Gray Wolf 



Wolves are currently classified as endangered in Montana under the Endangered Species Act. 

 Due to the large territories of wolf packs (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002), the analysis area 

 described for elk and moose will also be used for this analysis. The nearest known wolf packs 

 are the Bighole pack 40 miles distant on the Montana/Idaho border, bands of wolves in the 

 Helmville and Potomac areas and the Willow Pack 7 miles to the northeast. No wolf den sites 

 are currently known to exist within the project or analysis areas. Cover and road densities likely 

 have some influence on wolf security; however, prey densities and availability also influence 

 wolf success. Fluctuations in deer and elk densities over time will likely have an effect on the 

 presence or absence of wolves within the project and analysis areas. 



Black-backed Woodpecker 



The analysis area for black-backed woodpeckers consists of a one-mile radius area surrounding 

 and including the project area. Black-backed woodpeckers are associated with burned or bug 

 infested mature forests. In particular. Sections 5, 8, and 17 may provide black-backed 

 woodpecker habitat. Although no recent stand-replacement bums have occurred, insect 

 populations are present, albeit, below infestation levels. Given the large area of potential 

 available habitat within the project area (1,786 acres), plus adjacent stands of suitable habitat, it 

 is likely that this area supports resident black-backed woodpeckers. The Montana Natural 

 Heritage Program lists black-backed woodpecker as occurring within the Alder Gulch 

 Quadrangle in 1998. 



Flammulated Owl 



Flammulated owls occur in mature ponderosa pine and mixed pine Douglas fir stands. Nesting 

 in cavities, flammulated owls prefer those cavities excavated by pileated woodpeckers and 

 common flickers, where available. Nest trees in two Oregon studies were 22 to 28 inches dbh 

 (McCallum 1994). Habitats used have open to moderate canopy closure (30-50%) with at least 

 two canopy layers, and often are adjacent to small clearings. Additionally, stands used often 

 have a shrub understory. An open forest structure with shrubs contributes to producing 

 flammulated owl prey, insects. The most likely areas for flammulated owls occur within 

 approximately 331 acres dispersed throughout Sections 8, 17, 21, and 28 of the project area. The 

 Montana Natural Heritage Program lists the flammulated owl as occurring within this V4 latilong 

 (#26-C) in 1995. Because the flammulated owl has a home range <50 acres in area (McCallum 

 1994), the analysis area for this species will be the project area. 



Boreal Owl 



Preferred boreal owl habitat includes spruce and fir stands from 5,000 to 8,000 feet in elevation. 

 Currently, subalpine fir is present within, but does not dominate, stands in the project area. 

 Elevations are suitable for boreal owls, ranging from 5,460 to 7,940 feet. 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). Although approximately 1,362 acres of boreal owl preferred habitat types 

 occur within Sections 5, 8, 17, and 21, approximately 175 acres would currently be suitable for 

 boreal owls due to structural development. Of these acres, 137 acres occur in Section 5, 28 acres 

 in Section 17, and 10 acres in Section 21. The Montana Natural Heritage Program lists this 



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