Wildlife Specialist report

In these analysis areas the area of potentially affected habitat for motorized big game
retrieval is reduced by 100% under Alternative E, 83 to 93% under Alternative D, 0 to
30% under Alternative F, 83 to 93% under Alternative G, and 0 to 10% under Alternative
C.
Table72: Southwestern willow flycatcher federally listed species and critical habitat
determinations by alternative
Federally Listed
Species
Southwestern willow
flycatcher
Southwestern willow
flycatcher
Critical Habitat
Rationale for
species
determination
Rationale for
critical habitat
determination
Alt. B
Existing
Condition
Determination by Alternative
Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G
*MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA
MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA MANLAA
Long-term beneficial effects under alternative E are greater than the
other action alternatives. Under alternatives D, F and G, the effects
are very similar, except for motorized big game retrieval, which has
reduced effects in alternatives D and G; under alternative F, the
access into these analysis areas is similar to alternative B. Under
alternative C there is less of a reduction in motorized routes in
southwestern willow flycatcher critical habitat and less a reduction
in acres of potential habitat available to motorized big game
retrieval in both analysis areas. southwestern willow flycatchers
are associated with riparian type habitats that are more susceptible to
damage by cross-country motorized use than upland habitats;
therefore, the relative potential for big game retrieval to affect
southwestern willow flycatcherhabitat is greater under alternative
F and C than the other action alternatives. The four action
alternatives do change the use within portions of each of the analysis
areas, proposing administrative use. This change in use causes less
effects than roads and trails open to all of the public. The level of
potential effect under alternatives C, D, E, F, and G are reduced to
an insignificant and discountable level; therefore, a determination of
“may affect, not likely to adversely affect” is made for these the
alternatives.
All action alternatives reduce the level of effect to southwestern
willow flycatcher critical habitat. Under all alternatives, the number
of stream crossings remains the same, but the use is changed to
administrative use only, reducing the level of effect to an
insignificant and discountable level. For these reasons, a
determination of “May affect, Not Likely to Adversely Affect” is
made for designated southwestern willow flycatcher critical
habitat.
*MANLAA - May affect not likely to adversely affect; **MALAA- May affect likely to adversely affect determination
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