Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 0
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project on the Rogue River Siskiyou National ForestPrepared for Charter Communications September 14, 2012 Prepared by K2 Environmental LLC
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications i
Table of Contents
Project Background ................................................. 1
Wildlife Species Considered .................................... 1
Endangered, Threatened and Proposed Species ... 1
Critical Habitat ....................................................... 1
Essential Fish Habitat ............................................. 1
Forest Service Sensitive Wildlife Species ............... 3
Project Description .................................................. 9
Field Review .......................................................... 10
Results ................................................................... 10
Effects of the Proposed Project ............................. 11
Figures and Tables
Figure 1 Project Map………………………………………2
Table 1 Sensitive Species List………..………………12
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 1
Project Background
Charter Communication (Charter) plans to construct an aerial fiber interconnect between Grants Pass,
Oregon and Crescent City, California. Charter is requesting approval (Special Use Permit) to construct
approximately 3.6 miles of this 104‐mile line on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest. The proposed
work area falls within an existing Pacific Power & Light (PP&L) utility corridor; see Figure 1, Vicinity Map.
This portion of the project begins at the forest boundary approximately 9 miles south/southwest of Cave
Junction, Oregon in the community of O’Brien, Oregon. The line follows the West Fork of the Illinois
River and travels in a southwesterly direction, crossing two small portions of Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) property before terminating at the Oregon/California border. The purpose of this
aerial fiber interconnect is to provide critical telecommunications redundancy to rural communities in
Northern California and Southern Oregon that will increase the reliability of telemedicine and
educational and public safety networks. Anchor tenants of this network include the Oregon Health
Network and Sutter Coast Hospital of Crescent City, California.
The purpose of this Wildlife/Habitat Assessment is to review the proposed area of impact to determine
if the project may affect any federally listed endangered, threatened or proposed wildlife species or
their designated critical habitat or U.S. Forest Service (USFS) sensitive wildlife species.
Wildlife Species Considered
The following endangered, threatened, proposed and USFS sensitive species are known to, or are
suspected to occur on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest. Information from the Siskiyou Land and
Resource Management Plan (LRMP), public information and communications with forest service
specialists were used to compile and refine this list of species. In addition, the Biological
Assessment/Biological Evaluation, O’Brien to Gasquet Fiber Run Del Norte County, California (BA/BE,
November 2011) was referenced. The following list summarizes federal and state listed species and
forest service sensitive species with the potential to occur on the Rogue River‐Siskiyou National Forest.
Endangered, Threatened and Proposed Species
None
Critical Habitat
None
Essential Fish Habitat
None
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Figure 1 Project LocationCharter Communications Fiber Optic LineO'Brien to Oregon/California Border 0 0.5 10.25 Miles¯
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 3
Forest Service Sensitive Wildlife Species
Western ridged mussel (Gonidea angulata)
Oregon shoulderband (Helminthoglypta hertleini)
Highcap lanx (Lanx alta)
Scale lanx (Lanx klamathensis)
Robust walker (Pomatiopsis binneyi)
Pacific walker (Pomatiopsis californica)
Franklin’s bumblebee (Bombus franklini)
Western bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)
California shield backed bug (Vanduzeeina borealis californica)
Johnson’s hairstreak (Callophyrys johnsoni)
Mardon skipper (Polites mardon)
Coronis fritillary (Speyeria coronis coronis)
American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Lewis’ Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)
Foothill yellow‐legged frog (Rana boyii)
Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata marmorata)
Fisher (Martes pennant)
Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes)
Townsend’s big‐eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
Below is a brief description of each species with the potential to occur in this portion of the forest.
Western ridged mussel (Gonidea angulata)
Gonidea angulata is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater
mussel is generally obovate to trapezoidal in shape and generally does not exceed five inches in length.
The shell has an angular ridge that runs from the beak to the basal part of the posterior margin. Gonidea
angulata can be found in dense beds and requires slower flowing water (i.e. low shear stress), stable
substrate and flow refuges for survival. This mussel is found in rivers, streams and lakes with substrates
that vary from gravel to firm mud and include some sand, silt or clay. This species is more common in
eastern Oregon.
Oregon shoulderband (Helminthoglypta hertleini)
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 4
Helminthoglypta hertleini’s distribution includes the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This snail has
a thin delicate, pale golden brown, with a very narrow band of a darker shade, bounded below by an
equally narrow band of a lighter shade shell, with 5 whorls that does not exceed 18.5 mm.
Helminthoglypta hertleini can be found in rocky areas such as talus slopes, but is also suspected of being
found in areas with permanent ground cover or moisture, including rock fissures or woody debris.
Highcap Lanx (Lanx alta)
Lanx alta is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater limpet has a
symmetrical cap shaped shell with concentric growth ridges. The base of the oval shell is open, height
approximately 2/3 of shell length (4.5‐9mm diameter). Shell color evenly dark red, weathering to white.
Eggs are laid from spring to autumn in gelatinous capsules attached to plants, stones, or other objects
and hatch as young snails. They are present all year scraping food from rock surfaces, but not active in
winter.
Scale Lanx (Lanx klamathensis)
Lanx Klamathensis is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This freshwater
limpet has a low patelloid, thin shell with the base curving upwards both anteriorly and posteriorly from
midline. The shell is many times wider and longer than high (length 10‐12mm, height 4mm). They
require cold clear well oxygenated flowing waters and thus may occur in large streams, rivers, spring fed
lakes and springs. They graze on cobble and boulder surfaces in areas without sediment or silt.
Robust Walker (Pomatiopsis binneyi)
Pomatiopsis binneyi has been documented on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest in the Josephine
Creek watershed of the Illinois River basin. This small semi‐aquatic snail has a moderately high and
conical shell with 4‐5 deep and even whorls (3mm), with a light horn color. They tend to be coastally
endemic, found on the west side of the coast range at low elevations. It can also be found in perennial
seeps and rivulets, where it is protected from seasonal flushing in the rainy season; also on shallow mud
banks and marsh seepages leading into shallow streams.
Pacific Walker (Pomatiopsis californica)
Pomatiopsis californica is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. This very small
semi‐aquatic snail has a moderately high shell, conical and perforate with 6‐7 deeply and evenly convex
whorls (4 mm), definitely adnate; shell rather thin with chestnut brown color. It is limited to the coastal
fog belt and is characteristically found among leaf litter and vegetation beside flowing or standing water
in shaded situations where humidity runs high.
Franklin’s bumblebee (Bombus franklini)
Bombus franklini has been recorded in Josephine County. It is readily distinguished from the other
bumble bees in its range by the extended yellow on the anterior top of the thorax which extends well behind the wing bases and forms an inverted U‐shape around the central patch of black, lack of yellow
on the abdomen, predominantly black face with yellow on the vertex (top of the head), and white at the
tip of the abdomen. It primarily nests underground in abandoned rodent borrows and occasionally in
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 5
grass clumps on the ground. Colonies are annual with flight season occurring from mid‐May to the end
of September. Habitat needs includes plentiful nectar and pollen sources (such as Lupinus, Eschscholzia,
Agastache, Monardella, Vicia).
Western bumblebee (Bombus occidentalis)
Bombus occidentalis has many color variants. The subpopulation range that intersects the project shows
yellow hair on the front part of the thorax while the first through the basal section of the fourth
abdominal segments are covered with black hair. Whitish hair occurs on the lower edge of the fourth
abdominal segment and segment five. There are sparse, whitish hairs on the sixth segment, although
this section may appear black due to the bee’s black exoskeleton. The sixth segment may appear to be
whitish in some cases. The head is covered with black hair. The bee colonies emerge annually in the
spring and are often located in abandoned rodent holes.
California shield‐backed bug (Vanduzeeina borealis californica)
This rare, tall grass prairie specialist inhabits high elevation (e.g. 900 m) natural balds and meadows in
California and Oregon. This subspecies can be readily distinguished by the narrower head, truncate
apically; enlarged scutellum that covers the entire abdomen like a shield; general gray‐brown color with
trace of fuscous maculations on scutellum; scutellum with apical pale spot; connexivum more distinctly
alternated; and slightly differing female genital plates and male aedeagus.
Johnson’s hairstreak (Callophyrys johnsoni)
These butterflies have been sighted in the Siskiyou Mountains. Larvae of this gossamer‐winged butterfly
are green with red, green and yellow markings. The back has a sawtooth appearance due to raised
chevrons. The caterpillar is identical in appearance to the thicket hairstreak. The adults are 27‐34mm
long with brown or dark red wings, a thin white post‐median line on the underside of wing and the
submarginal section of the wing is brown and orange with scattered blue spots. Double tails are present
on the hind wings with inner tails being longer. They reside in coniferous forest canopy and are obligate
to old growth and late successional second growth forests old growth forest. In Oregon this butterfly
survives from 2000‐feet elevation or higher with the majority living at approximately 3500 feet. Larvae
can be found feeding on mistletoes (genus Arceuthobium). Caterpillars can be found on host leaves
April‐October. Adults fly mid –May to early September with peaks in May and August. Adults feed on
nectar from numerous genera including Actostophylos, Ceanothus, dandelion, Fragaria, Rorippa and
Spraguea.
Mardon skipper (Polites mardon)
Polites mardon occurs in the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. This small (<1 in.), tawny butterfly
with a stout hairy body have a fast skipping flight, bent antennae clubs, and a characteristic basking
posture in which the forewings are held at a 45‐degree angle and the hind wings are fully spread. The
upper surface of the wings is orange with dark borders; from below the wings are light tan‐orange with
yellow to white rectangular spots. Mardon skippers are nonmigratory and emerge in June and July for a
month long flight period. After mating the females deposit eggs on bunchgrass tufts in sparsely
vegetated areas, where the larvae feed for 3 months (Festuca roemeri, F. idohaensis or F. rubra,
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 6
California oatgrass, Danthonia californica and sedge, Carex spp.). Adults prefer to feed on early blue
violet and common vetch. Nectaring also occurs on common camas prairie lupine, fine leaved parsley,
western buttercup, sea blush and yarrow.
Coronis fritillary (Speyeria coronis coronis)
This species can be found on mountain slopes, foothills, prairie valleys, chaparral, sagebrush, and forest
openings. Coronis fritillary can be identified by its tawny to orange‐brown upper side with black
markings. The underside of the hind wing has an inwardly rounded silver spots in marginal row; other
silver spots are elongated.
American peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus anatum)
Peregrine falcons are typically found hunting in open areas, especially along the coast and near other
bodies of water that provide habitat for their prey. They nest on cliffs and cliff‐like structures, so during
the breeding season they are usually found near mountainous or rocky areas, or man‐made structures
that substitute as cliffs. The Anatum Peregrine is intermediate in terms of color and size. It has a salmon
or peach‐tinged breast, with stronger barring across the breast than the Tundra subspecies. The back is
slightly darker than in the Tundra Peregrine, but still has bluish‐gray tinges, especially on the upperwing
coverts and uppertail coverts. The moustache on the Anatum Peregrine is very wide, and the auricular
patch is often very small. Immatures have a solid brown crown and forehead, and have a fairly wide
moustache, although their auricular patch is often larger than that of adults. They have heavy brown
streaks on their cream colored breast and belly, and have small buffy edges to the feathers on their
back.
Bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Generally found in coastal areas or near large inland lakes and rivers that have abundant fish and shores
with large trees. The plumage of an adult bald eagle is brown with a white head and tail. Immature
eagles are irregularly mottled with white until the fourth year. Their legs are feathered half way down
the tarsus, and the beak, feet, and eyes are bright yellow.
Lewis’ Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis)
Lewis' woodpeckers prefer logged or burned out areas. They prefer old growth woodlands rather than
dense forest. In winter they choose oak woodland or commercial orchards such as almond and walnut
and pecan trees. The bill and feet are dusky blue‐gray. The back of this species is black, glossed with
green, and the belly is rose red. There is a deep red band which runs across the forehead and throat,
extending behind and below the eye. The throat and wings are black with a band of dull white over the
hind neck extending forward and around the breast. The adult female resembles the male, although she
is slightly duller in color with less red on the front of the head.
Foothill yellow‐legged frog (Rana boyii)
Rana boylii is a highly aquatic species and is almost always found in, or within a short distance from,
water. The most frequently used habitats are streams, springs, and freshwater lakes, with a preference
for rocky‐bottomed creeks; it usually occurs in gently flowing water. Slow‐flowing creeks or streams with
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 7
cobble‐sized pebbles are preferred egg laying sites for foothill yellow‐legged frogs. The Foothill Yellow‐
Legged Frogs, dorsal colors often resemble those of the ground, with variations including blackish, dark
brown, reddish brown, gray, olive‐like, or greenish with varying amounts and strengths of spots and
speckles. Some individuals may possess a light spot within a dark area on the upper eyelid. Ventral
coloration is typically whitish to yellowish, with a gradient towards yellow at the posterior end of the
body and hind limbs. The throat and anterior surface of the femurs often display the most mottling.
Northwestern pond turtle (Actinemys marmorata marmorata)
Actinemys marmorata marmorata is suspected to occur on the Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest.
The Northwestern Pond Turtle can be identified by its low, broad, smooth carapace which is usually light
to dark brown or olive in color, either with no pattern or with an attractive pattern of fine, dark radiating
lines on the scutes. The limbs and head are olive, yellow, orange or brown, often with darker flecks or
spots. It is found in ponds, lakes, streams, large rivers, slow‐moving sloughs, and quiet waters. The
turtles prefer aquatic habitats with exposed areas for basking, with aquatic vegetation, such as algae
and other water plants, but they also live in clear waters, especially where there is cover such as
boulders or fallen trees in the water. The western pond turtle also spends significant amounts of time in
upland terrestrial habitats and has been found more than one kilometer from water.
Fisher (Martes pennant)
Male fishers are, on average, larger than females. Their coats range from medium to dark brown, with
gold to silver hoariness on their head and shoulders, and with black legs and tail. They may also have a
cream chest patch of variable size and shape. Fur color and pattern varies among individuals, sexes and
seasons. Fishers have five toes on their feet, and their claws are retractable. Fishers prefer coniferous
forests, but they are also found in mixed and deciduous forests. They prefer habitats with high canopy
closure. They also prefer habitats with many hollow trees for dens. Trees typically found in fisher
habitats include spruce, fir, white cedar and some hardwoods. Also, as would be expected, their habitat
preference reflects that of their favored prey species.
Fringed myotis (Myotis thysanodes)
Its name comes from the fringe of short hairs that line the interfemoral membrane. This species has a
full pelage of light brown on its back and off ‐white under parts. Myotis thysanodes is a highly migratory
species that roosts in caves, mine tunnels, rock crevices and old buildings.
Pallid Bats (Antrozous pallidus)
Adults range from 60 to 85 mm long from head to tail. Their fur has a woolly feel with a cream‐yellow to
light brown color on the dorsum and very pale to white color on the venter. This species has a U‐shaped
ridge on the top of the muzzle with the nostrils located underneath the ridge on the front of its muzzle.
Their ears have serrated outer edges that are not joined at the base. The face has small wart‐like
pararhinal glands that produce a skunk‐like odor. They occur in oak and pine forested areas and open
farmland. Roosting sites are variable, depending on what is available. They can be found roosting in
caves, rock crevices, mines, hollow trees, and buildings. They use day roosts that are semi‐dark, as long
as there is some sort of cover. Night roosts for resting between feeding intervals are near day roosts, but
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 8
are not the same as day roosts. Pallid bats prefer darkness, shelter from wind and rain, and an easy
escape if they are disturbed. Roosts are usually near a source of water, but this does not appear to be a
main requirement for roosting locations.
Townsend’s big‐eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii)
Townsend's big‐eared bats are medium‐sized bats with broad wings. They have two large, fleshy glands
on either side of the muzzle. The snout is short with elongated nostril slits. Coloration varies from
population to population, although all fur colors tend to be some hue of brown or gray. The dorsum can
be anywhere from pale cinnamon brown to blackish brown to slate gray. They have a low band across
the forehead. The ears are usually directed forward while in flight. When these bats are sleeping, the
ears are generally rolled down and back across the head, resembling ram horns. Most western
populations of Corynorhinus townsendii live in montane forest. This type of forest is thick with pine, fir
and aspen trees and is bounded by shrub and grasslands. At higher elevations, the surrounding
vegetation is subalpine. Corynorhinus townsendii individuals choose roosting sites most commonly in
caves, cliffs, and rock ledges but have been found in abandoned mines and other man‐made structures.
Colonies normally choose relatively cold places for roosting, and pick hibernacula with a considerable
amount of air movement. Abandoned buildings are usually used only during the summer, while caves
and abandoned mines are preferred in the winter. Roost sites generally have open ceilings because
Townsend's big‐eared bats don't crawl well. They prefer habitats that are almost completely dark and
are extremely sensitive to human disturbance, which nearly always causes colonies to relocate.
Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
The anadromous form, called steelhead, spawns and complete their early development in freshwater
mountain streams, then migrate to spend their adult life in the ocean. In freshwater, they prefer cool
water but have been known to tolerate water temperatures up to 24°C (native climates have water
temperatures around 12°C in the summer). Productive streams have a good mixture of riffles and pools
and overhanging vegetation for shade. Most importantly, they require gravel beds to lay their eggs, and
therefore, are sensitive to sedimentation and channel scouring. In general, Steelheads are streamlined,
with 8 to 12 spines in the anal fin and lack teeth at the base of the tongue (unlike their close relatives,
Oncorhynchus clarkii). The undersides tend to be silvery with a pinkish red stripe along the upper‐middle
part of the body, though this stripe can vary from dark to light. Most have black spots above the lateral
line. Resident spawning steelhead tend to be lighter with more pronounced pink stripes.
Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
The Chinook salmon is anadromous; born in freshwater, migrating to the ocean, and returning as
mature adults to their natal streams to spawn. The freshwater streams are relatively deep with course
gravel. The water must be cool, under 14°C for maximum survival, and fast flowing. It is characterized by
a deep blue‐green back, silvery sides and a white belly with black irregular spots on the back, dorsal fin
and both lobes of the tail. It also has a small eye, black gum coloration, a thick caudal peduncle and 13‐
19 anal rays.
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 9
Project Description
Charter is requesting a 20‐foot‐wide easement to construct the aerial fiber interconnect within the
outer western edge of the existing right‐of‐way. The wood poles for the project will be offset
approximately 47 feet from the existing PP&L utility poles. Poles will be between 35‐ to 45‐feet tall.
Figure 2 shows the approximate location of Charter’s thirty‐two wood poles within the PP&L alignment
that fall within the Siskiyou national forest. Two portions of the project (approximately 1.23 miles) cross
from forest lands to Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land. In the northern portion of the project the
alignment crosses onto BLM land for a short distance and then returns to the forest. In the center
portion, the alignment crosses from forest land to Bureau of Land Management land for approximately
one mile and then crosses back onto the Siskiyou forest until it reaches the California border.
Existing access roads will be used to access the pole sites. No new roads will be constructed for this
project. In some cases, existing dirt berms may need to be removed to allow equipment and vehicle
access. Once construction is complete in an area, any berm that was removed for construction access
will be restored.
The staging area for this portion of the project will be located at the Rough and Ready Mill in Cave
Junction, Oregon. No materials will be stored on the right‐of‐way overnight; all materials will be brought
onsite on a daily basis.
The work area around each pole site is expected to be approximately a 20‐foot radius. Vegetation
clearing will only be needed in the area where the pole will be set. Additional vegetation clearing may be
necessary to allow equipment access, but it is expected that the majority of access will on existing
access roads or by driving over low growing vegetation. An auger will be used to dig a hole
approximately 6 feet deep; the diameters of the holes are not expected to exceed 2 feet. Poles will be
placed in the excavated hole and the area around the pole will be backfilled with native material. If rock
is encountered, a jack hammer may be used to excavate the hole. Guy wire anchors will be required at a
majority of the pole locations (14 poles require anchors on forest land); anchors will be installed with
the auger or jack hammer, depending on substrate. Charter anticipates that it will take approximately 4
hours to set a pole and may complete 2 to 4 poles per day depending on conditions.
Spans between poles will range between approximately 200 and 1500 feet. The fiber optic line will be
“shot” from pole to pole using a gun powder‐charged system (4570 caliber rifle) that will shoot the line
cross country up to 1000 feet depending on the size of the charge. Several shots may be required
depending on the length of the span. In these cases, the person conducting this work will walk to the
end location of the previous shot and continue shooting the line until it reaches the pole location.
Tensioning of the line will be done at each pole location. Vehicles or equipment will not be required
between spans for this operation.
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 10
Unused spoils not used for backfill or that cannot be spread at the pole site will be removed for off‐site
disposal. Disturbed areas will be recontoured and stabilized as needed to prevent erosion. Erosion and
sediment control devices needed to prevent sediment from leaving the work area will be left in place
until stabilization has been established. As noted above, any existing road berms will be restored after
construction is complete in the area.
The following is a list of the equipment necessary to install the fiber optic line in this area:
T40 bucket truck (F700 class truck)
2 Digger derrick (s), rubber tired and/or tracked drill trucks
2‐yard dump truck
2 crew pickups (3/4 ton size)
Small case track hoe
4‐wheel quad type vehicle
Air compressor and jack hammer
4570 caliber rifle
All equipment will be cleaned prior to entering the utility corridor to prevent/limit the spread of
noxious/invasive plant species, if required by the USFS. Commercial wash facilities in Cave Junction or
the wash facilities at the forest service office in Cave Junction would be used to clean any equipment
prior to its use on the project. Servicing and refueling of equipment will not occur near any drainage and
will follow USFS Best Water Management Practice 2‐12 (USDA, 2000).
Field Review
On September 13, 2012 two biologists from K2 Environmental LLC conducted a reconnaissance level
survey for sensitive wildlife species and habitat along the project alignment. The biologists reviewed all
proposed pole locations and access roads to identify any potential wildlife concerns or impacts
associated with the proposed activities. The survey was conducted from the early morning to late
afternoon under clear and warm weather conditions.
Results
The project area is located immediately south of the community of O’Brien in southern Oregon. As
described in the project description previously, this fiber optic line will be placed within the existing
PP&L utility corridor. The project area is regularly disturbed to maintain the required vegetation
clearance for the transmission line within the corridor. The fiber project will not require any significant
vegetation clearing for the installation of the facilities.
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 11
The project area is surrounded by mixed conifer and chaparral plant communities. Dominant plant
species along the project include Jeffrey pine, cedar, fir, manzanita and tanoak. The West Fork of the
Illinois River runs parallel to the project along the eastern boundary, although no work is occurring
immediately adjacent to or within the jurisdictional areas of the river. There are several wet seeps along
the project dominated by Darlingtonia and monkey flower; none of these wet areas will be impacted by
the project.
No sensitive species were observed during the field visit and none are expected to be impacted by the
construction of this project. Table 1 summarizes the status and potential impacts to all the species listed
in the previous section of this report.
Effects of the Proposed Project
No impacts to federal, state or forest service sensitive species are expected. Those expectations are
based on the following reasons:
The project lies in an existing utility corridor that has been previously disturbed and continues to
have regular vegetation maintenance activities to remove taller vegetation.
Existing roads will be used for construction of the project.
No clearing outside of the utility corridor is required. Tree removal will be limited to a few
danger trees within the corridor and vegetation clearing will only occur in the immediate vicinity
of the pole location as required for installation.
No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River.
All permanent erosion control devices removed to provide access to the project areas will be
restored; temporary erosion control measures will be installed along any areas where water
bars or diversion berms are removed to minimize the potential for runoff.
All off road vehicle barriers will be reinstalled once construction is complete.
No refueling or servicing of equipment will occur near any drainage or wet area along the
project.
Table 1: Region 6 Special Status Species List For Charter Communications Project‐O’Brien to Oregon/California Border
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 12
Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments
INVERTEBRATES
GONIDEA ANGULATA WESTERN RIDGED MUSSEL S
SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats
HELMINTHOGLYPTA HERTLEINI
OREGON SHOULDERBAND D
SEN NI Minimal leaf litter and woody debris occur within cleared corridor to provide refugia for this species.
LANX ALTA HIGHCAP LANX S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats.
LANX KLAMATHENSIS SCALE LANX S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic habitats.
POMATIOPSIS BINNEYI ROBUST WALKER D SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.
POMATIOPSIS CALIFORNICA PACIFIC WALKER S SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.
BOMBUS FRANKLINI FRANKLIN'S BUMBLEBEE D
SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this bee. Limited rodent burrows were observed within the proposed work areas.
BOMBUS OCCIDENTALIS WESTERN BUMBLE BEE
SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this bee. Limited rodent burrows were observed within the proposed work areas.
VANDUZEEINA BOREALIS CALIFORNICA
CALIFORNIA SHIELD BACKED BUG S
SEN NI This species typically occurs in meadows which do not occur in the project work areas.
CALLOPHRYS JOHNSONI JOHNSON'S HAIRSTREAK S
SEN NI This species is typically found at higher elevations. Work will occur outside of the adult flight season.
POLITES MARDON MARDON SKIPPER D
SEN NI Work will occur outside of the flight season for this butterfly.
SPEYERIA CORONIS CORONIS CORONIS FRITILLARY D
SEN NI This species host plant was not observed in the immediate vicinity of the pole locations and all work will occur outside of the adult flight season.
VERTEBRATES
Birds
FALCO PEREGRINUS ANATUM AMERICAN PEREGRINE FALCON D
SEN NI Peregrine falcons may hunt in the area, but nesting habitat is not found in the project area. Work is expected
Table 1: Region 6 Special Status Species List For Charter Communications Project‐O’Brien to Oregon/California Border
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 13
Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments to occur outside of the peregrine falcon breeding season.
HALIAEETUS LEUCOCEPHALUS BALD EAGLE D
SEN NI One known location for bald eagle was recorded approximately one mile from the project work area. Due to the short‐term duration of construction and the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.
MELANERPES LEWIS LEWIS' WOODPECKER D
SEN NI The Lewis woodpecker was not observed during the field review. This species may occur in the area, particularly during winter, but due to the short‐term duration of construction and the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.
Amphibians
RANA BOYLII FOOTHILL YELLOW‐LEGGED FROG D
SEN NI No work will occur in aquatic or wet habitats.
Reptiles
ACTINEMYS MARMORATA MARMORATA
NORTHWESTERN POND TURTLE
D SEN NI Work will not occur near the West Fork of the Illinois River where this species would be likely to occur. Due to topography, existing road features and lack of cover, it is unlikely this species would occur within the project work area.
Mammals
ANTROZOUS PALLIDUS PALLID BAT D
SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.
CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII TOWNSEND'S BIG‐EARED BAT D
SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.
MYOTIS THYSANODES FRINGED MYOTIS D SEN NI No roosting sites were observed in the immediate
vicinity of the project work areas. Due to the location of
Table 1: Region 6 Special Status Species List For Charter Communications Project‐O’Brien to Oregon/California Border
Wildlife Assessment O’Brien to Oregon/California Border Fiber Optic Project Charter Communications 14
Scientific Name Common Name Status on RRS NF ISSSSP Status Affect Comments the work areas (i.e. cleared utility corridor) no impacts are expected to occur to this species.
MARTES PENNANTI FISHER D
SEN NI Due to limited canopy closure within the existing utility corridor, no impacts are expected for this species. This species was recorded approximately three and one half miles from the project area.
Fish
ONCORHYNCHUS MYKISS STEELHEAD I
SEN NI No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River or in the immediate vicinity of the river. Erosion control devices will be installed to ensure silt‐laden material and/or runoff does not leave the project work area.
ONCORHYNCHUS TSHAWYTSCHA CHINOOK SALMON D
SEN NI No work will occur in the West Fork of the Illinois River or in the immediate vicinity of the river. Erosion control devices will be installed to ensure silt‐laden material and/or runoff does not leave the project work area.