Table 13. Red-tailed hawk reproductive habitat within the Ursus Vegetation Management project area, Tumalo Creek, McKenzie Canyon-Deschutes River, and Deep Canyon Watersheds, and across the Deschutes National Forest. Acres of Habitat in Ursus Acres of Habitat in the of Habitat Across the Vegetation Management Watersheds Deschutes National Forest Project Area 174 acres 6,782 acres 192,492 acres 0.09% of habitat on the Forest 3.5% of habitat on the Forest 12% of the total acreage on the Deschutes National Forest Measure: Acres of suitable (reproductive) habitat affected. Environmental Consequences Alternative 1 No Action (Ecological Trend) – Little red-tailed hawk habitat is found in the project area likely because of the overall elevation of the project area. Currently, the most open stands are those lodgepole pine stands that have been by mountain pine beetles. Although there are some larger trees for red-tailed hawks to nest within, by and large these stands are at higher elevation and are mixed with more montane species such as mountain hemlock and whitebark pine. These are species not commonly associated with red-tailed hawk nesting habitat. As a species that is increasing across its range and secure in Oregon, the no action alternative would not impact populations on the Forest. Alternatives 2 and 3 - Direct and Indirect Effects would be no direct effects to red-tailed hawk from either alternative because there are no proposed actions within red-tailed hawk habitat. Overall, thinning within mixed conifer stands would improve habitat for hawks by opening the canopy and retaining the largest, healthiest trees for nesting. Fuels treatments would not alter nesting habitat but may improve the sight distance for locating prey on the forest floor. Alternatives 2 and 3 Cumulative Effects – Because there are no direct effects and indirect effects are beneficial, there would be no additive or cumulative effects as a result of any alternative implementation.
Table 13. Red-tailed hawk reproductive habitat within the Ursus Vegetation Management project area, Tumalo Creek, McKenzie Canyon-Deschutes River, and Deep Canyon Watersheds, and across the Deschutes National Forest. Acres of Habitat in Ursus Vegetation Management Project Area Acres of Habitat in the Watersheds of Habitat Across the Deschutes National Forest 174 acres 0.09% of habitat on the Forest 6,782 acres 3.5% of habitat on the Forest 192,492 acres 12% of the total acreage on the Deschutes National Forest Measure: Acres of suitable (reproductive) habitat affected. Environmental Consequences Alternative 1 – No Action (Ecological Trend) Little red-tailed hawk habitat is found in the project area likely because of the overall elevation of the project area. Currently, the most open stands are those lodgepole pine stands that have been by mountain pine beetles. Although there are some larger trees for red-tailed hawks to nest within, by and large these stands are at higher elevation and are mixed with more montane species such as mountain hemlock and whitebark pine. These are species not commonly associated with red-tailed hawk nesting habitat. As a species that is increasing across its range and secure in Oregon, the no action alternative would not impact populations on the Forest. Alternatives 2 and 3 - Direct and Indirect Effects would be no direct effects to red-tailed hawk from either alternative because there are no proposed actions within red-tailed hawk habitat. Overall, thinning within mixed conifer stands would improve habitat for hawks by opening the canopy and retaining the largest, healthiest trees for nesting. Fuels treatments would not alter nesting habitat but may improve the sight distance for locating prey on the forest floor. Alternatives 2 and 3 – Cumulative Effects Because there are no direct effects and indirect effects are beneficial, there would be no additive or cumulative effects as a result of any alternative implementation.
Ursus_MISAnalysis_Report_Final%2005042016.docx