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r <br /> <br />Montana indicate that wolverines prefer rugged, relatively inaccessible mountainous <br />j~ areas at the high elevations in the summer and move to lower (but still snow bound) <br />L elevations in the winter (Hornocker and Hash 1981). Seventy percent of all relocated <br />animals were found in large azeas of medium or scattered mature timber. Ecotonal areas, <br />j small timber pockets, and rocky, timbered benches accounted for the remainder of the <br />relocation sites. Subalpine fir was the predominant timber type selected by wolverines. <br />One conclusion of this study was that wilderness or remote country where human activity <br />l ' is limited appears to be essential for the maintenance of viable wolverine populations. <br /> Suitable wolverine habitat is lacking in or near the project area. This project will not <br /> impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend of wolverine towazds federal <br /> listing. <br /> American marten: The American marten inhabits late successional coniferous or mixed <br /> forests throughout northern North America. Martens are most abundant in mature to old- <br /> growth true fir and spruce-fir forests in the western United States. They prefer mature, <br /> mesic coniferous or mixed forests with at least a 30-50-percent crown density. (Ruggerio <br /> et al. 1994). They avoid lazge, open azeas and clearings, but may use small riparian areas <br />,~ <br />IL1i and meadows for foraging. They feed on a wide variety of foods including squirrels, <br />voles, mice, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insect and fnrits and berries <br /> (Clark, et. al. 1987) but voles are often cited as the marten's preferred food source. The <br /> marten's preference for moist sites may be related to the fact that lush stands of <br />herbaceous vegetation growing at mesic sites often support lazge populations of voles <br /> . <br /> Habitat requirements specific to the American marten include resting sites, dens, <br />subnivean access areas, and logs and trees in various stages of decay. The best marten <br /> habitat in this portion of the Gunnison Forest is contiguous stands of spruce-fir found at <br /> higher elevations. <br /> Suitable marten habitat is lacking for a considerable distance in any direction fiom the <br /> project area. This project will not impact the viability of the species, or result in a trend <br />' of American marten towards federal listing. <br /> Peregrine faMon: No peregrine falcon occurrence has been formally documented within <br /> the proposed project area. Potential reproductive habitat for peregrine falcon includes <br /> high cliff ledges with potholes or small caves. Nest sites also include old stick nests of <br /> ravens and hawks, and holes and stubs of lazge trees. Potential foraging habitat includes <br /> high mountains and open forests, preferably where there are rocky cliffs overlooking <br /> rivers, lakes, or other open water. Peregrine falcons feed on a variety of small to medium <br /> sized bird species, some mammals, and insects. <br />"~ There is no suitable nesting habitat in the project area. Suitable foraging habitat is also <br /> lacking in the project area. There is a chance that one or more of these birds could be <br />observed moving through the azea during migration, but that would be a chance <br /> occurrence The proposed project wilt not impact peregrine falcon suitable reproductive, <br />--1 roosting, and migration/dispersal habitat. <br /> 25 <br />