Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Pygmy Nuthatch
(Sitta pygmaea
melanotis)
Summary of Effects to SOLC
because of loss of suitable nesting habitat.
Private lands would likely continue to be
developed, some of which may include
roads. All may affect northern saw-whet
owls through direct mortality, although
unlikely, modification of behavior, habitat
alteration, spread of exotics, or disturbance.
Additionally, private lands would continue
to be thinned to reduce the threat of MPB.
Summary
Alternative 2 retains more nesting habitat, but less roosting habitat than No Action.
Alternative 2 also increases the potential for retention and development of nesting
habitat into the future.
The proposed action would meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines. The
proposed action would contribute toward meeting Forest Objective 221. This
species is likely to persist on the Forest.
Alternative 1
No Action
Preferred nesting habitat would
decrease substantially. Highest
potential for snag habitat in the
short-term, 5 years. Lowest
potential for snag habitat long-term.
The threat of loss of nesting habitat
to wildfire would increase.
Greatest potential for adverse
cumulative effects due to stand
replacing events, MPB and fire.
Direct and Indirect Effects
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
Preferred nesting habitat would decrease, but
less than No Action. Increased snag habitat,
although less than No Action. Improved
potential for development of preferred
habitat.
Potential for short-term disturbance and
displacement.
Cumulative Effects
Adverse cumulative effects may occur
because treatments, MPB, or both are
expected to significantly decrease nesting
habitat, although the proposed action would
retain more nesting habitat than No Action.
Potential for short-term disturbance
cumulative effect. Mountain pine beetle is
also expected to incrementally offset.
However, because of the effects of MPB,
there is expected to be adverse cumulative
effects to pygmy nuthatches because of loss
of suitable canopy cover in both alternatives.
Cumulative benefit to snag habitat in short
and long term.
Summary
Alternative 2 provides more nesting habitat for the pygmy nuthatch than the No
Action alternative. It also would decrease potential loss of habitat to wildfire. More
mature trees would be expected to remain for replacement snags in the future in
Alternative 2.
The proposed action would meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines and would
contribute toward meeting Forest Objective 221. This species is likely to persist on
the Forest.
Alternative 1
No Action
Alternative 2
Proposed Action
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