Middle Fork Project AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Overview March 10, 2008

1 Study Objectives Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in the study area. 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 CRLF populations in the study area, as required by USFWS. Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area. Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area. Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season. 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. 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. 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.

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

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

4 Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study Sites

5 Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope Surveys Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope Surveys  Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the study objectives (distribution and length of breeding season).  If FYLF are not found at a site during the first year of surveys, the site will be revisited or another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic TWG determines it is necessary.  Determine data to be collected and the number of times a site is revisited, if necessary. Potential Contingency Studies

6 Survey Results Foothill Yellow-legged Frog 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

7 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat Suitability

8 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Distribution and Abundance

9 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

10 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all non-breeding locations

11 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season Water Temperature

12 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat Suitability Criteria - Eggmasses

13 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Habitat Suitability Criteria - Tadpoles

14 Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Assessment of Stage & Velocity Effects Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling at: 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 Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008

15 Western Pond Turtle 8 incidental observations 8 incidental observations  6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck)  2 on NFAR GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat  Slope less than 15 degrees  Southern aspect  150 ft buffer  Less than 6000 ft elevation Field Reconnaissance Field Reconnaissance  Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone.  Reservoir GIS habitat validation

16 Western Pond Turtle Incidental Sightings

17 Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat

18 Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat

19 Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential Habitat near Reservoirs GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential Habitat near Reservoirs