The purpose of the wildlife studies for the Borel relicensing project is to provide adequate information on the wildlife resources associated with the project facilities to allow for the completion of the regulatory processes. These studies focus on addressing public and agency concerns for wildlife resources and meeting the FERC application requirements 18CFR4.51[f][3].

The study program for wildlife resources will incorporate habitat mapping of the project area to assist in the search and evaluation of potential occurrences of the sensitive species discussed below. Mapping will be conducted in the field to ground truth air photographs, and evaluate habitat conditions for special status wildlife resources. Additionally, locations of sensitive wildlife species will be recorded on USGS topo maps (1:24,000 scale) and using a Geographic Positioning System that will be made available by Robin Galloway, Forest Service biologist.

Surveys for sensitive species in areas of potential recreational improvement requested by the Forest Service will be surveyed in 2002 when specific recreational developments have been identified. If these areas extend onto Bureau of Land Management lands, those areas will also be surveyed at the time that Forest Service recreation areas are surveyed.

Elderberry shrubs occur throughout the project area, and provide suitable habitat for the Valley elderberry longhorn beetle (VELB). Surveys will be conducted to locate elderberry shrubs (Sambucus mexicana) within 150 feet of all Borel facilities, including the canal, penstock, powerhouse, maintenance roads, and transmission lines. Additional areas to be surveyed will be identified based on discussions with Southern California Edison personnel regarding areas that may be subject to disturbance during normal operations and maintenance activities. The surveys will be performed according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service July 2000 Conservation Guidelines (USFWS 2000). Each elderberry shrub identified within the 150-foot zone will be inspected for the presence of VELB. The proposed surveys have been developed based on discussions with Sequoia National Forest biologists and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Surveys for the relictual slender salamander (Batrachoseps relictus), Kern Canyon slender salamander (Batrachoseps simatus), and yellow-blotched salamander (Ensatina eschscholtzii croceater) will be conducted around project facilities where suitable habitat exits. Zones of approximately 100 feet around all facilities where project-related activities could potentially affect them will be surveyed. Surveys for these salamanders will be conducted around project facilities where moist warm soils, dripping water, and surface structures serving as refugia, such as flat rocks, logs, and similar structures are present. Salamander searches will also be conducted along the Kern River by-pass reach. Surveys along the Kern River will be prioritized based on the methodology outlined in the paper by Hartwell, Wells and Hodson. These surveys will be conducted in late February and March, around the powerhouse and its associated facilities, the flume, penstock, and canal. Surveys will be conducted immediately following storms of at least 0.5 inches of precipitation and when diurnal temperatures are at least 50° F. Two surveys are proposed. If suitable survey conditions do not occur during the February and March there is little probability of finding these salamanders outside these conditions (Hansen, personal communications).

The proposed protocol for the California red-legged frog (Rana aurora draytonii) is based on discussions with Jesse Wild of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Phil Strand of the Forest Service. The Kern River between Lake Isabella and the Borel Powerhouse will be mapped in the field for potential California red-legged frog habitat. Additionally, the first mile of any tributary streams in this stretch of the Kern River will also be mapped for potential California red-legged frog habitat. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service classifications and forms will be utilized. According to FWS protocols, if potential habitat exists for this frog on any of the stream reaches surveyed, the applicant must assume the presence of red-legged (Wild, personal communications).

Surveys for the foothill yellow-legged frog (Rana boylii) will be conducted following protocols supported by the Forest Service and described Fellers and Freel (1995): 1) careful field surveys of the Kern River using binoculars to scan for basking frogs; 2) walking slowly in the water or on adjacent river banks while visually searching for frog egg masses, larvae and adults; 3) use of a dip net to capture larvae and adults for identification. Three surveys extending from late spring to mid summer are proposed. Photographic records of sitings of all life stages will be made.

Initially, surveys of known southwestern pond turtle (Clemmys marmorata pallida) occurrences will be conducted on the South Fork of the Kern River to gain knowledge of Kern River-specific pond turtle habitat preferences. Surveys will then be conducted of the Kern River between Lake Isabella and the Borel Powerhouse in the spring. The initial surveys will be used to map potential habitat for the southwestern pond turtle and to identify and map specific locations of turtle observations. One additional survey will be conducted of the affected reach of the Kern River by mid June to identify additional turtle locations. Utilizing these mapped locations of pond turtle occurrences, the turtles will be studied in July and August to observe their behavioral responses to white water rafting activities. To the extent practicable, search methods, observations, classifications of habitats and turtle life stages and size classes will be based on Holland (1991). Three separate periods of observations are proposed during July and August for observations of turtle-rafter interactions. In addition to observing turtle behavior in response to white water rafting, observations of turtle behavior relative to the water release regime will also be noted.

Review of records regarding this species’ habitat preferences and distribution indicates that habitat for this species does not occur in the project area. With the concurrence of the Forest Service, this species will not be the subject of habitat mapping or of field surveys.

It is unlikely that habitat for the silvery legless lizard (Anniella pulchra pulchra) exists within the project area. If habitat does exist, it is likely to be limited and geographically isolated. However, the project area will be surveyed for suitable habitat and if found will be mapped. Where suitable habitat is identified, the substrate will be carefully combed with a stick or other suitable device to determine if this lizard inhabits the potential habitat.

California horned lizards (Phrynosoma coronatum frontale) are known from the Chimney Peak area, where there is a decomposed granite substrate. The project area will be surveyed for similar habitat and all potential locations will be mapped.

The Forest Service 1990-1992 survey information indicates approximately 6-10 individuals winter in the Lake Isabella area from mid-December to late May. Eagles have been observed using the large gray pines on the western portions of the lake as roosts. Bald eagle use of the project area will be assessed in three ways. 1) Historical bald eagle occurrence data from the Forest Service and Christmas Bird Counts will be reviewed and compiled. 2) Historical information will be undated based on surveys conducted during February and March. Initially, the Kern County Boat Patrol will begin locating bald eagle roosting areas and tree-roosts starting in January. The wintering eagle population at Lake Isabella will be censused on two occasions, once in February and once in March. 3) In addition, Kern River Operation staff will be given photos to enable them to record incidental sightings. Observations made by the public in the vicinity of project area will be recorded as well.

The California condor is a wide-ranging species that can be observed flying over much of California from Fresno County south. Mike Barth of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was contacted to determine occurrences of condors within the Lake Isabella area. He does not believe condors used the Lake Isabella area for nesting or roosting. The closest occurrence of a California condor to the project site is in the Glenville area. They have also been recorded at Breckenridge Peak. Bruce Palmer will be contacted for further information and the Condor Recovery Plan will be utilized to determine any condor critical habitat that may be within the Lake Isabella and the Kern River area. Since all condors are radio collared, the Condor Recovery Team records their movement patterns, habitat utilization patterns and preferred foraging and roosting and nesting locations. No field surveys will be necessary.

The Forest Service does not have any nesting records of peregrine falcons in the Lake Isabella or Kern River area. However, there have been historical winter sightings of peregrine falcons in the project area. Peregrines will be observed in concert with bald eagle surveys. Any peregrine falcon sightings will be mapped. These sightings will then be used to determine any potential project-related impacts to this species and appropriate management practices will be recommended.

Field investigations of the southwest willow flycatcher will focus on the Wofford Heights area, where Tillie Creek enters Lake Isabella. Riparian habitat will be evaluated for potential use by the southwest willow flycatcher. If the site could support nesting flycatchers, a nesting survey will be conducted and resulting information will be used as a management tool, for noise-creating maintenance during nesting, migration, or other critical times.

Bats are known to roost in the Borel powerhouse and throughout Kern Canyon. Pat Brown-Berry will conduct an appropriate survey of the Borel Powerhouse during the warm season to determine the species that use the powerhouse, approximate numbers that roost in the powerhouse, and if the site is used as a maternity roosts. She has indicated that surveys in late May are appropriate to determine maternity roosts. Her results will be used to develop management practices to avoid bat disturbance at the powerhouse, if appropriate.

Field surveys will be conducted around the project facilities, particularly along the canal, to assess potential project influence on the movement of wintering deer in the project area. Soils along the canal will be swept clean and then monitored for the detection of deer activity as witnessed by the density and frequency of footprints. The results of these surveys will help determine areas of potential conflict between the canal and deer movement activity. Three separate surveys will be conducted between late February and the end of April. If areas of significant activity are found, Trailmasters (or similar camera devices) and/or spotlighting will be employed to gather additional data on deer activity. In addition to the deer monitoring, Southern California Edison will provide its historic records on deer mortality associated with the canal. This survey methodology was discussed with Bill Asserson of the California Department of Fish and Game and is acceptable to him. The combinations of these data will be used to assess canal impacts on movements of the wintering deer herd(s).

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