wildlife biological assessment/evaluation for santa...

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Wildlife Biological Assessment/Evaluation for Santa Barbara Front

Country DFPZ, Santa Barbara Ranger District, Los Padres National

Forest

Prepared by: Date:

Patrick Lieske, Asst. Forest Biologist

Los Padres National Forest

31 August 2015

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1.0 Background

Over the past half century, urban development has expanded into the chaparral and forested environments

on the Santa Barbara Front. This expansion has placed residences adjacent to highly flammable wildland

fuels that typically burn with high intensity and can pose a threat to both structures and residents alike.

Much of this expansion of urban development has occurred next to National Forest boundaries without

the adoption of sufficient provisions for the establishment of defensible space needed in the event of

wildfire.

The Santa Barbara Mountain Communities Defense Zone Project would be located on the Santa Barbara

Ranger District, Los Padres National Forest. We propose several activities covering a total of

approximately 418 acres to directly improve the ability of the communities of Painted Cave, San Marcos

Trout Club, Haney Tract, Rosario Park, Refugio, and Gaviota to address this threat. This project would

create or expand on existing fuel breaks, reducing the amount of standing vegetation to improve the

ability of the communities to strategically mitigate the potential impacts of wildfire.

Project Description

The proposed project would be located on the Santa Barbara Front in the Santa Ynez Mountains. This

area is north of U.S. Highway 101, in Santa Barbara County, California. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean

between Santa Barbara, and Gaviota, California (Figure 1).

Historic Condition

The proposed project area has a Mediterranean climate and its chaparral ecosystem is considered to be

one of the most fire hazardous landscapes in North America. The combination of uniformly dense

chaparral fuels, summer drought, Sundowner winds (a local foehn wind), steep terrain, and communities

built along exposed ridgelines and deep canyons contribute to this condition.

Wildfires are a fundamental part of the native chaparral ecosystem. Fires have occurred regularly around

the communities located within this project area. The Santa Barbara Front Country area has had numerous

devastating wildfires in the past. These fires include the Jesusita (2009), Gap (2008), Gaviota (2004),

Paint (1990), Wheeler (1985), Eagle Canyon (1979), Sycamore Canyon (1977), Romero (1971), Coyote

(1964), Polo (1964), and Refugio (1955). These fires have served as periodic reminders that the mountain

communities of the Santa Barbara Front are at risk from the potential for wildland fire to spread from

National Forest System (NFS) land, and the National Forest is at risk from the potential of a domestic fire

spreading into the NFS land from one of these communities.

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Figure 1. Map showing the location of the treatment units.

Because Southern California chaparral ecosystems typically burn in stand-replacing crown fires, extreme

wildfires will inevitably continue to occur in the Santa Barbara Front Country. According to the California

Fire Plan, the communities on the Santa Barbara Front are rated at high value, high risk, and have a high

probability that large fires will occur.

This threat can be addressed through the strategies that promote fire-adapted communities. The mountain

communities are aware of the potential wildfire impacts and have taken some corrective action to address

this potential threat. Each has embarked on fuel reduction activities and has plans developed in

collaboration with public fire agency professionals to reduce potential wildfire hazard. Agreements have

been developed to cross boundaries between NFS and private lands with fuel reduction activities. For

example, the Wildland Residents Association (WRA)1 was awarded a grant in 2005 to complete fuels

reduction projects. Some of the local communities have applied for similar grants through the Forest

Service for Fiscal Year 2015.

1 “The WRA serves as a liaison between Santa Barbara County’s mountain communities and various government

agencies and provides the management of the San Marcos Pass Volunteer Fire Department”

(http://www.wildlandresidents.org/about/).

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Existing Condition

Communities have developed adjacent to the Los Padres National Forest with inadequate planning for

defensible space. Because these communities are immediately adjacent to a chaparral ecosystem, fire

behavior modeling conducted by fuels planners suggests wildfire impacts can be severe. This is

particularly true under the weather conditions that result in the most extreme fire behavior. These

conditions are referred to by fuels planners as 97th percentile fire weather.

Local weather data has been collected and recorded for the project area over the last several years using

remote area weather stations (RAWS). These RAWS gather critical information necessary for fire

behavior calculations such as wind speed and direction, air temperature, and relative humidity. When this

weather information is modeled with the type and arrangement of vegetation in the project area (referred

to as fire behavior fuel models), other important fire behavior factors such as slope, aspect, and position

on the slope, a more definitive picture of potential fire behavior emerges for the project area.

2.0 Proposed Action

Purpose and Need for Action

The purpose of the project is to address Forest Plan goals and desired conditions. The Forest Plan

identifies goals that are responsive to both national priorities and the management challenges

identified for the multiple-use management of the four southern California national forests

(USDA Forest Service 2005, Forest Plan, Part 1: Southern California National Forests Vision;

pp. 19-49). The responsible official for the Santa Barbara Mountain Communities Defense Zone

Project has chosen to propose resource management actions that respond to the following Forest

Plan goals:

Goal 1.1: Improve the ability of southern California communities to limit loss of life and property and

recover from the high-intensity wildland fires that are a natural part of this state’s ecosystem.

The desired condition is to have vegetation treated to enhance community protection and reduce the risk

of loss of human life, structures, improvements, and natural resources from wildland fire and subsequent

floods. Firefighters have improved opportunities for tactical operations and safety near structures,

improvements, and high resource values. By providing for defensible space, public and firefighter safety

is enhanced.

Goal 1.2.2 - Reduce the number of acres at risk from excessively frequent fires while improving

defensible space around communities.

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The desired condition for chaparral is to establish a diversity of shrub age classes in key areas near

communities to improve the effectiveness of fire suppression operations. Adequate defensible space

around communities could greatly reduce the risk of structure loss, as well as improve safety for residents.

Thus, at the urban interface there will be a management emphasis on direct community protection. This

could be accomplished in at least two ways: (1) by removing or heavily modifying shrublands

immediately adjacent to populated areas (Wildland/Urban Interface Defense Zones); and (2) by

strategically creating blocks of young, less flammable vegetation near the interface areas. Both types of

fuels modification could slow or even halt the rate of fire spread into urban areas.

The differences between existing conditions and desired conditions identified in the Forest Plan,

and the Forest Service’s responsibility to reduce those differences through management

practices, define the need for action. The need for Santa Barbara Mountain Communities

Defense Zone Project is based on the Forest Plan goals identified above.

To make progress toward achieving these goals, the project would address the following need:

The Forest Plan recognizes the need to create conditions that allow firefighters to stay on-the-ground and

defend homes and property more safely within community defense zones (Forest Plan, Part 1: Southern

California National Forests Vision; p. 13). Flame lengths below 2.4 m (8 feet) are desired because they

allow for direct suppression of fires under more extreme fire weather conditions using readily available

equipment, and represent a noticeable improvement for fire fighter and public safety. The goal after

treatment is to attain a potential flame length of 6 feet for chaparral areas and 3 feet for grass areas in 97th

percentile weather conditions.

Once established, these zones should be maintained so they remain effective in the future.

Proposed Treatments

The project proposes to create and maintain fuel breaks on approximately 174 hectares (430 acres) of

chaparral to help manage against the wildfire threat posed to the mountain communities. These treatments

would occur within several separate treatment units on the Santa Barbara Ranger District at Painted Cave,

Rosario Park, San Marcos Trout Club, Haney Tract and the Gaviota Fuelbreak along West Camino Cielo.

Treatment Definitions for Proposed Action Activities

The Forest Plan provides project design criteria for defense zone treatments in chaparral vegetation

(Forest Plan, Part 3 Design Criteria for the Southern California National Forests, page 82).

“Generally, a [WUI Defense Zone] width of 30.5 to 91.4 m (100 to 300 feet) will be

sufficient in some conditions to provide community safety objectives in chaparral types,

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however on steep slopes or areas of significant mortality, a greatly expanded width of

defense zones may be necessary. These conditions may require defense zone widths over

91.4 (300 feet). Defense Zone management activities take precedence over all other

management activities within the Defense Zone and Standard 82 would apply. Some

conditions may allow for less than the 100-foot width.

Isolated plants can be left intact within this zone as long they are maintained in such a

way as to not ignite during a wildland fire. In that portion of the defense zone greater than

30.5 m (100 feet) from structures, chaparral vegetation should be reduced to 45.7 cm (18

inches) in height to promote low flame lengths and to minimize the potential for soil

erosion.”

Fuel breaks near the Painted Cave and San Marcos Trout Club communities would exceed widths of 300

feet to utilize the available topographic features in enhancing treatment effectiveness, and to provide

sufficient treatment effectiveness on steep slopes where wildfire intensity and rate of spread would be

greater.

Vegetation Treatments

Fuel levels would be reduced to the extent that would allow the desired conditions to be met. All

vegetation is proposed for treatment, which would include the numerous brush species present along with

the live oaks. Up to 95 percent of the existing vegetation would be cut within each fuel break. We would

treat ground cover to produce younger seral stage of shrubs interspersed with a mixture of bare ground,

grasses, and forbs. Where oaks or other trees are present, they would be thinned or pruned to remove the

ladder fuels that would otherwise conduct fire into the tree canopy.

Where feasible, we would incorporate existing roads into the fuel break design. This would minimize the

acres of removed vegetation, and facilitate the safe use of these roads by the public and emergency

response personnel during a wildfire event.

Brush would be cut either by hand or by mechanical methods to create the fuel breaks. Hand methods

would include crews using chainsaws and hand tools. Mechanical methods would include the use of

heavy equipment with machines such as masticators. Most of the cut vegetation would be treated by

grapple piling or hand piling. Hand cutting of brush would occur on slopes where mechanical treatments

2 “Community protection needs within the WUI Defense Zone take precedence over the requirements of other forest

plan direction, including other standards identified in Part 3 of the forest plan. If expansion beyond the 91.4 m (300-

foot) minimum width of the defense zone is needed due to site-specific conditions, projects will be designed to

mitigate effects to other resources to the extent possible” (Forest Plan, Part 3 Design Criteria for the Southern

California National Forests, page 5).

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would not be feasible. Mechanical treatments would be limited to slopes of 35 percent or less, except for

occasional pitches between 35 and 50 percent for short sections not exceeding 152.4 m (500 feet) in

length.

Mechanically masticated, cut, or shredded material may be left on-site to decompose if leaving it on-site

would produce the desired condition of a reduced flame length. Fuels created by machine or hand work

could also be piled and burned through pile burning, jackpot burning3, or a combination of these

treatments when conditions were safe to do so and when smoke would be adequately dispersed. Piles

would be located away from the canopy drip lines of any existing trees to prevent scorch.

3.0 Current Management and Analysis Direction

Current management direction for Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) is described under the Forest Land

Management Plan (FLMP) for the 4 southern California National Forests (USDA Forest Service 2005).

Part 3 of the LMP covers design criteria containing the standards, guidelines, laws and policy direction

regarding the conservation of wildlife populations and habitat on National Forest System (NFS) lands.

The following LMP standards are applicable to the proposed action and are intended to protect special

status (TEPCS) species and their habitat during the implementation of the project. Further management

direction is provided under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 USC, Sect. 1533, ESA 4).

Forest Land Management Plan Standards

S11- Managers are directed to consider biological resource protection guidance and involved

resources specialists in project design, with the goal of promoting conservation and recovery of

threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate and sensitive species and their habitats.

S12: When implementing new projects in areas that provide for threatened, endangered, proposed,

and candidate species, use design criteria and conservation practices (see Appendix H) so that

discretionary uses and facilities promote the conservation and recovery of these species and their

habitats. Accept short-term impacts where long-term effects would provide a net benefit for the

species and its habitat where needed to achieve multiple-use objectives.

S17: In areas outside of Wildland/Urban Interface Defense Zones and fuelbreaks, retain soft snags

and acorn storage trees unless they are a safety hazard, fire threat, or impediment.

S24- Mitigate impacts of on-going uses and management activities on TEPC species.

3 A modified form of broadcast slash burning in which spots of greater accumulations of slash are ignited and the

fire is confined to these spots.

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S28- Avoid or minimize disturbance to breeding and roosting California condors by prohibiting or

restricting management activities and human uses within 2.4 km (1.5 miles) of active California

condor nest sites and within 0.8 km (0.5 miles) of active roosts. Refer to California condor species

account (or subsequent species guidance document; see Appendix H) for additional guidance.

S30- Avoid activities that result in removal, crushing, burying, burning, or mowing of host plants

within critical and occupied habitat for threatened, endangered, and proposed butterfly species; unless

guided differently by a species-specific consultation.

Endangered Species Act of 1973

Section 4(a) of the ESA provides guidance concerning protective regulations which protect federally-

listed threatened and endangered species and their habitats. It provides authority to the Secretary of

Interior and the federal regulatory agencies under their direction to institute protections for species which

are deemed to warrant them due to threats to their population viability.

Section 7(a) of the ESA directs federal agencies to ensure that their actions will not be likely to jeopardize

the continued existence of Threatened, Endangered, Proposed and Candidate (TEPC) species or adversely

modify their critical habitats. Further, Section 7(c) requires that federal action agencies are required to

complete a biological assessment (BA) prior to the implementation of a project to determine if federally-

listed species might be affected.

National Environmental Policy Act of 1969

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 (40 CFR Section 1500-1508) set precedence for

completion of environmental analysis documents on federal agency projects, or on independent projects

on public lands that have potential to significantly impact air quality, water quality, soils and wildlife and

botanical resources. Analysis is completed at 1 of 3 different levels; 1) Categorical Exclusion, 2)

Environmental Assessment and 3) Environmental Impact Statement based on the complexity of a project

and the severity of anticipated significant impacts. The biological evaluation (BE) is completed as a

supporting document to the NEPA project record and is retained internally by the administrative unit with

jurisdictional responsibility for the project area.

4.0 Site Visits and Monitoring

As part of the pre-planning process, multiple site visits were conducted by LPNF specialists (Valerie

Hubbartt (SBRD Resource Officer), Steve Gilbraith (LPNF South Zone Archaeologist) and Patrick

Lieske (Assistant Forest Biologist)) to various locations of the project area. Site visits occurred during

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2014 on March 31, April 15, May 8, June 3, June 10, June 12, June 16-17, August 7-8 and October 1.

During 2015, visits have occurred on March 31, April 15 and April 20. Site visits aided in identifying

archaeological, botanical and wildlife resources which are management concerns for Los Padres National

Forest so that impact avoidance strategies could be developed and incorporated into project design.

5.0 Scope of Analysis This Biological Assessment/Evaluation (BA/BE) will focus on impacts of the proposed action on the

Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, Candidate (TEPC) and Forest Service Sensitive (FSS) species. This

analysis (Table 1) will determine if a species is likely to occur within the project’s area of effect (AOE).

Further analysis on these species (Species Accounts, Section 6.0) will support determinations regarding

whether they are expected to be affected by the project activities. This analysis will assist in further

development of the project and the selection of the best suited course of action.

Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Analysis

Direct effects related to the project were limited to actions occurring within the project footprint

and within the same time frame as project actions. Indirect effects analysis focuses on project

actions which extend beyond the spatial and temporal boundaries of the project area (i.e. noise

disturbance, soil erosion, soil deposition). Indirect impacts were limited to actions occurring

within a 1.5 km buffer of the project area and within 1 year of project implementation.

The spatial and temporal limits for cumulative effects analysis are discussed in greater detail in

the Santa Barbara Front Country EA. Spatial limits for analysis focus on 3 different spatial

scales; site (actual footprint of proposed action activities), local (1.5 km buffer around the site

footprint), and vicinity (10 km from the site footprint). Analysis was conducted at multiple

scales to account for potential reasonable and foreseeable actions which may affect both

federally-listed and FS Sensitive species. The temporal limits for analysis were constrained at 3

years before and following the completion of implementation. This time period was deemed

adequate to encompass previously occurring actions and evaluate longer term effects at an

integrated level.

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Table 1. Preliminary Impact Analysis. Showing Forest Service Sensitive species on the Los Padres NF and the potential to be affected by project

activities.

BIRDS

Common Name

Scientific Name

Status Location Suitable Habitat Occurs in

Project

Area

(Y/N/P)

Distance to

Project

Area

Affected by Project

(Yes, No or Possible)

Bald Eagle

Haliateeus leucocephalus

FS-Sensitive SB, SLO Freshwater lakes and rivers No ≈ 2.5 km

from project

area (Alisal

Lake)

N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area. There are

no known occurrences within the project’s AOE. Closest occurrences are

from Alisal Lake north of the Gaviota fuelbreak.

Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis

FS-Sensitive M, SB, SLO,

V

Along coastline only No ≈ 3.5 km

south of the

project area


no known occurrences within the project’s AOE.

California condor

Gymnogyps californianus

Federally

Endangered

K, LA, M, SB,

SLO, V

Cliffs and ledges on exposed

rock formations for breeding.

Open country, coastal

chaparral, forested

mountaintops for roosting

(seasonally), possibly

redwoods.

Possible 6.5 km N- While there is potential for the species to occur in the project area, there

are no recent records of their using habitat within the project footprint. No

suitable roosting or nesting habitats would be affected by project actions.

The closest current observation to the project area was an individual condor

that roosted overnight on La Cumbre Peak on the Santa Barbara RD ≈ 6.5 km

east of the Painted Cave treatment area during May of 2015.

California Spotted Owl

Strix occidentalis occidentalis

FS-Sensitive K, SB, V Late-seral and old-growth

conifer forest, late-seral

canyon live oak riparian

stands. Typically with a

large snag component.

Possible < 1000m

from

Rosario

Park DFPZ

P- The species may occasionally utilize foraging habitat within the

project area, but no suitable roosting or nesting habitat occurs within

the project’s AOE for direct or indirect effects. The project would not

alter PCE of foraging habitat for the species.

Least Bell’s vireo

Vireo bellii pusillus

Federally

Endangered

LA, K, SB,

SLO, V

Riparian woodlands typically

along streams < 2800’ asl.

No ≈13 km to

the ENE of

the Painted

Cave DFPZ



Marbled murrelet

Brachyramphus marmoratus

Federally

Threatened

M Large trees in old growth or

late-successional conifer

groves within 35 miles of the

ocean.

No > 15 km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area.

Northern Goshawk

Accipiter gentilis

FS-Sensitive SB, V, K Late-seral conifer and mixed

conifer stands.

No > 15 km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area. There are


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BIRDS (continued)

Common Name

Scientific Name


Project

Area

(Y/N/P)

Distance to

Project

Area

Affected by Project


Southwestern willow

flycatcher

Empidonax traillii traillii

Federally

Endangered

SB, V, K, LA Riparian tree/shrub habitat No > 15km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area. There are


Western snowy plover

Charadrius alexandrinus

nivosus

Federally

Threatened

M, SB Sandy/gravelly coastal

beaches, alkali lakes



Willow Flycatcher

Empidonax traillii

FS-Sensitive LA, M, SB,

SLO, V

Riparian tree/shrub habitat for

nesting & migrants

Yes ≈ 4.8 km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area. Individuals

may pass through the project area during migration, but are not expected to

utilize it as stopover habitat.

Yellow-billed cuckoo,

Western DPS

Coccyzus americanus

Federally

Threatened

SB, SLO, V Riparian tree/shrub habitat for

nesting & migrants

No > 15km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area. There are


MAMMALS

Fringed myotis

Myotis thysanodes

FS-Sensitive All Widespread in CA. Valley

foothill hardwood and

hardwood-conifer forest,

generally at 4000-7000’.

Caves, mines, buildings and

crevices for cover.

Possible > 15 km N- The project’s AOE occurs outside the species known range of

distribution.

Mt. Pinos lodgepole chipmunk

Tamias speciosus callipeplus

FS-Sensitive Mt. Pinos, Mt.

Abel

Open mixed conifer forest on a

few higher peaks in Mt. Pinos

RD. Prefer rock outcroppings,

logs for cover.



Pallid bat

Antrozous pallidus

FS-Sensitive All Rock crevices, tree hollow,

mines, caves, structures

Yes Extant P- Known to occur on the Santa Ynez Mountains ridgeline from NRIS

Wildlife records. Foraging and roosting habitats may be affected by

project actions.

Tehachapi white-eared

pocket mouse

Perognathus alticola inexpectus

FS-Sensitive K Arid grass/scrub, pine

woodlands, 3500’-6000’



Townsend’s Big-eared Bat

Plecotus townsendii townsendii

FS-Sensitive All Caves, mines for roosting.

Riparian for foraging.

Possible > 15 km N- Roosting and foraging habitats would not be affected by project actions.

Closest known maternity roost is likely at Riconada Mine on SLRD where

occupancy was recently reconfirmed following extirpation from the site due

to a fire.

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Reptiles

Common Name

Scientific Name


Project

Area

(Y/N/P)

Distance to

Project

Area

Affected by Project


Blunt-nosed leopard lizard

Gambelia silus

Federally

Threatened

SLO, SB, V &

K

Arid shrub in San Joaquin

Valley and adjacent valleys.



California legless lizard

Anniella pulchra

FS-Sensitive K, M, SLO Loose sandy soils, typically

along coastal dunes but also

inland in parts of Kern

County.

Yes Extant P- The species is known to occur in certain habitats within the project

area and may be impacted by project actions.

San Bernardino ring-neck

snake

Diadophis punctatus

modestus

FS-Sensitive LA, V Moist habitats (riparian areas),

grassy hillsides, wet meadows

No > 15 km N- The project occurs outside of the range of this subspecies which is not

known to extend westward past the Ventura/ Santa Barbara county line.

Two-striped garter snake

Thamnophis hammondii

FS-Sensitive All Riparian areas associated

with streams, pools and

ponds. Rocky areas or

meadows in oak woodlands,

coastal chaparral or

coniferous forest.

Yes ≈ 300m to

the SE of

the Gaviota

fuelbreak.

P- Known to occur within the project’s AOE for indirect effects and

could potentially be affected by the project. Surveys of potential

habitats near the project area have detected the species.

Western pond turtle

Actinemys marmorata

FS-Sensitive All Rivers or streams 4000’ asl

with deep pools and logs or

emergent rocks or boulders for

basking locations.

Yes 2.2 km SW

of the project

area

N- There are no known areas of suitable habitat within the project’s projected

AOE. Surveys of potential habitats near the project area have not detected the

species.

Amphibians

Arroyo toad

Bufo californicus

Federally

Endangered

LA, SB, SLO,

V

Low gradient reaches of

perennial streams with sandy

banks which serve as

developmental/estivation

habitat.

Yes > 15 km N- No suitable habitat exists for the species near the project area.

California red-legged frog

Rana draytonii

Federally

Threatened

LA, M, SB,

SLO, V

Perennial streams with deep

pools with vegetative bank

cover and emergent

vegetation for breeding

habitat. <5000 feet asl.

Possible ≈1500 m

from the

Gaviota

fuelbreak

P- Two records exist within proximity to the project at Canada de la

Gaviota and Nojoqui Creek.

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Amphibians (continued)

Common Name

Scientific Name


Project

Area

(Y/N/P)

Distance to

Project

Area

Affected by Project


Foothill yellow-legged frog

Rana boylii

FS-Sensitive M Streams and rivers with rocky

substrate and open, sunny

banks, in forests, chaparral, and

woodlands.


Lesser slender salamander

Batrachoseps minor

FS-Sensitive M Tanbark oak, madrone, canyon

live oak and blue oak forests,

favors north-facing slopes.


San Simeon slender

salamander

Batrachoseps incognitus

FS-Sensitive M Closed canopy laurel and

sycamore forests near the

coast, open oak woodlands

inland.


Yellow-blotched salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzii

FS-Sensitive K, V Conifer or deciduous forests,

under rocks, logs, and other

surface debris. Prefer shaded

north-facing slopes, usually

along streams or creeks.


Invertebrates

Conservancy fairy shrimp

Branchinecta conservatio

Federally

Endangered

K, M, SLO Larger moderately turbid, cool-

water vernal pools.

No > 15 km N- Species is not known to occur inside the LPNF administrative boundary.

Nearest population is on the Carrizo Plain National Monument.

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

FS-Sensitive SB, SLO, M,

V

Fields, meadows, prairie

remnants, urban and

suburban parks, gardens,

trees, and roadsides.

Possible ≈ 10 km

from

wintering

location

P- The species is known to breed and migrate within the extent of the

project area. There is a wintering location in western Goleta on Ellwood

Bluffs.

Smith’s blue butterfly Federally

Endangered

M Coastal chaparral with

buckwheat host plants


Vernal pool fairy shrimp

Branchinecta lynchi

Federally

Threatened

All Ephemeral pools with

temperatures between 43 °F

(6 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C).

Possible Unknown P- No vernal pools are known to occur within the project’s AOE.

Habitats for this species would not be altered by project actions.

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Critical Habitat

Species

Status of

associated

species

Location Suitable Habitat Occurs in

Project

Area

(Y/N/P)

Distance to

Project

Area

Affected by Project


Arroyo toad

Bufo californicus

Federally

Endangered

LA, SB, SLO,

V

Low gradient reaches of

perennial streams with sandy

banks which serve as

developmental/estivation

habitat.

No ≈13 km to

the NE of the

Painted Cave

DFPZ

N- No potential direct or indirect impacts would affect critical habitat for this

species. Critical habitat occurs in a different watershed than the closest

portions of the project area.

California condor

Gymnogyps californianus

Federally

Endangered

LA, SB, SLO,

V

Cliffs and ledges on exposed

rock formations for breeding.

Open country, coastal

chaparral, forested

mountaintops for roosting

(seasonally), possibly

redwoods.

No ≈14 km to

the NW of

the Painted

Cave DFPZ


species.

California red-legged frog

Rana draytonii

Federally

Threatened

LA, M, SB,

SLO, V

Perennial streams with deep

pools with vegetative bank

cover and emergent

vegetation for breeding

habitat. <1500 m asl.

Yes Extant- P- Slight overlap exists between critical habitat and the Gaviota

treatment unit footprint. Other areas of critical habitat on the Santa

Ynez River are upstream of, or in different sub-watersheds than the

treatment units.

Least Bell’s vireo

Vireo bellii pusillus

Federally

Endangered

SB Riparian woodlands typically

along streams < 2800’ asl.

No ≈11 km to

the ENE of

the Painted

Cave DFPZ




Southwestern willow

flycatcher

Empidonax traillii trailii

Federally

Endangered

SB, V, LA Riparian tree/shrub habitat No ≈6 km to the

ENE of the

Painted Cave

DFPZ




1/ Status: As listed in 50 CFR 17.11 & 17.12; State of California, The Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Game-list, dated September 1994; Federal Register Updates as published; plus

updates from US Fish and Wildlife Service, Ventura Office every 90 days.

2/ K = Kern Co. LA = Los Angeles Co. M = Monterey Co. SB = Santa Barbara Co. SLO = San Luis Obispo Co. V = Ventura Co. MPRD = Mt. Pinos Ranger District SLRD = Santa Lucia

Ranger District, LPNF = Los Padres National Forest

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6.0 Species Accounts

6.1 Federally-Listed Species

6.1.1 California red-legged frog

California red-legged frog (CRLF) is a large frog belonging to the Rana genus. They are gray, olive, tan

or dark brown dorsally, with moderately large dark spots across the back. Ventrally they are whitish with

dark areas in the thoracic region, and whitish with a distinctive reddish pigmentation on the ventral

surface of the body and legs from the pelvic region down. Frogs are 4.45-13.34 cm (1.75-5.25”) in length

(snout to vent) (Nafis 2000-2014).

Habitat:

CRLF inhabit a variety of aquatic habitats, such as streams, ponds, backwaters, marshes, stock ponds and

springs from sea level to approximately 1500 m (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service 2002). They prefer

aquatic habitats that retain sufficient water (>20 cm) through July in order to support tadpole

metamorphosis. Preferred aquatic habitats generally have overhanging vegetation or emergent vegetation

along the banks which provides the frogs with shade (moisture retention) and escape cover. Emergent

vegetation is also an important component because it serves as an anchor for deposited egg masses.

Occurrence:

On LPNF, suitable and critical habitat for California red-legged frogs occurs all along the Santa Ynez

River (SYR) from the forest boundary just east of Lake Cachuma to Jameson Lake at the headwaters of

the river (Figure 3). In addition to the riparian habitats along the river, frogs also make use of upland

areas during dispersal. Breeding habitats along the river are patchy, occurring in specific locations where

stream hydrology and topography results in suitable pools that contain the necessary constituent habitat

elements.

Other stream systems such as the Sisquoc River, Piru Creek, Agua Caliente Creek, Manzana Creek and

North Fork LaBrea Creek also have breeding populations of CRLF. Large portions of these stream

systems have been negatively impacted by a series of wildfires that occurred on the LPNF between 2003-

2009 (Piru Fire in 2003, Zaca Fire in 2007, Ranch Fire in 2007, and the La Brea Fire in 2009). These

fires have resulted in large-scale sediment deposits that have negatively impacted populations of the

species on these stream systems, causing extirpation or contraction of individual populations while the

aquatic community recovers from the effects of the wildfires. Recovery has been limited by the effects of

the current drought (2012-14), due to a lack of water to create suitable breeding, developmental and

dispersal habitats.

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Locally the species has been detected ≈ 1.5 km outside the treatment area footprint at Gaviota State Park

(Canada de las Cruces Creek) and Nojoqui State Park (Nojoqui Creek) (NRIS Aquatics (EDW) 2015,

NRIS Wildlife 2015).

Threats

General Threats: Habitat loss due to sediment deposition, habitat degradation, conflicts with

recreational usage of breeding habitats, vehicular traffic on low-water crossings. Urban development

across most of the species’ range has resulted in extensive loss and degradation of much of the previous

habitat. Water management practices (construction and management of reservoirs, canals and aqueducts)

throughout the species’ range have caused additional extensive habitat loss and degradation. Competition

with invasive species such as American bullfrog and red swamp crayfish limits the species reproductive

capacity and eventual displaces the species from portions of its range.

Project-specific Threats: Dismantling of campground facilities could result in juveniles or adults being

injured or killed if they were present. Transport of heavy equipment across the low-water crossing could

result in the injury of CRLF tadpoles if project activities overlap with breeding activity.

Direct effects: No direct effects to CRLF are anticipated with this project. The species does not occur

within the project area footprint because no suitable habitat is available. The closest potential habitat is

located ≈ 200m from the treatment area on a pond in the upper Arroyo Hondo Creek watershed. This

pond lacks emergent vegetation for effective breeding and CRLF have not been detected there during

several site visits.

Indirect effects: As previously stated, CRLF have not been detected within the site, local or vicinity

spatial scales of the project area to which indirect effects analysis is applied for over 40 years. Indirect

effects of project actions are likely to be most intensive within the site footprint (noise disturbance,

physical disturbance, air quality etc.) and to dissipate rapidly at increased distance (more extensively

downstream) from the site. Effects such as noise disturbance and air quality alteration should not exceed

400m from the site footprint, while potential downstream effects to water quality would be limited to the

local (< 1.5 km from site footprint) project AOE.

Determination: I have determined that activities associated with the proposed action will have No

Effect on California red-legged frog. Suitable habitat is not present in riparian corridors on the higher

reaches of stream systems because PCE are not present. The closest known occupied habitat occurs near

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Nojoqui State Park ≈ 1.5km WNW of the Gaviota fuelbreak. Other populations on the Santa Ynez River

are further away from project activities or fall within a different watershed of the Rosario Park and

Painted Cave treatment units. Direct or indirect impacts are not expected to occur to the species, as

treatment activities and potential erosion discharge would be nullified or dispersed as they are a sufficient

distance away from the project footprint and buffered by riparian conservation areas (RCA). Reasonable

and foreseeable cumulative impacts are not expected to have an effect on the species either.

6.1.2 Vernal pool fairy shrimp

Vernal pool fairy shrimp are translucent, slender crustaceans related to lobsters, crabs, saltwater shrimp

and barnacles. They are generally are less than 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length, and swim on their backs by

slowly moving their 11 pairs of swimming legs. They eat algae and plankton by scraping and straining

them from surfaces within the vernal pools where they live. They inhabit temporary pools and ponds that

are uninhabited by aquatic predators (USDI- Fish and Wildlife Service 2015)

Habitat: Vernal pool fairy shrimp use ephemeral freshwater or alkali pools. They are dependent on a

temperature range between 43 °F (6 °C) and 68 °F (20 °C, and have adapted their lifecycle so that

hatching generally occurs in January when pools refill with water, and the shrimp life for approximately

two months until the pools begin to dry up in March or April..

Occurrence: The species is distributed sporadically throughout southern Oregon and various locations in

California. Locally it is known to occur at Soda Lake on the Carrizo Plain National Monument in San

Luis Obispo County and other smaller ponds and pools around Santa Barbara County.

Threats

General Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation resulting from expanding agriculture in arid lands,

expansion of the urban-wildland interface, and long-term alteration of watershed hydrology due to surface

and groundwater management practices.

Project-specific Threats: Vegetation management actions, such as mastication could negatively impact

vernal pool habitats if pools occurred within the project’s AOE. If mechanized vegetation management

(mastication) were applied to ephemeral pools during the dry season, fairy shrimp eggs could be damaged

or destroyed. Broadcast prescribed burning could also have negative impacts on the species.

Direct effects: No direct impacts to VPFS are anticipated from project activities. The species does not

occur within the project area footprint because no suitable habitat is available. The closest potential

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habitat is located ≈ 200m from the treatment area on a pond in the upper Arroyo Hondo Creek watershed.

This pond is known to contain aquatic predators (TSGS) and VPFS have not been detected there during

several site visits.

Indirect effects: There are 2 known pools which occur within the vicinity of the project area. Neither of

these pools occurs within the AOE for indirect impacts related to project activities.

Determination: I have determined that project actions will have No Effect on the species. The species

is not known to occur within the project treatment footprint. Areas of potential suitable habitat are

outside the anticipated extent of indirect impacts from project activities. This project is not anticipated to

contribute to any reasonable and foreseeable cumulative impacts to the species. Other federal and

nonfederal cumulative impacts to the species which may affect its population viability are outside the

scope of this project to mitigate.

6.2 Federally-designated Critical Habitat

6.2.1 California red-legged frog

Habitat:

Designated critical habitat (Figure 4) occurs in upland areas on the northern slope of the Santa Ynez

Mountains ridgeline to the north of the Gaviota fuelbreak. Critical habitat extends upslope from the

LPNF administrative boundary to the top of the Santa Ynez Front Range ridgeline. Critical habitat in this

area does not contain primary constituent elements (PCE) for suitable breeding or developmental habitats,

but may still function as dispersal habitat. Slopes are too severe (>30%) and riparian corridors are too

constrained to allow for pooling of water and growth of emergent vegetation.

Occurrence:

On LPNF, suitable and critical habitat for California red-legged frogs occurs all along the Santa Ynez

River (SYR) from the forest boundary just east of Lake Cachuma to Jameson Lake at the headwaters of

the river. In addition to the riparian habitats along the river, frogs also make use of upland areas during

dispersal. Breeding habitats along the river are patchy, occurring in specific locations where stream

hydrology and topography results in suitable pools that contain the necessary constituent habitat elements.

Other stream systems such as the Sisquoc River, Piru Creek, Agua Caliente Creek, Manzana Creek and

North Fork LaBrea Creek also have breeding populations of CRLF. Large portions of these stream

systems have been negatively impacted by a series of wildfires that occurred on the LPNF between 2003-

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2009 (Piru Fire in 2003, Zaca Fire in 2007, Ranch Fire in 2007, and the La Brea Fire in 2009). These

fires have resulted in large-scale sediment deposits that have negatively impacted populations of the

species on these stream systems, causing extirpation or contraction of individual populations while the

aquatic community recovers from the effects of the wildfires. Recovery has been limited by the effects of

the current drought (2012-14), due to a lack of water to create suitable breeding, developmental and

dispersal habitats.

Although critical habitat is designated for the species within the project’s AOE it is considered unlikely

that CRLF are using this habitat. Parts of Nojoqui Creek are occupied below the falls, but the waterfall is

considered a substantial impediment to dispersal.

Threats

General Threats: Habitat loss due to sediment deposition, habitat degradation, conflicts with

recreational usage of breeding habitats, vehicular traffic on low-water crossings. Urban development

across most of the species’ range has resulted in extensive loss and degradation of much of the previous

habitat. Water management practices (construction and management of reservoirs, canals and aqueducts)

throughout the species’ range have caused additional extensive habitat loss and degradation. Competition

with invasive species such as American bullfrog and red swamp crayfish limits the species reproductive

capacity and eventual displaces the species from portions of its range.

Project-specific Threats: Vegetation management projects could potentially impact critical habitat if

primary constituent elements are present and may be impacted directly or indirectly by project actions.

Course woody debris which is used as refugia habitat by dispersing animals may be reduced through

project actions involving handpiling and pile burning of woody fuels within the project area.

Direct effects: No direct impacts to designated critical habitat are anticipated. There are areas of overlap

between the project footprint and CRLF critical habitat (Figure 4) on the Gaviota treatment unit; however,

these overlaps occur on top of the ridgeline where PCEs are not present. While upland areas are known to

function as dispersal habitat and CRLF may travel long distances overland away from water (Bulger et.

al. 2003), the lack of suitable habitats on the south slope of the Santa Ynez ridgeline have likely been

historically prohibitive to upland dispersal in this direction. CRLF are not known to occur in the upper

stream reaches on the northern slope of the Gaviota unit or on the drier southern slope where no suitable

habitats are present. Further, research indicates that habitat use by the species is not impaired by

vegetation structure present within the dispersal habitat (Bulger et. al. 2003, Fellers and Kleeman 2007),

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and that reduction of chaparral shrub height and density within the treatment area would not function as

an impediment to CRLF dispersal across this area of upland habitat.

Indirect effects: As previously stated, CRLF have not been detected within the site, local or vicinity

spatial scales of the project area to which indirect effects analysis is applied for over 40 years. Indirect

effects of project actions are likely to be most intensive within the site footprint (noise disturbance,

physical disturbance, air quality etc.) and to dissipate rapidly at increased distance (more extensively

downstream) from the site. Effects such as noise disturbance and air quality alteration should not exceed

400m from the site footprint, and would not have an impact on critical habitat, as no structural alteration

would occur. Water quality impacts from soil erosion are considered extremely unlikely. Stream

channels within the designated critical habitat near the Gaviota treatment unit are ephemeral, and the

headwaters of the streams are sufficient distance (≈ 640 and 840 m) from the treatment area footprint that

water quality impacts would be negligible. The distance to the headwaters of these streams greatly

exceeds the standard riparian conservation area buffers for both ephemeral streams (30m) and perennial

streams (100 m) specified in the FLMP (Part 3, pg. 65) (USDA-Forest Service 2005).

Determination: I have determined that activities associated with the proposed action will have No

Effect on California red-legged frog critical habitat. Suitable habitat is not present in riparian corridors

on the higher reaches of stream systems because PCE are not present. The closest known occupied

habitat occurs near Nojoqui State Park WNW of the Gaviota fuelbreak. Project actions would not alter

PCEs through direct, indirect or cumulative impacts, so the probability of adverse modifications to critical

habitat occurring are negligible.

6.3 Forest Service Sensitive Species

6.3.1 California Spotted Owl

The California spotted owl (CSOW) is 1 of 3 subspecies of the spotted owl, and is distributed from the

southern Cascade Mountains southward through the Sierra Nevadas in eastern California, and from

Monterey Point southward to the Mexican border on the coast (Shufford and Giraldi 2008). The species

is a medium-sized owl that exhibits obligate preferences for late-seral and old growth habitats in which it

occurs.

Habitat: California spotted owls (CSOW) on the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF) demonstrates

dichotomous habitat preferences. A portion of the population on the Mt. Pinos Ranger District (MPRD)

shows preferences similar to those identified for the Sierra Nevada mountains, utilizing moderate to dense

stands of late-seral to old-growth Sierran Mixed Conifer, White fir and Jeffrey/Ponderosa pine. MPRD is

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higher in elevation than the rest of LPNF and represents a geographically isolated area of habitat, which is

mostly unique from the rest of the Los Padres. Some other mountaintop “sky islands” of conifer habitat

are also present on a few other peaks such as Big Pine Mountain, Pine Mountain and Figueroa Mountain.

On other parts of the LPNF (Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Kern and Ventura counties) the

subspecies utilizes linear riparian woodland habitats that are composed of late-seral canyon live oak

(Quercus chrysolepis), coastal redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) (Monterey only), big-cone Douglas fir

(Psuedotsuga macrocarpa) and California live oak (Quercus agrifolia). These habitats are typically

characterized by narrow canyons with northern aspect slopes that contain larger diameter trees with high

canopy cover (Shufford and Giraldi 2008).

Occurrence: CSOW on the Los Padres are known to occur at various locations across the forest (NRIS

Wildlife database), of which there are 393 current records for the subspecies. These records include both

coniferous forest and oak riparian woodlands habitats.

Locally, riparian oak woodland habitats are found in proximity to the project area along specific riparian

corridors. CSOW have been previously detected in suitable habitats along Nojoqui Creek (Nojoqui State

Park), Refugio Peak (as recently as 2009), Tequipis Canyon Creek (as recently as 2014), Los Laureles

Canyon, Lewis Canyon, and the Arroyo Burro trail (NRIS Wildlife 2015).

Threats

General Threats: Historic habitat loss throughout the species range, resulting from logging operations,

continues to affect the population. Habitat modification of forested habitats due to silvicultural

treatments. Habitat loss or alteration is known to occur due to severe wildfire. Conflicting land uses

(mining, recreation, human development etc.) are also believed to cumulatively have an interaction effect

on reproductive success and habitat suitability. Population trends for the subspecies in the Sierra Nevada

Mountains were inconclusive, with variation occurring between monitoring sites between 1990 and 2005

(Blakesley et. al. 2010). The California spotted owl is currently not known to be impacted through

competition with the barred owl (Strix varia) (BDOW), (as is the northern spotted owl) but may

potentially suffer from similar competitive impacts as the barred owl continues to expand its range

southward through the Sierra Nevada’s and the California coastal mountains. The species

Project-specific Threats: No known project threats are associated with this species. Project activities

will not occur in riparian woodland habitats suitable to the species. Activities associated with the

proposed action may result in some alteration of riparian habitats, primarily on private lands. These

impacts would be expected to be negligible in affecting the species as vegetation removal would be minor

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and incidental. Overall, the same set of vegetation management parameters used on federal lands also

applies to non-federal lands, albeit without agency oversight.

Direct and Indirect Effects: It is possible that project actions will modify areas of potential foraging

habitat for the species. However, habitats within the project footprint are not considered suitable nesting

or foraging habitats for the species, and any habitat usage by CSOW would be considered incidental. No

direct impacts to the species are anticipated.

Mechanical removal of vegetation within the project area wouldn’t change constituent habitat elements

for the subspecies as they are already considered unsuitable. Temporary piling of brush may provide

more cover for small mammal populations resulting in improved foraging conditions. Additionally

CSOW may benefit from fuelbreak maintenance as it reduces the probability of severe wildfire coming

from the south and destroying habitats on Tecuya Ridge to the north of the project area.

Determination: I have determined that the project will have No Effect on California spotted owl

individuals or their habitat, nor would it contribute to a trend that would require listing the species.

Project actions occur outside suitable habitats for the species and would not structurally affect the

constituent habitat elements. It is also possible that the species will benefit from the project due to

protection of higher quality habitats on Tecuya ridge and a potential increase in foraging habitat.

6.3.2 Pallid bat

The pallid bat is identifiable by it’s larger than normal eyes, large ears, and light-colored pelage

(buffy tan to light brown) from which its name is derived. Its average body length ranges from

92 to 135 mm (3.6 to 5.3 inches) in body length.

Habitat and Occurrence

The species is widely distributed across the western United States, including California. It

occurs across a wide variety of habitats, but has a demonstrated preference for arid to semi-arid

habitats; including grasslands, desert scrub and chaparral (Zeiner et.al. 1988-1990)

Threats

General Threats: Loss of habitat. Habitat degradation, resulting from the loss of snags for roosting

habitat.

Project-specific Threats: The project could potentially result in some loss of snags or damaged

live trees that function as roosts for the species. Treatments result in some reduction of smaller

diameter trees/snags, while hazard tree reduction can also result in loss of larger diameter snags

and damaged trees. This could potentially affect the species within the project’s treatment area.

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Direct effects: Noise disturbance from heavy machinery used to accomplish project actions may disturb

roosting bats if they are present within the project area. While this disturbance may be an inconvenience

to the species, it is unlike to have long-term harmful effects. There is sufficient additional roosting

habitat outside the project area that bats can utilize to avoid this temporary disturbance.

Indirect effects: Pallid bats may be impacted indirectly by alteration of potential foraging or roosting

habitat. Project actions, such as mastication and hazard tree removal, may alter vegetation sufficiently

that it affects the ability of the bats to use the habitat effectively at certain locations. Bats may need to

shift habitat use to areas outside the project footprint.

Determination: I have determined that while the project may impact individuals, it is unlikely

to contribute to a trend which would require the species to be listed. There is sufficient

available roosting habitat adjacent to the project footprint that any bats present should have

sufficient available roosting locations. Larger scale impacts which are driving population trends

for the species are occurring outside USFS administered lands and are outside the scope of this

project to analyze and mitigate.

6.3.2 Northern California legless lizard

In September 2013 the California legless lizard was divided into 5 distinct species based on

recent research examining genetic differences between lineages within the Anniella genus

(Papenfuss and Parham 2013). The northern coastal lineage (northern California legless lizard,

NCLL), which occurs on parts of Los Padres National Forest, maintained the species name

(Anniella pulchra).

Habitat and Occurrence: Legless lizards are slender, small-scaled, blunt-tailed and often

confused with snakes, as they have no appendages (as their name implies). They can be

differentiated from snakes by the presence of eyelids (snakes have none) when the lizard blinks.

They prefer loose, sandy soils, and spend most of their time in underground burrows. They are

diurnal and forage for larval insects, beetles, termites, and spiders in loose soil and leaf litter

primarily during the crepuscular hours (Nafis 2000-2014).

NCLL inhabit sparsely vegetated habitats with sandy soils, such as sand dunes and alluvial flats

along river drainages. On LPNF they generally occur along creek or river drainages (such as the

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Cuyama or Sisquoc Rivers and their tributaries) that contain low gradient stretches that result in

sand washes and broad channels.

Threats

General Threats: Recreational usage of beaches and trail systems (specifically those that pass

through suitable habitat along creeks or rivers). Grazing. Off-highway vehicle use, both as part

of established trail systems and off-trail trespassing.

Project Specific Threats: There is some potential for individual NCLL to be crushed or injured

through project activities. Primary sources of potential impact would be heavy equipment

associated with vegetation mastication. Individuals could also be inadvertently killed or injured

by handtools or powertools operated by work crews.

Direct Effects: There is a minor risk of individuals being injured or killed from project activities due to

trampling by work crews and/or being inadvertently struck by heavy equipment during implementation.

They are not known to occur in the area, so the risk of impact is considered relatively small compared to

the long-term benefit to the species from infrastructure removal. There is also a minor risk that egg

clutches could be trampled or unearthed during the performance of project activities.

Indirect Effects: Indirect effects of project activities on NCLL are (if they were to occur in the project

area) expected to be related primarily to alterations in habitat occurring from the removal of the low-water

crossing, and/or impairment in the species’ ability to use the habitat effectively due to chemical

contamination. Leaks from heavy equipment (engine oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid etc.) are

considered a minimal risk related to the long-term benefit of infrastructure removal. Project design

criteria contain measures for the containment of contaminants to protect wildlife habitat and water

quality.

Determination: I have determined that activities related to the proposed action May Affect individuals,

but are unlikely to contribute to a population trend which would warrant listing of the species. The

risk of injury/death to individual animals is considered minor. Training and education of work crews,

and the implementation of project design criteria can further alleviate any potential problems and

prevent unwanted consequences to the species.

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6.3.3 Two-striped Garter Snake

This species was once considered a race of the Western aquatic garter snake prior to being elevated to full

species status after being found to be genetically distinct. It is also listed as a California Species of

Special Concern. Two-striped garter snake (TSGS) is semi-aquatic, residing in riparian habitats

associated with streams and rivers, pools and ponds. They also will inhabit rock areas or meadows

associated with oak woodland, coastal chaparral and coniferous forest.

Habitat and Occurrence: The species’ range covers the coastal counties of central and southern

California, from northern Monterey County down to Baja California. It resides inland into the coastal

and transverse mountain ranges. In arid habitats (Kern County, Riverside County) it is restricted

specifically to riparian corridors around perennial sources of water.

Two-striped garter snakes, like other garter snakes, are ovoviviparous; meaning that embryos develop in

eggs inside the female’s body and are birthed after hatching from the egg. Because their young are

carried around by the female and are birthed alive and fully mobile, garter snakes are not susceptible to

nest depredation or accidental destruction of nest sites through trampling, as are some other reptiles.

Potential habitat for TSGS occurs in numerous riparian corridors across LPNF, such as Mono and Agua

Caliente Creeks on Santa Barbara RD (Figure 4) and Manzana Creek and the Sisquoc River on Santa

Lucia RD (Figure 5). Potential conflicts exist where habitats overlap with existing trail systems where

work will be occurring.

Threats

General Threats

The reduction of wetland and riparian habitats across California has resulted in a range

contraction for the species. The primary threat to TSGS is the loss of habitat; either due to the

conversion of wetlands and riparian areas for agricultural purposes, or from conversion of natural

areas due to human development. Other threats to the species include vehicle mortality.

Project-specific Threats: Project activities are not implemented within riparian conservation

areas where the species typically occurs. There is a slight probability that individuals could be

injured or killed by heavy equipment, handtools or powertools if they were to be dispersing

through active project areas.

Direct Effects:

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There is very minimal risk of direct incidental contact occurring between TSGS and work crews/ heavy

equipment. TSGS occur at locations that are outside of the treatment areas for the project. The closest

locations are at a small pond on the upper reaches of the Arroyo Hondo Creek watershed. This pond is

approximately 250m from the edge of the treatment area and falls outside the area of direct impacts.

Because the upper reaches of Arroyo Hondo Creek are ephemeral and water is likely only present after

rain events TSGS are very unlikely to disperse into parts of the project area where they could be affected.

Also, two-stripe garter snakes are highly mobile and capable of avoiding most situations where they

might feel threatened by project activities. Egg clutches are also very unlikely to occur inside the project

treatment area, so direct impacts are considered very unlikely.

Indirect Effects:

Indirect effects of project activities on TSGS are considered very unlikely, as the species occurs outside

of the spatial parameters of where indirect effects are expected to extend. Project design features will

incorporate suitable riparian conservation area buffers (USDA Forest Service 2005) along stream

channels as an additional protective measure. Potential sources of indirect impacts such as leaks from

heavy equipment (engine oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid etc.) are considered a minimal risk

related to the project. Project design criteria contain measures for the containment of contaminants to

protect wildlife habitat and water quality. Erosion and sedimentation impacts are also considered unlikely

given the adopted riparian conservation area buffers.

Determination:

I determined that project related activities will have No Effect on TSGS individuals, nor will they

contribute to a population trend which would require listing the two-striped garter snake. Individuals of

the species are known to occur within the vicinity of the project, but risks of injury or displacement are

extremely minimal as suitable habitat is absent in the project footprint, the species is highly mobile, and

risks will be further reduced through implementing project design criteria for wildlife protection (riparian

conservation areas).

6.3.4 Monarch butterfly-

This species was recently added to the Sensitive species list for Los Padres NF as of July 2013 (USDA

Forest Service 2013). (Monarch butterflies belong to the sub-family Danainae, which are dependent on

various species of milkweed as host plants. Monarch butterflies use a variety of habitats including

meadows, fields, roadsides, suburban parks and gardens. Adults lay their eggs on milkweed plants

(Asclepias spp.) which provide the sole food source for larvae after they hatch. The monarch caterpillars

(larvae) will frequently attach themselves to milkweed plants while they generate their chrysalis and

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undergo the metamorphic process in transforming to adult butterflies. The final generation of the

monarch lifecycle (4th) migrates to over-wintering grounds in September or October where the butterflies

spend the next several months (Monarch Butterfly Fund 2015) .

Habitat and Occurrence: Several locations on the central California coast such as Santa Barbara

County (Goleta, CA), San Luis Obispo County (Pismo Beach, CA) and Monterey County (Pacific Grove,

CA) contain over-wintering sites for the species in close proximity to FS lands. However the greatest

proportion of the population over-winters in central Mexico.

Monarchs are known to occur in a variety of different habitat types on LPNF. They frequent wet

meadows around springs, roadsides, along established trails, and vegetated margins around ponds or

lakes. The species is likely to have some habitat overlap with areas where project activities are planned to

occur.

Due to their recent addition as a sensitive species, LPNF has only limited data available for this species.

Most observations are incidental, and no monitoring strategies have been developed at this time.

General Threats:

Habitat loss both in their breeding and wintering habitats are known to affect the species. Because

monarch butterflies are dependent on milkweed for the larval stage of their lifecycle, they are susceptible

to factors which might affect the distribution and density of milkweed. These include the loss of field

margins due to intensive agriculture, the pervasive use of genetically-modified crops, use of herbicides/

pesticides both privately and commercially and development. These factors directly impact breeding

locations across North America, while wintering locations in central Mexico have traditionally been

threatened by timber management practices that result in a loss of winter roosting trees.

Monarch butterflies found on LPNF belong to a separate western sub-population and are susceptible to

different local ecological circumstances (drought, micro-habitat conditions). Butterflies in the western

population winter at several smaller sites on the central California coast and breed locally and at locations

further north in California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. Although the populations are

separate, habitat loss due to agricultural practices and human development also appear to be the key

factors driving population declines for the western sub-population (Jessica Griffiths, personal

communication).

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Within the project area, project activities such as trampling by people or pack animals and the cutting/

removal of host plants and/or metamorphosing butterflies are potential risks to the species.

Direct Effects:

The project may directly affect monarch butterflies through actions which would affect the distribution

and/or density of milkweed plants. Activities such as trail maintenance which involves the cutting of

vegetation along trails could reduce the amount of available habitat for the species and have a negative

impact.

Indirect Effects:

In addition to the direct effects of cutting/ removing milkweed plants on the species, the loss of host

plants may also affect individuals indirectly. Monarchs looking for host plants to lay eggs in areas where

plants have been cut would be expected to incur higher energetic costs which might result in reduced

breeding success in subsequent generations.

Determination:

I determined that project related activities may affect individuals, but are unlikely to contribute to a

population trend which would warrant listing the Monarch butterfly. Although some risks exist for

individual monarch butterflies, the loss of habitat specifically related to activities resulting from the

proposed action can be minimized through mitigation procedures, such as training work crews to

recognize the species and their host plants, and avoid impacting individual butterflies or cutting host

plants which would result in lost habitat.

The risks of larvae, adults or monarchs in the metamorphic state being trampled, or of habitat being

damaged or removed is considered to be low. While trampling or the cutting of individual milkweed

plants may occur, it is likely an infrequent event and is highly unlikely to exceed the background level of

potential risk to the species represented by other cumulative impacts outside the scope of this project.

Factors driving species population dynamics (i.e. agricultural practices, drought conditions, water

management) are broad-scale conservation concerns and considered outside the scope of this project.

6.3 Cumulative Effects

Spatial limits for analysis were set at 3 different scales; site (treatment area), local (1.5km from the site

footprint), and vicinity (1.5- 10.0 km from site footprint) (Figure 3). Within these spatial constraints I

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evaluated reasonable and foreseeable impacts which would occur both on Forest Service and non-Forest

Service lands within the temporal boundings of 3 years before and after project implementation. This

approach meets the requirements for cumulative effects analysis under both the ESA and NEPA.

Site

The site footprint is restricted primarily to activities related to recreation (bicycling, hiking, illegal target

shooting etc.), transportation (FS roads), and project related activities. Authorized and unauthorized

recreational activities are known to occur within the site footprint. Authorized recreational activities

occur within the scope permitted under the FLMP (USDA Forest Service 2005). Other unauthorized

activities such as illegal target shooting are known to occur and are mitigated through fines by LPNF law

enforcement. Harmful effects, such as garbage and spent shell casings, are mitigated by site cleanups

done in cooperation with volunteer groups. Transportation activities also occur within the scope

permitted under the FLMP (USDA Forest Service 2005), although occasional trespass issues occur and

are dealt with through by posting signs, law enforcement and using restrictive access barriers (fences and

gates).

Local

The local project scale applies a 1.5 km buffer around the SBFC treatment units. In addition to activities

analyzed at the site scale, other activities which are known to occur within the local project area include

various recreational activities, residential inholdings, fuels management projects (Camino Cielo Project),

biological surveying and wildfires.

Various recreational activities (hiking, mountain biking, backpacking, wildlife watching etc.) occur on

both Forest Service and non-Forest Service lands within the local project area. The impacts of various

recreational activities on Forest Service lands were evaluated under a Forest-wide biological assessment

covering ongoing activities and their effect on riparian obligate species. These activities were evaluated

by USFWS and NMFS, and are permitted under biological opinions provided by each regulatory agency.

These activities also occur on private lands, but to a lesser extent as access is not open to the general

public.

There are numerous private in-holdings within the LPNF administrative boundary. The degree of impact

that these in-holdings have on NFS lands within the local area is dependent on how much variance occurs

between private and federal land management practices. These differences can result in impaired

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functionality of wildlife habitats due to fragmentation, impaired watersheds (chemical contamination),

impaired recreational opportunities (due to access) and other cascading negative effects.

Fuels management projects such as the proposed SBFC project and the Camino Cielo Vegetation

Management project reduce fuel loading along key wildfire containment features. These fuelbreaks assist

in controlling wildfires and minimizing potential undesirable impacts to human health and safety, wildlife

habitats, aquatic systems and archaeological resources. While they have desirable benefits they also have

potential negative impacts related to their capacity in altering vegetation and resulting in cascading effects

to hydrology and soil resources. These negative impacts are minimized to the greatest extent possible

through appropriate impact avoidance measures.

Biological surveys for wildlife and botanical resources is an ongoing activity that occurs within the local

project area resulting from work completed by both LPNF staff, private entities and consultants. While

these surveys increase the knowledge base regarding these resources, they also cause minor additive

contributions to road traffic, wildlife disturbance, trail usage and greenhouse gas emissions.

Human-caused wildfires such as the Gaviota Fire occur at both the local and vicinity scales

Anthropogenic wildfires are a common occurrence in southern California due to a high concentration of

human population interspersed within areas of urban-wildland interface. Fire return intervals vary within

coastal chaparral ecological communities depending on local micro-climate and soil type, but are

commonly from 7-15 years. Specific wildfire locations and impacts are too unpredictable to evaluate

impacts as a “reasonable and foreseeable activity”. Wildfires are also a contributing factor to greenhouse

gas emissions as the release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Vicinity

In addition to activities covered at the site and local levels, other activities occur within a 10 km buffer of

the site footprint.

Ranching: Small private inholdings adjacent to the project area near Rosario Park, Painted Cave and the

Gaviota fuelbreak have private ranches. These ranching activities overlap with actions related to the

project and result in minor to severe alterations in vegetation. While the LPNF has the ability to regulate

ranching on public lands there is no capacity to affect management of private in-holdings.

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Illegal marijuana cultivation: Agricultural growth of marijuana plants on National Forest lands is a

violation of federal law. Plantations are present throughout the LPNF and are primarily a result of cartel

activity from Mexico and Central America. To a smaller scale there are also private individuals who

grow small plantations on federal land. Marijuana plantations have a number of harmful effects resulting

from use of toxic chemicals (rodenticides, herbicides, fertilizers) with a natural environment. Other

negative by-products include vegetation alteration, garbage, local extirpation of wildlife, and risks to

human health and safety. Illegal marijuana cultivation is considered a severe problem on LPNF lands and

is mitigated through law enforcement to the extent possible.

Urbanization: Santa Barbara County has an increasing wildland-urban interface resulting from mild

climate and a continuously growing population within the state of California. The increase in acreage of

wildland-urban interface exacerbates a number of other issues that are increasingly prevalent problems

across broader areas of the western United States. These issues include water storage/ availability, air

quality, water quality, biological diversity, wildfire risk and greenhouse gas emissions. These issues are

extremely broad in their AOE and have extremely complex causes and positive feedback loops. LPNF

addresses these issues to the extent possible by participating in climate change planning, developing

conservation partnerships and adopting better management practices (BMPs) to protect increasingly

overstressed resources.

6.3.1 Summary of Cumulative Effects Analysis

For purposes of cumulative effects analysis under the ESA, only impacts outside of Forest

Service lands are considered concerning how they contribute to effects on federally-listed

species. Under NEPA analysis, agency specialists consider impacts of both Forest Service and

non-Forest Service actions on both federally-listed and FS Sensitive species. For the purposes of

this document, the holistic NEPA approach is used, as this BA/BE serves as both a Section 7

consultation document and the NEPA specialist report for wildlife resources.

Cumulative effects impacts were considered while evaluating each species to provide separate

determinations on how they were expected to be affected by the considered actions. For

federally-listed species, non-Forest Service reasonable and foreseeable actions were weighed in

relation to how a species would be impacted directly and indirectly by actions related to the

SBFC project. Separate analysis for individual species was considered unnecessary, as

cumulative impacts affect species in similar ways and have common causes.

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7.0 Recommended Impact Avoidance Measures

7.1 Project implementation timing

To the extent possible, project implementation should occur outside of the breeding/ active habitat use

windows for various wildlife species which have a reasonable probability of occurring within the project

footprint. This recommended limited operating period would incorporate periods of habitat use for avian

species covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) of 1918, bats and monarch butterflies. A

time period of March 15- July 31 is recommended.

7.2 Biological surveys

Pre-work biological surveys were conducted by Valerie Hubbartt (SBRD Resource Officer) and Patrick

Lieske (Assistant Forest Biologist) as part of the initial analysis for this project. Changes in species

habitat utilization for federally-listed species (i.e. California condors) may trigger additional follow-up

surveys prior to or during implementation to adjust proposed actions and mitigate potential impacts.

7.3 Duration of Biological Analysis

As the SBFC project is a long-term vegetation management project, implementation will occur at

regular intervals over a long timeframe. The biological analysis for this biological

assessment/evaluation should be updated every 5 years to stay current with changes in regional

FS sensitive species lists. Any changes to federally-listed species would require preliminary

impact analysis to determine if a species may occur within the project area.

7.4 Spill Containment and Removal Protocols

Projects involving the usage of heavy equipment, such as masticators, have potential to result in

leaks or spills of fluids associated with heavy machinery (hydraulic fluid, transmission fluid,

engine oil etc.). Procedures for containment and removal of these chemical spills will be

established before implementation. Relevant protocols will follow established Forest Service

procedures and Best Management Practices (USDA Forest Service 2015).

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Figure 2. Federally-listed and Forest Service sensitive wildlife species occurrence data and designated critical habitat in relation to the eastern project

units of the Santa Barbara Front Country project.

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Figure 3. Federally-listed and Forest Service sensitive wildlife species occurrence data and designated critical habitat in relation to the Gaviota fuelbreak.

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Figure 4. Showing overlap between California red-legged frog critical habitat and the Gaviota treatment area.

wildlife biological assessment/evaluation for santa...

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