/s/ Richard F Davis Dead Wood Habitat Snags and Down Wood

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1 Dead Wood Effects for the Outlook Landscape Diversity Project Environmental Analysis, Middle Fork Ranger District, Willamette National Forest. Prepared by Richard F Davis, Wildlife Biologist, Middle Fork Ranger District, Willamette National Forest. November 15, 2015 /s/ Richard F Davis Dead Wood Habitat Snags and Down Wood Introduction Standards and Guidelines (S&Gs) for managing snag and down wood (coarse woody debris CWD) habitat are provided by the Willamette Forest Plan as amended by the ROD. Consideration of dead wood levels is based on whichever Forest Plan or ROD S&G is more restrictive or provides greater benefits to late-successional forest related species. S&Gs pertaining to CWD levels are directed at retention and recruitment associated with regeneration harvest, while recognizing opportunities to apply the same basic guidelines, but modified to reflect stand potential associated with other harvest prescriptions. The general standard for CWD applied to projects if proposing traditional regeneration harvest would be to leave 240 linear feet of decay class 1 and 2 logs/acre which are 20 diameter and 20 in length. Under the Willamette Forest Plan as amended by the ROD, snag habitat shall be managed at levels within harvest units capable of providing for at least 40% or greater potential populations of cavity-nesting species. The 40% level is influenced by vegetation zones and is identified as 1.5 snags/acre for the western hemlock zone, and 1.7 snags/acre for the true fir zone. Current science has tested the validity of the potential population approach to species management, yet it remains the basis for S&Gs involving snag management. Strong support for identifying more appropriate amounts of snag and down wood habitat is being given to new approaches in addressing these habitat components. One such approach devoted to identifying appropriate levels of snag and down wood in selected habitat types is DecAID - the decayed wood advisor for managing snags, partially dead trees, and down wood for biodiversity in forests of Washington and Oregon (Mellen-McLean et al. 2012). The collection of information, referred to as DecAID, has been developed by Region 6 to help projects identify the levels of snags and downed logs required to meet wildlife population needs. The benefit of DecAID applied to projects involving tree removal is in evaluating affected habitat types during the planning process to determine if current dead wood levels are consistent with reference conditions, and to aid in identifying dead wood management goals for projects that affect dead wood habitat throughout affected habitat types. Dead wood amounts in DecAID are addressed in terms of tolerance levels which reflect what percent of a wildlife population is afforded use by particular sizes or amounts of snags and down wood. However, even in simplest terms, DecAID tolerance levels for an appropriate wildlife habitat type in a specific size class and structural condition cannot be used as a surrogate to estimate dead wood levels to support a given population potential. They simply suggest the likelihood that adequate dead wood habitat is being provided. At the landscape level, DecAID recommends providing dead wood at levels within the range of historic variability. The median historic condition for this watershed was estimated using levels of snags and downed logs found in strategic plots in unlogged stands of various ages and an estimate of the normal Page 1 of 20

2 distribution of seral stages derived from the assumed fire return interval. Median values are the mid-point where half of the time deadwood levels will be at or higher than that value and about half the time they will be at or lower than the value. Studies have indicated that fire frequency and severity varied considerably in the past due to substantially variability in weather conditions and fire severity from century to century (Wimberley et al. 2000). Therefore, levels of dead wood have fluctuated considerably over time and plus or minus 50% of the estimate median value was used to approximate the historic range of variability. It should be noted that with respect to snags or down wood, the objective of the Outlook project is directed at addressing and managing dead wood at levels more consistent with conditions under a local natural disturbance regime rather than focusing on specific dead wood requirements for individual wildlife species. Applied to this biodiversity enhancement project, this objective allows recognition that overall dead wood levels may not be optimal for some species, but provide sufficient levels for a range of species in habitat managed for other key elements of stand structure in managed stands across the planning area. Three key structural features that have been recognized as missing or underrepresented in managed forests are large trees, dead wood (snags and logs), and floristic diversity (diversity of tree and shrub species). A richer biological community can be expected to be supported by forest stands in which these elements are present. It has been acknowledged that forests under ownership or allocations that emphasize timber production such as the matrix portion of the planning area will likely represent the low end of the range with respect to these key elements (Hagar 2007). The Outlook project proposed action includes prescriptions that would place emphasis on increasing tree size and floristic diversity, and on increasing immediate levels of dead wood across treated areas particularly within LSR allocation. Reference information extrapolated from DecAID will suggest how current size, abundance, and distribution of snags and down wood associated with treatment units compares to estimated median historic levels considering habitat type and vegetation condition for similar stands throughout the watershed. Dead wood habitat levels are best monitored and managed at a landscape level such as a watershed or portion thereof. The Outlook planning area portion of the Lookout Point Reservoir Middle Fork Willamette 5 th field watershed exceeds an appropriate minimum sized area of similar habitat to consider when evaluating current and future levels of dead wood, and was used as the analysis area for this project. When comparing snag and down wood levels, it is important to consider values for an affected habitat type that are from stands in a size class and structural condition similar to those where treatments are proposed. DecAID evaluates deadwood levels by wildlife habitat type. All of the proposed Outlook activities with potential to affect habitat are in Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood Forest habitat of the Western Oregon Cascades (WLCH_OCA). Another way that dead wood levels are being considered relative to DecAID values is to estimate reference and current snag and down wood levels at a watershed scale across an entire habitat type without specific consideration of size class and structural condition where treatments are proposed. Although including a full range of size and structural stage data when considering current dead wood levels for affected habitat results in utilizing data that is less specific to a smaller project area, this approach provides a broad landscape perspective on current and reference conditions for a habitat type. Page 2 of 20

3 The following section provides information on snag and down wood levels for the overall watershed with emphasis on the habitat type affected by proposed activities in the planning area (landscape scale). Existing Condition for Snags and Down Wood In order to provide a current condition baseline for the Outlook Project, an analysis of Dead Wood in Lookout Point Reservoir Middle Fork of Willamette (LPR-MFW) Watershed was based on application of existing data as part of an overall 2012 watershed analysis update. LPR-MFW Watershed (5 th field watershed ) totals about 101,918 acres including non-federal lands. Forest Service acres total about 49,000 acres with 71% (34,850 acres) in Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood Forest-Oregon Cascades (WLCH_OCA) habitat, 8% (3,700 acres) in Montane Mixed Conifer Forest (MMC) habitat, and 21% (10,385 acres) in Westside Oak and Dry Douglas Fir Forest and Woodland (WODF) habitat. Baseline data from the 2012 watershed analysis update represents Forest Service lands only, and displays estimated current condition of the watershed for each wildlife habitat type (WHT) in different snag and downed wood densities, and was based on Gradient Nearest Neighbor (GNN) analysis of forest inventory plot data (LEMMA 2009) for the watershed. A historic reference condition was also developed using snag and downed wood abundance derived from plot data in unmanaged stands throughout the habitat type and an assumed fire regime interval for the watershed that estimates the average amount of the habitat in different successional stages. This information is calculated for both total snags ( 10 dbh) and downed logs ( 5 diameter) and for large ( 20 diameter) logs and large ( 20 dbh) snags. Snag data are given as snags/acre (Table 1) and downed wood data are given as % cover (Table 2). Effects related to the 2014 Deception fire resulted in current changes in snag habitat and current to future changes in down wood habitat within a portion of the Outlook project area. To provide ongoing support for project planning, a DecAID analysis was conducted to estimate pre and post-fire snag densities within the Deception Creek 6 th field sub watershed as well as for the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed (Acker 2015a). Additionally, a newdecaid analysis was conducted to estimate current condition, and potential changes in down wood cover due to fire effects (Acker 2015b). These analyses served to validate and revise the information on dead wood in the2012 watershed analysis update that was used for project planning. The products of these analyses were based on updated GNN data (LEMMA 2015) and are considered in this analysis of dead wood effects associated with Outlook project activities. All analysis was applied to WLCH_OCA habitat type where project activities are proposed, and as stated is the emphasis of this analysis. Snags Table 1.Comparison of estimated current and reference median snag levels for wildlife habitat types in the Outlook project analysis area (Lookout Point Reservoir Watershed). Outlook Landscape Diversity Project DecAID Snag Analysis All Snags ( 10" dbh) Large Snags ( 20" dbh) DecAID Wildlife Estimated Median Snags per Acre Estimated Median Snags per Acre Habitat Type Current Reference Current Reference WLCH_OCA MMC Page 3 of 20

4 WODF DecAID analysis suggests that, for WLCH_OCA habitat, snags are below historic levels in the Lookout Point Reservoir watershed. The median reference condition for total snags 10 inches dbh (diameter breast high) or larger is about 12/acre compared to the current estimated condition of 5/acre. The median reference condition for large snags 20 inches dbh or larger is about 5/acre compared to the current estimated condition of 1.5/acre. Currently, within the Lookout Point Reservoir watershed, about 38% of the WLCH_OCA habitat is estimated to have no large snags compared to an estimate of 11% for the median historic condition. For snags 10-inch dbh or larger, about 23% of the habitat is estimated to have no snags compared to an estimate of 5% for the median historic condition. The current lower density of snags and greater percentage of areas lacking snags compared to historic conditions is mainly due to past clearcut harvesting that removed existing snags as well as the trees that could provide future snags. Additionally, reservoir, highway, railroad, and powerline corridor construction, plus fire suppression activities have also helped reduce existing and potential deadwood abundance in the watershed. Based on Deception fire severity as described by Acker (2015a), effects to snag habitat in the Outlook project area is summarized as follows. Changes in frequency distribution of snag densities were more pronounced when smaller snags were included and when the spatial scope of the analysis was smaller. For the 5 th -field watershed, there was a slight change in distribution of snags with a lower diameter limit of 10 inches. There was decreased representation of lower snag densities and greater representation of higher snag densities, especially the highest density class included in the analysis (>36 per acre). For the 5 th -field watershed, there was almost no change in distribution of snags with a lower diameter limit of 20 inches. For the 6 th -field subwatershed, there was a moderate amount of change in distribution of snags with a lower diameter limit of 10 inches. There was decreased representation of lower snag densities and greater representation of higher snag densities; for the second-highest density class (24-36 per acre), current conditions nearly equal reference conditions while current conditions equal reference conditions for the highest density class. For the 6 th -field subwatershed, there was a slight change in distribution of snags with a lower diameter limit of 20 inches. Although most density classes changed by only 1%, the increase in the highest density class ( 18 per acre) brings large snag levels up to the lower range of historic variability for that density class. From the perspective of available tools and data, the Deception Fire has caused some change in the frequency distribution of snag densities while leaving the overall pattern mostly unchanged. Figures 1 and 2 display current estimated post-fire densities of all snags ( 10 dbh) and large snags ( 20 dbh) respectively for the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed (Outlook analysis area). Similar figures for the Deception Creek 6 th field subwatershed are contained in the Acker report (2015a). Page 4 of 20

5 % of WHT in Watershed % of WHT in Watershed Outlook Landscape Diversity Project Dead Wood Habitat Figure Lookout Point Reservoir-M. Fork Willamette River Watershed (post-fire) Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood Forest WHT; Snags >10"; Comparison of reference and current conditions Reference Current >36 Snags/acre Figure Lookout Point Reservoir-M. Fork Willamette River Watershed (post-fire) Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood Forest WHT; Large Snags >20" Comparison of reference and current conditions 38 Reference Current >=18 Snags/acre Page 5 of 20

6 For the project area, the majority of large standing snags are Douglas-fir. The majority of smaller snags throughout the area are also Douglas-fir, and snag distribution across the project area can be considered patchy and variable. Within stand variability throughout the planning area influences current snag distribution. This variability will also influence the location of replacement snags, which would occur in a patchy rather than even distribution across the area related to harvest and burning activities. Current condition and the proposed action will assure compliance with Northwest Forest Plan guidance to maintain 40% of potential populations of cavity nesting birds (USDA, USDI 1994 page C-42). Snag levels representing a 40% population level amount to about 1.5 trees per acre for the western hemlock vegetation zone. Areas associated with treatments under the Outlook proposed action are within this zone. Under Northwest Forest Plan Standards and Guidelines, 100% potential population level for the western hemlock zone is represented by about 4 snags per acre > 18 diameter (DBH). Snag data estimated for this vegetation zone across the entire watershed approaches an average of 2 snags per acre > 18. This value translates to a current potential population level of about 50%. Snag levels in previously harvested WLCH_OCA habitat proposed for thinning were calculated based on the weighted average of snag data associated with stand exams conducted for the Outlook project. Those data indicate a lower average for all snags (2.5/ac) and large snags (0.2/ac) per acre compared to estimated current median level. Stand exams also included representative natural stands in WLCH_OCA habitat. Weighted averages for all snags were higher (6.5/ac), and slightly lower for large snags (1.3/ac) than estimated current median levels for those untreated stands. When dead wood management objectives such as those associated with the Outlook project are aimed at mimicking natural conditions, DecAID values associated with unharvested plot data are considered. Snag levels for data specific to the project area were compared against those listed in DecAID for Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood habitat type, in the Western Oregon Cascades, with a Small/Medium Tree Vegetation Condition (WLCH_OCA_S). A review of DecAID data (Figures WLCH_OCA_S.inv-14 and15) discloses that current snag levels throughout the planning area are within the lower end of the 30% to 50% tolerance range representative for snags in unharvested areas in this habitat type and condition. Down Wood Table 2. Comparison of estimated current and reference median down wood levels for wildlife habitat types in the Outlook project analysis area (Lookout Point Reservoir Watershed). Outlook Landscape Diversity Project DecAID Down Wood Analysis All Down ( 5" diameter) Large Down ( 20" diameter) DecAID Wildlife Estimated Median % Cover Estimated Median % Cover Habitat Type Current Reference Current Reference WLCH_OCA MMC WODF 3 1 NA NA Analysis of deadwood information for the Lookout Point Reservoir watershed for WLCH_OCA habitat suggests that current levels of logs, both large and small, are within the range of historic levels. The Page 6 of 20

7 median reference condition for total downed log ( 5 inchdiameter) cover is 5% compared to the current estimated condition of 4%. The median reference condition for large ( 20 inch diameter) log cover is 1.5% compared to the current estimated condition of 1.5%. Most recent DecAID analysis of down wood in the LPR-MFW 5 th field and Deception Creek 6 th field watersheds confirms current estimates are within the historic range of variability for all down wood cover classes with the exception of the highest percent cover class for all ( 5 diameter) and large ( 20 diameter) down wood in Deception Creek subwatershed. When down wood recruitment associated with Deception fire tree mortality is factored in, levels for all down wood rise to within the estimated historic range, but levels for large down would remain slightly under the historic estimate (Acker 2015b). Figures 3 and 4 display current estimated post-fire densities of all down ( 5 diameter), and large down ( 20 diameter) wood respectively for the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed (Outlook analysis area). Similar figures for the Deception Creek 6 th field subwatershed are contained in the Acker report (2015b). Figure 3 Post-fire comparison of reference and current estimates for all down wood. Page 7 of 20

8 Figure 4 Post-fire comparison of reference and current estimates for large down wood. Field reconnaissance indicates existing down wood occurs in a patchy rather than even distribution across the planning area. Down wood reflects a composition of all decay classes, however large wood in previously managed stands is dominated by decay class 3 and 4 condition. DecAID values all decay classes when considering down wood cover. Down wood data associated with the Outlook project shows an overall capability of providing large down wood (CWD) at levels specified in the Northwest Forest Plan. An equivalent percent cover value representing the Northwest Forest plan Standard and Guideline for CWD is about 1.1%. Comparing this equivalent standard of 1.1% cover with current calculated dead wood values presented above reveals that Northwest Forest Plan levels for CWD currently exist in stands where treatments are proposed, and throughout the planning area. Down wood levels in previously harvested WLCH_OCA habitat proposed for thinning were calculated based on the weighted average of down wood data associated with stand exams conducted for the Outlook project. Those data indicate a higher average for all down (4.4%) and large down (2.0%) percent cover compared to estimated current median level. Stand exams also included representative natural stands in WLCH_OCA habitat. Weighted averages for all down wood (7.0%) and large down wood (2.6%) were higher than estimated current median levels for those untreated stands. Page 8 of 20

9 Down wood levels for data specific to the project area were compared against those listed in DecAID for Westside Lowland Conifer-Hardwood habitat type, in the Western Oregon Cascades, with a Small/Medium Tree Vegetation Condition (WLCH_OCA_S). A review of DecAID data (Figures WLCH_OCA_S.inv-16 and17) discloses current down wood levels throughout the planning area are at or above the 50% tolerance level for total down wood, and within the 50% - 80% tolerance range representative for large down wood in unharvested areas within this habitat type and condition. Wildlife Relationship to Snag and Downed Log Abundance DECAID provides a compilation of studies showing relationships of snag and downed wood abundance to wildlife occupancy of the site for a variety of wildlife species. These are expressed as tolerance levels. For example, the 50% tolerance level for large snags for nesting pileated woodpeckers is 7/acre for Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood Forests of the Oregon Cascades. This number indicates that half of pileated woodpeckers studied in this wildlife habitat would be expected to nest at sites with 7 or fewer large ( 20 dbh) snags/acre. Many factors influence the population density and habitat selection of species that are associated with dead wood abundance. In general though, the greater the abundance of snags and downed wood and the larger the snags and downed logs, the better the habitat conditions for the dead wood dependent species, and standards and guidelines for retaining snags and downed wood were developed around these relationships. DECAID does not provide wildlife tolerance data for Westside Oak and Dry Douglas Fir Forest and Woodland Habitat. Snags densities above the 50% tolerance level were used to estimate the amount of above average habitat for the species, while the amount of habitat meeting the 30 50% tolerance interval were used to represent the amount of moderate quality dead wood habitat. The 80% tolerance range represents the highest quality dead wood habitat for the species. Species-specific information in DecAID was reviewed for species found in the project watershed with snag and downed wood relationship studies comparable to the forest inventory plot data. From these studies, TES species, MIS species, and key prey species of northern spotted owl were selected. Then tolerance levels for these species were compared to estimated current and historic snag and downed wood abundance. DecAID provided tolerance levels for the following species: 1) Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood Forests of the Oregon Cascades: a) pileated woodpeckers-mis (large snag density at nesting and foraging sites, large log cover *at foraging sites) and b) northern flying squirrel-important prey for NSO (total snag densities and total log cover** in occupied habitat) 2) Montane Mixed Conifer Forests-(available wildlife use data is limited for species that normally occur in this habitat in the watershed): a) Marten-MIS (large and total snag density and total log cover** at occupied sites). *DecAID shows information for % total log cover 20 cm diameter compared to 20 diameter in the inventoried plot data. **DecAID shows information for % total log cover 4 diameter compared to 5 diameter in the inventoried plot data. Only the 50% tolerance level is given in DecAID for % total log cover for marten. Page 9 of 20

10 Table 3. Estimated % of FS Forest Habitat Type (WHT) Meeting Snag Density Tolerance Levels for Key Wildlife Species, Current Condition vs. DecAID Historic Reference Condition, LPR-MFW Watershed Habitat and Wildlife Species Use Dead Wood Feature Wildlife Tolerance Level % of Habitat Meeting T. L. Current DecAID Historic Condition Reference Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwoods, Oregon Cascades Pileated Woodpecker Nesting Sites Snags 20 dbh >30% T. L. 22% 51% Snags 20 dbh >50% T. L. 11% 32% Snags 20 dbh >80% T. L. 4% 17% Foraging Sites Snags 20 dbh >30% T. L. 10% 27% Snags 20 dbh >50% T. L. 3% 13% Snags 20 dbh >80% T. L. 2% 6% Northern Flying Squirrel Occupied stand Snags 10 dbh >30% T. L. 55% 81% Snags 10 dbh >50% T. L. 28% 57% Snags 10 dbh >80% T. L. 10% 25% Montane Mixed Conifer Marten Occupied site Snags 20 dbh >30% T. L. 42% 61% Snags 20 dbh >50% T. L. 41% 58% Snags 20 dbh >80% T. L. 37% 55% Occupied site Snags 10 dbh >30% T. L. 40% 56% Snags 10 dbh >50% T. L. 36% 49% Snags 10 dbh >80% T. L. 1% 3% The large snag analysis suggests that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is below historical levels for large snags in Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood habitat and providing less nesting and foraging habitat for pileated woodpeckers than was provided in the estimated historic condition (Table 3). An estimated 11% of this habitat meets or exceeds large ( 20 dbh) snag densities at the 50% tolerance level for pileated woodpecker nesting sites compared to 32% of the estimated historic habitat. An estimated 3% of the habitat meets or exceeds large snag densities at that tolerance level for pileated woodpecker foraging sites compared to 13% of the estimated historic habitat. DecAID inventory data for pileated woodpecker habitat use are from the Oregon Coast Range and Olympic Peninsula where snags are known to be larger and more common than in the Oregon western Cascades. Tolerance level data in this table should be viewed as reflecting a general trend rather than absolute values. Page 10 of 20

11 The total snag analysis also shows that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is below historical levels for snags in Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood habitat and providing less snag habitat for northern flying squirrels than was provided in the estimated historic condition (Table 3). An estimated 28% of this habitat meets or exceeds total ( 10 dbh) snag densities at the 50% tolerance level for occupied northern flying squirrel sites compared to 57% of the estimated historic habitat. Quantitatively missing from this analysis based on model output is the recognition that, in addition to snags, defective live trees provide an important function in this habitat type. Studies have shown defective live trees are important for supporting pileated woodpecker (Aubry and Raley 2002) and spotted owl (Hershey et al. 1998) use in habitat where such features occur. The 49,638 acre Outlook planning area consists of 65% late successional and old-growth habitat where defective live trees may be considered a more common feature on the landscape than DecAID analysis suggests. Beyond the ecological and spatial considerations addressed in the Outlook MIS report that indicate low potential for marten to be present, the LPR-MFW watershed is currently below historical levels for large snags in montane mixed conifer habitat and providing less large snag habitat for marten than was provided in the estimated historic condition. An estimated 41% of this habitat meets or exceeds large ( 20 dbh) snag densities at the 50% tolerance level for occupied marten sites compared to 58% of the estimated historic habitat (Table 3). The total snag analysis indicates that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is below historical levels for snags in montane mixed conifer habitat and providing less small snag habitat for marten than was provided in the estimated historic condition (Table 3). An estimated 36% of this habitat meets or exceeds total ( 10 dbh) snag densities at the 50% tolerance level for occupied marten sites compared to 49% of the estimated historic habitat. Table 4. % of Forest Habitat Meeting Downed Log Cover Tolerance Levels for Key Wildlife Species, Current Condition vs. DecAID Estimated Historic Reference Condition, LPR-MFW Watershed Habitat and Wildlife Species Use Dead Wood Feature Wildlife Tolerance Level % of Habitat Meeting T. L. DecAID Current Historic Condition Reference Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwoods, Oregon Cascades Pileated Woodpecker Foraging Sites Logs 20 diameter* >30% T. L. >44%* >47%* Logs 20 diameter* >50% T. L. >33%* >32%* Logs 20 diameter* >80% T. L. >15%* >16%* Northern Flying Squirrel Occupied stand Logs 5 diameter** >30% T. L. 68% 72% Logs 5 diameter** >50% T. L. 27% 36% Logs 20 diameter* >80% T. L. >2%* >10%* Montane Mixed Conifer Page 11 of 20

12 Marten Occupied site Logs 5 diameter** >50% T. L. 10% 16% *DecAID shows information for % total log cover 20 cm diameter compared to 20 diameter in the inventoried plot data. Thus the % of habitat in the above the tolerance limit is substantially underestimated, but is shown to compare the relative difference between the current and historic condition. **DecAID shows information for % total log cover 4 diameter compared to 5 diameter in the inventoried plot data. Thus the % of habitat in the above the tolerance limit is somewhat underestimated. Only the 50% tolerance level is given in DECAID for % total log cover for marten. Downed log analysis suggests that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is at historic levels for large down log cover in Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood habitat (Figure 4) and is providing similar large down log foraging habitat for pileated woodpeckers than was provided in the estimated historic condition (Table 4). Currently an estimated 33% of this habitat meets or exceeds large log cover at the 50% tolerance level for pileated woodpecker foraging sites compared to 32% of the estimated historic habitat. The downed log analysis indicates that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is just below (4% versus 5%) estimated median level for total down log cover in Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood habitat, but well within the historic range of variability. Current total down log habitat for northern flying squirrels is below historic conditions at the 50% tolerance level (Table 4). Currently an estimated 27% of the Westside Lowland Conifer/Hardwood habitat meets or exceeds total down log cover at the 50% tolerance level for northern flying squirrels habitat compared to 36% of the estimated historic habitat. This value is also within the historic range of variability. The downed log analysis suggests that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is well above historical levels for large down log cover in montane mixed conifer habitat and also somewhat above historical levels for total down log cover in this habitat type. However, the data suggest that currently there is less down wood habitat for marten than occurred historically because there is a lower percentage of the area with high levels of down logs (>8% cover). Currently an estimated 10% of this habitat meets or exceeds total log cover at the 50% tolerance level for occupied marten sites compared to 16% of the estimated historic habitat. Current percent cover in this regard falls within the historic range of variability. Downed log analysis suggests that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is well above (3% versus 1%) historical levels for total down log cover in Westside Oak and Dry Douglas Fir Forest and Woodland habitat. The general wildlife, TES, and MIS sections of this report further discuss how reference, current, and future dead wood levels influence population viability for species dependent on dead wood habitat. Page 12 of 20

13 Environmental Consequences for Snags and Down Wood Summary of Effects With specific emphasis on WLCH_OCA habitat where Outlook project activities are proposed, this analysis has shown that snag habitat across the planning area can be considered broadly limiting to generally within a range of historic variability for snag dependent species. The analysis has shown that overall, down woodis well within the range of historic variability for all cover classes providing habitat for down wood dependent species. Proposed commercial thinning, SHAB restoration, and fuels reduction activities under the Outlook project can be viewed as an anthropogenically induced pulse in tree mortality associated with normal processes of successional development and stand regeneration. However the consequences of actions based on vegetation management objectives that enhance overall diversity and result in removing existing trees and conducting activities in some areas that maintain open forest or meadow habitat will affect current composition and distribution plus future natural rates and levels of dead wood recruitment. Normal processes that influence stand changes (dynamics) are highly variable in their ability to affect change (Rose et al. 2001). Natural fire interval for this area has been estimated to range between years (Mercado 2015). Insects and pathogens continually contribute to successional development, however traditionally this occurs at a small scale in this area relative to the overall landscape. The area is generally not prone to flooding or landslides which may also affect changes on a small scale. Windthrow is yet another normal process that has occurred, and will continue to occur unpredictably, to influence stand dynamics in this area on a small scale. Because the overall condition for about one third of the project area is largely influenced by previous management activities that have simplified stand and landscape structure and diversity, additional stand management such as diversity thinning, SHAB restoration, and prescribed burning may assist in restoring some aspects of the landscape to conditions more similar to reference settings. These activities will affect the condition and composition of current and near-term dead wood habitat. The ultimate long-term effect of project activities will influence a reduction in natural snag and down wood recruitment due to fewer remaining trees, however trees available for snag and down wood recruitment will be represented by more species diversity and substantially larger as a result of treatments proposed under any Action Alternative. DecAID relies on data from unharvested plots to assist managers in setting objectives aimed at mimicking natural conditions. Considering the current condition of snag and down wood habitat along with the information presented above, it is expected that dead wood levels throughout the watershed will remain below to somewhat above average in the natural range considered for similar habitat following proposed stand treatments for at least the next three to five decades. Throughout that time Outlook project effects would influence accelerateddevelopment of late successional characteristics by about 30 to 60 years compared to untreated stands, and result in maintenance and promotion of future dead wood habitat across a managed forest that typifies the planning area at levels that would ensure its ongoing central role in the ecological processes influencing affected forested habitats. Implementing treatments associated with the Outlook Project Action Alternatives would result in maintaining a full or partial no-harvest buffer in all riparian reserves, plus protection and retention of habitat features such as hardwoods and the largest conifers - some of which may possess decadent features providing an arboreal dead wood habitat component. Prescriptions also include measures to protect existing snags and down wood to the greatest extent feasible when conducting project activities. Nevertheless it is inconceivable to consider that this project would not result in the temporary reduction of some legacy wood habitat components under Alternative A, B, or D. Page 13 of 20

14 Effects associated with any Action Alternative on current and future dead wood habitat would be distributed across a spatial and temporal scale such that there is no reason to consider the ability of any dead wood dependent species to persist or become established in the Lookout Point Reservoir 5 th field watershed would be compromised. Direct and Indirect Effects Action Alternatives: Alternative A (Proposed Action), B, and D Unless specifically noted, effects are considered essentially equal under any Action Alternative. This is based on how similar the alternatives are in their potential for activities to affect dead wood habitat. In that regard Alternatives A and B are 96% similar, Alternatives A and D are 95% similar, Alternatives B and D are 92% similar. See the Comparison of Alternatives table in the Outlook EA Chapter 2 for detailed comparison of project elements between alternatives being evaluated. Alternative A is recognized as the Proposed Action and is the basis for effects consideration. Differences between Action Alternatives and effects to dead wood habitat deemed insignificant at the landscape scale. Under the Outlook project Action Alternatives, diversity thinning, thinning to create early seral habitat, SHAB restoration, and fuels reduction treatments, would occur throughout about 11% of WLCH_OCA habitat within the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed. Thinning treatments comprise over 98% of proposed activities that would affect current or future dead wood habitat. Underburning to reduce fuels and stimulate desired diversity is proposed on about 30% of acres proposed for thinning or other activities.additionally, snag creation in specified areas of late successional habitat adjacent to some thinning units would occur across 1,680 acres, or about 4.8% of WLCH habitat in the watershed. Project activities would be limited to within WLCH habitat under any alternative. Treatment prescriptions call for protection of existing snags and down logs (legacy wood). However some amount of loss or disturbance of legacy wood is inevitable as a result of safety and logging feasibility issues. Measures are identified to address this loss or disturbance. Implementing the proposed action in conjunction with additional design criteria would result in dead wood levels associated with treated areas that remain stable or slightly elevated in the near-term. Direct and indirect effects would be limited to an undeterminable number of snags and logs that may be unavoidably affected or created within treatment units. Long-term effects of project activities will influence an overall decline in total snag and down wood habitat associated with treated portions of the project area as a result of reduction in recruitment potential. This subject is further discussed in the Outlook Silviculture Prescription and Vegetation Report. While standing and down dead wood is an important aspect of diversity associated with the Outlook project, it is only one aspect. Management more strongly focused on maintaining existing and near-term dead wood levels would prevent attainment of other important diversity objectives such as increasing bole and crown sizes, development of a more dense and diverse understory layer, and releasing minor canopy tree species. Effects of the Outlook project reflect a balance between maintaining existing and near-term levels of dead wood (particularly snags) in managed second-growth stands, against management focused on promoting the development of structural diversity associated with the living overstory and understory components in such stands. One Outlook thinning objective is to stimulate stand development with one outcome being to increase the diameter of dominant trees and potential future snags. The current average diameter at breast height(dbh) is about for the 80 LSR diversity thinning units, and for the 32 matrix diversity thinning units. Growth estimates (based on both monitoring and modeling) for the Outlook planning area show the effect of thinning on average dbh of conifers in treated stands would result in exceeding dbh requirements to meet the DecAID 30% tolerance limit (25 Page 14 of 20

15 dbh) for pileated woodpecker nesting habitat between years post treatment. Units not treated, or all units under No Action would not achieve this potential, for another estimated years. The ecological cost related to this benefit is that during the next four decades or so, treated stands would contribute fewer snags and down logs as dead wood habitat during that timeframe by arresting recruitment as a result of thinning. The potential to contribute snags providing nesting habitat at the 50% tolerance level (32 dbh) would also be accelerated in treated stands, but at a slower rate than achieving 30% level. Snags Any loss of existing snag habitat would occur quite suddenly under the Action Alternatives, and is unavoidable due to operational and safety issues. Some existing snags in proximity to harvest activities would be judged hazardous to workers involved with implementing the silviculture prescription. Snag loss would be greatest among sizes <10 dbh, intermediate for snags dbh, and lowest among snags 20 dbh. Outlook stand exams revealed that about 42% of units proposed for thinning activity currently lacked snags 10 dbh. All felled snags would be left as down wood. Depending on decay class and burning conditions, some felled snags may be fully or partially consumed during subsequent fuels reduction and prescribed underburning in selected areas. Under the silviculture prescription for this project green trees would be harvested from specified areas by variable density thinning. Implementing this prescription would result in an average of 70 trees per acre in matrix stands, and 76 trees per acre in LSR stands being retained, some of which may have current defects or sustain damage that would provide a future dead wood habitat component distributed throughout the project area. In addition to the number of trees retained for future stand development, an average of 12 trees per acre in matrix thinning units and LSR thinning units less than 50 years old would be retained after diversity thinning to provide near and mid-term snag and down wood habitat. In LSR thinning units greater than 50 years old an average of 17 trees per acre could be retained for this function. Also proposed under each Action Alternative is snag creation in late successional habitat adjacent to many thinning units throughout the watershed. Late successional snag creation zones have been identified under both matrix and LSR allocation. An average of two snags ( 20 dbh) per acre in matrix and four snags per acre in LSR would be created across 559 acres and 1,069 acres respectively. Under Forest Plan standards, LSR acres would exceed 100% population potential and matrix acres would exceed 40% population potential in proposed snag creation zones. A detailed list of treatment units with the number of additional trees required to meet snag and down wood objectives based on stand exam data is included as an appendix to this report. Furtherdiscussion and details on tree retention for snag habitat management can be found in the Outlook project Silviculture prescription. Combined, these treatments would affect about 15% of the WLCH habitat in the watershed, and would result in meeting or exceeding estimated mean reference condition for snag levels 10 dbh. The effect would also bring current level for snags 10 dbh in the per acre class to within historic levels for the watershed.such developmental effects in habitat across treated areas would enhance foraging and nesting opportunity fordead wood dependent species such as cavity excavators and nesters, and pileated woodpeckers. However long-term indirect effects would trend towards neutral or negative as effects from thinning and related activities alter suppression mortality rates and decrease associated snag and down wood recruitment potential in affected areas. Implementing the fuels treatment prescription under the Outlook Action Alternatives would affect current snag habitat in two ways. Snag loss and snag creation can both be expected. Prescribedunderburning is likely to result in direct or indirect loss of some current snags which would be converted to down wood, Page 15 of 20

16 or potentially consumed for advanced decay class snags. However measures are prescribed to minimize these effects. The project fuels report and silviculture prescription discuss aspects of prescribed burning in greater detail. Underburning is proposed on about 930 acres in 20 units across the planning area. Prescribed burning on these acres is estimated to result in 10% mortality of overstory trees creating about eight snags/acre averaging 13 dbh. It is also reasonable to assume some level of partial or full mortality associated with trees immediately adjacent to pile burning activity. Any such mortality would add to an existing patchy distribution of snag habitat across about 10% of WLCH habitat throughout the planning area, particularly associated with edge habitat where such activities are proposed. Mortality from burning activities is expected to be mostly associated with trees < 20 dbh. With respect to DecAID snag levels, the creation of additional snags discussed above will supplement retained levels and offset inevitable loss of some snag habitat associated with project activities. The offset would retain near-term snag levels near to above the 50% tolerance level for all snags, and generally within a mid 30% to mid 50% tolerance range for the WLCH habitat type. Within treatment units, long-term (> years) total snag levels would decline within these ranges while recruitment gradually shifted towards larger trees (DecAID Figure WLCH_OCA_S.inv-2, 14 and 3, 15).Outlook project effects are limited to about 10% of the WLCH habitat in the watershed. Therefore about 90% of WLCH habitat across the watershed would continue to evolve beyond current conditions and provide snag habitat tending towards or within the historic range near-term as well as long-term. For both treated and untreated areas, current and future snag habitat throughout the project area will remain patchy in distribution. Down Wood Existing down wood would be protected to the greatest extent feasible under the silviculture and fuels treatment prescriptions. Some disturbance of existing down wood associated with the proposed action is inevitable. Recruitment of some existing snags, retained trees, sub-merchantable tops and debris not yarded to landings during commercial thinning, newly created stumps, along with old stumps would result in levels of down wood that are stable or slightly elevated across areas treated when compared to current condition. The Outlook Fuels Report discusses estimated fine to large dead/down fuel loading as a result of project activities. Implementing the fuel treatments prescribed under any Action Alternative would result in very similar effects on total down wood levels. The effect is associated with prescribed burning under Alternatives A, B, and D where a majority of down wood 5 diameter is predicted to be consumed by the activity. Most of the reduction would be in the 0 to 3 diameter range, but is likely to also affect an undeterminable amount of large diameter advanced decay class material. Stand exam and fuel plot data reveals down wood in such a class across areas subject to proposed underburning is well represented. Prescribed burning represents about 27% of total acres affected by habitat modification activities under Alternatives A and B, and about 22% under Alternative D. Downed log analysis suggests that currently the LPR-MFW watershed is at, to above historic levels for total and large down wood cover. With respect to DecAID down wood levels, the creation of additional amounts as discussed above will supplement retained levels and offset loss of down wood habitat associated with prescribed burning. The offset would not likely compensate for reduction in advanced decay class large down wood on acres underburned however. Within treatment units, near-term levels for large and total down wood currently at or above 50% tolerance level are expected to remain around the 50% tolerance level for the WLCH habitat type. Long-term (> years) total down wood levels are likely to decline into the 30% to 50% tolerance range for affected WLCH habitat, but would remain at or above the 50% tolerance level for all and large down wood habitat elsewhere throughout untreated WLCH habitat in the watershed (DecAID Figure WLCH_OCA_S.inv-16 and 17). Outlook project effects Page 16 of 20

17 are limited to about 10% of the WLCH habitat in the watershed. Therefore about 90% of WLCH habitat across the watershed would continue to evolve beyond current conditions and provide down wood habitat within the historic range near-term as well as long-term. For both treated and untreated areas, current and future dead wood habitat throughout the project area will remain patchy in distribution. Alternative C - No Action Alternative C is the alternative under which no action is proposed. It serves as a baseline against which Action Alternatives are evaluated for effects. No treatments are associated with this alternative that would have any direct effect on dead wood habitat. Habitat associated with stands where activities are proposed under the Action Alternatives would continue to develop on a path of natural succession. Suppression mortality would continue to provide limited amounts of near and long-term snag and down wood habitat as an indirect effect of no action. Such stands would be subject to an unknown number and frequency of stochastic events that may influence their ability to indirectly affect future levels of dead wood throughout the area. Speculating on these events and subsequent indirect or cumulative effects is considered beyond the scope of this analysis. Cumulative Effects:Alternative A (Proposed Action), B, and D Past timber harvest activity and other management actions have influenced the current condition of dead wood habitat throughout approximately 30% of the Outlook planning area. These actions have affected the overall amount and distribution of dead wood habitat by reducing the amount of old-growth habitat and increasing the amount of early and mid-seral habitat. The effect from decades of wildfire suppression has also influenced dead wood habitat by limiting the frequency, amount, and distribution of snag and down wood habitat across portions of the planning area and elsewhere throughout the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed. Beyond the direct/indirect effects addressed associated with the Action Alternatives, there are two foreseeable actions reasonably certain to occur within the planning area that could result in cumulative effects to dead wood from modification of habitat.salvage of roadside danger trees through portions of the area burned by the Deception Fire is proposed on about 41 acres out of 409 acres where high mortality is expected to contribute to improved levels of current snag and future down wood habitat. An analysis of this salvage (Doerr 2015) has shown the activity would not prevent the Deception Creek 6 th field watershed from achieving typical levels of downed wood within the historic range of variability after about a decade post-fire. The cumulative effect of this activity would not have any long term significant negative or positive influence on dead wood habitat at the LPR-MFW 5 th field watershed scale. Additionally, the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) is proposing to replace transmission line poles and improve access to their right-of-way (ROW) crossing through the Outlook project area. One element of the project is to treat danger trees that have been identified along the ROW through their project area. BPA has identified 216 trees with an average dbh of about 12 along miles of ROW that pose a current or future danger to access sites and transmission lines. These trees include a mix of conifer and hardwood species that is dominated by Douglas fir (94 trees averaging dbh), western hemlock (58 trees averaging 8.75 dbh), and cottonwood (29 trees averaging 12 dbh). Any number of the total trees is considered to have current or future potential to provide snag and down wood habitat. One objective for ROW management stated in a 2013 MOU between the BPA, USFS and others (FS#12-MU , BPA Right-of-Way Veg. Maint.) states Whenever practical, increase standing dead wood habitat through the topping rather than felling of trees along the edges of the ROW which pose a hazard to transmission lines. That objective is expected to be applied to the treatment of danger trees associated with the current proposed pole replacement and access management project. Whether topped or felled and left as down wood, the cumulative effect of this activity would not have any long term significant negative or positive influence on dead wood habitat at the watershed scale. Page 17 of 20