Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Region 2 (R2) Sensitive Species
Summary of Effects on Sensitive Species
The following is a summary of effects to wildlife Sensitive Species. A detailed analysis
can be found in the Wildlife and Fisheries Biological Assessment/Biological Evaluation
in the project record.
Region 2 has implemented a closure order, as of July 2010, for all caves and abandoned
mines in an attempt to prevent spread of white-nosed syndrome, a fungal disease that has
caused the death of over one million bats in the northeastern United States. This is not a
concern in the Vestal project area because there is only one known abandoned mine,
which had a bat gate installed in 2008 to inhibit unauthorized entry. The proposed action
for this project is not expected to influence spread in the area.
Table 38. Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species
Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
No Action
Proposed Action
Direct and Indirect Effects
Fringed Myotis Fire hazard and MPB risk would Increase in snag roosting habitat, but less
(Myotis remain high. Short-term increase in than in Alternative 1. Reduced MPB risk
thysanodes) snags used for roosting, but
substantial decrease in mature pine
as roosting habitat. Potential
increase in foraging habitat
(riparian areas, meadows).
and fire hazard increases potential for
maintaining roosting habitat long-term.
Foraging habitat is expected to improve.
Potential for disturbance of roosting bats.
Incremental impacts to roosting
Cumulative Effects
The proposed action for this project is not
habitat are expected as MPB expected to influence spread of white-nosed
continues to reduce mature habitat, syndrome. There is only one known
but create snags, on both National abandoned mine, which is gated to prohibit
Forest and private lands.
unauthorized entry.
Incremental impacts to habitat quantity are
expected to be minimal because direct and
indirect impacts are expected to be minimal.
The incremental impacts of disturbance are
expected to be minimal because bats are
normally active during the night when
project activities would be minimal.
Summary
The alternatives ‘may adversely impact individuals, but not likely to result in a
loss of viability in the Planning Area, nor cause a trend toward federal listing’.
The proposed alternative would be consistent with these standards and guidelines.
The Forest is conserving and enhancing habitat (Objective 221) for this species
through cave, mine and snag management. This species is likely to persist on the
Forest.
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
No Action
Proposed Action
Townsend’s big-
Direct and Indirect Effects
95