the majority of the midstory and overstory would be removed. This would likely 

 reduce pileated nesting in this area. After the proposed harvesting, the 628 

 harvested acres within the proposed project area would be too open to be 

 considered pileated woodpecker habitat. The silvicultural prescriptions would 

 retain healthy western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir and promote 

 regeneration of these same species. Retention and recruitment of western larch 

 and ponderosa pine would benefit pileated woodpeckers in the future by 

 providing nesting, roosting, and foraging habitats, however the proposed project 

 area alone is not expected to be capable of supporting a pair of pileated 

 woodpeckers in the near-term. 



2. Cumulative Effects 



No Action Alternative: Under this alternative, western larch and ponderosa pine 

 trees would continue to grow and die over time in the proposed project area, 

 providing nesting and foraging habitats. Through time, conversion of stands to 

 shade-tolerant species would reduce nesting substrates for pileated woodpeckers. 

 Approximately 1,550 acres (95%) of the 1,640 acres of USPS managed lands 

 within the analysis area are presently in mature western larch/ Douglas-fir and 

 mixed conifer cover types that provide nesting and foraging habitats for pileated 

 woodpeckers. Nearly 72% of the 2,690 acres of privately managed lands have 

 been harvested within the last 30 years and do not possess qualities that make 

 them highly suitable for pileated woodpecker nesting or foraging. Although 

 limited pileated woodpecker habitat exists on these lands, foraging habitat is 

 developing and is expected to be suitable in 35-50 years. It is possible that under 

 this alternative, that the analysis area could support 2-3 pairs of pileated 

 woodpeckers. 



Action Alternative: Under this alternative, reductions in pileated woodpecker 

 habitat are expected. Existing snags, coarse woody debris, and suitable nesting 

 trees would be retained within the proposed project area. Within the proposed 

 project area, canopy closure on 628 acres proposed for harvesting would largely 

 be too open for appreciable pileated woodpecker use. Approximately 41% (or 

 just over 2,000 acres) of the analysis area, including roughly 72% of all private 

 lands, has been harvested within the last 30 years and is not providing pileated 

 woodpecker nesting habitat. The harvesting proposed under this alternative 

 would be additive to the losses associated with timber harvesting and subdivision 

 that has occurred in the analysis area. Foraging habitat is, however, developing 

 on some of this acreage harvested 20-30 years ago. Within the analysis area, 

 approximately 1,550 acres managed by the USPS are providing pileated 

 woodpecker nesting habitat and would likely continue providing these habitat 

 attributes in the immediate fiiture. Under this alternative, the proposed harvesting 

 would likely reduce the carrying capacity of the analysis area to 1-2 pairs of 

 pileated woodpeckers, but long-term habitat quality is expected to improve, as is 

 long-term use. 



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