Middle Fork Project Middle Fork Project AQ 12 – Special-Status AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Amphibian and Aquatic Reptiles Reptiles Technical Study Plan Technical Study Plan Report Overview Report Overview March 10, 2008 March 10, 2008
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Middle Fork Project AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Overview March 10, 2008.
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Middle Fork ProjectMiddle Fork ProjectAQ 12 – Special-Status AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Amphibian and Aquatic
Reptiles Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Technical Study Plan Report
Overview Overview
March 10, 2008March 10, 2008
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Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in
the study area.the study area.
Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.populations in the study area, as required by USFWS.
Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area.populations in the study area.
Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season. Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season.
Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF. develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF.
Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through coordination with the instream flow and water coordination with the instream flow and water temperature studies.temperature studies.
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Study ObjectivesStudy Objectives Document the presence of potential WPT nesting Document the presence of potential WPT nesting
habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project betterment inundation zones.betterment inundation zones.
Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and FYLF surveys.FYLF surveys.
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AQ 12 AQ 12 –– Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic ReptileReptile
Study Objectives and RelatedStudy Objectives and RelatedStudy Elements and Study Elements and ReportsReports
CRLF Study Objectives
Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in
the study area, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS).
Conduct USFWS protocol-level site assessment
Conduct a field reconnaissance
survey
Document 2007 findings in a Site Assessment Report included in this Amphibian Report
Consult with Aquatic Technical Working Group (TWG) & USFWS
Determine if protocol-levelsurveys are needed.
Complete 2008 CRLF surveys in areas requested by USFWS, if needed
Document 2008 Results in Amphibian Report (2009)
FYLF Study Objectives
Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in the study area.
Document the timing and length of breeding season.
Develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC).
Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to habitat through coordination with instream flow and
water temperature studies.
WPT Study Objectives
Document the presence of potential nesting habitat near Project reservoirs and
potential Project betterment inundationzones and document presence
during amphibian surveys.
Conduct 2007 Field Surveys
Identify and map known
occurrences within one mile
of the study area
Develop and GIS map of potential
habitat around reservoirs and
rivers
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Conduct a field reconnaissance reservoir survey
of potentialhabitat
Conduct 2007 Field Surveys
Complete Habitat
Characterization
Determine Timing and Length of Breeding Season
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Consult with Aquatic TWG
Determine if additional limited-scope surveys are needed
(i.e. breeding timing)
Complete 2008 FYLF ContingencyField Surveys, if needed
Document 2008 FYLF Results in Amphibian Report (2009)
Conduct Distribution & Abundance
Surveys
Develop Habitat
SuitabilityCriteria
Determine Stage, Velocity, and Temperature Effects of Various Flow Regimes
Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream
Flow
Coordinate with AQ 4 - Water Temperatures
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Coordinate with AQ 1 -
Instream Flow
Evaluate water temperatures near
potential habitat
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Identify and map known occurrences within one mile of the
study area
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Special-Status Amphibian and Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study SitesAquatic Reptile Study Sites
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Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope SurveysLimited Scope Surveys Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of
data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the study objectives (distribution and length of study objectives (distribution and length of breeding season).breeding season).
If FYLF are not found at a site during the first If FYLF are not found at a site during the first year of surveys, the site will be revisited or year of surveys, the site will be revisited or another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic TWG determines it is necessary. TWG determines it is necessary. Determine data to be collected and the number of Determine data to be collected and the number of
times a site is revisited, if necessary. times a site is revisited, if necessary.
Foothill Yellow-legged FrogFoothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat CharacterizationHabitat Characterization Distribution and Abundance Surveys Distribution and Abundance Surveys Timing and Length of Breeding Season Timing and Length of Breeding Season Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Habitat Suitability Criteria Development Coordination to Determine Stage and Coordination to Determine Stage and
Eggmass validation data collected in Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008Spring, 2008
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Western Pond TurtleWestern Pond Turtle 8 incidental observations8 incidental observations
6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck)6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck) 2 on NFAR2 on NFAR
GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitatGIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat Slope less than 15 degreesSlope less than 15 degrees Southern aspectSouthern aspect 150 ft buffer150 ft buffer Less than 6000 ft elevationLess than 6000 ft elevation
Field ReconnaissanceField Reconnaissance Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no
ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.