Appendix W 

 Happy Valley Wildlife 



and the forested patches within the analysis area. Other small house-lots and clearings have further 

 fragmented the forested stands in the area. Beyond the housing subdivisions to the west of the 

 proposed project area is Highway 93, which is a major travel route and has separated much of the 

 analysis area from the forested blocks on the other side of the highway. 



Actions under this alternative would result in minor changes in patch size and configuration. 

 Landscape connectivity has been largely compromised due to the levels of human disturbance in the 

 area. The analysis area, being largely a mosaic of different habitat conditions (forests, human 

 development, agriculture and other open fields), likely supports a diverse array of wildlife favoring a 

 mix of conditions. Recent harvesting and human development on adjacent parcels have reduced 

 habitats for forest-interior species in the analysis area. Firewood gathering on the state parcel along 

 with recent harvesting and development has reduced habitat for wildlife that use snags. Use of the 

 analysis area by great homed owls and their prey would be expected to continue at relatively similar 

 levels. The wet meadow that enters the state parcel along the western edge has been encroached upon 

 by the housing subdivisions in the area. High levels of human disturbance have likely reduced the use 

 of this meadow by many of the wildlife species commonly using meadows. Subsequently, the use of 

 the state portion of the meadow has likely been reduced. 



Action Alternative 



Under this alternative, stands on the state parcel would be opened up, increasing tree spacing while 

 decreasing canopy closure. Proposed harvest units would blend with several recent harvest units on 

 adjacent parcels, particularly to the north and east of the state section. Habitat quality for wildlife 

 species that benefit from the dense stands of Douglas-fir would decrease, while those species that 

 require more open stands of western larch and Douglas-fir would benefit. Sustainability of this larger 

 stand of western larch/Douglas-fir in the future is improved. Habitat for old stand species could start 

 developing in this patch in 5P-70 years, however human development in the area would likely 

 eliminate appreciable use of this area by the species requiring these habitats. Limited, existing snags 

 and defective trees would be retained with in the main portions of the proposed project area, so no 

 further reductions in habitat for species using snags, including great homed owls, would be expected. 

 Forest-interior species would experience a further reduction in available interior habitat in the analysis 

 area. Levels of cowbird parasitism and other nest predation may increase due to the increased 

 openness within the analysis area. Again, landscape connectivity has been compromised with recent 

 harvests and housing subdivisions, and no further reduction in landscape connectivity is expected to 

 occur under this alternative. The portion of the wet meadow entering the state parcel from the west 

 would not be compromised, however encroachment from the subdivision has likely limited overall use 

 of this meadow. 



B. Fine Filter 



In the fine-filter analysis, individual species that are recognized to be of special concern are evaluated. 

 These species are addressed below and include Federally "threatened" or "endangered" species, species 

 listed as "sensitive" by DNRC, and species managed as "big game" by Montana Fish Wildlife, and Parks. 



I. Threatened and Endangered Species 



Four species indigenous to Montana area classified as "Threatened" or "Endangered" under the 

 Endangered Species Act of 1973. The bald eagle, grizzly bear, and Canada lynx are listed as 

 "Threatened", while the gray wolf is listed as "Endangered". 



a. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leocucephaliis) 



Issue: There is concem that timber harvesting could alter habitat or create disturbance that would be 

 detrimental to bald eagles. 



Existing Environment 



W-5 



