Wildlife Specialist report

NMPIF High-Priority
Species
Alt. B
Existing Condition
Determination by Alternative
Alt. C Alt. D Alt. E Alt. F Alt. G
Golden eagle NA NA NA NA NA
Rationale for
determination
Under alternatives D, E, F, and G, the potential effects to these species are reduced,
particularly under alternatives E and D. Under alternative C, there is an increase in
motorized routes in goshawk ponderosa pine analysis areas, the peregrine analysis area,
and the golden eagle analysis area. The potential to affect individuals under all action
alternatives exists; but there will be no measurable negative effects on these migratory
species. Unintentional take of individuals may occur, but these alternatives will not
negatively affect population levels.
¹ Species with the same determination by alternative – flammulated owl.
² Species with the same determination by alternative – Praire falcon.
*NA – No adverse effects to the population or habitat trends
Primary Cavity Nesters/Excavators
Table62: Primary cavity nester and excavator species selected to be analyzed and
rationale for selection
Species Analyzed Rationale For Selection
Hairy woodpecker Management indicator species representative of ponderosa pine and
mixed conifer snag component
Disturbance to primary cavity nesters from roads, including negative edge effects and
snag and downed log reduction from wood harvesting, prescribed fire, and safety
implementation is well documented (Bull and Holthausen 1993, Kreisel and Stein 1999,
Hutto 1995, Milne and Heijl 1989, Raphael and White 1984). Scott and Patton (1978)
conducted a study examining the characteristics of ponderosa pine snags used by cavity
nesters in Arizona, and determined that larger ponderosa pine snags, greater than 15
inches diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) were preferred by all 14 species of birds whose
nests were located during the study. Gaines et al. (2003) assessed effects of roadassociated
factors on primary cavity excavators by buffering open roads through forested
habitat by 60 meters on either side of the road. The analysis area selected (Gaines et al.
2003) was at the 5 th -code watershed level. The focal species used for the analysis is the
hairy woodpecker. To analyze effects to this guild of species from the proposed action
and each alternative of the Travel Management Project on the Gila National Forest,
analysis will focus on two factors:
1. To analyze the potential for harvest/direct effects of motorized activities to primary
cavity nesters, road miles within ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation cover type
were measured, as these densities pertain to the existing condition and the change
proposed in each alternative.
2. To analyze disturbance/indirect effects, a disturbance zone of 60 meters from roads
within ponderosa pine and mixed conifer vegetation cover type was used as it pertains to
the existing condition and the change proposed in each alternative. (See table 100.)
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