4.3.3.1.2.4 Cumulative Effects of Alternative B: Harvest 



With the expected vegetative recovery of areas affected by the Fish 

 Creek Complex Fires would be an expected increase in use of this area 

 by big game species. Such use would likely concentrate activity by 

 predators, such as the wolf. In addition to the proposed action, there is 

 also (1) the DNRC proposed Fish Creek Road project, which would 

 construct 1.5 miles of road within the project area and could disperse 

 big game movements, an; (2) prior large-scale seed tree and 

 shelterwood harvesting on private industrial lands; and (3) salvage 

 efforts on surrounding private lands. Cumulatively, these actions 

 could affect wolves through reduction in hiding and thermal cover for 

 big game, which may indirectly affect wolves through potential 

 reduction in foraging opportunities within the analysis area. Thus, 

 there would be low risk of cumulative effects to wolves as a result of 

 the proposed action. 



4.3.3.1.3 Lynx 



4.3.3.1.3.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



Under Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action), fire-killed timber 

 would not be harvested. As such, over time shrubs and trees would 

 eventually begin to recolonize the project area, providing habitat for 

 snowshoe hares, the lynx's preferred prey. Eventually, snags created 

 from the Fish Creek Complex Fires would fall to the ground, likely 

 creating a large pulse of coarse woody debris in the area. As a result, 

 potential lynx denning habitat may result from potential jackstrawing 

 of the fallen snags, or the presence of large diameter hollow logs. 

 Thus, there would be low risk of direct or indirect effects to lynx as a 

 result of this alternative. 



4.3.3.1.3.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: No Harvest 

 (No Action) 



As previously discussed under direct and indirect effects, foraging 

 habitat would develop over the next 15 to 20 years under this 

 alternative, as well as potential denning habitat as recently created 

 snags fall over. However, the proposed DNRC Fish Creek Road 

 project would increase the amount of road within the analysis area. 

 Construction of new road may enable competing predators access to 

 lynx foraging habitat in winter. Additionally, salvage logging on 

 private lands affected by the fire may create additional roads, winter 

 disturbance, and possibly delay the formation of future potential 

 denning habitat within the analysis area. While Alternative A: No 

 Harvest (No Action) would not construct road or harvest timber, there 

 is low to moderate risk of cumulative effects from other proposed 

 actions. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-19 



