Final Environmental Impact Statement

Vestal Final Environmental Impact Statement Chapter 3
Black-tailed
prairie dog
(Cynomys
ludovicianus)
Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species
Mountain pine beetle activity will
continue in the project area.
Increased pine beetle activity and
wildfire would create additional
dead trees (potential for roosting)
and grass/forb structural stage
which could increase prey base for
this species; however roosting
habitat would be lost. These
activities would likely occur on
private lands as well. Private lands
would likely continue to be
developed, some of which may
include roads. All may affect bats
through direct mortality,
modification of behavior, habitat
alteration, spread of exotics, or
disturbance.
Cumulative Effects
The proposed action for this project is not
expected to influence spread of white-nosed
syndrome. There is only one known
abandoned mine, which is gated to prohibit
unauthorized entry.
Activities such as vegetation management,
fuels management, livestock grazing,
recreational activities and other management
activities have and will continue. Mountain
pine beetle activity will continue in the
project area. Increased pine beetle activity
and wildfire would create additional dead
trees (potential for roosting) and grass/forb
structural stage which could increase prey
base for this species; however roosting
habitat would be lost. These activities would
likely occur on private lands as well. Private
lands would likely continue to be developed,
some of which may include roads. All may
affect bats through direct mortality,
modification of behavior, habitat alteration,
spread of exotics, or disturbance.
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 action may limit individual use of treated areas but would not be
expected to affect species viability throughout the planning area. Habitat for this
species is expected to remain because both live coniferous and deciduous trees are
expected to remain on the landscape. The Forest is conserving and enhancing habitat
and this project contributes to Objective 221.
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
No Action
Proposed Action
Direct and Indirect Effects
No direct or indirect effects. Potential direct effects on individuals.
Potential short-term disturbance. Habitat is
expected to improve with removal of pine
within the known colony. Preferred habitat
may increase for this species.
Cumulative Effects
No cumulative effects Livestock grazing does occur and could lead
to expansion of black-tailed prairie dog
habitat. Recreational shooting does occur
within the prairie dog town. There is always
a risk of disease (sylvatic plague) that can
eliminate local prairie dog populations.
Wildfires may occur, creating openings and,
thus, increasing the quantity and quality of
grassland forage available to livestock and
wildlife. Development on private lands
within the project area could occur,
decreasing acreage for this dogtown.
Additionally, human intolerance of the
species is expected to continue, decreasing
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