environmental assessment for the hog lake road improvement project

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Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 Although there is some potential for Sensitive and Watch-list species to be impacted by the Proposed Action and isolated impacts cannot be ruled out, no additional measurable cumulative impacts to these species are expected. Management Indicator Species For more detailed information, including plant and animal species lists and applied methodology, please reference the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009) which is part of the Project record and available upon request. USFS Management Indicator Species (MIS) are identified in the 2006 San Bernardino Land Management Plan (LMP). Species were selected because their population OR habitat trends are believed to indicate the effects of management activities, and they are a focus for monitoring of those activities. Botany MIS None of the management indicator plant species are present within or adjacent to the proposed Project area; since none are present there will be no impact to MIS species. Wildlife MIS There are two MIS species that may occur in the Project area: mountain lion and mule deer. Although both species could be directly impacted by traffic and construction could impact them temporarily, the Project would not significantly change the habitat factor for which each species was chosen: habitat fragmentation and healthy diverse habitats, respectively. Implementation of the Proposed Action would be a move neither toward nor away from the desired condition. Migratory Birds For more detailed information please reference the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009) which is part of the Project record and available upon request. Affected Environment Migratory Birds include common, sensitive and listed species. Impacts to migratory birds (other than those species specifically addressed elsewhere in this document) under this rule are limited to nesting. Habitat types utilized by migratory birds within the Project vicinity could include the interior live oak scrub and chaparral. The interior live oak habitat consists of only a few scattered trees with a scrub understory. The trees could be used for nesting by migratory birds and raptors. Species that nest in chaparral could also occur in the Project vicinity. Direct and Indirect Effects Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 49 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Ramona Hog Lake Road Improvement Project August 2011 No Action: For the No Action alternative, there would be no anticipated direct or indirect impacts beyond the current condition that would affect Migratory Bird species in the area. Any existing negative impacts from dust due to road use would continue. Proposed Action: Construction could result in abandonment of active nests/dens and the losses of existing eggs, and off-spring. Nests on the ground or in trees/bushes within the 0.15 acre of habitat impacts could be destroyed. Nests are not expected in the active roadway. Disturbances may result in abandonment of areas and disruption of courtship behaviors resulting in failure to reproduce. Design Criteria are incorporated to reduce impacts to nesting and breeding species. No construction will occur between February 1 and July 31 thereby impacts to nesting bird species (see Table 1: Mitigation Measures/Design Criteria; Biological Resources). Other direct, indirect and cumulative effects and the applicable mitigations would be similar as the previously discussed birds and ground dwelling species (see Sensitive and Watch-list Species discussion above). General Vegetation and Wildlife For more detailed information, including plant and animal species lists and applied methodology, please reference the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009) which is part of the Project record and available upon request. Direct, Indirect and Cumulative Effects Effects to general vegetation and wildlife are similar to those effects previously discussed for Sensitive and Watch-list species (see above). Incorporated design features and mitigation measures will suffice to minimize effects on all species. Weed Risk Forest Service Manual 2080 Noxious Weed Management (effective since 11/29/95) states a risk assessment for noxious weeds must be completed for every project. For more detailed information, please reference the Weed Risk Assessment portion of the BE/BA (L & L Environmental, Inc. 2009) which is part of the Project record and available upon request. Frank Springer & Associates, Inc. Page 50 of 79 Environmental Assessment
Page 1 and 2: FINAL FRANK SPRINGER & ASSOCIATES,
Page 3 and 4: LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Mitigation
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