2010 Frog & Toad Survey. CR 510-Red Road-Sleepy Hollow & CR 550. Marquette County, Michigan

Transcription

1 2010 Frog & Toad Survey Marquette County, Michigan Prepared for: Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company Marquette County, Michigan Prepared by: King & MacGregor Environmental, Inc Woodmeadow SE Grand Rapids, Michigan DRAFT DATE: April 2011

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND... 1 AREA OF INVESTIGATION.1 METHODS... 1 RESULTS & DISCUSSION... 2 REFERENCES FIGURES Figure Frog and Toad Survey Area of Investigation Overview Map TABLES Table Frog and Toad Survey Data Overview

3 INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND King & MacGregor Environmental, Inc. (KME) was contracted by Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company (KEMC) to conduct frog and toad surveys in 2008 within corridors along potential road routes in western Marquette County, Michigan. Results from these surveys was presented in a report to KEMC (KME 2009). Supplementary frog and toad surveys were conducted in 2010 along additional potential road alignments. This report describes the findings of the 2010 frog and toad surveys and is intended as an addendum to the report issued in AREA OF INVESTIGATION The area of investigation (Figure 1) includes corridors along the additional proposed road alignments. These corridors are north and west of the City of Marquette, and occupy parts of Champion Township (Section 25, T48N, R29W; Sections 22, 25, and 33, T49N, R28W), Ishpeming Township (Section 18, T50N, R27W; Sections 28 and 29, T49N, R27W), Marquette Township (Section 13, T49N, R26W), and Powell Township (Sections 29 and 33, T50N, T26W; Sections 26 and 32, T51N, R27W), Marquette County, Michigan. METHODS Prior to conducting field assessments, KME reviewed published information pertaining to the presence of frog and toad species within the area of investigation (Figure 1). The survey for frogs and toads was conducted according to the survey protocol developed by the MDNR Wildlife Division (MDNR 2002). Survey methodology consisted of listening to frog and toad breeding calls in established survey locations for 10-minute periods. Survey protocol required that surveys be conducted on evenings with calm air or mild winds and air temperatures greater than 45 degrees Fahrenheit in the early spring (defined in the survey protocol as April 1 through May 5 for the the Upper Peninsula), greater than 55 degrees Fahrenheit in the late spring (May 6 through June 10), and greater than 65 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer (June 11 through July 10). Weather observations and temperatures were recorded on data sheets at each sampling point. Temperatures were determined with a digital hand-held thermometer or by reading the automobile external thermometer upon arrival. Thirteen survey points were selected for frog and toad surveys (Figure 1). The thirteen survey points were generally representative of the wetland habitats within the area of investigation that were likely to harbor breeding frogs and toads during spring and early summer. Surveys were conducted after sunset during two two-night survey periods: June 9-17 and July 14-16, Each location was surveyed once during each survey period. Survey dates were chosen in an effort to survey breeding frog and toad species active in late spring as well as those species more active in the early summer. Heavy rain prevented two of the survey points (RFT01 and RFT02) from being completed during the July 7 survey. Surveys at both points were instead conducted on July 15, KME biologists recorded the species of frogs and toads heard calling during a 10-minute period at each of the survey points and documented the relative abundance of each species according to the Call Index Value from the MDNR survey protocol (MDNR 2002). A Call Index Value of 1 indicates that individuals can be counted and there is space between calls. A Call Index Value of 2 indicates that individuals can still be counted, but there is some overlapping of calls. A Call Index Value of 3 indicates a full chorus; calls are continuous and overlapping, and individuals cannot be distinguished Frog & Toad Survey April 2011 DRAFT

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION All 13 survey points exhibited use by breeding frogs and/or toads. Fifty-five individuals representing five different species were documented (Table 1). The most abundant frog species was the gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor) which accounted for 35 percent of the total. Green frog (Rana clamitans) and spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) each accounted for 31 percent of total occurrences. American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) and American toad (Bufo americanus) each represented two percent of total occurrences. Several mink frog (Rana septentrionalis) individuals were heard at RFT02 during a daytime bird survey (June 15, 2010) but not during either of the frog survey sessions. Other frog species may be seasonally present within the area of investigation but were not heard at the 13 survey points during the survey periods. No federally-listed or Michigan-listed threatened, endangered, or special concern frog or toad species were identified during the 2010 surveys. The frog species identified are typical of those expected in the habitats present within the area of investigation. REFERENCES King & MacGregor Environmental, Inc Ecological surveys, proposed Woodland Road route. Prepared for Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company. Michigan Department of Information Technology (MDIT) Michigan Geographic Data Library (MGDL). Michigan Department of Natural Resources Guidelines for conducting endangered and threatened species surveys. Available online at Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Frog and toad survey. Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Rare species explorer (Web application). Available online at Frog & Toad Survey April 2011 DRAFT

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6 Table Frog and Toad Survey Data Overview Survey Point 2010 Date Start Time AM/PM American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana ) American toad (Bufo americanus ) gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor ) green frog (Rana clamitans ) spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer ) Species Total Call Index RFT01 6/17 10:00 PM 1 1 RFT02 6/17 10:20 PM RFT03 6/17 10:42 PM RFT04 6/17 10:51 PM RFT05 6/17 11:02 PM RFT06 6/17 11:07 PM 1 1 RFT07 6/17 11:49 PM RFT08 6/18 12:00 AM 2 1 YFT01 6/18 12:10 AM 2 1 YFT02 6/18 12:20 AM 1 1 YFT03 6/18 12:34 AM 1 1 YFT04 6/18 12:45 AM YFT05 6/18 12:55 AM RFT01 7/15 11:25 PM 1 1 RFT02 7/15 10:51 PM RFT03 7/7 11:29 PM RFT04 7/7 11:18 PM 2 1 RFT05 7/7 11:09 PM RFT06 7/7 11:02 PM 0 RFT07 7/7 10:31 PM 1 1 RFT08 7/7 10:25 PM 0 YFT01 7/7 10:02 PM 0 YFT02 7/7 9:55 PM YFT03 7/7 9:42 PM 1 1 YFT04 7/7 9:28 PM YFT05 7/7 9:20 PM Total Frog & Toad Survey April 2011 DRAFT