Wildlife Specialist report

So under this alternative through time the potential for the direct loss of individuals and
habitat would increase, as would the potential for disturbance affects to these species.
Action Alternatives (C, D, E, F, and G): Under all action alternatives motorized cross
country travel (see assumption) is no longer allowed. The change from the existing
condition is a 100% reduction in motorized cross country travel. In the black bear
analysis area motorized dispersed camping is reduced by 96 to 100% under all action
alternatives; and in the mountain lion analysis area it is reduced by 97 to 100%. For
black bears the area of potentially affected habitat for motorized big game retrieval is
reduced by 100% under Alternative E, 97% under Alternative D, 96% under Alternative
G, 40% under Alternative F, and 16% under Alternative C. For mountain lions the area
of potentially affected habitat for motorized big game retrieval is reduced by 100% under
Alternative E, 97% under Alternative D and G, 45% under Alternative F, and 18% under
Alternative C.
Motorized areas are locations where we have had traditional uses like motorized camping
and OHV use. In the bear analysis area under Alternatives D and E there is a reduction
of 26 acres of potentially affected habitat, and under the remaining action alternative
there is no change from the existing condition. In the mountain lion analysis area under
Alternatives D and E there is a reduction of 13 acres of potentially affected habitat, and
under the remaining action alternative there is no change from the existing condition.
Miles of motorized routes and trails and acres of potentially affected habitat within the
bear analysis area are reduced by approximately 43% under Alternative E; 27% under
Alternative D; and 18% under Alternative F and G. Under Alternative C motorized
routes are increased by 2%. Within the lion analysis area these effects are reduced by
approximately 44% under Alternative E; 27% under Alternative D; and 18% under F and
G. Under Alternative C motorized routes are increased by 2%. The greater the reduction
in miles in the analysis areas the less the potential for direct and indirect effects; the
reduction in direct and indirect effects to the species and its habitat is relative to the
amount of miles reduced in the analysis areas. Under Alternative C increases in road
miles above the existing condition increase the amount of direct and indirect effects.
Findings: Under all action alternatives the potential effects to black bears and mountain
lions are reduced, particularly under Alternatives E. The potential to affect individuals
under all action alternatives still exist, but none will affect the viability of these species or
the viability of any other wide ranging carnivore on the Gila.
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