Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Final Environmental Assessment October 22, 2007 Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Southwestern Land Office Clearwater Unit TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW 1 2. PROJECT DEVELOPMENT 1 2.1 . Public Involvement, Agencies, Groups or Individuals Contacted 1 2.2. Other Governmental Agencies with Jurisdiction 2 2.3. Alternatives Considered 2 3. IMPACTS ON PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 2 3.1 . Geology and Soils, Watershed, and Fisheries Analysis 2 3.2. Air Quality Analysis 18 3.3. Vegetation Analysis 19 3.4. Wildlife Analysis 24 3.5. Historical and Archaeological Sites 36 3.6. Aesthetics Analysis 36 3.7. Demands on Environmental Resources of Land, Water, Air or Energy 38 3.8. Other Environmental Documents Pertinent to the Area 38 4. IMPACTS ON THE HUMAN POPULATION 39 4.1. Human Health and Safety 39 4.2. Industrial, Commercial and Agriculture Activities and Production 39 4.3. Quantity and Distribution of Employment 39 4.4. Local and State Tax Base and Tax Revenues 39 4.5. Demand for Government Services 39 4.6. Locally Adopted Environmental Plans and Goals 39 4.7. Access to and Quality of Recreational and Wilderness Activities 39 4.8. Density and Distribution of Population and Housing 40 4.9. Social Structures and Mores 40 4.10. Cultural Uniqueness and Diversity 40 4.11. Other Appropriate Social and Economic Circumstances 40 5. LIST OF PREPARERS 41 6. FINDING 42 6.1. Alternative Selected 42 6.2. Significance of Potential Impacts 42 6.3. Need for Further Environmental Analysis 42 7. REFERENCES 43 8. APPENDIX 46 8.1. Attachment A: Vicinity Map 46 8.2. Attachment B: Project Area Map 47 8.3. Attachment C: Project Area Map 48 8.4. Attachment D: Initial Proposal 49 1. Introduction and Overview In July and August of 2007, the Jocko Lakes fire burned over 36,000 acres of state, federal, private, and tribal land west of Seeley Lake, Montana. Of those acres burned, approximately 2,1 00 were State of Montana forested school trust lands. In response to this event, the Clearwater Unit of the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is proposing a commercial timber harvest on State-owned lands within the Jocko Lakes fire area. The proposed harvest would take place in Section 6 and 8 of Township 1 6 North, Range 1 5 West and Section 1 6 of Township 1 6 North Range 1 6 West, 2.5 miles and 7 miles west of Seeley Lake respectively (Attachment A, Vicinity Map). Harvested volume from these sections would be sold as several sales or permits. Under the proposed action, DNRC would harvest approximately 8 to 11 million board feet (MMBF) of dead and dying timber from up to 1 ,503 acres within Sections 6, 8, and 16. The objectives of the proposed action would be to: 1 ) mitigate adverse impacts from the fire; 2) restore the forest to its income-generating potential; 3) capture value of dead and dying trees and prevent future value loss; and 4) generate revenue for the trust beneficiaries. An estimated $1 ,056,000 to $1 ,452,000 in revenue to the Common Schools and M.S.U. 2"^^ Grant Trusts would be generated through the implementation of the proposed action. In addition to timber harvest, other activities would include road construction, road improvement, road maintenance, and reforestation. Under the proposed action, DNRC would construct approximately 2.75 miles of road and abandon approximately 0.5 miles of existing road all within Section 16. Approximately 0.5 miles of the new road construction would be removed post-harvest. Ongoing road improvement and road maintenance would occur throughout all sections. Reforestation activities would include the planting of appropriate species for the site (western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) in high-severity burned areas. DNRC would continue to assess rehabilitation needs following harvest activities. If the Action Alternative is selected, activities could begin in December 2007. The lands involved in this proposed project are held by the State of Montana in trust for the Common Schools and M.S.U. 2"" Grant (Enabling Act of February 22, 1889; 1972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 1 1 ). The Board of Land Commissioners and the DNRC are required by law to administer these trust lands to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long run for the beneficiary institutions (Section 77-1-202, MCA). The DNRC would manage lands involved in this project in accordance with the State Forest Land Management Plan (DNRC 1996) and the Administrative Rules for Forest Management (ARM 36.1 1 .401 through 450) as well as other applicable state and federal laws. 2. Project Development 2.1. Public Involvement, Agencies, Groups or Individuals Contacted DNRC mailed scoping letters on September 1 0, 2007 to adjacent landowners, and known interested parties. A public notice was run in the Missoulian and Seeley Lake Pathfinder Newspapers. Two written comment letters in support of the proposed action were received. DNRC consulted the Montana Natural Heritage Program for information about known species of concern in the area. DNRC specialists were also consulted, including: Jeff Collins, Hydrologist and Soil Scientist; Mike McGrath, Wildlife Biologist, and Patrick Rennie, Archeologist. Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 2.2. Other Governmental Agencies with Jurisdiction To access State Sections 6 and 8, Township 16 Nortln Range 15 West, tine DNRC would need to obtain a Temporary Road Use Permit (TRUP) to legally travel across Plum Creek Timber Company (PCTC) property in Section 7, Township 16 North Range 15 West. To access State Section 1 6, Township 1 6 North Range 1 6 West, the DNRC would need to obtain TRUPs from the U.S. Forest Service (USPS) and PCTC to legally travel across Sections 22 and 23, Township 1 6 North Range 1 6 West (USPS) and across Section 25, Township 1 6 North Range 16 West (PCTC). Slash burning would be done in compliance with statewide cooperative agreements as well as any local restrictions. 2.3. Alternatives Considered No Action Under the No Action Alternative, none of the proposed harvest or roadwork would occur at this time. However, roadwork proposed in the Jocko Salvage Roadwork Final EA (DNRC 2007) would continue to take place within Section 6, 8, and 1 6. With access to the burned area, DNRC would consider future options for salvage and other forest management activities. Other current land use activities, including grazing on Section 8 and the recreational use lease on Section 16, would continue. Action Alternative Under the Action Alternative, DNRC would harvest approximately 8 to 1 1 MMBF of dead and dying timber from 1 ,503 acres in Sections 6, 8, and 1 6 (Attachments B and C, Project Area Maps). DNRC would also construct approximately 2.75 miles of road and abandon approximately 0.5 miles of existing road, all within Section 1 6. Approximately 0.5 miles of the new road construction would be removed post-harvest. Access routes into Section 16 from both the Buck Creek and Finley Creek sides would be gated post-harvest. Road work proposed in the Jocko Salvage Roadwork Final EA (DNRC 2007) would continue to take place within Sections 6, 8, and 1 6. Reforestation activities would include a combination of natural regeneration and the planting of appropriate species for the site (western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir) in severely burned areas. DNRC would continue to assess rehabilitation needs following harvest activities. Under the Action Alternative, DNRC would also continue current land use activities, including grazing on Section 8 and the recreational use lease on Section 16. 3. Impacts on Physical Environment 3.1 . Geology and Soils, Watershed, and Fisheries Analysis During the initial scoping, no issues were identified by the public regarding potential effects of the proposed action to the soil, watershed and fisheries resources. The following issue statements were developed by the DNRC regarding the potential effects to these resources: • Timber harvest activities may result in reduced soil productivity and increased erosion due to compaction and displacement, depending on area and degree of harvest effects. Final Environmental Assessment - - 9 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales • Timber harvesting and road construction activities may increase sediment delivery into streams and affect water quality. • Actions related to the proposed timber sale may adversely affect stream temperatures, stream shading, stream sediments and recruitabie large woody debris in perennial stream segments of Beaver Creek, and an unnamed drainage of Finley Creek. 3.1.1. Geology and Soils Geology and Soils Analysis Area The analysis area for assessing soil impacts will be the proposed harvest units and roads. This analysis area adequately allows for disclosure of existing conditions and direct, indirect and cumulative impacts. The analysis area is not the entire ownership parcel unless activities are proposed on the entire parcel. Geology and Soils Analysis Methods Following the Jocko Lakes Fire, DNRC resource specialists reviewed the burned areas and proposed harvest units to assess past impacts, burn severity, and hydrophobic (water repellant) soil conditions that may affect erosion and revegetation. We reviewed the proposed new roads to assess suitable locations and existing roads to assess the design of additional drainage mitigations or repairs that would be needed to control erosion. The methods used for assessing soil resources and disclosing impacts include: compiling and reviewing previous harvest information, studying general soil descriptions, and considering the management implications to soils map units within the project area. The project area was field reviewed to assess past impacts and the recent impacts of the Jocko Lakes Fire and to identify areas with potential for accelerated erosion, compaction and displacement that would require site mitigations. This analysis qualitatively assesses the risk of detrimental effects to soils from erosion, compaction and displacement under each alternative using comparative analysis from previously collected soils monitoring data from over 70 DNRC post harvest monitoring projects (Collins 2004). Assessed in this analysis are the direct and indirect effects of each alternative along with the cumulative effects which consider past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future activities. EXISTING CONDITIONS - Geology and Soils Geology in the Placid Creek drainage and general project area is dominated by thin-bedded Pre-cambrian age sedimentary quartzites and argillites. Bedrock is generally well fractured and rippable where exposed on the ground surface. These bedrock materials typically produce coarse textured soils that are very well drained, with the exception of footslope areas of finer deposition and wetlands. Glacial scouring of ice has exposed bedrock on ridges and some steeper convex slopes. No especially unique or unstable slopes were identified. The proposed project area is located mainly on gently rolling terrain of glacial till and outwash deposits derived from cobbly sandy loam tills. At higher elevations and on north aspects there is a surface deposit of 4-6" reddish, silt textured loess influenced volcanic ash deposited from the eruption of Mount Mazama in Oregon, approximately 6,700 years ago. Soil map units are derived from the Missoula County Soil Survey and properties are described in Table 3.1 -1 . Quartzite and argillite bedrock with high rock fragment residual soils occur on the steeper glacially scoured mountain ridges (map units 1 26,1 28) and can limit ground based operations. With implementation of BMP's, these rocky soils are well suited to ground based operations on slopes up to 45%. Final Environmental Assessment - - o Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Primary soils on foot slopes are complexes of Hollandlake gravelly clay loams - Bata and Wildgen gravelly loams - forming in deep glacial till on moderate slopes of 5-30% having a shallow surface deposit of volcanic ash silt. The primary concern is soil displacement and to a lesser degree, compaction which can be mitigated by limits on season of use (Table 3.1 -1 ). Predominate slopes of 10-40% are well suited to ground based skidding operations once soils dry out in the spring. The mid and upper forest slopes are glacial till covered Wildgen/Winkler gravelly loams and Waldbillig/Holloway gravelly loams. Wildgen gravelly loams occur in glacial till deposits on concave slopes in combination with Winkler soils and have common rock outcrops. Wildgen soils are more productive than Winkler and tend to have higher cobble content in the subsoil. These soils are excessively well drained and droughty which can lead to plant mortality and difficulty to revegetate cutslopes on south slopes. The primary soils concern is avoiding dis- placement. Erosion hazard is moderate due to the high gravel contents. Waldbillig/Holloway gravelly loams have volcanic ash influenced surface soils on Holloway that increase productivity. Erosion risk can be effectively controlled with standard drainage practices. Narrow alluvial deposits occur along stream bottoms and wetlands. These alluvial deposits are somewhat poorly drained and seasonally wet supporting riparian species (willow, dogwood and some spruce). The complex terrain and narrowness of some wet areas require site specific review for design of Wetland Management Zones (WMZ's), Streamside Management Zones (SMZ's) and mitigation measures. Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Table 3.1-1 Soil Interpretations Table 3.1-1 Double Beaver Project Area Section 6, T16N, R15W & N 1/2 Section 8, T16N, R15W, Buck Finley Project Area Section 16, T16N, R15W Notes IVIap Erosion Displacement Compaction Unit IVIapping Unit Name Soil Description Potential hazard Hazard Mark & maintain wetland/SMZ zone Aquolls and Aquepts, as field verified 6 poorly drained Deep organic silts Mod Ruts Easily Severe when wet Moist productive soil, Bata has ash Deep Loamy till / surface. Avoid Hollandlake-Bata colluvium & displacement by complex, 4 to 30% Volcanic ash season of use skid 54 slopes Surface Low / Mod Mod , Ruts easily Severe when wet trail planning Mod depth soils. road construction Mod to high may hit rock. Limit Hollandlake-Bata Loamy till/colluvium on slopes ground skid to complex, 30 to 60 % & Volcanic ash >45% Close Mod to high slopes less than 55 slopes Surface drain spacing on slopes >45% Mod 45% Waldbillig gravelly silt Average season of loam, 4 to 30% Glacial till & use, check 115 slopes volcanic ash Low / Mod Mod Severe when wet moisture Wildgen gravelly Average season of loam, 4 to 30% use, check 124 slopes Deep Glacial Till Low / Mod Mod Mod moisture Moist productive Wildgen-Winkler, soil Average cool, gravelly loams. Deep Glacial till & season of use. 125 1 5 to 30 % slopes colluvium Mod Mod Mod check moisture Mod to shallow soils, road construction may hit rock. Limit Wildgen-Winkler, Mod to high ground skid to cool, gravelly loams. Glacial till & on slopes Mod to high slopes less than 126 30 to 60 % slopes colluvium >45% on slopes >45% Mod 45% Dry site. Rock limits roads. planting. Long season of use Limit Wildgen, dry-Winkler Mod to high ground skid to complex, 30 to 60 % Glacial till & on slopes Mod to high slopes less than 128 slopes colluvium >45% on slopes >45% Low 45% Windfall gravelly loam, 4 to 30% Glacial till & Dry site, .Long 129 slopes colluvium Low / Mod Mod Low season of use Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Figure 3.1-1 DOUBLE BEAVER PROJECT AREAS SOILS MAP AND BURN SEVERITY Legend I I DBeaverProject_.Jire!i I I Soil Map Units Placidbarc Bum Severity ^^H Unbum/Low I I Low Severity ^^1 Moderate Severity ^^H IHigii Severity D D.I D2 D.4 DB DB Figure 3.1-2 BUCK-FIN LEY PROJECT AREAS SOILS MAP AND BURN SEVERITY Section 16. T16N.R16W Legend I I Soil Map Units Placidbarc Burn Severity ^^1 Unburn/Low I I Low Severity ^^H tvloderate Severity ^^1 l-iigti Severity I I Buct_Finn_WS Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Soil conditions resulting from the Jocko Lakes Fire The Jocko Lakes fire burned over 36,000 acres of land in August and September of 2007 including approximately 2,1 00 acres of DNRC lands managed by the Clearwater Unit. A large part of the fire is characterized by moderate intensity burn where there is a mosaic of mixed green canopy with included areas of complete canopy loss (high intensity). In general, most areas burned with enough heat intensity to kill or weaken most trees, although locations with sparse fuels or near moist riparian and wetland sites experienced varying tree mortality rates between species. For this assessment, burn intensity refers to the degree of vegetation burned or lost while burn severity refers to the degree of soils duff lost (intact to grey ash). Burn severity can affect water runoff, roots and soil microbes. Refer to soils maps (Figures 3.1 -1 , 3.1 -2 & Table 3.1 -2) to compare the distribution of burn severity in the project areas. Table 3.1-2 Estimated Burn Severity of Project Area (Within Fire Containment Line) Burn Severity Section 6 Section 8 Section 16 Unburned 8% 14% 11% Low 16% 51% 14% Moderate 16% 29% 39% High 61% 6% 36% Low severity burn occurs where the surface duff is scorched, but not consumed and seeds and roots are intact for rapid re-growth. Moderate severity burn results in some plant root loss and limited effects of water repellency, usually short term. High severity burn occurs where surface litter, duff and seeds are consumed, mineral soil is exposed, erosion hazard increases and surface roots may be killed. Compared to the overall fire, forest stands in DNRC Section 6 experienced a higher proportion of high severity burning that resulted in nearly all tree mortality, loss of canopy and loss of forest soil duff and litter. In addition to loss of soil cover, another potential effect to soils from fire is hydrophobicity, the tendency for soils to repel water. Soil hydrophobicity can manifest in two different types of soil conditions. One type (type 1 ) results from high surface tension due to severe drought or an oven drying effect of fires, where soil particles are slow to absorb moisture. This oven- dried soil effect typically dissipates with light rains and frost action over winter. A longer term , second type (type 2) of hydrophobic soil condition is caused by fire altering surface soils with burned resins from duff that seals soil pores and reduces water infiltration. This type of hydrophobicity may last into the next year and can result in flashy, increased runoff and erosion during intense storms. Field observations of the burned project area found principally the oven-dried effect (type 1 ) of moderate water repellency on an estimated 25 to 40% of the high severity burned areas. Localized areas of type 2 burn severity was found only in a few locations, and was not continuous in nature. The fall rains have begun to break down the moderate hydrophobicity allowing soil infiltration of precipitation. The Jocko Lakes fire, although intense in areas, caused only localized long term hydrophobicity that is likely to dissipate within the coming year. The potential for erosion and surface runoff will increase on all bare soils and is expected to be naturally high in 2008 until the soil surface has vegetative cover. On most moderately Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales burned sites, conifer needle fall following the fire has covered the soil surface adding to surface protection. Areas of low and moderate burn are expected to revegetate quickly and provide cover from erosion. Erosion will be highest on sites that experienced high severity burning, where forest canopy and the surface soil litter was consumed. Areas of erosion concern are steeper slopes with severe burn in section 6, T1 6N R1 5W and the southeast corner of section 1 6, T1 6N R1 6W. Some historic skid trails used over 40 years ago were poorly located and may concentrate surface runoff and erosion. Erosion is expected to be mainly sheet erosion and within the range of historic conditions, unless an intense storm event occurs. Erosion will decline as litter (branches, trees, twigs, needles, etc.) and its subsequent mulching effect along with revegetation increases, thereby providing greater surface soil protection. Fire suppression activities may also impact soil resources. Several control lines were constructed by bulldozers that scraped through surface soils. These areas have been rehabilitated by recontouring the sites and covering the disturbed area with woody debris and grass seeding, along with constructing features to reduce the potential for soil erosion. Past Management Prior management activities occurred on all parcels in the project area. The following Table 3.1 -3 summarizes the impacts by parcel. Table 3.1-3: Management Impacts from Previous Entries Parcel Name/Legal Description of Past Management Existing Impacts from Mgmt Activities Double Beaver Parcel Section 6, T16N, R15W Portions of the section were logged over 40 years ago and a shelterwood harvest was completed in 1990 and included winter harvest. Field review indicates limited impacts from past entries. Skid trails were well spaced and are estimated to cover less than 1 0% of the area. Previous winter harvest. Double Arrow Parcel N 1/2 Section 8, T16N, R15W This section was harvested in early 1 990's with the Double Arrow timber sale. This is very rocky tolerant ground with average soils impacts of less tfian 10% of the area and no BMP departures from previous harvest. Buck-Finley Parcel Sec16, T16N, R16W This area was last harvested in 1991 with the Finley Creek Timber Sale. Harvest was 1 .8 mmbf of seedtree and overstory removal from 220 acres. Additional harvest entries occurred probably in the early 1960's. During field review, excavated skid trails were identified in portions of this section that may concentrate runoff. Soil productivity in this unit has been affected by the presence of these old 1960 era trails which occur approximately every 75 feet. 1 50 ft of road was relocated for erosion control. The shelterwood stands were well stocked. Cumulative Soil Effects Cumulative effects to soils can occur from repeated ground skidding entries into the harvest area and additional road construction, depending on the area involved. Historic harvest effects are minimal based on previous winter harvest operations and field review for ruts and compaction, which occur on less than 1 0% of the harvest units and presents low risk of cumulative effects to soils. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS- Geology and Soils Description of Alternatives No Action Under the No Action Alternative, no timber harvest would occur. Culverts at risk of flooding would be replaced prior to winter to improve flow capacity. The effects of the No Action Alternative would be the same as previously described under existing conditions for water Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales quality and fisheries, except for tine reduced risl< of flooding at the culverts that would be replaced prior to winter. Action Alternative The proposed timber salvage would harvest dead and dying on up to approximately 1 ,053 acres on 3 DNRC parcels. Approximately 2.75 miles of new road would be constructed on the Buck Finley parcel and would include approximately 1 mile of road relocation on improved location and Va mile of road abandonment. No new stream crossings would be constructed. Approximately 2.9 miles of road would be reconstructed for access on the Beaver Creek parcel as part of a separate Jocko Salvage Roadwork Final EA (DNRC 2007) this fall. Several temporary spurs to landings may be constructed and stabilized after use. All roads would have adequate drainage concurrent with use and BMP's implemented. Maintenance grading would restore adequate drainage in all existing roads to meet BMP's. No salvage harvest is proposed within Streamside Management Zones. Selective harvest may occur in the severe burned wetland of the Beaver Creek Section 6, T1 6N R1 5W consistent with Wetland Management Zone rule ARM 36.1 1 .426. Direct and Indirect Effects - Geology and Soils No Action The effects of the No Action Alternative would be the same as previously described under existing conditions for soils. Action Alternative For the Action Alternative we evaluated the effects of timber harvest and continuing restoration activities of stabilization and seeding. Effects of tractor skidding harvest could cause direct effect of soil disturbance that could result in increased erosion, but not substantially more than severe burned areas not planned for harvest based on implementation of attached mitigation measures. Natural rates of erosion will be high, and there is limited and conflicting research on if erosion rates would be obviously greater with harvest effects (Mclver et.al. 2000). Under the Action Alternative, specific mitigations and BMP's would be implemented to minimize the area and degree of soil effects associated with proposed harvest. There will likely be negligible effects due to ground based harvest on slopes less than 40% based on our proposed mitigation measures. Mitigations include skid trail planning, cable harvest on steeper slopes, and placing drainage and woody debris on trails as needed to control erosion of sensitive sites. The most sensitive soils are found on wet sites and steep slopes in the severe burn areas, which would be avoided or protected with site specific mitigation measures such as directional falling and winchline skidding to favorable ground. The Beaver Creek parcel has the most extensive area of severely burned land and would be harvested primarily in the winter. Winter harvest in the Beaver Creek Section would minimize soils disturbance (typically less than 10% (Collins 2004). Harvest in the Buck-Finley Parcel would happen during summer operations. Ground effects of harvest operations would be closely monitored. The proposed harvest should have some net benefit to slow runoff and trap erosion by adding slash, twigs and woody debris to the forest floor on burned sites this first winter. Placing coarse woody debris and broken tops on slopes can have some immediate benefit to slow surface water runoff and reduce erosion as observed on other fires (Sula 2000). Portions of the fire-lines and temporary road would be used for ground skidding this fall and then stabilized with a combination of slash, waterbars and reseeding to control erosion. The Final Environmental Assessment - - g Jocko Lal0.75 mile from the project area. As a result, there would be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species as a result of the proposed action. Coeur d'Alene Salamander There is concern that timber harvest activities could affect this species. This species requires waterfall spray zones, talus, or cascading streams. Such habitat occurs within the Jocko Lakes parcel (section 36 T17N R17W), but no activities would occur within this parcel. There are no known areas of talus, waterfalls, or splash zones within the Final Environmental Assessment - - 94 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales remaining affected parcels. Tlnus, tlie proposed action would have low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species. Columbian Sharp-tailed Grouse There is concern that timber harvest activities could affect this species. The nearest known population of Columbian Sharp-tailed grouse occurs near Ovando, MT. Because of the distance involved, the proposed action would likely have low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species. Common Loon The common loon is a fish-eating bird that breeds and nests on lakes and ponds. The nearest known nesting locations for loons are on Seeley and Salmon lakes. Because these areas are not connected through the stream network with the proposed project area, there is low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to common loons as a result of the proposed project and this species will not be analyzed further in this document. Harlequin Duck Harlequin ducks require white-water streams with boulder and cobble substrates, as well as dense riparian vegetation. Such conditions do not exist within, or downstream of the analysis area. Thus, there would be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species. Mountain Plover There is concern that timber harvest activities could affect this species. The short-grass prairie habitats, or heavily grazed taller grass prairie habitats, required by this species are not present within the harvest area. Thus, the proposed action would have low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species. Northern Bog Lemming There is concern that timber harvest activities could affect this species. The sphagnum meadows, bogs or fens with thick moss mats required by this species are not present within the harvest area. Thus, the proposed action would have low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to this species. 3.4.1.2. Issues Studied in Detail Endangered Species Grizzly Bears The recent fire, timber salvage, and road construction could alter habitat or enable motorized access into areas that could be detrimental to grizzly bears. Gray Wolves The recent fire, timber salvage, and road construction could alter habitat or enable motorized access into areas that could be detrimental to gray wolves. Canada Lynx Final Environmental Assessment - - 25 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales The recent fire reduced the abundance and availability of lynx habitat. There are concerns that timber salvage operations could further reduce lynx habitat or delay forest recovery for suitable snowshoe hare utilization. Sensitive Species Black-backed Woodpecker With the recent creation of black-backed woodpecker habitat by the Jocko Lakes fire, there is concern that salvaging burned timber, and the associated activities, would reduce the availability of habitat and disturb black-backed woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpecker Timber salvaging and associated activities could alter habitat or create disturbance that could be detrimental to pileated woodpeckers. Fisher The Jocko Lakes fire burned potential fisher habitat. There is concern that timber salvaging, and its associated activities, could further reduce fisher habitat availability. Flammulated Owl The Jocko Lakes fire burned potential flammulated owl habitat. There is concern that timber salvaging, and its associated activities, could further reduce flammulated owl habitat availability. Big Game The Jocko Lakes fire burned approximately 36,000 acres, increasing sight distance through reductions in screening cover (e.g., seedlings, saplings, shrubs). There is concern that increased sight distance due to removal of burned trees, and increased road densities may increase big game vulnerability. 3.4.2. Affected Environment Endangered Species Grizzly Bears Grizzly bears are the largest terrestrial predators in North America, feasting upon deer, rodents, fish, roots and berries, as well as a wide assortment of vegetation (Hewitt and Bobbins 1 996). Depending upon climate, abundance of food, and cover distribution, home ranges for male grizzly bears in northwest Montana can range from 60 - 500 mi^ (Waller and Mace 1 997). The search for food drives grizzly bear movement, with bears moving from low elevations in spring to higher elevations in fall, as fruits ripen throughout the year. However, in their pursuit of food, grizzly bears can be negatively impacted through open roads (Kasworm and Manley 1990). Such impacts are manifested through habitat avoidance, poaching, and vehicle collisions. Approximately 36,000 acres burned in the Jocko Lakes fire, primarily at stand replacing intensity (approximately 26,390 acres; from Jocko_barc_090207 BARC map, using gridcodes 3 and 4), approximately 6,293 acres at a medium burn intensity (gridcode 2), and approximately 3,327 acres in a low burn intensity (gridcode 1). Thus, the vegetative Final Environmental Assessment - - Ofi Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales landscape was altered by the fire. Grizzly bears are known to utilize the nearby Clearwater River riparian zone and the power line corridor that runs through the project area (MT FWP comments 7 September 2006 for the Hidden Bugs Timber Sale). Within a 1 ,062 square mile analysis area that surrounds the project area, there are approximately 1 ,368 miles of open road and 3,400 miles of total road (open or closed), for road densities of 1 .29 miles of open road per square mile (simple linear calculation), and 3.2 miles of total road per square mile (simple linear calculation). Currently, within the parcels proposed for timber salvage (4 parcels, 2,247 acres total), there is an open road density of 1 .7 miles of open road per square mile (simple linear calculation; 5.96 miles), and a total road density of approximately 5.03 miles of total road per square mile (simple linear calculation; 1 7.64 linear miles). Gray Wolves There currently are no known wolf packs within a 15-mile radius of the project area (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2006 Interagency Wolf Report; Weekly wolf reports http://westerngraywolf.fws.gov/). However, there are unverified sightings of a wolf pack in the Jocko River drainage, immediately west of the project area (Kent Laudon, Wolf Specialist, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, personal communication, 5 March 2007). Cover, and road and prey densities likely have some influence on wolves (road densities reported under grizzly bear). For cumulative effects analysis, the analysis area will be the same as that of the grizzly bear. Mule deer, white-tailed deer, and elk are known to use the area. Currently, no known wolf den or rendezvous site is located within 1 mile of the project area. Canada Lynx Lynx are currently classified as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. In North America, lynx distribution and abundance is strongly correlated with snowshoe hares, their primary prey. Lynx foraging habitat has recently been characterized as having high horizontal cover, an abundance of shrub cover, large diameter trees during winter, and is typically in spruce-fir forest (Squires et al. 2006). Typically, lynx inhabit early- to mid- successional lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and Engelmann spruce forest. For denning sites, the primary component appears to be large woody debris, in the form of down logs, root wads, and rock piles (Koehler 1990) surrounded by high horizontal cover (Squires et al. 2006, Squires and Laurion 2000, Mowat et al. 2000). These den sites are usually in mature, mesic forests on northeast aspects. Lynx also den along the edges of regenerating forests where trees have blown down into jackstrawed piles of woody debris (Squires et al. 2006, Ruediger et al. 2000). Lynx response to fire is anecdotal. Observations from the Boles Meadows fire in 2003 noted that a lynx whose home range was located within the boundary of that fire was displaced to the Bob Marshall Wilderness (J. Squires, USFS, personal communication, 1 September 2007). A population of lynx is known to exist in the Clearwater River Drainage, near the town of Seeley Lake. Prior to the fire, lynx use was documented through winter tracking, summer aerial telemetry, and GPS-collar locations on section 36 T1 7N R1 7W (Jocko Lakes parcel), section 1 6 T1 6N R1 6W (Buck Finley), and section 36 T1 6N R1 6W (7/1 Split Timber Permit; J. Squires, USFS, personal communication, 1 1 September 2007). A 90% isopleth map was developed for a portion of this population based upon 2800 GPS and aerial telemetry locations from 75 lynx between 1998 and 2006 (J. Kolbe, MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks, e-mail, 23 February 2007), indicating where 90% of the locations approximate the area utilized by lynx. Overlaying the Jocko Lakes fire perimeter on the lynx 90% isopleth map, approximately 26,570 acres (1 5%) of the approximately 1 71 ,800 acre lynx area were burned at varying intensities in August and September 2007. Of the approximately 36,000-acre Jocko Lakes fire, the majority of the forest burned at stand replacing intensity (approximately 26,390 acres; from Jocko_barc_090207 BARC map), approximately 6,293 acres at a medium burn intensity, and approximately 3,327 acres in Final Environmental Assessment - - 97 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales re Acres Post-Fire Acres 234 1,264 1,332 613 284 21 143 142 186 139 a low burn intensity. As a result, lynx habitat was changed on USPS, Plum Creek Timber, and DNRC lands affected by the fire, and burned timber is being salvage logged on the private industrial grounds. Table 3.4-1 presents estimates of pre- and post-fire lynx habitat on the 5 parcels covered by the proposed action, and section 18 T16N R15W, which was also affected by the fire. Much of the "denning/mature foraging" and "denning" habitat that remained post-fire occurred outside of the fire perimeter. Table 3.4-1. Estimated pre- and post-fire lynx habitat acreage on 6 DNRC parcels affected by the 2007 Jocko Lakes fire (DNRC SLI database 28 September 2006 release; Jocko Lakes BARC map 2 September 2007; M. McGrath, DNRC Wildlife Biologist, field observations, August through October, 2007). Lynx Habitat Pre-FI Temporary Non-Lynx Other Young Poraging Mature Poraging Denning/Mature Poraging Denning Total 2,179 2,179 Sensitive Species Black-backed Woodpecker The black-backed woodpecker is an irruptive species that forages opportunistically on outbreaks of wood boring beetles primarily in recently burned habitats, and to a lesser degree in unburned habitats. It is also considered to be a sensitive species in Montana. Although the black-backed woodpecker's nesting and foraging requirements are thought to be tightly linked with burned areas, it does nest and forage in unburned forest in response to insect outbreaks (Hutto 1 995, Bull et al. 1 986). Burned forests tend to be used immediately after burns occur (approximately 1 - 5 years). Large, densely stocked non-salvaged stands with an abundance of trees greater than or equal to 1 2 inches dbh appear to provide the greatest benefit to black-backed woodpeckers for foraging and nesting. Black-backed woodpeckers are also found in green forests with high levels of insect activity (Goggans et al. 1989). In recent years, wildfires in western Montana have created an abundance of potentially suitable habitat that will be available for black-backed woodpeckers at the landscape scale. Because of the close relationship of black-backed woodpeckers and wildfire, the analysis area was defined as a 50-mile radius surrounding the project area. Encompassing the project area, the approximately 36,000-acre Jocko Lakes fire burned primarily at stand replacing intensity (approximately 26,390 acres), with approximately 6,293 acres at a medium burn intensity, and approximately 3,327 acres in a low burn intensity. Thus, potential black-backed woodpecker habitat was created, primarily on USPS and DNRC lands within the fire perimeter. It is estimated that approximately 1 ,141 acres of black-backed woodpecker habitat were burned on the 6 parcels affected by the fire. Within the 50-mile radius of the project area, 1 79,1 03 acres burned on 27 large fires in 2003, and 21 1 ,380 acres have burned on 1 1 fires in 2007. Thus, with burned areas generally losing their utility for this species after 5 years, 2007's fires have replaced the amount of acres burned in 2003. Pileated Woodpecker The pileated woodpecker is one of the largest woodpeckers in North America (1 5-1 9 inches in length), feeding primarily on carpenter ants {Camponotus spp.) and woodboring Final Environmental Assessment - - 98 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales beetle larvae (Bull and Jackson 1995). The pileated woodpecker nests and roosts in larger diameter snags, typically in mature to old-growth forest stands (Bull et al. 1 992, McClelland et al. 1979). Due primarily to its large size, pileated woodpeckers require nest snags averaging 29 inches dbh, but have been known to nest in snags as small as 15 inches dbh in Montana (McClelland 1979). Pairs of pileated woodpeckers excavate 2- 3 snags for potential nesting sites each year (Bull and Jackson 1 995). Snags used for roosting are slightly smaller, averaging 27 inches dbh (Bull et al. 1992). Overall, McClelland (1979) found pileated woodpeckers to nest and roost primarily in western larch, ponderosa pine, and black cottonwood. The primary prey of pileated woodpeckers, carpenter ants, tends to prefer western larch logs with a large end diameter greater than 20 inches (Torgersen and Bull 1995). Thus, pileated woodpeckers generally prefer western larch and ponderosa pine snags > 15 inches dbh for nesting and roosting, and would likely feed on downed larch logs with a large end diameter greater than 20 inches. The most abundant habitat types (Pfister et al. 1 977) within the project area are the subalpine fir/twinflower, Douglas-fir/blue huckleberry, subalpine fir/beargrass, and Douglas-fir/snowberry types (Stand Level Inventory database). Within the project area, there are approximately 71 2 acres that are predominately ponderosa pine, larch, or Douglas-fir/ponderosa pine, with average stand diameter > 1 5 inches dbh that would be considered suitable pileated woodpecker habitat, of which, approximately 628 acres were burned by the fire (SLI database). The cumulative effects analysis area will encompass the project area parcels and a 1-mile radius surrounding them. Fisher The fisher is a medium-sized animal belonging to the weasel family. Fishers prefer dense, lowland spruce-fir forests with high canopy closure, and avoid forests with little overhead cover and open areas (Powell 1 978, Powell 1 977, Kelly 1 977, Clem 1 977, Coulter 1 966). For resting and denning, fishers typically use hollow trees, logs and stumps, brush piles, and holes in the ground (Coulter 1 966, Powell 1 977). Within the Jocko Lakes fire perimeter, there are approximately 1 ,930 acres of fisher preferred habitat types on School Trust and USPS parcels. Of these acres, approximately 892 acres occurred within the project area prior to the fire. Post-fire, approximately 350 acres of potential fisher habitat remain on the affected parcels, primarily outside of the fire perimeter on section 36 T1 6N R1 6W. The Montana Natural Heritage Database reports one fisher sighting 2 miles north of the Beaver Creek parcel (section 6, T1 6N R1 5W). No class 1 or class 2 streams flow through the affected parcels. Flammulated Owl The flammulated owl is a tiny forest owl that inhabits warm-dry ponderosa pine and cool- dry Douglas-fir forests in the western United States and is a secondary cavity nester. Nest trees in 2 Oregon studies were 22-28 inches dbh (McCallum 1 994). Habitats used have open to moderate canopy closure (30 to 50%) with at least 2 canopy layers, and are often adjacent to small clearings. It subsists primarily on insects and is considered a sensitive species in Montana. Periodic underburns may contribute to increasing habitat suitability for flammulated owls because low intensity fires would reduce understory density of seedlings and saplings, while periodically stimulating shrub growth. Prior to the fire, there were approximately 1 ,297 acres of flammulated owl preferred habitat types. However, the Jocko Lakes fire burned many of those acres, leaving approximately 770 acres post-fire, and largely outside of the fire perimeter, that may be suitable for flammulated owls. Big Game Final Environmental Assessment - - OQ Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Road access has been linked to hunter-induced ell< mortality rates and population dynamics (Leptich and Zager 1 991 ). Results of an elk mortality study in northern Idaho found that bull mortality rates were approximately 25% lower in areas with managed access, than in highly roaded areas, but were still approximately 40% higher than in areas with few roads (Leptich and Zager 1 991 ). Additionally, Leptich and Zager (1 991 ) found that closing roads extended the age structure of the bull population from 5.5 years to 7.5 years. However, the unroaded population had the most balanced bull age structure with some bulls living >1 years. Thus, road density and access management play important roles in big game population dynamics. The area burned during the Jocko Lakes fire does not contain big game winter range. However, it is a mixture of private industrial forest (53%), National Forest (32%), Tribal (8%), and School Trust lands (6%). Within this area, there are approximately 249 miles of road, of which, approximately 1 35 miles are open to motorized access. On the affected parcels, there are approximately 20 miles of road, of which, approximately 7 miles are open to motorized access. 3.4.3. Environmental Consequences Endangered Species Grizzly Bears No Action: Under this alternative, timber salvage would not occur throughout the affected area, and road construction would not occur on the Buck Finley parcel (Section 1 6 T1 6N R1 6W). Open and total road density would not change under this alternative; however there would likely be a gradual change in sight distance from open roads with burned snags falling over time. These changes would be most pronounced along the main Beaver Creek Road, approximately 0.6 miles on 2 roads in the Tupper's Lake parcel, and the approximately 1 mile of main road in the Jocko Lakes parcel, due to the abundance of high severity burn visible from these open roads. However, this increase in sight distance would be temporary until natural regeneration colonizes the affected sites and provides visual screening cover. Thus there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to grizzly bears as a result of the no action alternative. Action Alternative: The proposed action would salvage burned timber on 1 ,053 acres on 3 parcels: Beaver Creek (Section 6 T1 6N R1 5W), Tupper's Lake (Section 8 T1 6N R15W), and Buck Finley, and construct approximately 2.75 miles of new road on the Buck Finley parcel. Additionally, other DNRC actions analyzed under separate MEPA documents include approximately 34 acres of burned timber salvage in the 7-1 Split Timber Permit (section 36 T1 6N R1 6W), harvest of approximately 1 25 acres of bug-killed lodgepole pine and construction of approximately 0.5 mile of road in the Hidden Bugs Timber Salvage, salvage harvest of approximately 120 acres of burned timber in the Hidden Bugs Amendment, and construction and reconstruction of approximately 2.9 miles of road on the Beaver Creek parcel. The proposed timber salvage on the Beaver Creek and Tupper's Lake parcels would increase sight distance on approximately 524 acres that are visible from open roads within the affected parcels, thereby potentially increasing grizzly bear vulnerability to poaching. However, the increased sight distance would be temporary, as the proposed action includes planting the burned acres on these parcels to reduce the time for forest regeneration. Additionally, roads that would be constructed under the proposed action, and roads constructed under the Jocko Salvage Road Work EA Checklist, would not increase the open road density within the project and analysis areas, and would install Final Environmental Assessment - - ^ n Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales road closure devices where necessary. However, the proposed road construction would increase the total road density from approximately 3.2 to 3.21 miles of road per square mile within the cumulative effects analysis area, and from approximately 5.03 to 6.64 miles of road per square mile within the affected parcels. With the installation of road closure devices, the risk of increasing motorized access within the project area should be minimized. As a result, there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to grizzly bears as a result of the proposed action. Gray Wolves No Action: Similar to the effects for grizzly bears under the no action alternative, effects to wolves would be linked to the gradual increase in sight distance associated with open roads and the gradual loss of snags over time. However, this increase in sight distance would be temporary until natural regeneration colonizes the affected sites and provides visual screening cover. Thus there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to wolves as a result of the no action alternative. Action Alternative: Similar to the grizzly bear analysis, there are multiple past, current, and proposed state actions that could potentially affect wolves. The timber salvage under this proposed action, as well as in the Hidden Bugs Timber Sale, proposed 7-1 Split Timber Permit, proposed Bugchuck Timber Salvage, Seeley Salvage I and II, and the road construction associated with the Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage projects could affect wolves through reduction in screening cover along open roads. Within the project area, the proposed action would minimize the loss of screening cover through planting seedlings post-harvest to accelerate forest regeneration, thereby reducing the time screening cover would be reduced in the harvest units. Additionally, through installation of road closure devices and construction of roads on currently closed road systems, open road density would not be increased through the proposed action. As a result, there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to wolves as a result of the proposed action. Canada Lynx No Action: Under the no action alternative, the proposed roads would not be constructed and the proposed timber salvage and tree planting would not occur. As a result, there would be an abundance of trees killed by the Jocko Lakes fire on the landscape. Eventually, these trees would fall and become coarse woody debris on the ground, and serve as subnivean cover for snowshoe hares, and potential den sites for lynx. Such sites would be most beneficial for lynx and snowshoe hares once natural regeneration has stocked the landscape with seedlings and saplings that would provide the desired cover for these two species. Thus, the additional downed wood would create habitat features for use by the lynx's primary prey, while also creating additional features for lynx use. As a result, there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to lynx from the no action alternative. Action Alternative: The proposed action, combined with actions covered under the Jocko Salvage Road Work EA Checklist, would construct approximately 5.7 miles of road on the Beaver Creek, Tupper's Lake, and Buck Finley parcels. There is concern that these roads would enable other predators, such as coyotes, to gain winter access to areas which lynx traditionally hunt without competition from other predators. Kolbe et al. (2007) found that coyotes in the analysis area: (1) stayed in lynx habitat having deep snow throughout the winter months; (2) used forest roads for approximately 1 0% of their winter travel; and (3) used snowmobile trails for approximately 8% of their winter travel distance and appeared to have minimal influence on coyote winter movements and foraging success. Thus, the proposed road construction would likely have minimal direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to lynx. Final Environmental Assessment - - q i Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales The proposed action would salvage timber on approximately 454 acres of the Buck Finley parcel, approximately 507 acres on the Beaver Creek parcel, and approximately 66 acres on the Tupper's Lake parcel. Additionally, other DNRC actions analyzed under separate MEPA documents include approximately 34 acres of burned timber salvage in the 7-1 Split Timber Permit (section 36 T1 6N R1 6W), harvest of approximately 1 25 acres of bug- killed lodgepole pine in the Hidden Bugs Timber Salvage, salvage harvest of approximately 1 20 acres of burned timber in the Hidden Bugs Amendment. Of the remaining 658 acres of suitable lynx habitat on the 3 affected parcels post-fire, the proposed action would retain approximately 478 acres post-harvest (Table 2). Within the 6 parcels affected by the fire, there are currently approximately 91 5 acres of suitable lynx habitat that would be reduced to approximately 647 acres following actions covered under all currently proposed actions (Table 3.4-2). Additionally, active timber salvaging is currently occurring on private industrial lands affected by the fire. To accelerate forest regeneration, planting would occur on the affected parcels, and would reduce the time lynx habitat types are temporarily unsuitable for lynx use. As per ARM 36.1 1 .435(8), at least 5 acres of denning habitat and 1 0% of mature foraging habitat would be retained per parcel, where these habitats occur. Table 3.4-2. Current and estimated post-action lynx habitat on 3 parcels covered under the proposed action, and on the combined 6 School Trust parcels affected by the Jocko Lakes fire, inclusive of the project area parcels. Cumulative action post-salvage acreage accounts for on-going and proposed state actions on the combined 6 School Trust parcels affected by the Jocko Lakes fire. Proposed Action Cumulative Actions Current Post-Salvage Current Post-Salvage Lynx Habitat Acres Acres Acres Acres Temporary Non-Lynx 926 1,106 1,264 1,537 Other 430 257 613 412 Young Foraging Mature Foraging 21 14 21 14 Denning/Mature Foraging 142 142 142 142 Denning 65 65 139 74 Total 1,584 1,584 2,179 2,179 To mitigate the effects of the proposed action on lynx, the following would be implemented: 1 . No salvage harvesting would occur within the Jocko Lakes parcel (section 36 T1 7N R1 7W). This would retain 1 40 acres of "other" habitat in an unharvested state, and 334 acres of temporary non-habitat that is largely standing dead timber and would eventually fall and create subnivean habitat for snowshoe hares and potential denning habitat for lynx. This parcel also received extensive use by lynx prior to the fire (J. Squires, USFS, personal communication, 1 1 September 2007). 2. A wildlife corridor would be retained in the northwest quarter of the Beaver Creek parcel to allow for wildlife movement, and is located in "other" lynx habitat. 3. Three to four 0.25 to 0.5 acre patches of lodgepole pine would be retained on the Buck Finley parcel for future snowshoe hare subnivean cover and planned blowdown areas for lynx denning structures. 4. Approximately 40 acres of "other" habitat and approximately 5 acres of mature foraging habitat would be retained in the northwest corner of the Buck Finley parcel. 5. Approximately 45 acres of "other"/mature foraging habitat within a riparian zone in the southeast quarter of the Buck Finley parcel would be retained. 6. Planting would occur within the project area to accelerate forest regeneration. Final Environmental Assessment - - a 9 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 7. The portions of downed wood exhibiting decay (i.e., wood that could not be utilized) would be retained for snowshoe hare subnivean cover and potential lynx denning structures. Given data available from local lynx researchers, the proposed action would attempt to leave the best available lynx habitat closest to areas that received extensive use by lynx prior to the fire. The proposed action would also be proactive at retaining lynx habitat features, and planning for future features. Heavier harvesting would occur on parcels that are lower in elevation and farther from pre-fire lynx use areas. Additionally, the project area parcels are typically surrounded by or adjacent to private industrial lands that are currently being salvage harvested. As a result, the proposed action would likely have low to moderate risk of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to lynx. Sensitive Species Black-backed Woodpecker No Action: Under this alternative, burned timber would not be salvage harvested on the Beaver Creek, Tupper's Lake, Buck Finley, or Jocko Lakes parcels, and DNRC would retain approximately 1 ,091 acres of potential habitat for this species. Additionally, within a 50-mile radius of the project area, 1 79,1 03 acres burned on 27 large fires in 2003, and 21 1 ,380 acres burned on 1 1 fires in 2007. Thus, ample black-backed woodpecker habitat likely exists at the landscape level. As a result, there would likely be minimal risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to black-backed woodpeckers as a result of the no action alternative. Action Alternative: The proposed action would harvest approximately 573 acres on the Beaver Creek and Tupper's Lake parcels, combined, and harvest approximately 453 acres and construct approximately 2.75 miles of road on the Buck Finley parcel. This proposed action would harvest approximately 624 acres of potential black-backed woodpecker habitat on these parcels, while retaining several patches of habitat < 40 acres in area, primarily on the Buck Finley parcel. Additionally, approximately 31 9 acres of black-backed woodpecker habitat would be retained for this species in the Jocko Lakes parcel, where the single open road could potentially affect approximately 1 1 8 acres of habitat that is within 0.25 mile. On the 5 parcels affected by the Jocko Lakes fire that are covered by this analysis, approximately 1 ,884 acres burned. The proposed action would not salvage the 31 9 acres (1 7% of the burned area) of black-backed woodpecker habitat on the Jocko Lakes parcel, and approximately 201 of those acres would be relatively unaffected by the open road on the parcel. Thus, the proposed action would set aside 1 7% of the burned area for black-backed woodpeckers, which would include approximately 1 1 % of the burned area that would be relatively unaffected by open roads. Within areas proposed for harvesting, the proposed action would also retain at least 1 snag and 1 snag recruit per acre whose DBH > 21 inches, or the next largest available size class (as per ARM 36.1 1 .41 1 ), and would retain 1 snag per 2 acres 1 5 < DBH < 21 . Should >40 acre patches of black-backed woodpecker habitat exist within the parcels proposed for salvage harvest during the period of April 1 5 through July 1 , mechanized activity would be minimized within 0.25 mile of said habitat (as per ARM 36.1 1 .438(1 )(a)). Thus, there would likely be low risk of direct and indirect effects to this species from the proposed action. Actions covered under separate MEPA documents would salvage harvest approximately 73 acres and affect approximately 34 acres of black-backed woodpecker habitat. Additionally, surrounding private industrial lands affected by the fire are actively salvaging burned timber, while burned timber salvage is not currently proposed for nearby National Forest lands. Given the abundance of habitat burned within a 50-mile radius in 2007 and 2003, and the proposed management of habitat in the Jocko Lakes parcel in an Final Environmental Assessment - - o o Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales unharvested condition for tliis species, there would likely be a low risk of cumulative effects from the proposed action on black-backed woodpeckers. Pileated Woodpecker No Action: Under this alternative, approximately 1 ,026 acres of burned timber would not be salvage harvested. As a result, there would be an abundance of snags on the landscape. However, because pileated woodpeckers have an affinity for stands with canopy closure that is greater than is generally available in the landscape, many of these burned stands would not be suitable nesting habitat for this species. Many of these snags would serve primarily as foraging substrate for pileated woodpeckers. As a result, this alternative would likely have minimal risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to pileated woodpeckers. Action Alternative: Within the project area, there were approximately 71 2 acres of potential pileated woodpecker habitat prior to the fire. Post-fire, approximately 84 acres remain. Under the proposed action, approximately 74 of the 84 acres would remain post- harvest. Proposed mitigations include retention of an average of at least 1 snag and 1 snag recruit whose dbh > 21 inches (if not available, then the largest size class) would be retained per acre, under the fire salvage and likely future insect salvage (ARM 36.1 1 .41 1). Additionally, the proposed action would retain 1 snag per every 2 acres whose 1 5 < DBH < 21 inches, and may plant seedling to accelerate forest recovery. Thus, with the harvest of approximately 10 acres of potential pileated woodpecker habitat, there would likely be low risk of direct or indirect effects. However, given that many of the affected parcels are immediately adjacent to > 2 private industrial parcels, where fire salvage operations are currently on-going, and the reductions in habitat associated with the fire, there may be low risk of cumulative effects to this species from the proposed action. Fisher No Action: Under this alternative, approximately 1 ,026 acres of burned timber would not be salvage harvested and trees would not be planted to accelerate forest regeneration. As a result, there would be an abundance of snags on the landscape that would eventually fall and become coarse woody debris. However, because fishers have an affinity for stands with canopy closure that is greater than is generally available in the landscape, many of these burned stands would not be suitable habitat for fishers for several decades. Thus, this alternative would likely have minimal risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to fishers. Action Alternative: The proposed action would harvest approximately 1 ,026 acres of burned timber and plant tree seedlings to accelerate forest regeneration on the Beaver Creek, Tupper's Lake, and Buck Finley parcels. The proposed 7-10 Split Timber Permit in section 36 T1 6N R1 6W would also salvage timber on 34 acres. However, the remaining unburned potential fisher habitat occurs outside of the fire perimeter on the Tupper's Lake and 7-1 Split parcels. Thus, the proposed action would not likely further reduce the amount of habitat currently available for fishers. Through salvaging burned timber, the proposed action would reduce the future availability of fisher habitat features (i.e., downed logs) on the affected parcels. To mitigate for some of these losses, the proposed action would: 1 . Retain a wildlife corridor in the northwest quarter of the Beaver Creek parcel to allow for wildlife movement, and is located in fisher habitat types. 2. Three to four 0.25 to 0.5 acre patches of lodgepole pine would be retained on the Buck Finley parcel for planned blowdown areas for downed wood recruitment. 3. Retain approximately 45 acres of multi-storied habitat would be retained in the northwest corner of the Buck Finley parcel. Final Environmental Assessment - - 'lA Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 4. Approximately 45 acres of multi-storied habitat within a riparian zone in the southeast quarter of the Buck Finley parcel would be retained. 5. Planting would occur within the project area to accelerate forest regeneration. 6. The portions of downed wood exhibiting decay (i.e., wood that could not be utilized) would be retained for downed wood recruitment. Thus, through no loss of additional potential fisher habitat, and implementation of the proposed mitigations, there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to fishers from the proposed action alternative. Flammulated Owl No Action: Under this alternative, approximately 1 ,026 acres of burned timber would not be salvage harvested and trees would not be planted to accelerate forest regeneration. As a result, there would be an abundance of snags on the landscape that would eventually fall and become coarse woody debris. Unfortunately, many of the snags would likely fall prior to forest regeneration and the generation of suitable forest structure for this species. Thus, this alternative would likely have minimal risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to fishers. Action Alternative: The proposed action would harvest approximately 30 acres of the remaining 770 acres of post-fire flammulated owl habitat types within the affected parcels. The majority of the remaining post-fire habitat on the affected parcels occurs outside of the fire perimeter on the Tupper's Lake and 7-1 Split Timber Permit parcel. With the proposed post-harvest planting, forest regeneration should be accelerated so that there may be forest structure available for flammulated owls within two decades. Additionally, proposed mitigations include retention of an average of at least 1 snag and 1 snag recruit whose dbh > 21 inches (if not available, then the largest size class) would be retained per acre, under the fire salvage and likely future insect salvage (ARM 36.1 1 .41 1 ), and 1 snag per every 2 acres whose 1 5 < DBH < 21 inches would be retained. Due to the minimal reduction in post-fire habitat, proposed post-harvest planting, and implementation of the proposed mitigations, there would likely be minimal risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to flammulated owls as a result of the proposed action alternative. Big Game No Action: Under this alternative, timber salvage would not occur throughout the affected area, and road construction would not occur on the Buck Finley parcel (section 1 6 T1 6N R1 6W). Open and total road density would not change under this alternative, however there would likely be a gradual change in sight distance from open roads with burned snags falling over time. These changes would be most pronounced along the main Beaver Creek Road, approximately 0.6 miles on 2 roads in the Tupper's Lake parcel, and the approximately 1 mile of main road in the Jocko Lakes parcel, due to the abundance of high severity burn visible from these open roads. However, this increase in sight distance would be temporary until natural regeneration colonizes the affected sites and provides visual screening cover. Thus there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to big game vulnerability as a result of the no action alternative. Action Alternative: The proposed action would salvage burned timber on 1 ,051 acres on 3 parcels: Beaver Creek, Tupper's Lake, and Buck Finley, and construct approximately 2.76 miles of new road on the Buck Finley parcel. Additionally, other DNRC actions analyzed under separate MEPA documents include approximately 34 acres of burned timber salvage in the 7-1 Split Timber Permit (section 36 T1 6N R1 6W), Final Environmental Assessment - - o c Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales harvest of approximately 125 acres of bug-killed lodgepole pine and construction of approximately 0.5 mile of road in the Hidden Bugs Timber Salvage, salvage harvest of approximately 120 acres of burned timber in the Hidden Bugs Amendment, and construction and reconstruction of approximately 2.9 miles of road on the Beaver Creek parcel. The proposed timber salvage on the Beaver Creek and Tupper's Lake parcels would increase sight distance on approximately 524 acres that are visible from open roads within the affected parcels, thereby potentially increasing big game vulnerability to hunting. However, the increased sight distance would be temporary, as the proposed action includes planting the burned acres on these parcels to reduce the time for forest regeneration. Additionally, roads that would be constructed under the proposed action, and roads constructed under the Jocko Salvage Road Work EA Checklist, would not increase the open road density within the project and analysis areas, and would install road closure devices where necessary. However, the proposed road construction would increase the total road density from approximately 5.03 to 6.64 miles of road per square mile within the affected parcels. With the installation of road closure devices, the risk of increasing motorized access within the project area should be minimized. As a result, there would likely be low risk of direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to big game vulnerability as a result of the proposed action. 3.5. Historical and Archiaeological Sites The route of a historic trail in Section 1 6, Township 1 6 N Range 1 6W, was identified and documented and will be formally recorded during the winter of 2008. Timber salvage activities are not expected to adversely affect this cultural resource (P. Rennie, DNRC, personal communication). 3.6. Aesthietics Analysis The Jocko Lakes project area is located within the Columbia Rockies character type of the Rocky Mountain Region. The landscapes in the general area are influenced by glaciation and steep glaciated peaks with lower rolling ridges that typify the area, and aesthetic kettle lakes (such as Hidden Lake and Tuppers Lake) are located along valley floors. The rounded ridges that dominate the area are primarily covered with coniferous vegetation. This is a mixture of different conifers (ponderosa pine, western larch, Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine, etc.) with some hardwoods (black cottonwood, aspen, and willows) dispersed in the draws, seeps, potholes, and along the shores of bodies of water. South and west facing slopes in the area are often somewhat open. These areas are often covered by scattered coniferous vegetation and predominantly are a grass and brush community. For the most part, the often visible checkerboard ownership pattern common in the Clearwater River drainages is readily apparent when looking at the project area. Although the area has seen a long history of timber removal, harvested ground varies from the form, line, color, and texture of the surrounding unharvested areas. The project area has some "distinctive" landscapes: Seeley Lake, Placid Lake, Hidden Lake, Jocko Lake, and the Mission Mountain Tribal wilderness. Distinctive landscapes are those where the features of landforms, vegetative patterns, water, and/or rock formations are of unusual or outstanding visual quality. This area was inventoried to determine its Visual Absorption Capacity or VAC. VAC is defined as the "physical ability of the land to support management activities and to maintain scenic integrity". Final Environmental Assessment - - -if. Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Factors that aid in determination of tlie VAC are: tlie natural forms, lines, colors, and textures; the distance between the project area and the viewpoints; the estimated number of viewers; and the relative sensitivity of those viewers to the scenery around them. The distance between the project area and the viewpoints is generally categorized into three groups; foreground viewing (distances from the viewer's position out to around 2 mile), middle ground viewing (distances from 2 mile to 4 miles from the observer), and background viewing (distances greater than 4 miles from the viewer's position). A subgroup of foreground viewing is the detailed feature landscape within the first few hundred feet of the observer. Often slope impacts the amount of VAC by enhancing any changes in form, line, color, or texture. To paraphrase using simple terms - the steeper the slope, the lower the VAC. This means that a harvest prescription that is barely visible on gentle sloping ground can be highly visible when on steep ground. The proposed harvest area is generally foreground or middle ground viewing from much of the general area. Open roads coarse through the project area, and the sections of 6, 8, and 16 can be viewed from several distinct locations. The visual resource analysis of this area was conducted by utilizing the Visual Management System (USDA 1 977a, USDA 1 977b, USDA 1 980a, USDA 1 980b), and the Scenery Management System (USDA 1 995). Both of these were developed by the U.S. Forest Service and have been used to describe the existing conditions, effects of actions, and mitigations for projects. Information used in this analysis was gathered from field visits, analysis of photographs and seen area maps, and the study of landscape patterns in the area. No Action Conditions within the general project area are the result of a large wildfire. As is common with such fires, the existing stands often do not show the true case of what trees will live or die for the next several years. As was studied by the DNRC on Trust Lands within the Bitterroot valley in 2000, some trees were still dying from primary fire effects (weakened root structures, inability to recover from crown reduction, etc.) and secondary fire effects (insects, windthrow, etc.) in the year of 2004. Fire affected stands within the Jocko Lakes fire area will likely show a similar breakdown over time. Snags and open stand conditions would continue to occur. Many of the standing snags would likely fall over and create openings. Over time, regeneration would fill in the open portions of the stand. These stands will continue to grow and assume form, line, color, and texture of the surrounding unharvested areas. Action Alternative Under the Action Alternative, the creation of stand openings would be accelerated. The general number of trees left standing per acre would be less than the No Action Alternative. Harvest units would be different in line and texture than some surrounding stands. This would be mitigated by retaining unharvested portions within the units. The unharvested portions would help decrease the form, line, color, and texture differences from the middle ground viewing areas. During harvest, the trails of equipment on the ground or skyline yarding trails would be visible and would likely be overgrown with vegetation within one or two years. Remaining slash would be scattered or burned within one year or covered by other vegetation within three years. Through the removal of burned timber, sites would be generally lighter in color post-harvest than can be seen currently. Final Environmental Assessment - - a -7 Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Should some of the proposed units be harvested during the summer, the associated sl^idding and hauling would likely cause temporary dust clouds. Such clouds would be short in duration and would only occur during harvesting. During harvest, activities would be quite audible. Depending upon conditions, equipment could be heard many miles from their location. The harvest of this volume would most likely be done within a few months, would occur during the general "work week", and would be short in duration. Changes to the scenery as a result of proposed action would be in addition to past timber harvests, road building, future fire activity, and management activities on other ownerships. Much of the surrounding areas (U.S. Forest Service, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, and some private non-industrial) would likely not be harvested at the same time period. Under the Action Alternative, treated stands would fill in over time and blend in with the existing mosaic of openings and dense areas on surrounding ownerships. Harvest activities would likely have low risk of direct, indirect, and cumulative effects to aesthetics in the area. 3.7. Demands on Environmental Resources of Land, Water, Air or Energy No measurable impacts are likely to occur under either alternative. 3.8. Other Environmental Documents Pertinent to the Area Double Arrow Timber Sale - In 1 990, the DNRC completed the Double Arrow Timber Sale, harvesting approximately 2.5 MMBF from 362 acres in Section 6, and N1/2 Section 8, Township 16 North, Range 15W. Jocko Salvage Roadwork - The DNRC is currently constructing new roads, reconstructing existing roads, and replacing road features within Section 6 of Township 1 6 North Range 1 5 West and Section 1 6 of Township 1 6 North Range 1 6 West. Specifically, the DNRC is constructing 1 .5 miles of new road, reconstructing and maintaining 3.6 miles of existing road, and replacing 10 culverts that are at risk of flooding or loss due to fire effects, with larger culverts (DNRC 2007). Activities are expected to be completed during the fall of 2007. Previous Activities on Section 16, T16N, R16W - In the early 1 990's, approximately 1 .8 MMBF was harvested approximately 220 acres within the section. 7/10 Split Permit - The DNRC is currently developing a proposed timber permit to salvage harvest approximately 34 acres of burned timber in Section 36 T1 6N R1 6W. Hidden Bugs Salvage Timber Sale and Hidden Bugs Timber Sale Supplemental EA - Under the original timber sale, the DNRC was harvesting approximately 800 thousand board feet of dead, dying, and susceptible lodgepole pine from approximately 125 acres in Section 18, Township 1 6 North, Range 1 5 West. In addition to timber harvesting, the original activities also included approximately 4 miles of road maintenance, 0.5 miles of new road construction, and 0.25 miles of road abandonment. In August of 2007, the Jocko Lakes Fire burned approximately 140 acres of the original project area. Under the Hidden Bugs Supplemental EA, the DNRC proposed to harvest an additional 70 acres of partially and severely burned timber within Section 18. No additional road has been planned but some road maintenance is needed to meet Montana Best Management Practices. Approximately 5,000 feet of fireline will be used as a skid trail, then obliterated. DNRC will plant appropriate tree species in the burned area to supplement natural regeneration. Western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir will be planted starting as early as the spring of 2009. Lolo National Forest, Seeley Ranger District Final Environmental Assessment - - ^ C Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Double Arrow Fuels Reduction Project -The Lolo National Forest, Seeley Ranger District lias completed approximately 50% of the thinning and handpiling on the Double Arrow Fuels Reduction Project on the northeast edge of the Double Arrow Ranch Land Owners Association properties in Section 5, Township 16 N, Range 14 W (P. Shelmerdine, Lolo National Forest, personal communication). They intend to start burning some handpiles later this fall and will most likely complete the rest of the project next year (2008). The project is in 4 units covering approximately 56 acres. The project includes thinning, handpiling and burning handpiles along the property line of the Double Arrow Ranch. Hidden Lakes Fuels Reduction Project -The Lolo National Forest, Seeley Ranger District is currently thinning approximately 200 acres in Section 1 3 T1 6N, R1 6W. In addition to fuels reduction, the Ranger District is also constructing approximately 800 feet of temporary road that will be removed after harvest activities have been completed (T.E. Paulsen, Lolo National Forest, personal communication). 4. Impacts on the Human Population 4.1. Human Health and Safety No measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts on human health would likely result from this proposed action. Safety considerations and temporary risks would increase for the professional contractors working within the sale area, and possibly for public vehicle traffic on roads while log trucks are hauling. There are no unusual safety considerations associated with the proposed timber sale. The general public and local residents would not face increased health or long term safety hazards because of the proposed timber sale. 4.2. Industrial, Commercial and Agriculture Activities and Production Section 8 is currently leased for grazing by Montana FWP, and the recent fire temporarily reduced forage available. Over time, forage production would be expected to increase under either alternative. 4.3. Quantity and Distribution of Employment People are currently employed in the road building industry in the region. Due to the relatively small size of the timber sale, there would be no measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts from this proposed action on employment. 4.4. Local and State Tax Base and Tax Revenues People are currently paying taxes from the road building industry in the region. Due to the relatively small size of the project, there would be no measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts from this proposed action on tax revenues. 4.5. Demand for Government Services There would be no measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts related to demand for government services due to the relatively small size of the project, the short-term impacts to traffic, the small possibility of a few people temporarily relocating to the area, and the lack of other projects in the adjacent area. 4.6. Locally Adopted Environmental Plans and Goals The DNRC operates under the State Forest Land Management Plan (SFLMP, DNRC 1 996) and Administrative Rules for Forest Management (ARM 36.1 1 .401 through 450, DNRC 2003). The SFLMP established the agency's philosophy for management of forested trust lands. The Administrative Rules provide specific guidance for implementing forest management projects. 4.7. Access to and Quality of Recreational and Wilderness Activities Final Environmental Assessment - - on Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales The Rich Ranch has a recreational use lease on Section 16 that will expire in 2009. While potential exists for recreational use, the recent fire may discourage use in the near term. Due to the context and intensity of the proposed action, no measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative effects to the current recreational use lease or other access and recreation are expected. 4.8. Density and Distribution of Population and Housing There would be no measurable direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts related to population and housing due to the relatively small size of the project, and the fact that people are already employed in this occupation in the region. 4.9. Social Structures and Mores No direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts related to social structures and mores would be expected under either alternative. 4.10. Cultural Uniqueness and Diversity No direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts related to cultural uniqueness and diversity would be expected under either alternative. 4.11. Other Appropriate Social and Economic Circumstances No Action: Grazing on the Section 8 would continue to provide annual revenue of $200. In addition, the current Special Use Recreational License for Section 1 6 would continue to generate annual revenue of $37 through the year 2009. Timber Harvest Alternative: Revenue from grazing and recreation would continue. The timber harvest would generate additional revenue for the Common Schools Trust. The estimated return to the trust for the proposed harvest would be $1 ,056,000 to $1 ,452,000 based on an estimated harvest of 8 to 1 1 million board feet (MMBF) and an overall stumpage value of $1 32.00 per thousand board feet (MBF) ($22.00 per ton). Costs related to the administration of the timber sale program are only tracked at the Land Office and Statewide level. DNRC doesn't track project-level costs for individual timber sales. An annual cash flow analysis is conducted on the DNRC forest product sales program. Revenue and costs are calculated by land office and statewide. The most recent revenue-to-cost ratio of the Southwestern Land Office was 2.43. This means that, on average, for every $1 .00 spent in costs, $2.43 in revenue was generated. Costs, revenues, and estimates of return are estimates intended for relative comparison of alternatives. They are not intended to be used as absolute estimates of return. Final Environmental Assessment - - An Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 5. List of Preparers Sarah Pierce - Forester, Clearwater Unit Craig Nelson - Forest Management Supervisor, Clearwater Unit Jon Hayes- Area Silviculturalist, Southwestern Land Office Mike McGrath - Wildlife Biologist, Southwestern Land Office Jeff Collins - Hydrologist / Soil Scientist, Southwestern Land Office Sonya Germann - Planner, Forest Management Bureau Final Environmental Assessment - - A] Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 6. Finding 6.1. Alternative Selected The environmental assessment has analyzed and disclosed the potential environmental impacts of two alternatives: 1 . Action Alternative; and 2. No Action. I have decided to approve the Action Alternative, including all the mitigations and controls recommended in the environmental assessment. My decision is based on a thorough review of the environmental assessment and public comment. I have selected the Action Alternative because I have concluded that the proposed action will achieve the project objectives of a) mitigating adverse impacts from the fire; b) restoring the forest to its income-generating potential; c) capturing value of dead and dying trees and preventing future value loss; and d) generating revenue for the trust beneficiaries. In addition, I conclude that due to the designs, mitigations and controls integrated into the proposed action, the project objectives will be achieved in a manner that avoids significant adverse impacts to the human and physical environment. The proposed action has been developed through an appropriate process involving public participation and interdisciplinary methods. 6.2. Significance of Potential Impacts I am satisfied that all pertinent resources and environmental values have been properly identified and studied through the project development process. Based on my review of the environmental analysis, I have concluded that the proposed action will not cause any significant adverse impacts - either direct, indirect, or cumulative - on the human and physical environment. After a thorough review of the environmental assessment, I have concluded that 1) Compared to the existing condition and no action alternative, there will be low risk of effects to soils, watershed, and fisheries. (EA section 3.1) 2) There will be minimal risk of impacts to flammulated owl (EA section 3.4) 3) There will be low risk of impacts to grizzly bears, wolves black-backed woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, fisher, and big game (EA section 3.4) 4) There will be low to moderate impacts to Canada Lynx (EA section 3.4) I find that there are no impacts that should be regarded as severe, enduring, geographically wide- spread, or frequent. Further, I find that the quantity and quality of the various resources, including any that may be considered fragile or unique, will not be adversely affected to a significant degree. I find in the proposed action no precedent for future actions that would cause significant impacts, and I find no conflict with local, state, or federal laws, requirements, or formal plans. In summary, I find that some adverse impacts are avoided altogether by means of project design, and that others are controlled and mitigated to the extent that they do not become significant. 6.3. Need for Further Environmental Analysis I find that the environmental assessment (EA) is the appropriate level of analysis for the proposed action and that an environmental impact study (EIS) is not required. Date: October 22, 2007 Stephen J.Wallace, Unit Manager Clearwater Unit Final Environmental Assessment - - aO Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 7. References Bull, E. L., S. R. Peterson, and J. W. Thomas. 1986. Resource partitioning among woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon. E. L. Bull, S. R. Peterson, and J. W. Thomas (Resource partitioning among woodpeckers in northeastern Oregon. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, Oregon. Research Note PNW-444. Clem, M. K. 1 977. Food habits, weight changes and habitat use of fisher Martes pennanti during winter. M. S. Thesis, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario. Coulter, M.W. 1966. Ecology and management of fishers in Maine. Dissertation, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York. Collins, J. 2004. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, 2004. DNRC Compiled Soil Monitoring Report on Timber Harvest Projects 1988-2004., Trust Land Management Division, Forest Management Bureau, Missoula, MT. DNRC, 1996. State Forest Land Management Plan. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. Missoula, MT. DNRC, 2007. Double Beaver Pre-road & Floodproofing Environmental Assessment Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, Clearwater Unit Office. DNRC, 2007. Hidden Bugs Fire Salvage Environmental Assessment. Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation,. Clearwater Unit Office Graham, Russell T.; Harvey, Alan;, Jurgensen, Martin; Jain,T.; 1994. Managing Coarse Woody Debris in Forests of the Rocky Mountains. Res. Paper INT-RP-477. Ogden, Utah: U.S.D.A., F.S., Intermountain Research Station, 12p. Green, P., J. Joy, D. Sirucek, W. Hann, A. Zack, and B. Naumann. 1 992. Old-Growth Forest Types of the Northern Region. USDA Forest Service, Region 1 . Missoula, MT. Hewitt, D. G. and C. T. Robbins. 1 996. Estimating grizzly bear food habits from fecal analysis. Wildlife Society Bulletin 24:547-550. Hutto, R. L. 1 995. Composition of bird communities following stand-replacement fires in northern Rocky Mountain (U.S.A.) conifer forests. Conservation Biology 9:1 041 -1 058. Kasworm, W. F. and T. L. Manley. 1 990. Road and trail influences on grizzly bears and black bears in northwest Montana. International Conference on Bear Research and Management 8:79- 84. Kelly, G. M. 1977. Fisher (Martes pennanti) biology in the White Mountain National Forest and adjacent areas. Dissertation, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. Klock, Glen 0. Impact of five postfire salvage logging systems on soils and vegetation. J. of Soil and Water Cons. 1975. Koehler, G. M. 1990. Population and habitat characteristics of lynx and snowshoe hares in north central Washington. Canadian Journal of Zoology 68:845-851 . Kolbe, J. A., J. R. Squires, D. H. Pletscher, and L. F. Ruggiero. 2007. The effect of snowmobile trails on coyote movements within lynx home ranges. Journal of Wildlife Management 71 :1 409- 1418. Final Environmental Assessment - - Al. Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Leptich, D. J. and P. Zager. 1 991 . Road access management effects on elk mortality and population dynamics. Pages 126-131 in A. G. Christensen, L. J. Lyon, and T. N. Lonner, compilers. Proceedings of the Elk Vulnerability Symposium. Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana Losensky, J. 1997. Historical vegetation of Montana. Contract #970900. Montana DNRC. Missoula, MT. 109pp. McCallum, D. A. 1994. Flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus). Pages 1-24 in The Academy of Natural Sciences; The American Ornithologists' Union, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. McClelland, B. R., S. S. Frissell, W. C. Fischer, and C. H. Halvorson. 1 979. Habitat management for hole-nesting birds in forests of western larch and Douglas-fir. Journal of Forestry 77:480- 483. McKelvey, and J. R. Squires (eds.). Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ft. Collins, Colorado. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Mclver, James D. and L. Starr eds. 2000. Environmental effects of post-fire logging: Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography. General Tech. Report PNW-GTR-486. U.S. Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 72p. Mersmann, T.J.I 989. Foraging ecology of bald eagles on the northern Chesapeake Bay with an examination of techniques used in the study of bald eagle food habits. M. S. Thesis, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia. Missoula County Soil Survey, 1995, USDA, NRCS MFISH (Montana Fisheries Information System). 2006. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and Natural Resource Information System. Helena, MT. MTDEO (Montana Department of Environmental Ouality). 2006 Montana 2006 305(b) Report. Helena, MT. Natural Resource Information System. Helena, MT. Montana/Idaho Airshed Group. 2007. Smoke Monitoring Unit homepage, . Accessed 3 Oct 2007. Montana Bald Eagle Working Group. 1994. Montana bald eagle management plan. Montana Bald Eagle Working Group (Montana bald eagle management plan. U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Billings, Montana. Montana Natural Heritage Program (MNHP). 2007. Information on Plant and Animal Species of Special Concern. Report on file at DNRC Clearwater Unit. Greenough, MT. 6pp. Mowat, G., G. Poole, and M. O'Donoghue. 2000. Ecology of lynx in northern Canada and Alaska. Pages 265-306 in L. F. Ruggiero, K. B. Aubry, S. W. Buskirk, G. M. Koehler, C. J. Krebs, K. Pfister, R. D., B. L. Kovalchik, S. F. Arno, and R. C. Presby. 1 977. Forest habitat types of Montana. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Ogden, Utah. Pierson, E. D., M. C. Wackenhut, J. S. Altenbach, P. Bradley, P. Call, D. L. Center, C. E. Harris, B. L. Keller, B. Lengus, L. Lewis, B. Luce, K. W. Navo, J. M. Perkins, S. Smith, and L. Welch. 1 999. Species conservation assessment and strategy for Townsend's big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii and Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens). Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Boise, Idaho. Final Environmental Assessment - - a A Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales Powell, R. A. 1 977. Hunting behavior, ecological energetics and predator-prey community stability of the fisher (Martes pennanti). Dissertation, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois. . 1978. A comparison of fisher and weasel hunting behavior. Carnivore 1 :28-34. Ruediger, B., J. Claar, S. Gniadek, B. Holt, L. Lewis, S. Mighton, B. Naney, G. Patton , T. Rinaldi, J. Trick, A. Vandehey, F. Wahl, N. Warren, D. Wenger, and A. Williamson. 2000. Canada lynx conservation assessment and strategy. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Missoula, Montana. R1 -00-53. Squires, J. R. and T. Laurion. 2000. Lynx home range and movements in Montana and Wyoming: preliminary results. Pages 337-349 in L. F. Ruggiero, K. B. Aubry, S. W. Buskirk, G. M. Koehler, C. J. Krebs, K. McKelvey, and J. R. Squires (eds.). Ecology and conservation of lynx in the United States. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ft. Collins, Colorado. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-30WWW. Squires, John R. and Ruggiero, L. F. 2007. Winter prey selection of Canada Lynx in Nortwestern Montana. Journal of Wildlife Management 71 :31 0-31 5. Squires, J. R., L. F. Ruggiero, J. A. Kolbe, and N. J. DeCesare. 2006. Lynx ecology in the Intermountain West. USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Missoula, Montana. Stalmaster, M. V. 1987. The bald eagle. Universe Books, New York, New York. U.S.D. A. Forest Service. 1977. The visual management system. National Forest Landscape Management. Vol. 2, Chap. 1 . USDA Forest Service, Agricul. Hndbk. No 462, 47 pp. U.S.D. A. Forest Service. 1995. Landscape aesthetics: a handbook for scenery management. USDA Forest Service, Agricul. Hndbk. No. 701 . 87pp. Waller, J. S. and R. D. Mace. 1997. Grizzly bear habitat selection in the Swan Mountains, Montana. Journal of Wildlife Management 61 :1 032-1 039. Final Environmental Assessment - - a< Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 8. Appendix 8.1. Attachment A: Vicinity Map > I Tl —1 m TH m 17] ^ XI o O ^ iL.-S CD CD O ^ >n; J 1- i ■^ • (2 ' 1 I —1 m ;□ m en —\ O ^ iL. -S CD CD O - Si "" ■n Q. H SN 1— ^ D ftl X izr 5 n 5 ^ Z3 Q. "D n Z3 n o Q. cz :d =5 ■ ^ =5 m_ Fi-" QJ ? n Q. M ft O =5 o Z3 1 □ Z3 CO 0) o> ^ u -1 < O o &) O T3 (£2 TT O (D O CA Q. 3 (— CT (D -\ (D C/) F/na/ Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 48 8.4. Attachment D: Initial Proposal Septembeno, 2007 Initial Proposal Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales The Jocko Lakes fire has burned over 36,000 acres of private, State, and National Forest lands. Over 2,000 acres of these lands are State of Montana forested school trust lands. This area includes: • Section 6 and part of Section 8 in Township 1 6 North, Range 1 5 West • Section 1 6 and part of Section 36 in Township 1 6 North, Range 1 6 West • Section 36 in Township 1 7 North, Range 1 7 West The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Clearwater Unit, is planning salvage timber harvest and restoration work on State-owned lands within the fire area. Salvage timber harvest is being considered on Sections 6 and 8 in T1 6N R1 5W, and Sections 1 6 and 36 in T1 6N R1 6W. Other work would include erosion control, rehabilitation of streams and roads, grass seeding, and reforestation. The primary objectives of the project are to: 1 . Mitigate adverse impacts and restore the forest to its income-generating potential; and 2. Capture value of dead and dying trees and prevent future value loss. Timber sold would generate revenue for the Common Schools and M.S.U. 2nd Grant Trusts. Estimated harvest volume would be eight to eleven million board feet, and could be sold as several sales or permits. Up to approximately six miles of new road would be built to access these stands, and additional roadwork may be required to meet Montana Best Management Practices. The proposed action could be implemented as early as the fall of 2007. In developing this project, DNRC will work with specialists in forest management, hydrology, soil science, wildlife biology and archaeology. Montana DNRC is in the initial stages of planning, and we are inviting public comments and suggestions about this proposal. Please send comments by September 26, 2007. Please direct responses to: Craig Nelson DNRC -Clearwater Unit 48455 Sperry Grade Rd. Greenough, MT 59823-9635 Email: crnelson@mt.qov Phone: (406) 244-5857 Final Environmental Assessment - - Jocko Lakes Fire Salvage Timber Sales 49 Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Clearwater Unit P.O. Box 48455 Sperry Grade Road Greenough, MT 59823-9635 (406) 244-5857 Persons with disabilities wlio need an alternative, accessible format of this document should contact the DNRC at the above address or phone number. 37 copies of this document were published at an estimated cost of $14.00 per copy. The total cost includes $12.00 for printing/binding and $2.00 for distribution.