Environmental Assessment

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT & ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES CHAPTER 3
Scattered individuals and small patches of mountain mahogany occur in the rocky areas of the planning
area. There are no known aspen patches present. There would be no effects on these areas or the wildlife
species that utilize them under any of the alternatives.
None of the alternatives would have any director indirect, effects on Lavacicle cave or the six (6) manmade
guzzlers/trick tanks. No treatments would be implemented under Alternative 1. Alternatives 2 and
3 do not propose units that include or are adjacent to these areas.
There are several cliffs and rock outcrops that provide potential habitat for golden eagles, prairie falcons,
ravens, bobcat, mountain lion, bats, and other species. Forested lavas occur throughout the planning area
and provide a combination of rock and vegetation for a variety of wildlife. Rocky areas also contain
scattered individual and small patches of mountain mahogany. Alternative 1 would have no measurable
direct or indirect, effects on these areas. The use of prescribe fire without application of mitigation
measures may effect forest ecotones by burning up vegetation and habitat adjacent to those sites.
Mitigation measures such as S/U2 proposed for each alternative would reduce or eliminate the risk of
damage or loss of ecotonal habitats.
Ecological Indicator Species/Habitats and Focal Species (Landbirds) – Table 3-1 lists the ecological
indicator species and those designated as Focal Species found within the planning area boundaries. Most
meet both categories. Each potentially represents a community of plants and animals that have specific
requirements. Many have overlapping requirements. All of the listed ecological indicator species are
endemic to the area and could potentially utilize habitats within it. Some, such as the black-backed
woodpecker, would not normally be present, due to the lower elevations of the planning area and lack of
extensive lodgepole pine forest. If an insect epidemic or wildfire were to occur within the planning area,
this species would likely use this habitat.
Table 3-52 lists selected ecological indicator species found within the planning area that appear to have
either habitat limitations or have habitats at risk within the planning area.
Table 3-52 Selected Indicator Species with Either Habitat Limitations or Have Habitats at Risk
Species Habitat
Northern goshawk multi-stratum LOS forest;
Flammulated owl (focal)
large snags, open LOS understories, i.e. single-story, frequent
fire
Lewis’ woodpecker (focal) large snags, recent un-salvaged burns
White-headed woodpecker (focal)
snags, extensive patches of ponderosa pine LOS, large ponderosa
and sugar pine trees, multi-stratum stands
Pygmy nuthatch (focal) snags, large ponderosa pine, ponderosa pine LOS
White-breasted nuthatch snags, ponderosa pine LOS
Brown creeper (focal) large, old trees with furrowed bark, snags with bark
Olive-side flycatcher (focal) openings created by burns, large dead-topped conifers
Chipping sparrow (focal) open ponderosa pine understories with regeneration patches
Green-tailed towhee mature shrubs
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