Appendix W 

 Happy Valley Wildlife 



somewhat inconclusive. Some studies show elevated levels of cowbird parasitism near forested edges, 

 while others demonstrate levels of brood parasitism and nest predation are similar between edge and core 

 forested habitats (Donovan et al. 1997). 



Landscape Connectivity 



Some wildlife species, such as fisher {Afartes peimanti), do not cross large, non-forested habitats when 

 traveling between patches of suitable habitat. Therefore, landscape connectivity of forested habitats types 

 is important for facilitating movement for these species. Connectivity under historical fire regimes likely 

 remained relatively high as fire differentially burned habitats across the landscape. Today, the mosaic of 

 ownership and diversity of past management within the general vicinity of the proposed project area have 

 compromised connectivity to a large degree. 



Special Habitats 



No avalanche chutes, rock outcrops, or cliffs are within the proposed project area. There is an 

 intermittent and discontinuous stream within the proposed project area. Two small wet meadows exist 

 within the proposed project area. 



Direct and Indirect Effects 



No-Action Alternative 



Forest conditions would continue to move toward denser stands of Douglas-fir/westem larch with high 

 canopy cover. Compared to the perceived historical conditions, this change in stand structure, 

 composition, and dominant disturbance regime has resulted in larger patch sizes, fewer small 

 openings, and less edge habitat. Under this alternative, no immediate changes are anticipated in patch 

 size, shape, amounts of edge habitat, landscape fragmentation, or landscape connectivity. Over time, 

 western larch in the proposed units would die, and replacement of these shade-intolerant tree species 

 would be limited without other disturbance. A dense stand of Douglas-fir with scattered western larch 

 would likely result. Limited riparian habitats would persist along the intermittent stream and no 

 changes to the wet meadows are expected with this alternative. 



Wildlife favoring dense stands of Douglas-fir would benefit from this gradual change, while those 

 requiring open, mature western larch/Douglas-fir stands likely found under natural disturbance 

 regimes would continue to be underrepresented. Future habitat for old stand-associated species like 

 American marten, northern goshawk, and pileated woodpeckers would continue developing over time. 

 The limited habitat for forest-interior species on state lands (359 acres) is not expected to appreciably 

 change with this alternative. No changes are expected in the number or distribution of snags and 

 coarse woody debris on the state parcel. Habitat for great homed owls and their prey would persist. 

 Cowbird numbers and subsequently levels of brood parasitism are expected to remain relatively 

 constant. 



Action Alternative 



The canopy on approximately 430 acres would be opened up. Additionally, mature western larch and 

 some Douglas-fir would be retained, while much of the shade-tolerant Douglas-fir midstory would be . 

 removed. These conditions would lead to more open stands of mature western larch and Douglas-fir. 

 Regeneration of shade-intolerant western larch is expected based upon silvicultural prescriptions. The 

 stands on the eastern portion of the state parcel are expected to become dominated by western larch, 

 while those on the western portion would likely remain more mixed Douglas-fir and western larch. 

 The proposed project area is largely forested with limited amounts of edge habitats around wet 

 meadows and along portions of the parcel boundary. The proposed prescriptions would have minor 

 changes to edge habitats, because harvests would reduce, but not eliminate forest cover. However, 

 some near-term increases in edge habitats due to the increased openness may result from this 

 alternative. 



W-3 



