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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-83 Pygmy whitefish (Prosopium coulteri) are most commonly found in cool lakes and streams of mountainous regions. Streams inhabited typically have moderate to swift current and may be silty or clear (Hallock and Mongillo 1998). While they are known to occur within the Upper Yakima River Watershed (NatureServe 2013a), limited habitat for pygmy whitefish is present within the Project study area and it is unlikely that they occur (Hallock and Mongillo 1998). The Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and river lamprey (Lampetra ayresi) are the only two parasitic and migratory lampreys in the Columbia River system (Close et al. 1995; USFWS 2009). River lamprey occur in the Upper Yakima River Watershed and pacific lamprey occur in the Upper Yakima River and Upper Columbia River-Entiat Watersheds, which overlap the Project study area (NatureServe 2013a).Near the Project study area, adult pacific lamprey passing through the Priest Rapids Dam vary dramatically from year to year—from 2000 to 2010, counts ranged from 1,114 to 5,083 and averaged 2,935, but there has been no apparent increase or decrease over time (Caudill et al. 2011; Anderson et al. 2011). Compared with historical estimates, adult pacific lamprey counts have decreased at all Columbia and Snake River dams (Anderson et al. 2011; Keefer et al. 2011). The tui chub (Siphateles bicolor) usually occurs in weedy shallows of lakes or in mud- or sand-bottomed reservoirs of slow-moving headwaters, creeks, and small to medium rivers (NatureServe 2013b). They occur in the Columbia River watershed which includes the eastern portion of the Project study area, but not in the Yakima River watershed. The leopard dace (Rhinichthys falcatus) and the mountain sucker (Catostomus platyrhynchus) inhabit flowing reservoirs, gravel runs of creeks, small to medium rivers, and along the margins of lakes (Froese and Pauly 2011). Both occur in the Upper Columbia-Entiat and Upper Yakima River watersheds, which overlap the Project study area (NatureServe 2013a). Umatilla dace inhabits the riffles and runs of large rivers (Froese and Pauly 2011). The portions of the Columbia River and Yakima River present within the Project study area are within the known range of the Umatilla dace (NatureServe 2011; Froese and Pauly 2011). Amphibian and Reptile Species Three amphibian and six reptile special status species occur or have the potential to occur in the Project study area (Table 3.3-7). A map showing the locations of sensitive wildlife species is presented in Appendix A; however, due to the sensitive nature of location information, this map is presented at a small-scale (WDFW 2011b; Guggenmos 2012). Amphibians Most amphibian habitat is associated with the Columbia River Basin and related perennial surface waters. Columbia spotted frogs (Rana luteiventris) are highly aquatic during all life stages. They breed in standing or sluggish water including ponds, lake edges, marshes, slow-moving streams, backwaters, and floodwater reservoirs (AmphibiaWeb 2011). Although common in other parts of Washington, only small, scattered populations occur in the Columbia Basin. The Project study area is on the periphery of the expected distribution of Columbia spotted frogs and they have never been reported in the vicinity of the Proj ect study area (Army 2010; Grant County Public Utility District [PUD] 2003). Suitable habitat is very limited in the Project study area. Historical data indicate that northern leopard frogs (Rana pipiens) were present along the Columbia River and its major tributaries, including Crab Creek (WDFW 2013a). Suitable habitat for northern leopard frog exists in Lower Crab Creek, but they are unlikely to occur due to the presence of introduced fish and bull frogs (McAllister et al. 1999; Grant County PUD 2003). Limited suitable habitat is available within the Project study area and they are unlikely to occur.