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Ecological Resources of the Idaho National Engineeringand Environmental Laboratory and Potential Effects of

the Independent Spent Fuel FacilityFinal

May 18,2001

I1 5toller1E-

1780 First StreetIdaho Falls, Idaho 83401Phone: (208) 525-9358Fax: (208) 525-3364tb1ished 1959

Enclosure

Ecological Resources of the Idaho National Engineeringand Environmental Laboratory and Potential Effects ofthe Independent Spent Fuel Facility

Roger D. Blew, Ph.D.S.M. Stoller Corp.

May 17,2001

INTRODUCTION

The Independent Spent Fuel Facility(ISF) will be located on the IdahoNational Engineering and EnvironmentalLaboratory (INEEL) near the IdahoNuclear Technology and EngineeringCenter (INTEC). The INEEL is locatedon the upper Snake River Plain ofeastern Idaho. The INEEL occupiesapproximately 890 mi2. It is bounded onthe north and west by the Bitterroot,Lemhi, and Lost River mountain ranges.The INEEL is relatively flat with somevolcanic buttes and lava flows. Meanannual precipitation is approximatelynine inches. About one third of theprecipitation falls during the growingseason.

AREA OF POTENTIAL IMPACTS

This evaluation covers two sites; the ISFsite itself and a nearby constructionlaydown area (Appendix A). The ISFsite covers approximately seven acresand the construction laydown areacovers approximately nine acres. Bothof these areas are immediately east ofINTEC. Any impacts will likely be dueto soil disturbance on these two sites.

METHODS OF INVESTIGATION

Surveys for ecological resources on theINEEL and near the ISF site werecompleted using two methods. First wesearched records of previous surveys on

the INEEL and for surveys that mayhave been conducted near the proposedsite of the ISF. We also conducted afield survey of the ISF site and theconstruction laydown area on May 7,2001. That survey included a list ofplant species present, approximatevegetative cover and suitable wildlifehabitat.

ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES OF THEINEEL

VegetationThe flora of the INEEL and adjacentfoothills includes 472 species of vascularplants representing 59 families. Thevegetation of the INEEL is primarilyshrub-steppe having a shrub overstoryand an understory of perennial grassesand forbs. A total of 15 vegetationcommunity classes were recognized as aresult of a vegetation mapping effort(Kramber et al. 1992). These classes canbe grouped into six, structurally distincthabitat types. They are shrub-steppe,juniper woodland, grasslands, wetland,playas and exposed lava.

The most common vegetationcommunity on the INEEL is sagebrushsteppe (Figure 1). It is dominated byWyoming big sagebrush (Artemisiatridentata subspecies wyomingensis) andbasin big sagebrush (Artemisiatridentata subspecies tridentata). Greenrabbitbrush (Chrysothamnusviscidiflorus) is also common. The most

S.M. Stoller Corp.

Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17, 2001

common grasses are thickspikewheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus),bluebunch wheatgrass,(Psuedoreognaria spicata), bottlebrushsquirreltail[(Elymus elymoides), Indianricegrass (Oryzopsis hymenoides), andneedle-and-thread (Stipa comata).

AnimalsA total of 219 species of vertebrateshave been recorded on the INEEL-(Reynolds et al. 1986). This includes 37mammals, 164 birds, 1 amphibian, 10reptiles, and six fish species. Theseinclude a number of sagebrush-obligatespecies including pygmy rabbits(Sylvilagus nuttaiji), sage grouse(Centrocercus urophasianus), sagethrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), sagesparrow (Amphispiza bilineata), andnorthern sagebrush lizard (Sceloperousgraciousus). The most commonpredators are coyote (Canis latrans) andbadger (Taxidea taxs}. Commonungulates include pronghorn(Antilocapra americana), mule deer(Odocoileus hemionus), and elk (Cervuselaphus).

Aquatic communities on the INEEL aredependent on the flow of the Big LostRiver. Drought and upstream irrigationdiversions greatly limit the flow of wateron to the INEEL. In years when waterdoes flow, six species of fish have beenobserved on the INEEL. They includerainbow trout (Oncorhynchus myldss),mountain whitefish (Prosopium

Figure 1. Sagebrush steppe typical of theINEEL

Wetlands on the INEEL are primarilylimited to the Big Lost River Sinks at theterminus of the Big Lost River(Anderson et al. 1996). These wetlandsare periodically flooded during years ofabove normal precipitation. Thedominant species in these wetlands iscommon spike rush (Eleocharispalustris). Anderson et al. (1996) alsoreported these wetlands have very lowdiversity. No wetlands occur within thevicinity of INTEC or the ISF.

A large portion of the interior of theINTEL is undeveloped and providesimportant habitat for native flora andfauna. About 60% of the INEEL isgrazed by sheep and cattle (Figure 2).Grazing is administered by the Bureau ofLand Management. The ISF isapproximately four miles from thenearest grazing allotment border.

Figure 2. Areas grazed on the INEEL.

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Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17,2001

williamrsonz), shorthead sculpin (Cottusconfuses), kokanee salmon(Oncorhynchus nerka), brook trout(Salvelinusfontinalis) and speckled dace(Rhinichthys osculus)(Overton 1977,Arthur et al. 1984).

ECOLOGICAL RESOURCES ON ORNEAR THE ISF

The area where the ISF will beconstructed and the constructionlaydown area have been previouslydisturbed (Figures 3 and 4). Vegetativecover on these sites is less than fivepercent. Native plant species presentinclude green rabbitbrush (C.viscidiflorus), gray rabbitbrnsh (Cnauseosus), desert parsley (Lomatiurnfoeniculaceum), and long-leafed phlox(Phlox longifolia). Non-native plants onthe site included cheatgrass, (Bromustectorum), Russian thistle (Salsola kall),crested wheatgrass (Agropyroncristatum), tansy mustard (Descurainiasophia), and dandelion (Taraxacumofficinale). The site likely provides littlehabitat value to wildlife.

The nearest native vegetationcommunity is sagebrush steppe(Appendix A map) and likely supports adiverse complement of small mammals,reptiles, and breeding bird speciescommon to the sagebrush steppe. These

nearby areas are also likely used bypronghom and mule deer throughout theyear.

THREATENED AND ENDANGEREDSPECIES ON THE INEEL

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service(USFWS) and the Idaho Department ofFish and Game Conservation DataCenter were contacted for their lists ofspecies of special status that might occuron the INEEL (see Appendix B forcorrespondence). Those species andtheir status are listed in Table 1.

The status categories of 'Watch" and"Species of Concern" are categoriesdesignated by the USFWS Snake RiverBasin Field Office, Boise. Species inthese categories have no protectionunder the Endangered Species Act, butshould be considered for planningpurposes because of potential futurelistings as threatened or endangered. TheUSFWS also advises an evaluation ofpotential effects on Candidate speciesthat may occur in project areas. Specieslisted as threatened or endangered andoccur on the INEEL include the GrayWolf, Bald Eagle, and Ute ladies'-tresses.

In most of Idaho the Gray Wolf is listedas an experimental, non-essential

Figure 3. Proposed location for the 1SF. Figure 4. Construction laydown area for ISF.

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Ecological Resources of the [NEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17, 2001

Table 1. Special status species that may occur within the boundaries of the INEEL.

Scientific Name Common Name Federal IdahoStatus' -Status2

AnimalsCanis lupus Gray wolf LT/XNHaliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle LT LTButeo regalis Ferruginous hawk W PCentrocercus urophasianus Sage grouse SCAthene cunicularia hypugaea Western burrowing owl PNumenius americanus Long-billed curlew SC PSorex merriami Merriam's shrew SC UMyotis evotis Long-eared myotis W UMyotis ciliolabrum Western small-footed myotis W UCorynorhinus townsendii Townsend's big-eared bat SC SCBrachylagus idahoensis Pygmy rabbit W G,SCSceloporus graciosus graciosus Northern sagebrush lizard SC

PlantsSpiranthes diluvialis Ute ladies'-tresses LTBotrychiun lineare Slender moonwort SCAstragalus ceramicus var. apus Painted milkvetch SCAstragalus aquilonius Lemhi milkvetch GP3Camissonia pterospenna Winged-seed evening S

prirnroseIpomopsis polycladon Spreading gilia 2

L LT = Listed Threatened, XN = Experimental/Nonessential Population, SC = Species ofConcern, W = Watch.2E = Endangered, SC = Species of Special Concern, P = Protected nongame, U = Unprotectednongame, G = Game, S = Sensitve, 2 = Priority 2, GP3 = Global Priority 3.

population. There have been severalunconfirmed sightings of the gray wolf Inventories for Bald Eagles on theon the INEEL during the past decade. INEEL are conducted annually as part ofNone of these sightings were near the USFWS Mid-winter Bald Eaglefacility complexes or the Big Lost River. Count. Bald Eagles occur on the INEELCritical habitat for the Gray Wolf does only during winter and primarily nearnot exist on the INEEL. The USFWS the north end of the site near the townsdoes not designate Critical Habitat for of Howe and Mud Lake. On rareexperimental, non-essential populations. occasions bald eagles may congregate atGray wolves in Idaho west of Interstate the spreading areas near the Radioactive15 and south of Interstate 90 are in the Waste Management Complex near thearea designated as experimental, non- southern boundary of the INEEL.essential population. This includes theINEEL.

S.M. Stoller Corp.

Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17,2001

The USFWS lists Ute ladies'-tresses(Spiranthes diluvialis) as a threatenedspecies possibly occurring on the]NEEL. Although specific surveys for ithave not been conducted, it has neverbeen recorded on the INEEL. Suitablehabitat for this (moist soils in mesic orwet meadows near springs, lakes, andperennial streams) does not occur on theproposed ISF site.

Potential Threats Due toConstruction or Operation of ISFIt is unlikely the proposed activities atthis site will have any measurable impacton species of federal or state concern.There are no federally listed or proposedthreatened or endangered species,species of special concern, or recordsthereof, or designated critical habitat inproximity to the project area.

Ecological and BiologicalResearch in ProgressEcologists and biologists from theDepartment of Energy's EnvironmentalSurveillance, Education and Researchprogram, the INEEL, and regionaluniversities were contacted aboutresearch activities in the vicinity of theISF. The result of that inquiry was thatno ecological or biological researchwould likely be affected by activities atthe ISF.

One long-term monitoring program thatdoes collect data nearby is the BreedingnZ;rA Qvi",Aut thc cs lerpy nn thi TMNFFT

includes 13 permanent routes establishedin 1985. Five of these routes are inremote locations and the data from theseis reported to the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, Biological Resources Divisionannually. There are also eight routesnear INEEL facilities and complexesincluding INTEC and the ISF site

(Appendix A map). These facility routesare used to assess the impacts of INEELactivities on breeding bird use of areasnear facilities. Because the purpose ofthis monitoring is to detect effects, themonitoring program itself will not benegatively affected by activities at ISF.

LITERATURE CrTEDAnderson, J. E., K T. Ruppel, J. M.

Glennon, K E. Eolte, and R. C.Rope. 1996. Plant communities,ethnoecology, and flora of the IdahoNational Engineering Laboratory.ESRF-005. Environmental Scienceand Research Foundation, IdahoFalls, Idaho. l 1 pp.

Arthur, W. J., J. W. Connelly, D. K.Halford, and T. D. Reynolds. 1984.Vertebrates of the Idaho NationalEngineering Laboratory. DOE/ID-12099. U.S. Department of Energy,Idaho Operations Office, Idaho Falls.4 0 pp.

Kramber, W.L., R. C. Rope, J.Anderson, J. Glennon, and A. Morse.1992. Producing a vegetation mapof the Idaho National EngineeringLaboratory using Landsat ThematicMapper data. Proceedings of theAmerican Society forPhotogrammetry and RemoteSensing/American Congress onSurveying and Mapping AnnualMeeting Technical Papers Vol.11 :`<1' 17-<16.

Overton, C. K 1977. Description,distribution, and density of Big LostRiver salmonid populations. M. S.Thesis. Idaho State University,Pocatello. 51 pp.

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Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17, 2001

Reynolds, T. D., J. W. Connelly, D. K.Halford, and W. J. Arthur. 1986.Vertebrate fauna of the IdahoNational Environmental Research

Park. Great Basin Naturalist 46:513-527.

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Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17,2001

APPENDIX A

S.M. Stoller Corp.

INTEC, ISFand Vicinity

* Breeding Bird Survey Route StopsRoads

t/Big Lost River

Vegetatlon Classificationf Grassland, Sagebrush Steppe Off-Lava

Sagebrush Steppe On-LavaSagebrushNIlnterfat

JIM SagebruahiRabbltbrushLow Shrubs On-Lava

iflMJ!1 Playa. Bare Ground, Disturbed AreasCtasuites, boamdo nKrambwetar ia 1

0 6O0 1200 1B0 2400 3000 Feet

5/4/der

Ecological Resources of the INEEL and Potential Effects of the ISF May 17, 2001

APPENDIX B

S.M. Stoller Corp.

United States Department of the Interior

FISH AND WILDLIdE SERVICESnake River Basin Office, ColumbiaRiver Basin Eoreion

1387 South Vimdil Way, Room 368Boise, Idaho 83709

MAAR 0 280f

Roger D. Blew, Ph.D.Plant EcologistThe S. M. Stoller Corporation1780 First StreetIdaho Falls, Idaho 83401

Subject: Department of Energy, Idaho National Engineering and Environmental LaboratorySpecies List Update1-4-01-SP-364/Updates #1-4Ol-SP-75/506.0000

Dear Mr. Blew:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is writing to provide you with an updated list ofendangered, threatened, proposed, and/or candidate species which may occur within theboundaries of the Department of Energy, Idaho National Engineering and EnvironmentalLaboratory. We have enclosed the current list. This letter officially updates species list number14-01-SP-75 of December 1, 2000, and provides you with a new number 14-01-SP-364. Youshould refer to the new number in subsequent correspondence and documentation.

Information concerning Federal agency obligations under the Endangered Species Act has beenprovided to you in the past. If you would like us to send you any of this information again or ifyou have questions, please contact Carol Wanstrom of this office at (208) 378-5388.

Thank you for your continued interest in endangered species conservation.

SincereNl. 2

/ .Ayio--Supervisor, Snake River Basin Office

Enclosure

cc: FWS-ES, Chubbuck

ENCLOSURE -

LISTED AND PROPOSED ENDANGERED AND THREATENEDSPECIES, AND CANDIDATE SPECIES, THAT MAY OCCURWITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE INEEL-DOE PROJECT

14-01-SP-364

LISTED SPECIES

Gray wolf (N(Canis lupus)

Bald eagle (ffT)(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

COMMNTS

Experimental/Non-essential population

Occasionally winter onpart of INEEL

Ute ladies'-tresses (LT)(Spiranthes diluvialis)

PROPOSED SPECIES

None

CANDIDATE SPECIES

None

The Fish and Wildlife Service has concerns about the following plants andanimals. Although these species have no status under the Endangered SpeciesAct, we are concerned about their population status and threats to their long-termviability. In context with ecosystem-level management, we suggest that youconsider these species and their habitats in project planning and review.

ViiafrinilsLong-eared myotis

(Myotis evotis)

Small-footed myotis(Myotis ciliolabrum)

.2March 2001

Townsend's big-eared bat(Corynorhinus townsendfi)

Pygmy rabbit(Brachylagus idahoensis)

Merriam's shrew(Sorex merrIam)

BirdsGreater sage-grouse

(Centrocercus urophasias)

Long-billed curlew(Numenius americanus)

Ferruginous hawk(Buteo regalis)

Amphibians and ReptilesNorthern sagebrush lizard

(Sceloporus graciosus graciosus)

PlantsSlender moonwort

(Botiychium lineare)

Painted milkvetch(Astragalus ceramicus var. apus)

March 2001 3

GENERAL COMMENTS

LE - Listed endangeredLT - Listed threatenedXN- Experimental/non-essential populationPT - Proposed threatenedC - Candidate

GRAY WOLF (Canis lupus) -The gray wolf is listed as endangered in the coterminous UnitedStates, except where it is listed (1) as threatened (Minnesota) or (2) as a nonessentialexperimental population including Wyoming, and portions of Idaho and Montana. Within thecentral Idaho area, the nonessential experimental population areas are those portions of Idaho thatare south of Interstate Highway 90 and west of Interstate Highway 15, and those portions ofMontana south of Interstate Highway 90, Highway 93 and 12 from Missoula, Montana west ofInterstate Highway 15. Portions of the Yellowstone Management Area (YMA) in Idaho andMontana are designated as the nonessential experimental population area. The boundaries of theYMA include that portion of Idaho that is east of Interstate Highway 15; that portion of Montanathat is east of Interstate Highway 15 and south of the Missouri River from Great Falls, Montana,to the eastern Montana border; and all of Wyoming.

Federal action agencies are required to confer with the Service if their actions are likely tojeopardize the continued existence of gray wolves; or you have the option of conferring with theService regardless of the determination.

UTE LADIES'-TRESSES (Spiranthes diluvialis) has the potential to occur in wetland andriparian areas including springs, wet meadows, and river meanders. The plant is known to occurat sites ranging from 1,500 to 7,000 feet in elevation. This species generally flowers from mid-July through September, and can be identified definitively only at that time. The orchid canremain dormant for several years; therefore, we suggest surveys for the orchid be scheduled forsequential years. The species may be adversely affected by modification of riparian and wetlandhabitats associated with livestock grazing, vegetation removal, excavation, construction forresidential or commercial purposes, stream channelization, hydroelectric development andoperation, and actions that alter hydrology.

March 2001 4

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"I IDAHO CONSERVATION DATA CENTERIdaho Deparnlent of Fish and Game * 600 South 'Abnut * RP. Box 25, Boie, Idaho 83707 * (208) 334-3402 * FAX 334-2114

21 February 2001

T. Roger D. Blew, Plant Ecologist.A Stoller Coporation

780 First StreetNaho Falls, ID 83401

'ear Dr. Blew:

am responding to your request for a list of special status species associated with the Idahoational Engineering and Environmental Laboratory. The accompanying list has to be2derstood in the context of the lack of data made available to the CDC. Data transfers, over theears, have been onie way-i.e., the CDC has provided data to INEEL and contractors but has:ceived very little in the way of updated information or new occurrences. For example, wenow from literature that western burrowing owl occurs at INEEL, but our database contains note-specific data.

you have questions regarding this response, please contact me.

Sincerely,

George StephensFish and Game Data Coordinator

Please note: The quantity and quality of data collected by the

Idaho Conservation Data Center (CDC) are dependent on theresearch and observations of many individuals and organizations.In most cases, these data are not the result of comprehensive orsite-specific field surveys; many natural areas in Idaho havenever been thoroughly surveyed. For these reasons, the CDCcannot provide a definitive statement on the presence, absence,or condition of biological elements in any part of Idaho. CDCreports summarize the existing information known to the CDC atthe time of the request regarding the biological elements orlocations in question. They should never be regarded as finalstatements on the elements or areas being considered, nor shouldthey be substituted for on-site surveys required forenvironmental assessments.

IDAHO CONSERVATION DATA CENTERIDAHO DEPARSMENT OF FISH AND GAME21 FEBRUARY 2001REPORT FOR: DR. ROGER D. BLEW, S. M. STOLLER CORP.

SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES

IDAEO NATIONAL ENGINEERINGAND ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY

USFWSCOMMON NAME .......... STATUS STATESCIENTIFIC NAME....................

SLS

EALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS

BUTEO REGALIS

ATHENE CUNICULARIA HYPUGAEA

NUNENIUS AMZRICANUS

SOREX NERRIAMI

MYOTIS EVOTIS

MYOTIS CILIOLABROM

CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII

BRACHYLAGUS IDAHOENSIS

BLM COMMENTS

BALD EAGLE

FERRUGINOUS HAWK

WESTERN BURROWING OWL

LONG-BILLED CURLEW

MERRIAM'S SHREW

LONG-EARED MYOTIS

WESTERN SMALL-FOOTED MYOTIS

TOWNSEND'S BIG-EARED BAT

PYGMY RABBIT

LT E PRESENCE IS TIED TOJACERABBIT POPULATIONS

W P S NESTING TERRITORIES

SC P S

SC P S NESTING AREA

U MUSEUM SPECIMENS

W U S MATERNITY ROOSTCONFIRMED SPECIMENS

W U S ROOSTSHIBER'NACULA

SC SC S HIBERNACULAROOST

W GSC S

PLANTS

ASTRAGALUS AQUILONIUS LEM3 MILE

CAMISSONIA PTEROSPERMA WINGED-SEE

IPCMOPSIS POLYCLADON SPREADING

USEVS

LT = Listed ThreatenedSC - Species of ConcernW - Watch

STATE (animals - Idaho Dept. of Fish and Game)

P - Protected nongameE - EndangeredU Unprotected nongameSC - Species of Special ConcernG - Gaze

STATE (plants - Idaho Native Plant Society)

S - Sensitive2 = Priority 2GP3 = Global Priority 3

BLM

S = Sensitive species

VETCH

D EVENING PRIMROSE

GILIA

GP3

S

2

S

S

S

For definitions of the variouscategories of status, please refer to

http://www.state.id.us/fishgame/cdchome.htm