4.3.12.2.4 Cumulative Effects of Alternative B: Harvest 



From a cumulative effects standpoint, suitable pileated woodpecker 

 habitat is limited in the western and southern portion of the Analysis Area 

 due to intensive harvesting on private lands that has created early 

 successional types not suitable for pileated woodpecker nesting activity. 

 In the northern portion of the Analysis Area, Forest Service lands with 

 mature to old, open, ponderosa pine dominated stands likely provide 

 habitat value for pileated woodpeckers, however these lands would not be 

 affected by Alternative B: Harvest. In addition, quality pileated 

 woodpecker habitats along the Bitterroot River dominated by large 

 Cottonwood trees would not be affected. Treatment of the Project Area 

 would reduce habitat values for pileated woodpeckers by removing some 

 intermediate and large trees and reducing within stand mortality that 

 would create foraging substrate in the future, however the effect of these 

 treatments is minimized by the retention of large, preferred nesting trees, 

 retention of snags, live cull, and coarse woody debris that would serve as 

 nesting, roosting, and/or foraging habitat. In addition, reducing the risks 

 of stand replacing disturbances would result in longer term stability of the 

 suitable pileated woodpecker habitat. Consequently, there would be minor 

 short-term negative and minor long-term positive cumulative effects to 

 pileated woodpecker habitat by implementing the proposed Alternative B: 

 Harvest. 



4.3.12.3 Black Backed Woodpeckers 



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

 and Indirect Effects 



Without harvesting, the existing stands and forest structure would be 

 retained in their present condition, which is not preferred by black-backed 

 woodpeckers so there would be no effect on black-backed woodpecker 

 habitat. Over the long term, the increasing risk of stand replacing fire 

 under the Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) could result in 

 increases in black-backed woodpecker habitat. However, the likelihood of 

 fire suppression actions in this area as mentioned above, and the paucity of 

 mature forest types in the northern half of the Analysis Area as a result of 

 timber management activities on private lands would result in post fire 

 stands that would generally not be extensive and not be of high quality as 

 preferred black-backed woodpecker habitat. Consequently, there would be 

 no potential direct, indirect, or cumulative effects in the short term, and a 

 very minor potential for positive indirect effects in the long term on black- 

 backed woodpeckers from selecting the Alternative A: Deferred Harvest 

 (No Action). 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 4-21 



