photography, Montana Natural Heritage Program data, and consultations with other professionals 

 provided information for the following discussion and effects analysis. 



C. Coarse Filter Assessment 



DNRC recognizes that it is an impossible and unnecessary task to assess an existing environment 

 or the effects of proposed actions on all wildlife species. We assume that if landscape patterns 

 and processes similar to those that species adapted to are maintained, then the fiiU complement of 

 species will be maintained across the landscape (DNRC 1996). This "coarse filter" approach 

 supports diverse wildlife populations by managing for a variety of forest structures and 

 compositions that approximate historic conditions across a landscape. 



The parcels ranges from 3,600 to 5600 elevation on varying slopes. Over time, due to fire 

 suppression, tree densities increased and shade tolerant species, such as Douglas-fir, grand fir, 

 and subalpine fir, become more prevalent than they were historically. This situation probably 

 benefited wildlife species that rely on shade tolerant tree species and/or closed canopy habitats, 

 while negatively affecting species that rely on shade intolerant tree species and/or open habitats. 



The vegetation analysis demonstrates that fire suppression and forest management favoring 

 removal of serai species led to current conditions that differ from historical conditions reported 

 by Losensky (1997). Mixed-conifer (often shade-tolerant species) types increased at the expense 

 of fire associated lodgepole pine and fire-resistant ponderosa pine, western larch and Douglas-fir. 

 The stands proposed for treatment follow this trend, except those units in section 4. In the 

 project area and on the Plains Unit, wildlife species that use forests dominated by Douglas-fir 

 and grand fir probably benefited from this succession at the expense of species that require 

 ponderosa pine, western larch, and unforested habitats. The shade tolerant tree species generally 

 provide better snow intercept than do the shade intolerants, thus favoring species that have 

 trouble with deep snow. Conversely, shade intolerants are often well adapted to fire, having 

 thick bark that allows the presence of heart-rot without weakening the entire tree, thus providing 

 excellent raw materials for snag users and cavity-dependent species. 



D. Fine Filter Assessment 



Site-specific analyses were also conducted for individual species recognized to be sensitive or of 

 special concern are evaluated (a "fine filter analysis"). They include wildlife species federally 

 listed as "Threatened" or "Endangered", species listed as "Sensitive" by DNRC, and species 

 managed as "big game" by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. 



E. Threatened And Endangered Species 



Three species indigenous to northwestern Montana are classified as "Threatened" or 

 "Endangered" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bald eagle, Canada lynx, and 

 grizzly bear are listed as "Threatened", while the wolf is hsted as "Endangered". 



1. Bald Eagle 



The bald eagle is classified as "Threatened" and is protected under the Endangered 

 Species Act. Strategies to protect the bald eagle are outlined in the Pacific States Bald 



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