Timber harvest could alter lynx habitat on both parcels. Seed tree removal in Section 4 is 

 not expected to alter the existing habitat or development of young foraging habitat. 

 However, removal of this material could reduce denning structure in the distant future. 

 Since this parcel is lower elevation near Meadow Creek, the probability of lynx use in 

 this area is low, therefore the development of denning habitat is probably not of large 

 importance. Therefore, the effects of harvests in Section 4 are expected to be negligible. 



In Section 16, 90 acres of mature forage and 113 acres of other available habitat would be 

 harvested. Approximately 15 acres of mature forage and 84 acres of other available 

 habitat would be converted to temporarily unsuitable habitat for approximately 30-40 

 years. When regeneration of conifer trees occurs, the area could offer young foraging 

 habitat. The remaining 65 acres of mature foraging and 29 acres of other available 

 habitat would be modified and potentially converted to temporarily unsuitable habitat if 

 canopy closure is reduced below 40%. This loss of habitat would be expected to last for 

 10-20 years until canopy closure exceeds 40%. If canopy were retained above this 

 threshold, lynx could still use the area, but might experience a dechne in red squirrel prey 

 due to reduced conifer seed production. Since lynx use in the area is believed to be rare 

 to nonexistent and retention areas could provide travel corridors for lynx through these 

 parcels, the effects of this proposal is expected to be negligible. 



2. Cumulative Effects 



No Action Alternative : Young foraging habitat is available or is expected to develop in 

 the near future on adjacent lands. However, denning habitat could be limited due to the 

 amount of timber harvesting in the area. Therefore, this alternative could benefit lynx in 

 the long-term by allowing the amount of denning habitat to increase over time with 

 undisturbed stand development on DNRC lands. However, due to the landownership 

 patterns and management of adjacent lands (focus on timber production, precommercial 

 thinning, etc.), lynx are not expected to use the area, therefore these effects are expected 

 to be negligible. 



Action Alternative : Young foraging habitat is available or is expected to develop in the 

 near fiiture on adjacent lands. However, denning habitat could be limited due to the 

 amount of timber harvesting in the area. This alternative would continue to allow 

 movement through the project area, but could retard development of denning habitat, thus 

 negatively affecting lynx habitat in the area. However, due to the landownership patterns 

 and management of adjacent lands (focus on timber production, precommercial thinning, 

 etc.), lynx are not expected to use the area, therefore these effects are expected to be 

 negUgible. 



38 



