percentage of habitat loss as a consequence of behavioral displacement from roads is a fianction 

 of road density. The percentage is higher in areas having higher road density regardless of the 

 distance at which roads affect bear behavior. 



The distance at which bears appear to be displaced by roads varies in different areas and seasons. 

 Correspondingly, the impact of roads on displacement from preferred habitats is greatest in 

 spring. During fall, bears tend to move to higher elevations to forage. At this time they select 

 habitats that are typically more distant from existing roads. Consequently, the importance of 

 disturbance displacement by roads is less evident during fall than during spring. Level of traffic 

 also appears to influence degree of bear avoidance of roads. 



Bears living near roads have higher probability of human-caused mortality as a consequence of 

 illegal shooting, control actions influenced by attraction to urmatural food sources, or by being 

 mistakenly identified as a black bear by hunters. 



FWP will seek to maintain road densities of 1 mile or less per square mile of habitat as the 

 preferred approach. This is the goal of our statewide elk plan (including the southwestern 

 Montana areas covered by this plan). The goal seeks to meet the needs of a variety of wildlife 

 while maintaining reasonable public access. If additional management is needed based on 

 knowledge gained as bears reoccupy areas, it should be developed and implemented by local 

 groups as suggested in this plan. 



The following general management guidelines are applicable coordination measures. They 

 should be considered when evaluating the effects of existing and proposed human activities in 

 identified seasonally important habitats for a variety of wildlife species including grizzlies on 

 federal and State lands. 



1 . Identify and evaluate, for each project proposal, the cumulative effects of all activities, 

 including existing uses and other planned projects. Potential site-specific effects of the 

 project being analyzed are a part of the cumulative effects evaluation which will apply to all 

 lands within a designated "biological unit". A biological unit is an area of land which is 

 ecologically similar and includes all of the year-long habitat requirements for a sub- 

 population of one or more selected wildlife species. 



2. Avoid human activities, or combinations of activities, on seasonally important wildlife 

 habitats that may result in an adverse impact on the species or reduce the long-term habitat 

 effectiveness. 



3. Base road construction proposals on a completed transportation plan which considers 

 important wildlife habitat components and seasonal-use areas in relation to road location, 

 construction period, road standards, seasons of heavy vehicle use, road management 

 requirements, and more. 



4. Use minimum road- and site-construction specifications based on projected transportation 

 needs. Schedule construction times to avoid seasonal-use periods for wildlife as designated 

 in species-specific guidelines. 



5. Locate roads, drill sites, landing zones, etc., to avoid important wildlife habitat components 

 based on a site-specific evaluation. 



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