Koocanusa also inhibits the movement of grizzlies between the 

 habitats on the two sides of the drainage. Inhibition of the move- 

 ments has probably caused a reduction in the habitats available to 

 the bears and possibly was responsible for the creation of unoccu- 

 pied habitat between the two ecosystems. 



5) Estimated Losses Due to the Project 



- Quantitative loss estimate: 



- Due to lack of density and population information no 

 quantitative loss estimate was made. 



- Qualitative loss estimate - low to moderate. 



6) Derivation of Loss Estimates 



No density and limited distribution data was available for the 

 area of concern, therefore no quantitative loss estimate was devel- 

 oped. It was assumed some bears were probably lost from the popu- 

 lation due to the Libby Dam project. 



A qualitative loss estimate of low to moderate was based on 

 criteria (a) through (e) on page 9. The following impacts were 

 considered during the development of the qualitative loss estimate: 

 1) loss of the high quality riparian habitat which provided seasonal 

 habitat requirements; 2) loss of succulent vegetation along the 

 lower areas which is preferred forage during the spring and late 

 summer; 3) barrier to seasonal movements between the habitats along 

 the two sides of the drainage; and 4) disruption of grizzly tear 

 social mechanisms regulating their distribution in the area. 



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