Lost Bear Timber Sale EA - Attachment D 



forested habitat that is characterized by older forest conditions and is an appropriate 

 denning habitat type (subalpinc fir/twinflower/twinflowcr). There are 361 acres of 

 potential lynx habitat vvithm the project area, all occurring in section 36. To date, there 

 is no known lynx activity within the project area, however lynx have used regions of the 

 southern portion of the analysis area (J. Squires, USPS, pers. comm., November 2002). 



Analysis Area 



The analysis area ranges in elevation from 3,800 to 6,300 feet, grading from low to 

 higher elevations in a southeasterly direction, and contains roughly 4,800 acres of 

 potential lynx habitat in sections 25, 35, and 36 T14N R14W, sections 1,2, 11, and 12 

 T13N R14W, sections 19, 20, 30-32 T14N R13W, and sections 5-7 TON R13W. All 

 but 543 acres of potential lynx habitat reside on private industrial lands and Lubrecht 

 Experimental Forest. 



D. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT Wolves 



Project and Analysis Areas 



Wolves are currently classified as threatened in Montana under the Threatened and 

 Endangered Species Act. Wolf activity in the area is centered near Clearwater Junction 

 and Potomac. Wolves immediately outside of the analysis area, however, did sire pups 

 in 2002 (Joe Fontaine, USFWS, pers. comm. November 2002). Cover and road 

 densities likely have some influence on wolf security. Currently, there are no open 

 roads within the project area, and analysis area open road densities are estimated at 0.72 

 miles per square mile. Deer, elk, and moose are known to use the area. 



m. Existing Environment for Issues That Did Not Drive Alternative Development 



A. EXISTING ENVIRONMENT Threatened, Endangered, Sensitive, and Other 

 Species of Interest 



Bald Eagle (Federally threatened) 

 Affected Environment 

 Project and Analysis Areas 



Bald eagles nest and roost in large diameter trees within 1 mile of open water. To date, bald 

 eagles have been found to nest in the analysis area in section 31 T15N R13W (Montana 

 Natural Heritage Database) and winter along the Blackfoot River. Large diameter 

 ponderosa pine trees are present in both the project and analysis areas, and may be used by 

 bald eagles for roosting and nesting. Roosting areas may be located miles from river and 

 lake foraging areas. However, suitable nesting and roosting sites are located closer to or 

 within sight of the river than those that occur in the project area. Bald eagles could also 

 forage on carrion in the project and analysis areas. To date, no bald eagles have been 

 reported nesting within 1 mile of the project area. 



Sensitive Species 



Peregrine Falcon (recently de-listed from Federally threatened) 



