Botany and Wetlands Study Report - McMillen, LLC

Botany and Wetlands Study ReportSoutheast Alaska Power Agency4.1.1 Spatulate moonwort (Botrychium spathulatum W.H.Wagner)On the Tongass NF, spatulate moonwort grows in upper beach meadows, well drained openareas, limestone and alpine habitats (Forest Service 2009). It is suspected on the Ketchikan‐Misty Fiordss Ranger District. It was not observed during field surveys conducted for theproposed project. The analysis area does not include beach habitat, limestone or open drainedareas, and is located well below the alpine zone, thus a limited amount of potential habitat ispresent within the analysis area. There are some disturbed areas associated with the immediatearea around dam and existing roadways. These areas were surveyed and this species was notobserved.The project would have no direct or indirect effects to known populations or habitat of spatulatemoonwort. The risk of adverse effects to this plant is low, as impacts to potential habitat are notlikely to result from the project.4.1.2 Edible thistle (Cirsium edule var. macounii (Greene) D.J.Keil)On the Tongass National Forest, edible thistle grows in moist to mesic meadows, open forestsand talus slopes in the subalpine and alpine zones (Forest Service 2009). Although edible thistleis documented on the Ketchikan‐Misty Fiords Ranger District, it was not observed during fieldsurveys conducted for the proposed project. The analysis area does not have meadows or talusslopes, and is well below the alpine and subalpine zones, thus potential habitat is not presentwithin the analysis area. In addition, this is a relatively, large, distinctive plant that stands out inits habitat, making it difficult to overlook during surveys.The project would have no direct or indirect effects to known populations or habitat of ediblethistle. The risk of adverse effects to this plant is low, as impacts to potential habitat are notlikely to result from the project.4.1.3 Mountain lady’s slipper (Cypripedium montanum Douglas ex Lindl.)Lesser round‐leaved orchid may be found in a variety of habitats on the Tongass National Forest,although it is most commonly in forested habitats and along the forested muskeg edge. It hasalso been found in both old and young growth forests. The lesser round‐leaved orchid isdocumented in the Ketchikan‐Misty Fiords Ranger District. Although potential habitat is presentin the analysis area, this plant was not observed during field surveys.The project would have no effects to known populations of lesser round‐leaved orchid.Although potential habitat is present, this plant is not known to occur in the analysis area andwas not located during field surveys conducted for this project. Inundation, dam constructionand associated activities under the proposed action could affect potential habitat for this speciesand thus potentially affect undetected populations. Direct effects could occur throughinundation, damage by machinery, placement of fill material, road improvements andmaintenance. Indirect effects are also possible, potentially occurring as a result of light levelSwan Lake Hydroelectric Project January 2013FERC Project No. 2911 Page 18 Version: Agency Review