Biological findings report for the Idaho Army National Guard proposed Orchard Training Area expansion

Call Number:

Keywords:

Abstract:

This report by Environmental Conservation Services Inc. (ECS) details the initial biological findings (flora and fauna), including sensitive species (Threatened, Endangered, Candidate (TEC), and Idaho-listed Species of Conservation Concern (SCC)) associated with the proposed Idaho Army National Guard’s (IDARNG) expansion of the Orchard Training Area (OTA). The proposed OTA expansion is located within the boundaries of the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). The total area of expansion is approximately 4,100-acres and lies just within Elmore County on the border of Ada County. <br> The objective of this study was to conduct baseline flora and fauna surveys for the proposed OTA expansion area. Surveys provided data for all plant and wildlife species existing or potentially occurring in the expansion area based on existing habitat characteristics, and included specific surveys for sensitive species. The results of the surveys were also used to describe, delineate, and map the current vegetation communities that constitute the study area. A number of potentially occurring sensitive plant and wildlife species were identified through literature searches and consultation with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s (IDFG) Conservation Data Center (CDC) and are discussed below in more detail (Table 1). Key sensitive plant and wildlife species identified and surveyed for within the region include, but are not limited to: Davis’s peppergrass, Snake River milkvetch, White-margined wax plant, Slickspot peppergrass, White eatonella, Wovenspore lichen, Western burrowing owl, Long-billed curlew, Ferruginous hawk, Swainson’s hawk, Sage thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, Loggerhead shrike, Pygmy rabbit, and Piute ground squirrel.

Notes:

Reference Code: U07ECS01IDUS <br>

Full Citation: Environmental Conservation Services. 2007. Biological findings report for the Idaho Army National Guard proposed Orchard Training Area expansion. Prepared for Prepared for Idaho Army National Guard, Environmental Management Office, Boise, Idaho. 44 pp <br>

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: MULTIPLE SPECIES <br>

Keywords: Brewer’s sparrow (Spizella breweri), Davis’s peppergrass (Lepidium davisii), Ferruginous hawk (Buteo regalis), Loggerhead shrike (Lanius ludovicianus), Long-billed curlew (Numenius americanus), Piute ground squirrel (Spermophilus mollis), Pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis), Sage thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus), Slickspot peppergrass (Lepidium papilliferum), Snake River milkvetch (Astragalus purshii var. ophiogenes), Swainson’s hawk (Buteo swainsoni), Western burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia hypugaea), White eatonella (Eatonella nivea), White-margined wax plant (Glyptopleura marginata), Wovenspore lichen (Texosporium sancti-jacobi) <br>