Lost Bear Timber Sale EA - Attachment D 



Boreal Owl 



Affected Environment 



Project and Analysis Areas 



In Montana, over 85° o of boreal owl observations were located in stands on subalpine-fir 

 habitat t>'pes, 76% were located in mature or older stands, and their calls were not heard 

 below 4200 feet elevation (Hayward et al. 1993). When multistoried forest is not available, 

 boreal owls can occasionally be located in lodgepole pine stands when they possess trees > 

 15 inches dbh, and trees > 9 inches dbh that average 105 trees per acre (Hayward et al. 

 1993). Within the project area, 361 acres within section 36 have the potential to be suitable 

 boreal owl habitat based on habitat type, average diameter, and elevation. Approximately 

 2,456 acres in the southeastern portion of the analysis area have the potential to be suitable 

 boreal owl habitat. 



Fisher 



Affected Environment 



Project and Analysis Areas 



The fisher is a medium-sized animal belonging to the weasel family. Fishers prefer dense, 

 lowland spruce-fir forests with high canopy closure, and avoid forests with little overhead 

 cover and open areas (Coulter 1966, Clem 1977, Kelly 1977, Powell, 1977, 1978). For 

 resting and denning, fishers typically use hollow trees, logs and stumps, brush piles, and 

 holes in the ground (Coulter 1966, Powell 1977). Riparian areas in section 14 of the project 

 area have been previously harvested, so stands with old growth attributes are not extensive. 

 Habitat in section 36 of the project area appears to be more intact. Overstory cover remains 

 more dense in project area riparian areas than surrounding habitats in the analysis area, 

 which has been extensively harvested. Current low densities of coarse woody debris and 

 large diameter snags in the project and analysis areas limit habitat value of both areas for 

 the fisher. 



Townsend's Big-eared Bat 

 Affected Environment 

 Project and Analysis Areas 



Townsend's big-eared bats require caves, caverns, or old mines, habitat attributes that do 

 not occur within the project and analysis areas, for roosting. As a result, the occurrence of 

 this species is unlikely. 



Other Sensitive Species 



The following are sensitive species that occur on lands administered by the Southwestern 

 Land Office. We e.xamined habitats in the project and analysis areas, and information in the 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program, and Montana Bird Distribution Databases for each 

 species. Due to limited available habitat and no confirmed records, we consider the species 

 would not likely occur near the project area. Therefore, no direct, or cumulative effects are 

 expected for any of these species as a result of either alternative. 



