Recovery Plan for the Northern Spotted Owl - DRAFT

2. Fuelwood Gathering. If allowed, fuelwood gathering will be restricted toexisting cull decks, blowdown blocking roads, or green trees marked bysilviculturists to thin overstocked unsuitable habitat. These areas will bemapped during preparation of the DCA management plan and mitigationrecommendations will be included.3. Mining. The impacts of proposed mining actions should be assessed,and mineral activity permits will include appropriate conditions (e.g.,seasonal or other restrictions) related to all phases of mineral activity.4. Developments. In general, construction or development of new facilitiesthat may adversely affect owl habitat or reproductive success will notoccur within DCAs. Proposals that address public needs or providesignificant public benefits, such as powerlines, pipelines, or other publicworks projects, will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may beapproved when adverse effects can be minimized and mitigated. Wheneverpossible, such projects should be anticipated and addressed in DCAmanagement plans.5. Trail Development. New trail construction will be planned to have theleast possible adverse effect on owls. Trails will be located at least onequartermile from owl activity centers and otherwise avoid adverse modificationof suitable owl habitat.6. Land Exchanges. Land exchanges in DCAs will be considered when theywill either promote owl recovery or provide owl benefits equal to currentconditions at a lower cost.7. Habitat Improvement Projects. Projects designed to improve conditionsfor fish, wildlife, watershed, range, or recreation will be considered if theyprovide owl habitat benefits or enhance the likelihood of reproductivesuccess. Other projects will be considered if their effect on owls or owlhabitat is negligible. These may include small projects required forrecovery of other threatened or endangered species. In all cases, appropriateproject management will be provided. For example, watershedrehabilitation projects, such as felling trees along streams, will be coordinatedwith a wildlife biologist and include seasonal restrictions.8. Range Facilities. Range-related facilities that do not affect owls or owlhabitat adversely will be developed in coordination with wildlife biologists.Existing grazing activities which have an adverse effect on owl habitat orowl use of the area will be modified.9. Fire Suppression and Prevention. Fuels management within the DCAwill be in accordance with guidelines for reducing risks of large-scaledisturbances. Plans for wildfire suppression will emphasize maintainingowl habitat within the DCA. During actual fire suppression activities, aresource specialist familiar with the area and the DCA management planwill be included to assure that habitat damage is minimized.10. Christmas Tree Sales. Christmas tree sales will be allowed in areaswhere trees are removed in accordance with the objective of acceleratingthe development of suitable habitat conditions in areas that currently areunsuitable. The guidelines for silvicultural activities will be used asappropriate.11. Minor Forest Products. Minor commercial uses, such as the collectionof ferns, mosses, and mushrooms, generally will be allowed. Where theseactivities are extensive (e.g., collection of Pacific yew bark), it will be118