Wildlife Specialist report

Under this alternative you continue to have motorized cross country travel, dispersed
camping, and big game retrieval allowed across the Gila National Forest. These three
types of uses continue to have potential effects to upland, riparian, and wetland species of
reptiles and amphibians. Additionally, these three types of uses perpetuate the
development of additional roads and motorized trails; potentially allowing for the
development of higher road densities. Under the no action alternative through time the
potential for the direct loss of individuals and habitat would increase, as would the
potential for disturbance affects to these species.
Action Alternatives (C, D, E, F, and G): Under all action alternatives motorized cross
country travel (see assumption) is no longer allowed. The change from the existing
condition is a 100% reduction in motorized cross country travel. In the Mexican
gartersnake analysis area motorized dispersed camping is reduced by 90 to 100% under
all action alternatives; Arizona toad and narrow headed gartersnake analysis area 92 to
100%; and 94 to 100% in the Gila monster analysis area. For these focal species the area
of potentially affected habitat for motorized big game retrieval is reduced by 100% under
Alternative E, 95 to 96% under Alternative D, 46 to 94% under Alternative F, 95% under
Alternative G, and 16 to 22% under Alternative C.
Motorized areas are locations where we have had traditional uses like motorized camping
and OHV use. Under all action alternatives no areas currently exist in the reptile and
amphibian analysis areas, and no areas have been designated.
Miles of motorized routes and trails and acres of potentially affected habitat within the
analysis area for reptiles and amphibians are reduced by 34 to 51% under Alternative E;
21 to 37% under Alternative D; 9 to 19% under Alternative F, and 19 to 24% under
Alternative G. Under Alternative C motorized routes are increased by 4% in the Gila
monster analysis area, 3% in the Mexican gartersnake analysis area, and reduced by 1%
in the Arizona toad and narrow headed gartersnake analysis area.
For the focal species and their associated analysis areas Alternative E adds 0 miles of
routes, Alternatives D, F, and G adds 1 mile of currently unauthorized route; and
Alternative C adds up to 10 miles of unauthorized routes. Because the Gila currently
allows cross country travel most proposed routes even though unauthorized/recognized
are currently being used.
Findings:
Table44: Amphibian and reptile Forest Service sensitive species determination by
alternative
Sensitive Species
Alt. B
Existing Condition
Determination by Alternative
Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G
Mexican gartersnake MI* MI MI MI MI
Arizona toad MI MI MI MI MI
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