4.3.3.2.1.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



The proposed action would harvest fire-killed timber from 

 approximately 204 acres on the affected parcels. However, pursuant to 

 ARM 36.1 1.41 1, DNRC would retain an average of approximately one 

 snag and one snag recruit over 21 inches dbh per acre. Where snags or 

 snag recruits over 21 inches dbh are not present, the next largest size 

 snag or recruit would be retained. Additionally, if sufficient snags or 

 recruits are absent, some substitution among the two would occur. As 

 such, there would be an average of at least 2 snags and/or recruits left 

 per acre >17 inches dbh, as well as an average of 7 trees/snags per acre 

 9 < dbh < 17 inches (Fig. 5). 



Figure 4-3: Average trees per acre per diameter class within stand replacement 

 fire areas of the Dirty Ike Fire, which would be retained and harvested. 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. 



In the short term, the proposed action would have a minor adverse 

 impact on the availability of pileated woodpecker foraging structures, 

 largely snags. Studies that have examined woodpeckers following 

 stand-replacement fires, such as those characterized by the Dirty Ike 

 fire, found very low use by pileated woodpeckers (Hutto 1995, 

 Murphy and Lehnhausen 1998). However, over a longer time period, 

 the proposed action would reduce nesting, roosting, and foraging 

 structures for this species. Nesting and roosting habitat would most 

 likely be adversely impacted in 40 to 50 years, through a reduction in 



Dirty Ike Salvage Environmental Assessment 



4-17 



