These departures probably benefited wildlife species that rely on shade tolerant tree 

 species and/or closed canopy habitats, while negatively affecting species that rely on 

 shade intolerant tree species and/or open habitats. Past timber harvesting has likely 

 reduced quality and quantity of snags and coarse woody debris compared to historical 

 conditions, reducing habitat for those wildlife species that require these components. 



Wildlife species that require connectivity of forest habitat types between patches or those 

 species that are dependent upon interior forest conditions can be sensitive to the amount 

 and spatial configuration of appropriate habitats. Therefore, patch size and juxtaposition 

 can influence habitat quality and population dynamics for some species. Some species 

 are adapted to thrive near patch edges, while others are adversely affected by the 

 presence of edge or the presence of other animals that prosper in edge habitats. 

 Connectivity under historical fire regimes (Losensky 1997) likely remained relatively 

 high as fire differentially burned various habitats across the landscape. Connectivity 

 within the vicinity of the proposed project area has been altered with ongoing timber 

 harvesting and subdivision. Limited streamside management retention buffers exist to 

 provide movement corridors. Larger patches of forests exist to the north of the proposed 

 project area that could facilitate movement for some wildlife species. The network of 

 open roads and development within the vicinity of the proposed project area has reduced 

 some of the landscape-level connectivity. Historically, patch sizes in the vicinity of the 

 proposed project area were likely rather large following mixed-severity and stand- 

 replacing fires. 



In western Montana, 85% of all bird species use riparian areas, which comprise 1% of the 

 land. Half of those bird species, or 40-45% of all birds, are restricted to riparian areas for 

 breeding purposes (Mosconi and Hutto, 1982). No perennial streams and only 0.4 miles 

 of intermittent streams exist within the proposed project area. In addition to permanent 

 water such as lakes, rivers, and other riparian areas, vernal pools and other seasonal 

 wetlands are important for many of Montana's amphibians. Within the proposed project 

 area there is a 15-acre herbaceous wetland along with several wide bottom drainages that 

 could be seasonally wet. No avalanche chutes, rock outcrops, or cliffs exist in the project 

 or analysis areas. 



Threatened and Endangered Species 



In northwestern Montana, the bald eagle, grizzly bear, gray wolf, and Canada lynx are 

 classified as "Threatened" under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. No terrestrial 

 species listed as "Endangered" under the Endangered Species Act are found in 

 Northwestern Montana. 



1. Bald Eagle 



Strategies to protect the bald eagle are outlined in the Pacific States Bald Eagle 

 Recovery Plan (United States Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS] 1986) and the 

 Montana Bald Eagle Management Plan (Montana Bald Eagle Working Group 

 1994). Management direction involves identifying and protecting nesting, 

 feeding, perching, roosting, and wintering/migration areas (USFWS 1986, 

 Montana Bald Eagle Working Group 1 994). 



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