operations in each logging unit. 



► Ground scarification for site preparation will be limited to 30% soil exposure in 

 Regeneration harvest areas. 



► A bum plan will be prepared by a qualified bum boss to limit impacts to the soil 

 resource from prescribed buming. 



2. Cumulative Effects 



No Action Alternative : Since no timber harvesting and associated activities are proposed 

 under the no action altemative, there would be no effects to future soil productivity from 

 these activities. 



Action Alternative : The timber harvesting and related activities coupled with the road 

 constmction proposed with the action altemative have the potential to cause erosion, 

 displacement, and compaction of forest soils resulting in loss of productivity. Road 

 construction activities associated with the action altemative would reduce the 

 productivity on 8 acres in addition to the 11. 5 acres that are already impacted from 

 existing roads. Cumulative effects to soil productivity would be reduced from 

 implementation of mitigations and application of Best Management Practices that include 

 using existing skid trails, installing erosion control features, skid trail spacing, and soil 

 moisture restrictions. Prescribed buming would provide a short-term increase in soil 

 productivity and improve tree growth and productivity. In addition, 1 to 15 tons of 

 coarse woody debris and fine litter would be retained per acre for long-term nutrient 

 cycling. 



IV. WILDLIFE EFFECTS 

 A. Coarse Filter 



1. Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative : Under the No Action Altemative timber har\'est and road 

 constmction would not occur and no additional direct effects to wildlife species using the 

 area are expected. Forest conditions would continue to change toward shade tolerant 

 cover types with high canopy cover. Seed tree removal would not occur, leaving widely 

 spaced overstory trees in Unit 1 , to provide nesting and perching habitat into the ftiture 

 stand. The sapling sized trees in the understory of this two-storied stand would continue 

 to grow and increase in diameter, height, and density. Additionally, closed canopy 

 mature forests would be retained on 747 acres favoring species that use these types of 

 habitats. Over time, shade intolerant trees would die out and are not expected to be 

 replaced in the near term, barring other disturbances. 



Action Alternative : Under the Action Altemative, approximately 361 acres of closed 

 canopy forest stands would be opened up to some extent by removing shade tolerant 

 trees, while retaining shade intolerant trees. In Section 4, a 97 acre seedtree removal cut 

 would further reduce the open canopied WL/DF stand. These conditions would lead to 



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