2008-06-12_GENERAL DOCUMENTS - C1980007 (3)

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The project area is mapped (see Figure ? in the BA) within the ivlount Gunnison lynx analysis unit (47,905 acres) and contains mapped denninLy nabitat, winter foraginL, habitat and "other" habitat (capable but currently not denning or winter foraging habitat). Within the project area. there are approximately 1 1 acres of suitable denning habitat which represents 0.24 percent of the denning habitat within the LAU_ one acre of mapped winter foraging habitat which represents a negligible amount of the winter foraging habitat within the LAU; and 168 acres of "other" habitat which represents 035 percent of the "other" habitat within the LAU. Approximately 81 percent of the project area is non-habitat for lynx. Dennin habitat in the project area is comprised of 99 acres of spruce/fir community that has more than 40 percent canopy cover and large to very large trees and 16 acres of aspen forest that has a canopy cover of more than 40 percent and 40 percent or more conifer-only tree stands with size class of large or very large trees. Winter foraging habitat located within the project area is described as spruce/fir community with canopy cover of more than 40 percent and all stands with small or medium trees. There is some siLmificant connectivity with the denning habitat within the LBA and the mapped habitat within the LAU. Denning habitat within the north end of the LBA is part of a larger corridor of denning habitat that is located along Deep Creek. Denning habitat that is located within the southern portion of the LBA is relatively isolated; however, it is within a mile of a larger, contiguous block of denning habitat. The LCAS recommends that impacts to Canada lynx and Canada lynx habitat be analyzed at the LAU scale. Table 3 quantifies existing baseline conditions within the Mount Gunnison LAU resulting from Forest Service projects analyzed and/or authorized since the Canada lynx was listed in 2000. The intent of Table 1 is to provide a summary of past affects of Federal actions on lynx habitat in the LAU. Approximately 1 l acres or .0001 % of lynx habitat has been • converted to unsuitable due to past Federal actions, which is well below the 30 percent threshold allowed in the LCAS. A brief discussion of snow compaction activities associated with the projects is provided in the effects section. • Table 3. Mount Gunnison LAU existing, baseline for lynx. Total LAU Acres of Acres of' Acres of Denning, Project* Acres and Lynx Habitat Converted Acres potential Lvnx Non-Lvnx I Foraging, & Other to Unsuitable from prior Federal Habitat in Habitat in Habitat actions. LAU LAU 47,'50 15,69.6 j . 25,554 Denning: 6,999 1 0 i 377 F orag ng: ` 2. 2 <101<U.0005 %0) Other: 1 1.320 < 1(<0.00005° 0) Total A roximateIN 17 acres (0,0001'0) *Project 1: Coal Methane Drainage Project Panels 16-24 (2002), Project Supplement to Coal Methane Drainage Project Panels 16-24 EA Ior Svlvester Gulch Road Construction. Box Canvon ",lethane Drainage Wells and Temporary Road Construction and EA for Box Canvon Shallow Seismic Survey (2004): Project 3: MCC Dry Fork Exploration License (COC- 672- 1 ) and Exploration Plan (2004); Project 4: Dry Fork Federal Coal Lease by Application (COC-67232) EIS (2005). Project'_: specifically thr Box Canyon N-lethane Drainage ??'ells includes approximately I mile of new snow compaction associated with winter access for monitoring wells. Project 2 was consulted on with the USFWS and a Biological Opinion number ES/GJ-6-CO-04-F-00$ was issued to the Forest Service on Nlarch IS. 2004. The BO concluded that Project 2 was not likely to jeopardize the continued existence of the Canada lvnx. Project 3: did not resuit iri additional sm-m, compaction. Agin, ities associated with Project 3 were determined to not likeiv ad%ersei% aficct INLAA? Canada 1%nx. Ef ects ro knx from Project _ were determined using the Lvnx Screen_ 1 i