Johnny O'Neil Late Successional Reserve Habitat Restoration and ...

Direct and Indirect Effects
Alternative 1 – No Action
There are no direct or indirect effects expected on the foothill yellow-legged frog or its
habitat. The increased likelihood of high intensity wildfire predicted with taking no action is
not likely to directly affect individual foothill yellow-legged frogs because they are rarely
found away from aquatic habitat during the fire season but it can affect microsite conditions
at surrounding aquatic vegetation. The indirect effects of wildfire would vary with fire
intensity. Indirect effects could also occur from increases in sedimentation from high
intensity fires. Negative consequences to aquatic habitats that could affect short and longterm
water quality and aquatic vegetation may affect frogs and their habitat.
Action Alternatives
Potentially suitable habitat for the foothill yellow-legged frog occurs in the lower reaches of
Horse Creek but this habitat will not be directly affected by the project. Thinning with
ground-based and skyline equipment, underburning and road use may have negligible, shortterm
indirect effects on downstream habitat as a result of the potential for sediment delivery
to streams within the project area; however, the implementation of Best Management
Practices (BMPs - refer to the FEIS, Fish and Hydrology resource reports) and project design
features will minimize or avoid potential downstream effects. No new temporary roads will
be constructed in stream course RRs; the application of BMPs and project design features
will ensure that use of temporary roads will not cause adverse effects to aquatic conditions in
upper or lower stream reaches.
Cumulative Effects
Adding the effects of these alternatives to the effects of reasonable foreseeable future actions will
not result in cumulatively significant effects. The Horse Creek Road Rehabilitation project is
projected to reduce the potential for landslide-related sediment within the in the Lower Horse
Creek 7th field watershed (Final Geology Specialist Report, Project File). This leads to indirect
beneficial effects to downstream aquatic habitats including the foothill yellow-legged frog. The
Horse Creek Grazing Allotment permits 85 cow calf units to free range, but only the lower
reaches of Horse Creek contains potentially suitable habitat. Water quality or direct impacts from
grazing activities could occur but when combined with negligible, short-term indirect effects
from the action, it is unlikely that significant cumulative effects on the species, or its habitat, will
result.
Determination - As a result the Johnny O’Neil Project may impact individuals, but is not
likely to result in a trend toward federal listing or loss of viability of the foothill
yellow-legged frog.
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