50 

 45 

 40 



(u 35 



I— 



< 30 



g. 25 

 8 20 



H 15 



10 



5 







mixed-severity fire may still function as nesting and roosting habitat 

 for pileated woodpeckers. Pileated woodpeckers feed primarily on 

 carpenter ants and woodboring beetle larvae (Bull and Jackson 1995). 

 As such, there may be an increase in pileated woodpecker foraging 

 activity within the burned area for 2 to 4 years post-bum, due to an 

 increase in woodboring beetle populations associated with post-bum 

 areas. Currently, there are an average of 15 trees per acre >15 inches 

 dbh within the affected School Trust lands in sections 6 and 12 (Fig. 4- 

 2). Thus, there would be low risk of direct and indirect effects to 

 pileated woodpeckers as a result of the Alternative A: No Harvest (No 

 Action). 



Diameter Distribution for Dirty Ike Fire Salvage 



10 



12 



14 



16 18 20 22 

 DBH (inches) 



24 



26 



28 



>29 



Figure 4-2: Average trees per acre per diameter class within stand replacement fire areas 

 of the Dirty Ike Fire, section 6, T12N, R 16W, and section 12, T12N, R 17 W. Diameters 

 presented are the midpoints for a range of diameters (e.g., 8 inches dbh for 7 < dbh < 9). 

 Most trees were killed by fire, and thus, represent snags. 



4.3.3.2.1.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: Deferred 



Harvest (No Action) 



Post-fire, there are currently an average of 15 snags per acre >15 

 inches dbh, which could serve as potential nesting and roosting 

 structures for pileated woodpeckers. However, because this species 

 generally prefers to nest and roost in late successional forest structure, 

 the current conditions within the project area may not approach 

 suitable conditions for pileated woodpeckers for at least 40 years. 

 Thus, there would be low risk of cumulative effects for pileated 

 woodpeckers as a result of the Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action). 



Dirty Ike Salvage Environmental Assessment 



4-16 



