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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPileated Woodpecker Snag Management - PLN General - 2/22/2007 (2/27/2007) Pam Bennett-Cumming - Pileated Woodpecker Snag Management.doc Page 1 f Pileated Woodpecker Snag Managements KEPT t I V Tr'i Public Works Office Site 2/22/07 -% ;#� m r'17 9 LE In the course of examining the area, which will be logged to prepare for the construction of the new Public Works office site, three snags that are potential pileated woodpecker forage habitat were identified. Two are large remnants of the previous stand of timber that grew in the area and one is a small tree approximately 12" DBH and 70' tall. The small tree shows evidence of recent woodpecker foraging. The other two do not. Absent any safety issues identified by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, all three will be left standing following logging. Of the three snags, the small tree has the most likely potential for generating a safety issue. If it needs to be cut, it will be bucked to a length of 20-24 feet and relocated to the edge of the logging unit. A hole would then be dug in the ground and the snag segment would be placed in the hole and left in a standing position. If the tree is too decayed to remain intact when it is felled, a similar size stem would be selected from the logging area and relocated on the edge of the logging unit to replace the original snag. Regardless of the disposition of the small snag, there would be no significant adverse effect on pileated woodpeckers. Pileated woodpeckers feed primarily within forests 40 years or older. They forage on both snags and stumps ("Management Recommendations for Washington's Priority Species", Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, December, 1995). The logging unit containing the snag is approximately 12 acres within a timber stand that totals 54 acres. Based on the above referenced WDFW management recommendations, it is a marginal foraging area since it generally lacks snags greater than 20" DBH. Home ranges for pileateds vary from 540 to 1200 acres (Mannan 1984, Mellen 1987). The relocation of one snag and the creation of a 12-acre clear-cut would not significantly interrupt the foraging activity of woodpeckers in the vicinity of the logging site. Following logging, there would still be 40 acres of standing timber immediately adjacent to the logging area. There is also a large timber stand to the east of Highway 101, which will remain intact, and continue to provide foraging opportunities. There are numerous similar snags available in all of the surrounding area. If it is necessary to relocate or replace the small snag, locating it on the edge of the remaining timber would be the best location. Again, based on the WDFW management recommendations, a location on the edge of the timber stand would encourage woodpeckers to continue using it. In summary, a combination of 1) a minor relocation of one of many small snags in the area, 2) the marginal foraging opportunities present and 3) the remaining forested areas to provide foraging opportunities, will result in no significant impact on pileated woodpeckers. I i Michael MacSems Pileated Woodpecker Snag Management.doc Page 1 Pileated Woodpecker Snag Management Public Works Office Site 2/22/07 In the course of examining the area, which will be logged to prepare for the construction of the new Public Works office site, three snags that are potential pileated woodpecker forage habitat were identified. Two are large remnants of the previous stand of timber that grew in the area and one is a small tree approximately 12" DBH and 70' tall. The small tree shows evidence of recent woodpecker foraging. The other two do not. Absent any safety issues identified by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries, all three will be left standing following logging. Of the three snags, the small tree has the most likely potential for generating a safety issue. If it needs to be cut, it will be bucked to a length of 20-24 feet and relocated to the edge of the logging unit. A hole would then be dug in the ground and the snag segment would be placed in the hole and left in a standing position. If the tree is too decayed to remain intact when it is felled, a similar size stem would be selected from the logging area and relocated on the edge of the logging unit to replace the original snag. Regardless of the disposition of the small snag, there would be no significant adverse effect on pileated woodpeckers. Pileated woodpeckers feed primarily within forests 40 years or older. They forage on both snags and stumps ("Management Recommendations for Washington's Priority Species", Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, December, 1995). The logging unit containing the snag is approximately 12 acres within a timber stand that totals 54 acres. Based on the above referenced WDFW management recommendations, it is a marginal foraging area since it generally lacks snags greater than 20" DBH. Home ranges for pileateds vary from 540 to 1200 acres (Mannan 1984, Mellen 1987). The relocation of one snag and the creation of a 12-acre clear-cut would not significantly interrupt the foraging activity of woodpeckers in the vicinity of the logging site. Following logging, there would still be 40 acres of standing timber immediately adjacent to the logging area. There is also a large timber stand to the east of Highway 101, which will remain intact, and continue to provide foraging opportunities. There are numerous similar snags available in all of the surrounding area. If it is necessary to relocate or replace the small snag, locating it on the edge of the remaining timber would be the best location. Again, based on the WDFW management recommendations, a location on the edge of the timber stand would encourage woodpeckers to continue using it. In summary, a combination of 1) a minor relocation of one of many small snags in the area, 2) the marginal foraging opportunities present and 3) the remaining forested areas to provide foraging opportunities, will result in no significant impact on pileated woodpeckers.