Hi-Grouse Project BA/BE for Plant Species Amendment 1

Hi-Grouse Project Biological Assessment/Evaluation for Threatened, 

Endangered, Proposed, and Sensitive Plant Species Amendment

This amendment to the Hi-Grouse Project Biological Assessment/Evaluation for Threatened, 

Endangered, Proposed, and Sensitive Plant Species evaluates the effects of modifications to the 

alternatives on the analysis completed in July 2009.

Background

In December 2009, upon review of updated goshawk habitat information and further analysis, it was 

discovered that Forest Plan goshawk Standard and Guideline (S&G) 8-20 would not be met under any 

alternative. To meet goshawk S&G 8-20, alternative 2 would require substantial changes that would 

move it closer to alternatives 3 and 4; alternatives 3 and 4 would require slight modifications. 

On January 4, 2010, District Ranger Laura Allen reviewed the information from the ID team and 

recommended the proposed action (alternative 2) be dropped from further study, because it would not 

comply with NGH S&G 8-20, and modify alternatives 3 and 4 meet Forest Plan S&G 8-20. Forest 

Supervisor Patricia Grantham concurred with the recommendation and decided to drop the proposed 

action (alternative 2) from detailed study. Alternative 4 incorporated similar prescriptions as the original 

proposal and was identified as the modified proposed action.

Modifications to alternatives 3 and 4

The modifications to alternatives 3 and 4 include dropping approximately 86 acres and 108 acres of 

treatment, respectively. In addition under alternative 4 a modification in the treatment prescription for 

one unit was identified to maintain a higher level of basal area to maintain a higher level of canopy 

closure. See tables 1 and 2 for affected units and modifications to alternatives 3 and 4, respectively.

Table 1 Alternative 3 modifications to affected units

Unit # Original prescription and acres Changes/modified prescription and acres

11 192 acres underburn Unit boundary changed to drop 76 acres from treatment. 

Remaining 116 acres with underburn treatment

12a 245 acres of HTH-LP 9 acres dropped from treatment. Remaining 236 acres with 

HTH-LP treatment

13 183 acres of HTH-LP 1 acre will be excluded from unit, or left in untreated clump. 

Remaining 182 acres with HTH-LP treatment

Table 2 Alternative 4 modifications to affected units

Unit # Original prescription and acres Changes/modified prescription and acres

11 192 acres HTH-PP-Hvy with 

underburn

Unit boundary changed to drop 76 acres from treatment. 

Remaining 116 acres to be treated with HTH-PP with 

underburn treatment

12a 545 acres of HTH-LP 14 acres dropped from treatment. Remaining 531 acres with 

HTH-LP treatment
Hi-Grouse Project BA/BE for Plant Species Amendment 2

13 183 acres of HTH-LP 1 acre will be excluded from unit, or left in untreated clump. 

Remaining 182 acres with HTH-LP treatment

18 204 acres of HTH-MC-Hvy with 

underburn

Drop 17 acres from unit. Remaining 187 acres with HTH-MCHvy treatment with underburn

Review of effects analysis

The units where treatments were dropped in alternatives 3 and dropped and modified in alternative 4 

are dispersed in the western half of the Hi-Grouse project area. There would be a slight reduction in the 

potential for effects to plants with slightly fewer acres of treatment. 

The small reductions in treatment over the 7,450 acre project area does not change the relative effects 

discussed in the July 2009 Biological Assessment/Evaluation for Threatened, Endangered, Proposed, and 

Sensitive Plant Species. 

Review completed by: Lois J. Pfeffer, Environmental Coordinator 1/29/2010