Environmental Assessment

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES CHAPTER 3
Habitat / Effects:
Raptors – This group includes the sharp-shinned, Cooper’s, and red-tailed hawks, the northern goshawk,
the great gray owl, and the golden eagle. Of these species, the northern goshawk, red-tailed hawk, and
the golden eagle have been documented within the planning area. There are active or recently active nests
for at least the northern goshawk and golden eagle. Surveys have located one (1) known and one (1)
potential goshawk nest sites. Historic and recently active golden eagle sites have also been documented
by surveys. Potential habitat exists within the planning area for the Cooper’s, red-tailed and sharpshinned
hawks and the great gray owl. No nest sites for these species have been documented in any of the
units.
Northern Goshawk – A 30 acre nest stand of the most suitable nesting habitat and a 400 acres post
fledgling area (PFA) has been established around the known goshawk nest site as per direction in the
Interim Wildlife Standards of the Eastside Screens. The PFA has incorporated suitable alternative and
future replacement nest stands. Additional information regarding habitat for this species, and specifically
regarding the nest stand and PFA, can be found in the management plan for the nest site area.
Forest-wide S&G WL-9 (LRMP page 4-53) defines nesting habitat for this species as having a mean
canopy cover of 60 percent or greater; a tree density of at least 195 trees per acre, a stand size of at least
25 acres, and a stand age of 100 years or greater.
The 1995 Eastside Screens amended the LRMP S&Gs for the northern goshawk. LRMP direction for this
species requires maintaining nest habitat for at least 40 pairs across the Forest. It does not describe how
the pairs are or would be distributed across the Forest. If distributed equally between the three ranger
districts, this would require habitat for 13 to 14 pairs on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District. However,
based on land area, the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District would be required to maintain habitat for 23
pairs.
Reasonable estimates of potential nesting habitat were made utilizing data generated by the assessments
of LOS and deer thermal cover for this species. These include:
5,220 acres of stage 6 ponderosa pine LOS;
644 acres of stage 7 ponderosa pine LOS;
16,204 acres of stage 5 (young, multi-story) ponderosa pine;
2,417 acres with canopy closures in excess of 30 percent including 485 acres with canopy closures
of 40 percent or greater and 1,932 acres of canopy closures ranging from 30 to 39 percent; and
an unknown, but very limited amount of acres with canopy closures of 60 percent or greater.
Current habitat conditions are nearly ideal for the northern goshawk within the nest core/post-fledgling
area. Dense understory stocking that is competing with the larger overstory ponderosa pine may
eventually place the larger trees at risk to insect and disease vectors. In addition, the understory is
creating a high risk level for a catastrophic fire due to ladder fuels and dense canopy conditions. The
“Pine Mountain Goshawk Raptor Site Plan” has additional information including objectives and desired
future condition descriptions. A copy is available at the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District.
Surveys have located one active northern goshawk nest site on Pine Mountain. A probable, but
unconfirmed site is located near Plot Butte.
Table 3-44 summarizes habitat conditions for the known goshawk site on Pine Mountain.
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