Table 4-6 

 Effects of the proposed action alternatives on elk security habitat. 



Moose Habitat 



Alternative A—No Action 

 Project and Analysis Areas 



Under this alternative, no changes from current conditions are expected with the exception of 

 gradual successional changes to the forested community within both the project and analysis 

 areas. With no action, the risk of stand-replacing fires and insect kill would increase. Depending 

 on scale, stand-replacing fires could have positive or negative effects on moose habitat. Stand- 

 replacing fires <300 acres in size would serve to create short-term (<20 years) high quality forage 

 habitat for moose through overstory removal and stimulation of shrub growth. To a lesser extent 

 similar responses would occur from insect kills of the same size. Such fires could produce 

 positive effects for moose. However, fires >300 acres or which remove overstory cover within 

 winter range habitats could remove large amounts of canopy cover that are required for winter 

 shelter and summer thermal protection (Thompson and Stewart 1998). This would be a negative 

 effect for moose habitat. 



Alternatives B, C, and D-Harvest 

 Project and Analysis Areas 



Action alternatives would generate from 89 to 177 acres of stand replacement harvests (Table 4- 

 5), ranging in size from 12-73 acres (Alts. B and C) and 12-22 acres (Alt. D). These stand 

 replacement harvests would increase the amount of regenerating clearcut area within the project 

 area from 0% of the project area to 6.8% (Alt. D) or 10.9% (Alt. B);(Alt. C )would be 10.2%. 

 Within the Analysis area, proposed stand replacement harvests would be increased from 10.8% 

 to 1 1.2% (Alt. D) or 1 1.5% (Alt. B; Alt. C would be 1 1.4%). Stand replacement harvests would 

 also be well dispersed throughout the project area and would affect moose winter range habitat. 

 As a result of stand replacement harvests, shrub growth would be stimulated and would likely 

 benefit the local moose population. In montane habitats, Thompson and Stewart (1998) 

 recommend that stand replacement harvests should be <247 acres, with maximum distances 



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