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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION (R5)
VALLEJO, CA
FSH 2609.26 - BOTANICAL PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 10 - SENSITIVE PLANT PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Amendment No.: R5 FSH 2609.26-2014-2
Effective Date: May 20, 2014
Duration: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or
removed earlier.
Approved: RANDY MOORE
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 5/20/2014
Posting Instructions: Amendments are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last amendment to
this handbook was 2609.26-Cont-1 to the table of contents.
New Document
2609.26_10
14 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
by Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2609.26_10-2007-1
13 Pages
Digest
Conducted a mandatory review and made minor formatting changes by adding a transmittal page
to each chapter.
R5 AMENDMENT R5_FSH_2609.26-2014-02
EFFECTIVE DATE: 5/20/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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Table of Contents
10.4 - Responsibility ................................................................................................................... 3
10.41 - Regional Forester ........................................................................................................ 3
10.41a - Regional Botanist ...................................................................................................... 3
10.42 - Forest Supervisor ........................................................................................................ 3
10.42a - Forest Botanist or Forest Sensitive Plant Coordinator .............................................. 3
10.42b - District Rangers ........................................................................................................ 4
10.5 - Definitions ........................................................................................................................ 4
11 - Sensitive Plant Surveys ......................................................................................... 6
12 - Population Records ............................................................................................... 7
13 - Conservation Assessment .................................................................................... 8
14 - Conservation Strategy ........................................................................................... 9
15 - Collections ............................................................................................................ 10
15.02 - Collecting Objectives ............................................................................................... 10
15.06 - Forest Product Collection ......................................................................................... 11
15.1 - General Botanical Collector’s Permit ............................................................................. 11
15.2 - Sensitive Species Collection........................................................................................... 13
15.3 - Transplantation ............................................................................................................... 14
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10.4 - Responsibility
10.41 - Regional Forester
1. The Pacific Southwest Regional Forester has the responsibility for the management of
species on National Forest System lands within the Region.
2. To meet this responsibility the Regional Forester shall identify sensitive plant species
and approve conservation strategies. When a sensitive plant species grows only on a single
National Forest, the Regional Forester may redelegate the authority to approve conservation
strategies to Forest Supervisor. When a sensitive plan species grows on two or more National
Forests, the Regional Forester may redelegate the authority to approve conservation strategies to
a lead Forest Supervisor.
10.41a - Regional Botanist
The Regional Botanist has the responsibility and authority to:
1. Review interim management prescriptions and conservation strategies prior to
approval.
2. Recommend a lead National Forest for conservation strategies when sensitive plant
species overlap Forest boundaries.
3. Provide advice and counsel to Forest Supervisors, Forest Botanists, Forest Sensitive
Plant Species Coordinators and District Rangers regarding sensitive plant program management.
4. Advise the Regional Ecosystem Conservation Staff Director of sensitive plant
program management issues.
10.42 - Forest Supervisor
Forest Supervisors have the authority to approve:
1. General collectors permits, and may redelegate that authority to District Rangers.
2. Sensitive species collection permits. This authority may not redelegated.
3. Approve conservation strategies for a species, when the species exists only on one
National Forest.
10.42a - Forest Botanist or Forest Sensitive Plant Coordinator
Forest Botanists or, alternatively Forest Sensitive Plant Coordinators, have the responsibility to:
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1. Prepare biological evaluations for sensitive plant collection permits.
2. Develop conservation strategies (formerly known as species management guides) for
the management of individual species, based upon results of a conservation assessment.
3. Coordinate with the Regional Botanist to develop and implement conservation
strategies.
4. Designate sensitive plant surveyors.
5. Coordinate collecting permits for areas of single species found on more than one
National Forest.
6. Determine which herbaria shall receive plant specimens.
7. Provide professional botanical advice to Forest Supervisors, District Rangers, Forest
Staff Officers and other Forest Service employees.
10.42b - District Rangers
District Rangers may issue general collection permits when the Forest Supervisor has delegated
such authority to them.
10.5 - Definitions
In addition to the definitions listed in FSM 2670.5, the following terms are used in this handbook
to mean:
Conservation Assessment (formerly known as Botanical Investigation). The in-depth
assessment of a species throughout its range, conducted in order to develop information on
distribution, abundance, trends, ecological requirements, and management needs; this
investigation makes possible the determination of significance of individual populations, the
resolution of management conflicts, and the development of a Conservation Strategy
Conservation Strategy (formerly known as the Species Management Guide). A
biological and administrative action document based on information gathered from a
conservation assessment and containing the information and guidance necessary for successful
management of a species through time. Strategies may include monitoring requirements and
standards in addition to those specified in the Forest Plan.
Field Reconnaissance. On-the-ground investigation of an area or a sensitive species
population to determine present status of a species in terms of presence, numbers, density, area
occupied, vigor, and habitat.
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Interim Management Prescription. A document, based on the best professional judgment
of the Forest Botanist or Sensitive Plant Coordinator, and reviewed by the Regional Botanist,
which serves to provide management activity guidelines and to summarize the predicted effects
of these actions upon a species when a Conservation Strategy has not yet been prepared.
Look-alikes. Those plant species that so closely resemble a listed or sensitive plant
species as to make positive field identification difficult. These species require management of
the similarly appearing species in order to avoid jeopardizing the sensitive species.
Monitoring. Any actions which are undertaken to assess the survival success and trends
of a species over time.
Population Record. Factual and specific information about individual populations of a
plant species which include such information as specific location, habitat description, and
pertinent data on size, density, vigor, and other characteristics of the population.
Refugia. Any designated area whose management criteria are sufficiently restrictive so
as to provide protection for one or more sensitive plant species through protection from
detrimental human-caused influences. Examples of such areas include: botanical areas, research
natural areas, botanical gardens, and designated critical habitat.
Sensitive Plant Species. Those plant species identified by the Regional Forester for
which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by:
a. Significant current or predicted downward trends in population numbers or
density.
b. Significant current or predicted downward trends in habitat capability that would
reduce a species' existing distribution.
The Region's Sensitive Plant Species List is available on the World-wide website.
Sensitive Plant Survey. The process of reviewing all available information and
conducting on-the-ground inventories in potential habitat to determine the presence or absence of
sensitive plant populations.
Similarity of Appearance. See look-alikes.
Species. As used in this handbook, the term "species" includes both subspecies and
varieties when appropriate.
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11 - SENSITIVE PLANT SURVEYS
Perform surveys when necessary to meet direction in FSM 2670.22 and 2670.32.
1. When to Conduct a Survey. It is appropriate to conduct a sensitive plant survey to
determine if, or the extent to which, sensitive plants may be affected by a proposed project when:
a. Based on an initial review of all known information, the project may affect
sensitive plant habitat.
b. Sensitive plants have historically been identified in the project area (and yet
adequate information for impact assessment is lacking).
c. It is unknown whether or not sensitive plant habitat exists on the site.
2. Qualification of Surveyors. The Forest Botanist, or the Forest Sensitive Plant
Coordinator shall select sensitive plant surveyors based on:
a. Familiarity with the plants and plant communities in general and of the area.
b. Knowledge of the sensitive plant species and their habitat requirements.
c. Experience analyzing impacts on native plants and their plant communities.
3. How to Conduct a Survey. Conduct field reconnaissance consistent with accepted
survey protocols and in a manner that will maximize the likelihood of locating any sensitive
plant species that may be present. Use the following guidelines:
a. Conduct surveys at the proper time of year when sensitive species are identifiable.
Schedule field surveys to coincide with known flowering periods, or during periods
of phenological development that allow identification of the plant species.
b. Identify every species noted in the field to the extent necessary, to ensure that it is
not a sensitive species. Note look-alikes when applicable.
c. Conduct surveys using systematic field techniques in all suitable habitats
potentially impacted within the project area.
4. Survey Completion Record. Upon completion of a field survey, prepare a Survey
Completion Record to provide documentation of the inventory. Keep the record on file, and map
in an atlas, and/or in the Forest Geographic Information System (GIS) Database if appropriate.
The record should contain the following information:
a. Name and type of project.
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b. List of sensitive plant species potentially located in the area surveyed.
c. Legal description of location and map of area searched.
d. Description of survey method.
e. Results of survey including description of habitat types surveyed and sensitive
species encountered. (Complete a population record as described in section 10.12
when a sensitive species population is found.)
f. Name of surveyor and date of survey.
5. Voucher Specimens. Voucher specimens of sensitive, or suspected sensitive species,
may be made to document and increase the knowledge of the species. For especially rare
California plants, the collector should determine the impact of collecting on population(s).
Collections should only be made if making the specimen does not impact or threaten the
continued existence of the populations.
Make collections in accordance with applicable Federal (see FSM 2673.2.2, 36 CFR 261.1a) and
State regulations. Use photography to document plant identification and habitat whenever
possible, but particularly when sensitive plant populations cannot withstand collection. The
Forest Botanist or Sensitive Plant Coordinator shall determine which herbaria shall receive the
specimens.
12 - POPULATION RECORDS
Prepare a Population Site Record for each sensitive plant population located and verified on the
ground. Population Site Records form the basis for sensitive species files, species distribution
maps, including GIS, and a Forest Sensitive Plant Atlas. The population record must be entered
into NRIS-TESP (Natural Resource Information System - Threatened, Endangered, and Sensitive
Plants, the Forest Service corporate database) and include the:
1. Location of the population.
2. Verification of species identification, if applicable.
3. Population identification number, or population number. National Forest personnel
shall assign population numbers for species on that National Forest. Assign a unique population
number for each sensitive plant population. Use the Population Number as the identifier for
record maintenance purposes. The number shall consist of three parts:
a. The four or five letter (and number for some) abbreviation for the species.
b. The Standard National Forest Code Number, as two digits.
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c. A chronological numbering of populations of that species on that National Forest,
as three digits.
For example: ABCD-07-005 designates the fifth (005) population of species ABCD,
found on the Los Padres National Forest (Forest 07). The next population of ABCD
found on the Los Padres would be assigned ABCD-07-006, and so forth. A crossreference for this population may be made using the occurrence number assigned by
the California Natural Diversity Data Base.
4. Plant community and habitat information.
5. Population attributes including number of plants, size of area occupied, phenological
stage and vigor.
6. Observations of the response of the plant to management activities.
7. An assessment of potential impacts.
8. Recommended management or mitigation measures.
9. Discussion of the significance of the population with consideration for nearby
populations and total species distribution.
13 - CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT
Where appropriate consider conducting and documenting a conservation assessment (formerly
known as botanical investigation) of a species to determine its status and the significance of each
individual population. This process is in many ways similar to a biological evaluation (see FSM
2672.4) which concentrates on the decision making process at the project level. A professional
botanist should direct conservation assessments of a species. The procedure may vary according
to need but should, at minimum, consist of the following:
1. Intensive field investigation providing documentation of the full range and numbers of
the species, its abundance, distribution, general trend, and its response to disturbance.
2. Definition of habitat needs and ecological requirements.
3. Identification of key populations.
4. Determination of reproductive strategy and success.
5. Identification of the potential jeopardy to the species throughout its entire range.
6. Determination of management needed for maintenance of the species.
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7. Resolution of nomenclature and other taxonomic problems.
8. Coordination with Forest Service Research and Development scientists.
14 - CONSERVATION STRATEGY
The Forest Botanist or Sensitive Plant Coordinator should prioritize development of conservation
strategies (formerly known as species management guides) for the management of individual
species, based upon results of a conservation assessment. The Regional Forester has
responsibility for multi-forest conservation strategies; Forest Supervisors have responsibility for
individual conservation strategies when the species exists on a single Forest.
The preparation of the individual conservation strategies should only be supervised by a
professional botanist. The Ecosystem Conservation Staff in the Regional Office shall review the
strategies prior to approval. When species ranges overlap Forest boundaries, coordinate through
the Ecosystem Conservation Staff in the Regional Office to designate a lead Forest Supervisor in
order to avoid duplication of efforts. Upon approval, follow the management direction for the
particular species as contained in the conservation strategy document.
1. Prioritization of Species. Base priorities for the development of conservation
strategies upon the following points:
a. Species in direct conflict with Forest Service management activities.
b. Species affected by Forest Service management activities and currently under
review by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for future listing.
c. Species whose known range occurs almost totally within National Forest System
lands, especially local endemics.
d. Other situations involved with meeting the intent of the Endangered Species Act.
2. Content of Conservation Strategy Document. The content of the document and the
level of detail may vary by species depending upon the sensitivity of management conflict, plant
status, and ecological requirements. The strategy document should be complete and contain the
necessary information and direction to ensure successful survival of the species through time.
Consider the following items for inclusion:
a. Status of the species as Federally-listed and recognized by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, State-listed and recognized by the State, and California Native Plant
Society lists.
b. Nomenclature summary.
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c. Inventory information including quantitative data on plant and population
numbers; biological information including phenology, habitat characteristics,
associates, species variability and vigor; ecological requirements; and range maps.
d. Relationship of land management practices to known populations, potential
jeopardy, and existing protective measures.
e. Population and habitat needs required to ensure the continued viability of the
species, including consideration of genetic diversity, viable population size, and
essential habitat.
f. A prescription for management of the species over time (to ensure its maintenance
without need for Federal listing). It should give consideration to possible incremental
jeopardy over time, establishment of refugia or protected populations, activity
constraints, and monitoring needs. Implicit in the monitoring process is the need for
corrective action whenever the potential exists for deterioration of those conditions
identified as requirements for the survival of the species.
g. In the absence of sufficient information to develop a conservation strategy, prepare
an interim management prescription and follow it until such information is available.
15 - COLLECTIONS
Present and future knowledge concerning sensitive plants comes mostly from the botanical
community in the normal pursuit of their professional activities, which include collecting. Some
collection of sensitive plants by Forest Service employees is needed to expand the knowledge
base regarding these plants. Ensure that this is done without adding to the endangerment of the
species.
15.02 - Collecting Objectives
1. Allow collection of sensitive plant species, or parts thereof, only for scientific
purposes. Permits issued for general collecting purposes shall specifically exclude both sensitive
plant species, and look-alikes suspected of occurring within the collecting area. Collection of
sensitive plant species is provided through the issuance of a Letter of Understanding
accompanying the appropriate permit. Authority for removal of plant material from public lands
administered by Forest Service is found in 36 CFR 223 and stems from the Timber and Stone
Act of 1897 and the National Forest Management Act of 1976. This authority is the same as for
firewood and timber sales.
2. Forest Service Botanical Survey Contracts.
a. Forest Service contracts for botanical surveys must contain the pertinent clauses
from the general botanical collection guidelines.
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b. The contractor may collect sensitive plant species only if the contract specifies that
such collection is allowed; in such cases the contract must contain the guidelines
listed in section 15.2, Sensitive Species Collection.
c. Contractors shall provide a letter informing the Forest Botanist, or Forest Sensitive
Plant Coordinator, considering, at minimum: the name of the collector, name and
number of the contract, and the dates that the collector plans to collect.
15.06 - Forest Product Collection
Issue collection permits using form FS-2400-1. The form and directions for its use may be found
internally at http://fsweb.wo.fs.fed.us/fm/contracts/permits.shtml. Monitor issuance of these
permits with the advice of the Forest Botanist or Forest Sensitive Plant Coordinator, in order to
prevent adverse impacts on sensitive species or their habitat. Examples of desired products
include medicinal plants, edible fungi, mosses, and herbs. Refer to FSM 2467 for direction
regarding these activities.
15.1 - General Botanical Collector’s Permit
1. Issue botanical collector’s permits using Forest Service Form FS-2400-1 for collection
of species other than sensitive species. A botanical collector’s permit is issued under the same
authorities as other special forest products.
2 The Forest Supervisor has the authority to issue botanical collector’s permits using FS2400-1. The Forest Supervisor may redelegate this authority to District Rangers. Refer to FSM
2404.28, exhibit 01, R5 Supplement 2400-98-2, under Miscellaneous Forest Products.
3. Application for botanical collecting must specify the purpose of collecting and the
intended location of the collections.
4. During initial contact with the collector, stress the need for protecting sensitive plant
species and their look-alikes, and the penalties for violation.
5. Field collections may only be performed by the lead investigator or botanical
personnel under the direct field supervision of the Lead Investigator. The permittee must certify
that those doing the collections have the necessary qualifications to properly identify the species
collected.
6. Single botanical collector’s permits may be issued to education study groups. The
Forest Service employee granting the permit to the study groups should include the names all
participating students, the intended location(s), and the timing of collection(s). As an alternative,
the permit may be issued in the name of the lead investigator who, again, must be present when
all collecting is done. Indicate the number of participating students.
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7. The quantity (number and/or biomass) of live species to be collected from a
population is limited to that specified in this permit for purposes of the survey, consistent with
Forest Service responsibilities for maintaining viable populations under the National Forest
Management Act.
8. Encourage the permittee to prepare a voucher specimen for each species collected
during the survey, and to deposit the voucher in a scientifically recognized herbarium. Request
that the permittee advise the agency of the herbarium selected. A herbarium listed in the Index
Herbariorum published by the International Association of Plant Taxonomists is preferred.
9. The permittee must agree to provide the Forest Service with a list of the species
collected, quantity taken, and location sites by National Forest.
10. Encourage the permittee to provide the Forest Service with one copy of each
publication or report resulting from this collection and advise the Forest Service of any materials
collected that are conveyed to a third party.
11. The Forest Service may use the information obtained through this permit as needed,
to further the management and conservation of the species collected under this permit.
12. Collection or disturbance of any federally listed, threatened or endangered species or
the Regional Forester's Sensitive Plant Species, shown in chapter 40, is not permitted with a
general botanical collector's permit.
13. For sensitive species collection, a special permit is required (see sec.15.02).
14. Special permits are necessary to take, collect, possess, transport, and buy, or sell
threatened and endangered wildlife, fish, and plants (see FSM 2673.31). These permits may only
be obtained from the U. S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service.
15. Entry into closed areas is prohibited.
16. Collecting specimens in Primitive, Wilderness, Research Natural, Experimental
Forests or Ranges, Botanical, or Scenic Areas or Forest Service Campgrounds or Picnic Areas is
prohibited.
17. The permit area shall not include areas within 200 feet of any highway, road or trail;
and thus collecting of specimens is not permitted in those areas.
18. This permit shall be carried at all times when collecting, and must be shown upon
request, to a Forest Service officer.
19. The granting of this permit does not convey any rights for future collection.
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20. Authorized collection must comply with existing Federal, State and County
requirements.
15.2 - Sensitive Species Collection
Permit collection of sensitive plants only for specific and designated scientific purposes. Use
non-destructive collection techniques whenever possible, taking only parts of plants and leaving
a live root system, so that populations are not jeopardized. Administer authorized collecting at
the lowest organizational level consistent with the area of collection involved. The authority to
issue collection permits for sensitive plant species is delegated to the Forest Supervisors. This
authority may not be redelegated.
1. For any sensitive plant species permit issued, the Forest Botanist or Sensitive Plant
Coordinator shall prepare a biological evaluation for the species in question, and the appropriate
level of analysis as mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1976 (NEPA) must
be conducted.
2. Permits must specifically limit the amount of live plant material collected.
3. When collection permits are requested for a single species found in areas on more than
one National Forest, Forest botanists or Forest sensitive plant coordinators shall coordinate the
collection to prevent adverse impacts on the sensitive species throughout its range.
4. Each permit must include the following terms and conditions:
a. Field collections may be performed only by the investigators receiving the permit,
or those persons under their direct field supervision.
b. Permits may only be issued for populations that are large enough to tolerate such
collection. Removal of specimens must not alter the viability of the population.
Amount of live plants or plant material to be collected from a population must be
limited to the minimum needed for purposes of the survey. Collecting activities must
not affect more than 2-5 percent of any single population. The Investigator(s) must
agree to consult with the Forest Botanist or Forest sensitive plant coordinator
whenever questions about population viability arise.
c. Investigators must agree to share, with the Forest Service, the distributional,
ecological, and population information resulting from these authorized activities
within a year of collection.
d. The Forest Service may use the information obtained through this agreement, as
needed, to further the conservation of Sensitive Plant Species.
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e. Voucher specimens may only be permitted from new documented populations.
Subject to the above terms and conditions, jointly with the Forest Botanist or Forest
Sensitive Plant Coordinator, the investigator(s) shall provide two properly prepared
and labeled voucher specimens of each taxon collected, one specimen for permanent
deposit at an herbarium in California such as the Jepson Herbarium at the University
of California, the California Academy of Sciences, Department of Botany (which
contains the Pacific Southwest Region's Herbarium), Rancho Santa Ana Botanic
Garden, or other appropriate institution. The other will be incorporated in the
herbarium on the National Forest from which the specimen was obtained. Other
vouchers may be distributed to recognized herbaria at the Investigator(s) discretion.
5. Copies of any sensitive species permits issued must be sent to the Regional Botanist.
6. The Forest Supervisor or the delegate may impose other terms or conditions as
necessary to protect National Forest resources.
15.3 - Transplantation
Transplantation projects involving sensitive plant species may not proceed without the formal
approval of the appropriate line officer.
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