Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan and Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances ...

552 Pages·2006·4.44 MB·English

Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan and
Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances

FINAL

October 2006 • Volume 1
Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan and
Candidate Conservation Agreement with Assurances

Prepared for:

National Marine Fisheries Service
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Prepared by:

FFIINNAALL

October 2006

Volume 1
GREEN DIAMOND

AHCP/CCAA

Contents

Addendum.......................................................................................... 1

Summary.........................................................................................S-1
Purpose and Scope............................................................................................S-1
The Covered Species and Their Habitat............................................................S-4
Current status of Aquatic habitat and covered species in the Eligible
Plan Area and HPAs..........................................................................................S-5
Potential Impacts to Covered Species and their Habitats that May
Result in Take .................................................................................................S-7
Conservation Program.......................................................................................S-9
Biological Goals and Objectives.............................................................S-9
Green Diamond’s Operating Conservation Program..............................S-9
Riparian Management............................................................S-10
Slope Stability........................................................................S-11
Road Management................................................................S-13
Harvest-related Ground Disturbance.....................................S-16
Effectiveness Monitoring........................................................S-16
Adaptive Management...........................................................S-19
Implementation Monitoring ....................................................S-20
Special Project.......................................................................S-20
Changed Circumstances .......................................................S-20
Unforeseen Circumstances ...................................................S-21
Assessment of Conservation Strategy’s Likely Effectiveness..........................S-21
Impact Avoidance, Minimization, and Mitigation...................................S-21
Conservation Benefits..........................................................................S-22
Alternatives Considered...................................................................................S-22

1. Purpose, Scope, and Context ................................................1-1
1.1 Introduction.............................................................................................1-1
1.2 Purpose .................................................................................................1-3
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1.3 Scope .................................................................................................1-3
1.3.1 Term of the AHCP/ITP and CCAA/ESP...................................1-4
1.3.2 Area Where Take Will Be Authorized and the Plan Will
Be Implemented.......................................................................1-4
1.3.2.1 Definitions..............................................................1-4
1.3.2.2 Eligible Plan Area: Initial Plan Area and
Adjustment Area.....................................................1-5
1.3.2.3 Plan Area Adjustments Over Time.........................1-5
1.3.2.4 Hydrographic Planning Areas................................1-7
1.3.2.4.1 Rationale...........................................1-7
1.3.2.4.2 HPA Types........................................1-8
1.3.2.4.3 HPA Groups......................................1-8
1.3.3 Covered Species......................................................................1-9
1.3.3.1 ITP Species..........................................................1-10
1.3.3.2 ESP Species........................................................1-11
1.3.4 Covered Activities...................................................................1-11
1.4 Context ...............................................................................................1-11
1.4.1 ITP and ESP Requirements...................................................1-11
1.4.1.1 ITP Requirements................................................1-12
1.4.1.2 ESP Requirements...............................................1-13
1.4.2 California’s FPRs and Other Regulations...............................1-15
1.4.3 Green Diamond’s NSO HCP..................................................1-15
1.4.4 Other Conservation Efforts.....................................................1-17
1.4.5 Multiple Uses of the Plan........................................................1-18

2. Description of Green Diamond's Timber Operations and
Forest Management Activities................................................2-1
2.1 Introduction.............................................................................................2-1
2.2 Timber-Product Harvest.........................................................................2-1
2.2.1 Felling and Bucking Timber......................................................2-2
2.2.2 Yarding Timber.........................................................................2-2
2.2.2.1 Ground-Based Yarding..........................................2-2
2.2.2.2 Cable Yarding........................................................2-2
2.2.2.3 Aerial Yarding.........................................................2-3
2.2.2.4 Loading and Other Landing Operations.................2-4
2.2.3 Salvaging Timber Products......................................................2-4
2.2.4 Transporting Timber and Rock Products..................................2-4
2.2.5 Road Construction and Maintenance.......................................2-4
2.2.6 Rock Pit Construction and Use ................................................2-5
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2.2.7 Water Drafting..........................................................................2-5
2.2.8 Equipment Maintenance...........................................................2-5
2.3 SilviculturAl Regimes and Methods........................................................2-5
2.4 Timber Stand Regeneration and Improvement......................................2-6
2.4.1 Site Preparation, Prescribed Burning, and Slash
Treatment.................................................................................2-7
2.4.2 Tree Planting............................................................................2-9
2.4.3 Control of Competing Vegetation.............................................2-9
2.4.4 Precommercial Thinning and Pruning......................................2-9
2.5 Minor Forest-Product Harvest................................................................2-9

3. Description of the Covered Species and their
Habitats..................................................................................3-1
3.1 Summary................................................................................................3-1
3.2 Species Characteristics..........................................................................3-1
3.2.1 Fish Species Characteristics....................................................3-1
3.2.2 Amphibian Species Characteristics..........................................3-1
3.3 Habitat Characteristics...........................................................................3-4
3.3.1 Fish Habitat Characteristics......................................................3-4
3.3.1.1 Stream and Channel Features...............................3-4
3.3.1.1.1 Pools.................................................3-4
3.3.1.1.2 Riffles................................................3-6
3.3.1.1.3 Runs..................................................3-6
3.3.1.1.4 Side Channels...................................3-6
3.3.1.1.5 Channel Migration Zones..................3-7
3.3.1.1.6 Hyporehic Zone.................................3-7
3.3.1.2 Riparian Zone Contributions..................................3-7
3.3.1.2.1 Riparian Vegetation...........................3-8
3.3.1.2.2 LWD..................................................3-8
3.3.1.3 Other Habitat Factors.............................................3-9
3.3.1.3.1 Water Temperature...........................3-9
3.3.1.3.2 Barriers............................................3-10
3.3.1.3.3 Smaller Watersheds........................3-10
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3.3.2 Amphibian Habitat Characteristics.........................................3-11
3.3.2.1 Stream and Channel Features.............................3-11
3.3.2.1.1 Pools...............................................3-11
3.3.2.1.2 Riffles..............................................3-11
3.3.2.1.3 Seeps, Cascades, and
Splash Zones..................................3-11
3.3.2.1.4 Perennial and Intermittent
Stream Flows..................................3-12
3.3.2.2 Riparian Zone Contributions................................3-12
3.3.2.2.1 Water Temperature.........................3-12

4. Description and Assessment of the Current Status of
Aquatic Habitat and Covered Species in the Area Where
the Plan Will Be Implemented................................................4-1
4.1 Introduction.............................................................................................4-1
4.2 Geologic and geomorphic Factors..........................................................4-1
4.2.1 Geologic Composition, Structure, and Activity.........................4-2
4.2.1.1 Klamath Mountain Province...................................4-2
4.2.1.1.1 Western Jurassic Belt........................4-2
4.2.1.1.2 Western Paleozoic and
Triassic Belt.......................................4-3
4.2.1.2 Coast Range Province...........................................4-3
4.2.1.2.1 Franciscan Complex..........................4-3
4.2.1.2.2 Overlap Assemblage.........................4-4
4.2.1.3 Other Quaternary and Tertiary Overlap
Deposits.................................................................4-4
4.2.1.3.1 Weathered Bedrock,
Colluvium, and Soils..........................4-5
4.2.1.3.2 Modern Alluvium................................4-5
4.2.1.3.3 Stream Terrace Deposits..................4-5
4.2.1.3.4 Coastal Plain Sediments...................4-5
4.2.1.3.5 Landslide Deposits............................4-5
4.2.1.3.6 Tertiary Intrusive Rocks.....................4-6
4.2.1.4 Seismic Hazards, Faults, and Structural
Relationships..........................................................4-6
4.2.1.5 Geologic Profile of the HPA Groups.......................4-8
4.2.1.5.1 Smith River HPA Group....................4-8
4.2.1.5.2 Coastal Klamath HPA Group.............4-8
4.2.1.5.3 Korbel HPA Group.............................4-9
4.2.1.5.4 Humboldt Bay HPA Group................4-9
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4.2.2 Landform Development............................................................4-9
4.2.3 Landslide Classifications........................................................4-10
4.2.3.1 Shallow-Seated Landslides..................................4-11
4.2.3.1.1 Debris Slides...................................4-11
4.2.3.1.2 Debris Flows/Torrents.....................4-11
4.2.3.1.3 Channel Bank Failures....................4-11
4.2.3.1.4 Rock Falls........................................4-12
4.2.3.2 Deep-Seated Landslides......................................4-12
4.2.3.2.1 Translational/Rotational
Rockslides.......................................4-12
4.2.3.2.2 Earthflows........................................4-12
4.2.4 Landslide-Prone Terrains.......................................................4-13
4.2.4.1 Steep Streamside Slopes.....................................4-13
4.2.4.2 Inner Gorge..........................................................4-13
4.2.4.3 Headwall Swales..................................................4-13
4.3 Methods and Results of Studies in the Original Assessed
Ownership............................................................................................4-14
4.3.1 Water Temperature Monitoring...............................................4-14
4.3.1.1 General Water Temperature Monitoring ..............4-14
4.3.1.2 Class II BACI Study..............................................4-16
4.3.2 Channel and Habitat Typing Assessments.............................4-18
4.3.3 LWD Assessments.................................................................4-20
4.3.4 Class I Channel Monitoring....................................................4-24
4.3.5 Assessment of Sediment Delivery from Class III
Watercourses: A Retrospective Study.................................4-24
4.3.6 Section 303(d) Impaired Watersheds.....................................4-26
4.3.7 Fish Presence/Absence Surveys............................................4-27
4.3.8 Summer Juvenile Salmonid Population Estimates.................4-27
4.3.9 Out-migrant Smolt Trapping...................................................4-28
4.3.10 Salmonid Spawning Surveys..................................................4-29
4.3.11 Headwaters Amphibian Studies and Monitoring.....................4-29
4.3.11.1 Tailed Frogs.........................................................4-29
4.3.11.2 Southern Torrent Salamanders............................4-30
4.4 Assessment of Habitat Conditions and status of Covered
Species by HPA....................................................................................4-32
4.4.1 Smith River HPA ....................................................................4-32
4.4.1.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-32
4.4.1.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-32
4.4.1.3 Geology................................................................4-33
4.4.1.4 Climate.................................................................4-33
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4.4.1.5 Vegetation............................................................4-34
4.4.1.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-34
4.4.1.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-34
4.4.1.6.2 Channel and Habitat Typing............4-37
4.4.1.6.3 LWD Inventory.................................4-38
4.4.1.6.4 Long Term Channel
Monitoring........................................4-38
4.4.1.6.5 Estuarine Conditions.......................4-40
4.4.1.7 Salmonid Population Estimates...........................4-40
4.4.1.7.1 Juvenile Summer Population
Estimates.........................................4-40
4.4.1.7.2 Adult Spawner Surveys...................4-41
4.4.1.8 Covered Species Occurrence and Status............4-43
4.4.1.8.1 Chinook Salmon..............................4-43
4.4.1.8.2 Coho Salmon...................................4-43
4.4.1.8.3 Steelhead and Resident
Rainbow Trout.................................4-43
4.4.1.8.4 Coastal Cutthroat Trout...................4-44
4.4.1.8.5 Tailed Frog......................................4-45
4.4.1.8.6 Southern Torrent Salamander.........4-45
4.4.1.9 Assessment Summary.........................................4-45
4.4.2 Coastal Klamath HPA.............................................................4-46
4.4.2.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-46
4.4.2.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-46
4.4.2.3 Geology................................................................4-46
4.4.2.4 Climate.................................................................4-47
4.4.2.5 Vegetation............................................................4-47
4.4.2.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-47
4.4.2.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-47
4.4.2.6.2 Channel and Habitat Typing............4-48
4.4.2.6.3 LWD Inventory.................................4-52
4.4.2.6.4 Long Term Channel
Monitoring........................................4-52
4.4.2.6.5 Estuarine Conditions.......................4-52
4.4.2.7 Salmonid Population Estimates...........................4-54
4.4.2.7.1 Juvenile Summer Population
Estimates.........................................4-54
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4.4.2.8 Covered Species Occurrence and Status............4-54
4.4.2.8.1 Chinook Salmon..............................4-56
4.4.2.8.2 Coho Salmon...................................4-57
4.4.2.8.3 Steelhead and Resident
Rainbow Trout.................................4-57
4.4.2.8.4 Coastal Cutthroat Trout...................4-57
4.4.2.8.5 Tailed Frog......................................4-58
4.4.2.8.6 Southern Torrent Salamander.........4-58
4.4.2.9 Assessment Summary.........................................4-58
4.4.3 Blue Creek HPA.....................................................................4-59
4.4.3.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-59
4.4.3.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-59
4.4.3.3 Geology................................................................4-59
4.4.3.4 Climate.................................................................4-60
4.4.3.5 Vegetation............................................................4-60
4.4.3.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-60
4.4.3.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-60
4.4.3.6.2 Channel and Habitat Typing............4-61
4.4.3.6.3 LWD Inventory.................................4-64
4.4.3.7 Salmonid Population Estimates...........................4-64
4.4.3.8 Covered Species Occurrence and Status............4-66
4.4.3.8.1 Chinook Salmon..............................4-66
4.4.3.8.2 Coho Salmon...................................4-67
4.4.3.8.3 Steelhead and Resident
Rainbow Trout.................................4-67
4.4.3.8.4 Coastal Cutthroat Trout...................4-67
4.4.3.8.5 Tailed Frog......................................4-68
4.4.3.8.6 Southern Torrent Salamander.........4-68
4.4.3.9 Assessment Summary.........................................4-68
4.4.4 Interior Klamath HPA..............................................................4-69
4.4.4.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-69
4.4.4.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-69
4.4.4.3 Geology................................................................4-69
4.4.4.4 Climate.................................................................4-69
4.4.4.5 Vegetation............................................................4-70
4.4.4.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-70
4.4.4.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-70
4.4.4.6.2 Channel and Habitat Typing............4-71
4.4.4.7 Salmonid Population Estimates...........................4-74
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4.4.4.8 Covered Species Occurrence and Status............4-74
4.4.4.8.1 Chinook Salmon..............................4-74
4.4.4.8.2 Coho Salmon...................................4-75
4.4.4.8.3 Steelhead and Resident
Rainbow Trout.................................4-76
4.4.4.8.4 Coastal Cutthroat Trout...................4-76
4.4.4.8.5 Tailed Frog......................................4-76
4.4.4.8.6 Southern Torrent Salamander.........4-77
4.4.4.9 Assessment Summary.........................................4-77
4.4.5 Redwood Creek HPA.............................................................4-78
4.4.5.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-78
4.4.5.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-78
4.4.5.3 Geology................................................................4-78
4.4.5.4 Climate.................................................................4-79
4.4.5.5 Vegetation............................................................4-80
4.4.5.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-80
4.4.5.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-80
4.4.5.6.2 Estuarine Conditions.......................4-81
4.4.5.7 Salmonid Population Estimates...........................4-81
4.4.5.8 Covered Species Occurrence and Status............4-81
4.4.5.8.1 Chinook Salmon..............................4-81
4.4.5.8.2 Coho Salmon...................................4-83
4.4.5.8.3 Steelhead and Resident
Rainbow Trout.................................4-83
4.4.5.8.4 Coastal Cutthroat Trout...................4-84
4.4.5.8.5 Tailed Frog......................................4-84
4.4.5.8.6 Southern Torrent Salamander.........4-84
4.4.5.9 Assessment Summary.........................................4-85
4.4.6 Coastal Lagoons HPA............................................................4-86
4.4.6.1 HPA Type, Size, and Group.................................4-86
4.4.6.2 Eligible Plan Area.................................................4-86
4.4.6.3 Geology................................................................4-86
4.4.6.4 Climate.................................................................4-86
4.4.6.5 Vegetation............................................................4-87
4.4.6.6 Current Habitat Conditions...................................4-87
4.4.6.6.1 Water Temperature.........................4-87
4.4.6.6.2 Long Term Channel
Monitoring........................................4-87
4.4.6.6.3 Estuarine Conditions.......................4-87
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