Amendment to a Biological Assessment/Evaluation completed for the Coon Creek Land Disposal completed December 2007 Grand Valley Ranger District Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, Gunnison National Forests Prepared by: /s/ Michael Carrillo June 5, 2013 Michael Carrillo Date Fisheries Biologist Reviewed by: /s/ Matthew Dare June 5, 2013 Matt Dare Date Forest Fisheries Biologist
Introduction The purpose of this document is to present the analysis and determination of effects of the alternatives on federally listed species (endangered, threatened, and proposed) and Forest Service sensitive species (FSM 2670.32). This biological evaluation report (BE) conforms to legal requirements set forth under section 7 of the Endanger Species Act (ESA) (19 U.S.C. 1536 (c), 50 CFR 402.12 (f) and 402.14). Section 7(a) (1) of the ESA requires federal agencies to use their authorities to further the conservation of listed species. Section 7(a) (2) requires that federal agencies ensure any action they authorize, fund, or carry out is not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of federally-listed species, or destroy or adversely modify designated critical habitat. Forest Service policy requires that a review of programs and activities, through an effects analysis document (referred to in current Forest Service policy as a biological evaluation or BE), be conducted to determine their potential effects on threatened and endangered species, species proposed for listing, and Regional Forester-designated sensitive species (FSM 2670.3). Under the ESA, the effects analysis report is called a biological assessment (BA) and must be prepared for federal actions that are major construction activities to evaluate the potential effects of the proposal on listed or proposed species and critical habitats. The contents of the BA are at the discretion of the federal agency, and will depend on the nature of the federal action (50 CFR 402.12(f)). A BE maybe used to satisfy the ESA requirements to prepare a Biological Assessment. Preparation of a Biological Evaluation as part of the NEPA process ensures that TEPS species receive full consideration in the decision-making process. Background In 2006 the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) decided to initiate a sale of a 160-acre administrative parcel on the Grand Valley Ranger District. Field sampling conducted by forest fisheries biologists found a small population of cutthroat trout in Coon Creek. Prior to genetic testing, biologists thought this population to be from the Colorado River lineage of Colorado River Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarki pleuriticus; hereafter CRCT) and thus did not require the GMUG to consult with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Results from genetic testing indicated these fish to be Greenback (GB) lineage, which the USFWS affords protection as Greenback Cutthroat Trout (O. c. stomias), a threatened species under provisions of the Endangered Species Act. The Forest Service amended its original BA to include consultation regarding the presence of Greenback Cutthroat Trout in Coon Creek. As of 2006, only two known populations of GB lineage CRCT where found on the GMUG: Coon Creek and West Antelope Creek located on the Gunnison National Forest. In order for a determination of May effect, not likely to adversely affect to be made for the loss of 1 km of
occupied habitat, the Forest Service included Conservation Measures that would be implemented with a portion of the money acquired from the sale of the parcel. The measures included constructing a barrier just upstream of the administrative site on private land to prevent Brook Trout from moving further up the drainage and one mile of habitat enhancement on Coon Creek or West Antelope Creek. The following amendment will address a change of condition for the Coon Creek population located on the 160-acre parcel and seek to have the Conservation Measures for the sale of the Coon Creek administrative parcel reconsidered as required mitigation. Current Conditions Coon Creek is located on the Grand Mesa National Forest, approximately 15 kilometers east of Grand Junction, Colorado and 2 km north of Powderhorn Ski Area, along Highway 65. Coon Creek originates on the north side of the Grand Mesa within the Griffith Lakes complex and flows northwest for approximately 7 km until the confluence with Plateau Creek (Figure 1). Based on aerial photo interpretation, around 3 km of Coon Creek flows across Forest Service lands. This portion is largely restricted to the headwaters, with only a kilometer crossing the administrative site. A small 500 m section crosses BLM land directly downstream of the administrative site, with all other portions of Coon Creek located on private land. The South Side Canal bisects Coon Creek around 500 m downstream of the parcel and diverts most or all of Coon Creek water to the adjacent drainage, Mesa Creek. Visual observation indicate the upper portions of Coon Creek have a gradient of 2-4%, wetted width of 1-2 m and a substrate composed of cobbles, gravels, and abundant fine sediment (per Forest Service personnel). Although it seems this section of Coon Creek is perennial, the stream was lacking deep pools and other complex habitat that trout species prefer. Gradient increased further downstream toward the Forest boundary. Estimates of gradients were between 14-16%, wetted width of 1-3 meters and stream substrate composed of cobbles and boulders. Habitat consisted primarily of step-pools and cascades. The 1 km of stream that crosses the administrative site has an estimates gradient of 5-8% and wetted width of 2-4 m. Substrate was composed of cobbles, boulders, and abundant fine sediment. Spawning gravel appeared limited within the surveyed reach. Water temperatures in Coon Creek averaged between 9-15 C during growing months with a 30-day maximum average temperature of 13.2 C. Sampling efforts in 2011 by Forest Service biologists indicated that the number of Greenback Cutthroat Trout on the administrative parcel for sale has declined drastically. A single fish was captured during shocking efforts that covered 300-400 feet of stream. In addition, sampling efforts capture no fish in the headwaters near Griffith Reservoirs. Fisheries biologists also sampled a 400 meter section directly upstream of the forest boundary. A single trout was seen
and although it was never netted, Forest personnel indicate that it was a Brook Trout. Sampling in 2006 showed the presence of Brook Trout in the section of Coon Creek crossing the administrative site. Sampling in 2007 to collect additional tissue for genetic testing indicated that Greenback Cutthroat Trout were the only trout species present upstream of the administrative parcel on private land. Area of detail Forest Boundary Coon Creek Parcel Griffith Lakes Figure 1. Coon Creek administrative site
Determination Sampling in 2006 indicated that the population located on the Coon Creek parcel to be very limited. Biologist at the time assumed the population to extend all the way up the drainage onto Forest to the headwaters of Coon Creek. Subsequent electroshocking in the headwaters of Coon Creek, directly downstream of the Griffiths Lakes, showed that trout species did not occur in this section of stream. In addition, sampling in 2011 indicated that habitat for Greenback Cutthroat Trout to be minimal high in the drainage near the headwaters with a complete lack of deep pool, which trout use for over wintering. Water temperatures are within the suitable range for adequate growth and recruitment (Roberts et al., 2013), however sampling of the parcel and upstream on private has never shown a diversity of age classes. This is probably a result of the lack of spawning habitat observed throughout Coon Creek. Numbers and distribution of fish are thought to be limited downstream of the administrative parcel as well. Coon Creek in bisected by a ditch 500 meters after it flows off the parcel. The ditch begins downstream of Vega Reservoir and crosses multiple drainages before picking up Coon Creek. This trans-basin diversion of water likely allows the movement of other trout species from adjacent drainages into Coon Creek. Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout are found in many of the drainages across the Grand Mesa and can pose threats to Greenback Cutthroat Trout through either hybridization or direct competition. Sampling has already indicated Brook Trout are present in Coon Creek. Aerial photos also suggest the ditch diverts all flow from Coon Creek in effect dewatering the portion of the creek directly downstream of the ditch. Extensive sampling for both Greenback Cutthroat Trout habitat and individuals indicate that a viable population of Greenback Cutthroat Trout no longer exists on the Coon Creek administrative parcel. Data also indicate that a viable population downstream of the administrative site is very unlikely to occur. Forest Service biologists have conferred with Lori Martin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) aquatic biologist, who agrees with the change of condition to the Coon Creek population. CPW, Forest Service, and USBLM biologists have also agreed to remove the Coon Creek Greenback Cutthroat Trout population from the conservation population list maintained by the Colorado River Cutthroat Trout Recovery Team (Matt Dare, personal communication, June 4, 2013). With new information about the distribution of Greenback Cutthroat Trout in the Coon Creek drainage we believe the Coon Creek land disposal will have no effect on Greenback Cutthroat Trout. In addition, the GMUG National Forest requests the USFWS to reconsider the Conservation Measures stipulated following the 2007 consultation.
References Roberts, J.J., K.D. Fausch, D.P. Peterson and M.B. Hooten. 2013. Fragmentaion and thermal risks from climate change interact to affect persistence of native trout in the Colorado River basin. Global Change Biology 19: 1383-1398.