northern half of the Analysis Area, the lack of key big game winter range 

 in the area, the security of winter range habitats on federal lands to the 

 north and northwest, and the small incremental change in cover and road 

 density. Small private land holdings along the highway corridor would 

 likely continue to be developed for human use, resulting in potential future 

 negative effects to wolf habitat. However, activities on the Project Area 

 would only minimally influence these conditions and hence there is little 

 to no cumulative effect on wolves from implementing the Harvest. 



4.3.12 Sensitive Species (Issue #12) 



4.3.12.1 Flammulated Owls 



4.3.12.1.1 Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) - Direct 

 and Indirect Effects 



If Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) were selected, ponderosa 

 pine would continue to experience competition with encroaching Douglas- 

 fir, leading to continued, and potentially accelerated mortality of the 

 largest size class of ponderosa pine. This would create additional nesting 

 habitat for flammulated owls in the short term (i.e., several decades), but 

 lead to long term deficits in nesting habitat due to the failure of smaller 

 size classes to grow into larger size classes, especially for ponderosa pine. 

 In addition, foraging habitat would continue to decline as tree density 

 remains high. 



4 J.12.1.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: Deferred Harvest 

 (No Action) 



From a cumulative effects standpoint, intensive harvest on private lands 

 in the western and southern portions of the Analysis Area has generally 

 eliminated potential flammulated owl habitat. Open, ponderosa pine 

 dominated stands on Federal lands in the northern portion of the Analysis 

 Area could provide some habitat. Within the Project Area, deferring 

 harvest would result in a continued, and potentially increasing risk of 

 stand replacing wildfire which, depending on the severity of the fire, could 

 remove available low quality habitat for flammulated owls for an extended 

 period of time (>100 years). However, the close proximity of fire 

 suppression resources and the high priority of fire suppression resulting 

 from the presence of occupied residences in the Analysis Area, reduces the 

 likelihood of extensive fire disturbances. In sunmiary, there is a potential 

 for cumulative effects in the future if Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No 

 Action) were selected, however these effects would be minimal due to the 

 limited availability of flammulated owl habitat, especially in the area 

 immediately around the Project Area. 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environnwntal Assessment 4-17 



