Special-Status Amphibian & Aquatic Reptile Study Overview

1. Middle Fork ProjectAQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptiles Technical Study Plan Report Overview March 10, 2008

2. Study Objectives • Identify and map potential habitat for CRLF and FYLF in the study area. • Document the distribution and abundance of CRLF populations in the study area, as required by USFWS. • Document the distribution and abundance of FYLF populations in the study area. • Document the timing and length of FYLF breeding season. • Identify existing data and obtain new data necessary to develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC) for FYLF. • Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to FYLF habitat through coordination with the instream flow and water temperature studies.

3. Study Objectives • Document the presence of potential WPT nesting habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project betterment inundation zones. • Document the presence of WPT during CRLF and FYLF surveys.

4. AQ 12 – Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic ReptileStudy Objectives and Related Study Elements and Reports CRLF Study Objectives Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in the study area, as required by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). FYLF Study Objectives Identify and map potential habitat and document the distribution and abundance of populations in the study area. Document the timing and length of breeding season. Develop habitat suitability criteria (HSC). Characterize the water stage, velocity, and temperature of various flow regimes as it relates to habitat through coordination with instream flow and water temperature studies. WPT Study Objectives Document the presence of potential nesting habitat near Project reservoirs and potential Project betterment inundation zones and document presence during amphibian surveys. Conduct USFWS protocol-level site assessment Conduct 2007 Field Surveys Identify and map known occurrences within one mile of the study area Develop and GIS map of potential habitat around reservoirs and rivers Conduct a field reconnaissance reservoir survey of potential habitat Conduct 2007 Field Surveys Identify and map known occurrences within one mile of the study area Conduct a field reconnaissance survey Conduct Distribution & Abundance Surveys Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream Flow Complete Habitat Characterization Determine Timing and Length of Breeding Season Develop Habitat Suitability Criteria Document 2007 findings in a Site Assessment Report included in this Amphibian Report Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report Consult with Aquatic Technical Working Group (TWG) & USFWS Document 2007 findings in this Amphibian Report Evaluate water temperatures near potential habitat Consult with Aquatic TWG Determine Stage, Velocity, and Temperature Effects of Various Flow Regimes Determine if protocol-level surveys are needed. Conduct Project Effects Analysis Determine if additional limited-scope surveys are needed (i.e. breeding timing) Coordinate with AQ 1 - Instream Flow Coordinate with AQ 4 - Water Temperatures Complete 2008 CRLF surveys in areas requested by USFWS, if needed Complete 2008 FYLF Contingency Field Surveys, if needed Conduct Project Effects Analysis Document 2008 Results in Amphibian Report (2009) Document 2008 FYLF Results in Amphibian Report (2009)

5. Special-Status Amphibian and Aquatic Reptile Study Sites

6. Potential Contingency Studies • Potential FYLF Data Gaps and Need for Limited Scope Surveys • Determine any ambiguities in the analysis of data collected in 2007 preclude meeting the study objectives (distribution and length of breeding season). • If FYLF are not found at a site during the first year of surveys, the site will be revisited or another site may be surveyed if the Aquatic TWG determines it is necessary. • Determine data to be collected and the number of times a site is revisited, if necessary.

7. Survey Results • Foothill Yellow-legged Frog • Habitat Characterization • Distribution and Abundance Surveys • Timing and Length of Breeding Season • Habitat Suitability Criteria Development • Coordination to Determine Stage and Velocity Effects

8. Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability

9. Foothill Yellow-legged FrogDistribution and Abundance

10. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all breeding locations 2007 Breeding Season*: May 10 – June 5 *Dates inferred from observed developmental stage of eggs

11. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Breeding Season Annual Profile of Average Daily Water Temperatures at all non-breeding locations

12. Foothill Yellow-legged FrogBreeding Season Water Temperature

13. Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - Eggmasses

14. Foothill Yellow-legged FrogHabitat Suitability Criteria - Tadpoles

15. Foothill Yellow-legged Frog Assessment of Stage & Velocity Effects • Use HSC for in-stream flow modeling at: • 2 peaking reach sites (MF 4.8, MF 14.1) • 2 bypass reach sites (MF 26.1, 3.5) • 2 reference reach sites (NF 35.7, NFMF 2.3) (x-sect only) • Eggmass validation data collected in Spring, 2008

16. Western Pond Turtle • 8 incidental observations • 6 along MFAR below Ralston (2 hatchlings on Otter Ck) • 2 on NFAR • GIS Analysis of potential nesting habitat • Slope less than 15 degrees • Southern aspect • 150 ft buffer • Less than 6000 ft elevation • Field Reconnaissance • Off-channel ponds within CRLF 1 mile buffer zone, but no ponds within the smaller WPT buffer zone. • Reservoir GIS habitat validation

17. Western Pond Turtle Incidental Sightings

18. Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat

19. Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat

20. Western Pond Turtle Potential Nesting Habitat • GIS and Field Validation Analysis of Potential Habitat near Reservoirs