Middle Fork Project AQ 12

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Middle Fork ProjectAQ 12 Special-Status
Amphibian and Aquatic Reptiles Technical Study
Plan Report Overview

• March 10, 2008

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Study Objectives

• Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and
  FYLF in the study area.
• Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF
  populations in the study area, as required by
  USFWS.
• Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF
  populations in the study area.
• Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding
  season.
• Identify existing data and obtain new data
  necessary to develop habitat suitability criteria
  (HSC) for FYLF.
• Characterize the water stage, velocity, and
  temperature of various flow regimes as it relates
  to FYLF habitat through coordination with the
  instream flow and water temperature studies.

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Study Objectives

• Document the presence of potential WPT nesting
  habitat near Project reservoirs and potential
  Project betterment inundation zones.
• Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and FYLF
  surveys.

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AQ 12 Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic
ReptileStudy Objectives and Related
Study Elements and Reports
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).
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
inundation zones and document presence during
amphibian surveys.
Conduct USFWS protocol-level site assessment
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
Conduct a field reconnaissance reservoir survey
of potential habitat
Conduct 2007 Field Surveys
Conduct a field reconnaissance survey
Identify and map known occurrences within one
mile of the study area
Conduct Distribution Abundance Surveys
Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream Flow
Complete Habitat Characterization
Determine Timing and Length of Breeding Season
Develop Habitat Suitability Criteria
Document 2007 findings in a Site Assessment
Report included in this Amphibian Report
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Consult with Aquatic Technical Working Group
(TWG) USFWS
Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report
Evaluate water temperatures near potential habitat
Consult with Aquatic TWG
Determine Stage, Velocity, and Temperature
Effects of Various Flow Regimes
Determine if protocol-level surveys are needed.
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Determine if additional limited-scope surveys
are needed (i.e. breeding timing)
Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream Flow
Coordinate with AQ 4 - Water Temperatures
Complete 2008 CRLF surveys in areas requested by
USFWS, if needed
Complete 2008 FYLF Contingency Field Surveys, if
needed
Conduct Project Effects Analysis
Document 2008 Results in Amphibian Report (2009)
Document 2008 FYLF Results in Amphibian Report
(2009)
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Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile
Study Sites
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Survey Results

• Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
• Habitat Characterization
• Distribution and Abundance Surveys
• Timing and Length of Breeding Season
• Habitat Suitability Criteria Development
• Coordination to Determine Stage and Velocity
  Effects

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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability
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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogDistribution and
Abundance
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Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season
Annual Profile of Average Daily Water
Temperatures at all breeding locations
2007 Breeding Season May 10 June 5
Dates inferred from observed developmental stage
of eggs
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Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season
Annual Profile of Average Daily Water
Temperatures at all non-breeding locations
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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogBreeding Season Water
Temperature
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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability
Criteria - Eggmasses
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Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability
Criteria - Tadpoles
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Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Assessment of Stage
Velocity Effects

• Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling at
• 2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1)
• 2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5)
• 2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2.3)
  (x-sect only)
• Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008

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Survey Results Western Pond Turtle

• 8 incidental observations
• 6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on
  Oregon Ck)
• 2 on NFAR
• Field Reconnaissance several off-channel ponds
  within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, some with prior
  sightings, none within WPT study area
• GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat
• Slope less than 15 degrees
• Southern aspect
• 150 ft buffer
• Less than 6000 ft elevation

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Western Pond Turtle Incidental Sightings
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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat
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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat

• GIS Analysis of Potential Habitat near Reservoirs

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Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat