Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation ...

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
areas encompassed by the BCR’s. At the finest scale of analysis, the Rio Grande National Forest
occurs within the Southern Rocky Mountains Physiographic Area (Area 62) of the Southern
Rockies Colorado Plateau Bird Conservation Region. The following are the Birds of
Conservation Concern for BCR 16 as updated in December 2008, their status within the project
area, and projected influence from management activities proposed within the Rio de los Pinos
Analysis Area EIS.
Summary of Effects of Alternatives on Migratory Birds:
A review of the migratory bird table indicates that five species on the Birds of Conservation
Concern (BCC) List for BCR 16 are excluded from analysis because they do not occur or are
considered accidental on the Rio Grande National Forest and will therefore not be affected by
any management actions. These species include the veery, gray vireo, black rosy finch, Grace’s
warbler, and chestnut collared longspur. Other species that would not be expected to occur or do
not have habitat present in the area of influence for this project include the American bittern,
bald eagle, ferruginous hawk, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, prairie falcon, Gunnison’s sage
grouse, snowy plover, mountain plover, long-billed curlew, willow flycatcher, juniper titmouse,
yellow billed cuckoo, flammulated owl, burrowing owl, Lewis’ woodpecker, pinyon jay,
Bendire’s thrasher, Brewer’s sparrow, and grashopper sparrow. Species likely to occur within
the Analysis Area include Cassin’s Finch (USFWS Birds of Conservation Concern for BCR 16).
Project design criteria regarding snag retention and not harvesting trees with active bird nests
would help to conserve this species.
The following table lists Priority habitats and species from the Colorado Landbird Conservation
Plan and potential impacts of this project on those species and habitats.
Table 3.9-3 Priority habitats and species of the Southern Rocky Mountains province and
their relationship to assessment for the Rio de los Pinos project.
Table 3.9-3. Priorty habitats and species of the Southern Rockies
Priority Habitat
Type
Alpine
Tundra
BCP Priority
Species
White-tailed
ptarmigan
American pipit
Brown-capped
rosy finch
BCP Potential
Issues(s)
Fragile
Habitats;
Specialized
Species
Potential Influence
from Project Activities
Timber harvest
would not occur
in alpine tundra
habitats.
Effect of
Alternatives
White-tailed ptarmigan
evaluated as R2 Sensitive
Species. No effects anticipated
as a result of this project.
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-58