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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-13 Table 3.2-4 Federally Listed Species Suspected to Occur within the Project Study Area COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME STATUS1 RANGE GLOBAL/STATE RARITY OF SPECIES2 REGIONAL INFORMATION3 PRIMARY THREATS/RESPONSE TO DISTURBANCE REQUIRED HABITAT PHENOLOGY POTENTIAL TO OCCUR IN PROJECT AREA Umtanum desert buckwheat Eriogonum codium T, WE The entire known range of Umtanum desert buckwheat is on federally owned land in the Hanford National Monument, Washington. Other potential locations within the lower Columbia River Basin were intensively searched for additional populations of E. codium in 1996 and 1997, however no other populations were found. G1/S1 One population occupying approximately 489 acres is known to occur within region. Umtanum desert buckwheat does not appear to be fire adapted. A human- caused fire destroyed 10 to 20 percent of the one known population in 1996. Other potential threats include off-highway vehicle (OHV) use. The individual plants are long-lived with low seed germination rates and high seedling mortality. Flat to gently sloping microsites near the top of the steep, north- facing basalt cliffs near salt scrub habitats overlooking the Columbia River; restricted to the exposed top of the basalt Lolo Flow. Assoc. include spiny hopsage and cheatgrass; 1,100-1,320 feet. May to late- August Low; one known population exists and appears to be restricted to the exposed top of one particular basalt flow (the Lolo flow) outside of the Project study area. Not documented in surveys. Ute ladies’-tresses Spiranthes diluvialis T, WE Ute ladies’-tresses occurs in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Canada (British Columbia). G2G3/S1 Not known to occur within the Upper Columbia and Yakima Basins. The riparian habitat on which Ute ladies’- tresses depends has been drastically modified by urbanization and agriculture and development. Habitat loss or degradation from competition from non- native plants and vegetation succession are the most widespread threats. Moist meadow habitats along floodplains, oxbows and stream and river terraces; subirrigated or spring-fed abandoned stream channels and valleys; and lakeshores; specifically, swales, narrow meander channels and similar wetland and riparian habitats in valley bottom landscapes that retain moisture through late-summer. mid-July to August Low; limited potential habitat and USFWS Information Planning and Conservation System (IPaC) does not consider species to have potential for Project study area (USFWS 2015); outside of the Project study area. Not documented in surveys. Wenatchee Mountain checker- mallow Sidalcea oregana var. calva E, WE The known historical and current range of Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow is restricted to Chelan County, Washington. The historical range covered an area approximately 11 by 3 miles, and extended southeast of Leavenworth, Washington. Only five existing populations are known to occur. G5/S1 Two populations occupying approximately 326 acres are known to occur within the region. Wenatchee Mountain checker-mallow plants are subject to high levels of seed predation by weevils and other insects. Primary threats include hydrological disturbance, ground disturbance associated with timber harvest, development and agriculture, competition from non-native grasses, fire, infestation by aphids, and predation by livestock. Populations are generally found in wetter portions of open forest-moist meadow habitats. May also be found in open conifer forests dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), on the perimeter of shrub and hardwood thickets dominated by quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), along permanent or intermittent streams in sparsely forested draws and near seeps, springs, or small drainages. 1,900-3,200 feet. May to June Low; outside known range and USFWS IPaC does not consider species to have potential for Project study area (USFWS 2015); outside of the Project study area. Limited available habitat. Not documented in surveys. White Bluffs bladderpod Physaria douglasii ssp. tuplashensis T, WT Only one population is known to occur. This population is along the upper edge of the White Bluffs of the Columbia River in Franklin County, Washington. G2/S2 One population occupying approximately 4,851 acres is known to occur within the region. Primary threats include groundwater movement from adjacent, up-slope agricultural activities causing landslides in the White Bluffs; an infestation of yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), a non- native weed; OHVs; and wildland fire. Found growing on dry, barren, nearly vertical exposures of calcium carbonate soil (high pH). Associated species include buckwheat milkvetch (Astragalus caricinus), Geyer’s milkvetch (Astragalus geyeri), desert dodder (Cuscuta denticulata), dwarf- evening-primrose (Eremothera pygmaea), and Sandberg bluegrass. The elevation ranges from 780 to 890 feet. June to July Low; limited habitat potential and USFWS IPaC does not consider species to have potential for Project study area (USFWS 2015). Species is restricted to a very small area along the Columbia River and outside the Project study area. Not documented in surveys. Sources: ISSSSP 2015; USFWS 2012; USFWS 2013b; USFWS 2013c; USFWS 2004a; USFWS 1995; Hitchcock et al. 1969; Hitchcock and Cronquist 1973; NatureServe 2011; WNHP and BLM 2005; WNHP 2010; WNHP 2014; WNHP 2015a; Camp and Gamon 2011; and Center for Plant Conservation 2010a,b. 1 E – Federal Endangered; T – Federal Threatened; C – Federal Candidate; BLM-S – BLM Washington Sensitive; WE – Washington State Endangered; WT – Washington State Threatened. 2 NatureServe Rankings: G1-critically imperiled; G2-imperiled; G3-vulnerable; G5-secure; S1- critically imperiled; S2-imperiled. 3 The Yakima and Upper Columbia River Basins watershed data was used to provide regional context information.