competing predators to temporarily gain access to lynx prey within the 

 analysis area while operations are on-going during the winter. Thus, 

 there are low to moderate risks of cumulative effects to lynx as a result 

 of the proposed action. 



4.3.3.2 Sensitive Species 



4.3.3.2.1 Pileated Woodpeckers 



4.3.3.2.1.1 Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) 



Under Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action), no change from the 

 current situation would be expected. Pileated woodpeckers require 

 late successional forest with high canopy closure and large diameter 

 snags (>15 inches dbh) for nesting and roosting. Thus, areas that 

 experienced stand replacing fire would not suffice for nesting and 

 roosting habitat for several decades, until vegetation has recovered and 

 would provide late successional structural characteristics. Within 

 sections 6, 12, 14, and 30, areas that experienced mixed-severity fire 

 may still function as nesting and roosting habitat for pileated 

 woodpeckers. Pileated woodpeckers feed primarily on carpenter ants 

 and wood-boring beetle larvae (Bull and Jackson 1995). As such, 

 there may be an increase in pileated woodpecker foraging activity 

 within the burned area for 2 to 4 years post-bum, due to an increase in 

 wood-boring beetle populations associated with post-bum areas. 

 Currently, there are an average of approximately 3.43 trees per acre 

 >21 inches dbh within the affected School Tmst lands in the project 

 area (Fig. 4-2). Thus, there would be low risk of direct and indirect 

 effects to pileated woodpeckers as a result of Alternative A: No 

 Harvest (No Action). 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-21 



