DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR SIERRA PACIFIC LAND & TIMBER COMPANY AND SIERRA PACIFIC INDUSTRIES FORESTLAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAM HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN AND SAFE HARBOR AGREEMENT SACRAMENTO RIVER AND TRINITY RIVER BASINS, CALIFORNIA

Sierra Pacific Land & Timber Company (SPL&T) is the largest private forest land owner in the state of California, with ownership currently encompassing approximately 1.64 million acres of timberland throughout the northern and central portions of the state. Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) is the authorized representative and manager of SPL&T lands. SPI has prepared a joint Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) and Safe Harbor Agreement (SHA) to address effects of forestland management in the Sacramento River and Trinity River basins on ESA-listed salmonids under the regulatory jurisdiction of the NMFS.

In support of an ITP application under Section 10(a)(1)(B) of the ESA, SPI has prepared a HCP that provides an assessment of impacts; along with measures to monitor, minimize, and mitigate for those impacts; and procedures to account for unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances. In support of an ESP application under Section 10(a)(1)(A) of the ESA, SPI has prepared a SHA to address the potential impacts of SPI’s timber harvest activities in the Sacramento River and Trinity River basins, upstream of currently impassable dams where NMFS is proposing to reintroduce populations of ESA-listed salmonids. The SHA meets the regulatory standard of producing a net conservation benefit for ESA-listed salmonids reintroduced onto SPL&T lands.

The draft NEPA EA analyzes the potential effects of NMFS’ proposed issuance of an ITP and ESP to SPI for their forestland management activities.