risk of cumulative effects to grizzly bears as a result of the proposed 

 action. 



4.3.3.1.2 Gray Wolves 



4.3.3.1.2.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



A wolf pack is known to have an activity center approximately 6 miles 

 east of the proposed road in section 6, near the town of Potomac, MT. 

 Additionally, the affected area is known to contain crucial elk summer 

 range, and be a migration corridor to winter range (M. Thompson, MT 

 FWP, personal communication). As the vegetation gradually recovers 

 from the effects of the fire, succulent and highly palatable vegetation 

 will be produced that would br heavily utilized by deer, elk, and 

 moose, which may be attractive for foraging by wolves. Thus, there 

 would be low risk of direct or indirect effects to wolves as a result of 

 this alternative. 



4.3.3.1.2.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: No Harvest 

 (No Action) 



The known wolf pack activity center is located outside of the analysis 

 area. However, use of the analysis area by wolves is possible. With 

 the effects of the recent Dirty Ike fire, the area affected by the fire will 

 gradually recover with succulent and highly palatable vegetation that 

 would be heavily utilized by big game. Much of this area does not 

 contain open roads. However, with the proposed Dirty Ike Road 

 project additional roads would be constructed within the analysis area, 

 albeit, many of these proposed roads would be behind road closure 

 devices. Thus, there would be low risk of cumulative effects to wolves 

 as a result of this alternative. 



4.3.3.1.2.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



Within the context of 330 acres burned on School Trust land, the 

 proposed action would harvest fire-killed trees on approximately 204 

 acres, much of which was stand replacement fire. Such action would 

 reduce hiding cover for wolves through removal of tree boles. While 

 areas that experienced stand replacement fire currently have open 

 understories, devoid of forbs and shrubs, tree boles do inhibit sight- 

 distance, thusly providing hiding cover (McTague and Patton 1989). 

 Much like Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action), the affected area 

 will be gradually re-vegetated through natural succession. Thus, under 

 Alternative B: Harvest, hiding cover will likely be replaced in 

 approximately 20 years through natural vegetative succession. 

 Additionally, the proposed action would relocate a gate within section 

 2, T 12N, R 17 W for a more effective closure against all-terrain 

 vehicles. Additionally, the proposed timber harvest is not located 

 within 1 mile of a known wolf den or rendezvous site. Thus, fire- 



Dirty Ike Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-13 



