BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PROPOSED PROJECTS AT SKI APACHE LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST SMOKEY BEAR RANGER DISTRICT

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1 BIOLOGICAL SURVEY OF PROPOSED PROJECTS AT SKI APACHE LINCOLN NATIONAL FOREST SMOKEY BEAR RANGER DISTRICT Abstract On September 10, 2015, Thora Padilla, Director for the Mescalero Apache Tribe, Division of Resource Management and Protection conducted a biological survey of proposed projects at Ski Apache, located on both the Lincoln National Forest, Smokey Bear District and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. GPS data collection was conducted by East Padilla, former GPS Technician for the Division. The team walked the proposed project areas, focusing primarily on the new, undisturbed project locations as marked and identified by Ski Apache staff. A Trimble Nomad GPS unit was used to collect location points. The proposed projects surveyed were as follows: Proposed Restaurant location at the top of the Gondola Liftline, Proposed Beginner Mountain Bike Trail, from the top of the Gondola Liftline through the Apache Bowl area, and Proposed Advanced Mountain Bike Trail, starting in the Apache Bowl area with several switchbacks through the treed areas between the Upper Deep Freeze Trail and Game Trail and extending through the Lower Deep Freeze Trail. The proposed mountain bike trails are to be approximately four (4) feet wide and vary from six (6) to nine (9) degrees in slope. The proposed trails will utilize portions of existing, disturbed trails, with new trails to be developed connecting between the existing trails. The proposed restaurant location is approximately 120 feet in diameter, and is situated on a grassy knoll behind the yurt located at the top of the gondola liftline. At the proposed Restaurant location, a very small population of what is suspected to be Gooding s onion (Allium gooddingii) was located behind the yurt, just to the north and northwest of the yurt in close proximity to the cable marking the proposed restaurant location. Along the proposed Advanced Mountain Bike Trail, a fairly sizable population of possible Gooding s onion was located mid-slope switchback between Upper Deep Freeze Trail and Game Trail, on the eastern portion of the treed section between the two ski trails, and butting up against the Ring Tail trail. The population of Gooding s onion in this area extends for more than 800 feet from west to east in this area, and extends up and down the slope from the proposed bike trail. A considerable amount of onion specimens are located upslope from this segment of the proposed bike trail. There were no sensitive species identified in the proposed Beginner Mountain Bike Trail. As identified in the Gooding s Onion (Allium gooddingii), Conservation Assessment and Strategy, USDA Forest Service and USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Southwest Region, 1997, Gooding s onion can be distinguished from other species of onions within its range by its broad, flat, rather blunt leaves, its bulbs on thick iris-like rhizomes, and its thick bulb coat of persistent parallel fibers. In addition, the National Audubon Society Field Guide to Wildflowers, Western Region identifies the more common Nodding onion (Allium cernuum) to occur in mountain forests of New Mexico, and the nodding umbel distinguishes this species from all others in the West. The specimens identified during this survey had flat, broad leaves with upright seedheads. Examination of exposed bulbs showed the persistent parallel fibers. Page 1 of 8

2 Habitat Information for Areas Surveyed 1. Proposed Restaurant location at the top of the Gondola Liftline. The proposed Restaurant is located in a grassy opening at approximately 11,380 feet in elevation. Vegetation consists primarily of native grasses. The 120 feet diameter site is located at the top of the Gondola Liftline, behind the existing yurt. The Gondola gets quite a bit of use through recreational activities at the ski area; however, the vegetation in this location is in good condition. 2. Proposed Beginner Mountain Bike Trail, starting from the top of the Gondola Liftline and extending through the Apache Bowl area and connecting to an existing mountain bike trail that crosses the wooden fence at the top of the Bowl. The proposed beginner bike trail is located at approximately 11,200 feet in elevation. Vegetation consists of native grasses, lupine, iris, Indian paintbrush, currant, and yarrow, with Engelmann spruce interspersed throughout the meadow area. The undisturbed meadows are lush and thick with vegetation. The existing road/trail is lightly graveled with little vegetation growing on it. 3. Proposed Advanced Mountain Bike Trail, starting in the Apache Bowl area with several switchbacks through the treed areas between the Upper Deep Freeze Trail and Game Trail and extending through the Lower Deep Freeze Trail. The proposed advanced bike trail starts along an existing road/trail in the Apache Bowl meadow area and consist of several switchbacks that wind through a densely treed area with average slopes of 60 percent, and is extended downhill through the existing Lower Deep Freeze Trail. The overstory consists of densely growing Engelmann spruce, intermingled with Quaking Aspen as you get closer to the Deep Freeze Trails. The understory growth is sparse and intermittent within small canopy openings, and consists of wild strawberry, Porter s lavage, and various ferns and fungi. Documentation of Sites Containing Threatened, Endangered and Sensitive/Rare Species Proposed Restaurant Location at the top of the Gondola Liftline: Possible Gooding s onion found behind the yurt on edge of grassy knoll. Page 2 of 8

3 Photo showing broader leaves of a possible Gooding s onion with upright seedhead. Page 3 of 8

4 Photo showing possible Gooding s onion with surrounding grasses. Page 4 of 8

5 Proposed Advanced Mountain Bike Trail: Photo of possible Gooding s onion species growing under Engelmann spruce canopy. Photo showing extent of possible Gooding s onion population downslope of advanced bike trail. Page 5 of 8

6 Close up photo of possible Gooding s onion showing broader leaves and upright seedhead. Page 6 of 8

7 Another close up photo of possible Gooding s onion showing steepness of slope it is growing on. Page 7 of 8

8 Attached you will find the complete plant species list, map showing all biological survey routes, and the Lincoln National Forest Sensitive Plant Site Report Forms for each possible occurrence identified. This report was prepared by: Thora Padilla, Director Division of Resource Management and Protection Mescalero Apache Tribe (575) Date Page 8 of 8