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

Final Environmental Impact Statement Rio de los Pinos Vegetation Management Project
Table 3.9-3. Priorty habitats and species of the Southern Rockies
Priority Habitat
Type
Spruce/Fir
BCP Priority
Species
Boreal owl
Olive-sided
flycatcher
Hammond’s
flycatcher
Wetlands Willet
Short-eared
owl
BCP Potential
Issues(s)
Timber mgmt.,
snags, altered
disturbance
regimes
Wetland loss,
development
Potential Influence
from Project Activities
Timber harvest
or natural
processes could
eliminate snags
and/or perches
for Boreal owls
and olive-sided
flycatchers,
respectively.
No major issues
or activities
identified.
Effect of
Alternatives
Boreal owl and olive-sided
flycatcher evaluated as R2
Sensitive species. Potential for
temporary, minor disturbance
of individuals of all 3 species.
Sufficient snags for nesting
habitat expected to remain
available under all alternatives.
Cover for prey species will be
sparse in some areas until
understory vegetation is
released following harvest.
Sufficient perches for olivesided
flycatchers would remain
under all alternatives. These
habitat features would be
expected to improve over time
for both species. Hammond’s
flycatcher habitat would be
degraded under all alternatives,
as they prefer mature and oldgrowth
forests. Natural and
management processes change
this area to be less favorable
for use by this species. If this
is the case, individuals would
be expected to utilize nearby,
more suitable habitat. Harvest
of some trees with active nests
could occur, causing mortality
to individuals and/or eggs.
This could have impacts to
Hammond’s flycatcher within
the analysis area. However,
project design criteria includes
not harvesting trees with active
nests which has the potential to
reduce occurrence of this type
of mortality.
No effects anticiapted. No
habitat present.
Chapter 3 – Affected Environment & Environmental Consequences Page 3-60