Species Information
Observation Method(s):
Individual(s) Observed (seen)
Photographed
Certainty of Identification:
100
When
Date Time:
Wednesday, July 5, 2017 (All day)
Date/Time Precision:
±86 400 seconds
Survey
Survey Site:
Long Creek Trail
Survey Intensity:
cursory or incidental
Population
EO Number:
39
EO ID:
27855
Population Area:
20 acres estimated
More potential habitat to survey:
yes
Suggestions for other areas to survey:
Additional occupied and potential habitat along the original Long Creek Trail #018 (old trail stayed on ridgeline) southeast to old connection with Kirkham Ridge Trail (FS #144), south along the Kirkham Ridge trail to Lewisia sacajaweana population EO #19 Miller Mountain, and north from old connection towards the new junction of FS Trail # 018 and #144 (see potential habitat map). Open canopied, southwest facing slopes below old trail are occupied habitat, but the full extent is unknown. Estimate at least 100 acres of suitable habitat that has not been thoroughly surveyed above/below old #018 trailbed.
Monitoring or research needs for this population:
Additional monitoring of area following Pioneer Fire of 2016, impact of motorized trail through population, and recovery/colonization of old trail section. The north end of the (new) FS Trail 018 south to Lewisia sacajaweana E) #19 burned at high intensity, with 75-100% overstory mortality.
Management needs for this population:
Control impacts from motorized trail through population on FS Trail #018 (although rerouted portion of the trail - new section of Fs Trail #018 - converted from motorcycle only use to include ATVs) took trail northeast to more densely vegetated conifer stands and away from highly occupied area) and the FS Trail #144.
Additional population comments:
The Long Creek Trail was first surveyed in August 2002 in preparation for proposed trail reroute and conversion of trail to accommodate ATVs. It was noted as suitable habitat for Lewisia sacajaweana due to elevation, vegetation type, companion species and proximity to other known populations. It was resurveyed 06/23/2003 and Lewisia sacajaweana was discovered along the (old) FS Trail #018, and on the FS Trail #144 near the (old) junction of the two trails. It was not GPSed at that time. It was revisited on 07/02/2003 with resource specialist from the Lowman Ranger District and 3 GPS points were taken to represent major groupings of plants. The trail was subsequently rerouted in fall of 2003 – avoiding the majority of the occupied habitat along the (old) FS Trail #018. With the exception of the westernmost side, the rerouted portion of the trail primarily passes through more densely canopied and provided less suitable habitat. No Lewisia sacajaweana plants were observed along the rerouted portion once it crossed to the north of the old trail in either site visit during 2017. 2 site visits were conducted in (07/05/2017 & 07/13/2017) 2017, to determine effects to whitebark pine and Sacajawea’s bitterroot of post-Pioneer Fire (2016) fell and leave work to drop hazard trees in a 200 ft swath on either side of the trail for reasons of public safety. During the 07/05/2017 visit only the very west end of the population was observed and a single GPS point taken (see maps). During the 07/13/2017 visit Sacajawea’s bitterroot were also observed on FS Trail #144 south of the junction with the (New) 018 trail. Additional groups of plants were observed on the approach to EO#18, but population numbers were not estimated. The Long Trail population and the Kirkham Ridge trail population may be contiguous or have only short breaks between them.
About
Is this part of a larger study or report?:
Population first observed 6/23/2003 (K. Beall) while conducting a botanical survey for FS trail #018 reroute and conversion from motorcycle to motorcycle/ATV standards (Long Creek Trail Reconstruction). Visits in 2017 were conducted as part of Design Feature implementation as part of the Pioneer Fire Salvage and Reforestation project.
Where
Location Precision:
±50 meters
Mapped full extent:
no
Region:
County:
Game Management Unit:
Location:
Decimal Degrees: 44.1,-115.5
How
Who
Source Agency:
U.S. Forest Service
SA code (IDFG Reference Code):
Verification Status:
Verified
Count:
2000
Count Type:
An Estimate