Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
Final Environmental Impact Statement
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Vestal <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Impact</strong> <strong>Statement</strong> Chapter 3<br />
grasslands serve as typical nest sites. They may use the same nest or alternate nests<br />
between years (DeGraaf et al. 1991). Golden eagles hunt by soaring-searching and using<br />
perch sites to identify prey (Johnsgard 1990). Typical food items include: marmots<br />
(Marmota flaviventris), prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus), ground squirrels<br />
(Spermophilus spp.), weasels (Mustela spp.), lagomorphs (Sylvilagus and Lepus spp.),<br />
rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis), and most medium-sized birds (DeGraaf et al. 1991).<br />
Golden eagles breed from western Alaska east through Canada, south to Baja California,<br />
northern Mexico, west-central Texas, western Oklahoma, Nebraska and the Dakotas.<br />
The species winters from south-central Alaska, southern Canada and throughout the<br />
western breeding range (Johnsgard 1990). They are considered uncommon permanent<br />
residents in western South Dakota (Tallman et al. 2002) and only ten have been detected<br />
during recent bird monitoring efforts (Giroir et al. 2007). Golden eagles were observed<br />
in the project area during 2008 surveys. Golden eagles are commonly seen feeding on<br />
carrion along roads in the Black Hills during winter.<br />
<strong>Environmental</strong> Consequences<br />
Snags and Down Woody Material<br />
Alternative 1<br />
The No Action alternative would provide the greatest opportunity for increased snag<br />
numbers, in the short-term (approximately 15-20 years) and down woody material. This<br />
alternative allows forested stands that are denser and more mature to become more<br />
stressed and vulnerable to MPB attack and wildfire – variables that can significantly<br />
increase snag densities and downed wood in an area. Mountain pine beetle activity in the<br />
project area is increasing, and infestations are spreading across the project area, with<br />
most tree mortality currently occurring in the northern part of the project area. It is<br />
expected that snag densities would increase as a result of MPB caused mortality in the<br />
area. However, these snags are expected to break or fall in about 5 years, contributing to<br />
an excess of downed woody material. Species that utilize snags and the provided habitat<br />
will benefit with this snag increase in the short-term.<br />
Alternative 2<br />
This Alternative is expected to increase snags and down woody material in the project<br />
area, but not as much as Alternative 1 does in the short-term. Design criteria is included<br />
with this alternative to protect existing snags. No snags would be cut unless they are<br />
deemed a safety hazard during operations, consistent with Standard 2301.<br />
Vegetation treatments, both commercial and non-commercial, have the potential to<br />
reduce snags and downed wood. Proposed fuel treatments including mechanical<br />
thinning, prescribed burning and deadfall treatment, also have the potential to reduce<br />
snags and downed wood. Snags created by fire may stand longer than those created by<br />
insect attacks.<br />
This alternative also proposes sanitation treatment on all pine stands within the project<br />
area. Sanitation removes trees which are infested with MPB and which would provide<br />
short-term snag habitat, if left on site. However, MPB are expected to create a large<br />
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