EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Survey Protocol

TAXONOMIC GROUP - Vascular Plants

ROD COMPONENTS - 1 and 2

OBJECTIVES - The survey protocol for vascular plants is designed to determine presence/absence, to describe and delineate population boundaries, and to document habitat conditions of Survey and Manage vascular plant species prior to ground disturbing activities. This information is needed to implement the Survey and Manage standards and guidelines.

TRIGGER - If the proposed project is to be implemented in FY 1999 or later, then surveys will occur if any of the following criteria are met, and the project could directly or indirectly impact the local population or its habitat:

1. A known site exists in the proposed project area.
2. The Survey and Manage species has been reported within the 5^th field watershed where the project is located.
3. The Survey and Manage species has been reported within an adjacent 5^th field watershed.
4. The area under consideration occurs within the known or suspected range of the Survey and Manage species, and there is probability of suitable habitat within the proposed project area (determination of suitable habitat is discussed in Section I, Part III.A).

This protocol is intended to standardize methods typically followed by USDI Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the USDA Forest Service (USFS) botany programs. Projects for which surveys have been initiated for FY 1999 using an earlier version of this protocol, or standards used in agency botany programs, or taught in national training such as BLM 1730-5 Inventory and Monitoring of Special Status Plants, will be considered to have met the component 2 survey requirement. Projects with surveys not yet initiated, will use this protocol after official transmittal to the field unit. If modifications to this protocol are provided by official agency memoranda, they will be considered to be part of this protocol.

PREFIELD REVIEW - To determine if the trigger criteria are met, as available, consult the appropriate databases and their associated GIS layers, topographic maps, aerial photos, and watershed analyses as detailed in Section I, Part III.A.1. Discuss the site characteristics and habitat with individuals who are familiar with the project area.

FIELD PROCEDURES - If, through the pre-field review or a cursory site visit, it is determined that a field survey is warranted, then conduct an "intuitive controlled" or "complete" survey as described in Section I, Part III.A.2. If populations of Survey and Manage vascular plant species are found, delineate the population on a map, record location, and basic population and habitat information using Appendix A or equivalent form. Document the area surveyed and the presence or absence of Survey and Manage vascular plant species within the area surveyed using Appendix B or equivalent form.

EXTENT OF SURVEYS - Survey prior to ground disturbing activity, suitable habitat that may be subject to direct and/or indirect impacts. Direct impacts are those actions that result in physical disturbance to any surface or substrate, including temporary disturbances such as movement of equipment through an area en route to an activity site. Indirect impacts may include, but are not limited to, changes in the microclimatic conditions in the proposed project area. Locations adjacent to the project area that could be subject to indirect impacts will also be examined when the surveyor determines that project activities could adversely affect the target species. In order to facilitate accurate information transfer into a GIS system, spatial documentation of the area surveyed should be precisely recorded.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION TO COLLECT - Collection of presence/absence, location, and basic population and habitat information is required. However, recording detailed ecological condition and population data beyond the basic requirement is highly recommended, as it will contribute to knowledge of these species and assist in management.

DATA MANAGEMENT - Data quality is assured by the local Data Steward at each BLM District office and Forest Supervisor's office. Data storage must meet standards prescribed by the Interagency Species Management System (ISMS), and the needs for GIS analysis and of the agency Botany Program.

SURVEYING SKILLS - Personnel conducting surveys for the Survey and Manage species must verify their skill in recognition of the species, their ability to distinguish it from look-a-likes, and their ability to accurately describe the associated plant community and habitat. The qualifications considered necessary to ensure that surveys are conducted in a safe and professional manner are outlined in Section I, Part V. B.