burned at stand replacement intensity will retain attributes that render 

 them suitable for use by black-backed woodpeckers, due to their 

 occurrence in wilderness areas (e.g., Mineral Primm) and other areas 

 where salvage activities are unlikely. Thus, the risk of adverse 

 cumulative impact on black-backed woodpeckers would be low as a 

 result of this proposed action. 



4.3.3.2.3 Flammulated Owls 



4.3.3.2.3.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



No change from the current situation would be expected if this 

 alternative were selected. The recent 776-acre Dirty Ike fire removed 

 approximately 9.5 acres of preferred flammulated owl habitat types 

 from School Trust land through stand replacement fire. Such habitat 

 would not be replaced by natural succession for approximately 50 to 

 60 years. Thus, there would be low risk of direct and indirect effects 

 to flammulated owls as a result of the Alternative A: No Harvest (No 

 Action). 



4.3.3.2.3.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: No Harvest (No 

 Action) 



With no action, there would be no change from cuirent conditions. 

 Thus, there w ould be low risk of cumulative effects to flammulated 

 owls as a result of this alternative. 



4.3.3.2.3.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



The proposed action would harvest 9.5 acres of fire-killed timber 

 within a stand containing a flammulated owl preferred habitat type, 

 and subjected to a high intensity, stand replacing fire. Thus, there 

 would be low risk of direct or indirect effects of the proposed fire 

 salvage to flammulated owls. In addition to the fire salvage, this 

 proposed action also includes salvage of future insect-killed timber 

 within the project area. Stands that would be most susceptible to 

 insect-related mortality are those stands subjected to ((1) mixed 

 severity fire; (2) stands adjacent to the burned area that may have 

 experienced heat related stress induced by the fire, which would leave 

 them in a weakened state for infestation by bark beetles; and (3) 

 nearby stands previously stressed by drought.) Thus, additional 

 forested acres within the project area, containing preferred 

 flammulated owl habitat types, may be subject to salvage harvest of 

 varying intensity. Subsequent insect-related salvage operations may 

 serve to open up stands, and may increase habitat suitability for the 

 flammulated owl. However, any subsequent harvest operation would 

 retain snags of suitable size for flanmiulated owls, pursuant to ARM 

 36.11.411. Thus, there would be low risk of direct and indirect effects 

 to flammulated owls as a result of the proposed action. 



Dirty Ike Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-21 



