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APPENDIX H OTHER SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES FOR OREGON LNG PROJECT ---PAGE BREAK--- ---PAGE BREAK--- H-1 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Plants Bradshaw’s desert parsley Lomatium bradshawii F-E OR-E OCS WA-E Range extends from western Washington south through the Willamette Valley. Historically found in lowland Deschampsia cespitosa prairies with heavy clay soils; especially Bashaw soils. Also in wetland depressions, grassy swales, and along seasonally wet waterways and flooded prairie lowlands. Unlikely to occur in project area. Associated plant species include Deschampsia caespitosa, Juncus tenuis, Carex stipata, Carex uniLateralis, Poa pratensis, Hordeum brachyantherum, Perideridia sp., Juncus sp. If present in the right-of-way, these plants would be disturbed and potentially lost to vegetation clearing and ground disturbing activities. However, most of the pipeline would be routed through previously disturbed industrial forest or agricultural areas that likely preclude these plant species. Following construction, the construction right-of-way would be reseeded with a native seed mix developed in consultation with state resource agencies. Oregon LNG would segregate top soil to preserve seed bank according to its Plan and Procedures. A botanist would be available during construction activities involving vegetation removal and soil disturbance to ensure no rare plants are lost. Wayside aster Eucephalus vialis OR-T OCS Many of the 100 known populations occur in disturbed areas (ODFW, 2006). Found in second growth and old-growth Douglas fir forests, mixed coniferous/hardwood forest openings, along shaded roadsides, in residential areas, and on prairie balds. White rock larkspur Delphinium leucophaeum OR-E OCS WA-E Only 17 known occurrences in Oregon (OSU, 2008). Historically occurred in upland prairies. Due to habitat loss, species is found in remnant habitat patches, along dry roadsides, dry roadside ditches, open fields, dry hillsides, meadow and grassland. Also, some occurrences on the edge of oak woodlands. Invertebrates Haddock’s rhyacophilan caddisfly Rhyacophila haddocki F-SOC OCS Requires cool, clear streams with coarse sediment and little silt. Waterbody crossings would temporary disturb substrate and cause turbidity that could inhibit the growth and survival of aquatic insects. Following construction, stream substrate is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross certain waterbodies, which would avoid disturbance to aquatic insects. Compliance with Oregon LNG’s Plan and Procedures would limit turbidity during open cut waterbody crossings. Roth’s blind ground beetle Pterostichus rothi F-SOC OCS Requires cool, moist, closed-canopy conifer forests with deep, well- drained soils. Lives within soil but requires coarse woody debris for refugia. Pipeline construction in conifer forests may result in the loss of ground dwelling insects. Oregon LNG selected a pipeline route to avoid intact forest habitats to the extent possible. Cleared areas would be replanted to prevent non-native colonization. Where possible, downed woody debris would be left when clearing right-of-way. Willamette floater (freshwater mussel) Anodonta wahlametensis OCS WA-SC Occurs in lakes, slow-moving rivers, streams and sloughs. Substrate is either mud or sand. Uses waters with low gradient, especially waterways in coastal areas. As with most mussels, this species requires specific species of native fish to fulfill portions of its larval life history. In-water excavation and dewatering associated with waterbody crossings could result in the loss of freshwater mussels if they are present in the substrate. Following construction, stream substrate is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross certain waterbodies, which would avoid impact on freshwater mussels. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species present in dewatered area, which includes freshwater mussels. ---PAGE BREAK--- H-2 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Fish Pacific lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus F-SOC OR-SV OCS Feed and grow in the ocean, then return to freshwater rivers for spawning and early development. Requires fine gravel beds for spawning and cool clean water for development within river systems. In-water excavation and dewatering associated with waterbody crossings could result in the loss of lamprey if they are present in the substrate. Following construction stream substrate is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Oregon LNG would use HDD to cross certain waterbodies, which would also benefit lamprey. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species present in dewatered area, which includes lamprey – to the extent feasible. Compensatory mitigation for the Youngs Bay estuarine enhancements and fish barrier removal would benefit Pacific lamprey. River lamprey Lampetra ayresii F-SOC WA-C Riffle and side channel habitats are important for spawning and for ammocoete rearing. Lamprey ammocoetes colonize areas with soft substrate and good water quality. Adults feed in nearshore marine and estuarine habitat. Waterbody crossings in Cowlitz County may support river lamprey. In-water excavation and dewatering associated with waterbody crossings could result in the loss of ammocoetes buried in the sediment. Following construction stream substrate is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species present in dewatered area, which includes lamprey – to the extent feasible. Coastal cutthroat clarki clarki F-SOC OR-SV Utilize a wide variety of habitat types during their complex life cycle. Spawn in small tributary streams and utilize slow flowing backwater areas, low velocity pools, and side channels for rearing of young. Large woody debris, instream structures and vegetation are important for protection while in freshwater. Clean gravel is needed for spawning and rearing. Coastal cutthroat are documented as occurring in 10 streams to be crossed by the project, although their presence is assumed in all other fish bearing streams that would be crossed. Waterbody crossings would temporarily displace cutthroat due to inwater work and increased turbidity. Direct mortality may occur if fish are trapped in the dewatered area at open cut crossings. Oregon LNG would cross certain waterbodies using HDD which would avoid impacts on coastal cutthroat. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage fish present in dewatered area. Compensatory mitigation for the Youngs Bay estuarine enhancements and fish barrier removal would benefit Coastal cutthroat. Erosion control measures would minimize turbidity during construction. Amphibians and Reptiles Western toad Bufo boreas WA-C Found in a variety of habitats, including slow moving rivers and streams; wetlands; near ponds and lakes; and in woodlands, grasslands and forests. Elevation range extends from sea level to above the tree-line. Main factor for selecting habitat is proximity to water for breeding. Requires sun exposed shallows with little to no vegetation for egg laying and tadpole rearing habitat. Unlikely to occur in project area. Waterbody and wetland crossings could temporarily displace or result in the mortality of toads and frogs. Following construction stream and riparian habitat is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. The pipeline route would avoid waterbodies and wetlands to the extent possible. In particular, the route would avoid wetlands with standing water preferred by amphibians. Oregon LNG would cross certain waterbodies using HDD which would avoid impacts on amphibians. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species, including amphibians, from the dewater area. Whenever possible, downed logs would be Coastal tailed frog Ascaphus truei OR-SV OCS Limited to cold, clear, fast-flowing streams that contain water year round; typically in conifer forests, but some populations have been found in non-forested streams. Adults require small boulders in the stream channel for egg laying. Larvae require moss free rocks, which they attach themselves to in well-oxygenated stream sections. ---PAGE BREAK--- H-3 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Red-legged frog Rana aurora OCS OR-SV Undisturbed, continuously watered streams with shallow pools and emergent vegetation. Also found in marshes, wet meadows and occasionally ponds and ephemeral pools. Selects sites that provide access to forested areas. left or moved to the corridor/forest edge. Erosion control measures would minimize turbidity during construction. Foothill yellow- legged frog Rana boylii F-SOC OCS OR-SC OR-SV Found in permanently watered, slow-flowing streams and backwaters and in coniferous and deciduous forests and woodlands. Streams typically have rocky substrate, sloping banks and vegetation on the stream bank. Columbia torrent salamander Rhyacotriton kezeri OR-SV OCS Range extends from the Chehalis River in Grays Harbor County, Washington, south to the Little Nestucca River, in Tillamook County, Oregon. Both adults and larvae live beneath or close to moss- covered rocks. Found in streams that are perennial, have loose gravel, and are located in steep, mountainous areas within coniferous forests where the banks are heavily vegetated and shaded. Headwater streams, springs, and seeps are often used. Construction in or near waterbodies and wetlands could result in the temporary displacement or loss of salamanders. Following construction, stream and riparian habitat is expected to return to preconstruction conditions. Oregon LNG would cross certain waterbodies using HDD which would avoid impacts on amphibians. At open cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species, including amphibians, from the dewatered area. Whenever possible, downed logs would be left or moved to the corridor/forest edge. Erosion control measures would minimize turbidity during construction. Clouded salamander Aneides farreus OR-SV OCS Found in forested habitats. Inhabits moist areas within conifer forests in the Coastal Range. Often found beneath downed logs and vegetation. Also commonly found in recently burned and cleared areas, as long as large logs are left behind. Strongly associated with Douglas-fir logs. Southern torrent salamander Rhyacotriton variegatus F-SOC OR-SV OCS Range extends from the Little Nestucca River in Tillamook County, Oregon, south to Mendocino County, California. Occurs in permanently flowing, steep, mountainous streams in moist, conifer forests. Utilizes shallow sections of streams, including splash zones and riffles. Requires loose gravel substrate, as larvae rear in cobble and gravel beds that receive stream flow. Western painted turtle picta bellii OR-SC OCS Inhabits marshy ponds, small lakes and backwaters of rivers and slowing moving streams. Often selects waterways with mud substrate and emergent vegetation. Requires logs, large rocks, or vegetation mats for basking, and bare patches of ground close to water to lay eggs. Possibly occurs in project area. Oregon LNG would generally avoid ponds, lakes, or large wetlands with standing water. Therefore, the potential for impacts on turtles is low. However, turtles could be temporary displaced or lost if they are present at waterbody or wetlands crossings. Oregon LNG would cross certain waterbodies using HDD which would avoid impacts on reptiles. At open-cut crossings, Oregon LNG would salvage aquatic species, including reptiles, from the dewater area. Whenever possible, downed logs would be left or moved to the corridor/forest edge Birds American bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus F-SOC OCS OR-SV WA-S Associated with large waterbodies that support fish populations including rivers, lakes, and the ocean. Area must have large trees that provide nesting structure. They also require variable wintering habitats that support a varied food web. Eagles forage along the Columbia River and Youngs Bay near the terminal, but the terminal site does not contain suitable habitat structure for eagles. There are four known eagle nests within 0.5 miles of the pipeline. Construction noise may disturb eagles. Oregon LNG would protect active roost trees during construction and minimize activities within 0.5 miles of nests during breeding season. Oregon LNG would install three artificial nest platforms for every nest or nest platform that must be relocated. ---PAGE BREAK--- H-4 Table H-1 Other Special Status Species for Oregon LNG Project Species a Status b Habitat Impacts Mitigation Little willow flycatcher Empidonax traillii brewsteri F-SOC OR-SV OCS Inhabits scrub-shrub patches of vegetation adjacent to water for nesting and foraging. Wetland crossings may temporarily disturb scrub shrub wetland habitat, but vegetation is expected to recover following construction. Oregon LNG’s wetland mitigation would benefit passerine birds that use wetlands. Mammals California myotis Myotis californicus OR-SV OCS Inhabits a mixture of forest types using large snags for day roosts. Often found night roosting under bridges. The pipeline would avoid caves, cliffs, and bridges that could be used by bats as roosting sites. The pipeline would also avoid late successional confer forest by crossing industrial forest or agricultural lands to the extent possible. Timber clearing within the right-of-way could reduce available roosting sites for bats. Where possible, snags would be left in the construction right-of-way. Oregon LNG’s off-site mitigation, such as the protection of large tracts of coastal forest would benefit tree roosting bats. Fringed myotis Myotis thysanodes F-SOC OR-SV OCS Inhabits a mixture of forest types using large snags for day roosts. Requires large snags and rock features for day, night, and maternity roosts (occasionally uses bridges). Caves and old mines are often used for hibernacula. Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus OR-SV OCS Inhabits a mixture of forest habitats but is often associated with late successional forests for roosting. Long legged myotis Myotis volans F-SOC OR-SV OCS Often associated with late successional conifer forests or other forested habitat with late successional components. Uses large snags and hollows of trees primarily in riparian zones for day, night, and maternity roosts. Occasionally found in caves and old mines. Forages in forest riparian and forest edge areas. Silver haired bat Lasionycteris noctivagans F-SOC OR-SV OCS Inhabits late-successional conifer forests where it uses large snags and hollows in trees for day, night, and maternity roosting. Is migratory in nature. Townsend’s big- eared bat Corynorhinus townsendii F-SOC WA-SC OR-SC OCS Inhabits caves, mines, and old buildings for day, night, and maternity roosts or hibernacula. Occasionally uses hollows in trees or bridges for day and night roosting. Primarily feeds on moths. American marten Martes americana OR-SV OCS Inhabits forest habitats with high density of snags and fallen logs for den sites and foraging. Often associated with late-successional mixed conifer habitats with multi-layer stands. Timber clearing would reduce the quantity and quality of forest habitat. Small mammals may be temporarily or permanently displaced due to the loss of habitat. However, the pipeline would not cross large tracts of old forest that is preferred by American marten and red tree vole, so there would be low likelihood of encountering these species. The pipeline route would avoid high value conifer forests ODFW Class I) and instead be routed through industrial forests and agricultural areas. This would minimize potential effects on small mammals that depend on late successional conifer forest. Where possible, Oregon LNG would avoid removing riparian trees and snags within the construction right-of-way. Oregon LNG’s off-site mitigation, such as the protection of large tracts of coastal forest would benefit American marten and red tree vole. Red tree vole Arborimus longicaudus F-C OR-SV OCS Found in dense, moist conifer forests. Prefers large stand size. Has a highly specialized diet of Douglas-fir needles. Nest at least 50 feet above ground level in highly developed conifers. a Special status species that are also federally listed are addressed in section 4.1.8; OCS species that are not likely to occur in the project area are excluded. b OCS = Oregon Conservation Strategy species; OR-SV = ODFW Sensitive Vulnerable; OR-SC = ODFW Sensitive Critical; WA-E = Washington Endangered; WA-C = Washington Candidate; WA-S = Washington Sensitive; F-E = Federal Endangered Species; F-C = Federal Candidate Species; F-SOC = Federal Species of Concern