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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-53 Columbia Basin Pygmy Rabbit The Columbia Basin DPS of the pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) was listed as endangered under the ESA in 2001 (USFWS 2001). Recovery objectives for the species are to increase pygmy rabbit numbers and distribution and manage habitat for long-term protection of features that support pygmy rabbits. Pygmy rabbits are the smallest rabbit species in North America. They inhabit deep, loamy soils in sagebrush-steppe, where they dig their own burrows and depend heavily on sagebrush for food (WDFW 2015c). Pygmy rabbits have small home ranges and the maximum dispersal distance recorded in Washington is five miles (WDFW 2012b). The Columbia Basin population of pygmy rabbits has historically been restricted to a small portion of central Washington. By 2001, the Columbia Basin DPS was represented by just one small known population, located at Sagebrush Flat State Wildlife Area in Grant County, approximately 40 miles north of the Project (Wisniewski and Becker 2014). Captive breeding and reintroduction efforts have been ongoing since 2001, with recurring releases into the Sagebrush Flat population. In 2015, introduction began into a second population in Grant County, approximately 30 miles north of the Project (WDFW 2015c). In 2013, surveys of historical pygmy rabbit areas outside of Sagebrush Flat were conducted and no sign of pygmy rabbit was detected. The historical range includes the portion of the Project east of the Columbia River, in Route Segments 3a, 3c, and NNR-8. Potentially suitable habitat occurs in all three Route Segments, but given the distance from known populations of pygmy rabbits, occurrence within the Project study area is unlikely. Therefore, pygmy rabbits are not anticipated to be impacted by the Project. Marbled Murrelet Although the species list generated by USFWS Information for Planning and Conservation (IPaC) website lists the federally threatened marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) as having potential occurrence within the Project study area; however, this species is very unlikely to occur in or near the Project study area. Marbled murrelets forage in marine waters and nest in large conifer trees, as far as 55 miles inland. The nearest marine waters are approximately 100 miles west of the Project study area and the nearest suitable nesting habitat is in the Cascade mountains, greater than 20 miles west of the Project study area (WDFW 2012c, USFWS 2015b). Given the lack of suitable habitat within the Project study area and the great distance from occupied or suitable habitat, marbled murrelets will not be impacted by the Project. Canada Lynx Although the species list generated by USFWS IPaC website lists the federally threatened Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) as having potential occurrence within the Project study area, this species is very unlikely to occur in or near the Project study area. Lynx inhabit northern and high elevation forests characterized by deep winter snowpacks. The nearest population to the Project study area is in Okanogon County, approximately 75 miles north of the Project study area. Two sightings have occurred in Kittitas County, but both occurred in forested areas, approximately 25 miles north and northwest of the Project study area (WDFW 2012d). Given the lack of suitable habitat within the Project study area and the great distance from occupied or suitable habitat, Canada lynx will not be impacted by the Project. 3.3.2.3 Greater Sage-Grouse Because of the heightened focus on Sage-Grouse conservation in the Project study area and throughout the species’ range and the unique regulatory status of Sage-Grouse (refer to section 3.3.3 Current Management Considerations), this document discusses them in their own section separate from federally threatened and endangered species (Section 3.3.2.2) and state listed and other special status species (Section 3.3.2.4). Sage-Grouse species ecology and regional and local population status and trends are summarized below and described in detail in Appendix B-5 - Sage -Grouse Analysis and Mitigation Report.