WILDLIFE 



INTRODUCTION 



This analysis is designed to address 

 public concerns and analysis 

 elements considered necessary by the 

 ID Team in reference to threatened, 

 sensitive, and endangered wildlife 

 species and wildlife species of 

 concern. Additional coarse-filter 

 wildlife analysis and description is 

 presented in APPENDIX E - WILDLIFE 

 ANALYSIS. 



ANALYSIS METHODS 



Field visits, scientific literature, 

 SLI data, aerial photographs, 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program 

 data, and consultations with other 

 professionals provided information 

 for this wildlife analysis. 



ANALYSIS AREA 



The analysis area varies for each 

 particular species, depending on the 

 habitat needs of that species. 



EXISTING CONDITION 



Bald Eagle - classified as threatened. 

 This project is proposed in and 

 around the Upper Stillwater Lake 

 Bald Eagle Territory. 



Canada Lynx- classified as 

 threatened. Lynx foraging and 

 denning habitats exist within the 

 proposed project area. 



GrayWoif- Classified as endangered. 

 The project area includes habitat 

 suitable to wolves; wolf packs are 

 present near the project area. 

 Wolves likely use the vicinity of 

 the proposed project area for 

 hunting, breeding, and other life 

 requirements. 



GriZZlvBear- classified as threatened. 

 The project area includes spring 

 habitat and is used by grizzly 

 bears. The proposed project would 

 harvest either during the denning 

 season (November 15 through March 5) 

 from open roads or using closed 

 roads for during short -duration, 

 high-intensity periods. 



Fisher - Listed by DNRC as a 

 "sensitive" species. In the 

 proposed project area, an estimated 

 1,060 acres provide potential 

 denning habitat. Additionally, 

 travel corridors retained along 

 riparian areas connect forested 

 stands throughout the proposed 

 project area. 



Pileated WoodpeCKer - Listed by DNRC as 

 a "sensitive" species. 

 Approximately 242 acres of potential 

 nesting habitat for pileated 

 woodpeckers exists within the 

 proposed project area. 



B'FGafne- Moose winter throughout the 

 project area, while elk winter along 

 the western portion of the project 

 area. Stands within the proposed 

 project area provide security 

 habitat for elk and deer during the 

 general hunting season. 



ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS 



DIRECT EFFECTS 



• Direct tilffecttt ofj\o-,1ction ,1lternative ,1 on 

 U'ifff/ife 



No substantial changes in human 

 disturbance would be expected with 

 this alternative; therefore, no 

 direct effects would be expected 

 to bald eagles, Canada lynx, 

 grizzly bears, gray wolves, 

 fishers, pileated woodpeckers, or 

 big game (moose, elk, white-tailed 

 deer, mule deer) . 



• Direct J^ect» qf miction ^Alternative Jl on 

 M^ilfllife 



Negligible to minor effects to 

 Canada lynx, gray wolves, fishers, 

 and pileated woodpeckers would be 

 expected. Minor disturbances to 

 foraging bald eagles might occur. 

 No effects to eagle reproduction 

 would be expected. Hiding cover 

 for grizzly bears would be reduced 

 over 939 acres. Grizzly bear use 

 of the project area would be 

 altered during activities. Some 

 displacement of big game would be 

 expected; however, no long-term 



Page I II -14 



Dog/Meadow Timber Sale Project Draft EA 



