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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06 - Wildlifememo TO: 5659.005 File FROM: Christine Pearcy, Environmental Scientist RE: Wildlife Review of the proposed Northwest Crossing Subdivision in Gallatin County, July 2019 The purpose of this memo is to document the presence or absence of wildlife resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service (UFSWS) Endangered Species Act (ESA) federally listed species on the Northwest Crossing Subdivision. The subject property is 160 acres and is described as Section 4, Township 2 South, Range 5 East, Certificate of Survey 2552, Tract 5 NE ¼ in Gallatin County, Montana. A field visit to the subject property was conducted on August 9, 2018. The results of the data search and the field visit are presented below. General Habitat The subject properties have historically been managed for agricultural practices including crops, cattle grazing, a rural residence, several outbuildings, and a spring box. Minimal habitat exists on the properties, except for along the two waterways that bisect the property: Baxter Creek and an unnamed tributary. Much of the wetland fringe area of the waterway systems are infested with noxious weeds such as Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) and common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare). A noxious weed management and revegetation plan will be submitted to the Gallatin County in the summer of 2019. The wetland/riparian corridor of Baxter Creek was heavily trampled by cattle. Data from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks website maintains a database called the Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS). This is data from an assessment that evaluated fish, wildlife, and recreational resources of Montana in order to identify crucial areas and fish and wildlife corridors. CAPS is a mapping application aimed at future planning for a variety of development and conservation purposes so fish, wildlife, and recreational resources can be considered. Several maps were generated from the CAPS system and are included as an attachment to this memo. Crucial Habitat Rank: The subject property is ranked 4, with 1 being the most crucial habitat and 6 being the least crucial habitat. MFWP Definition: Crucial Habitat Rank depicts relatively ranked areas containing the resources, including food, water, cover, shelter and “important wildlife corridors,” that are necessary for the survival and reproduction of aquatic and terrestrial wildlife and to prevent unacceptable declines, or facilitate future recovery of wildlife populations, or are important ecological systems with high biological diversity value. Species of Economic and Recreational Importance (SERI): The subject property is ranked 3, with 1 being the most important and 4 being of lowest importance. Page 1 Wildlife Memo Page 2 MFWP Definition: SERI Data represent areas recognized as important for meeting the biological requirements and objectives of fish and wildlife species regulated by harvest such as important breeding areas or winter concentration areas. Big Game Winter Range Habitat: The subject property ranked 2, with 2 being the highest importance and 1 being of moderate importance. MFWP Definition: This layer depicts the relative value of habitats providing big game winter range for antelope, elk, moose, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. Wetland and Riparian Areas: The subject property ranked 1 on the majority of the subject property and 2 on the eastern section of the subject property, with 1 being the highest importance and 2 being the lowest importance. MFWP Definition: Riparian and wetland habitats typically represent sensitive or unique environments and function for multiple species. 2030 Projected Development Density: MFWP projected that by 2030 the subject property would be 40-160 acres/unit. Montana Structures: MFWP Montana structures map indicates one agricultural structure within the subject property. The map indicates that the area surrounding the properties is predominately rural. US Fish and Wildlife Services Federally Listed Species According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), five species have been listed on the October 23, 2018 List of Endangered, Threatened, Proposed, or Candidate species for Gallatin County. This list is included as an attachment to this memo. These species include: Common Name Scientific Name Status Range Ute Ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) Threatened River meander wetlands Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) Threatened and Critical Habitat Montane spruce/fir forests Wolverine (Gulo gulo luscus) Proposed Alpine and boreal forests Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) Candidate High-elevation upper montane near treeline Grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) Threatened Alpine/subalpine coniferous forest; Western Montana Habitat characteristics for the species listed above do not exist on the subject property. Ute Ladies’ tresses do inhabit riparian edges and stable wetlands. However, the subject properties are significantly disturbed, infested with noxious weeds, and subject to cattle trampling. No observations of Ute Ladies’ Tresses have been recorded by Montana Natural Heritage Program in this location. Additionally, according the USFWS Unit 5 Critical Habitat Map, Canada lynx critical habitat does not exist within the subject properties. Wildlife Memo Page 3 Based on information from the USFWS and the on-site investigation, no impacts to federally-listed endangered, threatened, proposed or candidate species are anticipated to occur as a result of the implementation of the development of the subject properties. Observed Species The following wildlife and bird species were observed on the subject properties during the site visit that occurred on August 9, 2018: • Four red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in the wetland and creek area. • Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). References Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (2015). Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) Data Layer Documentation and Summary. Accessed July 10, 2019 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (2018). USFWS, Endangered, Threatened, Proposed and Candidate Species for Montana Counties, October 23, 2018 US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Unit 5 Critical Habitat Map for Canada Lynx (2014). Crucial Habitat Rank Crucial Habitat Rank Class 1 (Highest) Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 5 Class 6 (Lowest) 0 0.6 1.20.3 mi 0 1 20.5 km 1:36,112 Printed from fwp.mt.gov July 10, 2019 This map was obtained from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) at http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/caps. CAPS data depicted on this map are intended to provide information during the planning stages of development projects. CAPS data depicted on this map are notintended for final decision making nor are the data intended to replace consultation with FWP staff. Additional information about CAPS is available atSome layers may not appear in the legend due to page size limitations. Big Game Winter Range Habitat Big Game Winter Range Habitat Score 2 (Highest) Score 1 (Moderate) Unranked 0 0.6 1.20.3 mi 0 1 20.5 km 1:36,112 Printed from fwp.mt.gov July 10, 2019 This map was obtained from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) at http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/caps. CAPS data depicted on this map are intended to provide information during the planning stages of development projects. CAPS data depicted on this map are notintended for final decision making nor are the data intended to replace consultation with FWP staff. Additional information about CAPS is available atSome layers may not appear in the legend due to page size limitations. SERI Terrestrial Game Terrestrial Game Quality Class 1 (Highest) Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 (Lowest) Unranked 0 0.6 1.20.3 mi 0 1 20.5 km 1:36,112 Printed from fwp.mt.gov July 10, 2019 This map was obtained from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) at http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/caps. CAPS data depicted on this map are intended to provide information during the planning stages of development projects. CAPS data depicted on this map are notintended for final decision making nor are the data intended to replace consultation with FWP staff. Additional information about CAPS is available atSome layers may not appear in the legend due to page size limitations. Wetland And Riparian Areas Wetland and Riparian Areas Class 1 (Highest) Class 2 (Lowest) Unranked 0 0.6 1.20.3 mi 0 1 20.5 km 1:36,112 Printed from fwp.mt.gov July 10, 2019 This map was obtained from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) at http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/caps. CAPS data depicted on this map are intended to provide information during the planning stages of development projects. CAPS data depicted on this map are notintended for final decision making nor are the data intended to replace consultation with FWP staff. Additional information about CAPS is available atSome layers may not appear in the legend due to page size limitations. 2030 Projected Housing Density 2030 Projected Commercial/Industrial 2 or more units/acre 0.5 - 19.9 acres/unit 20-39.9 acres/unit 40 - 159.9 acres/unit >160 acres/unit Private undeveloped 0 0.6 1.20.3 mi 0 1 20.5 km 1:36,112 Printed from fwp.mt.gov July 10, 2019 This map was obtained from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) at http://fwp.mt.gov/gis/maps/caps. CAPS data depicted on this map are intended to provide information during the planning stages of development projects. CAPS data depicted on this map are notintended for final decision making nor are the data intended to replace consultation with FWP staff. Additional information about CAPS is available atSome layers may not appear in the legend due to page size limitations. Page 1 of 8 United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Ecological Services Montana Field Office 585 Shepard Way, Suite 1 Helena, Montana 59601-6287 Phone: (406) 449-5225, Fax: (406) 449-5339 ENDANGERED, THREATENED, PROPOSED AND CANDIDATE SPECIES MONTANA COUNTIES* Endangered Species Act October 23, 2018 C = Candidate PCH = Proposed Critical Habitat LT = Listed Threatened CH = Designated Critical Habitat LE = Listed Endangered P = Proposed XN = Experimental non-essential population *Note: Generally, this list identifies the counties where one would reasonably expect the species to occur, not necessarily every county where the species is listed County/Scientific Name Common Name Status BEAVERHEAD Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C BIG HORN Mustela nigripes Black-footed Ferret LE BLAINE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Mustela nigripes Black-footed Ferret LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT BROADWATER Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C CARBON Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Zapada glacier Western Glacier Stonefly P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C Page 2 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status CARTER Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT CASCADE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C CHOUTEAU Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT CUSTER Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT DANIELS Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT DAWSON Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT DEER LODGE Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C FALLON Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT FERGUS Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C Page 3 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status FLATHEAD Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Silene spaldingii Spalding's Campion LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo (western pop.) LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C GALLATIN Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C GARFIELD Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE GLACIER Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly P Zapada glacier Western Glacier Stonefly P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C GOLDEN VALLEY Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C GRANITE Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C HILL JEFFERSON Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C JUDITH BASIN Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C Page 4 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status LAKE Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Howellia aquatilis Water Howellia LT Silene spaldingii Spalding's Campion LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo (western pop.) LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C LEWIS AND CLARK Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C LIBERTY Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C LINCOLN Acipenser transmontanus White Sturgeon (Kootenai River Pop.) LE Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Silene spaldingii Spalding's Campion LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C MADISON Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C McCONE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE MEAGHER Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C MINERAL Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C Page 5 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status MISSOULA Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Howellia aquatilis Water Howellia LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo (western pop.) LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C MUSSELSHELL PARK Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C PETROLEUM Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT PHILLIPS Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Mustela nigripes Black-footed Ferret LE, XN Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT PONDERA Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C POWDER RIVER Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT POWELL Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C PRAIRIE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Page 6 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status RAVALLI Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Coccyzus americanus Yellow-billed cuckoo (western pop.) LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C RICHLAND Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT ROOSEVELT Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT ROSEBUD Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE SANDERS Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Silene spaldingii Spalding's Campion LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C SHERIDAN Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT SILVER BOW Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C STILLWATER Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C Page 7 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status SWEET GRASS Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C TETON Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C TOOLE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C TREASURE No listings at this time VALLEY Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT WHEATLAND Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Gulo gulo luscus Wolverine P Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine C WIBAUX Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Sterna antillarum athalassos Interior Least Tern LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT YELLOWSTONE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT