Johnny O'Neil Late Successional Reserve Habitat Restoration and ...

Roads and landings- Construction of roads and landings may affect habitat for the northern
goshawk by reducing canopy closure in forested stands. However, goshawks are associated with
habitat that is intermixed with forest openings for foraging. The proposed locations of temporary
spurs and landings are distributed across the project area, and the size of openings created would
not preclude use by foraging goshawks. The project design criteria would minimize disturbance
to known pairs so there are no significant effects expected from these actions.
OK9 GMA – This pair is located about one mile from prescribed fire unit and about 1.5 mile
from a thinning unit. The proposed action does not occur within the primary or secondary zone.
OK10 GMA - Two units totaling 21 acres are proposed for commercial thinning within the
GMA. This site has no records of nesting goshawks. The variable thinning prescription and
project design features will result in habitat that will retain the suitability post-treatment. Year of
action surveys will be conducted within 0.5 mile of the proposed treatments inside designated
GMAs; Primary Nest and Foraging Habitat Zones will be created in the event occupancy is
determined.
OK11 GMA - Non-commercial thinning and underburning are proposed; this GMA has not been
determined to be occupied by goshawks. Year of action surveys will be conducted within 0.5
mile of the proposed treatments inside designated GMAs; Primary Nest and Foraging Habitat
Zones will be created in the event occupancy is determined.
Hamburg and Section 36 pair sites - Year of action surveys will be conducted within 0.5 mile of
the proposed treatments. Findings from additional surveys will inform location of the Primary
Nest and Foraging Habitat Zones that will be established for occupied sites as described in the
LRMP.
Cumulative Effects
The Checkerboard Hazard project proposes to remove snags, dying trees, or small trees limiting
drivers’ visibility along the road system in the project area. This may affect individual habitat
elements along the roadsides for the goshawk and prey species or may result in disturbance to
individuals; however, existing roadsides do not provide high quality habitat. Overall, cumulative
effects from the Checkerboard or other actions are not expected to be measurable.
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