Appendix W 

 Happy Valley Wildlife 



winter range. On average, this area receives lower amounts of snowfall than winter ranges in other 

 portions of northwestern Montana. Proximity to housing subdivisions and other human development 

 likely limits wintering big game use. Evidence of summer and winter use by white-tailed deer was 

 noted throughout the proposed project area during field visits. 



Cumulative effects were analyzed on the contiguous 1 17,000-acre white-tailed deer winter range 

 (Figure W-2) using a combination of aerial photograph and field evaluation. Factors considered 

 within the analysis area include acres of winter range harvested and level of human disturbance and 

 development. 



Direct and Indirect Effects 



No-Action Alternative 



Under this alternative, big game thermal cover in the state parcel would not be altered over the 

 short-term. Existing stands would continue to provide thermal cover for white-tailed deer. In the 

 long-term, continued succession would improve thermal cover while decreasing forage production. 

 Levels of human disturbance within the state parcel would remain relatively constant, including 

 disturbance within the winter range, which could stress big game using the area. 



Action Alternative 



If logging under this alternative occurs during the summer/fall months no displacement of 

 wintering big game would occur, but if harvesting occurs during the winter, displacement of 

 wintering big game is likely. Slash from winter harvesting could provide forage for big game 

 wintering in the area. Shifts in habitat use within the winter range are expected. Canopy cover 

 would be reduced on the entire 430 acres of winter range documented by DFVVP in the proposed 

 project area. Portions of the western units could still provide limited thermal cover. The retention 

 of western larch in the eastern units would not provide thermal cover in the winter. The 

 importance of snow intercept and thermal cover in this winter range is reduced due to the lower 

 annual snowfall received within this winter range. However, during more severe winters, the 

 importance of snow intercept and thermal cover is much greater to the survival of ungulates using 

 these areas. Proposed timber harvests would not prevent big game movement through the area 

 during normal winters. Being situated geographically on the edge of the winter range and within 

 an area of human development, appreciable wintering big game use is not likely. 



Cumulative Effects 



No-Action .Alternative 



No changes are anticipated in thermal cover and snow intercept. The state section is located along 

 the eastern edge of the larger 1 17,000-acre winter range identified by DFWP. Subdivision and 

 harvesting on adjacent parcels has reduced thermal cover and snow intercept in the immediate 

 vicinity of the proposed project area. Considerable human development, limiting available habitat, 

 has occurred elsewhere in the larger winter-range. The thermal cover on the state section may be 

 providing winter habitat for some resident big game in the area, however the human development 

 in the vicinity of the proposed project has likely eliminated use of the state parcel by migratory big 

 game. 



Action Alternative 



The reduction of 430 acres with the proposed project would have negligible effects on the larger 

 1 17,000-acre winter range. The proposed reduction in thermal cover on 430 acres (0.4% of larger 

 winter range) would be additive to the reductions in thermal cover and snow intercept due to 

 human development and other harvesting in the general vicinity and in the larger winter range. 

 The high levels of human development have likely already eliminated much of the area 



W-12 



