Columbia River Wildlife Mitigation Habitat Evaluation Procedures Report / Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, Berg Brothers, and Douglas County Pygmy Rabbit Projects. Page: 46 of 115
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SUMMARY
Shrub-steppe habitat within the study area is in fair condition at best while riparian cover
types need protection from further degradation as well as extensive enhancement measures
to improve conditions for wildlife. Forest cover types ranged from marginal to excellent.
Woodlands were rated as poor or fair. Likewise, agriculture and exposed/shoreline cover
types were considered poor and marginal respectively.
The quality of sharp-tailed grouse habitat is primarily limited by the poor condition of
riparian habitat types and the absence of macrophyllous draws which provide winter forage.
Improving nesting/brood rearing habitat on rangelands is possible but may be limited by soil
parameters and topographic features in some areas. Replanting CRP fields and abandoned
croplands to native-like vegetation could significantly improve the nesting potential on those
sites.
Mule deer and white-tailed deer habitat could be enhanced by pruning existing shrubs and
increasing shrub diversity. Planting shrubs and controlled burns are two techniques that
could be used to improve shrub browse diversity.
Sharp-tailed grouse, mink, yellow warbler, and to a lesser extent downy woodpecker habitat
could be improved significantly by protecting/enhancing riparian cover types. Enhancement
of riparian zones should be a top priority of project managers. Improvements to Canada
goose habitat are limited by physical barriers such as sandy cliffs along the Columbia river.
Increasing shrub canopy closure and the number of large snags would improve Lewis'
woodpecker habitat. Snags should be protected and/or created when feasible at densities
not less than one snag per acre with a minimum DBH of 12".
Pygmy rabbit and sage grouse habitat should be protected from over grazing, wild fires,
development, and further habitat fragmentation/degradation. Potential enhancements
include reducing shrub canopy closure on selected areas, increasing native grass and forbs,
and eliminating non-native vegetation.40
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Ashley, Paul R. Columbia River Wildlife Mitigation Habitat Evaluation Procedures Report / Scotch Creek Wildlife Area, Berg Brothers, and Douglas County Pygmy Rabbit Projects., report, January 1, 1997; Olympia, Washington. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc703292/m1/46/?rotate=180: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.