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 />
Bald Eagle<br />
(Haliaeetus<br />
leucocephalus)<br />
Northern<br />
goshawk<br />
(Accipiter gentilis)<br />
Summary of Effects on R2 Sensitive Species<br />
Little preferred spruce habitat is contained within the project area. The proposed<br />
action would retain more dense, mature habitat than the No Action alternative.<br />
However, the proposed action proposes treatments to improve stand health and<br />
reduce the risk of wildfire, thus, retaining more acres of dense, mature trees for<br />
connectivity. The proposed action contributes to conservation of marten habitat<br />
(Forest Plan Objective 221).<br />
The proposed action would meet these standards and guidelines. Fire suppression<br />
during the last century has allowed spruce to increase in abundance and density in<br />
the Black Hills. The Forest is conserving habitat for the American marten (USDA<br />
Forest Service 2010). Therefore, this species is likely to persist on the Forest.<br />
Alternative 1<br />
Alternative 2<br />
No Action<br />
Proposed Action<br />
Direct and Indirect Effects<br />
Expected MPB activity would create No direct effects are expected. Individuals<br />
snags for roosting by killing large may be displaced temporarily.<br />
trees; these snags are expected to Mountain pine beetle are expected to kill<br />
remain for only five years. Potential large trees creating snags for roosting, but to<br />
long-term future roosting trees would a lesser degree than No Action. Therefore,<br />
be reduced due to MPB caused the potential to maintain large trees for<br />
mortality of large trees.<br />
future roosting sites is improved over No<br />
Action.<br />
Cumulative Effects<br />
Cumulative effects expected MPB Incremental impacts to habitat quantity are<br />
caused mortality continues on private expected to be minimal because direct and<br />
lands. Treatments to reduce MPB indirect impacts are expected to be minimal;<br />
risk on private lands would also however, there may be some incremental<br />
remove roosting trees.<br />
impacts from disturbance and from MPB<br />
activity killing roosting trees.<br />
Summary<br />
Both alternatives would have ‘no impact’ on the bald eagle.<br />
This project would be implemented consistent with any of the relevant standards,<br />
guidelines that protect bald eagles or provide for eagle habitat, and contributes to<br />
Objective 221.<br />
Alternative 2<br />
Proposed Action<br />
Alternative 1<br />
No Action<br />
No direct effects. Expected MPB<br />
activity would reduce nesting<br />
habitat, but increase foraging<br />
habitat. High fire hazard remain<br />
and is a threat to suitable nesting<br />
habitat. Some prey species would<br />
benefit by increasing grasses and<br />
forbs (cover and food source) or<br />
young-forest conditions, while other<br />
prey species that favor a mature<br />
over-story may decrease.<br />
Past timber harvest has contributed<br />
to the loss of large mature trees, and<br />
blocks of mature, dense forested<br />
stands have been reduced in size so<br />
that they are no longer considered<br />
Direct and Indirect Effects<br />
No direct effects to known nests, potential<br />
for direct effects to unknown nests. Would<br />
enhance and protect goshawk nesting areas<br />
by reducing MPB risk and fire hazard.<br />
Would retain more suitable nesting habitat<br />
than No Action. Increase in foraging habitat.<br />
Some prey species could be adversely<br />
affected as well by removing canopy, snags,<br />
down woody material and ground cover.<br />
Similar impacts to prey species as No Action.<br />
Cumulative Effects<br />
Past timber harvest has contributed to the<br />
loss of large mature trees, and blocks of<br />
mature, dense forested stands have been<br />
reduced in size so that they are no longer<br />
considered large enough to meet the nesting<br />
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