**BIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION**

**FOR EFFECTS OF THE SAWTOOTH NATIONAL FOREST,**

**MINIDOKA RANGER DISTRICT**

**TRAVEL PLAN REVISION ON**

THREATENED, ENDANGERED, PROPOSED, CANDIDATE AND SENSITIVE PLANT AND
TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE SPECIES

**Sawtooth National Forest**

**Minidoka District**

**Burley, Idaho**

**Prepared by:
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_
Date:**

**Kim Pierson, Forest Botanist**

**Prepared by: [/s/ Dena Santini]{.underline} Date: January 25, 2008**

**Dena Santini, South Zone Wildlife Biologist**

# INTRODUCTION

This Biological Assessment and Biological Evaluation addresses the
effects of the proposed revision to the current summer Sawtooth National
Forest Travel Plan to restrict motor vehicle use to designated roads and
trails on the Minidoka Ranger District. This Travel Plan will eliminate
all cross country travel by motorized vehicles. The threat to Candidate
species and Forest Service Region 4 Sensitive species are addressed.

The Minidoka Ranger District provides habitat for two Candidate species.
This list has been confirmed by the biannual September 1, 2007,
Forest-wide Species List, #2007-SL-0682, provided by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service. These species are listed below.

1\. Yellow-billed Cuckoo *Coccyzus americana* Candidate\*

2\. Christ's Paintbrush *Castilleja christii* Candidate

3\. Ute ladies\'-tresses *Spiranthes diluvialis* Threatened\*\*

\*On July 24, 2001 the US Fish and Wildlife Service published its
finding that the Yellow-billed cuckoo warrants protection under ESA but
is precluded from listing by other priorities, thus it is considered a
candidate species.

\*\* In 2002, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (2002) informed the
Sawtooth National Forest that site-specific consultation under Section 7
(a)(2) is not "necessarily required" (USFWS letter, 2002). However, in
this same letter the USFWS requested that the USFS in order to meet the
Section 7 (a)(1) requirements under the ESA "because potential habitat
does exist on all or parts of the three Forests" (USFWS letter, 2002),
proactively work with the USFWS on "attempting to gain additional
information about their distribution", and "to further conservation
efforts for these species". As such, Ute ladies'-tresses orchid is
included here but consultation with USFWS is not required.

The Sawtooth National Forest provides potential habitat for 16
vertebrate species on the Regional Forester\'s sensitive species list.
The Minidoka Ranger District, of the Sawtooth National Forest provides
potential habitat for 10 of these wildlife species. These species are
listed below. Please note that bald eagles were removed from the ESA
list on August 8, 2007, and is now considered "sensitive" by Region 4 of
the Forest Service.

1\. Spotted Bat *Euderma maculatum*

2\. Townsend\'s Big-eared Bat *Corynorhinus townsendii*

3\. Wolverine *Gulo gulo*

4\. Northern Goshawk *Accipter gentilis*

5\. Flammulated Owl *Otus flammeolus*

6\. Columbia Spotted Frog *Rana luteiventris*

7\. Greater Sage-Grouse *Centrocercus urophasianus*

8\. Pygmy Rabbit *Brachylagus idahoensis*

9\. Bald Eagle *Haliaeetus leucocephalus*

10\. Columbian sharp-tailed Grouse *Tympanuchus phasisnellus
columbianus*

The Sawtooth National Forest provides habitat for 12 currently
designated Sensitive plant species and 21 proposed Sensitive plant
species on the Regional Forester\'s Sensitive Plant List (Appendix 1).
The Minidoka Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest provides
habitat for 5 plant species on the current Regional Forester\'s
sensitive species list. These species are listed below.

1\. Goose Creek Milkvetch *Astragalus anserinus*

2\. Davis' wavewing *Cymopterus davisii*

3\. Desert Buckwheat *Eriogonum desertorum*

4\. Idaho Penstemon *Penstemon idahoensis*

5\. Cottam cinquefoil *Potentilla contami*

**II. CURRENT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION**

The revised Sawtooth Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (FLRMP)
directs the Forest to \"cooperate with Idaho Department of Fish and
Game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and other interested parties to
implement and/or develop recovery plans for listed T & E species.\"
(FLRMP IV-45). The Forest Service Manual (FSM) directs the Forest
Service to avoid all adverse impacts to threatened and endangered
species and their habitats except when it is possible to compensate
through alternatives identified in a biological opinion rendered by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FSM 2670.31).

The Endangered Species Act Section 7(a)(2) requires that each federal
agency shall insure that any action authorized, funded, or carried out
by such agency is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of
any endangered species, threatened, or proposed species or result in the
destruction or adverse modification of habitat.

The Revised Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan
(July 2003) provides programmatic direction to maintain options for
inland native fish by reducing the risk of loss of populations and
reducing potential negative impacts to aquatic habitat.

FSM 2670.32 directs the Forest to avoid or minimize impacts to species
whose viability has been identified as a concern, and therefore listed
as sensitive by the Regional Forester. If impacts cannot be avoided then
the Forest must analyze the significance of the potential adverse
effects on the population or its habitat within the area of concern and
on the species as a whole. Impacts may be allowed but the decision must
not result in a trend toward federal listing.

FLRMP standards and guidelines that potentially relate specifically to
the proposed action and about which compliance questions may arise
include TEST04, SWST01, SWST02, SWST04, SWST07, SWGU02, SWGU07, SWGU08,
SWGU09, and REGU07 (see Appendix 5). These standards and guidelines help
to minimize effects from the proposed action.

III. **DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED PROJECT**

The Minidoka Ranger District is proposing to revise the current summer
Sawtooth National Forest Visitor/Travel Plan (1989 Travel Plan) to
restrict motor vehicle use to designated roads and trails within all
areas currently open to cross-country travel on the District. The
proposed action would eliminate cross-country travel and user created
non-system routes, and changes would be made to the current
transportation system. The proposed action was developed to meet the
intent of the 2003 Revised Sawtooth Forest Plan (FLRMP) and to implement
36 CFR Parts 212, 251, 261 and 295: Final Rule for Travel Management;
Designated routes and Areas for Motor Vehicle Use (11/9/2005).

The project area to be analyzed includes all five divisions of the
Sawtooth National Forest south of the Snake River.

This proposal only applies to changes and additions to the current
travel plan addressed in this document. Previous travel management
decisions made through Forest Planning and other NEPA decisions, or
special orders will remain in effect until specifically analyzed or
unless changes to them are being proposed. The Fifth Fork of Rock
Creek/Buckbrush Flat seasonal closure for the general deer hunt will
become part of the MVUM. Winter motorized use is not addressed in this
analysis. Over-snow use will continue to be managed under the current
Sawtooth National Forest Travel Plan. Activities that are exempt from
the Final Rule for Travel Plan Management and the proposed action on the
Minidoka Ranger District include aircraft, watercraft, over-snow
vehicles, limited administrative use, emergency and law enforcement
response, national defense purposes and uses specifically authorized
under a written authorization (e.g. firewood cutting permit, grazing
permit, Special Use authorization).

Proposed revisions to the current Sawtooth National Forest Travel Plan
include:

1.  Designation for use of certain existing roads and trails that
    physically exist on the ground, are receiving use, but are not
    currently on the Sawtooth Forest Transportation System of roads and
    trails. Proposed revision would add additional roads and trails to
    the transportation system.

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1.  Changes in type of use or season of use to the current Sawtooth
    Forest Transportation System of roads and trails.

2.  Disclosing proposed trails or roads that are identified for future
    planning. No new trails or roads will be constructed under this
    proposed revision. Any new construction or minor reroutes required
    to bring trails up to standard will require site specific project
    level National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis (and BABE)
    before they can be added to the system.

3.  Closure of a limited number of system trails and roads that are
    redundant, not needed for administration, or are causing resource
    impacts.

4.  Designation of dispersed camping sites or corridors. Dispersed
    camping would be allowed within 300 feet of all designated roads or
    100 feet of designated trails.

5.  Elimination of cross-country motorized travel throughout the entire
    area.

6.  Disclosure that Big Game retrieval using motorized vehicles will not
    be authorized off of designated roads or trails.

7.  Allowance for vehicles to park off a designated road one vehicle
    width for purposes other than camping.

8.  Designation of some roads as "mixed use"; open to both highway legal
    vehicles and ATV's.

9.  Non-system routes that become system roads or trails in this process
    would be maintained to appropriate standards for trail class & road
    maintenance level.

10. Routes on private, State or BLM lands within the National forest
    boundary are open to public use only through right-of-way or
    easements obtained for the purposes of public access. Travel
    management decisions considered here relate only to Forest Service
    Lands.

11. For the purposes of this analysis, Forest roads are routes that are
    available to motorized vehicles when used consistent with state
    laws.

If a decision is made to implement the Proposed Action, a Motorized Use
Vehicle Map (MVUM) will be prepared in accordance with the Revised
Sawtooth National Forest Plan. The MVUM shall become the authoritative
document governing motorized travel on the Sawtooth National Forest as
well as the enforcement tool for all public motorized travel on the
Sawtooth National Forest.

The MVUM map is the primary method for designating open routes and areas
and is the legal instrument used to enforce the motorized travel plan.
Motor vehicle use maps will be available at local Forest Service offices
and on Sawtooth National Forest web site. Maps will be free to the
public. Routes open for motorized use will be signed as needed. The
Forest Service plans to issue additional travel management guidance in
its sign handbook to ensure consistent messages and use of standard
interagency symbols.

The final rule prohibits the use of motor vehicles off the designated
system, as well as use of motor vehicles on routes and in areas that are
not consistent with the designations. The final rule will enhance
enforcement by substituting a regulatory prohibition for closure orders
and providing for a motor vehicle use map supplemented by signage. Up
until now, enforcement was very difficult because closures had to be
signed on the ground. Now cross-country travel is closed.

The Minidoka Ranger District recognizes that public compliance and
enforcement by the Forest Service is necessary in order to create the
benefits anticipated from the proposed action. Travel plan violations
will still occur under the proposed action, but that the frequency of
occurrence should be less than what occurs under no action alternative.
It is reasonable to believe that switching to an explicit designated use
only system that is simpler to understand and more consistent with
adjoining lands should be inherently more enforceable. The district will
conduct periodic monitoring of non-system routes to determine compliance
with route closures. If route closures are being violated additional
measures will be taken to curtail use. Under the Final Rule for Travel
Management, the MVUM must be reviewed, and revised as necessary. Any
non-compliance could be reflected in these revisions.

It should be noted that this analysis is based on the assumption that
the new travel map would be adhered to by the public and enforced by the
Forest Service. Based on the large scale of the changes proposed, it
would likely be some time before consistent compliance would occur. Some
amount of incompliance would likely always occur. Regardless, this
analysis is based on compliance and enforcement of the travel map.

**IV. MITIGATION MEASURES AND MONITORING**

1)  The Forest Service Manuals and Handbooks have specific guidance for
    reducing or eliminating impacts from the construction or maintenance
    of trails and roads (FSM/FSH 2350, 7700) and these will be followed.

2)  Prior to initiating maintenance on newly designated routes, review
    by appropriate specialists would occur. Site specific mitigation
    measures to reduce or eliminate effects to sensitive resources would
    be developed and implemented.

V. Existing Condition

The Minidoka District consists of five separate mountain ranges located
south of the Snake River in Cassia, Oneida, Power, Twin Falls Counties
in Idaho, and Box Elder County in Utah. The Minidoka Ranger District
Travel Plan Analysis Area covers essentially the entire Minidoka
District. These island mountain divisions are covered by a variety of
rangeland and forest vegetative types. Mixed stands of subalpine fir,
lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, aspen and pinyon-juniper are interspersed
among open sagebrush and grasslands. This variety of plant communities
provides abundant and diverse habitat for many aquatic, terrestrial
wildlife and plant species. The analysis area consists of approximately
604,168 acres of public land. Elevation ranges from 5,500 ft. at Lower
Rock Creek to 10,339 ft. on Cache Peak.

**VI. EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED ACTION ON CANDIDATE OR THREATENED
SPECIES**

***Yellow-billed Cuckoo** (Coccyzus americana)* **-**Yellow-billed
cuckoo are associated with relatively expansive stands of mature
cottonwood-willow forests with shrubby under stories. They appear to be
dependent on the combination of a dense willow under story for nesting,
a cottonwood over story for foraging, and large patches of riparian
habitat in excess of 50 acres (USFWS 2001). Their diet consists mainly
of insects. Historic records suggest that although Yellow-billed Cuckoo
have been recorded in scattered locations throughout the state, the
species have never been particularly abundant in Idaho (Reynolds 2005).
It is unlikely that this species exists on the District due to the lack
of large tracks of cottonwood-willow habitat. The nearest known sighting
of a Yellow-billed Cuckoo occurred at Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge
in 2005, approximately 30 miles NE of the district along the Snake
River.

Implementation of the Proposed Action would not likely effect
Yellow-billed Cuckoo or their habitat since neither individuals of the
species nor adequate habitat occur in the analysis area.

### Christ's Indian Paintbrush (*Castilleja christii*) -The only known population of Christ's Indian paintbrush (*Castilleja christii*) occurs on the Albion Division of the Minidoka RD. Christ's Indian paintbrush was listed as a candidate species on October 25, 1999 (50 CFR 17, 1999). This species is recognized by the USFS as a sensitive plant species and is on the Regional Forester's Sensitive Plant List for the Intermountain Region (USDA 1995).

Christ's Indian paintbrush is a yellow to yellow-orange flowered
perennial forb, with erect stems occurring in a cluster. Christ's Indian
paintbrush is endemic to subalpine meadow and sagebrush habitats in the
upper elevations of the Albion Mountains, Cassia County, Idaho. The
global distribution of *Castilleja christii* is apparently confined to a
single population on the top of Mount Harrison. The population occupies
approximately 200 acres, largely in one contiguous population although
two small areas, disjunct from the main body of the population, occur to
the north and west. An estimated 23% of the population is within the
boundary of the Mount Harrison RNA, which is closed to cross-country
travel. The remaining portion of the population is found within the
Mount Harrison Botanical Special Interest Area (BSIA) established in
2003 (USDA 2003a).

#### Threats

Due to its restricted range and specific habitat requirements, Christ's
Indian paintbrush is extremely vulnerable to human disturbance. A
detailed account of all current threats can be found in the Candidate
Conservation Agreement signed in 2006 by the USFS and the USFWS (USDI
2006). Threats that are relevant to the route designation EA include the
following:

-   **Road and Facility Construction**. The largest direct loss of
    Christ's Indian paintbrush habitat is attributed to road
    construction. Howell Canyon road underwent considerable improvement
    in the 1960s and many plants were likely lost in the construction
    effort. In 1997, Howell Canyon road was paved to the fire lookout at
    the summit. The contractor and USFS personnel closely monitored the
    paving project. In 1997, permanent plots were established to monitor
    the direct impacts of the paving on the individuals nearest the
    road. Thirteen individuals were lost during the paving process.
    Monitoring of these permanent plots in subsequent years (1998,
    1999, 2001) indicate that the number of individuals in roadside
    plots are stable or increasing (Pierson 2002).

-   **Road and Facility Reconstruction and Maintenance.** In 2001, major
    portions of the Howell Canyon road were removed and repaved. The
    entire Howell Canyon road was resurfaced. In accordance with the
    Conservation Agreement (USDI 1995), the SNF botanist was present
    during all construction activities to ensure no impacts occurred
    within occupied habitat. Flagging was used to delineate the areas of
    avoidance during the construction period. No individuals were
    impacted during the repaving and resurfacing (Pierson 2001).

-   **Access and Road Us**e. The majority of the Christ's Indian
    paintbrush population is within the area closed to cross-country
    travel (R designation). At present, 16 acres of the population fall
    outside the area currently closed to cross-country travel but fall
    within the BSIA. A dirt access road branches off from Howell Canyon
    road near the summit and winds through occupied habitat to the
    hang-glider launch site. This dirt access road has one additional
    spur road that provides access to the electronic site on Peak 9033.
    In accordance with the Conservation Agreement for Christ's Indian
    paintbrush (USDI 1995), large rock barriers and signs have been
    placed along both roads to prevent access to the population and to
    minimize impacts to Christ's Indian paintbrush individuals.

-   **Recreation Visitation and Trampling**. Paving of Howell Canyon
    road in 1997 has substantially increased the number of visitors
    accessing the summit of one of the highest peaks in southwestern
    Idaho and the lookout area. A small interpretive trail surrounds the
    fire lookout at the top of Mount Harrison. Human trampling impacts
    to subalpine vegetation near the lookout and the interpretive
    stations appear to have increased as of September 2001 (Pierson
    2001), although no apparent increase in human trampling was observed
    in occupied habitat. There are no designated trailheads at the
    summit. The Skyline trail, which is west and approximately 800 ft
    below the summit, does provide for some limited hiking. Access to
    this trail is well below the summit of Mount Harrison and the
    Christ's Indian paintbrush population. The hikers and lookout
    visitors walking adjacent to the summit and lookout area could
    potentially impact individuals, the viability of the population,
    habitat quality, and contribute to soil compaction and erosion in
    occupied habitat.

-   **OHV Impacts.** One dirt road branches off Howell Canyon road near
    the summit. The dirt road goes through occupied habitat to access
    the hang-glider launch site and the electronic site on Peak 9033.
    The USFS restricts vehicle traffic to established roads and trails
    throughout the majority of the population. Direct and indirect
    impacts from OHVs have been a primary concern for many years (Atwood
    1988; Moseley 1993). Motorcycles on the hills along Howell Canyon
    road have been the cause of erosion gullies in occupied habitat.
    Channels made by pocket gophers in this area cause the off-road
    vehicles in these areas to sink deeper into the soil thus creating
    even larger eroded channels (Moseley 1993). Some of the OHV impacts
    are the result of late-lying snowdrifts blocking the road. By
    driving out across the relatively gentle slopes to get around the
    drifts, vehicles create large erosion channels and small gullies in
    occupied habitat. In accordance with the 1995 Conservation
    Agreement, rock barriers and signs were put in place to discourage
    driving off road. Additionally, rock barriers were installed to
    block access to other pioneered tracks and signs have been placed to
    discourage OHV use into adjacent meadows. Vehicles driving and
    parking off road in occupied habitat could potentially impact
    individuals, the viability of the population, habitat quality, and
    contribute to soil compaction and erosion in occupied habitat.

-   **Unauthorized Livestock Grazing**. Livestock grazing was
    administratively excluded from the summit of Mount Harrison (USDI
    1995). However, documented cases of unauthorized livestock use have
    occurred in the area. To eliminate livestock trespass from
    occurring, in 2000, permittees repaired existing fences, built new
    fence, and set up electric fence. Along the south and west
    boundaries, an estimated 1.5 mi of fence was rebuilt. Small sections
    of new fence were installed on the southwest and northwest
    boundaries of the allotment. On the south side of the lookout
    structure, about 1.25 mi of electric fence was built. Measures to
    prevent unauthorized livestock use and associated threats can been
    found in the signed Candidate Conservation Agreement (USDA and USDI
    2006).

-   **Non-native Plant Species**. Invasion of exotic species and
    disturbance species into *Castilleja christii* habitat poses a
    serious threat to the species viability. Mancuso (2001a) noted six
    new graminoid species moving into the 20 permanent transects located
    on Mount Harrison. Two of these species, *Agropyron sp*. (wheatgrass
    cultivar) and *Bromus inermis* (smooth brome) are introduced species
    that may have been part of the seeding mix used for restoration
    following the road paving in 1997. Efforts to eradicate smooth brome
    and other introduced species began in 2002. A long-term commitment
    to noxious weed and introduced species treatment and eradication was
    made in the signed Candidate Conservation Agreement (USDA and USDI
    2006).\
    \
    Spotted knapweed, rush skeleton weed, and musk thistle have been
    reported as occurring on the lower portions of the Howell Canyon
    road. In 2006, Tansy ragwort was located and eradicated on the
    hang-glider site directly adjacent to the Christ's Indian paintbrush
    population. Dyer's woad, an extremely aggressive and alleleopathic
    species, has been observed on the Raft River Division of the
    Minidoka RD. Indirect introduction of noxious weeds have occurred as
    a result of road use, permitted and unauthorized recreation, and
    grazing activities.

Currently approximately 16 acres of occupied Christ's Indian paintbrush
habitat is legally accessible to cross-county travel and could be used
for dispersed camping associated with motorized access according to the
current travel plan map. In 2003, the Mount Harrison BSIA was
established and it included this 16-acre portion of the population.
Under the regulations for BSIAs, recreation and associated activities
are allowed as long as they do not conflict with the botanical values
for which the area was established. No formalized management plan has
been prepared for the Mount Harrison BSIA and no amendments to the
current travel plan map were made. No administrative actions were taken
to mitigate or close that portion of the *Castilleja christii*
population to cross-country motorized travel. As such, this portion of
the population was intended to be closed to cross-country travel but
under the current conditions is legally open to travel.

Under the proposed action, the 16 acres accessible for cross-county
travel and dispersed camping in conjunction with motorized recreation
would not be open. Additionally, legally accessible buffers for
dispersed recreation associated with motorized travel would not
intersect with the 16 acres of occupied habitat. As such, direct effects
from motorized travel to this candidate species would be eliminated.

However, indirect effects could continue within occupied habitat.
Noxious weed infestations within and adjacent to the route designation
area would continue to serve as seed sources for new infestations;
however, the opportunity for motorized travel through infestations and
potential spread of undesired species is greatly reduced. Under the
proposed action, the density of spread and infestation and the level of
disturbance associated with motorized recreation would decrease within
occupied and adjacent habitats. As such, soil conditions and native
vegetation conditions would improve over time. Under the proposed
action, the amount of occupied habitat moving toward Forest Plan TEPCS
management objectives would be greatly increased. Additionally, the
proposed action would allow for fulfillment of the Candidate
Conservation Agreement (USDA and USDI 2006) and the anticipated
management plan for the Mount Harrison BSIA. Implementation of any of
these alternatives, may affect, but would not adversely affect, Christ
Indian Paintbrush. These effects would be more likely **beneficial**.

**Ute ladies'-tresses Orchid (*Spiranthes diluvialis*)**

In 1984, Ute ladies'-tresses orchid was named as a new species and was
federally listed as threatened on January 17, 1992, under the ESA.
*Spiranthes diluvialis* occurs in relatively low-elevation riparian,
spring, and lakeside wetland meadows in the following general areas of
the interior western United States: near the base of the eastern slope
of the Rocky Mountains in southeast Wyoming and north-central and
central Colorado; in the upper Colorado River Basin; along the Wasatch
Front and westward in the eastern Great Basin; in north-central and
western Utah; and extreme eastern Nevada. In 1994, the range was
expanded north by discoveries in central Wyoming and western Montana,
and in 1996, *S. diluvialis* was discovered in southeast Idaho along the
Snake River. Fairly extensive surveys within the general Salmon River
drainage by State, USFS, and BLM personnel have not resulted in any
additional locations.

Ute's ladies-tresses orchid is endemic to moist soils in mesic or wet
meadows near springs, lakes, and perennial streams. The elevation range
of known habitat is 1,500 to 7,000 ft. Most of the occurrences are along
riparian edges, gravel bars, old oxbows, and moist-to-wet meadows along
perennial streams and rivers, although some localities are near
freshwater lakes or springs. Ute ladies'-tresses orchid appears to be
well adapted to disturbances caused by water movement through flood
plains over time. It often grows on point bars and other recently
created riparian habitat. The orchid appears to require permanent
sub-irrigation, with the water table holding steady throughout the
growing season and into late summer and early autumn. *S. diluvialis*
occurs primarily in areas where the vegetation is relatively open and
not very dense.

Of the three RDs, the Minidoka RD provides the least likelihood of
quality potential habitat for Ute ladies'-tresses orchid within the
route designation area. No occupied habitat has been documented on the
RD. Only marginal potential habitat exists within the project area
adjacent to Trapper, Goose, Trout, and Onemile creeks. Other areas of
marginal potential habitat exist along Rock Creek, but this area is not
within the route designation area and is not being further considered
for this EA.

Populations throughout the range of this listed species appear to
fluctuate dramatically from year to year, making it difficult to assess
population status and distribution. This has held true during studies
conducted on the Idaho population since its discovery. The genus
*Spiranthes* also undergoes a dormant period that may last 7--10 years,
apparently with no evidence of above-ground structures. Nothing is known
about the dormancy-triggering mechanisms. To locate this species,
potential habitat should be surveyed every year, for 7--10 years, before
ground-disturbing activities take place. Reproduction is strictly
sexual, with ground- and log-nesting bumblebees as the primary
pollinators (Pierson and Tepedino 2000). Successful conservation of this
orchid will require protecting suitable habitat and pollinator habitat
in and around orchid populations.

***Threats***

*S. diluvialis* is found infrequently and in scattered locations.
Threats include livestock grazing, exotic weed invasion, controlled
flooding, dewatering of streams, loss of pollinators, unmanaged
recreation within potential habitat, and development. Because it prefers
open, early seral riparian areas, its management may be in direct
conflict with rare fish habitat management that emphasizes undisturbed
climax conditions. Riparian areas that are not properly functioning due
to unmanaged recreation, unauthorized livestock use, and dispersed
recreation may have been degraded to a point that potential habitat may
be reduced.

Motorized and non-motorized travel within potential habitat for Ute
ladies'-tresses orchid can be directly correlated with decreased native
vegetation composition, soil compaction, and decreased plant vigor and
indirectly correlated with an increase in weed density and distribution
through the spread of weeds and vegetative material. Dispersed camping
and associated disturbance can also contribute to direct effects.

Direct impacts from motorized travel and dispersed camping associated
with motorized travel could include trampling, uprooting plants, loss of
seed set, reduced seed production due to loss of pollinators, and
disrupted seed bank. Indirect impacts from motorized travel and
dispersed camping associated with motorized travel could include soil
compaction, introduction of noxious weeds, changed upland vegetation,
pollinator impacts (ground nesting bees could be killed or nests
destroyed), alteration of vegetation community, acceleration of
desertification, decreased gene flow, and decreased soil moisture (Arft
1995; Moseley 1999; Pierson and Tepedino 2000). Floodplain conditions
could also be impacted by such activities and could include stream bank
downcutting, change in bank stability, vegetation alteration, trampling,
soil compaction, and changed flow velocity.

**Current Management**

The USFWS has prepared a draft recovery plan and developed actions
designed to restore populations and remove threats. SNF personnel survey
potential habitat every year where ground-disturbing activities are
proposed and implement appropriate mitigation measures, including
stockpiling and returning topsoil, and protecting high potential
habitat. The IDFG Data Conservation Center (ICDC) is currently
developing a predictive plant habitat model for the state of Idaho that
will further refine focus areas for future surveys and management.

The acres accessible for cross-county travel and dispersed camping in
association with motorized recreation decrease under each action
alternative. On the Minidoka RD, accessible acres in potential habitat
are reduced to 15,248 in the proposed action. Overall, establishment of
new dispersed camp sites from motorized recreation would decrease with
all action alternatives because cross-country travel will not be allowed
and many non-system routes will not be designated for motorized use.

On the Cassia Division, the proposed action proposes the following
routes that parallel riparian areas for extended distances: Swanty
Creek, a tributary to Trout Creek (1.72 mi, proposed trail open to
vehicles 50 in. wide or less); Pole Camp Creek, a tributary to North
Fork Shoshone Creek (1.07 mi, open to vehicles 50 in. wide or less);
Cold Spring Canyon, a tributary to Fall Creek (1.49 mi, proposed trail
open to motorcycle, bike, horse, and foot traffic); and McMullen Creek
(2.09 mi, proposed trail open to motorcycle, bike, horse, and foot
traffic).

In addition to these routes, Alternative 2 would designate a non-system
route (proposed trail open to motorcycle, bike, horse, and foot traffic)
that parallels upper Goose Creek for 2.26 mi. These route designations
may result in riparian vegetation trampling and soil compaction in
potential habitat areas. These areas have been identified as marginal
potential habitat for Ute ladies'-tresses.

Across the route designation area, under the proposed action, the amount
of riparian areas that are moving toward Forest Plan vegetation
management objectives would be greatly increased. Large noxious weed
infestations within and adjacent to the route designation area would
continue to serve as seed sources for new infestations; however, the
opportunity for motorized and non-motorized travel through infestations
and potential spread of undesired species is greatly reduced. Under the
proposed action, the density of spread and infestation would likely
decrease within riparian areas. Conditions for potential habitat for Ute
ladies'-tresses would receive less direct and indirect impacts. As such,
soil conditions and native vegetation conditions would improve over
time. The proposed action would improve potential habitat conditions in
similar ways as many of the same routes are proposed in both
alternatives and an overall improving trend would be experienced.
Implementation of any of these alternatives, may affect, but would not
adversely affect, Ute ladies-tresses' orchid. These effects would be
more likely **beneficial**.

**VII. EFFECTS OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ON SENSITIVE SPECIES**

***Bald Eagle** (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)* **--** The Minidoka District
does not currently provide occupied breeding, nesting or wintering
habitat for the Bald Eagle. Nesting requirements for bald eagles include
tall, large diameter trees with access to water nearby for foraging.
Winter habitat is generally near open water with adequate perch trees
nearby. Eagles need freedom from human disturbances year-round
(Stalmaster 1987). The nearest known nest territories are 30 miles
northwest of the District along the Snake River. The Big Cottonwood
Wildlife Management Unit, managed by Idaho Department of Fish and Game,
provides potential wintering habitat on the northeast corner of the
Cassia Division. No wintering bald eagles have been observed in the WMA
(M Todd 2007).

Implementation of the Proposed Action would not likely impact Bald Eagle
since individuals of the species are currently not occupying potential
habitat and the changes proposed within potential habitat would provide
a beneficial effect.

***Columbian sharp-tailed grouse*** (*Tympanuchus phasisnellus
columbianus)* -- Columbian sharp-tailed grouse habitat is characterized
by bunchgrass and shrub/bunchgrass with a small percentage of the
landscape in tall, deciduous thickets, riparian zones, and aspen stands.
The rangeland communities provide nesting and brood rearing habitat
while the riparian zones and mountain shrub areas are essential for over
wintering. Serviceberry, chokecherry, and snowberry are particularly
valuable mountain shrub species, while hawthorn and willow are important
riparian species (Columbian sharp-tailed grouse Conservation Plan;
Ulliman, Sands and Hemker 1998).

Columbian sharp-tailed grouse exist on the Black Pine, Cassia, Raft
River, and Sublett Divisions. They were reintroduced to the Shoshone
Basin on the Cassia Division during the early 1990's. Numerous
observations of Sharp-tailed grouse have been reported on the western
and northwest portion of the Cassia Division suggesting that the
population is expanding (pers. comm. Randy Smith, IDFG 2007).
Populations on Black Pine and Sublett appear to be stable. The
management goal is to increase distribution and abundance of this
species.

Historically, sharp-tailed grouse ranged throughout central Utah, but
they are now limited to remnant, but stable populations on the Raft
River Division. Small populations of Sharp-tailed grouse nest and forage
near One Mile Canyon on the Raft River Division (Enright 2007).

Implementing the Proposed Action would benefit Columbian sharp-tailed
grouse by reducing potential disturbance on 413,391 acres of foraging
and brood rearing habitat on the Minidoka District where cross country
travel would no longer be allowed. The Proposed Action would reduce road
density from 1.42 mi./sq. mile to .61 mi./sq. miles of road and
motorized trail density would remain the same as current conditions at
.43mi./sq. miles in sharp-tailed grouse habitat. The reductions in road
density would help reduce the potential for motorized vehicles to spread
noxious weeds, fragment habitat, and facilitate the start of wildfires
within Columbian sharp-tailed habitat. This alternative represents an
improvement to in Columbian sharp-tailed grouse foraging and brood
rearing habitat within the analysis area over current conditions.

**Table 1. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Columbian
Sharp-tailed Grouse Habitat**

+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                        | *     | **Pro   |
|                                                   | *Curr | posed** |
|                                                   | ent** |         |
|                                                   |       | **A     |
|                                                   |       | ction** |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within      | 41    | 0       |
| sharp-tailed habitat                              | 3,391 |         |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Road Miles in sharp-tailed habitat (system &      | 1049  | 722     |
| non-system)                                       |       |         |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Road density in sharp-tailed habitat (mil./sq.    | 1.62  | .61     |
| mi.)                                              |       |         |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Motorized trails miles in sharp-tailed habitat    | 281   | 279     |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Motorized Trail density in sharp-tailed habitat   | .43   | .43     |
| (mil./sq. mi.)                                    |       |         |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails                     | 3.93  | 1.52    |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+
| Total density of all trails                       | .44   | .43     |
+---------------------------------------------------+-------+---------+

***Flammulated Owl** (Otus flammeolus)* **-** Flammulated owls are known
to occur on the primarily on Cassia, Raft River and Sublett Divisions.
On the Minidoka District they have been located in areas which are
dominated by large, mature, subalpine fir or in aspen communities with
an abundance of snags or large trees with cavities for nesting.
Flammulated owls eat mainly invertebrates such as various insects,
beetles, grasshoppers, and moths (Johnsgard 1988). They often forage
along forest edges and within riparian areas. This species is truly
migratory and does not arrive on its breeding territories until mid May
in southern Idaho (Powers et al. 1996). Several seasons of monitoring
data have been collected for this species. Population trends appear to
be stable in the habitats where they are known to occur on the Minidoka
District. Since this species depends on snags to meet life cycle
requirements, Flammulated owls would likely be negatively affected by a
reduction in density of snags. Presumably, road access facilitates a
reduction in snag density along roads due to construction and
maintenance (Hann et al. 1997).

Implementing the Proposed Action would benefit flammulated owls by
reducing disturbance on 1783 acres of potential foraging and nesting
habitat on the Minidoka District where cross country travel would no
longer be allowed. Alternatives 2, 3, and 4 are similar in reducing the
road density per square mile from 1.70 mi./sq mile to 1.39 mi./sq. miles
in flammulated owl habitat.

The closure to cross country travel would reduce road and trail
densities through flammulated owl foraging habitat and lessen the
potential for effects to foraging habitat from weed spread or
human-caused wildfire. Closure of cross country travel would lessen the
opportunity for incidental cutting of snags used for nesting. The
Proposed Action would not reduce motorized road densities or motorized
trail density significantly in flammulated owl habitat. The Proposed
Action, however, represents an improvement in flammulated owl foraging
and nesting habitat within the analysis area over current conditions.

**Table 2**. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Flammulated owl
Habitat

+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                          | **C  | **Prop |
|                                                     | urre | osed** |
|                                                     | nt** |        |
|                                                     |      | **Ac   |
|                                                     |      | tion** |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within        | 1783 | 0      |
| flammulated owl habitat                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road Miles (system + non-system) in flammulated owl | 4.73 | 3.88   |
| habitat                                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road density in flammulated owl habitat (mil./sq.   | 1.70 | 1.39   |
| mi.)                                                |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized trails miles (system + non-system) in     | 0    | 0      |
| flammulated owl habitat                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized Trail density in flammulated owl habitat  | 0    | 0      |
| (mil./sq. mi.)                                      |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails only in flammulated   | 0    | 0      |
| owl habitat                                         |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Total density of all trails (motorized &            | 0    | 0      |
| non-motorized) in habitat                           |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+

***Greater Sage- Grouse*** (*Centrocercus urophasianus* )-- Greater sage
grouse are highly dependant on sagebrush for food and cover throughout
the year. They feed almost exclusively on sagebrush throughout winter.
Most sage-grouse nests are located under sagebrush plants that provide
overhead cover, with 15 to 30 percent canopy cover preferred. Late brood
rearing habitats usually have less dense sagebrush canopy than nesting
habitats and generally have a higher proportion of grasses and forbs in
the understory. Riparian meadows, springs, and seeps are important for
sage-grouse as they produce forbs and insects necessary for juvenile
birds (Connelly and Braun 1997).

Despite management and research efforts that date to the 1930's,
breeding populations of this species have declined 17-47% throughout
much of its range (Connelly and Braun, 1997). Causes are frequently
attributed to habitat fragmentation, land conversion, overgrazing,
introduction of exotic weeds, and altered fire regimes (Miller, R F.,
and L.L. Eddleman 2001). No single factor can be identified as the cause
of declines in sage-grouse populations.

Idaho Department of Fish & Game estimates sage grouse populations in
southern Idaho to be on a long term downward trend, with Sage-grouse
numbers reaching an all time- low in 1993-94. Since 1997, the numbers of
males counted on standardized lek routes (male strutting grounds) in
southern Idaho have gradually increased (pers. comm., Randy Smith, IDFG
2007).

Utah Division of Wildlife Resources estimates sage grouse populations in
northern Utah to be on a long-term downward trend. Intensive surveys of
all historical leks annually (none known to occur on SNF lands) since
2000, indicate an overall downward trend in Sage grouse numbers in
Northern Utah. Sagebrush habitats on the Raft River Division are
relatively intact but losing continuity with sagebrush habitat on
adjacent private land. Large fires in recent years combined with current
agricultural practices have contributed greatly to this loss of
continuity ( Enright 2007).

Implementing the Proposed Action would benefit sage-grouse by reducing
potential disturbance on 446,170 acres of nesting, and early / late
brood rearing habitat where cross country travel would no longer be
allowed. The proposed action would also reduce road density to .54
miles/sq. mile of road. Motorized trail density (in sage-grouse habitat)
would remain at .27 mi./sq.miles.

These reductions in road and trail density would help to reduce the
potential for motorized vehicles to spread noxious weeds or start of
wildfires within sage grouse habitat. This alternative represents a
considerable improvement in sage- grouse late brood rearing habitat
within the analysis area over current conditions.

**Table 3. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Greater Sage-grouse
Habitat (miles rounded to nearest whole mile unless \< 1).**

+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                         | *     | **Prop |
|                                                    | *Curr | osed** |
|                                                    | ent** |        |
|                                                    |       | **Ac   |
|                                                    |       | tion** |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within       | 44    | 0      |
| Greater sage-grouse habitat:                       | 6,170 |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Road Miles in sage-grouse habitat (system &        | 1024  | 702    |
| non-system)                                        |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Road density in sage-grouse habitat (mil./sq. mi.) | 1.67  | 1.15   |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Motorized trails miles in sage-grouse habitat      | 167   | 166    |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Motorized Trail density in sage-grouse habitat     | .27   | .27    |
| (mil./sq. mi.)                                     |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails only in sage-grouse  | 4     | 4      |
| habitat                                            |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Total density of all trails (motorized &           | .28   | .28    |
| non-motorized) in habitat                          |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+

***Northern Goshawk*** (*Accipter gentiles)* -- Several Goshawk nest
territories exist on the Minidoka District. Goshawk nest areas typically
have high tree canopy cover and higher proportion of larger trees than
surrounding areas. They prey on a wide variety of forest-dwelling birds
and mammals such as grouse, woodpeckers, ground squirrels, and rabbits.
They appear to be highly sensitive to disturbances within the nest
areas. Goshawks do not necessarily migrate long distances, but may move
off their breeding territories during winter to find food. They tend to
move to lower elevations during the winter and return to breeding
territories in March or April. Goshawk home ranges in mixed conifers
have been described as 6,000 acres in size and are comprised of a nest
area (approximately 30 acres in size), a post fledging-family area or
PFA (approximately 420 acres), and a foraging area (approximately 5,400
acres) (Reynolds et al. 1992). Nest areas generally have high tree
canopy cover (50-60%) and a high density of large trees. The PFA
provides cover and prey for the fledglings while developing their flying
and hunting skills. Occupancy of historic nests on the district varies
widely from year to year. Monitoring of nests and fledgling success
since 1994 indicate nest occupancy and number of young fledged varies
depending on prey availability and other factors.

Implementing the Proposed Action would benefit northern goshawks by
reducing potential disturbance on 33,028 acres of foraging and nesting
habitat on the Minidoka District where cross country travel would no
longer be allowed. The proposed action would reduce road density from
.76 mi./sq. mile to .40 miles/sq. miles of road. Motorized trail density
would be reduced from .33 mi./sq. miles to.32 mi./sq. miles. Ending
cross country travel and administratively closing user created roads
would likely reduce direct interference to northern goshawk nest areas
and PFA's due to human or motorized activities as facilitated by road
and trail access, particularly on the Cassia Division.

**Table 4. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Goshawk Habitat
(miles rounded to nearest whole mile unless \< 1).**

+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                         | *     | **Pr   |
|                                                    | *Curr | oposed |
|                                                    | ent** | Ac     |
|                                                    |       | tion** |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within       | 3     | 0      |
| northern goshawk habitat                           | 3,028 |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Road Miles (system + nonsystem) in northern        | 39.19 | 29.88  |
| goshawk habitat                                    |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Road density in northern goshawk habitat           | .76   | .58    |
| (miles/sq. mi.)                                    |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Motorized trails miles (system + nonsystem) in     | 17.18 | 16.44  |
| northern goshawk habitat                           |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Motorized Trail density in northern goshawk        | .33   | .32    |
| habitat                                            |       |        |
|                                                    |       |        |
| (miles/sq. mi.)                                    |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails only in northern     | 1.44  | 1.44   |
| goshawk habitat                                    |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+
| Total density of all trails (motorized &           | .36   | .35    |
| non-motorized) in habitat                          |       |        |
+----------------------------------------------------+-------+--------+

**Py*gmy Rabbit*** *(Brachylagus idahoensis)* -Pygmy rabbits are the
smallest of North American rabbits and are associated with dense, tall
stands of healthy sagebrush. They excavate their own burrows systems.
Due to this unique feature among rabbits, soil properties, including
depth and texture, that allow ease of excavation are required (Weiss and
Verts 1984). They feed on sagebrush, grasses, and forbs in the summer
and rely almost entirely on sagebrush in the winter (Green and Flinders
1980).

Populations and distribution of pygmy rabbits declined in the 1900s due
to conversion of shrub steppe habitats to agriculture. Continued
disturbance and altered fire regimes contribute to loss and
fragmentation of suitable habitat for this species (Rachlow and Svancara
2003). A University of Idaho research project was initiated in 2003, to
identify pygmy rabbit habitat and map areas in Idaho based on habitat
characteristics from known species locations (Rachlow and Svancara).
Based on this analysis potential habitat for this species occurs on the
Minidoka RD. Surveys for pygmy rabbit have occurred on the district.
Small isolated populations have been located on the Raft River Division.

The Proposed Action would benefit pygmy rabbits by reducing potential
disturbance on 237,114 acres of foraging and nesting/ burrowing habitat
on the Minidoka District where cross country travel would no longer be
allowed. This Alternative would reduce road density from 1.72 mi./sq.
mile to .65 mi./sq. miles of road and motorized trail density would be
reduced from .39mi./sq. to.38 mi./sq. mile in pygmy rabbit habitat.
These reductions in road and trail density would help reduce the
potential for motorized vehicles to spread noxious weeds, fragment
habitat, compact soil in potential burrowing habitat, and facilitate the
start of wildfires within pygmy rabbit habitat.

**Table 5. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Pygmy Rabbit Habitat
(miles rounded to nearest whole mile unless \< 1).**

+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                          | **C  | **Prop |
|                                                     | urre | osed** |
|                                                     | nt** |        |
|                                                     |      | **Ac   |
|                                                     |      | tion** |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within pygmy  | 237  | 0      |
| rabbit habitat                                      | ,114 |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road Miles (system + non-system) in pygmy rabbit    | 638  | 439    |
| habitat                                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road density in pygmy rabbit habitat (mil./sq. mi.) | 1.72 | 1.18   |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized trails miles (system + non-system) in     | 143  | 140    |
| pygmy rabbit habitat                                |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized Trail density in pygmy rabbit habitat     | .39  | .38    |
| (mil./sq. mi.)                                      |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails only in pygmy rabbit  | 2.32 | 2.32   |
| habitat                                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Total density of all trails (motorized &            | .36  | .35    |
| non-motorized) in habitat                           |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+

***Spotted bat** (Euderma maculatum)* -- Spotted bats forage
nocturnally, and feed mainly on moths in a wide range of habitats, most
often in rough, rocky, semi-arid, and arid terrain, varying from
ponderosa pine forest to scrub country and open country. Foraging often
occurs over marshes and wetlands. They roost in rock crevices on steep
cliff faces (Watkins 1977, Wai-Ping and Fenton 1989). Spotted bats
hibernate during the winter and emerge in spring. While there have not
been extensive surveys and no reported occurrences of Spotted bats on
the Mindoka District, both foraging and roosting habitat do occur.

Under the Proposed Action, motorized cross-country travel would be
eliminated and road and trail densities would be reduced. This would
likely reduce the potential for human caused wildfire, spread of noxious
weeds, and disturbance to vegetation as potentially caused by motorized
recreation within spotted bat habitat. The reductions in road and trail
density would likely reduce direct interference to spotted bat use sites
due to human or motorized activities as facilitated by road and trail
access.

***Townsend's Big-eared bat** (Corynorhinus townsendii)* **--**
Townsend's big-eared bats are nocturnal insectivores feeding primarily
on moths along forest edges. They roost in crevices of rocky outcrops,
caves, old mines or buildings). Often Townsend's Big-eared bats form
highly visible clusters on open surfaces making them vulnerable to
disturbance (Christy and West 1993). Townsend's Big-eared bats hibernate
during the winter and emerge in spring, generally March or April,
depending on day time temperatures.

While there have been no reported occurrences of Townsend's big-eared
bats on the Minidoka District, both foraging and roosting habitat are
present.

The effects of implementing the Proposed Action would benefit Townsend's
big-eared bat by reducing potential disturbance on 130 acres of foraging
and roosting habitat on the Minidoka District where cross country travel
would no longer be allowed. Motorized road density of 1.45 mi./sq. mile
in Townsend's big-eared bat habitat would remain the same. There are
currently no motorized trails within Townsend's big-eared bat habitat.
The reduction in cross country travel would help reduce the potential
for motorized vehicles to disturb or disrupt Townsend's big-eared bat
foraging and roasting habitat. The Proposed Action represent a very
slight improvement in Townsend's big-eared bat foraging and roasting
habitat within the analysis area over current conditions.

**Table 6. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Townsend's Big-eared
Bat Habitat**

  ----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------
  **Minidoka Analysis Area**                            **Current**   **Proposed
                                                                      Action**

  Acres of area open to off road travel within          130           0
  big-eared bat habitat                                               

  Road Miles (system + nonsytem) in big-eared bat       .29           .29
  habitat                                                             

  Road density in big-eared bat habitat (mil./sq. mi.)  1.45          .61

  Motorized trails miles (system + nonsytem) in         0             0
  big-eared habitat                                                   

  Motorized Trail density in big-eared habitat          0             0
  (mil./sq. mi.)                                                      

  Miles of non-motorized trails only in big-eared bat   0             0

  Total density of all trails (motorized &              0             0
  non-motorized) in big-eared bat habitat                             
  ----------------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------

***Wolverine** (Gulo gulo)*-Wolverines are primarily scavengers and
forage on carcasses of large ungulates such as elk, deer, and bighorn
sheep. They also may hunt for snowshoe hares, marmots, mice, voles,
ground squirrels, and grouse but will also eat fruits, berries, and
insects when other prey is unavailable (Hash 1987). Home range sizes of
wolverines are highly influenced by prey remains and other food sources.
Individual animals generally have very large ranges and can cover very
large distances in very little time. They use several habitats and have
been located in low-elevation, forested drainage bottoms to
high-elevation, sparsely timbered cirque basins.

While there have been no wolverine sightings in recent years (18 yrs),
suitable foraging habitat is available along forested riparian areas on
the district. Suitable denning habitat is extremely limited over the
entire district and found only at the highest elevations.

Implementing the Proposed Action would benefit wolverine by reducing
disturbance on 49,240 acres of potential foraging habitat on the
Minidoka District where cross country travel would no longer be allowed.
The proposed action would reduce motorized road density in potential
wolverine habitat. This reduction in road density would help reduce the
potential for motorized vehicles to disturb or disrupt wolverine
foraging. The Proposed Action will have little impact on denning habitat
present on the Minidoka District. This alternative represents an
improvement in potential wolverine foraging habitat within the analysis
area over current conditions.

**Table 7. Comparison Table of Travel Routes within Wolverine Habitat
(miles rounded to nearest whole mile unless \< 1).**

+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| **Minidoka Analysis Area**                          | **C  | **Prop |
|                                                     | urre | osed** |
|                                                     | nt** |        |
|                                                     |      | **Ac   |
|                                                     |      | tion** |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Acres of area open to off road travel within        | 49   | 0      |
| wolverine habitat                                   | ,240 |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road Miles (system + nonsystem) in wolverine        | 103  | 57     |
| habitat                                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Road density in wolverine habitat (mil./sq. mi.)    | 1.34 | .74    |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized trail miles (system + nonsystem) in       | 63   | 63     |
| wolverine habitat                                   |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Motorized Trail density in wolverine habitat        | .82  | .82    |
| (mi./sq. mi.)                                       |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Miles of non-motorized trails only in wolverine     | .70  | 2.29   |
| habitat                                             |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+
| Total density of all trails (motorized &            | .84  | .84    |
| non-motorized) in wolverine habitat                 |      |        |
+-----------------------------------------------------+------+--------+

**Spotted Frog(***Rana pretiosa***)-** Surveys for Spotted Frog have
been conducted in suitable habitat on Minidoka District administered
lands and on BLM and private lands in the vicinity of the District.
Populations have yet to be located on the Minidoka District even though
some habitat is present.

Spotted frogs are found in areas where permanent water is present such
as marshes, ponds, or riparian areas. They may move considerable
distances from water following the breeding season, often frequenting
mixed conifer and subalpine forests, grasslands, and brushlands of sage
and rabbitbrush if puddles, seeps or other water is available. Adult
spotted frogs feed on invertebrates, generally within one-half meter of
shore on dry days. Durintg and after rains, they may move away from
permanent water to feed in wet vegetation or ephemeral puddles (Licht
1989). Spotted frogs hibernate during winter and emerge when open water
becomes available, generally during spring thaw. Spotted frogs breed
from late February to early July. A water temperature of 40 degrees
Fahrenheit seems to tbe the critical temperature for emergence from
hibernation (Morris and Tanner 1969).

Under the Proposed Action, motorized cross country travel would be
eliminated and road and trail densities would be reduced. Decreasing
road and trail densities on the Minidoka District as proposed would
likely benefit wetlands, seeps, and other water sources and protect what
potential habitat may exist on the Minidoka District.

**REGION IV SENSITIVE PLANTS**

**Goose Creek Milkvetch (*Astragalus anserinus )- ***Goose Creek
Milkvetch is a low, mat-forming perennial with soft, bent-to-tangled
pubescence that gives this small plant a grayish appearance. Like Idaho
Penstemon*,* Goose Creek Milkvetch appears to be edaphically restricted
to slopes of whitish to gray soils derived from tuffaceous sediments of
the Salt Lake Formation. Populations of Goose Creek Milkvetch have been
documented at elevations ranging from 4900--5480 ft and are more common
on south facing slopes (Mancuso and Moseley 1991b). Most populations of
Goose Creek Milkvetch are found among open Utah Juniper communities,
similar to those openings where Idaho Penstemon is located. These
species sporadically occur together, although Goose Creek Milkvetch
appears to prefer lower elevations and more open sites.

Goose Creek Milkvetch is ranked as "...imperiled throughout its range
because of rarity or because of other factors making it vulnerable to
extinction..." by the Nature Conservancy and ranked as "...critically
imperiled in Idaho because of extreme rarity or because of some other
factor in its biology making it especially vulnerable to extinction..."
by the ICDC. Current threats include non-native plant invasion (leafy
spurge, halogeton, cheatgrass), indirect and direct impacts from grazing
activities, and habitat destruction due to disturbance in the highly
erosive slopes and fragile soils to which this species is endemic
(Mancuso 2001b). In 2004, the USFWS was petitioned to emergency list
Goose Creek Milkvetch as threatened under the ESA. On August 16, 2007,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a 90-day finding on a
petition to list *Astragalus anserinus* (Goose Creek milk-vetch) as
threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as
amended (50 CFR 17, 2007). The USFWS found that the petition presented
substantial scientific or commercial information indicating that listing
of Goose Creek Milkvetch may be warranted. The USFWS initiated a status
review of the species and will issue a 12 month finding to determine if
the listing of the species is warranted.

Seven populations are currently known from Idaho, all of which occur on
BLM-managed public land. Eight populations are known to occur in Utah.
An additional four populations are known from adjacent Elko County,
Nevada. Currently no populations of Goose Creek Milkvetch are known to
occur on the SNF; however, potential habitat does exits within the route
designation area. Extensive surveys for Goose Creek Milkvetch were
conducted in 2002, but no occupied habitat was located at that time
(Mancuso 2003).

The acres accessible for cross-county travel and dispersed camping
related to motorized access within Goose Creek Milkvetch potential
habitat would be reduced under the proposed action. Given the narrow
range in which potential habitat could occur on the Cassia Division and
the proposal tied to the alternatives within this limited area, the
action alternatives do not vary.

Under the proposed action, the amount of Goose Creek Milkvetch potential
habitat that is moving toward Forest Plan vegetation management and
botanical resources objectives and standards would be greatly increased.
Noxious weed infestations within the route designation area and adjacent
to this area would continue to serve as seed sources for new
infestations; however, the opportunity for motorized and non-motorized
travel through infestations and potential spread undesired species is
greatly reduced. Under the proposed action, the density of spread and
infestation would likely decrease within portions of the occupied Goose
Creek Milkvetch. Conditions for potential habitat for Goose Creek
Milkvetch would receive less direct and indirect impacts. As such, soil
conditions and native vegetation conditions would improve over time.
Implementation of any of these alternatives may impact Goose Creek
Milkvetch potential habitat but would not trend towards listing under
the ESA.

**Davis\' wavewing (*Cymopterus davissii*) -** Davis' wavewing is a
low-growing perennial from a thick taproot, reaching approximately 7 in.
in height. The stem is very short and sheathed by persistent, papery and
fibrous leaf bases. Numerous leaves, either prostrate or somewhat erect,
form a rosette or whorl around several, short, yellow flowered umbels.
The leaves have a bluish green cast and are deeply divided into pinnate
or bipinnate segments. The fruits are small and compressed on one face
and have small wings.

Davis' wavewing occurs between 8,800--10,339 ft elevation in the
following five habitat types: snowbed areas that are forb-dominated;
graminoid communities with Idaho fescue and bearded wheatgrass;
sagebrush and Idaho fescue communities; openings in sub-alpine fir and
mountain gooseberry communities; and scree slopes, rock outcrops and
ledges, and cirque headwalls (Moseley 1993). Current threats include
non-native plant invasion (spotted knapweed, cheatgrass), indirect and
direct impacts from grazing activities, and habitat destruction due to
unregulated recreation.

Three populations are known to exist in the Albion Mountains on the
Minidoka RD. The largest population is located on Independence Mountain
and Cache Peak. The most northern population occurs on the Mount
Harrison plateau and is sympatric with Christ's Indian Paintbrush. The
third population occurs on Graham Peak. The majority of the populations
occur within areas that are currently closed to cross-country travel.
Approximately 122 acres of occupied habitat occurs within areas open to
cross-country travel under the current travel plan map.

The acres accessible for cross-county travel and dispersed camping
related to motorized access within occupied Davis' wavewing populations
are removed under the proposed action. As such, there are not any acres
of occupied Davis' wavewing open to motorized travel or dispersed
camping with motorized access.

Under the proposed action, the amount of occupied Davis' wavewing
habitat that is moving toward Forest Plan vegetation management and
botanical resources objectives and standards would be greatly increased.
Noxious weed infestations within and adjacent to the route designation
area would continue to serve as seed sources for new infestations;
however, the opportunity for motorized and non-motorized travel through
infestations and potential spread of undesired species is greatly
reduced. Under the proposed action, the density of spread and
infestation would likely decrease within portions of the occupied Davis'
wavewing habitat. Conditions for occupied and potential habitats for
Davis' wavewing would receive less direct and indirect impacts. As such,
soil conditions and native vegetation conditions would improve over
time. Implementation of any of these alternatives would not impact
Davis' wavewing individuals or habitat.

**Idaho Penstemon (*Penstemon idahoensis*) -** Idaho Penstemon is a
showy blue to purple flowered perennial herb. Idaho Penstemon appears to
be edaphically restricted to slopes of white to gray tuffaceous soils
derived from the Salt Lake Formation. This species occurs on gentle to
steep slopes and appears to be most common on south to southwest
exposures ranging in elevation from 4,900--5,700 ft (Mancuso and Moseley
1991a). Most commonly, Idaho Penstemon is associated with open Utah
Juniper communities with sparse to no vegetation diversity surrounding
populations.

*Penstemon Idahoensis* is ranked as "...imperiled throughout its range
because of rarity or because of other factors making it vulnerable to
extinction..." by the Nature Conservancy and ranked as "...critically
imperiled in Idaho because of extreme rarity or because of some other
factor in its biology making it especially vulnerable to extinction..."
by the ICDC.

Five populations occur on the Cassia Division of the Minidoka RD and are
all located within the route designation area. An estimated 18 acres of
occupied habitat has been documented. One population has been documented
along the Orangeburg Spring road. Current threats include non-native
plant invasion (leafy spurge, halogeton, cheatgrass), indirect and
direct impacts from grazing activities, and habitat destruction due to
disturbance in the highly erosive slopes and fragile soils to which this
species is endemic (Mancuso 2001b).

The acres accessible for cross-county travel and dispersed camping
related to motorized access within occupied Idaho Penstemon populations
are greatly reduced under the proposed action. Approximately 4.7 acres
of occupied Idaho Penstemon habitat would remain open to motorized
travel or dispersed camping by motorized access. Four of the five known
populations would no longer be within the legally accessible travel area
or dispersed camping associated with motorized access buffers.

Under the proposed action, the amount of occupied Idaho Penstemon
habitat that is moving toward Forest Plan vegetation management and
botanical resources objectives and standards would be greatly increased.
Noxious weed infestations within and adjacent to the route designation
area would continue to serve as seed sources for new infestations;
however, the opportunity for motorized and non-motorized travel through
infestations and potential spread undesired species is greatly reduced.
Under the proposed action, the density of spread and infestation would
likely decrease within portions of the occupied Idaho Penstemon.
Conditions for occupied and potential habitats for Idaho Penstemon would
receive less direct and indirect impacts. As such, soil conditions and
native vegetation conditions would improve over time. Implementation of
any of these alternatives may impact Idaho Penstemon individuals or
habitat but would not trend towards listing under the ESA.

## Cottam Cinquefoil - Cottam cinquefoil, a Forest Service Region 4 sensitive plant species, is known to occur in rocky, high elevation locations throughout the allotments. Cottam cinquefoil, *Potentilla cottamii,* is a low, mat forming perennial herb that was described as a new species in 1987 by Noel Holmgren. It can be distinguished from other cinquefoil species by its trifoliate leaf and growth habitat. It was discovered on the Sawtooth National Forest in 1982 at the head of Pine Creek, east of George Peak and in 1986 at the east end of the Raft River Mountains, near Bull Flat. A new population was located at Rosevere Point in 2003 (Dixon and Mancuso, 2005).

*Potentilla cottamii* is known from cracks and crevasses of quartzite
outcrops, often shaded from direct midday sunlight ranging in elevation
from 7500 to 10,400 feet. This species is apparently endemic to the
Pilot Range and Raft River Mountains of Box Elder County, Utah and
adjacent Elko County, Nevada (Holmgren 1987).

Populations are known to occur within crevasses and cracks within
quartzite, schist, and granite outcrops that are inaccessible to
motorized users. Implementation of the proposed action will have **no
effect** Cottam cinquefoil, its habitat, or reproductive success.

## B. CUMULATIVE EFFECTS 

The Endangered Species Act (ESA) defines cumulative effects (50 CFR
402.2) as the additive effects of state and private activities that are
reasonably certain to occur in the watershed where the Federal Action
occurs. Under the ESA, an analysis of cumulative effects on ESA-listed
species and their critical habitat is relevant only in determining
whether the continued existence of a species would be jeopardized or
whether critical habitat would be adversely modified or destroyed. No
ESA --listed species would be jeopardized or critical habitat would be
modified, so cumulative effects analysis under the ESA is not relevant
to those species.

**VIII. DETERMINATION**

Implementation of the proposed project would have **no effect** to
Yellow-billed cuckoo. This determination is based on the conclusion that
this species is not known to use, or been observed using habitat within
the Minidoka RD Travel Analysis Area of the Sawtooth National Forest. It
is also based on the fact that there is very limited suitable habitat
for Yellow-billed cuckoo on the Minidoka District.

Implementation of the proposed project will have a **beneficial impact**
on the Christ's Indian Paintbrush and Ute ladies'-tresses orchid. These
determinations are based on the conclusion that elimination of cross
country travel and designation of routes and trails available for public
use on the Minidoka Ranger District would reduce potential disturbance
and impacts to these species.

Implementation of the proposed project would have **no impact** on Bald
Eagle as they are not known to breed or nest on the Minidoka District.
Implementation of the proposed project would have **no impact** on
cottam's cinquefoil or desert buckwheat. Implementation of the proposed
project will have a **beneficial impact** to the Spotted bat, Townsend's
Big-eared bat, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, Flammulated owl, Greater
sage-grouse, Pygmy rabbit, Northern goshawk, Spotted frog, Wolverine,
Goose Creek Milkvetch, Davis' wavewing and Idaho Penstemon. These
determinations are based on the conclusion that elimination of cross
country travel and designation of routes and trails available for public
use on the Minidoka Ranger District would reduce potential disturbance
and impacts to these species.

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