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HomeMy WebLinkAboutE & F - Wildlife Vegetation Memomemo Page 1 TO: 2927.012 File FROM: Christine Pearcy, Environmental Scientist RE: Wildlife & Vegetation Review of the proposed Minor Sub 407C in Gallatin County, August 2021 The purpose of this memo is to document vegetation as well as the presence or absence of wildlife resources and US Fish and Wildlife Service (UFSWS) Endangered Species Act (ESA) federally listed species on the Minor Sub 407C property. The subject property is 5.5 acres and is described as Section 1, Township 2 South, Range 5 East, Lot 2A in Gallatin County, Montana. A field visit to the subject property was conducted in July 2019. The results of the data search and the field visit are presented below. General Habitat & Vegetation The subject property was historically managed for agricultural practices, but development of the surrounding properties has transitioned the property into vacant land in recent years. Vegetation communities were evaluated and documented. The property consisted of an upland herbaceous community and a palustrine emergent wetland community. The upland herbaceous areas within the project were dominated by intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium, NI), Canada thistle (Circium arvense, FAC), stickywilly (Galium aparine, FACU), prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola, FACU), and hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana, NI). The palustrine emergent wetland within the project area was dominated by reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea, FACW), Canada thistle, fringed willow herb (Epilobium ciliatum, FACW), and common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris, OBL). Much of the property was infested with noxious weeds such as Canada thistle hoary alyssum. Data from Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MFWP)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. Crucial Habitat Rank: The subject property is ranked 3, 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 2, with 1 being the most important and 4 being of lowest importance. Wildlife & Vegetation 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 is unranked for wetland and riparian areas. 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 a combination of 40-160 acres/unit and 20-40 acres/unit. Montana Structures: MFWP Montana structures map indicates no structures within the subject property. The map indicates that the area surrounding the property is predominately residential and commercial. US Fish and Wildlife Services Federally Listed Species According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), four species have been listed on the June 28, 2021 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 Montane spruce/fir 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 stable wetlands. However, the subject property has been significantly disturbed in the past and is infested with noxious weeds. No observations of Ute Ladies’ Tresses have been recorded by Montana Natural Heritage Program in this location. 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. Wildlife & Vegetation Memo Page 3 Observed Species The following wildlife and bird species were observed on the subject properties during the site visit that occurred in July 2019: • Four red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) in the wetland and creek area. • Mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). References Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (2021). Crucial Areas Planning System (CAPS) Data Layer Documentation and Summary. Accessed August 5, 2021. https://fwp.mt.gov/gis/ maps/caps/ US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (2021). USFWS, Endangered, Threatened, Proposed and Candidate Species for Montana Counties, June 28, 2021. 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 June 28, 2021 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P CARBON Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Zapada glacier Western Glacier Stonefly LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P CHOUTEAU Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT CUSTER Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon 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 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P FALLON Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT FERGUS Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P GALLATIN Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P GARFIELD Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH GLACIER Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly LT Zapada glacier Western Glacier Stonefly LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P GOLDEN VALLEY Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P GRANITE Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P HILL No listings at this time JEFFERSON Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P JUDITH BASIN Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P Page 4 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status LAKE Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear 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 Lednia tumana Meltwater Lednian Stonefly LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P LIBERTY Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P MADISON Spiranthes diluvialis Ute Ladies' Tresses LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P McCONE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT MEAGHER Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P MINERAL Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Salvelinus confluentus Bull Trout LT, CH Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P Page 5 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status MISSOULA Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P MUSSELSHELL PARK Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT PONDERA Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P PRAIRIE Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P RICHLAND Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT ROOSEVELT Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT ROSEBUD 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P SHERIDAN Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Grus americana Whooping Crane 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 Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P STILLWATER Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P Page 7 of 7 County/Scientific Name Common Name Status SWEET GRASS Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P TETON Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT, CH Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P TOOLE Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P TREASURE No listings at this time VALLEY Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon LE Grus americana Whooping Crane LE Charadrius melodus Piping Plover LT, CH Calidris canutus rufa Red Knot LT Myotis septentrionalis Northern Long-eared Bat LT WHEATLAND Lynx canadensis Canada Lynx LT Ursus arctos horribilis Grizzly Bear LT Pinus albicaulis Whitebark Pine P WIBAUX Scaphirhynchus albus Pallid Sturgeon 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