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DISCUSSION OF EFFECTS AND RATIONALE Canada lynx: The project is not located within any Lynx Analysis Unit (LAU). The project is located in an azea that is not considered suitable lynx denning, wintering or other habitat by the USFS. No Canada lynx occurrence has been formally documented within 10 miles of the proposed project azea. There is always the possibility that lynx could move through the project area, but the lack of suitable habitat probably precludes this from happening. Foraging habitat is comprised of eazly successional forest stands with high densities of shrubs and seedlings for prey species such as snowshoe haze. The proposed project will not affect any lynx denning habitat. It will not affect any suitable reproductive habitat. It will not affect summer and winter foraging habitat, or migration habitat. Project activities will not affect individual lynx, in the short-term, during project implementation by construction noise and elevated human presence causing lynx to avoid using the project area as reproductive, foraging, or migration dispersal habitat. Long-term and cumulative effects on Canada lynx aze not expected based on the knowledge that: • The occurrence of Canada lynx within the project area is unknown, since official surveys for this species were not conducted within the project area. • Suitable reproductive habitat for Canada lynx does not exist within the project azea. • Suitable foraging and migration/dispersal habitat for lynx does not exist within the project azea. • The proposed project will not affect any lynx den/reproductive sites. • Proposed project activities do not include vegetation alteration (logging) strategies that would impact lynx. • Proposed project activities do not include increases in road density since no new permanent roads will be constructed as part of project activities. Any temporary roads that aze constructed will be obliterated after use. • Cumulative adverse effects on Canada lynx by proposed actions will not occur. • The limited scope and scale of the proposed action means that lynx reproductive, foraging and migration/dispersal habitat is not at risk. Lynx population viability is not at risk. Based on current information, the project will have No Effect on Canada lynx. Bald eagle: No occurrence of bald eagle has been formally documented within the proposed project azea. The nearest known bald eagle activity is along the North Fork of the Gunnison River. Suitable nesting and reproductive habitat for bald eagle is found along the river, but is not present in the proposed project area. Bald eagles do winter along the North Fork of the Gunnison River and in the winter possibly make foraging flights through the azea seazching for carrion. Winter roost site habitat for bald eagle is 17