East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan - Chapter 5 Merced Wild and Scenic River Comprehensive Management Plan

Appendix G
Special-Status Species Evaluation
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Purpose of this Appendix

A total of 59 special-status wildlife species and 22 special-status plant species were considered in the evaluation of the East Yosemite Valley Utilities Improvement Plan (table G-1). These special-status species include those listed under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (USFWS 2002); species listed under the California Endangered Species Act or accorded “special status” (i.e., considered rare or sensitive by the California Department of Fish and Game); Yosemite National Park rare plants; and plants listed as rare in California by the California Native Plant Society. The purpose of this document appendix is to:

§ Evaluate the effects of the proposed action on special-status species or their critical habitat that are known to be or could be present within the project area.

§ Determine the need for consultation and conference with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

§ Conform to requirements of the Endangered Species Act (19 U.S.C. 1536 (c), 50 CFR 402) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., implemented at 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508).

Each species in table G-1 was evaluated to determine (1) the known or likely occurrence of a species or its preferred habitat in the vicinity of the project area and the possibility of a species or its preferred habitat types occurring in areas expected to be affected; (2) the direct physical loss of habitat; (3) the loss of habitat from its modification; and (4) the effective loss of habitat due to construction activity or noise. Habitat fragmentation was also considered. The special-status species are considered further in this environmental assessment (in Chapters III and IV, Special-Status Species sections) if actions proposed in the alternatives could have direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts on the species.

The National Park Service has determined that 40 of the 81 special-status species listed in table G-1 warrant further consideration in the body of this environmental assessment, including the Wawona riffle beetle, Mariposa sideband snail, Sierra pygmy grasshopper, northwestern and southwestern pond turtle, foothill yellow-legged frog, northern goshawk, oak titmouse, willow flycatcher, harlequin duck, white-headed woodpecker, California spotted owl, sharp-shinned hawk, long-eared owl, yellow warbler, great gray owl, a number of special-status bat species, and a number of special-status plant species. The remaining 41 special-status species do not occur in the project area and there would be no direct, indirect, or cumulative effect on these species from actions proposed in the alternatives. These species are not evaluated further in this environmental assessment.

Special-Status Species Categories

The federal, state, and National Park Service special-status species listed in table G-1 are categorized as:

§ Federal endangered: Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its national range.

§ Federal threatened: Any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its national range.

§ Federal species of concern: Any species that may become vulnerable to extinction on a national level from declining population trends, limited range, and/or continuing threats (note that this is no longer an official U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service category, but is still considered in this document because it contains many species that could become threatened or endangered).

§ Federal species of local concern: Species of local or regional concern or conservation significance.

§ Federally proposed: Species officially proposed (in the Federal Register) for listing as endangered or threatened.

§ Federally delisted: Delisted species, species to be monitored for 5 years.

§ State of California endangered: Any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range in the state.

§ State of California threatened: Any species that is likely to become an endangered species within the foreseeable future throughout all or a significant portion of its state range.

§ State of California species of special concern: Any species that may become vulnerable to extinction on a state level from declining population trends, limited range, and/or continuing threats; could become threatened or endangered.

§ State of California rare (plants only): A native plant that, although not currently threatened with extinction, is present in small numbers throughout its range, such that it may become endangered if its present environment worsens.

§ Yosemite National Park rare (plants only): Identified by the National Park Service as rare.[1]

§ California Native Plant Society List 1B: Plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California and elsewhere.

§ California Native Plant Society List 2: Plants rare, threatened, or endangered in California, but more common elsewhere.

§ California Native Plant Society List 3: Plants about which we need more information – a review list.

§ California Native Plant Society List 4: Plants of limited distribution – a watch list.

Critical Habitat

Critical habitat has not been designated for any federally listed species that is known or has potential to occur within the project area. However, critical habitat for the California red-legged frog has been designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service northwest of the project area within Yosemite National Park (final rule dated March 13, 2001, Federal Register 66:14625-14674).

Table G-1