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Vantage to Pomona Heights Chapter 3 230 kV Transmission Line Project FEIS Affected Environment PAGE 3-93 Candidate Species, PHS also include animal aggregations (e.g., heron colonies, bat colonies) considered vulnerable, and species of recreational, commercial, or tribal importance that are vulnerable. PHS occurrence data was obtained from WDFW for the two-mile wide Project study area in June 2014. 3.3.3.6 Sage-Grouse Management An overview of the regulatory environment specifically related to Sage-Grouse in the Project study area is summarized here and described in greater detail in Appendix B-5 - Sage -Grouse Technical Report. Federal Regulations and Policies Sage-Grouse are listed as Threatened by the state of Washington and are a BLM Sensitive species (Schroeder et al. 2003; Stinson et al. 2004, BLM 2015b). In 2001, USFWS determined that the western subspecies of Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus phaios) met the requirements of a DPS; (the USFWS recently reanalyzed this designation and have determined that the eastern and western subspecies are no longer considered separate taxa [USFWS 2015c]). Petitions for listing Sage-Grouse range-wide were filed in 2002, 2003, and 2005. The USFWS concluded that listing Sage-Grouse was not warranted (USFWS 2005). In 2008, a status review was initiated by the USFWS to address new information that had become available since 2005 (USFWS 2008). Based on new information available, USFWS determined in March 2010 that the range-wide listing of Sage-Grouse under ESA was warranted, but the listing was precluded in order to complete higher priority listing actions. Range-wide the Sage- Grouse was considered a Candidate species under ESA (USFWS 2010a). In the 2010 12-month finding, USFWS identified the two primary threats to Sage-Grouse as habitat destruction/modification and inadequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms to protect Sage-Grouse. USFWS identified that the principal regulatory mechanisms for the BLM and U.S. Forest Service would be conservation measures in their land use plans. In response, the BLM issued two Instruction Memoranda (IMs) for Sage-Grouse: WO IM 2012-043 (BLM 2011a); and WO IM 2012-044 (BLM 2011b), which initiated amendments of BLM Resource Management Plans and Land Use Plans. Because Sage-Grouse in Washington State were considered a DPS at the time, the BLM excluded Washington State from IM 2012-043 and IM 2012-044 (BLM 2011c). The Spokane District is currently completing a Land Use Plan revision which will address regulatory mechanisms for Sage-Grouse in Washington. In 2013, the USFWS Conservation Objectives Team (COT) published the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Objectives: Final Report (COT Report; USFWS 2013b). The COT Report provides guidelines and objectives for the conservation of Sage-Grouse. The main objective identified in the COT Report is to minimize habitat threats to the species so as to meet the objective of the 2006 Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Greater Sage-Grouse Comprehensive Conservation Strategy to reverse negative population trends and achieve a neutral or positive population trend. A key component of the COT Report is the identification of PACs, which are considered key habitats essential for Sage- Grouse conservation. The COT Report identifies four PACs within the state of Washington, two of which have extant populations (Moses Coulee and YTC) and two historic populations undergoing reintroduction efforts with translocated birds. The Project study area west of the Columbia River is located entirely within the YTC PAC (Figure 3.3-1 Sage-Grouse Priority Area for Conservation). As USFWS prepared to make a final listing determination in 2015, state and federal agencies and private partners across the Sage-Grouse’s range engaged in an unprecedented conservation effort to protect Sage- Grouse. Upon consideration of the conservation measures put in place by state and federal agencies and private stakeholders to protect Sage-Grouse, USFWS determined that listing under the ESA was not warranted for Sage-Grouse, rangewide. Furthermore, USFWS determined that the Columbia Basin population (including the Washington State population) did not constitute a DPS (USFWS 2015c).