Draft EIS_072312.pdf - Middle Fork American River Project ...

20120723-4002 FERC PDF (Unofficial) 07/23/2012
Special-status Wildlife
Special-status species include those protected by the state of California as
endangered or threatened, candidate for listing, California species of special concern,
California fully protected species, California Fish and Game special animal, Forest
Service Sensitive and management indicator species, and FWS birds of conservation
concern (table 3.3.3-5). Federally listed threatened or endangered species; candidate
species for listing; and any applicable designated critical habitat for a listed species are
discussed in section 3.3.4, Threatened and Endangered Species. Associated habitat and
occurrence information for special-status species known to occur or with the potential to
occur within the existing project boundary is summarized in table 3.3.3-5 below.
3.3.3.2 Environmental Effects
Vegetation
Project operations and maintenance activities can disturb existing vegetation
communities in the project area by removing individuals or degrading habitat. Project
activities that could affect vegetation include routine maintenance activities, non-routine
recreation maintenance activities, modification of existing project operations,
modification of existing facilities, and construction of new facilities.
PCWA’s proposed VIPMP is intended to address project-related effects on
vegetation as well as nuisance species of wildlife (addressed later in this section under
Wildlife). The Alternative 1 VIPMP modifies some aspects of the proposed plan and
reorganizes some elements into what we find is a more logical sequence than presented in
the proposed VIPMP. Both plans include provisions for annual consultation with the
Forest Service regarding completed and planned vegetation management and pest control
activities. Overall, compared to the proposed plan, the Alternative 1 plan provides much
more detail regarding plan objectives, which establish a solid foundation upon which the
elements of the plan are based. The following subsections address issues in each of the
plans, highlight key differences, and analyze plan elements and their differences.
Following our discussion of VIPMP components, we discuss the effects of proposed
changes in project operations and facilities on vegetation, which are not directly
addressed in either VIPMP plan.
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