomeri Bloomer’s Daisy Eriogonum douglasii var. douglasii Douglas’ Buckwheat Eriogonum nudum Naked-stem Buckwheat Eriogonum spergulinum var. reddingianum Spurrey Buckwheat Eryngium alismifolium Coyote-thistle Galium bolanderi Bolander's Bedstraw Gayophytum humile Low Gayophytum Gayophytum diffusum var. strictipes Hairy-seeded Groundsmoke Gilia leptalea var. bicolor Bridge’s Gilia Gnaphalium palustre Lowland Cudweed Hieracium albiflorum White-flowered Hawkweed Hypericum scouleri Scouler's St. John's-wort Juncus balticus Baltic Rush Juncus bufonius var. occidentalis Common Toad Rush Juncus nevadensis Sierran Rush Juncus occidentalis Western Rush Juncus tenuis Slender Rush Kelloggia galioides Kelloggia Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Lepidium perfoliatum Roundleaf Peppergrass Ligusticum grayi Gray's Loveage Linanthus harknessii Harkness’ Linanthus


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Lomatium nevadense var. nevadense Nevada Lomatium Lomatium nudecaule Pestle Parsnip or Indian Celery Lupinus lepidus var. confertus Leafy Prairie Lupine Lupinus lepidus var. sellulus Torrey’s Lupine Madia elegans Elegant Tarweed Madia glomerata Mountain Tarweed Madia gracilis Slender Tarweed, Gum-weed Madia minima Dwarf Tarweed Mentha arvensis Field Mint Mentzelia veatchiana Veatch’s Stick-leaf Mimulus floribundus Floriferous Monkeyflower Mimulus moschatus Musk Monkey-flower Mimulus primuloides Primrose Monkeyflower Monardella ordoratissima var. ovata Pallid Mtn. Wild Mint Montia linearis Linear-leafed Montia Navarretia intertexta ssp. propinqua Great Basin Navarretia Navarretia leucocephala ssp. l. Vernal Pool or White-flrd. Navarretia Orthocarpus hispidus Hairy Orthocarpus Osmorhiza berteroi Mtn. Sweet-cicely (was O. chilensis) Perideridia parishii var. latifolia Parish’s Broadleaf Yampah Petrorhagia dubia Grass-pink Phlox gracilis Slender Phlox Polemonium micranthum Small-flrd Polemonium (Polemoniella m.-Clifton) Polygonum douglasii Douglas’ Knotweed Polygonum minimum Leafy Dwarf Knotweed Polygonum polygaloides Milkwort Knotweed Potentilla glandulosa Sticky Cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis Slender Cinquefoil Prunella vulgaris Self-heal Pyrrocoma lucida Sticky Pyrrocoma Ranunculus alismaefolius Western Plantain Buttercup Ranunculus occidentalis Western Buttercup Rumex crispus Yellow Dock Rumex salicifolius var. triangulivalvis Triangle-valved Willow Dock Sanguisorba occidentalis Western Burnet Sidalcea oregana var. spicata Spiked Checkerbloom Stachys pycnantha Short-spiked Hedge Nettle Stellaria longipes var. longipes Long-stalked Starwort Taraxacum officinale Dandelion Tragopogon dubius Yellow Salsify or Goat’s Beard Trichostema oblongum Mountain Bluecurls Trifolium beckwithii Beckwith’s Clover Trifolium cyathiferum Bowl Clover


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Trifolium longipes Long-stalked Clover Trifolium wormskioldii Mountain Clover Triteleia hyacinthina Wild Hyacinth Urtica dioica ssp. holodericea Stinging Nettle Verbascum thapsus Common Mullein Veronica peregrina ssp. xalapensis Purslane Speedwell Vicia americana ssp. americana American Vetch Viola beckwithii Beckwith’s Violet Wyethia mollis Mountain Mule’s Ears

Number of introduced plant species: 15 Total number of plant species: 150

Most Common Plants Found in the Project Area (70-80% of the vegetative cover): Acmispon americanus Spanish-clover Deschampsia cespitosa Dancing Hairgrass Danthonia californica var. americana American Wild Oatgrass Madia glormerata Mtn. Tarweed Perideridia parishii var. latifolia Parish’s Broadleaf Yampah Sanquisorba occidentalis Western Burnet

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