» Summary
» Chapter 1-Purpose and Need
» Chapter 2-Alternatives, including the Proposed Action
» Chapter 3-Affected Environment
» Chapter 4-Environmental Consequences
» Appendix A-Standards and Guidelines
» Appendix B-Modeling Outputs and Effects of Alternative Proposed Actions
» Appendix C-Consistency Review of Documentation for the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment
SNFPA Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
June 2003
Chapter 3: Affected Environment
3.2.4. Neotropical Migratory Birds
Neotropical migratory birds (NTMB) are birds which breed in North America and migrate south of the continental U.S. during non-breeding seasons. These species are protected under the Neotropical Migratory Bird Treaty Act based on their international importance. The list of neotropical migratory birds within the California region is large and includes a broad number of habitat associations (USDA 1994). The overall effect of management activities on neoptropical migrant species populations has not been specifically studied, unless a species falls within the category of Threatened, Endangered, Forest Service Sensitive (TES) or MIS. The Forest Service has a legal mandate to provide habitat for viable populations of NTMBs. If any NTMBs had viability concerns they would have been included as Forest Service Sensitive species. Current management guidelines ensure that habitat would be protected for these species, but not that the presence of these species will be guaranteed throughout the landscape.
Habitat modification and herbicide use would be expected to effect neotropical migratory bird, some more than others. Timber harvest, hand treatments, prescribed burning and herbicide effects could include but are not limited to: 1) mortality of young in the nest that are too young to escape activities or when adults abandon nests due to disturbance or if directly sprayed by herbicides; 2) loss of nesting, roosting or foraging habitat; 3) adverse effects to young and adult NTMBs as a result of consuming herbicide contaminated prey/vegetation. Direct and indirect effects related to herbicides would be expected to be similar to other avian species analysis. However, avian species analyzed were T&E species which are emphasized due to their listing status or Forest Service Sensitive and MIS species requiring special management attention because of viability and diversity concerns.
USDA Forest Service · Pacific Southwest Region