i

Medicine Lake - Caldera Vegetation Treatment Project

Modoc National Forest Doublehead Ranger District

Draft

Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation Aquatic Wildlife

LOCATION:

Siskiyou County, California T44N, R3E: Sections 35 and 36;

T43N, R3E: Sections 1-5, 8-17, 23 and 24; T43N, R4E: Sections 3-9, 17-19.

Reviewed/Approved by: /s/ Peter Johnston Phone Number: (530) 667-8655

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Contents Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 1

Species List and Critical Habitat ................................................................................................................. 1 Consultation to Date .................................................................................................................................... 3 Current Management Direction ................................................................................................................... 7

Proposed Action ....................................................................................................................................... 7 Location of Project................................................................................................................................... 7 Purpose and Need .................................................................................................................................... 8 Project Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 11 Description of the Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 11 Project Design Features (Integrated Design Features) ........................................................................... 11

Effects of Proposed Action ............................................................................................................................ 12 Effects of No Action ...................................................................................................................................... 12 Conclusion and Determination ....................................................................................................................... 13 Literature Cited .............................................................................................................................................. 15

1

Introduction The purpose of this Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation (BEBA) is to review the proposed Medicine Lake Caldera Vegetation Project (Project) in sufficient detail to determine whether the proposed actions may affect any of the threatened, endangered, proposed, candidate (TEPC) or Forest Service Sensitive (FSS) aquatic wildlife species listed below (Tables 1 and 3). The effects to aquatic species listed by the Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest Region (R5), as Forest Service Sensitive are analyzed in the project Biological Evaluation (BE). This Biological Assessment (BA) is prepared in accordance with legal requirements set forth under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. 1536 (c)), and follows the standards established in Forest Service Manual (FSM) 2671.45 (Consultation) and FSM 2670, preparation of a biological assessment. The Medicine Lake Caldera Vegetation Treatment Project (Caldera project) is located in the Medicine Lake basin, which lies to the southwest of Lava Beds National Monument. Elevations within the project area range between 6,600 and 8,000 feet. The area is relatively dry with precipitation averaging between 30 to 50 inches per year, and most areas receiving less than 40 inches per year. The watershed sub-basin that encompasses the Medicine Lake caldera is approximately 13,000 acres. Approximately 4,000 acres of pure lodgepole pine and lodgepole pine - mixed conifers are being proposed for treatment (please see the Caldera Environmental Assessment for additional details). The Medicine Lake area has several developed recreation sites, four campgrounds, picnicking and day use areas, a swimming beach, and a boat launch. Several dozen summer homes are near the lake. There are also private residences established on National Forest System land within the project area. Mountain pine beetle (MPB) activity has been killing large numbers of lodgepole pine in the Medicine Lake basin area since 2005. This ongoing mortality has led to high numbers of standing dead trees in many locations. A key element of the Caldera project is that utilization of silvicultural treatments over the broader area would modify the habitat for the MPB and reduce the risks and impacts of outbreaks over the long-term. Within the Caldera project treatment stands, recent beetle-killed trees in excess of snag retention guidelines would be harvested. Green beetle-infested trees would also be harvested. A variety of harvest prescriptions including overstory removal, diameter limit cuts, small group selection, single tree selection, and thinning through diameter classes would be used. The Caldera project is being developed to improve forest resiliency by reducing stand densities and creating heterogeneity within and between stands across the landscape. It is designed in part to increase forest health, and reduce potential fire risk. Thinning combined with green infested tree removal is proposed to reduce the impacts of the current mountain pine beetle infestation. Salvage of dead trees would reduce fuel loading, lessening the potential for large-scale, high intensity fire. No treatments within strategically placed areas would provide for the benefits of snag habitat.

Species List and Critical Habitat A current list of threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate (TEPC) species, as well as designated and proposed critical habitat that may occur within the boundary of the project area was requested through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Information Planning and Conservation System (IPaC). This list (Consultation Tracking Number: 08EKLA00-2017-SLI-0025, dated January 5, 2017) includes 9 species potentially found within the project area, 4 of which are aquatic. Table 1 provides a list of federally threatened, endangered, and proposed aquatic species with the potential to occur on the Modoc National Forest (MDF) within Siskiyou County and the potential of affecting the species or their habitat (including designated critical habitat) based on the known presence/absence of individuals or their habitat.

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Table 1: Federally Listed or Proposed Aquatic Species or their Habitat with the Potential to occur within the Project Area.

COMMON NAME

(Scientific Name)

STATUS

HABITAT REQUIREMENTS

SPECIES OCCURRENCE IN THE PROJECT AREA AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS BE

Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus (=salmo) kisutch) Population: Southern Oregon - Northern California Coast ESU

FT This is an anadromous species of fish within the Pacific salmon family. There are no perennial streams on the Modoc National Forest with Coho Salmon. There are no perennial streams in the project area.

No Effect. This species is found outside of the watershed of the proposed project area.

Lost River sucker (Deltistes luxatus)

FE This species is found in the upper Klamath River Basin, including Upper Klamath Lake, Clear Lake, portions of Lost and Klamath Rivers, Tule Lake Sump and tributaries of these water bodies (USFWS 1993, 2007)

No Effect. The geographic range of the DELU does not enter the project area.

Shortnose sucker (Chasmistes brevirostris)

FE This is a lake dwelling species that spawns in tributary streams. Its current distribution includes Clear Lake Reservoir and its tributary streams, which includes Boles Creek (USFWS 1993).

No Effect. The habitat, including drainages and tributaries, required by this species does not occur adjacent to the project area considered.

Shasta Crayfish (Pacifistacus fortis)

FE Preferred habitat for the Shasta crayfish is rocky, gravelly bottoms, usually volcanic rubble. This species has been found in spring pools and slow to moderately flowing waters, and also in cold clear lakes with little annual fluctuation in temperature. It requires a constant, steady, and untainted flow of fresh water to survive (USFWS 1998).

No Effect. This species is known only from Shasta County, California, USA. It is more specifically known from isolated portions of the Pit River drainage. The activities proposed would not affect any drainages into the Pit River.

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Consultation to Date The consultation record associated with this project is summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Consultation with US Fish and Wildlife Service; Medicine Lake Caldera Vegetation Project

Date Individuals Summary Notes 10/28/2014 Elizabeth Willy (USFWS), Mark

Williams (MDF) MW emailed an introductory note to EW regarding the project. EW returned via phone call. Discussed project and consultation process.

8/31/2014 Elizabeth Willy (USFWS), Mark

Williams (MDF) Discussed status of the wolf with regards to the project.

9/28/15 Chris Christofferson, BJ Landoski,

Mark Williams, Peter Johnston, and Elizabeth Willy (USFWS)

Field trip to discuss the project, purpose and need, proposed treatments, etc. primarily in response to terrestrial wildlife species.

4

Table 3. Region 5 Forest Service Sensitive (FSS) Species known to occur, or with the potential to occur, within the Caldera Vegetation Management project area, Doublehead Ranger District, Modoc National Forest, California.

COMMON NAME (Scientific Name) EXPLANATION OF NO EFFECT

Invertebrates, Aquatic California floater (freshwater mussel) Anodonta californiensis

The California floater is a freshwater mussel with a historical distribution from southern British Columbia to northern Baja California (California Floater fact sheet). Its current range is the Fall and Pit Rivers, Shasta County (USDA Forest Service 1998). It occurs in lakes and slow rivers, generally on soft substrates (mud-sand) in fairly large streams and lakes only, in relatively slow current (USDA Forest Service 1998). This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Topaz Juga (snail) (Juga (Calibasis) acutifilosa)

The topaz juga is restricted to swift unpolluted, well-oxygenated areas with gravel/boulder substrate, generally at low elevations. This species occurs in northeastern California and Oregon. It is recorded from eight isolated localities in the Klamath and Pit River drainages. In California it occurs in Big Spring, Siskiyou County; Ash Creek, Lassen County; Fall River, Shasta County; Crystal Lake, Shasta County; headwaters of Willow Creek, Sellicks Springs and Tiptons Springs, all in Lassen County (Taylor 1981). The aquatic habitat preferred by this species does not occur within the project area. This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Black Juga (snail) Juga nigrina

This species inhabits seepages, springs and creeks, in perennial flowing water. This species is common in tributaries of the Sacramento River and interior drainages in northeastern California (Taylor 1981). This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Willow Creek pyrg (springsnail) (Pyrgulopsis lasseni)

This gastropod is known from a site near Willow Creek on the Big Valley Ranger District (Pit River drainage). There is no connectivity between the project area and Willow Creek where this species is known to occur. This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Fishes Goose Lake sucker (Catostomus occidentalis lacusanserinus)

Occurs in the Goose Lake basin watershed. Has been reported in Goose Lake and Willow, Lassen, Davis, Branch and Badger-Cloud Coral Creeks in California. Adults have been found in the lake, some of the streams, and some of the reservoirs throughout the year (Martin 1967). This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus)

Historically, Pacific lampreys were thought to be distributed wherever salmon and steelhead occurred. Pacific lampreys spawn in habitat similar to that of salmon: gravel bottomed streams at the upstream end of riffle habitat. This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Modoc sucker (Catostomus microps)

The Modoc sucker historically occurred in small tributaries of the Upper Pit River in Lassen and Modoc Counties, California, but is now found only in portions of two small drainage systems in Modoc County. Preferred habitat of the species consists of small streams characterized by large shallow pools with cover, soft sediments, and clear water. This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is

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directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis

Goose Lake tui chub (Gila bicolor thallassina)

In California tui chubs are native mostly to interior drainages, except the Central Valley, and absent from all coastal drainages, except where introduced. In the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage tui chubs are native only to Pit River downstream at least as far as Hat Creek and Lake Britton and to Goose Lake (Hubbs 1979), although they have been introduced into some reservoirs and ponds in various locations. Goose Lake tui chubs are not present on the Forest, but are found approximately 2 miles downstream of the Forest boundary in Lassen and Willow Creeks. This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Goose Lake lamprey (Lampetra tridentata ssp.)

The Goose Lake lamprey is an undescribed subspecies of the sea-run Pacific lamprey (Lampetra tridentata). Goose Lake lampreys are found approximately 2 miles downstream of the Forest boundary in Lassen and Willow Creeks. Lampreys are found in Lassen Creek, but are an undescribed lamprey (Entosphenus spp.). This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Hardhead (Mylopharodon conocephalus)

Hardhead are often found at low to mid-elevations in relatively undisturbed habitats of larger streams (Moyle and Daniels 1982), with high water quality (clear, cool). In the Pit River, hardhead are most abundant in Upper Britton Reservoir where habitat is more riverine and less abundant in the lacustrine habitat of the lower reservoir, where alien centrarchids, particularly predatory basses, are more abundant (Moyle 2002). This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Warner Valley redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss pop 4)

The Warner Valley redband trout are found in the Warner Valley drainage in south-central Oregon and small portions of northwestern Nevada and northeastern California. They are found in California in the upper Dismal and Twelve mile Creek drainages on the Modoc National Forest. Warner Valley redband trout use all habitat types from the lake bottom dominated by rock and mud substrate, to the high gradient upper reaches dominated by pools and riffles with small boulder and cobble substrate. This species is found outside of this watershed and does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Goose Lake redband trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss pop 6)

The Goose Lake redband trout is endemic to Goose Lake and its major tributaries (Lassen and Willow creeks in California and the extensive Thomas Creek system and Crane Creek in Oregon) as well as to smaller streams such as Cottonwood Creek in California and several small streams in Oregon. This species has both lake and stream dwelling populations, which both rely on headwater streams for spawning. Riffles with clean gravels and suitable water temperatures are required. This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

Reptiles

Western pond turtle (Emys marmorata)

This species is dependent on perennial water (Stebbins 2003). Pond turtles are present in Willow Creek, Ash Creek and the Pit River. Suitable habitat near the project is in manmade stock ponds and reservoirs. Although there have been sightings of this species near 6000ft, they generally inhabit low elevation aquatic habitats below 4,000 feet (Jennings and Hayes 1994). This species does not have suitable habitat that is directly, indirectly, or cumulatively

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affected by the proposed action and will not be carried forward for further analysis.

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Current Management Direction The MDF is currently operating in full compliance with the Record of Decision (ROD) for Amendments to Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management Planning Documents within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl (ROD; USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1994). The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) ROD, signed in April 1994 (USDA/USDI 1994) subsequently amended the MDF LRMP. The Modoc Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP) was signed by the R5 Regional Forester in 1991, becoming effective in January of 1992 (USDA 1991). Actions allowed within the area are described in the MDF LRMP (1991), as amended. The project area is designated as Matrix under the Northwest Forest Plan Record of Decision and Standards and Guides (USDA/USDI 1994) which amended the Modoc LRMP and provides guidance for project activities that can occur in the project area. Activities within Matrix lands are guided, in part, by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) which includes direction to: Provide course woody debris when managing matrix lands, Emphasize green-tree and snag retention, Protect old-growth fragments where late seral habitats are limited, Maintain 100 acres of owl habitat around each northern spotted owl activity center, Maintain aquatic buffers during project initiation (USDI 1994).

The Northwest Forest Plan identifies an Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ACS) to restore and maintain the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems on public lands (USDA Forest Service and USDI Bureau of Land Management, 1994). Of the nine ACS objectives, this project will meet two of the objectives and not affect the other seven. The two objectives that will be met with the proposed project actions include: Maintain and restore the distribution, diversity, and complexity of watershed and landscape-scale features to

ensure protection of the aquatic systems to which species, populations and communities are uniquely adapted.

Maintain and restore habitat to support well-distributed populations of native plant, invertebrate, and vertebrate riparian-dependent species.

These objectives will be met by creating heterogeneous stand conditions that reduce the probability of large-scale tree mortality due to mountain pine beetle outbreaks, and by reducing the risk of stand replacing wildfire.

Proposed Action

Location of Project The project is located on the Doublehead Ranger District, Modoc National Forest. The project area varies in elevation between 6,800 feet and 8,000 feet. The project area borders the Klamath and Shasta-Trinity national forests to the west and surrounds Medicine Lake (Figure 1), a popular recreational area, located at the west edge of MDF and west of Lava Beds National Monument. Existing Condition There are three Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) 12 watersheds that overlap the proposed treatment area for the Caldera project. These are the Medicine Lake, Paynes Creek, and Papoose Hill watersheds. A hydrological analysis regarding the condition of each of the project watersheds was evaluated to determine the state of the physical and biological characteristics and processes that affect the hydrologic functions supporting aquatic ecosystems. The determination that all three of these watersheds are currently in condition class 1, or functioning properly. Streams, Lakes, Springs, and Riparian Reserves All hydrologic features within the project area are found within the Medicine Lake watershed. No mapped

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streams, springs or lakes are found within the portion of the project area that overlaps the Papoose Hill or Paynes Creek watersheds (Figure 2). There are two lakes within the project area, Medicine Lake and Little Medicine Lake. These are both natural lakes fed by spring flow and precipitation. Medicine Lake does not have an outlet. The condition of these lakes is largely undisturbed, with limited recreational and residential development along their shores. The south and southeast shores of Medicine Lake and the western shore of Little Medicine Lake are where the majority of the residential development is found, and the north and northeast shores of Medicine Lake is where most of the recreational development is located. In addition, there are several small intermittent lakes in the project area that range from less than 1 to 3 acres in size. There are six small channels within the project area, all within the Medicine Lake watershed (Figure 2). Two of these channels are perennial and fed by springs. One channel is intermittent, and the other three channels are ephemeral channels, which only flow in response to storm events or snowmelt. In total, there are 3.32 miles of ephemeral channels, 0.2 miles of intermittent streams and 0.46 miles of perennial streams in the project area. All channels in the project area are in a primarily undisturbed condition. There are two springs within the project area (Figure 2), each correlating to one of the streams mentioned above. The streams, lakes, and springs within the project area are currently in a good functioning condition. Streamside Management Zones (SMZ) have been identified inside Riparian Reserves (RR) and define an equipment exclusion zone immediately adjacent to the stream channels, lakes, springs and meadows. The RR and SMZ widths applicable to this project area are presented in Table 4.

Purpose and Need Insect-related mortality (mountain pine beetle; Dendroctonus ponderosae) within lodgepole pine has been occurring within the project area since 2005. Several projects have been completed to reduce the risk of further mortality however the District identified a need to develop a broader approach which also meets several objectives as outlined in the Forest LRMP (1991) and NWFP standards and guidelines (USDI 1994). To address continued mortality, various treatments, which have included thinning, pheromone treatments, and insecticide (Carbaryl) use on individual trees were initiated in 2011. This project seeks to continue the objective of reducing insect mortality. In addition the project objectives include reducing stand densities to promote health and stand resiliency to fire as well as insects and create spatial and age class heterogeneity within the project area.

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Figure 1. Caldera Project Location Map, Modoc National Forest, California.

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Figure 2: Map of Caldera Project Watershed Boundaries and Hydrologic Features, Modoc National Forest, California.

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Project Objectives The following are the stated objectives for the project. Create or maintain heterogeneity within the Medicine Lake basin and to put residual lodgepole

stands on a trajectory that would reduce the likelihood of future large-scale bark beetle mortality.

Create a less favorable environment for bark beetle pheromone communication. By opening up the tree canopy convection currents and air turbulence are enhanced through increases in soil temperature; as well as increasing wind speed. This prevents bark beetle pheromone plumes from concentrating under the canopy and remaining in close proximity to individual trees or groups of trees attracting additional beetles.

Limit the impacts of wildfire if a fire start occurs to protect the recreation area and adjacent red fir/hemlock/western white pine stands.

Establish and/or enhance fuel breaks around recreational and residential areas to protect human life and property.

Treat both surface and ladder fuels along the high use access routes within the area to provide for firefighter and public safety and to aid in suppression efforts should a wildfire occur in the area.

Reduce the probability of infection by Heterobasidion occidentale and H. irregulare, the causal agents of heterobasidion root disease (FSM R5 Supplement 2300-92-1 modified by FSH R5 Supplement 6 3409.11-2010-1). The application of borate compounds such as Sporax or Cellutreat during thinning has been proven effective at achieving this objective.

Maintain the stability of local and regional economies that rely on forest products (NWFP, 1994). There is a need to design projects that balance the environmental concerns with the ability to utilize forest products.

Develop and manage a transportation system that minimizes the impacts of roads on the landscape. In order to meet the objectives of the project, access would be needed in the project area, which may include the construction of temporary logging roads and access spurs.

Description of the Proposed Action Please see the Caldera Environmental Assessment for a detailed description of the project.

Project Design Features (Integrated Design Features) Project Design Features, including BMPs, site-specific mitigations, and Modoc and Northwest Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, were incorporated into the development of this project to ensure compliance with Section 208 of the Clean Water Act, the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act, and the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board and its Basin Plan. Project Design Features specific to hydrological and aquatic resources are detailed in the Hydrology report, Appendix A. However, a general overview of the buffer distances for hydrological resources are included in the Environmental Assessment (see section 2.3.6 Streamside Management Zones, Riparian Reserves, and Water Quality Protection Measures).

Fire and Fuels

• Fire lines would not be constructed within Riparian Reserves and wet meadow areas. • In meadow areas, hand piles would be either chipped and/or removed from the area.

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Streamside Management Zones, Riparian Reserves, and Water Quality Protection Measures

Stream Side Management Zones (SMZ) are nested inside Riparian Reserves (RR) and define an equipment exclusion zone immediately adjacent to the streamside. Table 4: Riparian Reserves and Streamside Management Zones widths

Category Riparian Reserves Width* SMZ Width Special Aquatic Feature [Medicine Lake, Little Medicine Lake, Crystal Springs, and Schonchin Springs]

300’ on all sides of the stream feature 100’

Perennial Streams 150’ on each side of the stream 100’ Seasonally flowing - intermittent 100’ on each side of the stream 75’ Seasonally flowing - ephemeral 100’ on each side of the stream 50’ Meadows Edge of riparian vegetation 100’

*Source: NWFP and MDF LRMP Appropriate Best Management Practices (BMP) would be implemented for the entire project. BMPs are described in Water Quality Management for Forest System Lands in California, Best Management Practices (2011), Modoc National Forest Land Resource Management Plan (1991), and the 1994 Northwest Forest plan. Site-specific BMPs are detailed in Appendix B of the Hydrological Report. The Forest has a BMP monitoring program conducted by the Forest’s hydrologists and hydrologic technicians with coordination provided by the Forest hydrologist and others. This monitoring is conducted and reported annually to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.

Effects of Proposed Action Ground disturbing activities resulting from project treatments can lead to increased erosion and sediment delivery. Proposed salvage, sanitation and thinning treatments will involve overstory removal with the use of both mechanical and hand removal methods. Mechanical equipment will accomplish the majority of thinning treatments, and will result in greater levels of ground disturbance than hand thinning treatments. Mechanical equipment will not operate on slopes greater than 35% throughout the project area and will be prohibited from slopes greater than 20% in RR. Biomass would be either chipped and removed or piled and burned on the landings. Ground disturbance would be mostly concentrated on skid trails, landings and temporary roads. Existing skid trails and dedicated skid trails will be used where feasible in order to limit the overall extent of ground disturbance from the proposed treatments. Existing landings would also be utilized where feasible and where landing construction involves cut and fill, the landing would be re-contoured to match the existing topography. All landings will be decommissioned after use by blocking continued vehicular access. Treatment activities would also include group selection cuts, where all trees within one to five acre areas would be harvested to establish regeneration that would contribute to stand structure. These treatments will also result in heterogeneity of stand conditions over the landscape. Group selection cuts will result in greater ground disturbance than the overstory thinning treatments described above because the entire canopy would be removed and the entire unit would likely need to be accessed with equipment. Existing and generated slash in these treatments areas would be tractor piled and burned. Tractor piling

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causes additional disturbance and erosion potential. The areas proposed for this treatment are limited in size and will be spaced out across the landscape, with vegetated ground in other treatment units and untreated areas between them. Because these areas are small in size, these areas will not be connected to each other and will be separated from RR and hydrologic features, erosion and sediment delivery effects will be limited. In order to establish or enhance existing shaded fuel breaks along roads, hand thinning, piling, chipping, pruning, and mastication would be used. Chipped materials would be scattered within the project area and left on site for natural decomposition and soil stability enhancement. The limited ground disturbance proposed with this treatment, and the ground cover that will remain after these treatments are completed will reduce any potential erosion concerns and avoid runoff from these areas near forest roads. Existing and open National Forest System roads would be used whenever possible for project access. These roads would be maintained or reconstructed to provide for safe use while mitigating resource impacts. Existing road drainage issues would be improved on roads used for the project treatments. Existing roads that are administratively closed would be re-opened, reconstructed, and used for this project. Upon completion of treatment activities they would again be decommissioned. Temporary roads would be constructed to access treatment areas. In total approximately 6.8 miles of new temporary roads are proposed. Erosion control measures would be implemented on all temporary roads including, but not limited to, out-sloping, drainage dips, and water-spreading ditches as necessary to attain stabilization of the roadbed. These features will facilitate the controlled displacement of water that would otherwise concentrate on road surfaces, potentially causing erosion and gullying. Short spur roads would be created to keep landings off the main travel ways. Allowing for proper drainage from temporary roads and constructing temporary roads away from streams and other hydrologic features will avoid erosion and sediment delivery that might concentrate into waterways. Temporary roads would be maintained for use and would be decommissioned by blocking further vehicular access at the conclusion of project activities. Best Management Practices, as described above, have been effective in protecting water quality and reducing turbidity. These practices have been applied for other projects within the Modoc National Forest. Where proper implementation has occurred there have not been any substantive adverse impacts to cold water fisheries habitat conditions or primary contact recreation use of the surface waters. The practices specified for the Caldera project are expected to be equally effective in protecting aquatic wildlife resources. Application of the project design features described in this report and other hydrological BMPs will limit erosion and sediment delivery resulting from project activities. In addition, restricting mechanical equipment from slopes greater than 20% in RR and limiting ground disturbance within SMZs (described above) will avoid increasing erosion and sediment delivery in these sensitive areas near hydrologic features. In addition to minimizing potential impacts to hydrological resources, application of Project Design Features and BMPs will similarly minimize potential impacts to aquatic wildlife species. Because no streams, lakes or springs occur within the proposed treatment units in Papoose Hill or Paynes Creek watersheds, no direct or indirect effects to streams, lakes, springs or riparian reserves are expected to result from project treatments in these areas. Furthermore, this will eliminate potential to affect any special status aquatic wildlife within these two watersheds. The lack of any federally listed

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aquatic wildlife species (Table 1) or Forest Service Sensitive Species (Table 2) within the project area will avoid all potential direct effects to these species. Since there is no outlet for the Medicine Lake watershed (see Existing Conditions) there is no potential for indirect effects to species outside of this watershed to any special status aquatic wildlife species.

Effects of No Action Adherence to Project Design Features and BMPs will minimize the potential to impact aquatic resources within the Project area. The Medicine Lake watershed is the only watershed with the potential to be affected by the project. The No Action Alternative would result in no impacts to any aquatic resources. Considering there are no TEPC or FSS aquatic wildlife species with the potential to be affected by this Project, the potential impacts to these species would be identical between the Proposed Action and No Action alternatives.

Cumulative Watershed Effects

The hydrologic resource analysis area for the Caldera project includes portions of three United States Geologic Survey (USGS) designated Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds at the HUC12 level (Figure 2). For the Caldera project, HUC12 watersheds were used for the NEPA analysis because most of the proposed treatments (83%) occur within the Medicine Lake Basin, which is a HUC12 watershed. The total watershed size is 13,206 acres, with approximately 3,455 acres proposed for treatment within this watershed. Approximately 551 acres of proposed treatments fall outside of this HUC12 watershed boundary. These treatment acres fall within the Papoose Hill and Paynes Creek HUC12 watersheds as described above. There are no other known federal, state, local or tribal projects with the potential to affect the Papoose Hill, Paynes Creek, or Medicine Lake watersheds. Therefore, there are no anticipated cumulative impacts expected to these watersheds, or the aquatic wildlife species that may be present in these areas.

Conclusion and Determinations It is my determination that implementation of the Medicine Lake Caldera Vegetation Project would have no effect on the following Federally listed and Proposed species:

Lost River Sucker, Shortnose Sucker, Coho Salmon, or Shasta Crayfish.

It is my determination that implementation of the Medicine Lake Caldera Vegetation Project will have no effect on the following Forest Service Sensitive Species:

California floater, topaz juga, black juga, Goose Lake sucker, Pacific lamprey, Modoc sucker, Goose Lake tui chub, Goose Lake lamprey, hardhead, Warner Valley redband trout, Goose Lake redband trout, or western pond turtle.

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Literature Cited Hubbs, C., W. Follett, and L. Dempster. 1979. List of fishes of California. Occas. Pap. Calif. Acad.

Sci. 133: 1-51.

Jennings, M. R. and M. P. Hayes. 1994. Amphibian and Reptile Species of Special Concern in California. California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Martin, M. 1967. The distribution and morphology of the North American catostomid fishes of the Pit River system, California. Unpubl. M.S. Thesis. Sacramento State College.

Mayer, K.E. and W.F. Laudenslayer, Jr. Ed. 1988 A Guide to Wildlife Habitats of California. State of California, Resources Agency. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Sacramento, CA. Available on line at www.dfg.ca.gov/biogeodata/cwhr/wildlife_habitats.asp.

Moyle, P. B. 2002. Inland fishes of California, Revised and Expanded. University of California Press. Berkeley, California.

Taylor, D.W. 1981. Freshwater mollusks of California: A distributional checklist. California Fish and Game. 67(3): 140-163.

Stebbins, Robert C. 2003. A Field Guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. 3rd Edition. Houghton

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IntroductionSpecies List and Critical HabitatConsultation to DateCurrent Management DirectionProposed ActionLocation of ProjectPurpose and NeedProject ObjectivesDescription of the Proposed ActionProject Design Features (Integrated Design Features)

Fire and FuelsStreamside Management Zones, Riparian Reserves, and Water Quality Protection Measures

Effects of Proposed ActionEffects of No ActionCumulative Watershed EffectsConclusion and DeterminationsLiterature Cited