Opinion ID: 3037764
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Habitat Connectivity

Text: [7] EPIC further contends that the EA fails to consider habitat connectivity, noting that portions of the critical habitat contain important dispersal habitat linking the LSRs. However, both the EA and the underlying FWS BiOp address connectivity. The EA recognizes the important connectivity and dispersal nature of the habitat, and, with respect to each critical habitat unit, concludes that the dispersal function would be 6996 EPIC v. USFS maintained under the Project parameters. The FWS BiOp also addresses the issue, noting that “silvicultural prescription will provide habitat suitable for dispersal within these units by maintaining a minimum canopy closure of 40 percent” and concluding that: all [critical habitat] acreage proposed for harvest will continue to provide dispersal habitat post harvest . . . and will maintain connectivity between CHUs on the local scale by continuing to provide dispersal habitat . . . . Therefore, the proposed action will not preclude the ability of CHUs to maintain connectivity between the physiographic provinces and thus will not compromise the function of critical habitat in the conservation and recovery of the NSO. EPIC’s claim therefore does not reveal a deficiency in the EA or a “significant” impact warranting a full EIS.