US Department of the Interior

Bureau of Land Management

Oklahoma Field Office

Amarillo Field Office

Bureau of Indian Affairs

Southern Plains Region

Eastern Oklahoma Region

Joint Environmental Impact Statement and

BLM Resource Management Plan and 

BIA Integrated Resource Management Plan

May 2015

BIOLOGICAL BASELINE REPORT
BLM Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of 

the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

BIA Mission Statement

The Bureau of Indian Affairs’ mission is to enhance the quality of life, to promote economic opportunity, 

and to carry out the responsibility to protect and improve the trust assets of American Indians, Indian 

tribes, and Alaska Natives.
Table of Contents

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regions iii

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter Page

1. INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND ............................................................ 1-1

1.1 Background.....................................................................................................................................1-1

1.2 Purpose of the Biological Report..............................................................................................1-2

1.3 Description of the Planning Area..............................................................................................1-2

1.4 Applicable Laws and Regulations ..............................................................................................1-4

2. VEGETATION AND LAND USE....................................................................................... 2-1

2.1 Description of General Landscape/Ecoregion and Land Uses in the Planning Area.....2-1

2.1.1 Ecoregions within the Planning Area ........................................................................2-1

2.1.2 Draft Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment..............................2-7

2.2 Description of Habitat/Vegetation Types...............................................................................2-7

2.2.1 Sensitive Habitat or Vegetation Communities in the Planning Area .................2-8

2.2.2 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species.....................................................................2-15

3. FISH AND WILDLIFE...................................................................................................... 3-1

3.1 General Discussion of Fish and Wildlife and Their Habitats..............................................3-1

3.1.1 Fisheries...........................................................................................................................3-1

3.1.2 Wildlife .............................................................................................................................3-4

3.1.3 Special Status Species....................................................................................................3-8

4. MIGRATORY BIRDS, INCLUDING RAPTORS ................................................................... 4-1

4.1 Species and Habitat Requirements...........................................................................................4-1

4.2 Bird Surveys in the Planning Area.............................................................................................4-1

4.3 Special Management Species......................................................................................................4-1

4.4 Threat Assessment.......................................................................................................................4-7

4.4.1 Migratory Bird and Raptor Use of the Project Area.............................................4-7

4.4.2 Causes of Mortality and Disturbance .......................................................................4-8

4.4.3 Protection Measures and Avian-Safe Modifications...............................................4-8

4.5 Migratory Bird Conservation.....................................................................................................4-9

4.5.1 Current Conservation Planning..................................................................................4-9

4.6 Additional Conservation Measures........................................................................................4-12

5. REFERENCES.................................................................................................................. 5-1
Table of Contents

iv BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regions May 2015

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TABLES Page

2-1 EPA Level III Ecoregions in the Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Planning Area and Decision Area ............................................................................................................2-2

2-2 Noxious Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area..............................................................................2-16

2-3 Nonnative Invasive Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area...........................................................2-26

3-1 Water Bodies with BLM-Administered Subsurface.............................................................................3-1

3-2 Wildlife Management Areas, State Wildlife Refuges, and State Parks With 

BLM-Administered Subsurface .................................................................................................................3-4

3-3 Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area...........................................3-9

3-4 Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA ...................3-15

4-1 USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern ...............................................................................................4-2

4-2 Important Bird Areas in the Planning Area ...........................................................................................4-6

FIGURES Page

1-1 Planning Area ................................................................................................................................................1-3

2-1 EPA Level III Ecoregions.............................................................................................................................2-3

3-1 Arkansas River Shiner...............................................................................................................................3-23

3-2 Interior Least Tern....................................................................................................................................3-26

3-3 Lesser Prairie Chicken..............................................................................................................................3-28

3-4 Red-cockaded Woodpecker...................................................................................................................3-32

3-5 American Burying Beetle .........................................................................................................................3-33

3-6 Black-capped Vireo....................................................................................................................................3-35

3-7 Whooping Crane .......................................................................................................................................3-36
May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regions v 

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP 

Biological Baseline Report 

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Full Phrase

API area of potential impact 

APLIC Avian Power Line Interaction Committee 

BBS breeding bird survey 

BCC USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern 

BGEPA Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act 

BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs 

BLM United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management 

DOI United States Department of the Interior 

EIS environmental impact statement 

ESA Endangered Species Act 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act 

TPWD Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 

REA Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment 

RMP resource management plan 

USACE United States Army Corps of Engineers 

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service 

USGS United States Geological Service 
Table of Contents

vi BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regions May 2015

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May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 1-1

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CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT BACKGROUND

1.1 BACKGROUND

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI), Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM), Oklahoma Field Office, in collaboration with the US 

Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), is preparing an 

environmental impact statement (EIS). This document will also result in a BLM 

resource management plan (RMP) and a BIA Integrated RMP. The BLM RMP will 

guide the management of BLM-administered lands and federal mineral estate in 

Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas. These lands are currently managed under the 

1994 Oklahoma RMP (BLM 1994a), the 1991 Kansas RMP (BLM 1991), and the 

1996 Texas RMP (BLM 1996a), as amended (BLM 1994b, 1996b, 2000, 2004, 

2014). 

The BIA Integrated RMP includes management direction for allotted and tribal

surface mineral interests. These lands are administered by the BIA Eastern 

Oklahoma and Southern Plains Regional Offices in Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, 

and Nebraska. 

The BLM and BIA are the co-lead agencies preparing the joint EIS/BLM RMP and 

BIA Integrated RMP. Based on findings of the EIS, the BLM will sign a record of 

decision on the approved RMP for the lands it administers and for federal 

mineral estate. The BIA will sign two separate records of decision for 

management decisions for Indian mineral interests and lands administered by 

each of the regional offices. 

This biological baseline report is intended to help inform preparation of the

joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP.

Geographic Information System Data and Graphics

Data from geographic information systems (GIS) have been used in developing 

acreage calculations and for generating many of the figures. Most calculations in 
1. Introduction and Project Background

1-2 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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this document are rounded to the nearest one hundred acres. Calculations are 

dependent upon the quality and availability of data. Given the scale of the 

analysis, the compatibility constraints between datasets, and lack of data for 

some resources, all calculations are approximate and serve for comparison and 

analytic purposes only. Likewise, the figures are provided for illustrative 

purposes and subject to the limitations discussed above. The BLM or BIA may 

receive additional GIS data; therefore, the acreages may be recalculated and 

revised at a later date.

1.2 PURPOSE OF THE BIOLOGICAL REPORT

The purpose of this biological baseline report is to identify and characterize the 

biological issues in the area that may be impacted by implementing the joint 

EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP. This report provides a general overview 

of the conditions in the decision area and will help to inform the EIS preparation 

and impact analysis; it is not intended to be a comprehensive project evaluation. 

This report is composed of the following:

 A brief description of the project and the area of potential impact 

(API), specifically the area of potential direct impacts; a secondary 

API is also defined for the area of potential indirect impacts

 A summary of applicable laws and regulations that govern the 

management of biological resources in the API

 A brief description of fish and wildlife, including big game, migratory 

birds, raptors, and special status species in the API

1.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANNING AREA

The planning area is Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, regardless of land 

ownership, and lands administered by the BIA Southern Plains Region in 

Richardson County, Nebraska (Figure 1-1). The 269,650,000-acre planning 

area is composed of federal, tribal trust or restricted (BIA), allotted, state, and 

private lands. Federal lands are administered by the BLM; US Department of 

Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service (Forest Service); USDA, Agricultural 

Research Service; US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons; US 

Department of Defense; US Department of Energy; US Army Corps of 

Engineers; International Boundary and Water Commission; and US Department 

of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), Bureau of Reclamation, and 

USFWS. Individual trust lands are held in trust by the US government for the 

benefit of individual Indian allottees (or their heirs). The planning area 

encompasses 437 counties (105 in Kansas, 1 in Nebraska, 77 in Oklahoma, and 

254 in Texas).

The decision area for the joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP is where 

there are federal, tribal, or allottee interests. The decision area covers only the 

BLM- and BIA-administered surface 
0 25 50

Miles

Source: BLM GIS 2015, BIA GIS 2015

OKT_AMS_all_planningarea_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

BIA Eastern Oklahoma

Region

BIA Southern Plains

Region

Planning Area

Figure 1-1
1. Introduction and Project Background

1-4 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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lands and subsurface mineral estate in the planning area, with the exception of 

oil and gas mineral estate in Osage County. The BLM decision area is composed 

of approximately 46,900 acres of BLM-administered surface lands and 4,754,700

acres of federal mineral estate. This includes a study area buffer boundary along 

the Red River in Texas and Oklahoma. Federal mineral estate is composed of 

split-estate land (private surface over federal minerals, which totals 

approximately 576,000 acres) and lands managed by other federal agencies that 

are not covered under a land use plan (such as Forest Service) or 

congressionally withdrawn (National Park Service and many Fish and Wildlife 

refuges). The BLM decision area is limited to such lands and federal mineral 

estate in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas (BLM GIS 2015).

The BIA decision areas include approximately 394,200 surface acres and 

4,754,700 mineral estate acres for BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional Office. 

Additionally, approximately 1,442,000 acres of BIA Eastern Oklahoma Regional 

Office are limited to coal or other minerals within Osage County, and are 

included within the decision area. Oil and gas fluid minerals within Osage 

County are covered under a separate EIS effort, and are not included in the 

total acres of mineral estate within the BIA decision area for this project. The 

BIA decision area also includes 457,500 surface acres and 631,800 mineral estate 

acres for the BIA Southern Plains Regional Office. The BIA decision area 

includes such lands and mineral estate in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas and 

Richardson County, Nebraska (BIA GIS 2015).

For the purposes of this biological baseline report, the API includes all lands in 

the decision area. Potential indirect effects may occur outside of the API in the 

larger watershed. 

1.4 APPLICABLE LAWS AND REGULATIONS

Clean Water Act

The Clean Water Act, as amended in 1977, established the basic framework for 

regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States, including 

wetlands. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regulates the discharge of 

dredged and fill material into Waters of the United States, including wetlands, in 

accordance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Additionally, Executive 

Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands, requires federal agencies to avoid, to the 

extent possible, adverse impacts on wetlands. 

The USACE describes wetlands as “those areas that are inundated or saturated 

by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and 

that under normal circumstances, do support, a prevalence of vegetation 

typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include 

swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.” 
1. Introduction and Project Background

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 1-5

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The USACE provides guidelines for determining the areas under Section 404 

jurisdiction (Environmental Laboratory 1987). These guidelines require that at 

least one positive indicator for each of three criteria—hydrophytic vegetation, 

hydric soils, and wetland hydrology—exist in order to designate an area as a 

wetland. The numerous and varied indicators for each of the criteria are 

described in detail in the guidelines. If these areas meet the criteria necessary to 

define them as jurisdictional wetlands in accordance with Section 404, then 

certain activities, such as placing fill, in these areas would be subject to USACE 

regulation. The planning area encompasses three USACE divisions and five 

districts.

Federal Endangered Species Act

The federal Endangered Species Act (ESA; 16 US Code [USC], Section 1531 et 

seq.) establishes measures to protect plant and animal species that are federallisted as threatened or endangered and conserves habitats that are critical to 

the continued existence of those species. Endangered means a species is in 

danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range;

threatened means a species is likely to become endangered within the 

foreseeable future. For ESA-listed species, federal agencies are required to 

ensure that their actions do not jeopardize the continued existence of an 

endangered or threatened species or its designated critical habitat. The planning 

area encompasses seven USFWS Ecological Services Offices within both the 

Mountain-Prairie and Southwest Regions.

Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918

The Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) implements a series of international 

treaties that provide for migratory bird protection. Under the MBTA it is

unlawful, except as permitted by regulations, “to pursue, take, or kill any 

migratory bird, or any part, nest or egg of any such bird” (16 USC, Section 703); 

however, the MBTA does not regulate habitat. The list of species protected by 

the MBTA was revised in March 2010 and includes almost all 1,007 bird species 

that are native to the United States.

Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act

The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA) prohibits the take, 

possession, sale, purchase, barter, offer to sell, purchase, or barter, transport, 

export or import of any eagle, alive or dead, including any part, nest, or egg, 

unless authorized by permit. Further, activities that would disturb an eagle are 

prohibited under the BGEPA. Disturb means to agitate or bother an eagle to a 

degree that causes, or is likely to cause, based on the best scientific information 

available any one of the following:

 Injury

 a decrease in its productivity by substantially interfering with normal 

breeding, feeding, or sheltering behavior
1. Introduction and Project Background

1-6 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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 Nest abandonment by substantially interfering with normal breeding, 

feeding, or sheltering behavior

If a proposed project or action would occur in areas where eagles are nesting, 

feeding, or roosting, proponents of the project may need to take additional 

conservation measures to comply with BGEPA. New regulations (50 Code of 

Federal Regulations [CFR], Parts 22.26 and 22.27) allow the take of eagles and 

their nests to protect interests in a particular locality. However, project 

proponents are required to consult with the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s 

(USFWS) Migratory Bird, Ecological Services, and Law Enforcement programs 

before that agency issues a permit for such take.

Federal Noxious Weed Act

The Federal Noxious Weed Act of 1974 provides for the control and 

management of nonindigenous weeds that injure or have the potential to injure 

the interests of agriculture and commerce, wildlife resources, or public health. 

The act prohibits importing or moving any noxious weeds identified by the 

regulation and allows for inspection and quarantine to prevent their spread.

Executive Order 13112, Invasive Species

Signed in 1999, Executive Order 13112 directs federal agencies to prevent the 

introduction of invasive species, to provide for their control, and to minimize 

the economic, ecological, and human health impacts that invasive species cause.

Executive Order 13186, Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect 

Migratory Birds

Signed on January 11, 2001, this executive order directs each federal agency 

taking actions that are likely to have a measureable effect on migratory bird 

populations to develop and implement a memorandum of understanding with 

the USFWS to conserve migratory bird populations. In accordance with the

executive order, the BLM and USFWS signed a national-level memorandum of 

understanding in 2010 to strengthen migratory bird conservation efforts. Under 

the memorandum, the two agencies will identify and implement strategies to

promote conservation and reduce or eliminate adverse impacts on migratory 

birds through enhanced collaboration.

Instruction Memorandum No. 2002-174, Oil and Gas Leasing Stipulations

In accordance with IM 2002-174, BLM state offices include the lease stipulation

WO-ESA-7 on oil and gas leases where threatened, endangered, or other 

special status species or critical habitat is known or strongly suspected. The 

lease stipulation is as follows: 

The lease area may now or hereafter contain plants, animals, or 

their habitats determined to be threatened, endangered, or 

other special status species. BLM may recommend modifications 

to exploration and development proposals to further its 
1. Introduction and Project Background

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 1-7

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

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conservation and management objective to avoid BLM-approved 

activity that will contribute to a need to list such a species or 

their habitat. BLM may require modifications to or disapprove 

proposed activity that is likely to result in jeopardy to the 

continued existence of a proposed or listed threatened or 

endangered species or result in the destruction or adverse 

modification of a designated or proposed critical habitat. BLM 

will not approve any ground-disturbing activity that may affect 

any such species or critical habitat until it completes its 

obligations under applicable requirements of the Endangered 

Species Act as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq., including 

completion of any required procedure for conference or 

consultation.

State Regulations—Endangered or Threatened Species

Oklahoma has an endangered species statute (Title 29 Game and Fish, Chapter 

1 Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Code, Article V Game, Part 4 Protected 

Game). It gives the State the authority to list a wildlife species as threatened or 

endangered in the Oklahoma. At present, four wildlife species are listed by the 

State as threatened or endangered.

State- and federal-listed species are protected in Kansas by the Kansas 

Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1975. The act places the 

responsibility for identifying and undertaking appropriate conservation measures 

for listed species directly on the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism. 

This is enforced through Chapter 32 Article 9, Sections 32-957 through 32-963,

32-1009 through 32-1012, and 32-1033 and regulations. Regulations require the 

Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism to issue special action permits for 

activities that affect species listed as threatened or endangered in Kansas.

Texas laws and regulations pertaining to state endangered or threatened animal 

species are contained in Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Code, 

Chapters 67 and 68, and Texas Administrative Code, Sections 65.171-65.176, of 

Title 31. Laws and regulations pertaining to endangered or threatened plant 

species are contained in Chapter 88 of the TPWD Code and Sections 69.01

through 69.9 of the Texas Administrative Code. These regulations prohibit the 

taking, possession, transportation, or sale of any of the animal species 

designated by state law as endangered or threatened without a permit.

The Nebraska Nongame and Endangered Species Conservation Act prohibits 

taking, possessing, transporting, exporting, processing or sale of state listed 

species without a permit. This Act is contained within Nebraska Revised 

Statutes of 1943, Chapter 37, Game and Parks Article 8. 
1. Introduction and Project Background

1-8 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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State Regulations—Noxious Weeds

Title 2 of the Oklahoma Agricultural Code advises that controlling noxious 

weeds is the responsibility of every landowner or occupant. According to the 

Noxious Weed Laws and Rules of Oklahoma (OSDA 2000), every landowner 

and public, private, or corporate entities that maintain rights-of-way in 

Oklahoma is responsible for removing any thistle infestation in their jurisdiction. 

Noxious weeds in Oklahoma were listed by passage of House Bill 2277 (NRCS 

2014a).

Article 13 of the Kansas Agricultural Statutes, the Kansas Noxious Weed Law 

(KDA 2013), defines noxious weeds in the state and outlines control and 

management actions. The Kansas Department of Agriculture listed noxious 

weeds in 2003 (NRCS 2014b). 

Chapter 71, Subchapter D, of the Texas Agricultural Code requires the Texas 

Department of Agriculture to publish a list of noxious and invasive plant species. 

These species are listed in Subchapter T of the code (TDA 2005; NRCS 2014c).

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Noxious Weed Program regulates 

the Noxious Weed Control Act in Nebraska. The Act allows the direct to 

prepare, publish, and revise as necessary a list of noxious weeds (NRCS 2014d).
May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 2-1

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

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CHAPTER 2

VEGETATION AND LAND USE

2.1 DESCRIPTION OF GENERAL LANDSCAPE/ECOREGION AND LAND USES IN THE 

PLANNING AREA

2.1.1 Ecoregions within the Planning Area

The planning area is in portions of 19 US Environmental Protection Agency 

(EPA) Level III ecoregions (Woods et al. 2005; Chapman et al. 2001; Griffith et 

al. 2004; USEPA 2013). The number of acres of each ecoregion in the planning 

and decision area are summarized in Table 2-1; ecoregions in the planning area 

are shown in Figure 2-1 and are briefly described below.

Arizona/New Mexico Mountains (23). The Arizona/New Mexico Mountains 

are distinguished from neighboring mountainous ecoregions by their lower 

elevations. Their associated vegetation is indicative of drier, warmer 

environments, due in part to the region’s more southerly location. Forests of 

spruce (Picea spp.), fir (Abies spp.), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), 

common in the Southern Rockies (21) and the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains 

(19), are found only in limited areas at the highest elevations in this region. 

Chaparral is common at lower elevations in some areas, pinyon-juniper (Pinus 

edulis-Juniperus spp.) and oak (Quercus spp.) woodlands occur at lower and 

middle elevations. The higher elevations are mostly covered with open to dense 

ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests. This ecoregion is limited in extent to a 

small area in western Texas, along the border with New Mexico. 

Chihuahuan Deserts (24). This desert ecoregion extends from the Madrean 

Archipelago (79) in southeast Arizona to the Edwards Plateau (30) in southcentral Texas. It is the northern portion of the southernmost desert in North 

America, which extends more than 500 miles south into Mexico. It is generally a 

continuation of basin and range terrain that is typical of the Mojave Basin and 

Range (14) and Sonoran Basin and Range (81) ecoregions to the west, although 
2. Vegetation and Land Use

2-2 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 2-1

EPA Level III Ecoregions in the Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP Planning Area

and Decision Area

Ecoregion 

(Identifying 

Number)

Planning 

Area

BLMAdministered

Surface 

Lands

BLMAdministered 

Federal 

Mineral 

Estate

BIAAdministered 

Tribal and 

Allotted 

Lands

BIAAdministered 

Tribal and 

Allotted 

Subsurface 

Mineral 

Estate

Arizona/New 

Mexico 

Mountains (23)

52,400 — — — —

Chihuahuan 

Deserts (24)

22,632,200 — 179,000 — —

High Plains (25) 33,675,300 30 91,900 — —

Southwestern 

Tablelands (26)

19,458,200 11,900 99,000 — —

Central Great 

Plains (27)

53,137,200 34,700 672,900 381,200 643,500

Flint Hills (28) 6,902,200 — 232,300 53,200 517,200

Cross Timbers

(29)

21,791,800 240 827,700 217,200 1,118,600

Edwards Plateau 

(30)

18,524,000 — 51,500 — —

Southern Texas 

Plains (31)

13,201,000 — 97,300 130 100

Texas Blackland 

Prairies (32)

10,719,900 — 184,300 — —

East Central 

Texas Plains (33)

13,776,800 — 131,900 600 3,300

Western Gulf 

Coastal Plain (34)

14,769,400 — 347,100 — —

South Central 

Plains (35)

17,423,100 — 566,000 27,000 49,000

Ouachita 

Mountains (36)

2,589,300 — 95,000 21,100 35,600

Arkansas Valley 

(37)

3,077,300 70 635,000 42,600 91,700

Boston 

Mountains (38)

530,500 — 95,000 16,900 20,600

Ozark Highlands 

(39)

1,548,200 — 27,900 55,400 59,300

Central Irregular 

Plains (40)

10,722,600 — 349,100 15,700 56,800

Western Corn 

Belt Plains (47)

2,635,000 — 11,900 22,000 22,000

Source: EPA GIS 2013
!

!

!

!

!

^

!

!

!

!

^

!

^

Gulf of

Mexico Mexico

NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

47

0 25 50

Miles

Source: EPA GIS 2013

OKT_AMS_all_ecoregions_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

23 Arizona/New

Mexico Mountains

24 Chihuahuan

Deserts

25 High Plains

26 Southwestern

Tablelands

27 Central Great

Plains

28 Flint Hills

29 Cross Timbers

30 Edwards Plateau

31 Southern Texas

Plains

32 Texas Blackland

Prairies

33 East Central Texas

Plains

34 Western Gulf

Coastal Plain

35 South Central

Plains

36 Ouachita

Mountains

37 Arkansas Valley

38 Boston Mountains

39 Ozark Highlands

40 Central Irregular

Plains

47 Western Corn Belt

Plains

Level III

Ecoregions

30

Figure 2-1
2. Vegetation and Land Use

2-4 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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the pattern of alternating mountains and valleys is not as pronounced. Outside 

the major river drainages, such as the Rio Grande and Pecos River in New 

Mexico and Texas, the landscape is largely internally drained. Vegetation is 

predominantly desert grassland and arid shrubland, except for high elevation 

islands of oak, juniper, and pinyon pine woodland. In the planning area, this 

ecoregion is limited to southwest Texas. 

High Plains (25). Much of the High Plains is characterized by smooth to 

slightly irregular plains, having a high percentage of cropland. This is because it is 

higher and drier than the Central Great Plains (27) to the east. The High Plains 

are in contrast to the irregular, mostly grassland or grazing land of the 

Northwestern Great Plains (43) to the north. Grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis)-

buffalo grass (B. dactyloides) is the potential natural vegetation in this region. This 

is as compared to mostly wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii)-needlegrass (Stipa spp.)

to the north, Trans-Pecos shrub savanna to the south, and taller grasses to the 

east. In the planning area, this ecoregion occupies the eastern portions of 

Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas.

Southwestern Tablelands (26). The Southwestern Tablelands flank the High 

Plains (25) with red hued canyons, mesas, badlands, and dissected river breaks. 

Unlike most adjacent Great Plains ecological regions, little of the Southwestern 

Tablelands is in cropland. Much of this region is in sub-humid grassland and 

semiarid range land. The potential natural vegetation is grama-buffalo grass, with 

some mesquite (Prosopis spp.)-buffalo grass in the southeast, juniper-scrub oak

(Quercus gambellii)-middle-grass savanna on escarpment bluffs, and shinnery 

(mid-grass prairie with open low and shrubs) along the Canadian River. In the 

planning area, this ecoregion occupies portions of the Oklahoma and Texas 

panhandles and a portion of southern-central Kansas.

Central Great Plains (27). The Central Great Plains are slightly lower, 

receive more precipitation, and are somewhat more irregular than the High 

Plains (25) to the west. Once a grassland with scattered low trees and shrubs in 

the south, much of this ecological region is now cropland. In the planning area, it

occupies much of central Oklahoma and Kansas and a portion of north-central 

Texas. 

Flint Hills (28). The Flint Hills is a region of rolling hills, with relatively narrow 

steep valleys. It is composed of shale and cherty limestone with rocky soils. In 

contrast to surrounding ecological regions that are mostly in cropland, most of 

the Flint Hills region is grazed by cattle. The Flint Hills mark the western edge of 

the tall-grass prairie and contain the largest remaining intact tall-grass prairie in 

the Great Plains. In the planning area, this ecoregion occupies a portion of 

eastern Kansas and a small area of northeast Oklahoma. 

Cross Timbers (29). The Cross Timbers ecoregion is a transition area. It is

between what was once prairie and is now winter wheat-growing regions to the 
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west and the forested low mountains or hills of eastern Oklahoma and Texas. 

Transitional “cross-timbers” (little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium] grassland 

with scattered blackjack oak [Quercus marilandica] and post oak [Q. stellata]) is 

the native vegetation. Rangeland and pastureland comprise the predominant land 

cover, with some areas of woodland. Oil extraction has been a major activity in 

this region for over eighty years. In the planning area, this ecoregion occupies a 

portion of central Oklahoma and north-central Texas and a small area in 

southeast Kansas. 

Edwards Plateau (30). This ecoregion is largely a dissected limestone plateau 

that is hillier in the south and east, where it is easily distinguished from 

bordering ecological regions by a sharp fault line. The region contains a sparse 

network of perennial streams. Due to karst topography and resultant 

underground drainage, the streams are relatively clear and cool, compared to 

those of surrounding areas. Originally covered by juniper-oak savanna and 

mesquite-oak savanna, most of the region is used for grazing beef cattle, sheep, 

goats, and wildlife. This ecoregion is limited to south-central Texas. 

Southern Texas Plains (31). This rolling to moderately dissected plain was 

once covered with grassland and savanna vegetation that varied during wet and 

dry cycles. Following long, continued grazing and fire suppression, thorny brush, 

such as mesquite, is now the predominant vegetation type. Also known as the 

Tamualipan thornscrub (or “the brush country,” as it is called locally), the subhumid to dry region has its greatest extent in Mexico. It is generally lower in 

elevation and with warmer winters than the Chihuahuan Deserts (24) to the

northwest. It contains a high and distinct diversity of plant and animal life. Oil 

and natural gas production are widespread. This ecoregion is limited to southcentral Texas.

Texas Blackland Prairies (32). The Texas Blackland Prairies form a disjunct 

ecological region, distinguished from surrounding regions by its fine-textured, 

clayey soils and predominantly prairie potential natural vegetation. This region 

now contains a higher percentage of cropland than adjacent regions; pasture and 

forage production for livestock is common. Large areas of the region are being 

converted to urban and industrial uses. This ecoregion is limited to eastern 

Texas.

East-Central Texas Plains (33). Also called the Post Oak Savanna or the 

Claypan Area, this region of irregular plains was originally covered by post oak 

savanna vegetation. This is in contrast to the more open prairie-type regions to 

the north, south, and west and the pine forests to the east. Many areas have a 

dense, underlying clay pan, affecting water movement and available moisture for 

plant growth. The bulk of this ecoregion is now used for pasture and range. It is 

limited to eastern Texas and a small portion of southeast Oklahoma.
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Western Gulf Coastal Plain (34). The principal distinguishing characteristics 

of the Western Gulf Coastal Plain are its relatively flat coastal plain topography 

and mainly grassland potential natural vegetation. Urban and industrial land uses 

have expanded greatly in recent decades, and oil and gas production is common. 

This ecoregion is limited to southern Texas.

South Central Plains (35). Locally termed the “piney woods,” this region of 

mostly irregular plains represents the western edge of the southern coniferous 

forest belt. Once blanketed by a mix of pine and hardwood forests, much of the 

region is now in loblolly (Pinus taeda) and shortleaf pine (P. echinata) plantations. 

Only about one sixth of the region is cropland, primarily in the Red River 

floodplain, while about two thirds of the region is forests and woodland. This 

ecoregion is limited to eastern Texas and a small portion of southeast 

Oklahoma.

Ouachita Mountains (36). The Ouachita Mountains ecological region is made 

up of sharply defined east-west trending ridges, formed through erosion of 

compressed sedimentary rock formations. The Ouachita Mountains are 

structurally different than the Boston Mountains (38), more folded and rugged 

than the lithologically distinct Ozark Highlands (39), and physiographically unlike 

the Arkansas Valley (37) and South Central Plains (35). Potential natural 

vegetation is oak-hickory (Carya spp.)-pine forest, which contrasts with the oakhickory forest that dominates the Ozark Highlands (39) and the northern part 

of the Boston Mountains (38). Most of this region is now in loblolly and 

shortleaf pine plantations. This ecoregion is limited to southeastern Oklahoma.

Arkansas Valley (37). A region of mostly forested valleys and ridges, the 

physiography of the Arkansas Valley is much less irregular than that of the 

Boston Mountains (38) to the north and the Ouachita Mountains (36) to the 

south; it is more irregular than the ecological regions to the west and east. This 

ecoregion is limited to southeastern Oklahoma.

Boston Mountains (38). The Boston Mountains contrast with the nearby 

Ouachita Mountains (36) region, which is composed of folded and faulted linear 

ridges and is mostly covered by pine forests. The Boston Mountains ecological 

region consists of a deeply dissected sandstone and shale plateau, originally 

covered by oak-hickory forests. Red oak (Quercus rubra), white oak (Q. alba), 

and hickory remain the dominant vegetation in this region, although shortleaf 

pine and eastern red cedar are found in many of the lower areas and on some 

south- and west-facing slopes. This ecoregion is limited to eastern Oklahoma.

Ozark Highlands (39). The Ozark Highlands ecoregion has a more irregular 

physiography and is generally more forested than adjacent regions, with the 

exception of the Boston Mountains (38) to the south. Soils are mostly derived 

from cherty carbonate rocks. Karst features, including caves, springs, and springfed streams, are found throughout most of the Ozark Highlands. Most of the 
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region is forested; oak is the predominant forest type, but mixed stands of oak 

and pine are also common. This ecoregion is limited to northeast Oklahoma, 

with a very small portion in southeast Kansas.

Central Irregular Plains (40). The Central Irregular Plains have a mix of land 

use and are topographically more irregular than the Western Corn Belt Plains 

(47) to the north, where most of the land is in crops. The region, however, is 

less irregular and less forested than the ecoregions to the south and east. The 

potential natural vegetation of this ecological region is a grassland/forest mosaic,

with wider forested strips along the streams, compared to the Western Corn 

Belt Plains (47) to the north. This ecoregion is limited to eastern Oklahoma and 

Kansas.

Western Corn Belt Plains (47). Once mostly covered with tall-grass prairie, 

over 80 percent of the Western Corn Belt Plains is now cropland, and much of 

the remainder is forage for livestock. Agricultural practices have contributed to 

environmental issues, including surface and groundwater contamination from 

fertilizer and pesticide applications, as well as concentrated livestock 

production. This ecoregion is limited to a portion of northeast Kansas and 

southeast Nebraska.

2.1.2 Draft Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment

The Draft Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment (REA; Assal et 

al. 2015) area encompasses nearly 180 million acres in the south-central United 

States, within portions of five states: the northern Texas panhandle, western 

Oklahoma, eastern New Mexico, eastern Colorado, and western Kansas. The 

area includes three ecoregions as defined by Omernik (1987), which coincide 

with the EPA level III ecoregions described above: the Central Great Plains, the 

High Plains or Western High Plains, and the Southwestern Tablelands. 

The REA identifies 19 conservation elements, which are ecological resources of 

concern (Assal et al. 2015). This includes six ecological community conservation 

elements: mixed-grass prairie, short-grass prairie, riparian areas and wetlands, 

playas and saline lakes, lakes and reservoirs, and prairie streams and rivers. 

These conservation elements are described in detail in the draft REA.

2.2 DESCRIPTION OF HABITAT/VEGETATION TYPES

General habitats, which are those that are neither rare nor sensitive, in each 

state are described in the state wildlife action plan (ODWC 2005; Wasson et al. 

2005; TPWD 2012). In Oklahoma, ODWC (2005) identifies broad regions and 

lists conservation landscapes in each region. In Kansas, Wasson et al. (2005) 

follows a similar convention and divides the state into broad conservation 

regions, listing general habitats in each conservation region. In Texas, TPWD 

(2012) describes natural communities that occur in the state, organized into 

broad habitat types, such as desert scrub, grassland, and forest. In Nebraska, the 

state wildlife action plan describes the various ecoregions within the state, and 
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identifies biologically unique landscapes within those regions (Schneider et al. 

2011). Descriptions of general habitats can be found in the four states’ plans.

2.2.1 Sensitive Habitat or Vegetation Communities in the Planning Area

In addition to the general habitats described in their wildlife action plans, each 

state designates high conservation priority or key (i.e., rare or sensitive) habitats 

or communities. These rare or sensitive habitat types are also described in each 

state’s wildlife action plan or by their natural heritage inventories. 

In Oklahoma, sensitive habitats are called key habitats, and several key habitats 

are described for each broad region in the state (ODWC 2005). 

A similar convention exists in the Kansas plan (Wasson et al. 2005), whereby 

key habitats are described for each larger region in the state. Additionally, the 

Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory maintains a list of rare natural communities 

in the state (KNHI 2012a); rare natural communities are defined by the 

NatureServe conservation status system (NatureServe, n.d.). 

In Texas, rare natural community types are also given a status ranking according 

to NatureServe (n.d.); approximately 200 rare natural communities are included 

in the TPWD (2012).

In Nebraska, biologically unique landscapes are identified, based on the 

occurrence of at-risk species and natural communities (Schneider et al. 2011).

Oklahoma

Oklahoma designates key habitats in its Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation 

Strategy (ODWC 2005). Key habitats were prioritized by considering the 

uniqueness of each in the wider ecological region (e.g., short-grass prairie 

region, tall-grass prairie region, and cross-timbers region). Another priority was

the number, uniqueness, and endemism of species of greatest conservation need 

within each key habitat. Once evaluated, habitats were given a ranking of very 

high, high, or moderate to reflect conservation priority. Very high-ranked key 

habitats within each wider conservation region are briefly discussed below; full 

descriptions can be found in ODWC (2005), along with descriptions of high and 

moderate ranked habitats.

Short-Grass Prairie. This habitat is in the short-grass prairie region, where it 

is the most abundant habitat type; it is rated very high for conservation priority. 

Short-grass prairies are composed of the herbaceous plant associations of 

sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), blue grama, and buffalo grass on welldrained soils or rocky slopes; blue grama/hairy grama (Bouteloua hirsuta) on 

loamy or sandy soils; and blue grama and buffalo grass on clay soils. As much as 

747,399 acres of short-grass prairie may remain in Oklahoma, but this is less 

than half of what was there historically. Much of the original short-grass prairie 
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has been converted to crop production, particularly dryland wheat or irrigated 

corn, soybeans, or alfalfa. 

Mixed-Grass Prairie. Historically, this is the most widespread and common 

habitat type found in the mixed-grass prairie region, where it is rated very high

for conservation priority. Mixed-grass prairie plant associations are little 

bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)/Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans); little 

bluestem/sideoats grama/blue grama; little bluestem/big bluestem (Andropogon 

gerardi); and little bluestem/hairy grama. Much of the historic mixed-grass prairie 

in the region has been converted to other land uses, especially cropland and 

introduced pasture. Nearly four million acres of mixed-grass prairie is thought 

to remain, but this is less than 40 percent of the historic acreage. Mixed-grass 

prairie has been altered by fire suppression, heavy year-round grazing, 

introduced grasses and forbs, and Eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana)

expansion.

Tall-Grass Prairie. This habitat occurs in the tall-grass prairie region where it 

is the most abundant habitat type; it is rated very high for conservation priority. 

Tall-grass prairies are herbaceous plant communities dominated by four 

common, tall grass species: big bluestem, Indian grass, switchgrass (Panicum 

virgatum), and little bluestem. The structure of this habitat type is maintained by 

natural fires that limit the growth of woody plant species and favor grasses and 

some forbs (flowering plants other than grass). All four of the dominant grass 

species are present in most tall-grass prairie sites; however, big bluestem and 

Indian grass tend to be most prevalent in mesic sites, while big bluestem and 

little bluestem are most common on drier sites. In mesic loamy soils, such as 

those found in floodplains and bottomlands, switchgrass and big bluestem are 

often the dominant grasses. 

Shinnery Oak Shrubland. Shinnery oak shrubland habitat is unique to the 

mixed-grass prairie region, where it is rated very high for conservation priority. 

It occurs locally on sandy soils and stabilized dunes. Duck and Fletcher (1944) 

estimated that nearly 750,000 acres of shinnery oak shrublands historically 

occurred in Oklahoma. Peterson and Boyd (1998) estimated that more than 

100,000 acres of this had been converted to other cover types, primarily crop 

fields and introduced pastures. Shinnery oak shrubland is a climax plant 

community in which shrubs and grasses are codominant. Harvard oak (Quercus

harvardii), also known as shinnery oak, is the dominant shrub, though sand 

sagebrush (Artemesia filifolia), sand plum (Prunus angustifolia), and netleaf 

hackberry (Celtis reticularia) are also common. Dominant grasses are sand 

dropseed (Sporobolus cryptandrus) and little bluestem. Harvard (i.e., shinnery) 

oak is a low shrub usually less than six feet tall that develops a massive system 

of underground stems and a deep root system. A single individual may have over 

100 aboveground stems, each appearing to be a single small shrub and spreading 

10 to 50 feet in diameter (Muller 1951). 
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Sand Sagebrush/Bluestem Shrubland. Sand sagebrush shrublands are found 

locally in the mixed-grass prairie region, where they are ranked very high for 

conservation priority. They occur on deep sandy soils and stabilized dunes. Sand 

sagebrush is typically found growing in association with sand dropseed and little 

bluestem. 

Pinyon Pine/Juniper Woodland or Savannah. In Oklahoma, this habitat 

type is unique to the short-grass prairie region, where it is rated very high for 

conservation priority. It is found on rocky soils in the Black Mesa area, in the 

northwestern corner of the Oklahoma panhandle. The dominant woody plants 

in this woodland community are one-seeded juniper (Juniper monosperma) and 

pinyon pine. The understory of this woodland is dominated by the short grasses 

sideoats grama, hairy grama, blue grama, and buffalo grass. 

Shortleaf Pine/Oak Woodland or Savannah. This is an uncommon and 

locally occurring plant community that is typically found on slopes with a 

southern or western aspect in the Ouachita Mountains. The shortleaf pine 

savannah and woodland habitat type is a plant community that relies on frequent 

fire to suppress oaks and to reduce the density of pines. The understory in this 

habitat type is dominated by grasses and forbs, particularly little bluestem, 

narrowleaf woodoats (Chasmanthium sessiliflorum), panic grasses (Dichanthelium 

spp.), pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), beebalm (Monarda russeliana), 

and elmleaf goldenrod (Solidago ulmifolia). Understory shrub density is related to 

fire frequency. Much of this habitat has changed, as a result of fire suppression 

and succession, to mixed shortleaf pine/oak forest or has been converted to 

industrial pine plantations.

Bottomland Hardwood Forest. This plant community is found locally in the 

floodplains of rivers and large streams. A large percentage of this habitat, 

possibly over 50 percent, has been either converted to agricultural uses (e.g., 

crop fields or introduced pasture) or is permanently inundated by the 

construction of reservoirs. Bottomland hardwood forests are diverse plant 

communities, and their species composition varies with soil conditions and 

flooding frequency and duration. Most bottomland hardwood forests are 

dominated by oak species, such as water oak (Quercus nigra), willow oak (Q. 

phellos), and Shumard oak (Q. shumardii). Other common deciduous trees are 

black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), red maple (Acer 

rubra), and sugarberry (Celtis laevigata). Common understory vegetation is 

American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), parsley hawthorn (Crataegus 

marshallii), deciduous holly (Ilex decidua), and spicebush (Lindera benzoin).

White Oak/Hickory Mesic Forest. White oak/hickory mesic forest is 

restricted to the Ouachita Mountains. It occurs locally on sites with favorable 

moisture and soil conditions, such as the north-facing slopes of the larger 

mountain ridges and in narrow sheltered ravines. This habitat is considered a 

late-successional forest type and is maintained by infrequent small-scale 
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disturbances, such as high winds and glaze storms (freezing rain storms). Mesic 

forests have a high diversity of tree species and often have well developed 

canopies, mid-stories, and understories. Dominant canopy trees are white oak, 

northern red oak, and mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa). 

Small and Large Rivers, Sloughs, and Ponds. Small rivers are rated very 

high for conservation priority in the tall-grass prairie region, where two small 

rivers occur, the Caney and Verdigris. Small rivers are also rated very high for 

conservation priority in the cross-timbers region. Small rivers in this region are

all or a portion of four tributaries to the Red River (the Washita, Blue, Clear 

Boggy, and Muddy Boggy Rivers) and two tributaries in the Arkansas River 

system (the Little and Deep Fork Rivers). Each of these is a low-gradient river 

that meanders through a broad predominately forested floodplain and lacks the 

dynamic mosaic of ephemeral disturbance-maintained habitats associated with 

large rivers, such as sandbars, mudflats, scoured bends, and sandbar willow 

thickets. 

Five small rivers are found in the Ouachita Mountains, Arkansas Valley, and the 

Western Gulf Mid Coastal Plain Region. Each river originates in the Ouachita 

Mountains. One then flows north to the Arkansas River (Poteau River) or south 

to eventually enter the Red River (the Kiamichi, Little, Glover, and Mountain 

Fork). Two additional small rivers in the Ozark region are also rated very high 

for conservation priority, the Spring and Illinois Rivers. Their upper reaches are 

relatively shallow, clear, and fast moving, with a channel substrate of cobble or 

bedrock. The lower reaches of these rivers are relatively turbid and slow 

moving and meander over a sandy or silty substrate in broad forested 

floodplains. 

Large rivers are rated very high for conservation priority in the cross-timbers 

region. Portions of five large rivers pass through this region: the Arkansas, 

Cimarron, North Canadian, Canadian, and Red Rivers. Each has a seasonal 

period of high flow during the spring. This is followed by a period of much 

lower flow during the summer, which maintains a dynamic mosaic of ephemeral 

habitats, such as sandbars, mudflats, sandbar willow thickets, and marshy 

sloughs. These habitats are found along and within river channels that depend 

on periodic scouring flows. 

Gypsum or Sandstone Canyonlands and Caves. This habitat type occurs 

on hilly dissected uplands where layers of brick-red shales, sandstones, and 

interbedded grayish gypsum are exposed at or near the earth’s surface. The 

thin, dry, calcareous soils overlying these rock layers support a unique 

community of low stature, drought-tolerant prairie grasses and forbs, including 

little bluestem and hairy grama. Years of erosion have carved out canyons, 

buttes, and mesas, while groundwater movement has dissolved gypsum to 

create numerous caves.
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Limestone Caves and Springs. Much of the Ozark Region in Oklahoma is 

underlain by the Springfield Plateau, a formation of porous limestone with deep 

fissures that is often referred to as karst. Slightly acidic groundwater moves 

through the fissures and cracks in the limestone, dissolving or eroding 

subterranean stream channels and caves. Because of its geology, the Ozark 

Region contains many complex systems of interconnected aquifers, caves, 

sinkholes, and springs; these systems in turn support diverse subterranean 

communities of salamanders, bats, Ozark cavefish, cave crayfish, and other caveor aquifer-dwelling invertebrates. The distribution and biological composition of 

caves is poorly known and in need of further investigation. 

Additional high-ranked conservation landscapes are described in ODWC 

(2005). These are sand plum, hawthorne, and sumac shrubland, sand 

sagebrush/bluestem shrubland, post oak/blackjack oak/hickory woodlands and 

forests, shortleaf pine woodland and forest, mesic loblolly pine/oak forest, 

herbaceous wetlands, and sandstone canyonlands. Conservation landscapes 

ranked as moderate are also discussed in ODWC (2005).

Kansas

Kansas also designates key habitats in its Comprehensive Wildlife Plan (Wasson 

et al. 2005). They are identified within each larger conservation region of the 

state (e.g., short-grass prairie, mixed-grass prairie, and tall-grass prairie 

conservation regions) and are based on the land cover types in the Final Report 

of the Kansas GAP Analysis Project (Wasson et al. 2005). Key habitats are 

discussed below.

Short-Grass Prairie. Short-grass prairie is found primarily in the western 

third of the state, in the larger short-grass prairie conservation region, where it 

is the dominant habitat type. This habitat type is described in detail above.

Mixed-Prairie. Mixed-prairie habitat is found primarily in the Smoky Hill and 

High Plains areas of the state, in the central mixed-grass prairie conservation 

region. This habitat type is described in detail above. Its quality and quantity are

declining in the region.

Tall-Grass Prairie. Tall-grass prairie habitat is a core habitat in need of special 

emphasis in the eastern tall-grass prairie conservation region. The largest 

remaining undisturbed tracts of this habitat occur in the Flint Hill Uplands area. 

This habitat type is described in detail above. Its quality and quantity are

declining in the region.

Sand Prairie. Sand prairie habitat is found in well-drained sand soils in the 

Arkansas River lowlands, the Red Hills, the Smoky Hills, and the WellingtonMcPherson lowlands, which are in the central mixed grass prairie conservation 

region. Sand bluestem (Andropogon hallii) is the dominant grass. The quality and 

quantity of this habitat is declining in the region.
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Sandsage Shrubland. Sandsage shrubland is found primarily in the 

southwestern portion of the state, within the larger short-grass prairie 

conservation region. Sandsage (Artemisia filifolia) is the dominant shrub. 

Additional dominant grasses are sand bluestem and sandreed grass (Calamovilfa 

longifolia). Sandsage shrubland is declining in both quantity and quality in the 

region.

Deciduous Forest. Deciduous forest habitat in the eastern tall-grass prairie 

conservation region is typically composed of sugar maple (Acer saccharum)-

American basswood (Tilia americana) forest, white oak and chinkapin oak 

(Quercus muehlenbergii) forest, and other mixed deciduous trees, including 

cottonwood, black willow (Salix nigra), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), Osage orange 

(Maclura pomifera), and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos). 

Herbaceous Wetland. Playa lakes are the dominant herbaceous wetlands of 

the short-grass prairie conservation region. Playa lakes are shallow, clay-lined, 

ephemeral wetlands. Because rainfall is the only source of water, playa lakes go 

through a wet-dry cycle each year. Herbaceous wetland habitat in the shortgrass prairie conservation region is composed of several wetland alliances: blue 

mudplantain (Heteranthera limosa) or barnyard grass (Echinochloa spp.)-

smartweed (Polygonum spp.) playa lakes, low or wet prairie cordgrass (Spartina 

pectinata) prairie, freshwater marsh dominated by cattail (Typha spp.), tules 

(Scirpus spp.), or rushes (Juncus spp.), and bulrush (Scirpus pungens) marsh. 

The quality of herbaceous wetland habitat in the region is unknown and the 

quantity is declining. In the central mixed-grass prairie conservation region, 

herbaceous wetlands are composed of spikerush (Eleocharis spp.) and other 

playa lake habitats, low or wet prairie, and freshwater cattail marsh. The quality 

and quantity of this habitat are both declining. In the eastern tall-grass prairie 

conservation region, herbaceous wetlands are generally composed of low or 

wet prairie and freshwater and cattail marsh. Common wetland species are 

softstem bulrush (Scirpus validus), cattails, bulrushes, ragweeds (Ambrosia spp.), 

sorrels (Rumex spp.), prairie cordgrass, spikerushes, and sedges (Carex spp.). 

Wetlands are generally located in the floodplains along rivers and streams, in 

swales associated with rivers, or as margins of lakes and impoundments. These 

are mostly seasonal and permanent wetlands.

Riparian Corridor Complex. Riparian corridors in the short-grass and 

central mixed-grass prairie conservation regions typically depend on 

intermittent flows, due to the lowering water table and surface water 

withdrawal for human uses. These systems are found in rivers, streams, and 

tributaries in the Arkansas, Smoky Hill, Saline, Solomon, and Republican River 

basins in western Kansas. Dominant plant species are cottonwood (Populus 

deltoides), American elm (Ulmus americana), hackberry (Celtis occidentalis), 

maples, and willows. In the eastern portion of the state, these systems occur in 

the Neosho, Missouri, Verdigris, Eastern Arkansas, Kansas, and Marais des 
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Cygnes River basins. Deciduous floodplain (riparian) systems on these rivers are 

typically composed of pecan (Carya illinoiensis), bur oak (Quercus macrocarpa), 

green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), American elm, cottonwood, sugar maple, river 

birch (Betula nigra), and hackberry.

Texas

The Texas Rare Plant Community List defines 210 natural community types—

152 upland types and 58 wetland types—which are declining throughout the 

state. The list was developed for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s revised 

Texas Conservation Action Plan (TPWD 2012). Communities are ranked using 

a conservation status system established by NatureServe (NatureServe, n.d.). 

Each community type possesses a global (range-wide) and state rank, based on 

their respective rarity. The conservation status of a plant community is 

designated by a number from one to five, preceded by a letter reflecting the 

appropriate geographic scale (G=Global, S=State). Numbers have the following 

meaning: 1—Critically imperiled, 2—Imperiled, 3—Vulnerable, 4—Apparently 

secure, and 5—Secure. Generally, those communities with a S3 (vulnerable in 

the state) ranking or lower are included on the rare plant community list. 

Rare plant communities identified by TPWD (2012) are not included in this 

document due to the large number in the state. Instead, lists and descriptions of 

specific rare communities can be found in Texas’s plan (TPWD 2012). In 

general, priority habitats addressed in the Texas Conservation Action Plan 

include native grasslands, surface waters (rivers, streams, swamps, estuaries, and 

wetlands, including playas, springs, seeps, and bogs), groundwater, riparian and 

floodplains, and caves and karst.

Native grasslands, which are considered to be among the most vulnerable 

habitats in Texas, are highly fragmented, compromised in quality, or located in 

small dispersed patches. Native grasslands are highly desired for livestock 

grazing. Most are heavily impacted by conversion to crop agriculture, nonnative

pasture, urban development, overgrazing, nonnative and native problematic 

plant invasion, and other threats.

Wetlands and springs support many special status and common plant and 

wildlife species across the state, and plant communities surrounding these 

features are highly specialized and unique. Springs are very sensitive to human 

and livestock disturbance and groundwater impacts. Wetlands are incredibly 

diverse habitats in Texas, and include desert cienegas (a swamp or marsh 

formed and fed by springs), plains playas, forested bottomlands, bogs and fens, 

and freshwater and saltwater marshes. 

Wetlands at the highest risk may be those considered non-jurisdictional and 

isolated. These are not protected under any regulation and typically are some of 

the unique and most important wetlands, disconnected from river and stream 

systems as stand-alone features, such as playas, some bogs, and fens. Rare 
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riparian plant communities in Texas include woodlands and forests dominated 

by Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii), velvet ash, Goodding’s willow (Salix 

gooddingii), netleaf hackberry, little walnut (Juglans microcarpa), American 

sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), and Edward’s Plateau bald cypress (Taxodium 

disticum).

Nebraska

Within Nebraska, four biologically unique landscapes occur within Richardson 

County as described in the state wildlife action plan. Other biologically unique 

landscapes occur within the state of Nebraska; however, those which occur 

outside the planning area are not discussed.

Southeast Prairies. This landscape includes the rolling hills of western 

Richardson, Pawnee, southern Johnson, and southern Gage counties. The land 

cover is primarily cropland, but there are also many tall-grass prairie remnants 

dominated by big bluestem and Indian grass and reseeded native and exotic 

grasses.

Missouri River. This landscape include the Missouri River channel, floodplain, 

and bluffs from the Nebraska/Kansas border to the Nebraska/South Dakota 

border. The Missouri River drains approximately 529,350 square miles of land, 

including the entire state of Nebraska (Schneider et al. 2011).

Rulo Bluffs. The Rulo Bluffs landscape includes the steep bluffs of the Missouri 

River in Richardson County. The majority of the bluffs support eastern 

deciduous forest of oaks, hickories, and brasswood. Due to its location in 

extreme southeastern Nebraska, this landscape this landscape has a high 

diversity of eastern deciduous forest plant and animal species (Schneider et al. 

2011). 

Indian Cave Bluffs. This landscape includes the steep bluffs of the Missouri 

River in Nemaha and Richardson Counties. This area supports an eastern 

deciduous forest of oaks, hickories and brasswood. Tall-grass prairie remnants 

still occur on some bluff tops and south- and west-facing slopes. These have 

been greatly reduced in size and degraded over the years by shrub and tree 

encroachment resulting from lack of wildfires. 

2.2.2 Noxious Weeds and Invasive Species

Both noxious and nonnative invasive plants have the potential to impact the 

ecological integrity of region. For this reason, both noxious and nonnative

invasive plants are discussed in this section.

Noxious Weeds

Noxious weeds can directly or indirectly injure or damage crops, livestock, or 

other interests of agriculture, irrigation, navigation, natural resources, or public 
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health. Noxious weeds designated by Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Nebraska

are summarized in Table 2-2 and are described below.

Table 2-2

Noxious Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name 

(Synonym) Common Name Noxious in Oklahoma?

Noxious 

in Kansas?

Noxious 

in Texas?

Noxious 

in 

Nebraska?

Acroptilon repens Russian knapweed — NW — —

Alhagi maurorum (A. 

camelorum)

Camelthorn — — NP —

Alternanthera 

philoxeroides Alligatorweed — — NP —

Ambrosia grayi Bur ragweed — NW — —

Arundo donax Giant reed — — NP —

Calystegia sepium Hedge bindweed — — NP —

Cardaria draba Hoary cress — NW — —

Cardiospermum 

halicacabum Balloonvine — — NP —

Carduus acanthoides Plumeless thistle — — — NW

Carduus nutans

Musk thistle, 

nodding plumeless 

thistle

NW NW — NW

Centaurea biebersteinii Spotted knapweed — — — NW

Centaurea diffusa Diffuse knapweed — — — NW

Cirsium arvense Canada thistle NW NW — NW

C. vulgare Bull thistle — CO — —

Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed — NW NP —

Cuscuta japonica Japanese dodder — — NP —

Eichhornia azurea Rooted water

hyacinth — — NP —

E. crassipes Floating water

hyacinth — — NP —

Elymus repens (Agropyron 

r.) Quackgrass — NW — —

Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge — NW — NW

Hoffmannseggia glauca Pignut, hog potato — NW — —

Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla — — NP —

Ipomoea aquatica Water spinach — — NP —

Lagarosiphon major Lagarosiphon — — NP —

Landoltia punctata

(Spirodelta oligorrhiza)

Giant duckweed — — NP —

Lespedeza cuneata Sericea lespedeza — NW — —

Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife — — NP NW

Melaleuca quinquenervia Paperbark — — NP —

Myriophyllum spicatum Eurasian water 

milfoil — — NP —

Nassella trichotoma Serrated tussock — — NP —
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Russian knapweed (Acroptilon repens), Kansas noxious weed. Russian 

knapweed is a perennial plant in the sunflower family that reproduces by 

vegetative shoots from rhizomes. Plants exhibit allelopathic effects (release of 

toxic substances to suppress other plant species) and are aggressively 

competitive, facilitating rapid colonization and development of dense stands. 

Infestations can be extremely long lived due to extensive root and rhizome 

systems. Russian knapweed is toxic to horses, causing chewing disease when 

sufficient quantities are consumed. Under most circumstances livestock avoid 

grazing Russian knapweed because of its bitter taste.

Camelthorn (Alhagi maurorum = A. camelorum), Texas noxious plant. 

Camelthorn is a perennial shrub in the pea family. It is deep rooted and 

rhizomatous, with roots that can extend six to seven feet into the ground. 

Reproduction is mostly by vegetative clones from rhizomes, or occasionally 

from seed. Camelthorn is unpalatable and injurious to some animals. It occurs 

principally in deep moist soil, but it also occurs in dry, rocky, or saline soils. The 

plant is especially abundant along riverbanks, canals, and irrigation ditches, 

where infestations can become extremely dense. 

Table 2-2

Noxious Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name 

(Synonym) Common Name Noxious in Oklahoma?

Noxious 

in Kansas?

Noxious 

in Texas?

Noxious 

in 

Nebraska?

Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle NW — — —

Orobanche ramosa Branched broom

rape

— — NP —

Panicum repens Torpedo grass — — NP —

Pistia stratiotes Water lettuce — — NP —

Pueraria lobata Kudzu — NW NP —

Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose — CO — —

Rottboellia cochinchinensis Itchgrass — — NP —

Salvinia spp. Salvinia — — NP —

Schinus terebinthifolus Brazilian 

peppertree

— — NP —

Solanum viarum Tropical soda apple — — NP —

Sorghum halepense Johnson grass — NW — —

Tamarix spp. Saltcedar — — NP NW

Triadica sebifera (Sapium 

sebiferum)

Chinese tallow tree — — NP —

Sources: NRCS 2014a, 2014b, 2014c, 2014d; KDA 2014; OSU 2012

Noxious Weed Codes: 

NW—Oklahoma, Kansas, or Nebraska noxious weed

NP—Texas noxious plant 

CO—Kansas county option (each county in the state has the option to list the weed as noxious).
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Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), Texas noxious plant. 

Alligatorweed is a perennial plant in the amaranth family. It is an emergent or 

rooted floating invasive that invades aquatic areas throughout the southern 

portions of the United States. Alligatorweed reproduces vegetatively (a form of 

asexual reproduction) from stolons; each node or fragment with a node is 

capable of producing a new plant. Plants are highly competitive and have rapid 

growth rates. The thick mats can displace native vegetation, clog waterways, 

restrict dissolved oxygen, increase sedimentation, interfere with irrigation, and 

prevent drainage.

Bur ragweed (Ambrosia grayi), Kansas noxious weed. Bur ragweed is a 

perennial plant in the sunflower family. It reproduces by underground rootstock and seed. New infestations result from portions of roots or seed 

transported by tilling machinery. The occurrence of new infestations of bur 

ragweed can be reduced by preventing the spread of rootstock and seeds. 

Giant reed (Arundo donax), Texas noxious plant. Giant reed is a perennial 

woody grass in the grass family. Its fleshy, creeping rootstocks form compact 

masses from which tough, fibrous roots emerge that penetrate deeply into the 

soil. Giant reed can float miles downstream, where root and stem fragments 

may take root and initiate new infestations. Giant reed chokes riversides and 

stream channels, crowds out native plants, interferes with flood control, and 

reduces habitat for wildlife. The long, fibrous, interconnecting root mats of giant 

reed form a framework for debris dams behind bridges, culverts, and other 

structures that lead to damage. It ignites easily and can create intense fires.

Hedge bindweed (Calystegia sepium), Texas noxious plant. Hedge 

bindweed is a perennial vine in the morning glory family. It reproduces primarily 

by rhizomes and prefers moist soil, especially along river bottoms and coastal 

marshes, where it competes with the native plants for water, nutrients, and 

light. It can climb on and smother native vegetation.

Hoary cress (Cardaria draba), Kansas noxious weed. Hoary cress is a 

perennial plant in the mustard family. It reproduces from an extensive root 

system, rhizomes, and seeds. New infestations may be reduced by planting 

weed-free seed, using livestock feeding materials free of hoary cress seed, and 

cleaning machinery before leaving infested areas.

Balloonvine (Cardiospermum halicacabum), Texas noxious plant.

Balloonvine is an annual or perennial vine in the soapberry family. It reproduces 

by seed, and the lightweight seedpods are dispersed by wind and water. 

Balloonvine is a weed of disturbed ground, especially in wetland areas or 

riparian corridors, where it can displace native vegetation and reduce habitat for 

wildlife. 
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Plumeless thistle (Cardiospermum halicacabum), Nebraska noxious 

weed. Plumeless thistle is an invasive broadleaf weed, which often colonizes 

overgrazed pastures, rangeland, and disturbed sites. Reproduction is by seed, 

and the plant relies on wind or pollinating insects for pollination.

Musk thistle (Carduus nutans), Oklahoma noxious weed, Kansas 

noxious weed, Nebraska noxious weed. Musk thistle, or nodding plumeless 

thistle, is a biennial or perennial plant in the sunflower family. It reproduces by 

seed; a single flower head may produce 1,200 seeds and a single plant up to 

120,000 seeds, which may be windblown for miles. Seed may remain viable in 

the soil for over ten years, making it a difficult plant to control. Selective grazing 

leads to severe degradation of native meadows and grasslands; this is because

wildlife focus their foraging on native plants, giving musk thistle a competitive 

advantage. Meadows, prairies, grassy balds (non-forested blunt mountain top 

areas), and other open areas are especially susceptible to invasion.

Spotted knapweed (Centaurea biebersteinii), Nebraska noxious weed. 

Spotted knapweed is a biennial or perennial plant which invades a variety of 

open habitats including open forests, shale, serpentine and other barrens, 

meadows, prairies, old fields and disturbed areas. Seeds are dispersed by wind.

Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), Nebraska noxious weed. Diffuse 

knapweed is closely related to spotted knapweed, and has become well adapted 

to open habitats. Knapweeds contain chemicals which are undesirable to 

livestock and potentially reduce the growth of native vegetation. 

Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense), Oklahoma noxious weed, Kansas 

noxious weed, Nebraska noxious weed. Canada thistle is a perennial plant 

in the sunflower family. It reproduces by seeds and by creeping underground 

shoots. New infestations result from portions of roots or seed transported by 

tilling machinery. The occurrence of new infestations of Canada thistle can be 

reduced by planting weed-free seed, using livestock feed free of Canada thistle 

seed, and cleaning equipment before leaving infested fields.

Bull thistle (Cirsium vulgare), Kansas county-option noxious weed. Bull 

thistle is a biennial plant in the sunflower family. The species reproduces solely 

by seed. Bull thistle is a problem in pastures because it competes with and 

decreases desirable forage and has no significant nutritive value for livestock. 

Sharp spines deter livestock, and presumably wildlife, from grazing. Seed 

production and seedling establishment are often enhanced under disturbed 

conditions. 

Field bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis), Kansas noxious weed, Texas 

noxious plant. Field bindweed is a perennial plant in the morning glory family. 

It reproduces by seeds and rootstock. The root system is extensive, extending 

to a depth of 20 to 30 feet. Field bindweed is considered one of the most 
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noxious weeds of agricultural fields throughout temperate regions of the world. 

It may reduce crop yields, increase irrigation costs, and interfere with 

harvesting. Field bindweed is an excellent competitor for soil moisture and 

thrives in dry agricultural systems. New field bindweed infestations result from 

planting crop seed contaminated with bindweed seed or from portions of 

bindweed roots transported by tilling machinery. Seed is carried by birds, on the 

feet of animals, on wheels of machinery, and in drainage water.

Japanese dodder (Cuscuta japonica), Texas noxious plant. Japanese 

dodder is an annual parasitic vine in the dodder family. It reproduces by seeds 

and vegetatively through fragmentation and attachment to a new host plant. 

Japanese dodder parasitizes host plants by penetrating their vascular tissue with 

structures called haustoria. Severe infestations can kill host plants, and Japanese 

dodder also is a threat to such crops as alfalfa, asparagus, and tomatoes. A single 

plant can produce over 2,000 seeds, which can remain viable for up to 20 years. 

Rooted water hyacinth (Eichhornia azurea) and floating water hyacinth 

(Eichornia crassipes), Texas noxious plants. Water hyacinth is a perennial 

herb in the pickerelweed family. Reproduction is through cloning and also by 

seed; clone plants form on rhizomes and produce a dense bed. Plants are highly 

competitive and have rapid growth rates. The thick mats can displace native 

vegetation, clog waterways, restrict dissolved oxygen, increase sedimentation, 

interfere with irrigation, prevent drainage, and provide habitat for disease 

vectors, including mosquitos.

Quackgrass (Elymus repens = Agropyron r.), Kansas noxious weed. 

Quackgrass is a perennial rhizomatous grass. Reproduction is by seeds and 

rhizomes, which can grow at a rate of up to 10 feet per season. It is a highly 

competitive agricultural weed and can significantly reduce crop yields and 

contaminate seed grain crops. Quackgrass has allelopathic toxins that can allow 

it to outcompete the crops or native grasses in the area. Rhizomes are easily 

spread during cultivation and harvesting or by rhizome fragments on equipment.

Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), Kansas noxious weed, Nebraska 

noxious weed. Leafy spurge is a perennial herb in the spurge family. It

reproduces readily by seed and vegetatively from root fragments. Seed can 

remain viable for at least seven years. Leafy spurge displaces native vegetation in 

prairie habitats and fields through shading, by usurping available water and 

nutrients, and through plant toxins that prevent the growth of other plants 

underneath it. Leafy spurge is an aggressive invader and once present can 

completely overtake large areas of open land.

Pignut (Hoffmannseggia glauca), Kansas noxious weed. Pignut, or hog 

potato, is a perennial herb in the pea family that spreads by seed and 

vegetatively by nut-like tubers on the roots. Pignut forms dense colonies, 

especially in bare or disturbed soils. 
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Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), Texas noxious plant. Hydrilla is a perennial 

aquatic herb in the tape-grass family. It commonly reproduces from fragmented 

stems, which readily regrow, forming new clones of the original plant. Hydrilla 

generally roots on the bottom in depths of greater than 20 feet, where water 

clarity is good. It is found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and ditches. It tends 

to form monospecific stands that can cover hundreds of acres. Dense 

underwater stands of hydrilla raise water pH and temperature and lower 

dissolved oxygen. While this often increases the number of fish in general, large 

fish become rarer. Hydrilla promotes mosquito habitat and can affect power 

generation by clogging dams. 

Water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), Texas noxious plant. Water spinach, 

or swamp morning glory, is a perennial vine in the morning glory family. It may 

reproduce either vegetatively or by seed production. Nodes of existing stems 

can easily root and establish new plants. Both stem fragments and seeds are 

easily transported by water to become established in new areas. Water spinach 

can create a variety of problems for fishery management, navigation, irrigation, 

and ecology of native plants.

Lagarosiphon (Lagarosiphon major), Texas noxious plant. Lagarosiphon 

is a rhizomatous, perennial, submerged aquatic herb in the tape-grass family. It is 

fast growing and may totally fill the volume of a large shallow lake up to 10 feet 

deep. It can fill water control channels and can impair fishery management, 

navigation, and ecology of native plants. Under favorable conditions, dense 

growth of the plant can block light penetration into waterways, eliminating 

growth of native water plants and affecting associated populations of aquatic 

invertebrates and vertebrates. If it were to become widespread, control would 

be extremely difficult. 

Giant duckweed (Landoltia punctata = Spirodelta oligorrhiza), Texas 

noxious plant. Giant duckweed is a perennial, aquatic floating herb in the 

duckweed family. Propagation is mainly through vegetative budding of daughter 

fronds from two pouches at the base of the frond. Ecological threats are 

currently not well known, but giant duckweed has the potential to become a 

serious nuisance due to its rapid colonization, easy distribution, and quick 

dispersal rate.

Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), Kansas noxious weed. Sericea 

lespedeza is a perennial subshrub in the pea family that reproduces by sprouting 

at the base of the previous year’s growth and through seed. Sericea lespedeza is 

primarily a threat to open areas, such as meadows, prairies, open woodlands, 

wetland borders, and fields. Once it gains a foothold, it can crowd out native 

plants and develop an extensive seed bank in the soil, ensuring its long residence 

at a site. Established dense stands of lespedeza suppress native flora, and its high 

tannin content makes it unpalatable to native wildlife and livestock.
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Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Texas noxious plant, Nebraska 

noxious weed. Purple loosestrife is a perennial herb in the loosestrife family 

that reproduces through vast quantities of seed. A mature plant can produce up 

to two to three million minute seeds per year. Purple loosestrife also readily 

reproduces vegetatively through underground stems. Purple loosestrife adapts 

readily to natural and disturbed wetlands. As it becomes established and 

expands, it outcompetes and replaces native grasses, sedges, and other 

flowering plants that provide a higher quality source of nutrition for wildlife. The 

highly invasive nature of purple loosestrife allows it to form dense homogeneous 

stands that restrict native wetland plant species and reduce habitat for 

waterfowl.

Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Texas noxious plant. Paperbark, 

or melaleuca, is an evergreen tree in the myrtle family. About three years after 

germination, paperbark trees begin to produce and store copious seeds in 

closed woody capsules. The seeds are stored until some form of stress, such as 

frost, fire, or human-induced injury, including herbicide, causes the capsules to 

open. A mature tree can produce more than a million seeds per year and store 

an estimated 20 million. Paperbark tree is an aggressive invader that spreads 

rapidly, converting native plant communities, such as sawgrass marshes, wet 

prairies, and aquatic sloughs, into impenetrable paperbark thickets. In a single 

year, one paperbark tree can produce a dense island hammock nearly 600 feet 

in diameter.

Eurasian water milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum), Texas noxious plant.

Eurasian water milfoil is a perennial herb in the water milfoil family. Most 

regeneration of Eurasian water milfoil is from rhizomes, fragmented stems, and 

axillary buds that develop throughout the year. Although seeds are usually 

viable, they are not an important means of dispersal. Eurasian milfoil can form 

large floating mats of vegetation on the surface of lakes, rivers, and other water 

bodies, preventing light penetration for native aquatic plants and impeding water 

traffic. The plant thrives in areas that have been subjected to various kinds of 

natural and man-made disturbance.

Serrated tussock (Nassella trichotoma), Texas noxious plant. Serrated 

tussock is a perennial tussock-forming grass. Serrated tussock is similar to 

several native grasses in general appearance, and its seeds are mainly spread by 

wind. Mature plants can produce more than 140,000 seeds per plant per year, 

and the very light seed head can be blown by wind over long distances. It can 

also be spread by humans or animals. It mainly causes problems in grazing lands 

with poor soil fertility and low rainfall, where the benefits of control are 

marginal. Serrated tussock has no grazing value because of its high fiber and low 

protein content. Infestations result in a significant loss in livestock production, 

and dense infestations may completely dominate pasture, making large areas 

incapable of supporting livestock.
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Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium), Oklahoma noxious weed.

Scotch thistle is a biennial herb in the sunflower family. It spreads by seed and 

generally inhabits moist sites or drainages in dry locations. Scotch thistle stands 

are dense and practically impenetrable due to the weed's spiny nature and large 

size. Scotch thistle is a weed problem on western rangeland and produces 

significant economic losses for ranchers.

Branched broomrape (Orobanche ramosa), Texas noxious plant.

Branched broomrape is an annual parasitic herb in the broomrape family. It 

reproduces by seeds, which disperse with human activities, farm machinery, 

water, and wind. Branched broomrape is a worldwide noxious parasite of many 

crops and associated weeds. Heavy infestations can severely damage crops.

Torpedo grass (Panicum repens), Texas noxious plant. Torpedo grass is a 

perennial rhizomatous grass. Torpedo grass is stimulated in its spread by tilling 

and fertilization. It reproduces principally by rhizome extension and 

fragmentation. It quickly forms monocultures that displace native vegetation, 

particularly in or near shallow waters. 

Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes), Texas noxious plant. Water lettuce is a 

perennial herb in the arum family. It invades lakes, ponds, and slow-moving 

streams in tropical, subtropical, and warmer temperate regions. Severe 

infestations block light to the water ecosystem, reduce oxygen levels, increase 

siltation, reduce suitable fish spawning habitat, and restrict water flow and 

boating traffic.

Kudzu (Pueraria lobata), Kansas and Texas noxious plant. Kudzu is a 

perennial vine in the pea family. It reproduces primarily vegetatively by runners 

that root at the nodes. Kudzu kills or degrades other plants by smothering them 

under a solid blanket of leaves, by girdling woody stems and tree trunks, and by 

breaking branches or uprooting entire trees and shrubs through the sheer force 

of its weight. Once established, vines grow rapidly, extending as much as 60 feet 

per season at a rate of about one foot per day, up to 100 feet in length. As 

many as thirty vines may grow from a single root crown. There are multiple 

methods for chemical control of Kudzu; persistent eradication of all roots is the 

key to controlling it. 

Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora), Kansas county-option noxious weed.

Multiflora rose is a perennial shrub in the rose family. Multiflora rose 

reproduces by seed and by forming new plants that root from the tips of arching 

canes that contact the ground. Fruits are readily sought after by birds, which are

the primary dispersers of its seed. It has been estimated that an average 

multiflora rose plant may produce a million seeds per year, which may remain 

viable in the soil for up to twenty years. Germination of multiflora rose seeds is 

enhanced by passing through the digestive tract of birds. Multiflora rose is 

extremely prolific and can form impenetrable thickets that exclude native plant 
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species. This exotic rose readily invades open woodlands, forest edges, 

successional fields, savannas, and prairies that have been subjected to land 

disturbance.

Itchgrass (Rottboellia cochinchinensis), Texas noxious plant. Itchgrass is 

an annual grass that can grow to a height of over 12 feet. It reproduces by seeds 

and rhizomes; seed can be spread from infested areas to uninfested areas by 

birds, flood water, rodents, and farm machinery. Itchgrass is considered a 

serious agricultural weed in soybean, corn, cotton, peanut, upland rice, and 

sugarcane cultivation. 

Salvinia (Salvinia spp.), Texas noxious plant. The genus Salvinia contains 

several weedy annual and perennial herbs in the water fern family. Salvinia is a 

rootless aquatic fern. While it may reproduce via spores as other ferns do, US 

populations more commonly reproduce via budding from both attached nodes 

or broken stems. Dense mats of salvinia shade out native aquatic species and 

reduce dissolved oxygen levels in the water. Agricultural water use is impacted 

as salvinia obstructs intake pipes for irrigation. Recreational fishing and boating 

may be hindered by dense mats. Salvinia thrives in slightly acidic, high nutrient, 

warm, slow-moving freshwater. The species is found in streams, lakes, ponds, 

ditches, and even rice fields. It is resistant to periods of low temperature, 

dewatering, and elevated pH levels.

Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolus), Texas noxious plant.

Brazilian peppertree is a perennial shrub or tree in the sumac family. Plants can 

mature three years after germination and produce a large amount of seeds. 

Brazilian peppertree will also propagate at the base of the plant via adventitious 

buds (buds that develop in places other than at the end of a twig) and from root 

sprouts. The Brazilian peppertree forms dense thickets, shading out native 

grasses and shrubs and taking over native pine forests. 

Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), Texas noxious plant. Tropical 

soda apple is a perennial subshrub in the nightshade family. The sweet smell of 

the fruit attracts livestock and wildlife that eat and spread the seed. Each plant 

can produce approximately 50,000 seeds. It reproduces primarily by seed, but 

can also spread by roots. Tropical soda apple reduces biological diversity in 

natural areas by displacing native plants and disrupting ecological integrity. Plant 

prickles can restrict wildlife grazing and create a physical barrier to animals, 

preventing movement through infested areas. It contains solasodine, which is 

poisonous to humans. This invader also serves as a host for viruses that infect 

important vegetable crops.

Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense), Kansas noxious weed. Johnson grass 

is a perennial rhizomatous grass. Reproduction is through vigorous rhizomes 

and seed dispersal. It grows rapidly, is highly competitive with crops, and can be 

difficult to control. Infestations in crops can reduce harvest yields significantly. 
2. Vegetation and Land Use

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 2-25

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Plants are highly variable, and many regional biotypes exist. Healthy plants can 

provide good forage for livestock. However, the foliage of Johnson grass and 

other sorghums can produce toxic amounts of hydrocyanic acid when exposed 

to frost, stressed by drought, or damaged by trampling or herbicides and may be 

poisonous to livestock when ingested. 

Saltcedar (Tamarix spp.), Texas noxious plant, Nebraska noxious 

weed. Saltcedars, or tamarisk, are spreading shrubs or small trees in the 

tamarisk family. Saltcedar spreads vegetatively, by adventitious roots or 

submerged stems, and by seed. Each flower can produce thousands of tiny seeds 

that are contained in a small capsule usually adorned with a tuft of hair that aids 

in wind dispersal. Seeds can also be dispersed by water. Saltcedars are fireadapted species and have long taproots that allow them to intercept deep water 

tables and interfere with natural aquatic systems. Saltcedar disrupts the 

structure and stability of native plant communities and degrades native wildlife 

habitat by outcompeting and replacing native plant species, monopolizing limited 

sources of moisture, and increasing the frequency, intensity, and effect of fires 

and floods. Although it provides some shelter, the foliage and flowers of 

saltcedar provide little food value for native wildlife species that depend on 

nutrient-rich native plant resources.

Chinese tallow tree (Triadica sebifera = Sapium sebiferum), Texas 

noxious plant. Chinese tallow tree is a deciduous tree in the spurge family. It 

reaches reproductive age in as little as three years and prolifically produces 

seeds, which are readily transported by water and birds; it also propagates via 

cuttings, stumps, and roots. Chinese tallow will transform native habitats into 

single-species tallow forests in the absence of land management practices. 

Chinese tallow alters light availability for other plant species. Fallen tallow leaves 

contain toxins that create unfavorable soil conditions for native plant species. 

Chinese tallow will outcompete native plant species, reducing habitat for wildlife 

and forage areas for livestock.

Nonnative Invasive Plants

In addition to noxious weeds, nonnative invasive plants can also be problematic 

where they are found. Many nonnative invasive plants were formerly 

recommended forage species that are now recognized as invasive (OkIPC 2014); 

as such, they are now widespread due to ranching and grazing. Many of these 

species have the ability to displace native plants (KNPS 2006) and have apparent, 

substantial, or severe ecological impacts (TIPPC 2011). 

Table 2-3 summarizes nonnative invasive weeds that may occur in the planning 

area. Not all of the nonnative invasive species listed in the table necessarily 

occur in the planning area; nevertheless, all have the potential to occur in 

portions of the planning area, depending on local soil, disturbance, and 

hydrologic regimes and local current and past land uses.
2. Vegetation and Land Use

2-26 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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The Oklahoma Invasive Plant Council (OkIPC) maintains a list of problem and 

watch list species that pose a potential threat of invasion in the state (OkIPC 

2014). The list is based on a 2009 invasive plant audit for Oklahoma conducted 

by The Nature Conservancy (Pruett 2009). These nonnative invasive species are 

in addition to the state-listed noxious weeds described above. 

OkIPC lists 32 problem species and 21 watch list species in the state (see Table 

2-3). Additionally, OkIPC maintains a list of noxious and nonnative invasive 

species in states bordering Oklahoma—Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, New 

Mexico, and Colorado—which can be found on the OkIPC invasive weed 

database (OkIPC 2014).

The Kansas Native Plant Society maintains an invasive plant list for the state 

(KNPS 2006). These nonnative invasive species are in addition to the state-listed 

noxious weeds summarized in Table 2-3 and described above. The Kansas 

Native Plant Society lists 30 of the most invasive plant species in the state. 

The Texas Invasive Plant Inventory (TIPPC 2011) categorizes nonnative invasive 

plants that threaten the state’s wildlands. Categorization is based on an 

assessment of the ecological impacts of each plant. The inventory lists 29 species 

and assigns a ranking to each species based on the level of threat to the 

ecological health of wildlands presented by each species. Threat is determined 

by evaluating that species’ ecological impact, its ability to invade natural 

vegetation communities, and the extent of its invasion. Moderate-rated species 

can have a substantial and apparent ecological impact on physical processes, 

plant and animal communities, and vegetation structure. High-rated species can 

have severe ecological impacts on these systems. Texas moderate- and highrated nonnative invasive species are summarized in Table 2-3.

The Nebraska Weed Control Association developed an invasive plants watch 

list (Nebraska Weed Control Association 2014), which categorizes invasive 

plants as not in Nebraska yet, but pose a significant risk if introduce (Category 

1), and species for top priority, where eradication is still possible for new and 

existing populations (Category 2). Only those species included in the Tallgrass 

Prairie ecoregion (which encompasses Richardson County) are included.

Table 2-3

Nonnative Invasive Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name Common Name Status1

Acer ginnala Amur maple NE-2

Acroptilon repens Russian knapweed NE-2

Ailanthus altissima Tree of heaven OK-WL, TX-Mod

Alliaria petiolata Common garlic-mustard KS-Inv, NE-2

Albizia julibrissin Mimosa, silk tree OK-PS

Alternanthera philoxeroides Alligator weed OK-PS, TX-Mod
2. Vegetation and Land Use

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Table 2-3

Nonnative Invasive Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name Common Name Status1

Arundo donax Giant reed OK-WL, TX-High, NE-1

Bothriochloa bladhii Caucasian bluestem OK-PS, KS-Inv, NE-2

B. ishaemum Yellow bluestem OK-PS, KS-Inv, NE-2

Bromus inermus Smooth brome KS-Inv

B. japonicus Japanese brome OK-PS, KS-Inv

B. racemosus Meadow brome OK-PS

B. tectorum Cheatgrass OK-PS, KS-Inv

Broussonetia papyrifera Paper mulberry OK-WL, TX-Mod

Carduus nutans Musk thistle, nodding plumeless thistle OK-PS, KS-Inv

Centaurea melitensis Malta star-thistle TX-Mod

C. moncktonii Black knapweed NE-2

C. solstitialis Yellow star-thistle KS-Inv, NE-2

Celastrus orbiculatus Oriental bittersweet NE-1

Cirsium arvense Canada thistle OK-PS, KS-Inv 

C. vulgare Bull thistle OK-PS

Clematis terniflora Sweet autumn virgin’s-bower NE-2

Colocasia esculenta Elephant ears TX-Mod

Conium maculatum Poison hemlock OK-PS

Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed OK-PS, KS-Inv

Cryptostegia grandiflora Palay rubbervine TX-High

Cynodon dactylon Bermuda grass TX-Mod

Cynoglossum officinale Houndstongue NE-2

Cyperus rotundus Nut grass OK-WL

Dipsacus fullonum Fuller’s teasel KS-Inv

D. lacinatus Cut-leaf teasel KS-Inv, NE-2

Egeria densa Brazilian water weed OK-WL

Eichhornia crassipes Water hyacinth OK-WL, TX-High, NE-1

Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive OK-WL, KS-Inv

E. pungens Thorny olive OK-WL

E. umbellatum Autumn olive OK-WL, KS-Inv

Erodium cicutarium Red stem stork’s bill OK-WL

Euonymus fortune Chinese spindle-tree KS-Inv

Euphorbia esula Leafy spurge KS-Inv

Falcaria vulgaris Sickleweed NE-2

Firmiana simplex Chinese parasoltree TX-Mod

Galega officinalis Goat’s-rue NE-2

Galium verum Yellow bedstraw NE-2

Hydrilla verticillata Hydrilla OK-PS, TX-High, NE-1

Hypericum perforatum St. John’s wort NE-2

Imperata cylindrical Cogongrass TX-High
2. Vegetation and Land Use

2-28 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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Table 2-3

Nonnative Invasive Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name Common Name Status1

Kochia scoparia Mexican fireweed OK-PS

Lespedeza cuneata Sericea lespedeza OK-PS, KS-Inv

Ligustrum japonicum Japanese privet OK-WL, TX-Mod

L. lucidum Glossy privet TX-High

L. sinense Chinese privet OK-PS

Lolium arundinaceum Tall fescue OK-WL

L. pretense Meadow ryegrass OK-WL

L. temulentum Darnel ryegrass OK-WL

Lonicera japonica Japanese honeysuckle OK-PS, KS-Inv, NE-2

L. mackii Bush honeysuckle OK-WL, KS-Inv

L. tatarica Tatarian honeysuckle KS-Inv

Lygodium japonicum Japanese climbing fern OK-WL, TX-High

Lythrum salicaria Purple loosestrife OK-PS, KS-Inv

Macfadyena unquis-cati Catclaw vine TX-Mod

Melia azedarach Chinaberry tree OK-WL, TX-High

Microstegium vimineum Nepalese browntop OK-PS

Mililotus officinalis Yellow sweet clover OK-WL

Myriophyllum aquaticum Parrot’s feather OK-PS, TX-High

M. spicatum Eurasian water milfoil OK-PS, KS-Inv, NE-2

Najas minor Brittle naiad NE-1

Nandina domestica Heavenly bamboo TX-Mod

Paulownia tomentosa Princess tree OK-WL

Perilla frutescens Beefsteak plant OK-PS

Phyllostachys aurea Golden bamboo TX-High

Pistacia chinensis Chinese pistache TX-Mod

Potentilla recta Sulphur cinquefoil OK-PS

Pueraria lobata Kudzu OK-PS, TX-High, NE-2

Pyracantha coccinea Scarlet firethorn TX-Mod

Pyrus calleryana Callery pear OK-WL

Rapistrum rugosum Bastard cabbage TX-High

Rhamnus cathartica Common buckthorn KS-Inv

Rosa multiflora Multiflora rose OK-PS, KS-Inv

Saccharum ravennae Revenna grass OK-PS

Salsola tragus Russian thistle, tumbleweed OK-PS

Salvinia molesta Giant salvinia NE-1

Schedonorus arundinaceus Tall mountain-fescue KS-Inv

S. pratensis Meadow mountain-fescue KS-Inv

Securigera varia Common crown-vetch KS-Inv, NE-2

Sorghum halepense Johnson grass OK-PS, KS-Inv, TX-High

Tamarix chinensis Chinese salt cedar OK-PS
2. Vegetation and Land Use

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Table 2-3

Nonnative Invasive Weeds Potentially in the Planning Area

Scientific Name Common Name Status1

T. parviflora Small-flowered tamarisk OK-PS, KS-Inv

T. ramosissima Saltcedar, tamarisk OK-PS, KS-Inv, TX-High

Triadica sebifera (Sapium sebiferum) Chinese tallow tree TX-Mod

Ulmus pumila Siberian elm OK-WL

Verbascum thapsus Common mullein OK-PS

Sources: OkIPC 2014; KNPS 2006; TIPPC 2011; Nebraska Weed Control Association 2014

1

Status Codes: 

OK-PS—Oklahoma problem species; OK-WL—Oklahoma watch list species

KS-Inv—Kansas invasive weed

TX-Mod—Texas moderate-rated; TX-High—Texas high-rated

NE-1—Plants not in Nebraska but pose a significant risk if introduced; NE-2—species for top priority
2. Vegetation and Land Use

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CHAPTER 3

FISH AND WILDLIFE

3.1 GENERAL DISCUSSION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS

3.1.1 Fisheries

The BLM manages subsurface minerals for reservoirs throughout Kansas, 

Oklahoma, and Texas and small isolated tracts of surface estate, which overlap 

or border fish-bearing streams. These lands contain a diverse assortment of

game and nongame fish species. Common fish species found throughout the 

planning area are largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), smallmouth bass (M. 

dolomieui), spotted bass (M. punctulatus), striped bass (Morone saxatilis), white 

bass (M. chrysops), channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), blue catfish (I. furcatus), 

flathead catfish (Pylodictis olivaris), rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri), walleye 

(Stizostedion vitreum), saugeye (S. vitreum x canadense), white crappie (Pomoxis 

annularis), black crappie (P. nigromaculatus), bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), green 

sunfish (L. cyanellus), redear sunfish (L. microlophus), and paddlefish (Polyodon 

spathula). 

Table 3-1 lists those lakes and reservoirs that contain BLM-administered

subsurface and other surface ownership. These reservoirs contain important fish 

habitat, as well as habitat for other aquatic species. The BLM does not manage 

fish populations or habitat for reservoirs in the planning area; these are managed 

by the state wildlife departments, in coordination with the surface owner or 

land manager.

Table 3-1

Water Bodies with BLM-Administered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

Addicks Dam USACE 33,400

Aquilla Lake USACE 12,500
3. Fish and Wildlife

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Table 3-1

Water Bodies with BLM-Administered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

Bardwell Lake USACE 12,500

Belton Lake USACE 33,100

Benbrook Lake USACE 11,900

Broken Bow Lake USACE 24,700

Caddo Lake USACE 13,100

Canton Lake USACE 8,400

Canyon Lake USACE 15,400

Clinton Lake USACE 22,700

Copan Lake USACE 16,900

Council Grove Lake USACE 6,200

El Dorado Lake Conservation Pool USACE 8,500

Elk City Lake USACE 19,300

Eufaula Lake USACE 148,100

Fall River Lake USACE 12,500

Ferrells Bridge Dam - Lake O the Pines USACE 48,200

Fort Gibson Lake USACE 60,300

Georgetown Lake USACE 6,000

Granger Dam and Lake USACE 15,200

Grapevine Lake USACE 18,200

Heyburn Lake USACE 8,000

Hillsdale Lake USACE 13,300

Hords Creek Lake USACE 2,900

Hugo Lake USACE 21,000

Jim Chapman Lake/Cooper Dam USACE 32,300

Joe Pool Lake USACE 17,200

John Redmond Reservoir USACE 11,200

Kanopolis Lake USACE 21,400

Kaw Lake USACE 21,100

Keystone Lake USACE 31,500

Lake Texoma USACE 162,400

Lavon Lake USACE 38,600

Lewisville Lake USACE 54,600

Marion Lake USACE 12,300

McClellan-Kerr Navigation System USACE 13,500

Melvern Lake USACE 23,700

Milford Lake USACE 42,400

Navarro Mills Lake USACE 14,800

O.C. Fisher Lake USACE 18,100

Oologah Lake USACE 36,600

Optima Lake USACE 8,200

Pat Mayse Lake USACE 21,300

Pearson-Skubitz Lake (Big Hill Lake) USACE 2,600
3. Fish and Wildlife

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Table 3-1

Water Bodies with BLM-Administered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

Perry Lake USACE 40,200

Pine Creek Lake USACE 17,600

Pomona Lake USACE 10,300

Proctor Lake USACE 16,700

Ray Roberts Lake USACE 48,900

Robert S. Kerr Lake USACE 43,100

Sam Rayburn Reservoir USACE 187,900

Sardis Lake USACE 21,800

Somerville Lake USACE 33,200

Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir USACE 16,200

Tenkiller Lake USACE 3,900

Toronto Lake USACE 8,500

Town Bluff Dam and BA Steinhagen Lake USACE 22,700

Tuttle Creek Lake USACE 34,500

Waco Lake USACE 22,000

Wallisville Reservoir USACE 100

Waurika Lake USACE 14,700

Webbers Falls Lock and Dam and 

Reservoir Project USACE 16,900

Whitney Lake USACE 53,500

Wilson Lake USACE 22,800

Wister Lake USACE 4,500

Wright Patman Lake USACE 163,000

Cedar Bluff Lake Bureau of Reclamation 15,100

Cheney Conservation Pool Bureau of Reclamation 10,700

Choke Canyon Reservoir Bureau of Reclamation 27,200

Fort Cobb Lake Bureau of Reclamation 3,800

Foss Reservoir Bureau of Reclamation 9,000

Glen Elder Reservoir (Waconda Lake) Bureau of Reclamation 26,300

Keith Sebelius Lake (Norton Lake) Bureau of Reclamation 8,000

Lake Altus Bureau of Reclamation 4,500

Lake Meredith Bureau of Reclamation 8,700

Lake Thunderbird Bureau of Reclamation 4,900

Lovewell Reservoir Bureau of Reclamation 6,500

Palmetto Bend Lake/Lake Texana Bureau of Reclamation 16,300

Twin Buttes Reservoir/Lake Nasworthy Bureau of Reclamation 2,400

Webster Lake Bureau of Reclamation 9,000

Amistad Reservoir International Boundary Water 

Commission 70,600

Falcon Reservoir International Boundary Water 

Commission 40,300

Lake Carl Blackwell State of Oklahoma 14,500
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-4 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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Table 3-1

Water Bodies with BLM-Administered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

1Rounded to the nearest 100 acres

Source: BLM GIS 2015

Dams, diversions, and alterations of instream flow, in combination with and 

independent of adjacent land uses, has historically affected fish and other aquatic 

species in the planning area, creating unsuitable conditions for some species 

(Anderson et al. 1995). Additionally, the introduction and spread of aquatic 

nuisance species has disrupted ecological processes and displaced native species. 

Zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha), have been found in Oklahoma, Kansas, 

and Texas and are known to inhabit decision area waterways, such as Lake 

Texoma, Ray Roberts Lake, Lavon Lake, Waco Lake, Benton Lake, Kaw Lake, 

Keystone Lake, Eufaula Lake, Oologah Lake, McClellan-Kerr Navigation System, 

Clinton Lake, Council Grove Lake, El Dorado Reservoir, John Redmond 

Reservoir, Kanopolis Lake, Marion Lake, Melvern Lake, Milford Lake, Perry 

Lake, Pomona Lake, Wilson Lake, as well as various streams and rivers (USGS 

2015; KDWPT 2014). Zebra mussels may affect native aquatic biota by altering 

food web dynamics and competing with native mussels (TPWD 2010). 

In 2005, the status of fishes in Kansas was reevaluated; the results showed that 

54 of the 116 native fish species should be assigned special conservation status 

due to substantial declines in distribution or abundance or due to their rarity in 

the state (Haslouer et al. 2005).

3.1.2 Wildlife

Nineteen different ecoregions cover the planning area, which provide habitat for 

a wide array of wildlife species. Due to the scattered land management patterns, 

few surveys or monitoring studies specific to BLM and BIA lands are available. 

Numerous wildlife management areas, wildlife refuges, and state parks contain 

BLM-administered subsurface; these decision area lands provide key habitat for 

mammals, waterfowl, reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife (see Table 3-2).

Table 3-2

Wildlife Management Areas, State Wildlife Refuges, and State Parks With BLMAdministered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing 

Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

Broken Bow Wildlife Management Area USACE 3,600

Canton Wildlife Management Area USACE 11,200

Copan Wildlife Management Area USACE 8,000

Eufaula Wildlife Management Area; Deep Fork Unit USACE 8,300
3. Fish and Wildlife

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Table 3-2

Wildlife Management Areas, State Wildlife Refuges, and State Parks With BLMAdministered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing 

Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

Eufaula Wildlife Management Area; Duchess Creek 

Unit USACE 2,100

Eufaula Wildlife Management Area; Gaines Creek Unit USACE 3,700

Eufaula Wildlife Management Area; Mill Creek and 

South Canadian Unit USACE 5,300

Eufaula Wildlife Management Area; North Canadian 

Unit USACE 5,100

Fort Gibson Lake - Sequoyah State Park USACE 2,800

Fort Gibson State Waterfowl Refuge USACE 3,200

Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area USACE 16,600

Fort Supply Wildlife Management Area USACE 7,200

Hugo Waterfowl Refuge USACE 3,300

Hugo Wildlife Management Area USACE 14,700

Kaw Wildlife Management Area USACE 16,700

Keystone State Park USACE 500

Keystone Waterfowl Refuge USACE 1,400

Keystone Wildlife Management Area USACE 14,800

Lake Texoma Wildlife Management Area; Tishomingo 

Unit USACE 2,900

Lake Texoma Wildlife Management Area; Washita 

Arm Unit USACE 10,900

McClellan-Kerr Wildlife Management Area; Billy Creek 

Unit USACE 400

McClellan-Kerr Wildlife Management Area; Chouteau 

Unit USACE 2,000

McClellan-Kerr Wildlife Management Area; Webbers 

Falls Unit USACE 3,100

Oologah Lake - Will Rogers State Park USACE 600

Oologah Wildlife Management Area USACE 16,100

Optima Wildlife Management Area USACE 2,400

Pine Creek Wildlife Management Area USACE 9,000

Tenkiller Wildlife Management Area USACE 2,100

Waurika Wildlife Management Area USACE 6,300

Wister State Park USACE 3,400

Wister Wildlife Management Area USACE 29,200

Fort Cobb State Park Bureau of Reclamation 2,700

Fort Cobb Wildlife Management Area Bureau of Reclamation 2,100

Foss State Park Bureau of Reclamation 2,400

Lake Altus - Lugert Wildlife Management Area Bureau of Reclamation 3,100

Lake Altus - Quartz Mountain State Park Bureau of Reclamation 4,500

Lake Thunderbird State Park Bureau of Reclamation 7,200
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-6 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

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Table 3-2

Wildlife Management Areas, State Wildlife Refuges, and State Parks With BLMAdministered Subsurface 

Lake Name Surface Managing 

Agency

Acres of BLMAdministered

Subsurface Lands1

McGee Creek Natural Scenic Recreation Area Bureau of Reclamation 8,600

McGee Creek State Park Bureau of Reclamation 8,700

Mountain Park Wildlife Management Area (Tom Steed) Bureau of Reclamation 12,000

1Rounded to the nearest 100 acres

Source: BLM GIS 2015

Bats are found throughout the planning area, with approximately 22 species in 

Oklahoma, 31 in Texas, and 15 in Kansas (Kansas State University Agricultural 

Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service 2005; ODWC 2014; 

Texas Parks and Wildlife 2007). Roost sites are widely distributed and include 

rock crevices, trees, caves, buildings, and bridges. Variable changes in bat 

abundance over a 40-year survey period have been documented in the Red Hill 

region of Kansas and Oklahoma, an area that lies at the peripheries of four bat 

species’ distributions. 

The increasing abundance of some hibernacula may reflect range expansions or 

changes in qualities of hibernacula or other habitat aspects (Prendergast et al. 

2010). Decision area lands in this region are primarily restricted to BLM 

subsurface tracts. Factors contributing to the decline of bat populations are loss 

of habitat from surface mining operations, urbanization, lake and reservoir 

construction, and cave commercialization and vandalism (ODWC 2014).

White-nose syndrome is a disease affecting hibernating bats and is named for a 

white fungus that appears on the muzzle and other parts of infected bats. A 

newly discovered fungus, Pseudogymnoascus (formerly Geomyces) destructans, has 

been demonstrated to cause white-nose syndrome (Coleman 2014). 

The disease is responsible for extensive mortality of bats in eastern North 

America, and the fungus that causes the disease has been documented as of 

August 2014 in western Missouri, next to the planning area. Infected bats act 

irregularly during cold winter months, flying outside during the day and 

clustering near the entrances to caves and other hibernacula. The disease has 

killed more than 5.5 million bats in the Northeast and Canada; in some areas, 90 

to 100 percent of bats have died. 

As of 2014, bat species confirmed with the disease include big brown bat 

(Eptesicus fuscus), eastern small-footed bat (Myotis leibii), the federally

endangered gray myotis (M. grisescens), the federally endangered Indiana bat (M. 

sodalist), little brown bat (M. lucifugus), the federally threatened northern long-
3. Fish and Wildlife

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eared bat (M. septentrionalis), and tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus; Coleman

2014). Several of these species are present in the planning area. 

Additional bat species have been confirmed to have the fungus but with no 

associated disease symptoms. One example is the federally endangered Ozark 

big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens), which is also found in the planning 

area.

Furbearing mammals are also common throughout the planning area. Examples 

are raccoon (Procyon lotor), mink (Neovision vision), weasel (Mustela spp.), badger

(Taxidea taxus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), opossum (Didelphimorphia spp.), 

bobcat (Lynx rufus), beaver (Castor canadensis), skunks (family Mephitidae), foxes

(Vulpes spp.), coyote (Canis latrans), and others, though the lists of legally taken 

furbearers differ between individual states in the planning area. Furbearing 

mammals are typically managed through hunting or trapping permits 

administered by the state wildlife agencies. 

Small mammals, such as squirrels, cottontails, voles, woodrats, and mice, are 

also common throughout much of the decision area. In southeastern Oklahoma, 

Clark et al. (1998) found relative abundances of all small mammals were 

significantly greater in fencerows, lowland prairie, and lowland prairie with forbs 

and shrubs than upland prairie. Trends related to the abundance and distribution 

of small mammals is largely influenced by humans and varies by species (Clark et 

al. 1998). For example, deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) populations have 

responded positively to agricultural conversion and livestock grazing, whereas 

western harvest mice (Reithrodontomys megalotis) have been reduced in 

cultivated areas (Clark et al. 1998).

A rich diversity of amphibians and reptiles is found throughout the decision 

area. Upland prairie, shrubland, and forests provide habitat for numerous 

species of salamanders, toads, frogs, turtles, lizards, skinks, and snakes. Uplands 

with sandy or friable soils containing rodent burrows provide particularly 

valuable habitat for many species of reptiles and amphibians, and small mammal 

populations provide prey for several species of snakes, like the prairie 

rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and western massasagua (Sistrurus catenatus 

tergeminus). 

Aquatic environments, such as reservoirs with subsurface BLM management, 

wet meadows, ponds, rivers, riparian forests, and wetlands, provide breeding

habitat for amphibians and year-round habitat for aquatic turtles, like the 

softshell (Apalone spp.), northern painted (Chrysemys picta), and common 

snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), and snake species, like the northern 

watersnake (Nerodia sipedon).

Insects may be the most diverse and least studied animal group in the planning 

area. They are in important group ecologically, as they play vital roles as 
3. Fish and Wildlife

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herbivores, predators, pollinators, decomposers, and soil aerators and as food 

for other wildlife (Schneider et al. 2011).

Big Game Occurrence and Habitats

Big game species in the planning area are white-tailed deer (Odocoileus 

virginianus), mule deer (O. hemionus), pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), elk 

(Cervus elaphus), javelina (Tayassu tajacu), black bear (Ursus americanus), and feral 

hogs (Sus scrofa). Big game are typically managed through hunting permits 

administered by state wildlife agencies. 

Distribution and abundance of big game species varies by habitat type and 

ecoregion. White-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn, elk, and feral hog are 

found in all four states in the planning area. White-tailed deer are typically found 

at the edges of woodlands and forested areas (ASM 2015). Mule deer prefer 

open, arid, sparsely wooded areas; in mountainous areas, they will migrate to 

lower elevations for winter (ASM 2015). Pronghorn are widely dispersed but 

localized in the planning area, restricted to open habitat where sight is 

unrestricted (ASM 2015). 

Similarly, elk were formerly widespread in the planning area but are now 

restricted to mountainous areas, including a large portion of western Texas 

(TPWD 2015a). Black bears were also formerly common in the planning area, 

but are now restricted to eastern Oklahoma, following reintroductions in the 

Ouachita and Ozark Mountains of Arkansas (ODWC 2015). In Texas, black 

bears are restricted to the western portion of the state, in desert scrub or 

woodland habitats of the Chisos and Guadalupe Mountains (TPWD 2015b). The 

javelina’s range is restricted to arid or semiarid parts of Texas, including the 

southern brush country, desert grasslands, and oak-juniper woodlands (TPWD

2015c). Feral hogs are widespread in the planning area and can adapt to many

plant communities; however, they prefer moist bottomlands or riparian areas 

associated with streams and rivers, with adequate water and dense vegetation 

(ODWC 2015).

3.1.3 Special Status Species

Special status species is a universal term used in the scientific community for 

species that are considered sufficiently rare that they require special 

consideration or protection and should be, or have been, listed as rare, 

threatened, or endangered by the federal or state government or both. The 

authority for this policy and guidance regarding the evaluation of special status 

species comes from the ESA, the Federal Land Policy and Management Act

(FLPMA) of 1976, and BLM Special Status Species Management (Manual 6840).

According to the ESA, an endangered species is any that is in danger of 

extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range; a threatened 

species is any that is likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future 

throughout all or a significant portion of its range. The BLM’s Oklahoma Field 
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-9

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Office manages habitats for species listed by the USFWS as endangered, 

threatened, or proposed for listing under the authority of the ESA (see Table 

3-3).

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Amphibians Houston toad Anaxyrus houstonensis E SE (TX) TX

Amphibians Salado salamander Eurycea chisholmensis T TX

Amphibians San Marcos 

salamander E. nana T ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Georgetown 

salamander E. naufragia T TX

Amphibians Texas blind 

salamander E. rathbuni E SE (TX) TX

Amphibians Barton Springs 

salamander E. sosorum E SE (TX) TX

Amphibians Jollyville salamander E. tonkawae T TX

Amphibians Austin blind 

salamander E. waterlooensis E TX

Birds Sprague’s pipit Anthus spragueii C BCC OK, TX

Birds Rufa red knot Calidris canutus rufa T TX

Birds Piping plover C. melodus T

ST (OK, 

TX, NE)

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Mountain plover C. montanus C

ST (NE), 

BCC, 

SINC 

(KS)

OK, KS

Birds Western yellow-billed 

cuckoo

Coccyzus americanus 

occidentails T BCC TX

Birds Golden-cheeked 

warbler Dendroica chrysoparia E SE (TX) TX

Birds Southwestern willow 

flycatcher Empidonax traillii extimus E

SE (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Northern aplomado 

falcon

Falco femoralis 

septentrionalis E SE (TX) TX

Birds Whooping crane Grus americana E

SE (OK, 

TX, NE)

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Eskimo curlew Numenius borealis E

SE (TX, 

NE)

KS, TX

Birds Red-cockaded 

woodpecker Picoides borealis E

SE (TX), 

REA OK, TX

Birds Least tern Sterna antillarum E

SE (KS), 

BCC KS
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-10 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Birds Interior least tern S. antillarum athalassos E

SE (KS, 

TX, NE), 

BCC

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Mexican spotted owl Strix occidentalis lucida T ST (TX) TX

Birds Attwater’s greater 

prairie chicken

Tympanuchus cupido 

attwateri E SE (TX) TX

Birds Lesser prairie-chicken T. pallidicinctus T BCC OK, TX

Birds Black-capped vireo Vireo atricapilla E SE (TX) OK, KS, 

TX

Fishes Ozark cavefish Amblyopsis rosae T OK

Fishes Leon Springs pupfish Cyprinodon bovinus E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Comanche Springs 

pupfish C. elegans E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Devils River minnow Dionda diaboli T ST (TX) TX

Fishes Arkansas darter Etheostoma cragini C ST (KS) OK, KS

Fishes Fountain darter E. fonticola E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Big Bend gambusia Gambusia gaigei E SE (TX) TX

Fishes San Marcos gambusia 

(extinct) G. georgei E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Clear Creek gambusia G. heterochir E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Pecos gambusia G. nobilis E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Rio Grande silvery 

minnow Hybognathus amarus E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Smalleye shiner Notropis buccula E TX

Fishes Arkansas River shiner N. girardi T

SE (KS), 

ST (TX)

OK, KS, 

TX

Fishes Sharpnose shiner N. oxyrhynchus E TX

Fishes Topeka shiner N. topeka E

ST (KS)

SE (NE) KS

Fishes Neosho madtom Noturus placidus T ST (KS) OK, KS

Fishes Leopard darter Percina pantherina T OK

Fishes Smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata E SE (TX) TX

Fishes Pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus E

E (KS, 

NE) KS, NE

Invertebrates Ouachita Rock 

pocketbook Arkansia wheeleri E OK

Invertebrates Pecos assiminea snail Assiminea pecos E SE (TX) TX

Invertebrates

Coffin Cave mold 

beetle Batrisodes texanus E TX

Invertebrates Helotes mold beetle B. venyivi E TX

Invertebrates Robber baron cave 

meshweaver Cicurina baronia E TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-11

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Invertebrates Madla Cave 

meshweaver C. madla E TX

Invertebrates Bracken bat cave 

meshweaver C. venii E TX

Invertebrates Government Canyon 

bat cave meshweaver C. vespera E TX

Invertebrates Warton Cave 

meshweaver C. wartoni C TX

Invertebrates Diminutive amphipod Gammarus hyalleloides E TX

Invertebrates Pecos amphipod G. pecos E TX

Invertebrates Comal Springs riffle 

beetle Heterelmis comalensis E TX

Invertebrates Texas fatmucket Lampsilis bracteata C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Scaleshell Leptodea leptodon E SE (NE) OK

Invertebrates American burying 

beetle Nicrophorus americanus E

SE (KS, 

NE)

OK, KS, 

TX

Invertebrates Rattlesnake masterborer moth Papaipema eryngii C OK

Invertebrates Texas hornshell Popenaias popeii C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Diamond Y spring 

snail Pseudotryonia adamantina E TX

Invertebrates Phantom Cave snail Pyrgulopsis texana E TX

Invertebrates Golden orb Quadrula aurea C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Winged mapleleaf Q. fragosa E OK

Invertebrates Smooth pimpleback Q. houstonensis C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Texas pimpleback Q. petrina C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates A ground beetle Rhadine exilis E TX

Invertebrates A ground beetle R. infernalis E TX

Invertebrates Tooth Cave ground 

beetle R. persephone E TX

Invertebrates Peck’s Cave amphipod Stygobromus pecki E SE (TX) TX

Invertebrates Comal Springs 

dryopid beetle S. comalensis E TX

Invertebrates Tooth Cave 

pseudoscorpion Tartarocreagris texana E TX

Invertebrates Gov. Canyon bat cave 

spider Tayshaneta microps E TX

Invertebrates Tooth Cave spider T. myopica E TX

Invertebrates Kretschmarr Cave 

mold beetle Texamaurops reddelli E TX

Invertebrates Cokendolpher Cave 

harvestman

Texella cokendolpheri E TX

Invertebrates Reddell harvestman T. reddelli E TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-12 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Invertebrates Bone Cave 

harvestman

T. reyesi E TX

Invertebrates Texas fawnsfoot Truncilla macrodon C ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Phantom spring snail Tryonia cheatumi E TX

Invertebrates Gonzales springsnail T. circumstriata E TX

Mammals Finback whale Balaenoptera physalus E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Gray wolf Canis lupus E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Red wolf C. rufus E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Ozark big-eared bat

Corynorhinus townsendii 

ingens E OK

Mammals Jaguarundi Herpailurus yaguarondi E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Ocelot Leopardus pardalis E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Mexican long-nosed Leptonycteris nivalis E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Black-footed ferret Mustela nigripes E

SE (KS, 

NE)

KS

Mammals Gray myotis Myotis grisescens E SE (KS) OK, KS

Mammals Northern long-eared 

Bat M. septentrionalis T OK, KS

Mammals Indiana bat M. sodalis E OK

Mammals Jaguar Panthera onca E SE (TX) TX

Mammals West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus E SE (TX) TX

Mammals Louisiana black bear Ursus americanus luteolus T ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta T ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas T ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea E SE (TX) TX

Reptiles Atlantic hawksbill sea 

turtle Eretmochelys imbricata E SE (TX) TX

Reptiles Kemp’s ridley sea 

turtle Lepidochelys kempii E SE (TX) TX

Reptiles Louisiana pine snake Pituophis ruthveni C ST (TX) TX

Plants Large-fruited sandverbena Abronia macrocarpa E SE (TX) TX

Plants South Texas ambrosia Ambrosia cheiranthifolia E SE (TX) TX

Plants Mead’s milkweed Asclepias meadii T KS

Plants Star cactus Astrophytum asterias E SE (TX) TX

Plants Texas ayenia Ayenia limitaris E SE (TX) TX

Plants Texas poppy-mallow Callirhoe scabriuscula E SE (TX) TX

Plants Bunched cory cactus

Coryphantha ramillosa ssp.

ramillosa T ST (TX) TX

Plants Terlingua Creek cat’seyeCryptantha crassipes E SE (TX) TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-13

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Plants Chisos mountains 

hedgehog cactus

Echinocereus chisoensis var.

chisoensis T ST (TX) TX

Plants Pinkflower hedgehog 

cactus

E. fendleri ssp. fendleri (E. f. 

var. kuenzleri) E TX

Plants Davis’s green pitaya Echinocereus viridiflorus var.

davisii E SE (TX) TX

Plants Black lace cactus

E. reichenbachii ssp. fitchii (E. 

r. var. albertii) E SE (TX) TX

Plants Lloyd’s fishhook 

cactus

Echinomastus mariposensis 

(Neolloydia m.) T ST (TX) TX

Plants Nellie’s cory cactus

Escobaria minima 

(Coryphantha m.) E SE (TX) TX

Plants Sneed’s pincushion 

cactus

E. sneedii var. sneedii 

(Coryphantha s.) E SE (TX) TX

Plants Guadalupe fescue Festuca ligulata C TX

Plants Johnston’s frankenia Frankenia johnstonii E SE (TX) TX

Plants Colorado butterfly 

plant

Gaura neomexicana ssp. 

coloradensis T NE

Plants Earth fruit Geocarpon minimum T ST (TX) TX

Plants Pecos sunflower Helianthus paradoxus T ST (TX) TX

Plants Neches River rosemallow Hibiscus dasycalyx T TX

Plants Slender rushpea Hoffmannseggia tenella E SE (TX) TX

Plants Texas prairie dawn Hymenoxys texana E SE (TX) TX

Plants Texas golden 

gladecress Leavenworthia texana E TX

Plants Walker’s manioc Manihot walkerae E SE (TX) TX

Plants Blowout beardtongue Penstemon haydenii E SE (NE) NE

Plants Texas trailing phlox Phlox nivalis ssp. texensis E SE (TX) TX

Plants White bladderpod Physaria pallida (Lesquerella 

p.) E SE (TX) TX

Plants Zapata bladderpod P. thamnophila (Lesquerella 

t.) E SE (TX) TX

Plants Eastern prairie-fringed 

orchid Platanthera leucophaea T ST (OK) OK

Plants Western prairiefringed orchid P. praeclara T

ST (OK, 

NE)

OK

Plants Little aguja pondweed Potamogeton clystocarpus E SE (TX) TX

Plants Harperella Ptillium nodosum E SE (OK) OK

Plants Hinckley’s oak Quercus hinckleyi T ST (TX) TX

Plants Chaffseed Schwalbea americana E TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-14 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-3

Federal-Listed and Proposed Species Occurring in the Planning Area

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Federal 

Status*

Other

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Plants Tobusch fishhook 

cactus

Sclerocactus brevihamatus

ssp. tobuschii (Ancistrocactus 

t.)

E SE (TX) TX

Plants Lloyd’s mariposa 

cactus

S. mariposensis T ST (TX) TX

Plants Ute ladies’-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis T ST (NE) NE

Plants Navasota ladies’-

tresses

S. parksii E SE (TX) TX

Plants Bracted twistflower Streptanthus bracteatus C TX

Plants Texas snowbells

Styrax 

platanifolius spp. texanus (S. 

t.)

E SE (TX) TX

Plants Ashy dogweed Thymophylla tephroleuca E SE (TX) TX

Plants Running buffalo-clover Trifoloium stoloniferum E KS

Plants Texas wild-rice Zizania texana E SE (TX) TX

Sources:1 USFWS 2008a; NRCS 2014e, 2014f, 2014g, 2015; Nebraska Natural Heritage Program 2013

*Status Codes: 

E—Federal-listed Endangered, T—Federal-listed Threatened, C—Federal-listed Candidate, P—Proposed for 

Listing, BCC—Bird of Conservation Concern, SE—State Endangered, ST—State Threatened

SINC—Species in Need of Conservation, REA—Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment 

Designated critical habitat occurs on BLM-administered lands for the following 

species: Arkansas River shiner, Houston toad, whooping crane, piping plover, 

Rhadine exilis, leopard darter, Rhadine infernalis, Georgetown salamander, 

(USFWS GIS 2014).

Some special status species either are not listed under the ESA but still warrant 

some protection or insufficient data have been collected for the USFWS to 

make a determination for listing. These are state threatened or endangered 

species, species in need of conservation, birds of conservation concern, and 

species of greatest conservation concern. Federal land management agencies are 

mandated to manage special status species so that they should not need to be 

listed under the ESA in the future (see Table 3-4).

 

1Thomas, George, BLM Wildlife Biologist. Personal communication via e-mail to Kevin Rice, EMPSi, dated February 

13, 2015. Subject: Special status species list and definition.
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-15

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Amphibians Green toad Bufo debilis ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Red-spotted toad B. punctatus SINC (KS) KS

Amphibians Cascade Caverns salamander Eurycea latitans ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Longtail salamander E. longicauda ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Cave salamander E. lucifuga SE (KS) KS

Amphibians Blanco blind salamander E. robusta ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Comal blind salamander E. tridentifera ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Eastern narrowmouth toad Gastrophryne carolinensis ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Sheep frog Hypopachus variolosus ST (TX) TX

Amphibians White-lipped frog Leptodactylus fragilis ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Black-spotted newt Notophthalmus meridionalis ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Eastern newt N. viridescens louisianensis ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Spring peeper Pseudacris crucifer SINC (KS) KS

Amphibians Strecker’s chorus frog P. streckeri ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Crawfish frog Rana areolata SINC (KS) KS

Amphibians Green frog R. clamitans melanota ST (KS) KS

Amphibians Mexican burrowing toad Rhinophrynus dorsalis ST (TX) TX

Amphibians South Texas siren (large 

form) Siren sp. ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Mexican treefrog Smilisca baudinii ST (TX) TX

Amphibians Grotto salamander Typhlotriton spelaeus SE (KS) KS

Birds Bachman’s sparrow Aimophila aestivalis ST (TX),

BCC, REA TX

Birds Botteri’s sparrow Aimophila botterii arizonae ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Texas Botteri’s sparrow A. b. texana

ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Henslow’s sparrow Ammodramus henslowii BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos BCC, SINC 

(OK, KS)

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Short-eared owl Asio flammeus BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia BCC, REA OK, KS, 

TX

Birds White-tailed hawk Buteo albicaudatus ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Zone-tailed hawk B. albonotatus ST (TX) TX

Birds Gray hawk B. nitidus ST (TX) TX

Birds Ferruginous hawk B. regalis BCC, SINC 

(KS), REA

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Whip-poor-will Camprimulgus vociferus BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-16 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Birds Northern beardlesstyrannulet Camptostoma imberbe ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Snowy plover Charadrius nivosus BCC, REA OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Black tern Chlidonias niger BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Chihuahuan raven Corvus cryptoleucus SINC (KS) KS

Birds Bobolink Dolichonyx oryzivorus SINC (KS) KS

Birds Reddish egret Egretta rufescens ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Swallow-tailed kite Elanoides forficatus ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds American peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus anatum ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Cactus ferruginous Pygmyowl

Glaucidium brasilianum 

cactorum

ST (TX) TX

Birds Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus

ST (TX),

BCC SINC 

(OK, KS)

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Black rail Laterallus jamaicensis BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Wood stork Mycteria americana ST (TX) TX

Birds Long-billed curlew Numenius americanus BCC, SINC 

(KS), REA

OK, KS, 

TX

Birds Rose-throated becard Pachyramphus aglaiae ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds Tropical parula Parula pitiayumi ST (TX), 

BCC TX

Birds White-faced Ibis Plegadis chihi ST (TX) TX

Birds Cerulean warbler Setophaga cerulea BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Yellow-throated warbler Setophaga dominica SINC (KS) KS

Birds Sooty tern Sterna fuscata ST (TX) TX

Birds Curve-billed thrasher Toxostoma curvirostre BCC, SINC 

(KS) KS

Birds Greater prairie chicken Tympanuchus cupido SINC (OK) OK

Fishes Lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens SINC (KS), 

ST (NE) KS

Fishes River goby Awaous banana ST (TX) TX

Fishes Mexican stoneroller Campostoma ornatum ST (TX) TX

Fishes Highfin carpsucker Carpiodes velifer SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Southern redbelly dace Chrosomus erythrogaster SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Banded sculpin Cottus carolinae SINC (KS) KS
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-17

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Fishes Mexican goby Ctenogobius claytonii ST (TX) TX

Fishes Blue sucker Cycleptus elongatus ST (TX), 

SINC (KS) KS, TX

Fishes Proserpine shiner Cyprinella proserpina ST (TX) TX

Fishes Spotfin shiner C. spiloptera SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Conchos pupfish C. eximius ST (TX) TX

Fishes Pecos pupfish C. pecosensis ST (TX) TX

Fishes Gravel chub Erimystax x punctatus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Creek chubsucker Erimyzon oblongus ST (TX) TX

Fishes Greenside darter Etheostoma blennioides SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Bluntnose darter E. chlorosoma SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Slough darter E. gracile SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Rio Grande darter E. grahami ST (TX) TX

Fishes Sunburst darter E. mihileze SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Johnny darter E. nigrum SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Highland darter E. teddyroosevelt SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Redfin darter E. whipplei SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Banded darter E. zonale SINC (KS) KS

Fishes San Felipe gambusia Gambusia clarkhubbsi ST (TX) TX

Fishes Blotched gambusia (wild 

extinct) G. senilis ST (TX) TX

Fishes Rio Grande chub Gila pandora ST (TX) TX

Fishes Western silvery minnow Hybognathus argyritis ST (KS) KS

Fishes Plains minnow H. placitus ST (KS) KS

Fishes Northern hog sucker Hypentelium nigricans SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Chestnut lamprey Ichthyomyzon castaneus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Cardinal shiner Luxilus cardinalis SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Striped shiner L. chrysocephalus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Common shiner L. cornutus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Sturgeon chub Macrhybopsis gelida ST (KS), SE 

(NE) KS

Fishes Shoal chub M. hyostoma ST (KS) KS

Fishes Sicklefin chub M. meeki SE (KS) KS

Fishes Silver chub M. storeriana SE (KS) KS

Fishes Arkansas River speckled 

(peppered) chub M. tetranema SE (KS) KS

Fishes Opossum pipefish Microphis brachyurus ST (TX) TX

Fishes Spotted sucker Minytrema melanops SINC (KS) KS

Fishes River redhorse Moxostoma carinatum SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Black redhorse M. duquesnei SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Redspot chub Nocomis asper ST (KS) KS

Fishes Hornyhead chub N. biguttatus ST (KS) KS
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-18 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Fishes Tadpole madtom Norturus gyrinus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes River shiner Notropis blennius SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Bigeye shiner N. boops SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Chihuahua shiner N. chihuahua ST (TX) TX

Fishes Ozark minnow N. nubilus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Silverband shiner N. shumardi SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Bluntnose shiner (extinct) N. simus ST (TX) TX

Fishes Brindled madtom Noturus miurus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Black-sided darter Percina maculata ST (OK, KS, 

TX)

OK, KS, 

TX

Fishes Long-nosed darter P. nasuta SE (OK) OK

Fishes River darter P. shumardi SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Flathead chub Platygobio gracilis ST (KS) KS

Fishes Paddlefish Polyodon spathula ST (TX) TX

Fishes Bluehead shiner Pteronotropis hubbsi ST (TX) TX

Fishes Western blacknose dace Rhinichthys obtusus SINC (KS) KS

Fishes Widemouth blindcat Satan eurystomus ST (TX) TX

Fishes Shovelnose sturgeon

Scaphirhynchus 

platorynchus ST (TX) TX

Fishes Toothless blindcat Trogloglanis pattersoni ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Mucket mussel Actinonaias ligamentina SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Elktoe mussel Alasmidonta marginata SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Flat floater mussel Anodonta suborbiculata SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Cylindrical papershell mussel Anodontoides ferussacianus SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Rock pocketbook mussel Arcidens confragosus ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Oklahoma Cave crayfish Cambarus tartarus SE (OK) OK

Invertebrates Western fanshell mussel Cyprogenia aberti SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Butterfly mussel Ellipsaria lineolata ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Spike mussel Elliptio dilatata SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Snuffbox mussel Epioblasma triquetra SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Texas pigtoe Fusconaia askewi ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Wabash pigtoe mussel F. flava SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Triangle pigtoe F. lananensis ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Prairie mole cricket Gryllotalpa major SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Neosho mucket Lampsilis rafinesqueana SE (OK, KS) OK, KS

Invertebrates Sandbank pocketbook L. satura ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Fat mucket mussel L. siliquoidea SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Yellow sandshell mussel L. teres

SINC (KS), 

REA

OK, KS, 

TX

Invertebrates Fluted-shell mussel Lasmigona costata ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Washboard mussel Megalonaias nervosa SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Southern hickorynut Obovaria jacksoniana ST (TX) TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-19

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Invertebrates Optioservus riffle beetle Optioservus phaeus SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Neosho midget crayfish Orconectes macrus SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Round pigtoe mussel Pleurobema coccineum SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Louisiana pigtoe P. riddellii ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Sharp hornsnail Pleurocera acuta ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Slender walker snail Pomatiopsis lapidaria SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates Texas heelsplitter Potamilus amphichaenus ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Salina mucket P. metnecktayi ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Delta hydrobe Probythinella emarginata ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Ouachita kidneyshell mussel Ptychobranchus occidentalis ST (KS) KS

Invertebrates Giant floater Pyganodon grandis REA OK, KS, 

TX

Invertebrates Rabbits-foot mussel Quadrula cylindrica SE (KS) KS

Invertebrates False spike Q. mitchelli ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Wartyback mussel Q. nodulata SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Ozark emerald dragonfly Somatochlora ozarkensis SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Creeper mussel Strophitus undulatus SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Gray petaltail dragonfly Tachopteryx thoreyi SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Mexican fawnsfoot Truncilla cognata ST (TX) TX

Invertebrates Fawnsfoot mussel T. donaciformis SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Deertoe mussel T. truncata SINC (KS) KS

Invertebrates Pondhorn Uniomerus tetralasmus REA OK, KS, 

TX

Invertebrates Ellipse mussel Venustaconcha ellipsiformis SE (KS) KS

Mammals Pallid bat Antrozous pallidus SINC (KS), 

REA

OK, KS, 

TX

Mammals Rafinesque’s big-eared bat Corynorhinus rafinesquii ST (TX) TX

Mammals Townsend’s big-eared bat C. townsendii SINC (KS), 

REA

OK, KS, 

TX

Mammals Black-tailed prairie dog Cynomys ludovicianus SINC (OK) OK

Mammals Texas kangaroo rat Dipodomys elator ST (TX) TX

Mammals Spotted bat Euderma maculatum ST (TX) TX

Mammals Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata ST (TX) TX

Mammals Southern flying squirrel Glaucomys volans SINC (KS), 

ST (KS) KS

Mammals Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus ST (TX) TX

Mammals Pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps ST (TX) TX

Mammals Dwarf sperm whale Kogia simus ST (TX) TX

Mammals Eastern red bat Lasiurus borealis REA OK, KS, 

TX

Mammals Southern yellow bat Lasiurus ega ST (TX) TX

Mammals Margay Leopardus wiedii ST (TX) TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-20 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Mammals River otter Lutra canadensis ST (NE) NE

Mammals Gervais’s beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus ST (TX) TX

Mammals White-nosed coati Nasua narica ST (TX) TX

Mammals Killer whale Orcinus orca ST (TX) TX

Mammals Coues’s rice rat Oryzomys couesi ST (TX) TX

Mammals Texas mouse Peromyscus attwateri SINC (KS) KS

Mammals Palo duro mouse P. truei comanche ST (TX) TX

Mammals False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens ST (TX) TX

Mammals Franklin’s ground squirrel Spermophilus franklinii SINC (KS) KS

Mammals Eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius ST (KS) KS

Mammals Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis ST (TX) TX

Mammals Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis ST (TX) TX

Mammals Southern bog lemming Synaptomys cooperi SINC (KS) KS

Mammals Mexican free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis REA OK, KS, 

TX

Mammals Black bear Ursus americanus

ST (TX) (due 

to similarity

to Louisiana 

black bear)

TX

Mammals Swift fox Vulpes velox REA, SE (NE) OK, KS, 

TX

Mammals Goose-beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris ST (TX) TX

Plants American ginseng Panax quinquefolium ST (NE) NE

Reptiles Glossy snake Arizona elegans SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Scarlet snake Cemophora coccinea ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Reticulated gecko Coleonyx reticulatus ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Black-striped snake Coniophanes imperialis ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Timber rattlesnake Crotalus horridus ST (TX), 

SINC (KS) KS, TX

Reptiles Reticulate collared lizard Crotaphytus reticulatus ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Texas indigo snake

Drymarchon melanurus 

erebennus ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Speckled racer Drymobius margaritiferus ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Broadhead skink Eumeces laticeps ST (KS) KS

Reptiles Texas tortoise Gopherus berlandieri ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Cagle’s map turtle Graptemys caglei ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Common map turtle G. geographica ST (KS) KS

Reptiles Western hognose snake Heterodon nasicus SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Eastern hognose snake H. platirhinos SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Chihuahuan night snake Hypsiglena jani SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Chihuahuan mud turtle Kinosternon hirtipes murrayi ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Northern cat-eyed snake Leptodeira septentrionalis ST (TX) TX
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-21

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 3-4

Special Status Species Occurring in the Planning Area but not Listed on the ESA

Group Common Name Scientific Name

(Synonym)

Status*

(State)

State 

Where 

Present

Reptiles Smooth green snake Liochlorophis vernalis ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii ST (TX), 

SINC (KS) KS, TX

Reptiles Brazos water snake Nerodia harteri ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Texas horned lizard Phrynosoma cornutum ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Mountain short-horned lizard P. hernandesi ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Texas blind snake (New 

Mexico blind snake) Rena dissecta ST (KS) KS

Reptiles Longnose snake Rhinocheilus lecontei SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Massasauga Sistrurus catenatus ST (NE) NE

Reptiles Redbelly snake Storeria occipitomaculata SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Checkered garter snake Thamnophis marcianus ST (KS) KS

Reptiles Chihuahuan desert lyre snake Trimorphodon vilkinsonii ST (TX) TX

Reptiles Rough earth snake Virginia striatula SINC (KS) KS

Reptiles Smooth earth snake V. valeriae SINC (KS) KS

Sources:2 USFWS 2008a; Nebraska Natural Heritage Program 2013

*Status Codes: 

E—Federal-listed Endangered, T—Federal-listed Threatened, C—Federal-listed Candidate, P—Proposed for 

Listing, BCC—Bird of Conservation Concern, SE—State Endangered, ST—State Threatened

SINC—Species in Need of Conservation, REA—Southern Great Plains Rapid Ecoregional Assessment 

Key Species

Key species are described in detail below. They include species or species 

assemblages which are listed as conservation elements in the Southern Great 

Plains REA (Assal et al. 2015); or those species which are known to occur 

within the decision area.

Freshwater mussels species assemblage. Freshwater mussels of the family 

Unionidae are the most abundant and diverse group of native mussels in North 

America. However, currently freshwater mussels are the single most threatened 

animal group in North America, with 72 percent of species listed as threatened 

or endangered (Haag 2012). Key mussel species in the planning area are giant 

floater, pondhorn, and yellow sandshell (Assal et al. 2015).

Many mussels are benthic (bottom-dwelling) filter feeders that occur in dense 

aggregations called mussel beds. Mussels filter algae and other food items from 

the water and excrete nutrients into the aquatic system. Therefore, they serve 

 

2

Ibid.
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-22 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

as important links between the pelagic (water column) and benthic (sediment, 

stream, or lake bottom) components of the habitat (Vaughn and Hakenkamp 

2001). The nutrients they excrete can increase primary productivity (Vanni 

2002; Vaughn et al. 2007), provide nitrogen (Atkinson et al. 2013), and fuel 

surrounding terrestrial systems (Allen et al. 2012).

Mussels have biological and behavioral characteristics that make them less able 

to respond quickly to disturbance. They are relatively immobile and cannot 

easily move to new habitats if their current habitats become unsuitable. Because 

many species are long lived and have slow and complicated reproduction cycles, 

the effects of disturbances are often delayed and recovery can be very slow 

(Assal et al. 2015).

Arkansas River shiner (Notropis girardi), federal-listed threatened, 

state endangered (Kansas), state threatened (Texas). The Arkansas 

River shiner is a small streamlined minnow, found in the Arkansas River basin. 

The species inhabits shallow braided channels with pool, riffle, run, and 

backwater components. Water quality is characterized by low contaminant 

concentration and seasonally variable temperature, turbidity, conductivity, 

dissolved oxygen, and pH (USFWS 2001). Critical habitat for Arkansas River 

shiner was originally designated in 2001 (66 FR 18002-18034) and was later 

revised in a newly issued final rule in 2005 (70 FR 59808-59846). Critical habitat 

consists of two units; one contains two segments of the Canadian River and one 

unit contains one segment of the Cimarron River (see Figure 3-1). Critical 

habitat includes associated riparian zones of generally 300 feet on each side of 

the stream.
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NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS GIS 2014

OKT_AMS_all_ARS_V02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Arkansas River shiner critical habitat

Arkansas

River Shiner

Figure 3-1
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-24 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Historically, the Arkansas River shiner was widespread and abundant 

throughout the Arkansas River basin in Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and 

Texas; however, the species no longer inhabits more than 80 percent of its 

original range. Current populations are almost entirely restricted to 

approximately 500 miles of the Canadian River in Oklahoma, Texas, and New 

Mexico (USFWS 1998). The construction of reservoirs has fragmented, 

inundated, dewatered, or otherwise directly affected habitat for the Arkansas 

River shiner, and depletions and diversions continue to threaten the species. 

Water quality degradation caused by concentrated animal feeding operations, 

municipal sewage effluent, and other sources have impacted aggregations 

(USFWS 2009a).

Burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), bird of conservation concern. A 

small, ground-dwelling owl with long legs, white chin stripe, round head, and 

stubby tail, it may be observed perching on the ground, on fence posts, or on 

mounds in open spaces. Burrowing owls are not highly territorial and may share 

a common foraging area with other nesting pairs. Habitat includes open 

grasslands, prairie, plains, savanna, and sometimes vacant lots near human 

habitation or airports. 

This owl spends much time on the ground or on low perches, such as fence 

posts or dirt mounds. It nests in abandoned burrows dug by prairie dogs, 

ground squirrels, foxes, woodchucks, or badgers. In Oklahoma, burrowing owls 

are highly associated with prairie dog colonies. Their diet includes large insects, 

rodents, and sometimes birds and amphibians. Widely distributed throughout

the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains in the United States and Canada, the 

burrowing owl’s numbers have been greatly reduced by habitat loss (e.g., due to 

intensive agriculture), degradation (e.g., via human control of prairie dogs and 

other small burrowing mammals), and fragmentation from conversion to 

agriculture (NatureServe 2015).

Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), bird of conservation concern. A hawk 

with a rusty back and shoulders, pale head, and white tail, the ferruginous hawk 

winters in Texas and Oklahoma in grassland and desert shrub areas. It prefers 

open country, primarily prairies, plains, and badlands; sagebrush, saltbushgreasewood shrubland, the periphery of pinyon-juniper and other woodlands, 

and desert. It nests in tall trees or willows along streams or on steep slopes, on

cliff ledges, hillsides, on power line towers, on sloped ground on the plains, or 

on mounds in open desert, avoiding agriculture and human activity. Ferruginous 

hawks may maintain several nests in a territory and alternate their use. Clutch 

size varies with the availability of prey, especially ground squirrels (Spermophilus

spp.) and jackrabbits (Lepus spp.). Home range size varies widely, from 3 to 30 

square miles in some areas. Uncommon but widespread in suitable habitat in the 

western United States and Canada, the ferruginous hawk has declined in local 

areas. It is highly sensitive to human disturbance and subject to continuing 
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-25

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

habitat loss from agricultural development and forest incursion into grasslands 

(NatureServe 2015).

Interior least tern (Sterna antillarum athalassos), federal-listed

endangered. Interior least terns nest locally along the Colorado, Red, 

Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, and Mississippi River systems. Least terns nesting on 

the California coast and along interior rivers are listed as endangered by the 

USFWS, except in areas within 50 miles of the Texas coast. The least tern is the 

smallest North American tern, gray above, with a black cap and nape, white 

forehead, and a black line running from the crown through the eye to the base 

of the bill. Interior populations mainly eat aquatic invertebrates, primarily 

cyprinids (minnows). They nest in shallow depressions on the ground on sandy 

beaches, salt flats, or sparsely vegetated river or lake banks in North America 

and winter in Mexico and Central America. Least terns were formerly more 

widespread and common but now survive only in scattered remnants. Their 

habitat has been decimated by human use of beaches and sandbars and by 

upstream dams that remove alluvium and create scour in river channels, 

reducing sandbars and beaches used for nesting (NatureServe 2015; see Figure 

3-2).

Lesser prairie chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), federal-listed

threatened. The lesser prairie chicken is characterized by brown and buffcolored barring, similar in appearance to the greater prairie-chicken but slightly 

smaller. It inhabits mixed-grass/dwarf shrub communities that occur on sandy 

soils, principally the sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifoilia)-bluestem (Andropogon

spp.) association in Colorado, Kansas, and Oklahoma, and to a lesser extent, 

Texas and New Mexico. Leks typically occur on knolls or ridges with relatively 

short or sparse vegetation. Nesting sites are in sand sagebrush or shinnery oak 

grasslands. with high canopy cover in relatively tall dense vegetation. Diet is

insects, seeds, acorns, vegetative material, and cultivated grains, such as 

sorghum. In spring and fall, adults congregate on leks, where males engage in 

communal courtship displays; the number of males attending a lek is influenced 

by habitat and population density. Droughts and hot dry weather during nesting 

season negatively impact grass height and may reduce hatching success. Lesser 

prairie chickens form flocks in fall and winter and generally do not migrate. 

Males and females both demonstrate strong site fidelity.

The lesser prairie-chicken has a small fragmented range in the southwestern 

Great Plains. Its distribution and abundance have declined due to habitat loss, 

degradation, and fragmentation caused by conversion of native rangelands to 

cropland, the spread of invasive species, and cumulative habitat degradation 

caused by inappropriate livestock grazing, energy development, woodland 

spread due to fire suppression, and structural and transportation developments 

(NatureServe 2015). Additionally, collisions with stock fences represent a 

leading cause of mortality of lesser prairie chicken. In the planning area, 
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NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS 2015

OKT_AMS_all_ILT_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Counties in which the interior

least tern is known to or is

believed to occur.

Interior

Least Tern

Figure 3-2
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-27

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

populations are primarily concentrated in western Kansas and the Oklahoma 

and Texas panhandle. Populations are estimated at approximately 20,000 to 

30,000 in Kansas, fewer than 3,000 in Oklahoma, and 2,000 in Texas (USFWS 

2014a). See Figure 3-3 for the species range in the planning area.

Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), bird of conservation 

concern. The long-billed curlew is a large dusky shorebird, with black barring 

and a long decurved bill for probing for food in the mud. It is a long-distance 

migrant and breeds in prairies and grassy meadows, generally near water. It 

nests on the ground, usually in a flat area with short grass, sometimes on more 

irregular terrain, often near rocks, in prairies and meadows. In winter, it is often 

found on beaches and mudflats. It is an opportunistic feeder, ranging from 

insects, such as beetles and grasshoppers, to berries, crabs, small toads, and 

snails. It is found widely across the western United States and Canada, but its 

range is diminishing. It occurs in the decision area in northern Texas through 

southwestern Kansas but is vulnerable or imperiled throughout these areas. Its 

populations have declined from hunting, and habitat loss from cultivation has led 

to localized declines (NatureServe 2015).

Mountain plover (Charadrius montanus), bird of conservation concern. 

The mountain plover has a brown back, mainly white undersides, and a dark 

crown. It is a long-distance migrant, wintering along the Pacific coast and nesting 

in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains on the ground in bare or sparsely 

vegetated areas. It is found in croplands, deserts, and grassland areas, and it 

nests in short-grass prairie and sagebrush habitat, sometimes in prairie dog 

towns. Nests are on the ground in shallow depressions in dry soils. Nest 

predation is high, mainly from foxes and coyotes, and nests in fallow fields may 

be lost by if the fields are subsequently planted. The mountain plover feeds

primarily on insects, including grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, flies, and ants. 

Preferred winter habitat consists of short-grass plains and fields, plowed fields, 

and sandy deserts, where it forages and roosts in loose flocks that may exceed 

1,000 birds on the southern Great Plains.

Numbers have been greatly reduced by hunting, and habitat has been lost by 

conversion of short-grass prairie to cropland or tall grasses, orchards, or 

developments. In the Great Plains, many nests were on prairie dog towns, which 

have declined greatly from human removal but are now increasing in abundance 

again. The USFWS recently declined to list the mountain plover under the ESA 

(NatureServe 2015).
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Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: KBS GIS 2013

OKT_AMS_all_LPC_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Lesser prairie chicken crucial habitat

Lesser prairie chicken historic range

Lesser Prairie

Chicken

Figure 3-3
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-29

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Snowy plover (Charadrius nivosus), bird of conservation concern. The 

snowy plover is a small pale plover with a thin dark bill, white underside, a 

breast band, and dark ear patch. It nests on the ground in loose colonies on 

shorelines, mud or salt flats, and sandy or sparsely vegetated shores of rivers, 

lakes, and ponds. Nest predation by gulls, common raven, red fox, skunk, 

raccoon, and coyote results in a high rate of loss in some areas. Most 

populations are migratory and in winter are found on beaches, in salt ponds, and 

on estuarine sand and mud flats. It eats insects, small crustaceans, and other 

invertebrates in the mud or near shallow water. It has a large scattered range 

from Texas and Oklahoma west to California; populations are declining in many 

areas due to habitat loss and degradation, especially from development and 

disturbance by humans in shoreline areas, as well as from predators. On the 

Great Plains, its habitat has been lost to invasion of nonnative tamarisk 

(NatureServe 2015). The Pacific coast population is listed as threatened under 

the ESA.

Bat species assemblage. The bat assemblage in the planning area is made up 

of species with wide-ranging distributions. The planning area represents the 

eastern extent of species associated with arid landscapes and the western

extent of species associated with temperate eastern North America (Assal et al. 

2015). 

Bat species in the planning area are primarily insectivorous and generally fall into 

one of four dietary classifications: aerial insectivores of forests and clearings 

(silver-haired bat, big brown bat), gleaning insectivores, which capture prey from 

the vegetation or the ground (fringed myotis, pallid bat), water surface foragers, 

which forage aquatic insects from and above bodies of water (Yuma myotis, 

little brown bat), and open-air aerial insectivores (Mexican free-tailed bat, hoary 

bat; Findley 1993). Bats are also prey to many animals, including other mammals, 

birds and other raptors, amphibians, fish, and reptiles, including snakes (Sparks

et al. 2000).

Bats in the planning area use a variety of structures for reproduction, 

hibernation, and roosting. Some species roost in caves but also may roost in 

abandoned mines and other subterranean features that provide cave-like 

conditions. Other species roost in rock features that provide crevices and 

sheltered areas on cliff faces and escarpments or between and under rocks in 

boulder fields and talus slopes. Still other species roost in the foliage of trees or 

other vegetation, typically roosting individually or in small groups.

Sites that serve as maternity roosts are usually relatively warm and near 

predictable foraging areas and water (Dalquest et al. 1990; Miller 2011), while 

winter hibernation sites are relatively cold, stable roosting environments enable

bats to lower their core body temperatures and metabolic rates (Humphrey and 

Kunz 1976). Hibernation sites are generally not abundant, and as such large 

segments of regional bat populations may be restricted to only a few roosting
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-30 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

sites during certain times of the year (Prendergast et al. 2010). Some species 

may also have very high fidelity to certain roosts (Prendergast et al. 2010),

making them vulnerable to disturbance from human activities and destruction of 

roosts (Hutson et al. 2001). 

There are five federally listed bats in the planning area: gray myotis 

(endangered), Indiana bat (endangered), Ozark big-eared bat (endangered), 

Mexican long-nosed bat (endangered), and northern long-nosed bat

(threatened). Three other species in the planning area are considered sensitive:

Townsend’s big-eared bat, pallid bat, and Mexican free-tailed bat.

Black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) species of species 

concern (Oklahoma). Black-tailed prairie dog is a diurnal rodent, 

approximately 15 inches in length. It lives in colonies or towns, which can cover 

up to thousands of acres of grassland habitat (Arizona Game and Fish 

Department 1999). Well drained and medium textured soils are required for 

burrow excavation. Declines in populations in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas 

have been attributed to population control efforts, habitat destruction, and 

fragmentation by agricultural conversion and plague (Arizona Game and Fish 

Department 1999).

Black-tailed prairie dogs provide important habitat and feeding grounds for 

other species, including the endangered black-footed ferret. This species uses 

prairie dog burrows for shelter and depend on prairie dogs as a food source. 

Activities that affect black-tailed prairie dog populations or habitat may also 

affect black-foot ferrets (USFWS 2013a).

Swift fox (Vulpes velox), species of special concern (Oklahoma). The 

swift fox is the smallest fox in North America, found primarily in short-grass and 

mixed-grass prairies. It relies on dens year-round for shelter, escape from 

predators, and rearing of young (Meyer 2009). Coyotes are the primary 

predator, and badgers and raptors are also responsible for some swift fox 

mortality. Threats are trapping, poisoning, vehicle collision, red fox range 

expansion, coyotes, and habitat loss and degradation (Meyer 2009). The swift 

fox is found in northern Texas, the Oklahoma panhandle region, and western 

Kansas.

Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis). federal-listed

endangered. A small woodpecker closely related to the hairy woodpecker 

(Picoides villosus), it has red streaks (cockades) are on either side of the head of 

adult males. It lives in groups, unlike other woodpeckers, with a single breeding 

pair and sometimes helpers, which incubate eggs, feed nestlings and fledglings, 

and defend territories. It roosts in cavities excavated in mature pine trees. Rat 

snake predation takes a heavy toll on nestlings, and flying squirrels (Gluacomys 

volans) may seize and destroy nests. 
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-31

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Nesting groups are highly territorial, and competition for cavities is strong with 

other woodpeckers and flying squirrels. Home ranges are approximately 100 to 

125 acres. Historically found from New Jersey to Texas, this species is now 

reduced to small fragmented populations in the southeastern United States. It is 

highly imperiled in Oklahoma and Texas; Kansas and Nebraska are not part of 

its range. See Figure 3-4 for the species range in the planning area. It requires 

mature old-growth pine trees for cavity nesting and foraging. Deforestation and 

short rotation timber management practices have removed habitat, while fire 

suppression has allowed pine stands to be invaded by hardwoods (NatureServe

2015).

American burying beetle (Nicrophorus americanus), federal-listed

endangered. The American burying beetle is a large beetle approximately one 

to 1.5 inches in length; it is the largest member of its genus in North America. 

The species is identifiable by its large size and by a large orange-red disk, which 

covers a portion of the thorax (USFWS 1988). Once widely distributed 

throughout eastern North America, populations have disappeared from most of 

its historic range. The species occupies a range of habitats, including tall-grass

prairie, woodlands, and forests. In the planning area, the American burying 

beetle is found primarily in eastern Oklahoma (USFWS GIS 2014), although field 

surveys have documented it in Kansas and Texas as well (USFWS 2008b;

Figure 3-5). In Oklahoma, the highest concentration of beetles is found at 

Camp Gruber—an area composed of 32,000 acres of cross-timber habitat, with 

an oak-hickory forest and tall-grass prairie mosaic pattern (USFWS 2008b). This 

area contains BLM-administered subsurface lands.

Greater prairie chicken (Tympanuchus cupido), bird of conservation 

concern. The greater prairie-chicken is a chunky hen-like bird, barred with 

dark brown, cinnamon, and pale buff. It is slightly larger, darker, and more 

barred than the lesser prairie and sharp-tailed grouse. Its preferred habitat is 

grasslands with herbaceous cover; it may also be found in cultivated lands and 

pastures. Males gather in leks for communal courtship, as with lesser prairie 

chicken, and females nest in the vicinity, in a scrape on the ground lined with 

vegetation. Both sexes show site fidelity and most do not migrate; ranges vary 

from 25 to 500 acres. 

The diet consists primarily of insects, especially grasshoppers in summer. At 

other times of year it eats fruit, leaves, flowers, shoots, and grain. Formerly 

widespread in grasslands of Canada and the western United States, the greater 

prairie chicken is now found locally in much reduced numbers in the Great 

Plains south to Texas. The species’ decline is mainly the result of loss and 

fragmentation of tall-grass prairie. The largest remaining populations are in 

Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. The closely related lesser 

prairie chicken is also diminished in range, and the subspecies cupido (heath hen) 

of the eastern seaboard has been extinct since the 1930s (NatureServe 2015).
!

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Gulf of

Mexico Mexico

NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS 2015

OKT_AMS_all_RCW_V01_V02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Counties in which the redcockaded woodpecker is known

to or is believed to occur.

Red-cockaded

Woodpecker

Figure 3-4
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Gulf of

Mexico Mexico

NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS 2015, USFWS GIS 2015a

OKT_AMS_all_ABB_V02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Counties in which the American

burying beetle is known to or is

believed to occur, or is within 30

km of documented occurence in

Oklahoma.

American

Burying Beetle

Figure 3-5
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-34 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapilla), federal-listed endangered. A 

vireo with white eye rings, olive upper parts, a white breast, and belly with 

yellowish flanks, and a black head (in adult males), the black-capped vireo is 

similar in appearance to the solitary vireo but is somewhat smaller. A longdistance migrant, it nests in Texas and Oklahoma and winters in Mexico. It feeds 

on insects (especially caterpillars), spiders, and fruits. It is found in shrubland and 

chaparral habitat, in dense low thickets and oak scrub, mostly on rocky hillsides 

or steep ravines in rugged terrain. Nests are in tangles of shrubby growth close 

to the ground in small trees or shrubs, with vegetation extending to the ground,

among barren or less vegetated areas.

Historically the black-capped vireo was found from south-central Kansas 

through central Oklahoma and Texas into northeastern Mexico. Its present 

range extends from Blaine County, Oklahoma (two locations, only one of which, 

the Wichita Mountains, has substantial numbers), south through central and 

western Texas into Mexico, where it is thought to be more common. Threats 

are habitat loss and degradation resulting from human development, fire 

suppression, effects of grazers, and range management practices that remove 

low woody vegetation and promote juniper (Juniperus spp.) invasion. In addition, 

it is a frequent host of the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), which may 

reduce nesting success 80 to 100 percent in some years (NatureServe 2015). 

See Figure 3-6 for the species range in the planning area.

Whooping crane (Grus americana), federal-listed endangered. The 

whooping crane is a very tall, mostly white, long-legged bird with red facial skin. 

During summer, it feeds on insects, crustaceans, and berries; its winter diet also 

includes grains, acorns, fishes, amphibians, and marine worms. Critical habitat 

was designated for whooping crane on May 15, 1978 (43 FR 20938-20942). 

Critical habitat units are found in each state in the planning area (see Figure 3-

7). 

The species’ preferred habitat is wetland, lagoon, riparian tidal flat and shallow 

water, grassland, and cropland. Nesting occurs in dense emergent vegetation,

such as bulrushes in shallow ponds, marshes, wet prairies, or lake margins. The 

nest is made of marsh vegetation, rising about 8 to 20 inches above the 

surrounding water level. Breeding territories are very large, averaging 1,900 

acres. The pairs mate for life. Habitat during migration and winter is marshes, 

shallow lakes, lagoons, salt flats, grain and stubble fields, and barrier islands. The 

remaining birds migrate mainly through the Great Plains south to Texas for the 

winter. Mated pairs and families establish and defend winter territories on 

coastal marshes in Texas. Pairs or family groups begin a northward migration in 

April.
!

!

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^

!

!

!

!

^

!

^

Gulf of

Mexico Mexico

NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS 2015

OKT_AMS_all_BCV_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Counties in which the blackcapped vireo is known to or is

believed to occur.

Black-capped

Vireo

Figure 3-6
!

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^

!

!

!

!

^

!

^

Gulf of

Mexico Mexico

NM

Texas

LA

AR

Oklahoma

CO

NE

MO Kansas

SALINA

AMARILLO

LUBBOCK

DALLAS

EL PASO

AUSTIN

HOUSTON

SAN

ANTONIO

CORPUS

CHRISTI

TULSA

TOPEKA

WICHITA

OKLAHOMA

CITY

0 25 50

Miles

Source: USFWS GIS 2014

OKT_AMS_all_WC_V01_02.pdf

No warranty is made by the BLM for the use of

the data for purposes not intended by the BLM.

This map is for illustrative purposes only and is

not suitable for parcel-specific decision making.

The areas depicted are approximate and may

be updated without notice.

NATIONAL SYSTEM OF PUBLIC LANDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Planning area

Whooping crane critical habitat

Whooping Crane

Figure 3-7
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-37

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

The whooping crane is on the brink of extinction; the wild population reached a 

low of 14 birds, but has since improved to over two hundred, with intensive 

captive breeding, including migration following ultralight aircraft. Ultralight 

aircrafts act as surrogate parents and guide captive-hatched whooping cranes 

along a planned migration route. At present, one self-sustaining population nests 

in Canada, wintering along the Texas coast; there are two additional 

reintroduced populations: one migrates from Wisconsin to Florida, one is in 

Florida and does not migrate. Historically, whooping cranes suffered from 

hunting and habitat loss from conversion of prairie to cropland. The remaining 

wild cranes are vulnerable to catastrophic natural events and ongoing human

threats, such as loss of coastal wetlands, oil spills, collisions with power lines and 

structures during migration, and poaching. In addition, because of delayed sexual 

maturity and low annual reproductive output, the population of this species 

grows slowly and is especially vulnerable to poor survivorship. The population 

shrinking to such small numbers results in a loss of genetic variability that 

increases the birds’ vulnerability to disease. The Aransas reintroduced 

population migrates through western Kansas and Oklahoma and central Texas 

en route to its wintering ground at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the 

coast in south Texas, a distance of 2,500 miles (NatureServe 2015). 

Trends

Special status species diversity and abundance is directly related to maintaining 

habitat availability, diversity, and quality. The species described above each have 

their own specialized habitat requirements. In many instances, these habitat 

types have been drastically altered or reduced from the historic native ranges. 

Continuing threats to native ecosystems and species diversity in the planning 

area are fragmentation and loss of critical or important habitat due to human 

activities.

In Oklahoma, 26 species of breeding land birds have experienced population 

declines of 45 percent or more between 1968 and 2003 (ODWC 2005). 

Additionally, channelization and impoundment of rivers has directly eliminated 

nesting habitat for such species as the least tern. However, listed species that 

have benefitted from extensive conservation efforts, such as the whooping crane 

and bald eagle, have been recovering in the region (ODWC 2005; Wasson et al. 

2005). The bald eagle has recovered from a low of nine pairs to approximately 

150 breeding pairs in Oklahoma today.3 In eastern Texas, red-cockaded 

woodpeckers experienced severe population declines in the 1980s. Management 

activities on federal surface lands (such as thinning projects and translocations) 

 

3Wolfe, Don. 2015. Biologist at Sutton Avian Research Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, personal communication 

with Liza Wozniak, EMPSi biologist, January 2015.
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-38 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

have helped to reverse this trend, although loss of forested habitat, inadequate 

fire regimes to control hardwood mid-story, and demographic dysfunction 

remain an obstacle to recovery, particularly on private and state-owned surface 

lands (Conner et al. 2006).

Special Status Plant Species

Several key special status plant species are described below. While this is not an 

official designation, these species are relatively important in the planning area for

several reasons. For one, they occur in native prairie grasslands (eastern and 

western prairie fringed orchids) and riparian areas (harperella), which are some 

of the most threatened habitats in the planning area. These species also could

occur in portions of the planning area, where the most BLM- and BIAadministered surface lands are located (for example, the Central Great Plains 

ecoregion; see Table 2-1, EPA Level III Ecoregions in the Planning Area). 

Finally, these are the only threatened or endangered species listed by the State 

of Oklahoma, which is where most BLM activities in the planning area occur.4

Eastern prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea), federal-listed

threatened, state threatened (Oklahoma). Eastern prairie fringed orchid 

is a perennial herb in the orchid family (Orchidaceae) that flowers in late June or

early July. Plants grow from an underground tuber and regenerate vegetatively 

through the tuber rootstock and buds and by seed. Successful seedling 

establishment requires development of a mycorrhizal association with a 

favorable soil-inhabiting fungus. Disturbance, either patch disturbance from 

animals or the death of other plants, appears to be important in seedling 

establishment (USFWS 1999). Occasionally plants will enter dormancy and not 

emerge above ground during the growing season (Bowles et al. 1992). 

Dormancy in this species is not well understood (USFWS 1999). 

Eastern prairie fringed orchid occurs in a wide variety of habitats, from mesic 

prairie to wetland communities, such as sedge meadows, marsh edges, and even 

bogs, with sunny open conditions (USFWS 1999). Eastern prairie fringed orchid 

formerly occurred from eastern Iowa, Missouri, and Oklahoma eastward across 

southern Wisconsin, northern and central Illinois, southern Michigan, northern 

Indiana and Ohio, and northwestern Pennsylvania to western New York and 

adjacent southern Ontario. Disjunct populations also occurred in New Jersey, 

Virginia, and Maine. 

Eastern prairie fringed orchid has declined more than 70 percent from original 

county records in the United States; at the time of listing, 59 populations were 

extant in six states (USFWS 1999). Plants have not been found again in 

 

4Thomas, George. 2015. Personal communication via e-mail to Kevin Rice, EMPSi, dated February 13, 2015. 

Subject: Special status species list and definition.
3. Fish and Wildlife

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 3-39

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Oklahoma. The eastern prairie fringed orchid’s distribution has not changed 

appreciably since 1991 (USFWS 2010). Declines in populations have been due 

mainly to conversion of habitat to cropland and pasture (USFWS 1999).

Remaining populations continue to be threatened by succession to woody 

vegetation, competition from nonnative species, pollinators impacted pesticides, 

over-collecting, wetland habitats drained and developed, and climate change 

(USFWS 1999, 2010).

Western prairie fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara), federal-listed

threatened, state threatened (Oklahoma, Nebraska). Western prairie 

fringed orchid is a terrestrial perennial herb in the orchid family (Orchidaceae). 

It flowers from mid-June to late July. Plants grow from an underground tuber 

and regenerate vegetatively through the tuber rootstock and buds and by seed. 

Successful seedling establishment requires development of a mycorrhizal 

association with a favorable soil-inhabiting fungus. Dormancy in the species 

generally lasts between one and three years (Sather 1997 in USFWS 2009b), 

though more than half of dormancy episodes last less than one year (QuintanaAscencio et al. 2004 in USFWS 2009b). 

Western prairie fringed orchid is known to occur only west of the Mississippi 

River, most often in unplowed, calcareous tall-grass prairie and sedge meadows 

and also in disturbed sites, including borrow pits, old fields, and roadside ditches 

(USFWS 1996). Extant populations in eastern Kansas occur in mesic to wetmesic upland prairies; it occurred historically along the floodplains of several 

larger rivers (Freeman and Brooks 1989 in USFWS 1996). Although moist soil 

near the ground surface is critical to maintain western prairie fringed orchid 

populations, standing water may adversely affect populations, depending on the 

depth and duration of flooding (USFWS 2009b). Drought has significant and, in 

some cases, widespread effects on western prairie fringed orchid flowering and 

survival (USFWS 2009b). Threats identified are conversion of habitat to

cropland, overgrazing, invasive species, over-collection, climate change, and 

herbicide and pesticide impacts on the plant and its pollinators (USFWS 2009b).

Harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum), federal-listed endangered, state 

endangered (Oklahoma). Harperella is an annual aquatic herb in the carrot 

family (Apiaceae) that blooms from May to October. Population sizes may vary 

dramatically from year to year in response to water levels (USFWS 1990). Only 

45 occurrences in 24 watersheds are known, with the largest concentration of 

populations found along the Maryland/West Virginia border and in Arkansas. 

Around 25 percent of known occurrences have not been seen in 20 years (OBS 

2013)

Harperella occurs in seasonally flooded rocky streams and coastal plain ponds 

(USFWS 1990). In Oklahoma, it occurs in the southeastern portion of the state 

in riverine habitat; this includes two stands of approximately 500 plants each 

(OBS 2013). Threats to the species are fluctuating water levels from dredging;
3. Fish and Wildlife

3-40 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

dam and reservoir construction, and wetland draining; water quality reduction 

from pollution, algae, and erosion; siltation from logging and road construction;

and invasive plants (OBS 2013). Specific threats to the Oklahoma population are 

increased siltation from timber harvesting, runoff from ranching and poultry 

farming, the possibility of out-of-state water transfers, and recreation (OBS 

2013). The region has experienced drought conditions since 2010, and this 

could eventually affect river flow (OBS 2013).

Additional Rare Plant Species 

In addition to federal- and state-listed species, the Oklahoma Natural Heritage 

Inventory maintains a list of rare and vulnerable plant species in the state (ONHI 

2005). Similarly, the Kansas Natural Heritage Inventory maintains a list of Kansas 

rare plants (KNHI 2012b). Nearly 400 species, in addition to the three federallisted species, are on the Kansas element tracking list. Each species is assigned a 

global and state conservation status rank, based on the NatureServe system 

(NatureServe, n.d.). Neither Oklahoma nor Kansas lists special status plant 

species in their respective wildlife action plans (ODWS 2005; Wasson et al. 

2005). The Texas Conservation Action Plan (TPWD 2012) lists 445 plant 

species of greatest conservation need (inclusive of federal- and state-listed 

species).
May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 4-1

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

CHAPTER 4

MIGRATORY BIRDS, INCLUDING RAPTORS

4.1 SPECIES AND HABITAT REQUIREMENTS

Decision area lands are used for nesting and foraging grounds by large numbers 

of migratory birds, including songbirds, waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors.

Some over-winter in the decision area while others breed or are resident there. 

Natural habitats for migratory birds in Kansas and Nebraska are short-grass

prairie, central mixed-grass prairie, and eastern tall-grass prairie. In Oklahoma, 

the regions are short-grass prairie, central mixed-grass prairie, oaks and prairies, 

eastern tall-grass prairie, Mississippi alluvial valley, and west Gulf coastal plain. In 

Texas, the regions are short-grass prairie, central mixed-grass prairie, 

Chihuahuan desert, Edwards plateau, oaks and prairies, west gulf coastal plain, 

Tamaulipan brushlands, and Gulf-coastal prairie (USFWS 2008a). More 

information on habitat types in the decision area is found in Section 2, 

Vegetation and Land Use.

4.2 BIRD SURVEYS IN THE PLANNING AREA

Migratory bird survey data are collected by the US Geological Survey (USGS)

Wildlife Research Center in Patuxent, Maryland. There are over 60 breeding 

bird survey (BBS) routes in Oklahoma and in Kansas and approximately 200 in 

Texas (Pardieck et al. 2014). Data are available online by survey route at 

https://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBS/PublicDataInterface/index.cfm.

4.3 SPECIAL MANAGEMENT SPECIES

Special status birds are both federal-listed as threatened and endangered species 

and BLM-listed sensitive bird species and USFWS Birds of Conservation 

Concern (BCC). The USFWS BCC report (2008a) identifies migratory nongame 

birds that, without additional conservation action, are likely to become 

candidates for listing under the ESA (USFWS 2008a). Table 4-1 shows the 

BCC in each region identified in the BCC report. Priority BCCs in the planning 

area are described in the Special Status Species section, above.
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

4-2 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 4-1

USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern Short-grass prairie Central mixed-grass prairie Edwards Plateau Oaks and prairies Eastern tall-grass prairie

Mississippi alluvial planWest Gulf coastal plainChihuahuan desertTamaulipan brushlands Gulf-coastal prairie

Pied-billed grebe x

Horned grebe x

Audubon’s shearwater x

Band-rumped storm-petrel x

American bittern x x x

Least bittern x x x x

Reddish egret x

Black-crowned night-heron x

Lesser prairie-chicken x x

Little blue heron x x x

Swallow-tailed kite x x x x

Mississippi kite x

Bald eagle x x x x x x x x x

Golden eagle x x

Peregrine falcon x x x x x x

Prairie falcon x

Harris’s hawk x

Swainson’s hawk x x

Ferruginous hawk x

Common black-hawk x

White-tailed hawk x

American kestrel x

Black rail x x x x x

Yellow rail x x x

Snowy plover x x x x x

Wilson’s plover x

Mountain plover x x x x x x

American oystercatcher x

Solitary sandpiper x x x x x

Upland sandpiper x x x x x x

Lesser yellowlegs x x

Long-billed curlew x x x x x x x

Whimbrel x x

Hudsonian godwit x x x x x x
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 4-3

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 4-1

USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern Short-grass prairie Central mixed-grass prairie Edwards Plateau Oaks and prairies Eastern tall-grass prairie

Mississippi alluvial planWest Gulf coastal plainChihuahuan desertTamaulipan brushlands Gulf-coastal prairie

Marbled godwit x x x x

Red knot x x

Buff-breasted sandpiper x x x x x x

Short-billed dowitcher x x x x

Least tern x

Black tern x

Common tern x

Gull-billed tern x x

Sandwich tern x

Black skimmer x

Red-billed pigeon x

Green parakeet x

Red-crowned parrot x

Black-billed cuckoo x

Yellow-billed cuckoo x

Flammulated owl x

Elf owl x x

Short-eared owl x x x

Burrowing owl x x x

Lucifer hummingbird x

Buff-bellied hummingbird x

Whip-poor-will x

Chuck-will’s widow x

Red-headed woodpecker x x x x x

Lewis’s woodpecker x

Scissor-tailed flycatcher x x

Willow flycatcher x

Northern flicker x

Acadian flycatcher x

Loggerhead shrike x x x x x x

Brown-headed nuthatch x

Northern beardless-tyrannulet x

Rose-throated becard x

Gray vireo x x
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

4-4 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region May 2015

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 4-1

USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern Short-grass prairie Central mixed-grass prairie Edwards Plateau Oaks and prairies Eastern tall-grass prairie

Mississippi alluvial planWest Gulf coastal plainChihuahuan desertTamaulipan brushlands Gulf-coastal prairie

Bell’s vireo x x x x x x

Verdin x

Bendire’s thrasher x

Curve-billed thrasher x

Bewick’s wren x x

Sedge wren x x

Wood thrush x x x

Sprague’s pipit x x x x x x x

Tropical parula x

Summer tanager x

White-collared seedeater x

Virginia’s warbler x

Prairie warbler x

Worm-eating warbler x

Louisiana waterthrush x

Swainson’s warbler x x x x

Blue-winged warbler x

Cerulean warbler x x x

Prothonotary warbler x x x x

Kentucky warbler x x x

Colima warbler x

Red-faced warbler x

Yellow warbler x

Grace’s warbler x

Botteri’s sparrow x

Bachman’s sparrow x

Field sparrow x

Grasshopper sparrow x x

Rufous-crowned sparrow x

Black-chinned sparrow x

Cassin’s sparrow x x x

Henslow’s sparrow x x x x x x

Harris’s sparrow x x x

LeConte’s sparrow x x
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

May 2015 BLM Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas Planning Area and BIA Eastern Oklahoma and Southern Plains Region 4-5

Joint EIS/BLM RMP and BIA Integrated RMP

Biological Baseline Report

Table 4-1

USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern Short-grass prairie Central mixed-grass prairie Edwards Plateau Oaks and prairies Eastern tall-grass prairie

Mississippi alluvial planWest Gulf coastal plainChihuahuan desertTamaulipan brushlands Gulf-coastal prairie

Nelson’s sharp-tailed sparrow x

Seaside sparrow x

Lark bunting x x x x

Baird’s sparrow x

McCown’s longspur x x x x

Smith’s longspur x x x x

Chestnut-collared longspur x x x x x

Varied bunting x x

Painted bunting x x x x x

Dickcissel x x x x

Rusty blackbird x

Orchard oriole x x x x x

Hooded oriole x

Altamira oriole x

Audubon’s oriole x

Source: USFWS 2008a

The Important Bird Areas (IBA) Program is an effort by the National Audubon 

Society and local partners to identify and conserve areas vital to birds and other 

biodiversity. Identifying vital areas worldwide is an important step to improving 

public awareness and support and ensuring that all IBAs are properly managed 

and conserved. 

Bird habitats are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation from human 

development. Coupled with global warming and introduced predators, these 

factors pose serious threats to populations of birds across America and around 

the world. By working to identify and implement conservation strategies in IBAs, 

the Audubon Society and partners hope to avoid additional populations being

listed as endangered or threatened or dropping to dangerously low levels. 

Table 4-2 shows the names and acreages of IBAs in the planning area. 
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Table 4-2

Important Bird Areas in the Planning Area

Name ImportanceAcreage Notes

KANSAS

Cheyenne Bottoms Preserve and 

Wildlife Area

Global 27,552 Whooping crane and 47 other bird 

species

Cimarron National Grassland Global 108,178 Lesser prairie-chicken, golden 

eagle, and 3 other species

Flint Hills Region Global 3,300,112 Sprague’s pipit, greater prairiechicken, and 13 other species

John Redmond Reservoir and Flint 

Hills National Wildlife Refuge

State 18,464 Snow goose

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge State 10,779 N/A

Marais des Cygnes Wildlife Area and

National Wildlife Refuge 

Global 15,145 Red-headed Woodpecker and 2 

other species

Neosho Wildlife Area State 3,247

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge Global 22,136 Whooping crane and 3 other bird

species

Red Hills Region Global 2,298,31

9

Lesser prairie-chicken

OKLAHOMA

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge Global 32,000 Whooping crane and 5 other 

species

Selman Ranch State 13,998 Lesser prairie-chicken and 4 other 

species

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve Global 38,702 Greater prairie-chicken and 5 

other species

Wichita Mountains National Wildlife 

Refuge 

Global 59,021 Painted bunting and 3 other species

TEXAS

Balcones Canyonlands National 

Wildlife Refuge

Global 80,003 Golden-cheeked warbler

Balcones Canyonlands Preserve Global 27,928 Golden-cheeked warbler, 

dicksissel, and 120 other species

Blackjack Peninsula of Aransas 

National Wildlife Refuge

Global 70,504 Whooping crane and 4 other 

species

Brown Property Global 321 Golden-cheeked warbler

Columbia Bottomlands State 177,004 Bell’s vireo, bald eagle, hooded 

warbler, and 5 other species

Deadman Island/Long Reef State 5 Black skimmer, sandwich tern, and

14 other species

Dressing Point Global 5 Black skimmer and 4 other species

Fort Hood Global 217,008 Golden-cheeked warbler

Green Island Global 25 Reddish egret and 4 other species

Jigsaw Islands Global 2 Black skimmer, royal tern, and 5 

other species
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Table 4-2

Important Bird Areas in the Planning Area

Name ImportanceAcreage Notes

Katy Prairie Conservancy Global 17,500 Buff-breasted sandpiper, northern 

bobwhite, wood stork, and 5 other 

species

Laguna Vista Spoils Global 2 Black skimmer and 4 other species

Lavaca Bay Spoils Global 12 Black skimmer and 4 other species

Little Pelican Island State NA Black skimmer, brown pelican, and

3 other species

Mustang Bayou Island State 2 Royal tern, brown pelican, and 16 

other species

Nature Conservancy Dolan Falls 

Preserve

Global 18,523 Golden-cheeked warbler, Bell’s 

vireo, and painted bunting

Nature Conservancy Independence 

Creek Preserve 

Global 19,741 Painted bunting and Bell’s vireo

Nature Conservancy Love Creek 

Preserve 

Global 1,401 Golden-cheeked warbler, Bell’s 

vireo, painted bunting, and olivesided flycatcher 

North Deer Island Global 143 Brown pelican and 4 other species

Port Bolivar Bird Sanctuaries - Bolivar 

Flats

Global 1,796 Clapper rail, snowy plover, and 20 

other species

Port Bolivar Bird Sanctuaries -

Horseshoe Marsh 

State N/A Piping plover, brown pelican, and

11 other species

Sabal Palm Sanctuary State 526 Green kingfisher, buff-bellied 

hummingbird, and 8 other species

Southernmost Edwards Plateau Global 15,308 Golden-cheeked warbler

Sundown Island Global 69 Black skimmer, brown pelican, and

15 other species

Yoakum Dunes Preserve Global 7,099 Lesser prairie-chicken

Source: National Audubon Society Important Bird Areas 2015

N/A: Not available

4.4 THREAT ASSESSMENT

4.4.1 Migratory Bird and Raptor Use of the Project Area

Migratory birds are found widely throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. To 

determine the likelihood of impacts on migratory birds, project managers should 

consult the USGS Breeding Bird Surveys for the project area to identify species

that have been documented in the area. 

A large number of raptor species occur in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas:

ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, osprey, prairie falcon, peregrine falcon, and 

numerous owl species. In addition, both bald and golden eagles occur in all three 

states. The western portion of Oklahoma has a small nesting population of 
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golden eagles; some also winter throughout the state. However, bald eagles 

have a larger population (both nesting and wintering) in Oklahoma. Bald eagles 

primarily nest in the watersheds of the Arkansas and Canadian Rivers in

Oklahoma (Wolfe 2015). Eagles, raptors, and other migratory birds are also 

found in the Nebraska portion of the planning area. As of 2014, active bald eagle 

nests were documented in Richardson County, Nebraska (Jorgensen and Dinan 

2014).

4.4.2 Causes of Mortality and Disturbance

A variety of factors can lead to avian mortality, including blunt trauma from 

collision with human structures, and collision and electrocution from power 

lines. Potential direct impacts on breeding migratory birds from actions in the 

decision area are loss of habitat, mortality, and loss or abandonment of nests 

from increased noise and human presence close to an active nest site.

Vulnerability of birds to collision depends on many factors: bird behavior and 

maneuverability, topography, weather, and power line design and placement. 

Bird collision risk is highest in areas with high avian use, such as those for 

nesting, foraging, roosting, or resting. For example, power lines between 

roosting and foraging habitat for a certain species will be frequently crossed, 

increasing the collision potential. Collision risk may increase when power lines 

are in open landscapes, like wetlands, where birds might congregate; whereas 

collision risk would likely be lower for power lines in an urban setting already 

containing significant human-made obstacles around which birds must navigate. 

Development has impacts on air quality, noise, and lighting; exhaust from gasand diesel-powered construction equipment, tractor-trailers, and construction 

personnel vehicles also impact birds. Temporary effects from noise, human 

presence, and heavy equipment during construction could reduce nesting 

success for individual birds displaced into surrounding areas. Further, those 

individuals that are not displaced could be affected by habitat fragmentation 

caused by the footprint of the project, leading to reduced nesting success.

Foraging birds are unlikely to be affected by construction and operational noise 

because they would likely avoid noisy areas to forage elsewhere.

Avian species, typically raptors, take advantage of transmission lines, distribution 

poles, trees, and other perch sites that provide viewing advantages and increase 

hunting success. Transmission lines may also provide suitable nesting substrates 

for birds. Nesting by raptors or corvids (for example, crows and ravens) would 

increase predation in habitat directly surrounding the nest, potentially resulting 

in a decline in the nesting success of migratory birds that serve as prey. 

4.4.3 Protection Measures and Avian-Safe Modifications

The Avian Power Line Interaction Committee (APLIC) published guidance on 

avian-safe modifications for power lines that minimize the risk of collision and 
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electrocution (APLIC 2006). The APLIC (2012) released an updated version of 

their guidance document entitled Reducing Avian Collisions with Power Lines: 

State of the Art.

If eagles might be taken in association with project activities in a given area, the

responsible party should develop an eagle conservation plan and apply for a take 

permit with the USFWS under the BGEPA. The USFWS has published eagle 

management guidelines (USFWS 2014b). Surveys for eagles should be conducted 

in accordance with USFWS protocol, and they may include ground or aerial 

surveys, depending on the terrain and conditions. Surveys should be conducted 

before nesting season and activities that could disturb the nests (USFWS 

2014b).

4.5 MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION

4.5.1 Current Conservation Planning

In accordance with Executive Order 13186, which directs federal agencies to 

protect migratory birds, the BLM and USFWS signed a national-level 

memorandum of understanding in 2010 to strengthen migratory bird 

conservation efforts, as discussed in Section 1.4. In response, the Oklahoma 

Ecological Services Field Office of the USFWS has issued migratory bird and 

eagle impact avoidance guidance for oil and gas projects in the region 

(Oklahoma Ecological Services Office 2014). The guidance is intended to help

the oil and gas industry in Oklahoma comply with the MBTA and BGEPA, 

though recommendations may also be useful for other industrial activities in the 

region. 

Avoidance measures for eagles are protecting nests and nest sites, nesting 

adults, eggs, nestlings, and fledglings. Eagle nest surveys must be conducted 

before activities that may alter potential nest site habitat. Not all eagle nest 

locations are documented, and new nests are found each year, as the resident 

population of bald eagles in the decision area expands. 

If an activity such as oil and gas extraction is proposed within a mile of a critical 

component of eagle habitat—such as a nest, communal roost site, river, or 

freshwater wetland or reservoir covering more than 20 acres (referred to as an 

eagle use area)—protective measures should be implemented, in accordance 

with the USFWS permit (Oklahoma Ecological Services 2014):

 For a complete description of how to avoid negative impacts to bald 

eagle nests, refer to the National Bald Eagle Guidelines on pages 12-

15 of the document here: 

http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Current

BirdIssues/Management/BaldEagle/NationalBaldEagleManagementGui

delines.pdf.
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 All flared gases should produce no exposed flames, and the ends of 

flaring gas pipes should be fitted with devices that deter birds from 

perching.

 For a given project, electrical distribution lines should not be sited 

in eagle use areas, or the lines should be buried.

 If a new electrical distribution line cannot be buried in an eagle use 

area, it should be marked with special diverter devices, in 

accordance with USFWS recommendations in APLIC (2012). This is 

to alert birds to the line so they can more readily avoid it. As a 

minimization measure for the aboveground electrical distribution 

lines in eagle use areas, an equal amount of existing electrical 

distribution lines should be marked within a mile of other eagle use 

areas. 

 All power poles in an eagle use area should be designed to protect 

eagles from electrocution risk, following standard practices in 

APLIC (2012). 

 As a minimization measure, extant electrical distribution lines and 

power poles in eagle use areas also need to be marked, in 

accordance with the USFWS recommendations in APLIC (2012).

Eagles occurring in a given area throughout the year may also include migrants,

overwintering individuals, immature and subadult residents, and nonbreeding 

adult residents. Disturbance to other raptor nests should also be avoided under 

the MBTA. Nest buffers under the MBTA differ by the size of the bird and its 

sensitivity to nest disturbance (USFWS 2013b).

The MBTA prohibits taking, killing, possessing, and transporting and importing

migratory birds, their eggs, parts, and nests, except when specifically authorized. 

However, there is no provision for incidental take under the MBTA. There is 

also no permit available under the MBTA that would authorize the unintentional 

take of migratory birds. The only way to ensure compliance with the MBTA is 

to avoid the take. Below are suggestions for minimizing or eliminating the 

potential for take during construction (USFWS 2013b).

 Conduct the activity outside the local nesting season so there are 

no active nests of birds that may be inadvertently damaged or 

destroyed by the project actions and no need to conduct surveys 

for active nests.

 Minimize the loss, destruction, or degradation of migratory bird 

habitat during the local nesting season if activities must occur during 

that timeframe. In the Southwest Region, although most species 

nest between early April and mid-August, some nest during all 

months of the year, depending on location. In desert regions, for 
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example, nesting may begin in January and continue into November. 

Some eagles, owls, and finches may nest in mid-winter.

 Due to this variability, project proponents should contact the 

USFWS Regional Office for details on timing of nesting in the area 

of the project. The proponent should be knowledgeable of which 

species may nest outside of the core nesting season.

 Document the extent of below ground and aboveground 

construction activities and the habitats that they will pass through. 

Recommendations on avoidance practices, survey timing, and the 

suite of potentially affected species could differ accordingly.

 For projects planned well in advance, clearing vegetation in the year 

before construction (outside the nesting season) may discourage 

bird nesting attempts in the proposed project area, thereby 

decreasing the chance of take during construction.

 If a proposed project or action may take migratory birds by 

disturbing or altering nesting habitat, and if work cannot occur 

outside the local nesting season, project proponents should provide 

the USFWS with an explanation for why work has to occur during 

the migratory bird nesting season. In these cases, project 

proponents should also demonstrate that all efforts to complete the 

work outside the migratory bird nesting season were attempted and 

that the reasons work needs to be completed during the nesting 

season were beyond the proponents’ control.

 To determine if migratory birds are nesting on-site and therefore 

potentially at risk by the activity, project proponents should 

conduct initial general surveys of the project area during the best 

biological timeframe for detecting the presence of the locally nesting 

birds (to locate potential territories that may be in harm’s way). 

This should be followed by nest searches in the project area shortly 

before the disturbance will occur (ideally within a week of the start 

of construction, due to the speed with which nests may be built). 

Project proponents should contact the USFWS Division of 

Migratory Birds for survey protocol recommendations.

 Except for the nests of large species, bird nests are well hidden and 

very difficult to find, and nest searches can be time intensive. 

Surveyors must be experienced in locating nests, as doing so 

successfully often relies on the ability to interpret subtle behavioral 

cues by the adult birds. Project proponents should also be aware 

that the results of migratory bird surveys are subject to spatial and 

temporal variability and should be conducted at the most 

appropriate times of day and season to detect territories and,

ultimately, nests.
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

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 If no migratory birds are found nesting in the proposed project or 

action areas immediately before construction and associated 

activities are to occur, then the project may proceed as planned.

 If protected species of birds are present and nesting in the 

proposed project or action area when project activities are slated 

to occur, project proponents should contact the nearest USFWS 

Ecological Services Field Office and the USFWS Regional Division of 

Migratory Birds for guidance on appropriate next steps for 

minimizing risk of violating the MBTA.

4.6 ADDITIONAL CONSERVATION MEASURES

These proposed conservation measures presume that no endangered or 

threatened animal or plant species (including migratory birds) exist in the 

project or action area. If endangered or threatened species are present or could 

be present and the project or action could affect them, then the project 

proponents should consult with the nearest USFWS office before proceeding.

The BLM and USFWS have developed 12 Wildlife Resource General Conditions 

of Approval. These are required for all approved permits issued by BLM for oil 

and gas projects and are briefly summarized below: 

 NTL-96-01-TDO—The BLM requires that the operator follow all 

guidelines set forth in the Tulsa District Office Notice to Lessees 

and Operators (NTL-96-01-TDO) to minimize bird and bat 

mortality, including modification requirements for all open-vent 

exhaust stacks, open earthen pits, and open-topped tanks.

 American burying beetle—Follow all BLM and USFWS protocol 

regarding areas where the American burying beetle is known or 

suspected to exist or overwinter.

 Pipelines and wetlands—Specific surface water BMPs will be 

implemented before any surface disturbance where wetland habitat 

exists. Pipelines will be installed in a manner that does not impact 

wetland habitat.

 Transmission lines—Special conservation measures are required for 

transmission facilities in habitats occupied by lesser prairie chicken 

or American burying beetle. 

 40 CFR, Part 112—Constructing tank battery dikes (berms) will be 

impervious and designed according to requirements of 40 CFR, Part

112, the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Rule.

 Vegetative establishment—The BLM requires the establishment of 

native vegetation on all areas of the development to be reclaimed,

contingent on the wishes of the surface owner or the surface 

management agency or both.
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

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 Erosion control—The BLM requires that erosion control measures

be used before any construction begins, so as to effectively minimize 

the movement of materials from the BLM permit site to adjacent 

lands or drainages. These measures would be effectively maintained 

until the well is producing or has been declared a dry hole and 

plugged. 

 Impervious liners—The BLM requires that the operator install an 

impervious liner under the drilling rig structure. No fluids associated 

with the drilling process should come in contact with earthen 

material. Metal catch pans may be used on isolated engines and 

storage tanks where the impervious liner may not be practical. 

 Sumps—The BLM requires that all sumps be lined with impervious 

material (steel or concrete are preferred) on all sides and bottom. 

These sumps would be positioned so that drilling fluids can flow into 

them without coming in contact with native soil or other earthen 

layer. Sumps would be covered so as to prevent accidental entry by 

migratory birds.

 Rat and mouse hole—Rat and mouse holes would be made

impervious by installing cylinders (conductors, culverts, or tinhorns) with concrete bottoms. The cylinders would be installed so 

as to prevent fluids from the pad surface from running into the 

cylinders or entering between the cylinders and the earthen wall of 

the rat or mouse hole. The top of the cylinder would be above the 

pad surface. 

 Drilling cellar—The drilling cellar must also be lined and impervious 

to prevent liquids discharged from the drill hole, or drained from 

the pad surface, from percolating into the soil. 

 Removal of impervious liners—Improper removal of impervious 

liners can defeat its purpose. The liquids and solids that have 

collected on or in the impervious liners would not be allowed to 

come in contact with the pad surface, parent soil, or any other 

earthen layers during site cleanup. The liners would be properly 

cleaned before removal or would be removed in such a manner so 

as not to allow liquids and solids to escape. 
4. Migratory Birds, including Raptors

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CHAPTER 5

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