•
SlifuuL (WAi %iilntk cTo/e f\ojec£
final environmental impact statement
:e appendices
Department of Natural Resources and Conservation
Swan River State Forest
DECEMBER 2006
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project Area
Vicinity Map
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA MAP
A/ ^°^^^
/\/ streams
I I Project Area Boundary
III iliiSwan River State Forest
APPENDIX A
LIST OF RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS
INTRODUCTION
In order to address direct,
indirect, and cumulative effects on
a landscape level, the analysis must
incorporate past, present, and
future actions within the analysis
area. The following activities are
located within the Three Creeks
environmental analysis area for
vegetation on Swan River State
Forest. The environmental analysis
areas for watershed, wildlife,
soils, fisheries, etc., are smaller
in size and encompass an area
specific to those disciplines.
DNRC TIMBER SALE AND ROAD
PROJECTS
State timber sales where
environmental analyses have been
completed and sale activities have
begun or have been completed:
• Goat Squeezer Timber Sale Project
EIS
• Napa Lookout Permit
• Cilly Bug Salvage Permit
• Rock Squeezer Salvage Permit
• Red Ridge Salvage Permit
State timber sale proposals with an
environmental review in progress:
• The Fridge Salvage Permit (2006)
• Various thinning projects
The proposed White Porcupine Timber
Sale Project is identified on the
DNRC 3-Year Listing as the next
potential project for Swan River
State Forest. As yet, however, an
initial proposal or proposed action
has not been done. The potential
project has not been scoped and,
therefore, DNRC has not initiated a
preimpact study on this proposal.
SWAN VALLEY GRIZZLY BEAR
CONSERVATION AGREEMENT (SVGBCA)
Beginning in December 1994, DNRC has
participated in the development and
utilization of the SVGBCA with the
United States Fish and Wildlife
Service (USFWS) , Flathead National
Forest (FNF) , and Plum Creek Timber
Company. The SVGBCA seeks to
cooperatively manage grizzly bear
habitat in Swan Valley, where
intermingled ownership patterns and
differing land-management objectives
complicate habitat management for a
species as wide-ranging as the
grizzly bear. USFWS evaluated the
SVGBCA in an environmental
assessment and found that
implementing the Agreement's
management guidelines would not
negatively impact grizzly bears
iUSFWS 1995) .
The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area is within the conservation area
delineated in the SVGBCA and
complies with its guidance.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
While the Forest Service has several
ongoing or upcoming activities in
Swan Valley, none within the
analysis area for any resource. On
Swan Lake Ranger District, The
Sixmile Fuels Reduction and
Prescribed Fire is the nearest
action to the Three Creeks Timber
Sale Project area (USFS 2006) .
However, this project does not fall
within the defined cumulative
effects analysis area for any
resource .
APPENDIX B
STIPULATIONS AND SPECIFICATION
INTRODUCTION
The stipulations and specifications
for the action alternatives were
identified or designed to prevent or
reduce the potential effects to the
resources considered in this
analysis. In part, stipulations and
specifications are a direct result
of issue identification, project
mitigations, and resource concerns.
Stipulations and specifications that
apply to harvesting or road-building
operations will be contained within
the Timber Sale Contract. As such,
they are binding and enforceable.
Project administrators will enforce
stipulations and specifications
relating to activities that may
occur during or after the contract
period, such as site preparation or
hazard reduction.
The following stipulations and
specifications will be incorporated
to mitigate effects on the resources
involved with the action
alternatives considered in this
proposal. Each section is organized
by resource.
VEGETATION
> Sensitive Plants
Appropriate protection measures
will prevent the disturbance of
sensitive plant populations.
Riparian areas near harvest units
TABLE
Introduction . .
OF
CONTENTS
. . B-
-1
-1
-2
-4
-5
-6
-6
-6
-6
Vegetation ....
. . B-
Watershed and
Wildlife
rish
5ries
. . B-
. . B-
Soils
. . B-
Air Quality . . .
. . B-
Aesthetics ....
. . B-
Cultural Resources
and Archaeol
ogy
. . B-
Roads
. . B-
will be marked to protect SMZs and
isolated wetlands. No harvesting
is planned in wetlands or near
springs on localized features. If
sensitive plant populations are
found, the appropriate habitat area
will be excluded from the harvest
units .
> Noxious Weed Management
To further limit the possibility
of spreading noxious weeds, the
following weed-management
mitigation measures will be
implemented :
• All tracked and wheeled
equipment will be cleaned of
noxious weeds prior to beginning
project operations. The
contract administrator will
inspect equipment periodically
during project implementation.
• Surface blading on roads
affected by the proposal may be
required to remove weeds before
the seed-set stage.
• Disturbed roadside sites will be
promptly reseeded. Roads used
and closed as part of this
proposal will be reshaped and
seeded.
• Herbicide application, as
designated by the forest
officer, may be used to control
weeds along roads that access
the timber sale area.
> Herbicides
To reduce risks to aquatic and
terrestrial resources, the
following will be required:
• All herbicides will be applied
by licensed applicators in
accordance with laws, rules, and
regulations of the State of
Montana and Lake County Weed
District .
• All applications will adhere to
BMPs and the herbicides'
specific label guidelines.
• Herbicide applications will not
be general, but site specific to
areas along roads where noxious
weeds grow. No-spray areas will
be designated on the ground
before applications begin.
• Herbicides will not be applied
to areas where relief may
contribute runoff directly into
surface water.
• Herbicides will be applied on
calm, rainless days to limit
drift and the possibility of the
herbicide moving off the road
prisms .
WATERSHED AND FISHERIES
• Planned erosion-control measures
and BMPs include:
- installing grade breaks on
roads,
- installing water-diverting
mechanisms on roads,
- installing slash-filter
windrows, and
- grass seeding.
• All road-stream crossings will be
monitored for sedimentation and
the deterioration of the road
prism.
• Equipment traffic will be allowed
at road-stream crossings only
where road prisms have an adequate
load-bearing capacity.
• Culvert sizing for all road
projects will be as recommended by
the DNRC hydrologist for a 50-
year-flood period.
• Stream crossings, where culvert or
bridge removals and installations
are planned, will have the
following requirements, as needed,
to meet the intent of water-
quality permits and BMPs and
protect water quality:
- diversion channels will be
constructed and lined with
plastic to divert streamflow
prior to any in-channel
operations ,
- slash-filter windrows will be
constructed on the base of
f illslopes,
- silt fences will be installed
along the streambanks prior to
and following excavation at
crossing sites,
- filter-fabric fences will be in
place downstream prior to and
during culvert installation, and
- bridge work within stream areas
will be limited to the period of
July 15 through August 31.
Brush will be removed from
existing road prisms to allow
effective maintenance. Improved
road maintenance will reduce
sediment delivery.
The contractor will be responsible
for the immediate cleanup of any
spills (fuel, oil, dirt, etc.)
that may affect water quality.
Equipment that is leaking fluids
will not be permitted to operate
in stream-crossing construction
sites .
Included in the project proposal
are the following pertinent
recommendations of the Flathead
Basin Forest Practices, Water
Quality and Fisheries Cooperative
Program Final Report, June 1991.
(The following numbers correspond
to the numbering of recommendation
items contained within the
aforementioned document, included
in pages 154 through 162 of the
Final Report . )
1. BMPs are incorporated into the
project design and operations.
2 . Riparian indicators would be
considered in the harvest unit
layout .
3. Management standards of the
SMZ Law (75-5-301 MCA) are
used in conjunction with the
recommendations of the study.
4. The BMP audit process will
continue. This sale would
likely be reviewed in an
internal audit and may be
randomly chosen as a Statewide
audit site.
7. SMZs will be evaluated as a
part of the audit process.
12 . Watershed-level planning and
analysis are completed.
Logging plans of other
agencies and private companies
are used.
14. DNRC is cooperating with DFWP
on the further study of fish
habitat and populations for
South Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks .
15. DNRC would use the best
available methods for logging
and road building for this
project .
16A. Existing roads are fully
utilized for this proposal.
16B.DNRC utilizes BMPs,
transportation planning, and
logging system design to
minimize new road
construction .
17. DNRC requested inventory
information from DFWP (versus
contracts with DFWP to obtain
species composition, spawning
inventory, and spawning
habitat quality). DNRC s
mitigation plan for roads fits
all recommendations for
"impaired streams". Using
"worst-case scenario" criteria
provides for conservative
operations in this proposal.
18. Provisions that address BMPs
are in the Timber Sale
Contract, which are rigidly
enforced .
20. Long-term monitoring is
planned for South Lost, Cilly,
and Soup creeks, as well as
other streams on Swan River
State Forest.
29-34. DNRC has cooperated with DFWP
to continue fisheries work.
DNRC would continue to
monitor fisheries in the
future as funding allows.
» SMZs and RMZs will be defined
along those streams that are
within or adjacent to harvest
units, and all applicable BMPs and
the Rules for fisheries RMZ to
fish-bearing streams will be
followed .
» For the major streams (South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks), a 300-foot buffer (150
feet on each side of the stream)
will be maintained in areas where
harvesting takes place on both
sides of the stream or a closed
canopy of, at least, pole-sized
timber is on either side of the
stream. Within the 300-foot
buffer, a 25-foot no-harvest zone
will be located immediately
adjacent to the stream.
Throughout the rest of the buffer,
an average canopy closure of 40
percent will be maintained. The
creation of some small openings up
to 0.25 acre in size will be
allowed as long as an average
canopy closure of 40 percent can
be achieved throughout.
» The SMZ law and Rules will be
applied to all non-fish-bearing
streams in the project area.
» McNeil core and substrate scores
will be monitored in bull trout
spawning reaches in South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks.
» Fish-habitat monitoring, such as
repeat R1/R4 surveying, will be
done in South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks .
» Riparian stand characteristics
(quadratic mean diameter, trees
per acre, basal area) will be
monitored in proposed selective
riparian harvest areas adjacent to
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks.
• Angular canopy density (shade)
will be monitored in South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks adjacent to
proposed selective riparian
harvest areas.
• The frequency and volume of large
woody debris will be monitored in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks.
• Stream temperature will be
monitored in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks.
WILDLIFE
> Cfrizziy Bears
• All action alternatives will
comply with the SVGBCA.
• Roads and landings will be
seeded to revegetate with
species less palatable to
grizzly bears to minimize the
potential for bear-human
conflicts .
• Garbage will be hauled or stored
in a safe place so bears will
not be attracted to the area.
• No logging camps will be allowed
within the sale area.
• The Forest Officer will
immediately suspend activities
directly related to the project
to prevent imminent
confrontation or conflict
between humans and grizzly
bears, or other threatened or
endangered species.
• Contractors are prohibited from
carrying firearms onto closed
roads while working under
contract .
• Where regeneration harvests are
proposed along open roads,
vegetation screening will be
retained within a 100-foot
buffer .
• Where regeneration harvests are
proposed, no point in the
harvest unit will exceed 600
feet to cover.
> Wolves
A provision will be included in
the Timber Sale Contract to
protect wolf dens or rendezvous
sites within the gross sale area
discovered during implementation
of the project.
> BifGame
The purchaser will be authorized
to enter the project area with
motorized vehicles only for
activities related to the
performance of the Timber Sale
Contract. Road use is restricted
to nonmotorized transportation
behind road closures for any other
purpose. Motorized vehicle entry
for purposes other than contract
performance, such as hunting or
transporting game animals, will be
considered in trespass and
prosecuted to the fullest extent
of law [ARM 45-6-203) .
> Wildlife Trees and S'na§T?gtention and
■Rgcruitment
• wildlife trees of high quality,
such as large broken-topped
western larch, will be
designated for retention and
given special consideration
during yarding operations to
prevent loss .
• Snag retention and recruitment-
all cull snags that are safe to
operate near and a minimum of 2
snags greater than 21 inches dbh
are to be retained. If enough
large snags are not present, the
balance will be made up from the
next largest size class
available .
• Retained snags that need to be
felled for operational or safety
reasons will be left on site.
SOILS
> Compaction
• Logging eguipment will not
operate off forest roads unless:
- soil moisture is less than 20
percent,
- soil is frozen to a depth of 4
inches or a depth that will
support machine operations
(whichever is greater) , or
- soil is snow covered to a
depth of 18 inches or a depth
that will prevent compaction,
rutting, or displacement
(whichever is greater) .
• Existing skid trails and
landings will be used when their
design is consistent with
prescribed treatments and
current BMP guidelines are met.
• The logging foreman and sale
administrator will agree to a
skidding plan prior to operating
eguipment .
• To reduce the number of skid
trails and the potential for
erosion, designated skid trails
will be reguired where moist
soils or short steep pitches
(less than 300 feet) will not
allow access by other logging
systems .
• The density of skid trails in a
harvest area will not exceed 20
percent of the total area in the
cutting unit .
> gfoii Displacement
• Conventional ground-based
skidding eguipment will not be
operated on slopes steeper than
40 percent. Soft-tracked
yarders are suitable on slopes
up to 55 percent. Cable yarding
will be used on sustained
steeper slopes.
• Slash piling and scarification
will be completed with a dozer
where slopes are gentle enough
to permit (less than 35
percent) . Slash treatment and
site preparation will be done
with an excavator in areas where
soils are wet or slopes are
steeper (up to 55 percent) .
Broadcast burning may also be
utilized .
> Erosion
Ground-skidding machinery will
be eguipped with a winchline to
limit eguipment operation on
steeper slopes.
Roads used by the purchaser will
be reshaped and the ditches
redefined to reduce surface
erosion prior to and following
use .
Drain dips, open-topped
culverts, and gravel will be
installed on roads as needed to
improve road drainage and reduce
erosion and maintenance needs.
Some road sections will be
repaired to upgrade the roads to
design standards that will
reduce the potential for erosion
and maintenance needs.
Certified weed-free grass seed
and fertilizer will be applied
promptly to newly constructed
road surfaces, cutslopes, and
fillslopes. These applications
will also be done on existing
disturbed cutslopes, fillslopes,
and landings immediately
adjacent to open roads. These
applications, which will
stabilize soils and reduce or
prevent the establishment of
noxious weeds, would include:
- seeding all road cuts and
fills concurrent with
construction,
- applying "quick cover" seed
mix within 1 day of work
completion at culvert-
installation sites, and
- seeding all road surfaces and
reseeding culvert installation
sites when the final blading
is completed for each
specified road segment.
• Based on ground and weather
conditions and as directed by
the forest officer, water bars,
logging-slash barriers, and, in
some cases, temporary culverts
will be installed on skid trails
where erosion is anticipated.
These erosion-control features
would be periodically inspected
and maintained throughout the
Contract period or extensions
thereof .
AIR QUALITY
• To prevent individual or
cumulative effects and provide for
burning during acceptable
ventilation and dispersion
conditions during burning
operations, burning will be done
in compliance with the Montana
Idaho Airshed Group reporting
regulations and any burning
restrictions imposed in Airshed 2.
• Excavator, landing, and roadwork
debris will be piled clean to
allow easy ignition during fall
and spring when ventilation is
good and surrounding fuels are
wet. The Forest Officer may
reguire that piles be covered to
reduce dispersed (unentrained)
smoke and allow the piles to
ignite more easily, burn hotter,
and extinguish more guickly.
• The number of piles to burn will
be reduced by leaving large woody
debris in the harvest units.
• Depending on the season of harvest
and level of public traffic, dust
abatement may be applied on some
segments of the roads that will be
used during hauling.
AESTHETICS
• Damaged submerchantable residual
vegetation will be slashed.
• Landings will be limited in size
and number and located away from
main roads when possible.
• Disturbed sites directly adjacent
to roads will be grass seeded.
• When possible, healthy trees not
big enough to be harvested will be
retained .
CULTURAL RESOURCES AND
ARCHAEOLOGY
• A review of the project area was
conducted by a DNRC archaeologist
and local Native American tribal
organizations .
• A contract clause provides for
suspending operations if cultural
resources are discovered and only
resuming operations when directed
by the Forest Officer.
ROADS
• Information about road-
reconstruction activities and road
use associated with road-
construction activities will be
relayed to the general public.
• Signs will be placed on restricted
roads to prohibit public access
while harvesting operations are in
progress; these roads will be
physically restricted during
inactive periods (nights,
weekends, holidays, shutdowns) .
• BMPs will be incorporated into all
planned road construction.
APPENDIX C
VEGETATION ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This section describes current
vegetative conditions on Swan River
State Forest and addresses the
potential effects of the
alternatives as they relate to the
following issues:
- movement toward or away from
desired future conditions;
- management goals and activities
that address insect and disease
activities;
- current and future levels of
forest fragmentation;
- impacts of harvesting on the
amount and distribution of old
growth, old-growth attributes, and
the guality of old growth on Swan
River State Forest;
- forest covertypes and age classes
may be affected by timber
harvesting and associated
activities;
- timber harvesting and associated
activities may reduce canopy
cover;
- fire hazard may increase without
timber harvesting;
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction C-1
Analysis Methods C-1
Analysis Area C-2
Past Management C-4
Stand Development C-4
Habitat Types C-4
Stand Vigor C-5
Elevation and Aspect C-5
Stand Structures C-6
Covertype and Age Classes C-7
Canopy Cover C-20
Fragmentation C-22
Insects and Diseases C-23
Fire Effects C-33
Old Growth C-37
Age and Covertype Patch Size C-54
Sensitive Plants C-59
Noxious Weeds C-60
- age and covertype patch sizes may
be changed by timber harvesting;
- timber harvesting and associated
activities may decrease sensitive
plant populations; and
- timber-harvesting and road-
building activities may increase
noxious weeds in the project area.
ANALYSIS METHODS
The Rules (http://
arm. SOS . state .mt . us/ Title 36)
direct DNRC to take a landscape-
level or coarse-filter approach to
biodiversity. To promote
biodiversity, an appropriate mix of
stand structures and compositions on
State land should be favored
(Montana DNRC 1996) . The coarse-
filter approach utilizes landscape-
analysis technigues to determine an
appropriate mix of stand structures
and compositions for Swan River
State Forest based on ecological
characteristics such as landtypes,
climatic sections, habitat types,
disturbance regimes, and other
unigue characteristics.
This vegetation analysis compares
historic forest
conditions, desired
future conditions,
and current stand
conditions in terms
of forest
composition .
Covertype
representations and
age-class
distributions are
specific
characteristics
shown in the
lands cape- level
analysis to guantify
project effects to
forest vegetation
and track movement
toward or away from
desired future
conditions .
Historic age-class and covertype
conditions were quantified by
Losensky (1997). He used forest
inventory data from the 1930s to
estimate the proportion of historic
age classes by forest covertype for
Montana. This provided an estimate
of age-class distribution and stand
composition prior to Euro/American
settlement and the effects of fire
suppression, selective logging,
cattle and sheep grazing, and the
full impact of white pine blister
rust. Current conditions and
desired future conditions are
defined using DNRC s site-specific
SLI .
Forest fragmentation was analyzed by
using aerial photographs of the
project area and querying the SLI.
Aerial photographs provided a visual
of past harvesting and current stand
appearances (stocking density, stand
boundaries, etc.) . Queries in the
SLI provided information on
contiguous areas of stands in the
same age class, stocking levels, and
stand densities. Alternative
effects on the patch size of old-
growth stands were also analyzed.
Field visits helped to verify this
information to establish increases/
decreases in a given patch size.
Insect and disease activities are
recorded and mapped annually from
aerial flight surveys. New
occurrences and progression of
existing pockets, along with
approximate acreages and locations,
are collected. Field surveys
identify areas with insect and
disease activities for timber-
harvesting opportunities. Several
successive years of flight-survey
maps are available at the Swan River
State Forest office.
The old-growth analysis relies on
both DNRC's SLI and plot-level data
collected for the project. The SLI
was queried to select stands meeting
the age, dbh, and large-tree
criteria for old growth based on
habitat-type groups (see GLOSSARY
for DNRC s old-growth definition) .
Field surveys were employed to
collect plot-level data in order to
verify the old-growth status of
selected stands and determine if
additional stands meet the old-
growth definition within the project
area. Using the SLI and the
additional plot-level data
collected, attribute levels within
old-growth stands are described and
analyzed for preharvest and
postharvest conditions
The analysis of stand development
would be a qualitative discussion of
the conditions of timber stands,
including how various natural and
man-caused disturbances and site
factors have affected, and may
continue to affect, timber-stand
development. Project level and
cumulative effects to forest
vegetation are described and
analyzed in terms of covertype
representation, age-class
distributions, old-growth amounts
and attribute levels, stand
structure, patch dynamics, forest
fragmentation, and the role of
insects and diseases.
ANALYSIS AREA
The analysis area was examined at 3
nested scales:
- the climatically-/
physiographically-de fined "Upper
Flathead Section" (M333C) of the
larger, vegetation-defined
"Northern Rocky Mountain Forest-
Steppe-Coniferous Forest-Alpine
Meadow Province" (Province M333)
(Bailey et al . 1994) ;
- Swan River State Forest;
- and the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area.
Climatic sections were described as
broad areas of similar geomorphic
processes, geologic origins,
drainage networks, and landforms
that influence precipitation
patterns and temperature regimes
(Losensky 1997:19) . General
location-based names for the various
climatic sections were assigned to
help understanding and
communication. The Three Creeks
Timber Sale Project area in Swan
River State Forest affects the
timber base and sustainable yield
derived through the forest-
management program. Swan River
State Forest is within Climatic
Section M333C. Considering that
each nested scale is important
because activities within one can
influence all and effects at one
scale may be unapparent when
presented at another scale.
• Section M333C: Historic
conditions refer to those
described by Losensky (1997). In
this analysis, the historic
conditions for Section M333C
relate to Swan River State Forest
in terms of age-class
distributions by forest
covertypes .
• Swan River State Forest: Current
and desired future conditions were
analyzed at the scale of the
entire Swan River State Forest,
based on the Swan River State
Forest SLI.
• Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
Area: Within the project area,
the effects to stands proposed for
harvesting would be analyzed under
each alternative.
Effects analyses are presented
throughout the FEIS for both the
entire Swan River State Forest and
the project-level analysis area.
Much of the analysis uses data from
the SLI. The SLI guantifies forest-
stand characteristics for all stands
in Swan River State Forest and is
incorporated into DNRC s Geographic
Information System (GIS) .
The SLI is updated annually to
account for harvesting activities
and periodically through
reinventory. This process provides
DNRC foresters with current data for
use in analyses of proposed
management activities. Since
ongoing and future timber sales have
not undergone postharvest inventory,
probable effects of these sales are
taken into consideration in order to
address cumulative impacts in each
analysis area. The SLI databases
used for this analysis are dated
August 8, 2001 [sli poly 08082001
swn) , and May 13, 2005 (swn
sliwsnc20050513) . This data is
available at the Swan River State
Forest office.
One timber sale, Cilly Bug Salvage
Timber Sale, was completed within
the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
analysis area. The estimated
effects of this project on the
proportions of forest covertypes and
age classes, along with effects of
old-growth stands, would be
considered along with the Goat
Sgueezer (I, II, III), Small
Sgueezer, Small Sgueezer II, and
South Woodward timber sales in a
cumulative-effects analysis for Swan
River State Forest.
The cumulative effects analysis area
for vegetation is Swan River State
Forest for desired future condition,
covertypes, age classes, old-growth
amounts, patch sizes, and other
components of forest vegetation.
Some old-growth attributes are
analyzed at the scale of the project
area to demonstrate cumulative
effects, such as numbers of large
live trees, snags, stand vigor, and
other attributes in old-growth
stands. Important to remember is
the commitment DNRC made in the
SFLMP and ARM 36 . 11 . 407 . 39 (a) and
36.11.416(2): conditions made rare
on the landscape through the
activities of others will not be
compensated for by the Department on
the school trust lands we manage.
That fundamental premise of DNRC s
management philosophy also prevents
the Department from utilizing, for
example, the Bob Marshall/Scapegoat
complex, to make up mitigations for
activities on State land.
PAST MANAGEMENT
The project area has not had a large
timber sale since the 1980s. Timber
harvesting began in and adjacent to
the project area during the 1960s.
The first known harvesting, both
inside and adjacent to the project
area, took place in the early 1900s.
Limited salvaging has taken place
within the project area, but several
permits have been completed in
adjacent areas. The majority of the
acres (54 percent) in the project
area have never been harvested.
Most previously harvested stands
have regenerated successfully,
either naturally or by planting, and
are dominated by western larch,
Douglas-fir, and, in some areas,
ponderosa pine. Many units have
recently been precommercially
thinned. Other past harvesting
includes salvage, sanitation, and
individual-selection treatments.
Salvage harvesting, the most
prominent type of harvesting, began
in the early 1980s and continued
through the late 1990s; salvage
operations have not occurred in the
project area for the last several
years. Individual-tree-selection
harvesting was conducted in the
early 1970s.
STAND DEVELOPMENT
Natural processes of stand
development and disturbance are
influenced by environmental
conditions and site characteristics,
such as soils, stand covertype,
forest health, elevation, and stand
structure. The stand structures and
species compositions can be greatly
modified by natural disturbances,
such as wildfire and blowdown.
Without natural or human-caused
disturbances, stands continue to
move along the successional path,
which leads to species conversion.
In some instances, a previously open
western larch/Douglas-fir stand
begins developing an increasingly
dense understory of grand fir and
other shade-tolerant tree species.
This process can eventually move the
stand towards a mixed-conifer
covertype. Many of the stands
proposed for harvesting have this
successional pattern occurring.
Proposed treatments would reverse
this process to earlier stages of
succession dominated by serai
species .
HABITAT TYPES
Site factors, such as soil type,
aspect, elevation, growing season,
and moisture availability, are
combined to develop the
classifications of habitat types,
which are then used to describe
successional development and timber
productivity, among other things
{Pfister et al. 1977). In the
project area, 62 percent is
categorized as belonging to the
"warm and moist" habitat type. As
these stands progress through
successional stages, the mixed-
conifer covertype would become more
dominant. The lower elevation,
moist-subalpine habitat type
{Fischer and Bradley, 1987) occurs
on 25 percent of the area. Also
represented in the project area are
5 other habitat types, but in much
lesser amounts. Information on
habitat types for the remaining
stands is available in the project
file.
The stands proposed for harvesting
are included in the warm and moist
along with the lower elevation,
moist subalpine fir habitat type
groups. These groups typically have
relatively high timber production,
regenerate best with more intensive
management treatments, and provide
great opportunities for serai
species. TABLE C-1 - ACRES TREATED
PER HARVEST PRESCRIPTION BY HABITAT-
TYPE GROUP shows the amount of acres
being treated within these habitat
type groups by harvest prescription.
TABLE C-1 - ACRES TREATED PER HARVEST PRESCRIPTION BY HABITAT-TYPE GROUP
ACTION
ALTERNATIVE
HARVEST
PRESCRIPTION
HABITAT TYPE GROUPS
WARM AND
MOIST
MOIST,
LOW ELEVATION
SUBALPINE
TOTALS
B
Seedtree
134
134
Seedtree reserve
543
543
Shelterwood
593
61
654
Commercial thin
486
67
553
C
Seedtree
98
98
Seedtree reserve
480
480
Shelterwood
675
675
Commercial thin
531
67
598
D
Seedtree
113
113
Seedtree reserve
540
133
673
Shelterwood
314
309
623
Commercial thin
439
121
560
E
Seedtree
135
135
Seedtree reserve
441
133
574
Shelterwood
461
143
604
Commercial thin
580
103
683
STAND VIGOR
Stand vigor, a qualitative
assessment of stand health in
relation to growth potential, is
affected by a variety of factors
such as stand age, density, insects,
diseases, and weather. Insects and
diseases are currently very active
within the project area, decreasing
vigor, reducing growth, causing
mortality, removing stands from the
old-growth classification, and
resulting in lost economic value.
Elevated populations of Douglas-fir
beetle, fir engraver, and mistletoe,
as well as minor infestations/
infections from mountain pine
beetles, white pine blister rust,
and various heart rots exist
throughout the project area. Indian
paint fungus is common in grand fir.
The majority of the tree species
show effects from insect
infestations and/or disease
infections, which cause value to be
lost. Also, tree crowns appear
sparse, yellowing, and/or fading in
many stands, reflecting poor health
and slow growth.
The SLI identifies stand vigor for
each stand on Swan River State
Forest in 1 of 4 categories. The 4
categories for vigor classification
are full, good, fair, and poor. The
majority of the stands in the
project area fall in the good to
average category, which is also
reflective of the stands proposed
for harvesting (TABLE C-2 - STAND-
VIGOR CLASSIFICATION (PERCENT) BY
ACTION ALTERNATIVE) .
TABLE C-2 - STAND-VIGOR
CLASSIFICATION (PERCENT) BY ACTION
ALTERNATIVE
VIGOR
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Good
51
53
59
58
Fair
38
39
30
41
Poor
11
8
11
1
ELEVATION AND ASPECT
Elevation and aspect interact to
influence the tree and shrub species
potentially present in a stand, as
well as to influence successional
pathways and percent of ground
cover. The project area ranges in
elevation from 3,400 to 6,600 feet.
A large portion of the project area
has a south-to-west-to-northwest
aspect, resulting in sites that are
relatively warmer and drier than
those on north- or east-facing
aspects. Warmer, drier stands
typically develop overstories of
western larch and/or Douglas-fir,
or, occasionally, ponderosa pine on
the drier sites. Stands with north-
facing slopes, either entirely or in
part, often have higher moisture
availability and are located where
species such as western red cedar
and true firs are often found.
The majority (61 percent) of the
old-growth stands proposed for
harvesting are on south to west
aspects in the mid-elevation zone,
between 3,500 and 4,500 feet.
Treatments for these particular
stands vary depending on the aspect
and elevation and the influence
these would have on regeneration.
The south to west aspect sites
receive much direct sunlight and
tend to have drier soils. Due to
these sites being drier and warmer,
shelterwood and commercial-thin
treatments are proposed for these
aspects. These treatments would
also provide a greater opportunity
for regeneration survival.
STAND STRUCTURE
Stand structure indicates a
characteristic of stand development
and how the stand would continue to
develop. The disturbance regime or
most recent disturbance event can
also be reflected.
Single-storied stands are most often
associated with stand-replacement
events, such as severe fires or
clearcut harvesting, and are more
common in younger-aged stands where
understory reinitiation has not
begun. Over time, these single-
storied stands generally develop into
multistoried stands or other more
complex structures through the
process of forest succession.
Two-storied stands are often
associated with areas of less severe
fires and usually have more fire-
resistant trees, such as western
larch or Douglas-fir, left in the
overstory. Also, 2-storied stands
frequently develop where an
understory of shade-tolerant species
grows under an even-aged overstory,
such as subalpine fir growing under a
canopy of lodgepole pine.
Regeneration harvests that retain
approximately 10 percent crown cover
in the overstory and have a seedling/
sapling understory are also
classified as 2-storied stands.
The multistoried condition arises
when a stand has progressed through
time and succession to the point that
shade-tolerant species are replacing
a shade-intolerant overstory. Often
a long interval of time occurs
between major disturbances. Many of
these stands went through a single-
storied condition when younger.
Seedtree and seedtree-with-reserves
harvest treatments would shift stands
from their current structure class to
a single-storied class. Shelterwood
treatments would initially move
stands from the current structure to
a single story, which would again
shift to a 2-storied stand upon the
establishment of seedlings.
Commercial-thin harvest treatments
would vary depending on the current
structure and the proposed timber
removal. Much of the understory
disturbed through logging operations
and harvesting would primarily occur
in the dominant, co-dominant, and
intermediate canopy layers . Stand
structure may be reduced by one or
more classes, 2-storied or 3-storied
(multistoried) .
TABLE C-3 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST
STAND STRUCTURE OF UNITS PROPOSED FOR
TABLE C-3 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST STAND STRUCTURE OF UNITS PROPOSED FOR
HARVEST IN THE THREE CREEKS PROJECT AREA
STAND
STRUCTURE
CURRENT
AMOUNTS
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
POSTHARVEST
Single-storied (percent)
25
37
37
37
37
Two-storied (percent)
10
13
13
12
12
Multistoried (percent)
65
49
50
51
51
Total acres
10,383
10,383
10,383
10,383
10,383
HARVEST IN THE THREE CREEKS PROJECT
AREA compares the current proportion
of stands and the postharvest
results by alternative in single-
storied, two-storied, and
multistoried stands within the
project area.
COVERTYPE AND AGE CLASSES
EXISTING CONDITION
Covertypes describe the species
composition of forest stands.
Covertype representation often
varies according to the frequency of
disturbance. Some seral-species-
dominated types, such as ponderosa
pine, reflect a frequent low-
intensity disturbance that helps
perpetuate the shade-intolerant
pine. Other types, such as the
mixed-conifer type, reflect an
absence of disturbance, indicating
stands further along the
successional pathway dominated by
shade-tolerant species.
The protocol used to assign
covertypes on DNRC-managed forested
lands, including Swan Unit, is
explained in detail in the
Rules (ARM 36.11.405)
(http://
arm. SOS . state .mt . us/) . The
methods used to analyze
current and appropriate stand
conditions are described
below .
Two data filters were
developed to assign
covertypes in a manner
similar to that used in the
1930s inventory and applied
to the Swan River State
Forest's SLI data (swn
sliwsnc20050513; Arc View shape
file) . The first, representing
current conditions, followed the
1930s criteria as closely as
possible. The second, representing
desired future conditions, assigned
covertypes using criteria to address
situations where the current type
may not be representative of desired
conditions, such as stands where
succession from one covertype to
another was occurring. The desired
future-condition filter indicated
that those areas without fire
suppression, introduced pathogens,
and timber harvesting would likely
have been assigned to a different
covertype than the current covertype
filter suggests. The filter for
desired future conditions provides
an assessment for the proportion of
various covertypes that would likely
have existed under average historic
conditions .
FIGURE C-1 - PROPORTION OF HISTORIC
CONDITIONS BY COVERTYPE FOR SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST, FIGURE C-2 -
CURRENT COVERTYPE PROPORTIONS FOR
FIGURE C-1 - PROPORTION OF HISTORIC CONDITIONS
BY COVERTYPE FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
3%n
1
D ponderosa pine
6% 2°/°
n western
'°'°^\r\
larch/Douglas-fir
n western wnite pine
""(^ \
n lodgepole pine
'°''\^ i
■ mixed conifer
\^ _^
c
D lodgepole pine
35°/
'° /
L>\
10%
■ mixed conifer
J^:r-~--~~~~~.
D ponderosa pine
\^y
6%
nsubalpine fir
D western white pine
32%
D western larch/Douglas-fir
COVERTYPE ON SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST) that mixed-conifer stands
are currently overrepresented
compared to historic data and
desired future conditions. Many of
the species that compose mixed-
conifer stands are shade tolerant
and increase in density as the
intervals between disturbances, such
as wildfires, increase.
The western larch/Douglas-fir and
western white pine covertypes are
currently underrepresented on Swan
River State Forest, in reference to
desired future condition, but for
different reasons. Western larch
and Douglas-fir are preferred timber
species that were often removed in
partial or selective harvests that
failed to provide suitable
conditions for regenerating the
species. Western larch/Douglas-fir
stands have historically been
perpetuated through fairly intensive
disturbances, such as wildfires, and
because, when mature, they are more
resistant to fire mortality than
other species, some individuals
would survive a natural disturbance
and provide a seed source for
subsequent regeneration. The lack
of natural disturbances has
prevented regeneration of western
larch across much of Swan River
State Forest, particularly in the
dense old stands common throughout
the project area, and has resulted
in a shift in dominance from shade-
intolerant species, like western
larch/Douglas-fir, toward more
shade-tolerant species.
Data for Swan River State Forest
indicates that the extent of the
western white pine covertype is
considerably lower than what
occurred historically. White pine
blister rust has drastically
affected western white pine,
reducing its representation across
its range to less than 10 percent of
historical numbers (Fins et al.
2001) . The number of healthy
western white pine that occupy the
canopy as overstory dominants has
been on the decline across its range
for several decades despite
multiorganization cooperative
efforts to restore it on the
landscape. So, while cooperative
efforts have produced rust-resistant
seed suitable for deployment
throughout its range, planting has
been unable to keep pace with losses
due to the rust.
AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION
Age-class distribution delineates
another characteristic important for
determining trends on a landscape
level. Age-class distributions are
tied to covertype representation and
disturbance regimes, both of which
vary over the landscape in relation
to prevailing climatic conditions of
temperature and moisture.
Historical stand age-class
distributions for Montana were
developed by Losensky (1997).
Although the data was collected at a
specific point in time, this data
represents the best baseline
available for determining how
current forest age-class
distribution deviates from
historical conditions.
Comparison of the current age-class
distribution by covertype across the
entire Swan River State Forest to
historical data from Section M333C
demonstrates reduced acreage in the
seedling-sapling age class and an
overabundance in the 150+-year-old
age class in most types (TABLE C-4 -
HISTORIC AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE FOR
EACH COVERTYPE IN CLIMATIC SECTION
333C (UPPER FLATHEAD VALLEY) and
TABLE C-5 - 1930S INVENTORY DATA FOR
PROPORTIONAL AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE BY
COVERTYPE FOR SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST AND TOTAL ACRES BY COVERTYPE.
The relatively old age of stands in
Swan River State Forest predisposes
them to attacks by insects and
diseases, as well as an increased
risk of stand-replacement fires.
TABLE C-4 - HISTORIC AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE FOR EACH COVERTYPE IN CLIMATIC
SECTION 333C (UPPER FLATHEAD VALLEY) / NONFOREST LAND IS NOT INCLUDED
COVERTYPE^
NONSTOCKED
1 TO 40
YEARS
41 TO 100
YEARS
101 YEARS TO
OLD STANDS
OLD
STANDS^
PERCENT
Ponderosa Pine
2
11
6
7
74
Douglas-fir
2
24
39
29
6
Western larch/
Douglas-fir
10
13
10
20
47
Western white
pine
1
28
54
17
Lodgepole pine
21
38
29
7
5
Mixed conifer
2
4
9
42
43
Average
14
22
13
22
29
'The suhalpine type was not assigned an age in the 1930s inventory .
Stands were considered old if they were over 170 years for ponderosa pine, Douglas-
fir, and western larch/Douglas-fir; 180 years for western white pine and mixed
conifer; and 140 years for lodgepole pine.
TABLE C-5 - 1930S INVENTORY DATA FOR PROPORTIONAL AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE BY
COVERTYPE FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST AND TOTAL ACRES BY COVERTYPE (THE
AVERAGE REPRESENTS THE AVERAGE AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE ACROSS ALL COVERTYPES)
COVERTYPE
NO AGE^
TO 39
YEARS
40 TO 99
YEARS
100 YEARS
TO OLD
STANDS
OLD
STANDS^
TOTAL
ACRES
PERCENT
Ponderosa pine
100
1,019
Douglas-fir
100
219
Western larch/
Douglas-fir
12
7
81
26,253
Western white pine
100
3,159
Lodgepole pine
36
64
1, 801
Mixed conifer
5
18
2
74
1,345
Subalpine fir
31
1
21
47
4,588
Average
5
10
8
3
74
38,668
The nonage category represents land that was not typed as to age in the 1930s
inventory .
^Stands were considered old if they were over 170 years for ponderosa pine, Douglas-
fir, and western larch/Douglas— fir ; 180 years for western white pine, subalpine, and
mixed conifer ; and 140 years for lodgepole pine.
TABLE C-6 - CURRENT SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST DATA FOR PROPORTIONAL AGE-CLASS
STRUCTURE BY COVERTYPE AND TOTAL ACRES BY COVERTYPE
COVERT YPE
NO
AGE^
TO 39
YEARS
40 TO 99
YEARS
100 YEARS
TO OLD
STANDS
OLD
STANDS^
TOTAL
ACRES
PERCENT
Ponderosa pine
43
9
11
37
2, 440
Douglas-fir
13
41
20
26
591
Western larch/
Douglas-fir
30
24
10
36
7, 637
Western white pine
21
2
16
61
4,274
Lodgepole pine
7
73
20
2,255
Mixed conifer
11
12
23
54
17,257
Subalpine fir
10
19
20
51
3,282
Average
18
18
18
46
37,736
The nonage category represents land that was not typed as to age in the 1930s
inventory .
^Stands were considered old if they were over 170 years for ponderosa pine, Douglas-
fir, and western larch/Douglas-fir; 180 years for western white pine, subalpine, and
mixed conifer; and 140 years for lodgepole pine.
Other covertypes not included in the table: hardwoods (40 acres), nonstocked (706
acres) , and nonf crested (920 acres) .
TABLE C-1 - CURRENT PROJECT AREA DATA FOR PROPORTIONAL AGE-CLASS STRUCTURE BY
COVERTYPE AND TOTAL ACRES BY COVERTYPE
COVERTYPE
NO AGE
TO 39
YEARS
40 TO 99
YEARS
100 YEARS
TO OLD
STANDS
OLD
STANDS
TOTAL
ACRES
PERCENT
Ponderosa pine
82
18
137
Douglas-fir
15
19
66
59
Western larch/
Douglas-fir
25
24
10
41
2,289
Western white pine
11
15
74
653
Lodgepole pine
4
53
43
199
Mixed conifer
4
6
10
80
5,312
Subalpine fir
18
7
28
47
1, 735
Average
12
11
14
63
10,384
Comparing the climatic section
averages with Swan River State
Forest shows that the forest was
dominated by old stands to a much
greater extent than was the climatic
section, 74 percent old stands
versus 29 percent. That trend was
also demonstrated with most of the
various covertypes .
The proportions of older stands have
decreased when compared to historic
conditions. While some of the
apparent decrease amounts of old
stands reflects differences in data
collection and mapping protocols,
the data likely reflects a real
decrease, though a relatively
smaller decrease than suggested by
the data. The historic data
indicates Swan River State Forest
had avoided any major disturbances
for a considerable time period.
While lower amounts are shown in old
stands, higher amounts are in all
other age-class categories.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
Direct Effects
• Direct Effects ofJVo-^Jction Alternative »4f to
Covertypes andJlge Classes
In the short term, the amount of
western larch/Douglas-fir and
western white pine covertypes
would remain lower than DNRC s
desired future condition suggests
{FIGURE C-2 - CURRENT COVERTYPE
PROPORTIONS FOR SWAN RIVER STATE
FOEST and C-3 - DESIRED FUTURE
CONDITION BY COVERTYPE ON SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST) . Shade-
tolerant species would continue to
regenerate under closed-canopy
forests, increasing the ladder
fuels available to carry fire to
the overstory and competing with
the overstory for water and
nutrients. The long-term effects
on covertype would continue, with
a gradual loss of the seral-
dominated covertypes, such as
western larch/Douglas-fir and
western white pine, and an
increase in the mixed-conifer
covertype, which is dominated by
shade-tolerant species.
No immediate change in the
proportion of existing age classes
{FIGURE C-5 - CURRENT AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION FOR SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST) is expected unless a large
disturbance, such as a wildfire,
occurs .
Direct Effects ofJlction JllternaMve R to
Covertypes and Jlge Classes
This alternative proposes
regeneration harvests on
approximately 1,331 acres using
shelterwood, seedtree, and
seedtree-with-re serves treatments
and commercial thinning on
approximately 553 acres.
Approximately 613 acres of the
mixed-conifer covertype would be
converted to a western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype by
harvesting shade-tolerant species
(grand fir, Engelmann spruce,
western red-cedar, et al . ) and
planting various combinations of
western larch, ponderosa pine, and
blister-rust-resistant western
white pine. An additional 494
acres of the mixed-conifer
covertype and 650 acres of the
western larch covertype would be
harvested, but no change in
covertype is expected. The
proportion of the western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype would
increase due to a combination of
harvesting prescriptions and
planting. Approximately 127 acres
within the western white pine
covertype would be harvested; no
change in covertype would be
expected. The Douglas-fir,
subalpine fir, ponderosa pine, and
lodgepole pine covertypes should
not experience any proportional
changes .
FIGURE C-4 - HISTORIC
AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION
FOR SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST
8%
2%
4% y^"^
\
~~~\^
^^^^
\
X
D None
13%/ ^
^\
\
■ 00-39
jaJ
D 39-99
V
1
D 100-old
\
J
Dold
\
—
/^73%
^
3%
FIGURE C-5 - CURRENT AGE-
CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOR
SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
44%
19%
17%
■ None
■ 00-39
D 39-99
D 100-old
Dold
17%
FIGURE C-6 - CURRENT AGE-
CLASS DISTRIBUTION FOR THE
PROJECT AREA
1
62% \
%
\
13%
\ 10%
nNone
■ 00-39
D 39-99
D 100-old
Dold
y
/l4%
1%
FIGURE C-7 - AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE
PROJECT AREA FOLLOWING
APPLICATION OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE B
45%
25%
10%
D None
■ 00-39
D 39-99
D 100-old
Dold
19%
The proposed
shelterwood, seedtree, and
seedtree-with-re serves treatments
would regenerate approximately
1,331 acres; of this, 1,060 acres
would be converted from the old-
stand age class to the zero-year
age class; the remaining 271 acres
would be converted from the 100-
to-150-year age class to the zero-
year age class.
The 553 acres proposed for
commercial thinning would retain
pole- to sawtimber-sized trees in
the lOO-to-150-year age class,
thus converting 415 acres from the
old-stand age class to the 100-to-
150-year age class. In addition,
6 acres would convert from the
lOO-to-150-year age class to the
40-to-99-year age class and 95
acres would remain in the 100-to-
149-year age class following
harvesting .
Regeneration treatments and
subseguent planting or natural
regeneration would increase the
proportion of the O-to-39-year age
class on Swan River State Forest
by 3.5 percent, or 1,331 acres,
while the proportion of the old-
stand age class would be reduced
by 3.8 percent, or 1,475 acres
{FIGURE C-7 - AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE B) .
Direct Effects ofwlctioti Jllternative Cto
Coeertypes and ulge Classes
This alternative proposes
regeneration harvests using
shelterwood, seedtree, and
seedtree-with-reserve treatments
on approximately 1,253 acres and
commercial thinning on
approximately 532 acres.
Approximately 660 acres of the
mixed-conifer covertype would be
converted to the western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype by
harvesting shade-tolerant species
(grand fir, Engelmann spruce,
western red-cedar, et al . ) and
planting various combinations of
western larch, ponderosa pine, and
blister-rust-resistant western
white pine. An additional 394
acres of the mixed-conifer
covertype and 580 acres of the
western-larch covertype would be
harvested, but no change in
covertype is expected. The
proportion of the western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype would
increase due to a combination of
harvesting prescriptions and
planting. Approximately 127 acres
of western white pine and 24 acres
of ponderosa pine covertypes would
be harvested, but current
representation should be
maintained. Douglas-fir,
subalpine fir, and lodgepole pine
covertypes should not see any
changes in percents of
representation .
The proposed shelterwood,
seedtree, and seedtree-with-
reserves treatments would
regenerate approximately 1,253
acres; 988 acres would be
converted from the old-stand age
class to the zero-year age class,
while 266 acres would be converted
from the lOO-to-150-year age class
to the zero-year age class.
The 532 acres proposed for
commercial thinning would retain
pole- to sawtimber-sized trees in
the lOO-to-150-year and 40-to-99-
year age classes. A total of 476
acres would be converted from the
old-stand age class to the 100-to-
150-year age class. In addition,
6 acres would convert from the
lOO-to-149-year age class to the
40-to-99-year age class, and 50
acres would be retained in the
lOO-to-149-year age class.
Regeneration treatments and the
subseguent planting or natural
regeneration would increase the
proportion of the O-to-39-year age
class on Swan River State Forest
by 3.5 percent, or 1,253 acres,
while the proportion of the old-
stand age class would be reduced
by 3.8 percent, or 1,464 acres
FIGURE C-8 - AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE
PROJECT AREA FOLLOWING APPLCATION OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE C
(FIGURE C-8 - AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE C) .
Direct Effects ofJlction JlIternativeD to
Cocertffpes and tlge Classes
This alternative proposes
regeneration harvests by using
shelterwood, seedtree, and
seedtree-with-re serves treatments
on approximately 1,410 acres and
commercial thinning on
approximately 560 acres.
1
46% /
%
[
^"\ 24%
nNone
■ 00-39
n39-99
n100-old
noid
X
^\ /io%
19%
Approximately 633 acres of the
mixed-conifer covertype would be
converted to the western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype by
harvesting shade-tolerant species
(grand fir, Engelmann spruce,
western red-cedar, et al . ) and
planting various combinations of
western larch, ponderosa pine, and
blister-rust-resistant western
white pine. An additional 529
acres of the mixed-conifer
covertype and 595 acres of the
western larch covertype would be
harvested, but no change in
covertype is expected. The
proportion of western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype would
increase due to a combination of
harvesting prescriptions and
planting. The western white pine,
subalpine fir, and ponderosa pine
covertype proportions
should remain similar to
current values, while the
Douglas-fir and lodgepole
pine covertypes should not
experience any
proportional changes.
The proposed shelterwood,
seedtree, and seedtree-
with-reserves treatments
would regenerate
approximately 1,410 acres;
of this, 1,055 acres would
be converted from the old-
stand age class to the
zero-year age class, and
the remaining 355 acres
would be converted from
the lOO-to-150-year age class to
the zero-year age class.
The 560 acres proposed for
commercial thinning would retain
pole- to sawtimber-sized trees in
the lOO-to-lSO-year and 40-to-99-
year age classes. A total of 457
acres would be converted from the
old-stand age class to the 100-to-
150-year age class. In addition,
8 acres would convert from the
lOO-to-150-year age class to the
40-to-99-year age class, and 95
acres would be retained in the
lOO-to-150-year age class.
Regeneration treatments and
subsequent planting or natural
regeneration would increase the
proportion of the O-to-39-year age
class on Swan River State Forest
by 3.7 percent, or 1,410 acres,
while the proportion of the old-
stand age class would be reduced
by 3.9 percent, or 1,512 acres
{FIGURE C-9 - AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE D) .
FIGURE C-9 - AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE
PROJECT AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE D
1
%
. 26%
D None
47%/
p
\
■ 00-39
D 39-99
D 100-old
\ /
\
/io%
Dold
^
\
16%
/
Direct EJffecfs ofJletion ,/llteriiatire E to
Coeertjfpes and ,^ge Classes
This alternative proposes
regeneration harvests by using
shelterwood, seedtree, and
seedtree-with-re serves treatments
on approximately 1,371 acres and
commercial thinning on
approximately 628 acres.
Approximately 550 acres of the
mixed-conifer covertype would be
converted to the western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype by
harvesting shade-tolerant species
(grand fir, Engelmann spruce,
western red cedar, et al . ) and
planting various combinations of
western larch, ponderosa pine, and
blister-rust-resistant western
white pine. An additional 451
acres of the mixed-conifer
covertype and 735 acres of the
western larch covertype would be
harvested, but no change in
covertype is expected. The
proportion of western larch/
Douglas-fir covertype would
increase due to a combination of
harvesting prescriptions and
planting. The western white pine
and subalpine fir covertype
proportions should remain similar
to current values,
while the Douglas-fir,
ponderosa pine, and
lodgepole pine
covertypes should not
experience any
proportional changes.
The proposed
shelterwood, seedtree,
and seedtree-with-
reserves treatments
would regenerate
approximately 1,371
acres; of this, 891
acres would be
converted from the old-
stand age class to the
zero-year age class,
and the remaining 461
acres would be
converted from the 100-
to-150-year age class
to the zero-year age class.
Additionally, 19 acres would
convert from the 40-to-99-year age
class to the zero-year age class.
The 628 acres proposed for
commercial thinning would retain
pole- to sawtimber-sized trees in
the lOO-to-150-year and 40-to-99-
year age classes. A total of 260
acres would be converted from the
old-stand age class to the 100-to-
150-year age class. In addition,
211 acres would convert from the
lOO-to-150-year age class to the
40-to-99-year age class and 157
acres would be retained in the
lOO-to-150-year age class.
Regeneration treatments and
subsequent planting or natural
regeneration would increase the
proportion of the O-to-39-year age
class on Swan River State Forest
by 3.5 percent, or 1,352 acres,
while the proportion of the old-
stand age class would be reduced
by 2.99 percent, or 1,151 acres
{FIGURE C-10 - AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE E) .
Indirect Effects
• Indirect Effects ofJVo-^lction jUternatice »4f to
Coeertypes and ulge Classes
Forest succession, driven by the
impacts of forest insects and
diseases when fires are being
suppressed, would reduce the
variability of covertypes and age
classes. As the forest ages and
composition become more
homogeneous, biodiversity would be
reduced.
• Indirect Effects of miction Mternatiees B, C,
D, and E to Vonertypes and ^Ige Classes
All action alternatives apply a
variety of silvicultural
treatments to stands across the
project area. The types of
treatments include commercial
thinning, seedtree, seedtree-with-
reserves, and shelterwood.
Across the project area, the
forest would contain a mosaic of
structures to include single-
storied, two-storied, and
multistoried conditions. The
structure changes through
harvesting would emulate fire
disturbance that historically
occurred within the project area.
Fire disturbance
FIGURE C-10 - AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE emulations would range
PROJECT AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF ACTION ^^""^ stand replacing to
mixed severity to light
underburns .
Seedtree and seedtree-
with-re serves
harvesting would be
applied under all
action alternatives.
This prescription
emulates a stand-
replacement fire
because the largest
share of trees would be
harvested. Some fire
effects would be
applied when slash is
piled and burned or
broadcast burned. Most
regeneration would be
western larch, Douglas-
ALTERNATIVE E
1
%
^
r
K
^26%
D None
48%
■
/l3%
■ 00-39
D 39-99
D 100-old
Dold
12%
fir, ponderosa pine, and western
white pine, which is similar to
what would be expected following a
fire. The majority of seedtrees
retained would be the larger
diameter, fire-tolerant western
larch, Douglas-fir, and, where
available, ponderosa pine that
have some resistance to burning.
Commercial thinning treatments
would be applied under all action
alternatives. This prescription
emulates the effects of low-
intensity fires with flare-ups
that are common in the mixed-
severity fire regime. Harvesting
would retain approximately 80 to
110 trees per acre, or 40 to 50
percent canopy coverage. The
species retained would primarily
consist of shade-intolerant
species that move the forest
towards desired future conditions
for the area. Individual trees
remaining in the stand would have
more light and nutrients available
for continued growth and vigor.
Shelterwood harvesting would occur
under all action alternatives.
This prescription would emulate a
mixed-severity or moderate-
intensity fire. Harvesting would
concentrate on shade-tolerant
species, individuals affected by
insects or diseases, and those
less desirable for the desired
future conditions. Regeneration
would be western larch, Douglas-
fir, and ponderosa pine or western
white pine where appropriate for
the site conditions.
Over time, untreated stands would
advance in age class and gradually
shift towards covertypes with more
shade-tolerant species. Treated
stands would also advance in age
class and, in the long term, could
shift toward covertypes with more
shade-tolerant species.
Cumulative Effects
• Cnmiilative Effects of ./111 ,/lUernatives to
Covertypes and Jlge Classes
The cumulative effects of recent
forest management on Swan River
State Forest resulted in a trend
of increasing serai covertypes
across areas where management
occurred. For example, the Goat
Squeezer Timber Sale Project in
2003 through 2006 increased the
western larch/Douglas-fir
covertype on Swan River State
Forest by 11 percent through
timber harvesting and planting in
selected units.
In addition to the changes in
proportions of covertype proposed
in the various action
alternatives, other timber sale
projects have been initiated, but
not completed, and, therefore,
their effects are not represented
in the svrn sliwsnc20050513 data.
Scheduled updates of the SLI would
capture increased western larch/
Douglas-fir covertypes on Swan
River State Forest, as well as the
trend toward increasing acres in
the O-to-39-year age class.
The Cilly Bug Salvage Timber Sale
removed dead, dying, and infected
Douglas-fir and western larch.
The Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project would enter 3 of the
stands and remove additional
trees. The primary species to be
harvested is grand fir, which is
heavily infected with Indian paint
fungus. Other permits are
currently in the process of being
harvested; age class or covertype
of these stands would not be
affected.
The cumulative effects to age-
class distributions due to
previous activities on Swan River
State Forest are represented in
descriptions of the current
condition. Generally speaking,
those effects have been to reduce
the acres in old age classes while
increasing the acres in the
TABLE C-8 - POSTHARVEST AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION, IN PERCENT, BY COVERTYPE
FOLLOWING ACTION ALTERNATIVE IMPLEMENTATION
AGE CLASSES
TO
39
YEARS
40 TO 99
YEARS
100 TO
OLD
STANDS
OLD
STANDS
TOTAL
ACRES
Western
larch/
Douglas-
fir
Current
25
24
10
41
2,289
Action Alternative
B
49
19
20
12
2, 867
Action Alternative
C
45
18
20
17
3, Oil
Action Alternative
D
48
19
19
14
2, 924
Action Alternative
E
53
22
12
13
2, 812
Western
white
pine
Current
11
15
74
653
Action Alternative
B
11
34
55
653
Action Alternative
C
11
34
55
653
Action Alternative
D
11
22
67
672
Action Alternative
E
24
14
62
653
Mixed
conifer
Current
3
6
11
80
5, 312
Action Alternative
B
14
7
12
67
4, 653
Action Alternative
C
10
6
11
73
5, 312
Action Alternative
D
12
6
10
72
5,312
Action Alternative
E
8
9
7
76
5, 312
Subalpine
fir
Current
18
7
28
47
1, 735
Action Alternative
B
18
7
28
47
1,735
Action Alternative
C
18
7
28
47
1, 735
Action Alternative
D
26
7
20
47
1,735
Action Alternative
E
26
7
20
47
1, 735
Ponderosa
pine
Current
82
18
137
Action Alternative
B
82
18
137
Action Alternative
C
82
18
137
Action Alternative
D
82
18
137
Action Alternative
E
82
18
137
Only affected covertypes were included in the table.
younger age classes versus the
snapshot of the forest represented
in the 1930s inventory. Regarding
long-term sustainable conditions,
the Department's process indicates
the movement of acres from older
to younger age classes is in
keeping with a movement toward
average historical conditions.
CANOPY COVER
EXISTING CONDITION
Canopy cover, an estimate of the
ratio between tree crown area and
ground surface area, is usually
expressed in terms of percent and is
another measure of stand stocking/
density. Categories used to
describe canopy cover include well
stocked, medium stocked, poorly
stocked, nonstocked, and
nonf orested .
The SLI database has a rating for
overall canopy cover and one for
sawtimber canopy cover in the stand.
In terms of overall canopy cover
within the project area, 72.4
percent of stands are well-stocked,
17.9 percent show medium stocking,
and less than 10 percent are poorly
stocked or nonstocked. Sawtimber
stocking within the project area
shows that 45.5 percent of stands
are well stocked, while 18.7 percent
of stands have medium sawtimber
stocking. The poorly stocked
category consists of a minor
proportion of the project area and
the associated stands are typically
in higher elevation, which have high
guantities of rock and/or brush.
Timber in these stands is generally
not of good merchantable guality.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction
Jllternative Jl to Canopy Cover
No-Action Alternative A would not
change the canopy cover in the
short term. Over time,
individuals and groups of trees
would be removed from the canopy
by insects, diseases, windthrow,
or fires and would result in
variable changes to canopy cover
as canopy gaps are created and
gradually filled. Patches of
variable size currently exist
where the Douglas-fir beetle has
killed large Douglas-fir.
Canopy cover would likely increase
over time in the absence of
disturbances. Were large fires to
occur, canopy cover would be
reduced. Ongoing insect and
disease issues would reduce canopy
cover in some areas prior to
understory reinitiation.
Direct Effects of ./let ion Jllternatives B, C, D,
and E to Canopy Cover
The reduction in canopy cover
subseguent to harvest treatments
would vary by action alternative
and its silvicultural
prescription. In general, reduced
canopy cover affects stand growth
and development in various ways.
First, competition among the
crowns of overstory trees is
reduced, allowing accelerated
volume growth and increased seed
production. Second, competition
for water and nutrients is
reduced, thus allowing trees to be
more resistant to both drought and
bark beetle attacks. Third, a
more diverse and vigorous
understory is able to establish.
Finally, sunlight is allowed to
reach the forest floor, which,
along with seedbed preparation, is
of particular importance to the
successful regeneration of serai
species such as western larch and
western white pine. For this
analysis, the residual canopy
cover includes both the overstory
and understory tree canopies
remaining after harvesting,
including both merchantable and
submerchantable trees.
In areas with seedtree or
seedtree-with-re serve harvesting,
the canopy coverage would decrease
to between 10 to 25 percent, with
the exception of the reserve areas
where the canopy would remain
intact. In the shelterwood
harvesting, the canopy would
decrease to between 15 and 45
percent. Commercial thinning
would decrease the canopy coverage
to between 40 and 50 percent.
Riparian stands associated with
perennial streams and adjacent to
harvest units would be treated and
experience reduced canopy
coverage. The designated primary
streams that would be treated are
South Fork Lost, Soup, and Cilly
creeks and an unnamed tributary in
Section 22, T24N, R17W. A 300-
foot buffer (150 feet on each side
of the stream) would be identified
along the primary streams where
harvesting is to occur on both
sides of the stream or a lack of
mature timber (pole-sized or
larger with a minimum of 40
percent crown closure) is on the
opposite side of the stream from
the harvest unit. In areas where
harvesting is proposed on one side
of the stream and the opposing
side has mature timber, the buffer
would be 100 feet. Within the
buffer a 25-foot no-harvest zone
would be delineated from the
bankfull or high-water edge to 25
feet. From 25 to 150 feet (from
bankfull edge), selective
harvesting would occur. A maximum
of 50 percent of the trees 8
inches dbh and greater may be
harvested while maintaining a
minimum of 40-percent overstory
crown closure.
All other streams within or
adjacent to a harvest unit would
be managed in accordance with the
SMZ law. Buffers would be 100 or
200 feet wide (50 or 100 feet each
side of the stream), with a 25-
foot no-harvest zone beginning at
the bankfull edge.
Additionally, some harvesting
would occur within the RMZ, but
outside the SMZ. Small openings
up to 0.25-acre in size would be
allowed as long as 40-percent
average canopy closure could be
achieved throughout the affected
area .
• Indirect Effects of miction JlUernatives B, C,
D, and E to Canopy Cover
Canopy cover would increase over
time as regeneration replaces the
harvested trees in stands that
received seedtree and shelterwood
treatments. Fifteen to twenty
years would be needed to develop
70- to 100-percent canopy cover.
Canopy cover in commercially
thinned stands would return to
preharvest conditions in
approximately 20 to 30 years,
depending on the level of removal.
Cumulative Effects
• Ctnniflatit'e Effects ofJWo-Jiction Jllternative
Jl to Canopy Cover
Current canopy cover would remain
the same across the forest. Over
time, canopy cover would be
expected to increase in the
absence of disturbance. Mortality
of trees or groups of trees, when
it occurred, would reduce the
canopy coverage in localized
areas. Large reductions in canopy
cover would occur if a large fire
came through the area.
• Cumiilative Effects of./lction jllternatives B,
C,D, and E to Canopy Cover
Overall reductions of canopy cover
in well-stocked stands would be
reduced. Representation of
medium-stocked stands would
increase following harvest
prescriptions, as would poorly
stocked stands. As stands
regenerate, canopy cover would
increase .
FRAGMENTATION
EXISTING CONDITION
Forest fragmentation refers to the
breaking up of previously contiguous
blocks of forest. Most often,
fragmentation is used in reference
to the disruption of large
contiguous blocks of mature forest
caused by forest-management
activities such as road building and
timber harvesting. In relation to
fragmentation, management activities
begin by putting holes in the
natural forested landscape (i.e.,
chunks of the forest are removed via
harvesting, thus creating patches of
nonmature forest within a background
matrix of mature forest) . As
management continues and more
harvesting takes place, the open
patches created can become connected
to other open patches, thus severing
the previously existing connections
between patches of mature forest.
While the appropriate level of
fragmentation for any particular
forest is unknown, forests
fragmented by management activities
generally do not resemble natural
forest conditions.
Historically, wildfires burned with
varying intensities, return
intervals, and to different sizes
across Swan River State Forest,
which interacted with insect and
disease activities to create a
mosaic of forest covertypes and age
classes. Today, forest management
is the primary agent influencing
fragmentation. Were they to occur,
intense fires during extreme fire
seasons would influence
fragmentation across the landscape,
as would insect and disease
activities .
The majority of the project area
exists as a contiguous forest of
well-stocked stands with closed
canopies. Stands in the western
part of the project area have been
fragmented to some degree. Some
man-made patches in harvest units
range from 20 to 100 acres. Refer
to Connectivity analysis in APPENDIX
F - WILDLIFE ANALYSIS for an
assessment of fragmentation effects
on closed-canopy forests. Refer to
patch size of age classes, old
growth, and covertype in this
analysis for additional indications
of the effects of forest
fragmentation .
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS TO FRAGMENTATION
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct an d Indirect Effects ofJVo-^lction
Jllternatipe Jl to Fragmentation
No direct effects to forest
fragmentation would occur from No-
Action Alternative A. Over time,
and depending on an unknown
future, indirect effects would
include a reduction in
fragmentation as additional
harvesting is not imposed by
management and existing patches of
nonmature forest grow to maturity.
• Direct Effects of .let ion .lite mat ives B, C, D,
and E to Fragmentation
For the areas proposed for
regeneration harvesting, the
primary effects would be creating
a larger area of younger stands
with a corresponding reduction in
mature forest stands. In the
stands designated for seedtree
reserves, one or more patches
(ranging in size from 1.7 to 4
acres) would be untreated, but the
treatment would contribute to the
fragmentation of mature forests
and would reduce the distance
between open- and closed-canopy
stands .
The units designated for
commercial thinning would show
less fragmentation of the canopy
layer. Commercial-thin units
would be more similar to adjacent
mature stands of timber than would
the regeneration harvest units
and, therefore, would not
contribute to fragmentation. In
the case where a commercial-thin
unit requires helicopter or cable
systems for harvesting, the
openings may resemble gaps created
by small areas of crown torching
that occur during low-intensity
fires; however, they would not
contribute to fragmentation.
Indirect Effects
• Indirect Effects of miction JlUernatiees B, C,
D, and E to FragmentatioH
Some regeneration harvest units
are adjacent to past harvest areas
and other proposed units, which
would result in an enlargement of
younger age-class patches. The
end result would be more of a
blended geometric shape of larger
regeneration units. The large
size of regeneration units would
result in larger mature stands in
the future, thus reducing
fragmentation. However, future
timber harvesting would result in
additional fragmentation if
existing mature timber patches
received a regeneration harvest.
The actual net effect on
fragmentation would depend on
future timber harvesting.
In units where commercial-thin
treatments would be accomplished,
the harvesting would result in
smaller differences between
adjacent stands and would not
contribute to fragmentation.
Cumulative Effects
• Cnmtilatice Effects ofJlction Jllternatives B,
C,D, and E to Fragmentation
An overall increase in the size of
younger age-class patches and a
decrease in the size of older age
classes would occur where
regeneration harvest units are
proposed. See the discussion on
age classes for acres that would
change by alternative. Small
Squeezer, Small Squeezer II, South
Woodward, and Goat Squeezer timber
sales have added to the
fragmentation of the forest. The
stands that primarily contributed
to fragmentation are the
regeneration units. Units that
involve thinning treatments did
not provide harsh breaks in the
canopy, but a reduced canopy
cover. The aerial view shows the
differences from one unit to the
other from the point of stand
density, but do not necessarily
differ from the point of age
class .
INSECTS AND DISEASES
BACKGROUND
Planning for the long-term
management of forest insects and
diseases is an important part of
designing project-level timber
sales. Various forest-species
compositions and structures are more
vulnerable to certain insects,
diseases, windthrow, and wildfire
than others [Byler and Hagle 2000) .
Identifying stands with the most
vulnerable compositions and
structures and developing suitable
management plans can help alleviate
future problems that may prevent
achievement of long-term forest-
management objectives.
ANALYSIS METHODS
Swan River State Forest undergoes an
annual aerial survey in order to map
forest insect and disease problems,
outbreaks of the bark beetle, in
particular. DNRC and USFS provide a
report of the survey to Swan River
State Forest; in addition to
investigating these reports, DNRC
personnel include their own
observations of forest conditions.
The focus on the Three Creeks Timber
Sale Project would include:
- the effects of insects and
diseases;
- existing conditions in relation to
the project or harvest areas;
- management recommendations; and
- potential losses of sawlog value
to the trusts.
ANALYSIS AREA
The analysis area is primarily
within the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area. The major forest
insects and diseases currently
affecting forest productivity
include :
Diseases :
Armillaria root disease
{Armillaria ostoyae)
Red-brown butt rot
(Phaeolus schweinitzii)
Larch dwarf mistletoe
(Arceuthobium laricis)
White pine blister rust
(Cronartium ribicola)
Indian paint fungus
(Echinodontium tinctorium)
Red ring rot
(Phellinus pini)
Insects :
Douglas-fir bark beetle
(Dendroctonus pseudotsugae)
Fir engraver
(Scolytus ventralis)
Mountain pine beetle
{Dendroctonus ponderosae)
> Armillaria Root Disease
Armillaria root disease, caused by
the fungus Armillaria ostoyae, is
a common pathogen of conifers in
western North America. Stands
impacted by Armillaria root
disease occur throughout the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project area.
Armillaria ostoyae spreads mainly
via root contacts, but also
through a short distance growth of
rhizomorphs through soil {Redfern
and Filip 1991) . The fungus
colonizes the root collar, kills
the cambium, and eventually
girdles the tree, which causes
mortality. Viable Armillaria
ostoyae inoculum can persist in
below-ground portions of stumps
and large roots for decades (Roth
et al. 1980) . Conifers exhibit
variations both in response to
infection by Armillaria ostoyae
{Robinson and Morrison 2001) and
susceptibility to mortality
{Hadfield et al. 1986). Species
susceptibility and damage ratings
for Armillaria root disease in
western Montana are:
- severe damage: Douglas-fir,
grand fir, subalpine fir
- moderate damage: ponderosa
pine, lodgepole pine, western
white pine
- infrequent damage: western
larch and western red cedar.
Western larch, in particular,
shows increasing resistance to
Armillaria beyond age 15 {Morrison
et al . 1991) and is colonized by
root lesions less frequently than
comparably aged Douglas-fir
{Robinson and Morrison 2001) . All
conifers should, however, be
considered equally susceptible to
Armillaria ostoyae before ages 15
to 20 {Hadfield et al . 1986;
Morrison et al. 1991) .
Silvicultural approaches that
emphasize serai species are
recommended even for stands with
low levels of Armillaria root
disease {Filip and Goheen 1984;
Morrison and Mallett 1996) .
Selective cutting in such stands
is the least favorable option as
it would likely result in an
increased inoculum load in the
form of Armillaria ostoyae-
colonized root systems, dispersed
among the remaining crop trees
{Morrison et al. 2001; Morrison
and Mallett 1996) . In mixed-
species stands composed of shade-
intolerant, early-seral species
and shade-tolerant, late-
successional species, the serai
species should be favored during
intermediate stand entries in
order to limit the root-to-root
pathways between more readily
damaged species. In stands where
root disease is a factor, natural
regeneration should be utilized,
if possible, because planted trees
seldom show the resistance
displayed by naturally regenerated
trees {Morrison et al. 2000; Rizzo
et al. 1995) .
> Western Larch Dwarf Mistletoe
Western larch dwarf mistletoe,
caused by Arceuthobium larlcis , is
considered the most important
disease of western larch in the
Inland West (Beatty et al. 1997).
Dwarf mistletoes are parasitic
plants that obtain moisture and
nutrients from their hosts,
resulting in a reduction in tree
vigor, growth, and seed
production. Infections greatly
decrease the growth of western
larch; 10-year, basal-area growth
of trees in western Montana
classed as lightly, moderately,
and heavily infected was decreased
30, 42, and 65 percent,
respectively, compared to that of
an uninfected western larch
{Pierce 1960) .
The life cycle of dwarf mistletoe
is generally 4 to 6 years in
length, depending on the species.
Dwarf mistletoes spread when seeds
from the female mistletoe plants
are forcibly dispersed, often for
10s of feet, in the late summer
and fall; seeds that land on
susceptible hosts germinate the
following spring and infect the
host tissues. Infections on
western larch eventually cause
branches to form dense clumps of
twigs and branches known as
"witches' brooms". In western
larch these brooms are brittle and
prone to break off under snow
load, thus leading to gradual,
top-down decline of the tree as
more and more branches are lost.
In addition, infection by dwarf
mistletoe increases moisture
stress in its host, more so when a
drought is in progress, adding to
the likelihood of top-down decline
and attack by wood borers {Gibson
2004) .
The incidence and severity of
western larch dwarf mistletoe
appears to be highly variable
across the Three Creeks Timber
Sale Project area. This variation
most likely reflects a complex
history of mixed-severity and
stand-replacing fires in these
forests. Such fires would
variously leave both mistletoe-
infected and noninfected trees to
provide seed for the next
generation. Depending on the
spatial distribution of infected,
seed-bearing trees following
fires, western larch regeneration
might: 1) remain free of
infection, 2) have a substantial
lag-time prior to infection, or 3)
become infected early in
development. The earlier a tree
becomes infected by dwarf
mistletoe, the greater the
impacts .
Due to the seeding habit of dwarf
mistletoes, spread and
intensification are at their worst
when an infected overstory exists
over the regeneration of the same
tree species. Seedtree or
shelterwood treatments can still
be carried out in stands that have
dwarf mistletoe infections in the
overstory, but tree selection in
such instances needs to
discriminate against the most
heavily dwarf-mistletoe-infected
western larch and leave as many
noninfected or lightly-infected
trees as possible {Beatty et al.
1997) .
To minimize dwarf mistletoe
infection in larch regeneration,
the infected overstory trees
should be removed or killed once
western larch regeneration is
established and before
regeneration reaches the age of 7
years old or 3.3 feet in height
{Mathiasen 1998) .
> White Pine Blister Rust
Western white pine has declined as
a component of the mixed-conifer
forest in which it occurred
historically on Swan River State
Forest. The primary cause is
white pine blister rust, a disease
caused by the nonnative fungus
Cronartium ribicola, which can
infect and kill white pine of all
ages and sizes. Dominant or co-
dominant western white pine that
are infected are often top-killed
since the fungus first infects
needles before growing down the
infected branch and, eventually,
girdling the bole. The portion of
crown above such a bole infection
will die once the stem is girdled.
Some western white pine remain on
Swan River State Forest because
either they possess natural
genetic resistance to the rust or
have not been infected. Retention
of various numbers of mature,
seed-bearing western white pine is
encouraged in order to maintain
genetic diversity of the species
and promote natural regeneration
where possible {Schwandt and Zack
1996) . Once mature western white
pine are top-killed by rust,
however, their seed-producing
capacity is often very limited or
eliminated, and such trees can
then be considered for salvage or
retention as snags (Schwandt and
Zack 1996) .
Western white pine are susceptible
to attack by the mountain pine
beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) ,
even when existing as relatively
isolated individuals or small
groups in mixed-conifer stands;
damage from this bark beetle is
chronic in the Inland Empire.
Management and restoration
recommendations for western white
pine emphasize planting rust-
resistant western white pine
seedlings and maintaining white
pine genetic diversity (Fins et
al. 2201) .
The monitoring of rust levels
should be performed at various
times in the life of a stand; bole
pruning to reduce the chances of
blister rust infections may be
reguired if rust levels are high
when the stand is young.
> Indian Paint Fungus
Indian paint fungus, so called
because Native Americans used the
brick-red interior of the fruiting
body in making pigment, is a true
heartrot that very commonly
infects true firs and hemlocks.
This fungus is the predominant
cause of heartrot and volume
losses in these species in western
North America (Hansen and Lewis
1997) . True heartrots, generally
confined to the heartwood of
trees, consistently produce
fruiting bodies or conks on the
stems of living trees and do not
rely on mechanical wounding as
their principal infection court
(Ethridge and Hunt 1978) . Large
diameter grand fir with decay
caused by Indian paint fungus are
important habitat, both while
standing and down, for various
species of cavity-nesting birds
and mammals (Bull et al. 1997) .
Trees are infected with
Echinodontium tinctorium spores
via very small branchlet stubs.
The spores germinate before the
infection goes dormant after being
overgrown by the tree, and can
then stay dormant for decades
(Malay 1991) . Heaviest infections
tend to occur in advanced
regeneration growing under an
infected overstory. Growth of the
fungus is reactivated when the
tree is wounded either naturally
or mechanically, develops frost
cracks, or is otherwise
physiologically altered. The
fungus causes extensive decay of
the heartwood and, over time,
these trees become more
susceptible to stem collapse. A
rule of thumb is that one conk on
the stem of a tree indicates
approximately 16 feet of extensive
heartwood decay in either
direction, while several conks on
the stem of a tree indicate that
the tree is a cull. In the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project area,
Indian paint fungus is well
distributed on grand and subalpine
firs. Stand exams and
reconnaissance surveys reveal a
30- to 40-percent infection rate.
To reduce losses from this
pathogen, management
recommendations include {Filip et
al. 1983) :
- keeping rotations of susceptible
species under 150 years unless
the amount of infection is
light;
- thinning early;
- selecting the most vigorous
nonwounded trees for residuals;
and
- minimizing wounding of
susceptible hosts when thinning,
prescribed burning, or
performing any silvicultural
treatments .
> Red-Brown Butt Rot
Red-brown butt rot is caused by
the root-infecting pathogen
Phaeolus schweinitzii. Any
conifer can be a host, but
infection is considered of primary
importance in Douglas-fir.
Instead of affecting trees in
groups, as do root diseases such
as Armillaria root disease, red-
brown butt rot tends to affect
trees on an individual basis
(Hansen and Lewis 1997) . The
fungus can, however, cross from
tree-to-tree at root grafts and
contacts. Most damage occurs in
stands more than 80 years of age.
The pathogen infects via small
roots and causes decay in the
interior of the roots. This decay
extends into the butt log an
average of eight feet, making such
trees susceptible to stem collapse
and windthrow. Since most are
green when windthrown, the trees
provide prime habitat for Douglas-
fir and other bark beetles.
Management options are limited.
Rotations can be shortened to
about 90 years in Douglas-fir to
minimize loss due to decay, and
less-affected host species can be
emphasized over Douglas-fir.
> Douglas-Fir Bark Beetle
The Douglas-fir bark beetle has
been active in recent years across
Swan River State Forest. The
project area has an elevated
incidence of the Douglas-fir bark
beetle in areas proposed for
harvesting. In general, stands
that are at highest risk to attack
by the Douglas-fir bark beetle are
those with (USDA Forest Service
1999) :
- basal areas greater than 250
square feet per acre;
- an average stand age greater
than 120 years;
- an average dbh greater than 14
inches; and
- a stand composition greater than
50-percent Douglas-fir.
Douglas-fir within most of the
proposed harvest areas on the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area are at high risk of Douglas-
fir bark beetle attack due to age,
size, and stocking. Low, or
endemic, populations of Douglas-
fir bark beetles tend to exist in
fresh blowdown, fire-killed trees,
or live trees within and around
pockets of root disease
(Livingston 1999; Schmitz and
Gibson 1996) . Management of the
Douglas-fir bark beetle should
concentrate on the removal of
windthrown Douglas-fir and the
salvage of newly attacked trees
before adult beetles can emerge
(Livingston 1999; Schmitz and
Gibson 1996) . Valuable Douglas-
fir (e.g. those in and around
campgrounds) that are considered
to be at high risk can be
protected by use of the Douglas-
fir bark beetle anti-aggregant
pheromone 3-methylcyclohex-2-en-l-
one (Ross et al . 2001) .
Numerous pockets of infestations
were located within the analysis
area in 1999. Each spring
following the flight of the
beetle, reconnaissance surveys
were conducted by DNRC foresters
to determine the extent of
infestations. (See Figure C-11 -
DOUGLAS-FIR BEETLE ACTIVITY 2000
THROUG 2004 IN THE VICINITY OF THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT,
ALL ALTERNATIVES COMBINED.) The
beetle was estimated to have
caused heavy Douglas-fir mortality
on approximately 2,500 acres. The
Swan River State Forest timber
permit program allowed for the
salvage harvesting of
approximately 2 mmbf of sawlogs in
1999, 600 mbf in 2000, and 500 mbf
in 2001.
> Fir Engraver
The fir engraver, Scolytus
ventralis , has recently killed
many grand and subalpine firs in
the Swan Valley. This bark beetle
is wide-ranging across the west,
attacking primarily grand fir
(Ferrell 1986) . Endemic
populations of fir engraver
beetles are closely associated
with root disease or other factors
that stress its hosts; they rarely
make successful attacks on
vigorous grand fir {Goheen and
Hansen 1993) . However, when grand
fir and other preferred hosts
become stressed during periods of
drought, the fir engraver can
begin attacking otherwise healthy
trees across the landscape, and
the association with root disease
becomes less distinct {Goheen and
Hansen 1993) .
Management of the fir engraver is
problematic. Silvicultural
practices that promote the vigor
of grand fir stands - thinning,
for example - would also reduce
the chances of extensive damage
during periods of drought {Ferrell
1986) . Management practices aimed
at reducing the impact of root
diseases would also help lessen
the long-term impacts of the fir
engraver. Such practices include
the promotion of less root-
disease-susceptible species, such
as western larch, western white
pine, and ponderosa pine, in areas
with extensive root disease.
> Mountain pine beetle
Mountain pine beetle {Dendroctonus
ponderosae) is a native North
American bark beetle with four
major hosts, one being western
white pine (Amman et al . 1989) .
Historically, when extensive
stands of mature western white
pine still existed, mountain pine
beetle outbreaks could kill a
large majority of trees just as
the mountain pine beetle does
today in extensive stands of
lodgepole pine. The occurrence of
pitch tubes along the bole is one
way to determine if attacks by
mountain pine beetles have
occurred. Pitch tubes on
successfully attacked trees are
generally very numerous, one-
fourth to one-half inch in
diameter and consist of cream- to
dark-red-colored masses of resin
mixed with frass. Pitch tubes on
unsuccessfully attacked trees are
widely scattered over the bole of
the tree, three-guarters to one
inch in diameter, and mostly
cream-colored. Confirmation of a
mountain pine beetle attack can be
done by looking for the
characteristic gallery patterns on
the inner side of the bark. Bark
beetles attacking western white
pine also introduce aggressive
blue-stain fungi that grow into
the sapwood and contribute to the
death of the tree.
Mountain pine beetles produce one
generation per year, though
sometimes pupae or brood adults
will last longer at higher
elevations. The beetles
overwinter mostly as larvae within
the egg galleries, then maturate
and emerge as adults to attack
more trees from June through
August. The foliage of trees that
have been successfully attacked
during the current year can change
color anywhere from a few months
to a year later. Therefore,
FIGURE C-11 - DOUGLAS-FIR BEETLE ACTIVITY 2000 THROUGH 2004 IN THE VICINITY
OF THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT, ALL ALTERNATIVES COMBINED
Legend
^^J ThreeCreeksProjeclArea Year of Data Collection
1^^^ Proposed Units - Combined ^H ^'^^'^
Swan River Stale Forest ^H 2001
^B 2003
^■: 2004
TwiiT^«i Svfmn swb^
mountain pine beetle brood trees
that have been attacked the
previous summer and removed during
late winter or spring salvage
operations may still have green
foliage .
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS TO INSECTS AND
DISEASES
Direct Effects
• Direct Effects ofJWo-jlction JlUernative ^1 to
Insects and Diseases
Sawlog volume would continue to be
lost from the project area due to
insect and disease effects,
especially from Douglas-fir bark
beetles and Armillaria root
disease, in inaccessible stands
with large trees. Salvage logging
would continue where stands are
accessible without building roads.
If this alternative were
implemented, serai and other
shade-intolerant species, such as
western larch and Douglas-fir,
would continue to be lost from
insect infestations and disease
infections. The spread of the fir
engraver would continue, causing
mortality in grand and subalpine
fir.
• Direct Effects of Jill Jlction Jllternatires to
Insects and Diseases
Harvest treatments would target
those species or individuals
affected by insects and diseases,
as well as the salvage of recently
killed trees. Douglas-fir
currently or recently infested by
the Douglas-fir bark beetle would
be removed when merchantable value
exists. Western larch with the
most severe infections of dwarf
mistletoe would be harvested.
Other species that would be
discriminated against in harvests
include grand fir and subalpine
fir. By removing green infected
trees, the continued spread of the
various insects and diseases would
be hampered.
Direct effects of the harvest
treatments are the removal of
trees affected by insects and
diseases, those with reduced
growth rates due to age, and
shade-tolerant trees that do not
help meet desired future
conditions. Seedtrees, primarily
western larch, would be left
scattered throughout the harvest
units to provide a seed source for
natural regeneration.
Insect and disease problems would
be reduced following
implementation of any action
alternative. Action Alternative B
does the most to control rates of
spread, economic value loss, and
volume loss within the project
area. The other action
alternatives in order of
decreasing efficacy in treating
insect and disease activity would
be Alternative D, C, and E.
Direct Effects of Jlction Jllternative B to
Insect and Disease
Units proposed for harvesting
under this alternative are
moderately to heavily affected by
insect and disease activities.
Treatments are focused on those
stands with the greatest amounts
of mortality and economic value
loss. Treatments would remove
merchantable dead timber, green
timber affected by insects and
diseases, those with reduced
growth rates due to age,
individual trees considered at
risk of infection, and the less
desirable shade-tolerant species
that are more susceptible to
insect and disease problems.
The majority of the units would be
treated with regeneration
harvests, but some commercial
thinning would be applied.
Regenerating species would be
shade-intolerant species, such as
western larch, that are more
resistant to many of the infecting
agents currently present. This
alternative treats the most acres
(1,674) with insect and disease
problems in the project area.
Direct Effects of miction Jlltemative Cto
Insect and Disease
Many of the stands selected for
this alternative have insect and
disease activities occurring at
elevated levels. Emphasis would
be placed on trees (groups or
individuals) that are affected by
insects or diseases, are at risk
of infection, or, if dead, contain
merchantable material. In units
utilizing a regeneration harvest,
seedtrees would remain scattered
throughout to provide a seed
source; these seedtrees would
primarily be shade-intolerant
species, such as western larch,
that have a higher tolerance to
insects and diseases. Fewer acres
receive regeneration harvests with
this alternative, reducing the
control of insect and disease
problems, compared to Action
Alternative B. This alternative
treats 1,648 acres with insect and
disease problems in the project
area .
Direct Effects ofJlction ,/lUernative D to
Insect and Disease
Harvesting is proposed in some
stands with moderate to heavy
levels of insect and disease
problems, although approximately
half the stands selected have low
levels of insect and disease
activity .
Harvest treatments would focus on
the removal of trees affected by
insects and diseases, those with
reduced growth rates due to age,
and shade-tolerant trees that do
not meet desired future
conditions. The amount of
regeneration harvesting would be
intermediate between Action
Alternatives B and C, with a
corresponding intermediate effect
on reducing insect and disease
problems. This alternative treats
1,575 acres with insect and
disease problems in the project
area .
• Direct Effects of , /let ion Jllternatit^e E to
Insect and Disease
The stands proposed for harvesting
have moderate to heavy insect and
disease activities and are in the
lower elevations of the project
area. An objective for this
alternative was to limit the
amount of old-growth stands that
would be harvested. In doing so,
the stands most affected by insect
and disease activities would be
avoided. Areas of known beetle
populations and other diseases
would be left untreated, which
would allow the continued spread
of existing insect and disease
problems .
In the treated units, emphasis
would be placed on the removal of
trees affected by insects and
diseases, those considered at high
risk, and shade-tolerant species
that do not meet desired future
conditions. The avoidance of many
stands with known insect and
disease problems results in this
alternative having the least
effect on reducing insect and
disease problems. This
alternative treats 1,445 acres
with insect and disease problems
in the project area.
Indirect Effects
• Indirect Effects of JWo-Jiction ,/Ilternative wl
to Insects and Diseases
School trusts may lose long-term
revenue due to:
- increasing mortality rates and
sawlog defect that are caused by
the ongoing presence of a
variety of the aforementioned
pathogens;
- reduced gowth rates as old-groth
stands continue to age and
defects increase; and
- the nonregenerat ion of high
valued species shuch as western
larch and western white pine
Indirect Ejects of miction JlUernatives B, C,
D, and E to Insects and Diseases
Where shelterwood and commercial-
thin treatments are applied, an
indirect effect would be increased
vigor and growth rates of the
remaining trees due to the
availability of light, nutrients,
and moisture. Following
treatment, the species composition
would be more resilient to damage
by forest diseases and insects.
Rust-resistant western white pine,
western larch, and, in some cases,
ponderosa pine would be planted in
units utilizing seedtree harvest
treatments. The white pine
seedlings would increase a
declining component on Swan River
State Forest. The planting of
western larch would help reduce
the likelihood of future insect
and disease problems due to its
lower susceptibility to many of
the problems being addressed.
Under Action Alternative B, the
newly established stands would be
healthier and the overstory would
not be laden with insect and
disease activities that would
infect /infest the seedlings. This
alternative would also treat the
most acres with insect and disease
problems, which, in turn, would
lead to healthier forest stands
for the future.
Action Alternatives C and D also
propose harvesting insect-infested
and disease-infected stands.
These alternatives would not treat
as many acres as Action
Alternative B, but would have
similar effects on the acres that
were treated. Overall, these
alternatives would do less than
Action Alternative B to address
the insect and disease problems
prevalent in the project area.
Action Alternative E would do the
least to address insect and
disease problems in the project
area. Treatments in stands
currently affected by insect and
disease problems would provide
benefits to the newly developed
stands. Treated stands that do
not have current problems may be
more resistant to future insect
and disease activities. However,
the avoidance of known insect and
disease hotspots would provide a
dissemination source, which would
increase the future spread of
insect and disease problems, when
compared to the other
alternatives .
Cumulative Effects
• Cnmiilative Effects ofJWo-JIction Jllternative
wl to Insects and Diseases
No harvesting of live, dead,
dying, or high-risk trees would
occur. Some salvage harvesting of
insect-infested and disease-
infected trees would occur, but at
a slower, less effective rate, and
not as a result of this analysis
or association with this project.
Forest stands would maintain dense
stocking levels, which contribute
to the spread of insects,
diseases, and fuel loading, which
could lead to high-intensity
fires, unnatural forest
structures, and overall poor
health of the stand. Current
forest conditions would continue.
• Cnmtilatice Effects ofJiction Jllternatives B,
C, D, and E to Insects and Diseases
Timber-management activities on
Swan River State Forest have
generally implemented
prescriptions that would reduce
losses and recover mortality due
to stem rots, bark beetles, white
pine blister rust, western larch
dwarf mistletoe, blowdown, and
other causes. Stand-regeneration
treatments are producing stands
with species compositions more
resilient to the impacts of forest
insects and diseases and more in
line with historic forest
conditions. Thinning treatments
have further reduced the
percentage of infected or infested
trees .
The cumulative effects of these
treatments are shown in FIGURES C-
7 (8, 9, 10) - AGE CLASS
DISTRIBUTION WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA FOLLOWING APPLICATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE B (C, D, E)
under AGE CLASS DISTRIBUTION,
where the increase in the O-to-39-
year age class is a result of
silvicultural treatments. Older
trees are the most susceptible to
many of the identified insect and
disease problems in the project
area .
FIRE EFFECTS
SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST HISTORY
The fire regime across Swan River
State Forest is variable. The
forest displays a mosaic pattern of
age classes and covertypes that have
developed due to variations in fire
frequency and intensity. In areas
that have experienced relatively
frequent fires, Douglas-fir, western
larch, and ponderosa pine
covertypes, with a component of
lodgepole pine and western white
pine, were produced. As fire
frequencies become longer in time,
shade-tolerant species (grand fir,
subalpine fir, Engelmann spruce,
western hemlock, western red cedar)
have a better chance to develop.
Higher elevation sites within the
forest have longer fire frequencies,
and the resultant stands are
multistoried with a dominant shade-
tolerant covertype. Where fire
frequencies were short, the stands
are open and single storied,
occasionally two storied. As fire
suppression began, covertypes and
fire frequencies were altered.
Stands of ponderosa pine, western
larch, and/or Douglas-fir have
become multistoried with shade-
tolerant species. Ponderosa-pine-
dominated stands that were once open
now have a thick understory of
Douglas-fir. Fires that do occur
are generally kept small and natural
fire effects are limited. If a
larger scale fire were to start,
many acres could be affected due to
ladder fuels, heavy fuel
accumulation, and other
environmental factors.
Swan River State Forest has
identified 67 fires over the last 25
years. Over the last 25 years, 48
lightning fires have burned 98.5
acres, with the largest occurring in
1994 during a dry lightning storm;
that fire burned 65 acres in the
upper subalpine fir habitat types.
Lightning causes approximately 72
percent of all fire starts on Swan
River State Forest. On average,
2.68 fires per year occur;
approximately 2 are from natural
events and 1 is human-caused.
Human-caused fires are typically
started from campfires, debris
burning, or incidents directly
related to powerline sparks. Within
the project area, an average of 1
fire per year occurs and is usually
caused by lightning. (Personal
communication Allen Branlne, 2006.)
Past research has been conducted
that looked at fire history within
the Swan Valley. The following
summaries describe the fire history
and the patterns they created on the
landscape .
Hart (1989) summarized the
historical data as follows:
Although most of the burns...were
of stand-replacement Intensity,
many less Intense fires had
also crept over wide areas.
The upper (southern) half of
the Swan valley had been
extensively burned, and was
blanketed by fallen trees. In
this area, fires were moderate,
thinning the forest. The lower
(northern) Swan also was
scarred by fires, but It had a
great deal of older mixed
forest; species typical of
mesic sites were found in this
region... .
Antos and Habeck (1981), working
mostly in the northern portion of
the Swan Valley, emphasized the
dominance of low-frequency, high-
intensity fires (stand-replacement
fires) in determining stand
patterns :
During most summers, the
occurrence of frequent rain
makes intense fires unlikely;
but in some years, dry summers
set the stage for large crown
fires. Most stands were
initiated on large burns.... An
average frequency of
replacement burns of between
100 and 200 years was
characteristic... . Stands over
300 years old do occur, and
repeat burns less than 20
years apart have also
occurred. In some forests
initiated by replacement
burns, ground fires have
occurred after stand
establishment, with variable
effects on the overstory .
Very wet sites, such as stream
bottoms and lower north
slopes, often experience
partial burns when located
within the perimeter of large
replacement burns.
The analysis of fire history
indicates that the lower elevations
of Swan Valley were burned
frequently; in the drier southern
half, the intervals were shorter
than on the more moist northern
part. Between 1758 and 1905, this
portion of the range had fire-free
intervals of about 30 years, and the
presence of western larch and even-
aged lodgepole pine suggests the
fires were of higher intensity. The
remaining samples are from the
southern end and these have a
shorter interval of 17 years
{Freedman and Habeck, 1984) .
Historical data indicates that
forests in Swan River State Forest
and the project area were cooler and
moister than the broad scale
Climatic Section and western Montana
averages. They were also
considerably older with a far higher
proportion of western larch/Douglas-
fir covertypes than at the broad
scale. Although the forests of Swan
River State Forest were old, the
representation of shade-tolerant
covertypes was low, indicating
disturbance was frequent or recent
enough to prevent widespread
covertype conversion through
succession .
FIRE GROUPS
The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area is primarily represented by 2
different fire regimes that are
classified as fire groups: Fire
Group 11 and Fire Group 9 (Fischer
and Bradley, 1987) . Five other fire
groups are within the project area,
but due to minor representation (5
percent or less), these fire groups
will not be addressed further in
this document. The project file at
the Swan River State Forest office
contains information on the other
fire groups .
Fires burned in the project area at
intervals of 15 to 200-plus years.
The various fire intervals and
intensities created a mosaic of
stands in the forest across the
project area. Management in the
project area is attempting to mimic,
at least in part, historic fire
patterns and intensities. The
species representation in the
project area has also been
influenced by fire disturbances.
Where feasible, in terms of
covertypes (western larch/Douglas-
fir, western white pine, etc.),
treatments would attempt to move the
forest toward desired future
conditions and maintain these
covertypes by future management
activities (FIGURE C-1 - PROPORTION
OF HISTORIC CONDITIONS BY COVERTYPE
FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST and
FIGURE C-2 - CURRENT COVERTYPE
PROPORTIONS FOR SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST) .
The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area is primarily represented by
Fire Group 11 (62 percent of the
project area) , Fire Group 9 (25
percent) being the next most common,
and minor representation in Fire
Groups 10 (5 percent), 7 (4
percent), 6 (3 percent), 8 (2
percent), and 5 (less than 1
percent) (Fischer and Bradley,
1987) .
The majority of the proposed stands
fall into Fire Group 11, which
represents a warm, moist, grand fir
habitat type where fires are
infrequent but severe, and the
effects are typically stand
replacing. Fire-free intervals
range from 100 to 200 years between
stand-replacing fires. This fire
group has predominately moist
conditions, which can allow these
areas to serve as a fire break for
low-intensity ground fires. The
sites are also known to have high
fuel loadings, high plant
productivity, and, when combined
with drought conditions, these lead
to severe and widespread fires.
The next common fire regime in the
project area is Fire Group 9, which
is characterized by moist, lower
subalpine habitat types where fires
are infrequent, but severe, and the
effects may be long lasting. Past
studies show an average fire-free
interval of 30 years, with extremes
of 10 to 100 years. The dominant
representation of ponderosa pine,
western larch, and Douglas-fir
reflects the relatively high fire
frequency. Due to the moisture
content of these stands, moderate to
severe fires may have been
restricted to brief periods in the
summer. Flare-ups may have caused
openings that allowed the
establishment of serai species.
The other 5 fire groups identified
in the project area are represented
in lesser amounts. Fire group 10 is
a cold, moist, upper subalpine fir
type where fire plays a secondary
role to site factors. The main
influencing factors in this habitat
type are climate and soils, which
influence forest development on
these sites. Fires are infrequent,
with a range of 35 to 300 years.
More pronounced effects of fire
frequency are when stand-replacing
fires occur at 200 years or more.
Fire Group 6 is a moist Douglas-fir
habitat type. Prior to European
settlement, this group was a fire-
maintained open forest. A typical
fire interval ranged from 15 to 40
years, which maintained an open
forest and kept brush at low levels.
The frequent fires would favor
western larch and ponderosa pine
over Douglas-fir.
Fire Group 7 is a cool type often
associated with forests dominated by
lodgepole pine. Periodic
disturbances, from low-intensity to
stand-replacement fires, are common
to these stands. Stand-replacement
fires generally occur in 50- to 100-
year cycles, but may extend to 500
years in some cases. Typically by
60 to 80 years, the stand is in a
condition where an ignition source
may generate a stand-replacing fire.
Fire Group 8 is a dry, lower
subalpine habitat type. This group
falls between Group 7 with a burn
cycle of 50 years and Group 9 with a
fire frequency of 90 to 130 years.
Periodic low- to moderate-severity
fires favored Douglas-fir and
lodgepole pine and held back shade-
tolerant species like subalpine fir
and Engelmann spruce.
Fire Group 5 is a dry Douglas-fir
site and occupies less than 1
percent of the project area. This
group has short fire intervals of 35
to 45 years. These short fire
intervals are typical of open
forests that generate park-like
stands .
HAZARDS AND RISKS IN THE PROJECT
AREA
The hazards and risks associated
with wildfires include a potential
loss of timber resources, effects to
watersheds, and loss of property.
The majority of timber stands being
considered for harvesting are in the
mature or older age classes in
stands that have not burned since
pre-European settlement. Fire
hazards in these areas range from
above- to near-natural levels with
moderate to high accumulations of
down and ladder fuels relative to
stand densities. Some of the
western larch/Douglas-fir stands
have a dense understory of grand
fir, a significant hazard due to its
density and structure and the
increased risk that a low-intensity
ground fire could develop into a
stand-replacing crown fire.
Many of the old-growth stands in the
project area are relict stands.
Stand-replacing fires have not
occurred in the area for 200 or more
years. As the stands continue to
age and mortality occurs from
various biotic and abiotic factors,
fuels would accumulate. These
stands have an in-growth of shade-
tolerant trees, which provide ground
and ladder fuels, thus increasing
their susceptibility to intense
fires, especially during drought.
Accessible stands have had salvage
logging and firewood cutting that
has reduced the larger diameter down
fuels in the area. The continued
encroachment of shade-tolerant
trees, accumulations of down woody
debris, and mortality increases the
fire risks .
Increased recreational use in the
area is another potential ignition
source that may result in a
hazardous condition due to fuel
accumulation .
Nonindustrial forestland adjacent to
the project area has a similar
amount of fuel loading. Much of the
adjacent USFS ownership has not been
managed for several years. The
resulting stands have a moderate to
high risk of stand-replacement
wildfires due to continued heavy
fuel loadings .
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS TO FIRE EFFECTS
Direct Effects
• Direct Effects ofJWo-jlction JlUernative Jl to
Fire Effects
The wildfire hazard would not
change substantially in the short
term. With continued fuel
accumulation from down woody
debris, the potential for
wildfires increases. Large-scale,
stand-replacing fires may be the
outcome .
• Direct Effects of ./let ion Jllternatives B, C, D,
and E to Fire Effects
Immediately following timber
harvesting, the amount of fine
fuels would increase. Hazards
would be reduced by scattering
slash, cutting limbs and tops to
within a maximum height to hasten
decomposition, spot-piling by
machine in openings created by
harvesting, and burning landing
piles .
Broadcast burning would be
utilized as a site-preparation
method in some seedtree units,
while others would be treated by
simultaneously piling slash and
scarifying soil with an excavator,
followed by the burning of piles.
Scarification and broadcast
burning both prepare seedbeds for
natural regeneration. Broadcast
burning would consume fuels and
return nutrients to the soil at a
faster rate than unburned areas.
Indirect Effects
• Indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction wllternative wl to
Fire Effects
Eventually, due to the continuing
accumulation of fine fuels, snags,
ladder fuels, and deadwood
components, the risk of stand-
replacement fires would increase.
• Indirect Effects of miction JlUernatiees B, C,
D, and E to Fire Fleets
The hazards of destructive
wildfires in these stands would be
reduced because larger, more fire-
resistant species would be left at
wider spacings . Grand fir, some
Douglas-fir, western red-cedar,
and subalpine fir, which pose a
higher crown-fire hazard because
of their low-growing branches and
combustible nature, would be
removed. This would reduce the
potential mortality from low- to
moderate-intensity fires, but
would not "fireproof" the stands
from the high-intensity stand-
replacing fires brought on by
drought and wind.
Seedtree and shelterwood harvest
treatments would cause wildfire
hazards to be reduced.
Regeneration harvests, where slash
has been treated but trees are
still small, have proven to be
fire resistant in many cases.
However, contrary conclusions have
been put forth wherein timber
harvesting is believed to have
increased the risk of wildfires,
especially in the short term,
where logging slash was not
treated. Fire hazards would
slowly increase over time as trees
reach pole size, crown densities
increase, and fuels accumulate.
Cumulative Effects
• Ciinuilative Effects ofJVo-jIction Jllternatice
Jl on Fire Effects
The risk of wildfires would
continue to increase as a result
of long-term fire suppression.
• Cinnidative Effects of„lction Jllternatives B,
C, D, and E on Fire Fleets
Fuel loadings would be reduced in
treated stands, decreasing
wildfire risks in these specific
areas .
The Goat Squeezer II and III
timber sales have a combination of
broadcast burning and excavator
piling and burning to be completed
this fall and the following
spring. Ongoing salvage sales
across Swan River State Forest
will also have excavator piling
and burning associated with slash
at the landings. The net
cumulative effect would be a
reduction in wildfire risks.
OLD GROWTH
DNRC defines old growth as stands
that meet minimum criteria for
number, size, and age of trees per
acre for a given combination of
covertype and habitat-type group.
The definitions are adopted from
those presented by Green et al . ,
(1992). DNRC' s definition has
evolved over the years; previous
analysis may appear to contradict
the analysis presented in this FEIS
because of that evolution. The
multitude of diverse old-growth
definitions used by various
researchers, organizations, and
individuals tends to further confuse
the discussion of old growth, so we
attempt to clarify the basis for the
source of the old-growth information
we present .
HISTORIC ESTIMATES OF OLD GROWTH
Many previous efforts have been made
to estimate the historical amounts
of old growth in Swan valley. The
following approaches have been used:
• DNRC estimated the quantity of old
growth that may have existed
historically {Montana DNRC 2000) ;
results suggested that, given the
definition used in the analysis,
approximately 22 percent of Swan
River State Forest represents the
expected amount of naturally
occurring old growth. That
analysis used a more restrictive
definition for old growth than
DNRC currently uses.
• The Flathead National Forest (FNF)
Plan Amendment 21 (1998) estimated
that 29 percent of low-elevation
forests on FNF was old growth, 8
percent of mid-elevation forest
was old growth and none of the
high-elevation forest was old
growth, as derived from historic
surveys {Ayers 1898, 1899) . Using
various sources of information,
the FNF Amendment 21 also
estimated that old growth in FNF
had an historical range of
variability from 15 to 60 percent.
Using a computer modeling process,
FNF estimated that approximately
36 percent of the Swan valley
existed as late-seral forest;
however, not all late-seral stands
would qualify as old growth.
• Lesica (1996), in an effort to use
fire history to estimate the
proportions of old-growth forests
in Swan valley, estimated that
approximately 52 percent of the
area was occupied by stands that
were 180-years or older. Lesica
used stand age as a surrogate for
old growth in his mathematically
derived estimations.
• Using covertype conditions and
historical data from the 1930s
{Losensky 1997), 29 percent of the
forested acres in the Upper
Flathead Climatic Section were
estimated to have historically
been occupied by stands 150 years
and older and contained a minimum
of 4 mbf/acre (SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK FEIS, 1998) . The old-Stand
definition from Losensky was
previously used as DNRC s old-
growth definition, adding to the
confusion over old-growth
reporting and discussion.
• Hart (1989) indicated that
approximately 48 percent of the
area represented in the 1930s
stand data for the Seeley and Swan
valleys had forests with a
significant component of trees
older than 200 years.
Therefore, using a wide variety of
old-growth definitions, the
estimates of the historic amount of
old growth on Swan River State
Forest suggest a range from 15 to 50
percent. The estimates above are
primarily age-based estimates that
do not consider the other attributes
often deemed necessary to call a
stand "old growth", and, therefore,
old-growth amounts are overestimated
compared to when it is defined with
additional attribute thresholds; for
example, only DNRC s estimate has
any criteria related to the size and
number of large trees per acre,
leading one to the conclusion that
old growth would necessarily be
lower than the other estimates
provided because not all old stands,
late-seral stands, or modeled stands
would have sufficient numbers of
large live trees to meet DNRC s old-
growth definition.
Emphasis should be made that the
estimates presented defined old
growth in a variety of ways and none
of them represent estimates based on
the Green et al definitions that
DNRC currently uses; most provide
estimates that are higher than they
would be if they included additional
attribute criteria.
Based on available estimates, the
amount of old growth on Swan River
State Forest is currently within the
historically occurring range.
ANALYSIS METHODS
DNRC uses criteria set forth in
Green et al. (1992) to define old
growth. The definition sets minimum
thresholds for the number and size
of large trees based on habitat type
and covertype. The SLI data
categorizes many stands within the
project area as old growth. As part
of the field reconnaissance for this
project, stands identified as old
growth via the SLI data, or those in
question, were field-checked to
verify that they meet DNRC s
definition .
EXISTING OLD-GROWTH DISTIBUTION
Swan River State Forest currently
has 12,478 acres of old growth,
which is equal to 32.4 percent of
the total acreage. The project area
contains 4,483 acres of old growth.
which is equal to 42.2 percent of
the project area. Old-growth
acreages may change as field surveys
are completed and the SLI database
is updated. TABLE C-9 - CURRENT
OLD-GROWTH ACRES AND ALTERNATIVE
EFFECTS BY FOREST TYPE FOR SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST shows the amount
of acres in old-growth status per
covertype according to the current
SLI database information. The
current analysis also looks at the
old-growth spatial distribution to
analyze the effects of a proposed
action .
TABLE C-9 - CURRENT OLD-GROWTH ACRES
AND ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS BY FOREST
TYPE FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
presents total acres of old growth
by forest type. Covertypes reflect
the interactions of disturbance
history, species requirements for
regeneration, physiography, and
availability of a seed source. The
old-growth definitions used by DNRC
are expressed in terms of covertype,
thus allowing comparisons to
Losensky' s (1997) historic
information for amounts of old-age
stands. Mixed conifer, western
larch/Douglas-fir, and western white
pine (TABLE C-3 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST STAND STRUCTURE OF UNITS
PROPOSED FOR HARVEST IN THE THREE
CREEKS PROJECT AREA) are currently
the 3 dominant old-growth types on
Swan River State Forest. The
increase in acres of specific old-
growth types shown in TABLE C-9 -
CURRENT OLD-GROWTH ACRES AND
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS BY FOREST TYPE
FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST occurs
as a result of commercial-thin and
shelterwood treatments, where
sufficient large live trees are
retained to meet DNRC s old-growth
definition, but removal of certain
species of trees results in a
reclassification of the "type" of
old growth.
FIGURE C-12 - CURRENT OLD-GROWTH
STANDS ON SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST is
a map of old growth within the
project area. In addition to old-
growth stands identified by the SLI
in the project area, approximately
992 acres of old growth have been
field verified.
TABLE C-9 - CURRENT OLD-GROWTH ACRES AND ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS BY FOREST TYPE
FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
OLD-GROWTH
TYPE
OLD-GROWTH
ACRES
POSTHARVEST
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Douglas-fir
8
8
8
8
8
Western larch/Douglas-fir
1, 830
1, 893
1, 894
1, 960
1, 710
Western white pine
2,016
2,016
2,016
2,016
2,016
Mixed conifer
6, 926
6,299
6,396
6,200
6, 699
Subalpine fir
1, 114
1, 114
1, 114
1, 114
1, 114
Lodgepole pine
Ponderosa pine
584
584
584
584
584
Totals
12,478
11, 914
12,012
11, 882
12, 131
FIGURE C-12 - CURRENT OLD-GROWTH STANDS ON SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
i^^^T y * Jii, .'0-
VICINITY MAP
Swan River State Forest
Lake County, Montana
LEGEND
Stands Meeting Old Growth Criteria Post IHaivast
Proposed Old Growtti Treatment {all altemativas)
^1 Existing Old Growtt^ Stands
^J Three Creeks Project Area
•^^%^i Open Roads
^^^ Hlgtiway 83
I I Swan River Stats Forest
OLD-GROWTH ATTRIBUTES
The diversity of old-growth
definitions and the relative
importance of old growth as a
specific stand condition led DNRC to
develop a tool to analyze and
understand old growth. This tool
indexes attribute levels in stands
using DNRC s SLI and is called the
Full Old Growth Index (FOGI) .
The old-growth attributes making up
FOGI are:
- number of large live trees,
- amount of coarse woody debris,
- number of snags,
- amount of decadence,
- multistoried structures,
- gross volume, and
- crown density.
Old-growth "guality" was raised as
an issue. Old-growth guality
depends on the type of old growth,
associated wildlife species being
considered, where old growth exists
on the landscape, and other factors
that do not lend themselves to
consistent or meaningful
quantification. For the purposes of
this analysis, we are using
attribute levels (FOGI) as an
indicator of quality, but are also
cognizant that quality is too
nebulous a concept for a
quantitative analysis. Using FOGI
provides an indication of the
relative levels of "old
growthedness" . FOGI could be
construed as providing an indication
of old-growth "quality", but is more
appropriately considered an
indication of overall attribute
levels. So, while the highest
attribute levels may be high quality
for some wildlife species and old-
growth types (for example mixed-
conifer old growth, which tends to
exist in a dense and structurally
diverse condition) , other species
and types are highest quality at
relatively lower attribute levels,
in particular the ponderosa pine
type (which tends to exist in a
more-open condition that is less
structurally diverse) . Therefore,
the analysis focuses on quantitative
or qualitative assessment of
attribute levels rather than relying
on the value-laden concept of
"quality".
Indicators of Old-Growth Attributes
We recognize that our desired
management strategy under the SFLMP
is to retain, in reasonable
proportions, stands that contain all
the naturally occurring combinations
of attributes, including those
associated with old-growth stands.
Thus, in this section, we display
current conditions with regard to
attributes often associated with old
growth. The attributes displayed
are numbers of large live trees,
amount of coarse woody debris,
snags, vigor, stand structure, and
gross volume per acre.
Lacking are surveys specifically
oriented to clearly identify all
stand characteristics that would
characterize old growth. However,
indices were derived from data in
our SLI that summarized the
abundance of 4 attributes that
often, but not always, characterize
stands in the latter stages of
development: large live trees,
snags, down coarse woody debris, and
decadence among live trees. In each
case, a standard step-by-step
procedure was used that integrated
information from more than 1 field
in the SLI to produce a single index
number (TABLE C-10 - OLD-GROWTH
INDEX ATTRIBUTES AND POINT
ASSIGNMENTS ) . Briefly, the "large
tree" index measures the relative
abundance of trees more than 21
inches dbh . The snag index measures
the relative abundance of large dead
trees, with greater weight given to
larger-diameter snags, but equal
weight given to snags by their
species and other characteristics.
Similarly, the index of down coarse
woody debris measures the relative
abundance of down woody material,
with greater weight given to the
logs of larger diameter, regardless
TABLE C-10 - OLD GROWTH INDEX ATTRIBUTES AND POING ASSIGNMENTS (BLANK SPACES
ARE NOT APPLICABLE . SEE ATTACHMENT C-1 FOR ATTRIBUTE ASSIGNMENTS)
ATTRIBUTES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Number of large
trees
None
Few
Some
Lots
Coarse woody
debris
None
Few
Some
Lots
Number of snags
None
Few
Some
Lots
Decadence
None
Little
Some
Lots
Structure
Single
2-
storied
Multi-
storied
Gross Mbf
Less than 4
4-6
7-9
10-12
13-15
16-20
21-25
26 +
Crown density
index
Poor
9 to 39%
Medium
40 to 69%
Well
70% +
of species or degree of rot. Vigor
of old-growth stands is discussed as
a surrogate for stand decadence.
Stands with higher vigor ratings are
those with lower decadence and vice
versa .
In each case, only 4 categories of
abundance were used, which
corresponded roughly to the 4
adjectives :
- none
- few (or little)
- some (i.e., a typical amount for a
stand of that forest type and age,
neither particularly few nor many)
- many (or much)
This description is necessarily
crude; we cannot describe existing
conditions or model future effects
with greater resolution than our
current inventory allows. However,
our understanding of the naturally
occurring abundances and dynamics of
these old-growth attributes is
similarly crude. Thus, even if a
more precise description or
assessment were possible, we are
unsure the additional resolution
would be informative. We believe,
moreover, that despite their
inevitable approximations, these
descriptions and assessments are
generally accurate and objective and
serve as useful proxies to guide our
more general evaluation of diverse
forest types and structures.
The FOGI process assigns an index
rating to each old-growth attribute
that, when summed, indicates its
total score, or old-growth index,
for the stand. For analysis
purposes, these scores can be
grouped into low, medium, and high
categories. This provides an
indication of the condition of the
stand in regards to attributes often
associated with old growth. These
indices do not necessarily indicate
old-growth guality, but can be used
to compare and classify a collection
of older stands across the
landscape. The expected variation
between covertypes is based on
numerous factors, including habitat-
type groups, tree species,
covertypes, elevations, past
management activities, and proximity
to roads. Many of these attributes
relate to wildlife habitat and are
discussed in APPENDIX F - WILDLIFE
ANALYSIS of this FEIS. TABLE C-11 -
FOGI CLASSIFICATION FOR THE PROJECT
AREA AND POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS shows
the current amounts of old-growth
acres in each of the FOGI
classifications and effects of the
action alternatives.
STAND STRUCTURE OF OLD GROWTH
The structure of forested stands
indicates one characteristic often
associated with "old growth", namely
TABLE C-11 - FOGI CLASSIFICATION FOR THE PROJECT AREA AND POSTHARVEST
AMOUNTS
FOGI
CLASSIFICATION
CURRENT
ACRES
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Low
68
722
719
615
167
Medium
1,352
1,149
1,076
1,023
1,318
High
3,063
2,049
2,222
2,249
2, 652
Totals
4,483
3,920
4,017
3,887
4,137
whether or not the stand is in a
multistoried condition. The
multistoried condition arises when a
stand has progressed through
succession to the point that shade-
tolerant species are replacing a
shade-intolerant overstory. This
condition can also occur when a
stand is already dominated by large,
old, shade-tolerant species, and
through gap replacement the
regeneration that occurs is also
shade tolerant. The former is the
more common case in forests of
Montana. In both cases, the time
since a major disturbance tends to
be long, helping to create many of
the attributes important in old
growth .
FIGURE C-13 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST STRUCTURES BY
ALTERNATIVE FOR OLD-GROWTH STANDS IN
THE PROJECT AREA displays the
current conditions for stand
structure of old growth and the
postharvest effects of each action
alternative. As shown, the vast
majority of old-growth stands have
multiple canopy levels. This figure
also shows the postharvest
distribution of stands for those
that would retain old-growth
classification. Many of the
treatments are regeneration-type
harvests, which completely change
the stand structures and remove the
stands from old-growth
classification. Following
regeneration harvesting, there would
only be one distinct canopy level.
For stands that receive a partial
treatment, two or more distinct
FIGURE C-13 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST STRUCTURES BY ALTERNATIVE FOR OLD-
GROWTH STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
□ single
■ two-story
■ multistory
Current Alt B
Alto
AltD
AltE
canopy layers would remain. FIGURE
C-13 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST
STRUCTURES BY ALTERNATIVE FOR OLD-
GROWTH STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
illustrates the slight changes in
structure from multistoried stands
to single- or two-storied stands.
Also reflected in the figure is the
removal of stands that no longer
meet the old-growth definition.
STAND VIGOR OF OLD GROWTH
Vigor of old-growth stands is used
to indicate relative decadence.
Old-growth stands of low vigor are
more likely to have more snags and
greater amounts of large down woody
debris than would be expected with
stands of high vigor. Stand vigor
is explained further below. FIGURE
C-14 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST
DISTRIBUTION OF VIGOR
CLASSIFICATIONS FOR OLD-GROWTH
STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA shows the
vigor classes, by percentage for
old-growth stands . As would be
expected, no old-growth stands are
at full vigor. Most stands are in
the fair to poor class.
This figure also illustrates the
changes that would take place
following harvest prescriptions.
The changes are subtle, but stands
with full vigor would be increased.
The treated stands would have
reduced density and a more-open
canopy, which would allow more light
in and free up nutrients in the soil
for the remaining trees to utilize.
Stands would shift from the fair or
poor vigor to the good or full vigor
classification.
The 4 generally recognized vigor
classes are: full, good-to-fair,
fair-to-poor, and very poor.
• Vigor 1 - Full Vigor - Forests
have an open canopy and growth is
optimal. An example of a stand in
this class is young, immature, and
probably in the seedling or
sapling stage. Currently, no
acres of old growth within the
project area are at full vigor.
• Vigor 2 - Good Vigor - Stand
canopies are mostly closed with
crown ratios (the vertical height
of a tree's crown compared with
the total vertical height of the
tree) between 33 and 50 percent.
Growth rates exceed mortality in
these stands. A stand in this
FIGURE C-14 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST DISTRIBUTION OF VIGOR CLASSIFICATIONS
FOR OLD-GROWTH STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
5000
4500
4000
3500
3000
(A
5 2500
<
2000
1500
1000
500
k
h.
i
k^ 1 .
L
L
^
1
fc.
^^ —
1
fc.
1
hfull
EGOOD
dfair
□ POOR
Current
AltB
AltC
AltD
AltE
class would be young, merchantable
sawtimber. Old-growth stands of
good vigor represent 1,979 acres
in the project area.
• Vigor 3 - Fair Vigor - Stand
canopies are tightly closed with
crown ratios less than 33 percent.
Growth and mortality rates are
nearly balanced. An example of a
stand in this class would be an
old stand of merchantable
sawtimber. Old-growth stands of
fair vigor occupy 1,799 acres in
the project area.
• Vigor 4 - Poor Vigor - Stands are
similar to the fair-to-poor class,
but generally are in a decadent
condition caused by competing
vegetation, insects, diseases,
and/or old age. Typically,
mortality rates exceed growth
rates. Old-growth stands of poor
vigor occupy 705 acres in the
project area; all are at risk to
insects and diseases.
LARGE TREES PER ACRE
FIGURE C-15 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF LARGE TREES
PER ACRE IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS IN THE
PROJECT AREA shows the relative
abundance of large trees in old-
growth stands. As shown,
approximately 28 percent of all old-
growth stands are within the highest
abundance category for numbers of
large live trees, with 71 percent
having 'SOME' the next highest
amount .
This figure also shows the subtle
changes in the percent of stands
with large trees on a per-acre
basis. Some stands would no longer
meet the old-growth definition and
are not included, but for those that
are included, the change is very
slight. Action Alternative E
retains the highest proportions of
large trees in the "SOME" and "LOTS"
categories, while the other
alternatives show greater reductions
in the numbers of large live trees.
SNAGS PER ACRE
FIGURE C-16 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF SNAGS PER
ACRE IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS IN THE
PROJECT AREA shows the relative
abundance of large snags in old-
growth stands. The preponderance of
FIGURE C-15 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF LARGE TREES PER ACRE IN OLD-
GROWTH STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
bnone
dfew
hSOME
■ LOTS
Current
AltB
AltC
AltD
AltE
stands has some or lots of large
snags. The 'FEW category
represents DNRC s minimum for snag
retention postharvest. The amount
of snags fluctuates across the
landscape due to salvage harvesting,
which reduces the numbers and
continued mortality from insect and
disease activities, which increases
snag amounts. This figure also
illustrates the postharvest levels
of snags per acre. The change in
the percentage of stands with the
minimum requirements for retention
is minor. Over 99 percent of old-
growth stands would still have 2
snags or better per acre. Based on
estimates of historical snag numbers
{APPENDIX F-WILDLIFE ANALYSIS) ,
postharvest snag levels well exceed
average historical conditions with
over double the expected amount of
large snags .
AMOUNTS OF COARSE WOODY DEBRIS
Coarse woody debris is measured by
the number of pieces present along
transect lines through a stand. The
pieces are measured for diameter and
grouped in ranges such as 6 to 10,
11 to 15, 16 to 20, and so on. The
volume or tons per acre of coarse
woody debris is also recorded. The
SLI database contains information on
coarse woody debris primarily for
older stands on Swan River State
Forest. The older stands (100+
years) show various quantities and
sizes of coarse woody debris.
Stands with the most pieces and the
greatest tons per acre are between
150 to 200 years old, but are not
necessarily old growth. For the
project area, the maximum tons per
acre are 155, the minimum is 0, and
the average for the project area is
42 tons per acre. Stand data
information describing the number of
pieces per grouped range, number of
small pieces, number of large
pieces, level of decay, and tons per
acre is available in the project
file.
FIGURE C-17 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST LEVELS OF COARSE WOODY
DEBRIS IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS WITHIN
THE PROJECT AREA shows the relative
abundance of down coarse woody
debris in old-growth stands. As
with the snag numbers, salvage
FIGURE C-16 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF SNAGS PER ACRE IN OLD-GROWTH
STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
V)
u
<
hnone
□ FEW
bsome
BLOTS
Current
Alt B
AltC
AltD
Alt E
operations are expected to reduce
the amount of coarse woody debris in
old-growth stands across Swan River
State Forest, resulting in a
preponderance of stands in the
"SOME" and "FEW" categories.
This figure also shows that
following harvesting operations, the
coarse woody debris remaining would
increase, primarily due to slash
generated during harvesting. Some
stands may not have the finer
materials, but the larger-diameter
woody debris would be retained.
GROSS VOLUME PER ACRE
Another attribute of old-growth
stands often deemed important and
for which distributions can be
quantified and effects assessed is a
measure of density, or stocking. In
this case, the stand' s gross board-
foot volume per acre is used {FIGURE
C-18 - POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF GROSS
VOLUME PER ACRE (MBF) IN OLD-GROWTH
STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA) . Higher
volumes indicate more densely
stocked stands. One value of this
measure is that effects of in-growth
and lack of wildfires are minimized
because only trees larger than 9
inches dbh are included. Thus, this
becomes another measure through
which impacts on the character of
old-growth stands can be measured.
As shown, a very small proportion
(about 2 percent) of old growth
stands in the project area contains
less than 10 Mbf per acre.
Approximately 46 percent of old
growth stands contains over 25 mbf
per acre. The majority of old-
growth stands (78 percent) have 21
mbf or more per acre.
FIGURE C-18 also illustrates the
affects to gross volume per acre
following harvesting operations.
Old growth stands with less than 10
mbf per acre would vary from 4 to 13
percent. Stands that have more than
25 mbf per acre would decline
slightly to a range of 30 to 42
percent, depending on the
alternative. The majority of the
stands would still have 21 mbf or
more per acre, but would decline to
a range of 61 to 68 percent; the
exception would be those harvested
under Action Alternative E, where
FIGURE C-17 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST LEVELS OF COARSE WOODY DEBRIS IN OLD-
GROWTH STANDS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA
5000 -| 1
4500 -
4000 -
3500 -
3000 -
m
2 2500 -
<
2000 -
1500 -
1000 -
500 -
n
i
V
L
i
BNONE
HFEW
BSOME
Current Alt B Alt C Alt D Alt E
FIGURE C-18 - POSTHARVEST AMOUNTS OF GROSS VOLUME PER ACRE (MBF) IN OLD-
GROWTH STANDS IN THE PROJECT AREA
in
<
Current
Alt B
AltC
AltD
AltE
□ <4
D 04-06
D 07-09
D 10-12
y 13-15
□ 16-20
□ 21-25
□ 26+
the percentage of stands would drop
slightly to 75.
PREVIOUS TREATMENTS IN CLASSIFIED
OLD GROWTH
Swan River State Forest has had an
ongoing salvage and sanitation
program for years. This program has
resulted in the reduction of some
old-growth attributes in many
current old-growth stands through
the effects of timber harvesting.
The effects of these previous
entries include lower attribute
levels in the following categories:
fewer acres with high numbers of
large trees, lower snag numbers, and
less coarse woody debris.
RELATIONSHIP TO THE SUSTAINED-YIELD
CALCULATION
DNRC s management activities are
guided by the philosophy of the
SFLMP, the forest management
Administrative Rules of Montana
(ARM) , and other relevant rules and
laws including the requirement to
calculate an annual sustainable
yield. As defined in 77-5-221 MCA
and pursuant to 77-5-222 and 223
MCA, the Department is required to
recalculate the annual sustained
yield at least once every 10 years.
The sustained yield calculation is
done to determine the amount of
timber that can be sustainably
harvested, on an annual basis, from
forested state trust lands in
accordance with all applicable state
and federal laws. The most recent
sustained yield calculation was
approved by the Land Board on
October 18, 2004.
The recent sustained yield
calculation fully incorporated the
philosophy of the SFLMP and all
applicable laws, rules and
regulations. Biodiversity, forest
health, endangered species
considerations, and desired future
conditions are important aspects of
state forest land management-
including old-growth management.
These factors were modeled in the
recent sustained yield calculation
and are reflected in the various
constraints applied to the model
which included management
constraints in old-growth stands,
SFLMP constraints, and
implementation constraints.
The biodiversity and old-growth
Administrative Rules that were
incorporated into the sustained
yield model were developed with
public input. The managed old
growth concept means that harvest
treatments in old-growth stands
contributed to the calculated
sustainable yield. For example,
maintenance and restoration
treatments were allowed to occur
periodically in some old-growth
stands, while the model also allowed
old growth removal treatments to be
applied to other stands. Given the
concerns expressed by some of the
public regarding old growth, the
sustained yield model made
provisions for tracking old-growth
amounts, over the planning horizon
in order to determine whether
landscape-level biodiversity
objectives in the SFLMP and ARMs
were met. At the initiation of the
model runs, approximately 11 percent
of DNRCs forested ownership met the
Department's old-growth definition.
After incorporating the Department's
old-growth management regimes and
all relevant constraints into the
model, approximately 8 percent of
the landscape was intended to be in
an old-growth condition at model
year 100. The model clearly
demonstrates that this is achievable
at the current sustained yield of
53.2 MMbf given current management
practices, rules, and laws.
This project's effects to old-growth
amounts result in postharvest
quantities that are well above the
range expected to occur over the
long-term as a result of
implementing the SFLMP and ARM.
OVERALL EFFECTS TO OLD-GROWTH STANDS
TABLE C-11 - OLD-GROWTH FOGI
ATTRIBUTE CLASSIFICATION CHANGES
PREHARVEST AND POSTHARVEST BY
ALTERNATIVE (following page) shows
old-growth type and FOGI values for
all old-growth stands proposed for
treatment in the project area. This
table also shows postharvest FOGI
values and whether the stands would
remain old growth. Seedtree and
seedtree-with-re serves treatments
would not retain sufficient large
live trees postharvest to meet
DNRC' s old-growth definition, while
commercial thinning and shelterwood
harvests are expected to meet the
definition .
It should be noted that the
Department's old-growth definition
provides an objective, numerical
threshold for labeling a stand as
old growth. Because of this
objectivity, some stands may remain
old growth despite having had some
trees harvested because the
threshold defining old growth is
still exceeded. DNRC is aware that
not everyone believes that an old-
growth stand can remain an old-
growth stand after being harvested.
However, the Department adopted its
old-growth definition at the urging
of several interest groups who were
very concerned that the number of
large live trees should be the
defining component for labeling a
stand as old growth. Thus, the
apparent anomaly occurs where
recently harvested stands could
retain sufficient levels of
important attributes to remain old
growth despite the harvesting that
occurred. The definitions also
result in the possibility that some
acres are shifted from one type of
old growth to another because, once
again, they would retain sufficient
levels of attributes to meet the
definition, but shifts in species
representation cause a shift in the
'type' of old growth.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS TO OLD GROWTH
Direct Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-Jiction
wllternative „1 to Old Growtli
In the short term, existing old-
growth stands would continue to
experience substantial mortality
of large Douglas-fir trees,
increasing the snag and down-
woody-debris components of those
stands. Some stands may no longer
be in the old-growth
classification as a result of the
gradual or sudden loss of many
a
H
§
H
n
01
H
u
m
b
la
H
OLD-GROWTH
POSTHARVEST
2;
CO
CO
z
z
o
z
z
Z
CLASS
s
s
3
o
S
1^
s
S
s
o
iP
s
PI
I INDEX #
Csl
CD
o
CM
CO
CO
CO
CO
CO
a
OLD-GROWTH
POSTHAVEST
2;
2;
2;
to
0)
CO
CO
d)
>A
z
Z
CO
CD
CO
CD
CO
CD
CO
CD
Z
O
Z
CO
CO
CD
z
Z
CLASS
s
s
s
s
s
o
s
o
1^
1^
S
s
hP
s
hP
s
s
s
s
o
iP
s
o
iP
s
iP
iP
s
PI
INDEX #
CO
o
Csl
CD
CM
o
CM
^
^
CO
c^
CO
CM
CO
CO
CO
CM
CM
CO
CO
u
OLD-GROWTH
POSTHARVEST
(1)
(1)
(0
2;
CO
E3
CO
0)
1^
CO
1^
Z
Z
O
z
CO
>-l
CO
Z
CO
CO
CO
Z
CLASS
s
s
e
p
-H
0)
S
s
s
o
s
o
s
o
3:
1^
1^
1^
s
s
s
o
iP
S
o
iP
s
o
iP
IP
s
s
S
s
PI
INDEX #
o
o
CO
CO
CO
o
CM
o
CO
CM
CM
CO
CO
CO
CM
CM
CO
c^
c^
C^
CO
m
OLD-GROWTH
POSTHARVEST
2;
2;
CO
CD
CO
d)
>A
CO
1^
Z
CO
CD
Z
O
Z
CO
CO
z
CO
1^
CO
1^
CO
CO
Z
CLASS
s
s
s
e
p
-H
-d
0)
S
s
s
S
o
1^
1^
1^
s
s
s
s
o
iP
s
o
iP
s
o
iP
3:
iP
IP
iP
3
3
s
PI
INDEX #
CO
o
Csl
CO
CO
CO
o
CO
CM
CM
CO
Csl
00
CO
CN
CM
CO
CM
CM
c^
c^
CO
CURRENT
FOGI CLASS
-H
-H
-H
-H
-H
-H
e
p
-H
-d
0)
S
-H
-H
-H
-H
-H
e
p
-.H
■d
a
e
p
■d
a
e
p
-H
-d
0)
a
e
p
-H
-d
0)
a
e
p
-H
-d
0)
a
tjc
-H
-H
TJ
CD
a
-H
TJ
CD
a
tjc
-H
-H
-H
-H
e
p
-H
-d
a
-H
p;
tjc
-H
PREHARVEST
INDEX #
CO
Csl
Csl
Csl
c^
c^
o
c^
Csl
Csl
Csl
1/^
CM
CM
CM
CM
en
CM
CM
CO
CD
CO
o
c^
CO
Csl
o
Csl
o
Csl
Csl
Csl
CM
CM
CM
CM
CM
CM
CM
CM
o
c^
c^
c^
Csl
Csl
STAND ACRES
CO
Csl
CO
Csl
en
o^
LO
O
CD
CO
O
-ST
CM
O
CO
CO
en
CO
o
CO
LO
CO
^
^
CD
CO
CO
CO
CD
CO
CO
liO
liO
liO
^
m
lO
CO
CO
lO
CO
OO
CD
CD
CO
HARVEST PRESCRIPTION
H
01
H
H
CO
H
CO
3c
CO
3:
CO
H
H
CO
H
CO
S
CO
H
U
S
CO
H
CO
H
U
H
CO
H
U
H
CO
H
O
3:
CO
H
CJ
3:
CO
3:
CO
H
CO
H
CO
3:
CO
H
U
H
CO
3:
CO
3:
CO
3:
CO
3:
CO
H
H
CO
OLD-GROWTH TYPE
o
S
S
s
s
o
S
o
S
S
□
a
o
a
u
a
3:
3:
Q
3:
Oa
3:
3:
Q
hP
3:
u
a
u
a
CJ
a
CJ
a
CJ
a
u
a
o
a
U
a
o
a
u
a
o
a
o
a
o
a
O
a
□
PI
s
CURRENT STAND NUMBER
CO
o
o
o
o
CO
o
CO
O
o
CO
O
CO
O
c^
CO
o
O
CO
o
C71
O
o
CM
1
O
CM
CM
1
O
o
1
o
o
o
CM
o
o
o
CO
o
CD
O
O
o
o
CO
^
^
^
^
o
Csl
CD
<
o
1
CM
CM
m
o
1
CM
CM
a
o
1
CM
CM
1
CM
CM
CM
1
lOI
CM
1
lOI
CM
c^
o
CD
C^
<
c^
m
c^
Csl
large trees due to Douglas-fir
bark beetles, mountain pine
beetles, dwarf mistletoe, drought,
competition, etc. These factors
can reduce the number of large,
live trees below the minimum
described in Green et al . (1992).
Over the long term, existing old
growth would continue to age and
become more decadent .
Direct Effects ofJlction Jllternatives B, C,D,
and E to Old Groivtii
The proposed harvest treatments
for all of the action alternatives
would affect old growth, as
illustrated in TABLE C-13 - ACRES
OF OLD GROWTH PROPOSED FOR
HARVESTING BY COVERTYPE .
Old-growth stands would be
harvested with seedtree, seedtree-
with-reserves, shelterwood, and
commercial-thin treatments. The
main objectives for entering these
old-growth stands are to remove
insect-infested and disease-
infected trees, maintain
historical covertypes, and remove
or reduce shade-tolerant species.
Some commercial thinning and
shelterwood units may be
classified as old growth following
harvesting; postharvest data
collection in particular stands
would determine their
classification.
The primary effects to old growth
would be the removal of stands
from their old-growth
classification or a reduction of
attribute levels associated with
old-growth stands. The old-growth
attributes that would be affected
include :
- Stocking levels in all treated
stands would be reduced. The
stocking levels in the
commercial-thin units would be
approximately half the current
levels. Shelterwood units would
be reduced to approximately 20
percent of current stocking
levels. Stocking levels for
seedtree and seedtree-with-
reserves units would be
approximately 10 percent of
current levels (the stands would
not be old growth postharvest) .
- Stand vigor would improve or
remain at existing levels for
harvested stands.
TABLE C-13 - ACRES OF OLD GROWTH PROPOSED FOR HARVESTING BY COVERTYPE
,
w
H3
51
m
"d
S
Dd
V
O
CO
H
w
•A
g
!«!
O H3
o
O
W
O W
a
w
o
>
O
G »
n 8
H
o
G
n
It"
H3
w
Iri
H
o
> C
(0 >
W
>
>
g
►6
2
CO
M
O
H
1 w
*0
*0
1
►6
•fl
1^ n
H
H
•fl
•^
>
m
H !B
g
g
H
H
It"
»
» \
H
H
V
»
CO
Current conditions in p
reject area
3
359
418
346
24
8
328
4, 483
B
Proposed for
harvest
967
120
126
a
1, 221
t^
Si
<
Postharvest
2
592
630
346
24
328
3, 920
C
Proposed for
harvest
844
120
126
24
8
1, 122
Postharvest
2
770
549
346
24
328
4, 017
D
Proposed for
harvest
891
173
55
24
1, 143
Postharvest
2
633
548
346
24
8
328
3, 887
E
Proposed for
harvest
307
120
19
446
Postharvest
3
133
298
346
24
8
328
4, 137
stand structures in seedtree,
seedtree-with-reserves , and
shelterwood units would be
reduced to single- or two-
storied stand structures
following harvesting.
Commercial-thin units would be
reduced to 2- and 3-storied
(multi) stand structures
following harvesting.
Minimum snag retention per acre
for all units would consist of 2
trees, 21-inches dbh or greater;
if no trees that large are
present, the next largest trees
would be retained. In addition,
2 snag-recruit trees per acre,
21-inches dbh or greater, would
be retained.
Slash would be piled and burned
or otherwise treated on site;
approximately 15 tons of coarse
woody debris per acre would be
retained. Seedtree or seedtree-
with-reserve units may, where
feasible, have broadcast-burn
treatments applied.
Large, live trees would be
removed if they are dying from
insect or disease attacks or to
provide openings for
regeneration. Seedtree and
seedtree-with-reserve units
would retain 6 to 8 trees per
acre, with emphasis given to
larger diameter trees. Health,
vigor, cone production, and
other factors would be
considered when selecting trees
for retention purposes .
Shelterwood units would have a
retention level of 12 to 16
trees per acre, with the same
selection criteria as used on
seedtree units. Commercial-thin
units would retain 80 to 120
trees per acre, or 40- to 50-
percent canopy cover, with
priority given to the healthier,
better-formed individuals in the
stand.
Indirect Effects
• Indirect Ejects ofJWo-Jletion Jllternative Jl to
Old Growth
Not harvesting in old-growth
stands would continue the existing
risk of stand-replacement-type
fires that would likely consume
portions of the old-growth stands
in their paths .
Existing open roads would continue
to provide access to firewood
gatherers, reducing the
development of snags and coarse
woody debris on those sites.
Over time and barring large scale
disturbances, old-growth attribute
levels would increase on most
covertypes as climax species
mature, decadence increases, and
trees die and fall, creating more
snags and large woody debris.
However, the large-tree component
is likely to be reduced over time
as large shade-intolerant species
die and are replaced by smaller
shade-tolerant species with a
lesser chance of becoming large.
These same stands would also reach
a point where the old-growth
attribute levels decrease. As
large trees continue to age and
eventually die, some stands would
no longer meet the old-growth
definition .
• Indirect Effects of miction JiUernatives B, C,
D, and E to Old Growth
All action alternatives would
harvest timber in or near old-
growth stands and create more
abrupt stand edges. Some mature
stands not yet classified as old
growth could be considered old
growth in the future. Commercial-
thin harvests within these mature
stands would increase the diameter
growth rates of remaining trees
and, in some cases, may hasten the
development of old-growth
attributes, especially large-
diameter trees.
Cumulative Effects
The Swan River State Forest salvage
program has completed limited
harvesting in old growth on the High
Blow ''02, Big Blowdown, Cilly Bug,
and Rock Sgueezer salvage sales.
Currently, the Red Ridge Timber Sale
Project is completing some
harvesting in old-growth stands.
The Fridge Salvage environmental
review has been completed and
harvesting will begin this winter.
It should be noted that timber
stands, whether harvesting occurs or
not, may be reinventoried or
reindexed in regard to adjustments
of stand boundaries; a more
intensive inventory may change the
old-growth status.
Past road construction, timber
harvests, wildfires, and general
site characteristics have led to the
current amount of old-growth
characteristics in the entire area.
The salvage harvesting would not
alter old-growth designation, but
would reduce numbers of large snags
and coarse woody debris and
potentially decrease stand
decadence. Future timber sales and
thinning projects would likely
continue to take place in the
analysis area. If additional
management projects were proposed,
the MEPA process would be
implemented .
• Cnmtilatice Effects ofJWo-Jlction JllternaUve
Jl to Old Growth
Current levels of old-growth acres
would not change in the short
term. As stands continue to
mature and large trees eventually
die, some stands may no longer
meet the old-growth definition.
Ongoing data collection of stands
may change the amount of acres
classified as old growth.
• Ciimiilative Effects of„lction jllterHatives B,
CD, and E to Old Growth
Action Alternative B would harvest
approximately 1,222 acres of old
growth in the project area, which
would reduce the amount of old-
growth acres in the project area
by 12.6 percent. Following
harvesting operations, 564 acres
would no longer meet old-growth
criteria, while 658 acres would
retain the old-growth
classification. The amount of old
growth remaining on Swan River
State Forest would be 11,914
acres, and the proportion of
acreage classified as old growth
would be 30.9 percent.
Action Alternative C would harvest
approximately 1,122 acres of old
growth in the project area, which
would reduce the amount of old-
growth acres in the project area
by 7.9 percent. Following
harvesting operations, 466 acres
would no longer meet old-growth
criteria, while 656 acres would
retain old-growth classification.
The amount of old-growth acres
remaining on Swan River State
Forest would be 12,012 acres, and
the proportion of acreage
classified as old growth would be
31.2 percent .
Action Alternative D would harvest
approximately 1,143 acres of old
growth in the project area, which
would reduce the amount of old-
growth acres in the project area
by 13.3 percent. Following
harvesting operations, 596 acres
would no longer meet old-growth
criteria, while 547 acres would
retain old-growth classification.
The amount of old growth remaining
on Swan River State Forest would
be 11,882 acres, and the
proportion of acreage classified
as old growth would be 30.8
percent .
Action Alternative E would harvest
approximately 446 acres of old
growth in the project area, which
would reduce the amount of old-
growth acres in the project area
by 7.7 percent. Following
harvesting operations, 347 acres
would no longer meet old-growth
criteria, while 99 acres would
retain old-growth classification.
Swan River State Forest would
contain 12,131 acres of old
growth; the proportion of acreage
classified as old growth would be
31.5 percent.
Recognizing that the amounts and
distributions of all age classes
would shift and change over time,
the amount of old growth remaining
is within an expected range of
natural variation.
AGE AND COVERTYPE PATCH SIZE
AGE PATCHES
Traditionally, forest management has
focused on forest stands, which are
typically defined as units with
similar characteristics of tree
species, tree sizes, and stocking
levels. However, some understanding
of the environment can be gained by
examining different groupings of
stands according to fewer
characteristics such as age class or
covertype. For example, the size of
patches of eguivalent age is one way
to assess effects of management
activities to the forested
landscape. Age-class patches
broadly reflect disturbance in the
natural environment and the
additional influence of harvesting
and associated activities in the
managed environment.
Forests change over time. Tracking
the changes from historical to
current conditions can indicate the
effects of management and whether
the direction of change is
desirable. Assessing historic
forest conditions is fraught with
challenges, such as a lack of actual
data or, even when data is
available, compatibility with
current information. DNRC has maps
of an inventory conducted in the
1930s that provide a general
baseline for age (and covertype)
patches for Swan River State Forest
and the project area. The data does
not provide for a seamless
comparison between historic and
current conditions due to
differences in mapping procedures,
primarily an eight-fold difference
in minimum map-unit size (40 acres
historically and 5 acres currently) .
The reduced minimum-map unit size
results in many more patches of a
smaller average size, even when
applied to the same forest at the
same point in time. However, the
data does represent the best
historic information available;
therefore, the data is presented
with the caveats mentioned in this
paragraph .
This analysis focuses on stand age
classes. The oldest age class also
encompasses all old-growth stands.
However, old growth would represent
only a portion of all old-age
stands, as not all old stands would
meet the large-tree reguirements
that are part of DNRC s old-growth
definitions. Reconstructing the
historic data to guantify patch
characteristics of old growth is not
possible, and, so, comparisons
between historic and current
conditions are not made. An
analysis of the current patch
characteristics of old growth and
the effects of each action
alternative is presented below (see
OLD-GROWTH PATCHES) .
Historic data indicates that old-
stand patches were very large in
both Swan River State Forest and the
project area, with the patches being
much larger in the project area than
for the entire Swan River State
Forest (TABLE C-14 - HISTORIC AND
CURRENT MEAN PATCH SIZES BY AGE
CLASS FOR SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST,
IN ACRES and TABLE C-15 - HISTORIC
AND CURRENT MEAN PATCH SIZES BY AGE
CLASS FOR THE PROJECT AREA, IN
ACRES) . Historically, a single
large old-stand patch, exceeding
14,000 acres, dominated Swan River
State Forest and the project area
(previous DNRC analysis indicates
that large stands would be divided
into many additional polygons using
today's mapping protocols, even in
the absence of any harvest-related
activities) . Other age patches were
variable in size between the project
level and Swan River State Forest.
The expectation is that the project
area would naturally have smaller
patch-size means due to imposing the
artificial project area boundary
onto some existing patches. On
average, current age-class patches
are much smaller than historically.
Some of the decrease can be
attributed to different map-unit
minimums, but the data likely
reflects a real reduction in mean
patch sizes, as harvesting and roads
have broken up some previously
intact patches.
Current old-stand patches are much
smaller at the scale of Swan River
State Forest than they were
historically. Project area old-
stand patches are larger than the
historic mean for Swan River State
Forest, but are approximately one-
third the size of historic patches
in the project area. At the scales
of both the project area and Swan
River State Forest, all other age
patches are smaller currently than
historically .
Alternative Effects to Age Patch
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct an d Indirect Effect* ofJVo-Jlction
JUternattpe Jl on Patch Sise
Patch sizes would not be
immediately affected. Over time,
the forest would tend to
homogenize, leading to larger
patches of older stands,
especially in the absence of
significant fires or other
disturbance events.
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlllJlction
Jllternatires on Patch Sise
Within the project area, the mean
old-stand patch size would be
reduced to about one half of
current means with all action
alternatives. Action Alternative
B would reduce old-stand patch
size the most, with the other
action alternatives being roughly
equivalent (TABLE C-15 - PROJECT
TABLE C-14 - HISTORIC AND CURRENT MEAN PATCH SIZES BY AGE CLASS FOR SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST AND THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA, IN ACRES
AGE CLASS
SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
PROJECT AREA
HISTORIC
CURRENT
HISTORIC
CURRENT
None
120.9
20.4
162.8
19.5
to 39 years
91.0
35.1
78.9
32.6
40 to 99 years
134.5
60.1
102.9
68.8
100 to old stand
76.4
51.1
136.1
55.3
Old stand
664.8
183.1
2, 487.0
809.9
Overall
280.0
64.3
377.7
105.7
TABLE C-15 - PROJECT AREA POSTHARVEST MEAN PATCH SIZES BY AGE CLASS FOR
ACTION ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E, IN ACRES
AGE CLASS
ACTION
ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
None
19.5
19.5
19.5
19.5
to 39 years
102.2
103.6
88.4
85.5
40 to 99 years
65.1
65.1
65.2
68.0
100 to old stand
65.2
62.7
52.6
48.5
Old stand
360.8
397.6
402.1
393.2
Overall
112.4
113.6
104.6
106.7
AREA POSTHARVEST MEAN PATCH SIZES
BY AGE CLASS FOR ACTION
ALTERNATIVES B, C, D, AND E, IN
ACRES) . Other age patches would
be only marginally affected,
except the O-to-39-year-old class,
where mean patches would be
increased with each action
alternative, reflecting the effort
to group stand-replacement
harvesting near other previously
harvested areas. Although the
patch size of the youngest age
class would be increased with each
action alternative, the overall
mean age-class patch would remain
considerably smaller than the
historic mean.
Compared to current conditions,
project-level effects indicate
that Action Alternatives B, C, and
E would slightly increase the mean
size of age patches, while Action
Alternative D would slightly
decrease the mean. This would
occur despite large decreases in
mean patch size of the oldest age
class with each action
alternative .
Cumulative Effects
• Ctnnidatit'e Effects of will JlUernatives on
Patch Sisse
The current age-class patch
condition reflects the effects of
natural disturbances and
succession and the cumulative
effects of previous activities by
DNRC that have been completed and
mapped. Overall, age patches for
the entire forest and the project
area are reduced from historic to
current conditions. Other ongoing
projects that have not been mapped
to date would have a slight effect
of decreasing patch sizes at the
scale of Swan River State Forest
through conversion of
approximately 360 acres of various
age classes to the O-to-39-year
age class through regeneration
harvesting. Within the project
area, cumulative effects of other
harvests have been incorporated.
OLD-GROWTH PATCHES
Old growth represents a subset of
the old-stand age class. Old stands
must contain a specified number and
size of ''large' live trees to meet
the old-growth definition; those
large trees must also meet or exceed
minimum age requirements. This
analysis displays current patch-size
characteristics of old growth and
the effects of each alternative.
This analysis does not present a
corresponding analysis of historical
old-growth patch characteristics
because the data does not exist.
Although it cannot be verified with
observations of historic old-growth
patch size, the reductions in patch
size of old-age stands is expected
to reflect a similar reduction in
patch size of old-growth stands, but
the absolute magnitude is unknown.
Currently, the mean patch size of
old-growth stands on Swan River
State Forest is 123.5 acres (TABLE
C-16 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST MEAN
PATCH SIZES OF OLD GROWTH ON SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST AND WITHIN THE
PROJECT AREA, IN ACRES) . Within the
project area, the mean old-growth
patch size is 344.9 acres. Old-
growth patches are about one-third
to one-half the mean size of old-
stand patches. The disparity
between patch sizes of old stands
and old growth reflects the addition
of the large tree number, size, and
age requirements.
Alternative Effects to Old-Growth
Patches
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct an d Indirect Effects ofJVo-jlction
Jllternatire ,/l on Old-Growth Patches
The patch size of old-growth
stands would not be immediately
affected. Over time, the effects
to old-growth patch size would be
uncertain because it would depend
on the development of large live
trees within old-age stands and
because current insect and disease
infestations are killing many
TABLE C-16 - CURRENT AND POSTHARVEST MEAN PATCH SIZES OF OLD GROWTH ON SWAN
RIVER STATE FOREST AND WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA, IN ACRES
SWAN RIVER
STATE FOREST
PROJECT
AREA
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
123.5
344. 9
165.5
156.3
155.3
212.3
large trees, causing the stands to
fall out of the old-growth
classification. If existing large
live trees remain alive and new
large trees develop in old-age
stands, the mean patch size of old
growth would be expected to
increase. Conversely, if existing
large live trees continue to die
and new ones fail to develop
because of overly dense stands,
the mean patch size of old growth
would be expected to decrease.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of ^III miction
Jllternatives on Old-Grotvth Patches
Each action alternative would
reduce the mean patch size of old
growth within the project area
{TABLE C-16 - CURRENT AND
POSTHARVEST MEAN PATCH SIZES OF
OLD GROWTH ON SWAN RIVER STATE
FOREST AND WITHIN THE PROJECT
AREA, IN ACRES) . Action
Alternative D would reduce the
mean patch size of old growth the
most (by 189.6 acres), while
Action Alternative E would reduce
it the least (by 132.6 acres) . At
the scale of Swan River State
Forest, old-growth patch sizes
would be reduced with each action
alternative. Action Alternative D
would result in the largest
decrease (19.4 acres), while
Action Alternative E would result
in the smallest decrease (11.1
acres), with the other
alternatives intermediate in their
decrease .
Cumulative Effects
• Cinnitlatire Effects of,/Ill,/llternatives on Old-
Growth Patches
The current old-growth-patch
condition reflects the effects of
natural disturbance and succession
and the cumulative effects of
previous activities by DNRC that
have been completed and mapped.
Overall, old-growth patches for
the entire forest and the project
area are likely reduced from
historic to current conditions.
Other ongoing projects have not
entered old-growth stands. Within
the project area, cumulative
effects of other harvests have
been incorporated into the Effects
Analysis .
COVERTYPE PATCHES
Historic data suggests mean
covertype patch sizes are similar to
age patch sizes, in part, due to the
single large patch of old western
larch/Douglas-fir that dominated the
forest and project area. As with
mean age-class patch sizes, the
differences in mapping protocols
and, in particular, a different
minimum map-unit size confound
direct comparison and drawing clear
conclusions. However, a real
decrease in mean covertype patch
size is expected due to the effects
of harvesting and road building.
The effects of succession confound
the results and are reflected in the
increased patch size of shade-
tolerant types (mixed-conifer and
subalpine fir types) .
Overall, current covertype patches
on Swan River State Forest and the
project area are about one-third the
size of the historic mean (TABLE C-
17 - HISTORIC AND CURRENT MEAN PATCH
SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR SWAN RIVER
STATE FOREST, IN ACRES and TABLE C-
18 - HISTORIC AND CURRENT MEAN PATCH
SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR THE PROJECT
AREA, IN ACRES) . Currently, the
project area covertype patches tend
to be larger than for Swan River
State Forest.
Alternative Effects to Covertype
Patches
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct an d In direct Effect* ofJVo-jlction
^Uternatire ^1 on Covertype Patches
The covertype patch sizes would
not be immediately affected;
however, over time, diversity of
habitats in terms of covertype
patches would likely be reduced
through forest succession. The
result would be an increase in
mean size of patches dominated by
shade-tolerant species as shade-
intolerant species are excluded.
• Direct and Indirect Effect* ofJillJiction
,/Ilternatives on Covertype Patches
Each action alternative would
slightly reduce the average
covertype patch size (TABLE C-19 -
PROJECT AREA POSTHARVEST MEAN
PATCH SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR EACH
ALTERNATIVE, IN ACRES) . Action
TABLE C-17 - HISTORIC AND CURRENT
MEAN PATCH SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR
SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST, IN ACRES
COVERTYPE CLASS
HISTORIC
CURRENT
Douglas-fir
-
28.0
Hardwood
28.5
19.7
Lodgepole
pine
94.9
38.2
Mixed conifer
119.3
168.8
Noncommercial
85.2
-
Nonf orest
32.9
18.0
Nonstocked
-
17.6
Ponderosa
pine
127.3
42 . 9
Subalpine
170.9
232.6
Water
25.6
21.9
Western
larch/
Douglas-fir
792.8
64.7
Western white
pine
157.9
75.0
Overall
223.4
73.4
Alternative D would reduce the
mean patch size the most. Action
Alternative E the least. The
greatest changes in cover patch
sizes would occur within two
types, the mixed-conifer and the
western larch/Douglas-fir patches.
The mixed-conifer patches would be
reduced in size with each action
alternative. Action Alternative B
the most and Action Alternative E
the least. The western larch/
Douglas-fir patches would be
increased in size with each action
alternative. Action Alternative C
the most and Action Alternative D
the least. Other covertype patch
sizes would only be affected
marginally or not at all by the
project .
Cumulative Effects
• Ciimtilative Effect* of Jill Jllfernatives on
Covertype Patches
The current covertype patch
condition reflects previous
activities by DNRC and natural
disturbances and succession that
have been completed and mapped.
TABLE C-18 - HISTORIC AND CURRENT
MEAN PATCH SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR
THE PROJECT AREA, IN ACRES
COVERTYPE
CLASS
HISTORIC
CURRENT
Douglas-fir
-
11.8
Lodgepole
pine
107.2
49.9
Mixed conifer
455.3
528.5
Noncommercial
84.9
-
Nonforest
29.3
19.5
Nonstocked
-
41.6
Ponderosa
pine
79.4
22.8
Subalpine fir
186.3
428.8
Western
larch/
Douglas-fir
3, 110.3
87.7
Western white
pine
634.5
81.4
Overall
440.3
144.8
TABLE C-19 - PROJECT AREA POSTHARVEST MEAN PATCH SIZES BY COVERTYPE FOR EACH
ALTERNATIVE, IN ACRES
COVERTYPE
CLASS
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Douglas-fir
10.2
10.2
11.8
11.8
Lodgepole pine
49.9
49.9
49.9
49.9
Mixed conifer
212.7
224.8
259.0
309.4
Nonf orested
19.5
19.5
19.5
19.5
Nonstocked
41.6
41.6
41.6
41.6
Ponderosa pine
22.8
16.1
16.1
22.8
Subalpine fir
428.8
428.8
428.8
428.8
Western larch/Douglas-fir
140.1
150.0
99.6
113.1
Western white pine
97.4
86.7
116.5
71.7
Overall
130.5
130.5
125.8
132.1
Overall, covertype patch sizes
have been reduced from historic to
current conditions. Other ongoing
projects that have not been mapped
to date would have a slight effect
of decreasing patch sizes at the
scale of Swan River State Forest.
Within the project area,
cumulative effects of other
harvests have been incorporated.
SENSITIVE PLANTS
ANALYSIS METHODS
The Montana Natural Heritage Program
(http : //www . nhp . nris .mt . gov)
database was searched in May 2003
for plant species and the habitat
that would support these plants in
the vicinity of Swan River State
Forest. Botanists were contracted
to perform a site-specific survey
for sensitive plants within the
project area. Results of this
search were compared to the location
of proposed harvest sites for
potential direct and indirect
impacts and the need for mitigation
measures .
The majority of sensitive plants and
their related habitat features were
found in wet meadows, areas that are
not normally classified as forest
stands or considered for timber
harvesting. The survey identified 9
species of special concern, existing
within a total of 19 separate
populations (Pierce and Barton
2003) ; none of these plant
populations are within the project
area .
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS TO SENSITIVE
PLANTS
No effects are expected because no
populations of sensitive plants
occur within the project area.
Cumulative Effects
• Cinniflatii'e Effects of ./111 Jlrtion Mternatives
to Sensitive Plants
If changes occur in the water
yield or nutrient level, sensitive
plant populations may, in turn, be
affected. Given the level of the
proposed and active harvesting on
Swan River State Forest and other
land in the project area, no
measurable changes in water yield
or surface water levels are
anticipated from any of the
proposed action alternatives in
South Fork Lost or Soup creeks.
No measurable changes in water
yield or surface water levels are
anticipated from Action
Alternatives B or C in Cilly
Creek. Water yield and surface
water levels could increase
slightly from Action Alternatives
D and E in Cilly Creek. No change
in nutrient levels would occur due
to mitigation measures designed to
prevent erosion and sediment
delivery .
NOXIOUS WEEDS
INTRODUCTION
Spotted knapweed (Centaurea mauclosa
Lam.)/ orange hawkweed (Hieracium
aurantiacum) , and common St.
Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum L.)
have become established along road
edges within the project area. Swan
River State Forest has begun a
program to reduce the spread and
occurrence of noxious weeds .
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction
Jllternative Jl to JWoxiotis Weeds
Noxious weed populations would
continue as they exist. Weed seed
would continue to be introduced by
recreational use of the forest and
log hauling and other logging
activities on adjacent ownerships.
Swan River State Forest may
initiate spot spraying to reduce
noxious weed spread along roads
under the FI program.
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJillJiction
Jllternatives to JVoaeioiis Weeds
Logging disturbance would provide
opportunities for increased
establishment of noxious weeds;
log hauling and equipment movement
would introduce seeds from other
sites. Occurrence and spread of
existing or new noxious weeds
would be reduced by mitigation
measures in the form of integrated
weed-management techniques. Grass
seeding of new and disturbed roads
and landings and spot spraying of
new infestations would reduce or
prevent the establishment of new
weed populations. Requiring
contractors to wash and inspect
machinery prior to entering the
project area would reduce the
introduction of noxious weed
seeds. Roadside herbicide
spraying would reduce existing
populations of noxious weeds. All
herbicide applications would
follow label directions, avoid
introduction of chemicals into
riparian systems, and target only
the intended species of noxious
weeds .
Cumulative Effects
• Cnmtdatice Effects ofJVo-^ctioti Jllternative
Jl to JVoxioiis Weeds
Salvage logging on State land and
logging activities on adjacent
lands would continue to provide
opportunities for noxious weeds to
become established. Current
population levels would continue
to exist and may increase over
time .
• Ciimidative Effects of .III miction Alternatives
to JVoivioHS Weeds
The action alternatives, together
with other management and
recreational activities on Swan
River State Forest, would provide
an opportunity for the transfer of
weed seed and increased
establishment of noxious weeds.
Preventative actions facilitated
by the Lake County Weed Board and
active weed-management activities
performed by Swan River State
Forest would reduce the spread and
establishment of noxious weeds, as
well as the impacts resulting from
the replacement of native species.
Swan River State Forest would
continue to perform weed
management through this action
depending on funding levels.
ATTACHMENT C-1
OLD-GROWTH ATTRIBUTE ASSIGNMENTS
LARGE LIVE TREES
Listing the # of trees in the (21" or greater dbh category), first, and the
(17" or greater dbh category ) second: all possible combinations are shown
for each class.
Lots = (11, 11)
Some = (6, 11); (6, 6); (1, 11)
Few = (1, 6); (1, 1); (0, 11); (0, 6)
None = (0, 0) ; (0, 1)
LARGE COARSE WOODY DEBRIS
DWOODSM = # small pieces (< 16" dbh) of CWD within a 300 - foot transect
DWOODLG = # large pieces (> 16" dbh) of CWD within a 300 - foot transect
CWDNEW = DWOODSM + (3 * DWOODLG)
Lots = CWDNEW 2 27
Some = CWDNEW ^ 14 and <27
Few = CWDNEW 2 3 and <14
None = CWDNEW 0,1, or 2
SNAGS
Lots =[6 snags at 21" or greater dbh] or [11 snags at 15 to 20 inch dbh] pos-
sible combinations: listing the 21"or greater dbh snag category), first
and the (15" to 20" dbh snag category), second are (6,0), (6,1), (6,6),
(6,11), (11,0), (11,1), (11,6), (11,11), or (0,11), (1,11)
Some = [1 snag at 21" or greater dbh] or [6 snags at 15"or greater dbh] pos-
sible combinations: listing the (21"or greater dbh snag category), first
and the (15" to 20" dbh snag category), second are (1,0), (1,1), (1,6),
or (0,6)
Few = [0 snags at 21" or greater dbh] or [1 to 5 snags at 15" to 20" dbh]
possible combinations: listing the (21"or greater dbh snag category),
first and the (15" to 20" dbh snag category), second are (0,1)
None = [0 snags at 21" or greater dbh and snags at 15" to 20" dbh) possible
combinations: listing the (21"or greater dbh snag category), first and
the (15" to 20" dbh snag category), second are (0,0)
DECADENCE
Lots = stand mortality lilcely exceeds growth.
Some = closed canopy with crown ratios less than 33%. Growth and mortality
approximately egual .
Little = Canopies mostly closed with crown ratios between 33 and 50%. Growth
rates exceed mortality.
None = open canopy and growth is optimal.
APPENDIX D
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
The issue was raised that timber
harvesting and associated activities
may cause sediment delivery to
streams and may increase water
yield.
> SEDIMENT DELIVERY
Timber harvesting and related
activities, such as road
construction, can lead to water-
quality impacts by increasing the
production and delivery of fine
sediment to streams. Construction
of roads, skid trails, and
landings can generate and transfer
substantial amounts of sediment
through the removal of vegetation
and exposure of bare soil. In
addition, removal of vegetation
near stream channels reduces the
sediment-filtering capacity and
may reduce channel stability and
the amounts of large woody
material. Large woody debris is a
very important component of stream
dynamics, creating natural
sediment traps and energy
dissipaters to reduce the velocity
and erosiveness of streamflows.
> WATER YIELD
Timber harvesting and associated
activities can affect the timing,
distribution, and amount of water
yield in a harvested watershed.
Water yields increase
proportionately to the percentage
of canopy removal, because removal
of live trees reduces the amount
of water transpired, leaving more
water available for soil
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction D-1
Analysis Methods D-1
Analysis Area D-3
Existing Conditions D-3
Alternative Effects D-9
saturation and runoff. Canopy
removal also decreases
interception of rain and snow and
alters snowpack distribution and
snowmelt, which lead to further
increases in water yield. Higher
water yields may lead to increases
in peak flows and peak-flow
duration, which can result in
accelerated streambank erosion and
sediment deposition.
ISSUES RAISED DURING SCOPING
Concern was raised by the public
that non-point sources of sediment,
known existing sources of sediment,
and human- and management-caused
sources of sediment should be
mitigated and repaired with the
proposed project. Identification of
non-point sources of sediment and
human-caused sediment and planned
mitigation of these sources will be
addressed under the EXISTING
CONDITIONS and ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
sections of this analysis.
ANALYSIS METHODS
> SEDIMENT DELIVERY
Methodology for analyzing sediment
delivery was completed using a
sediment-source inventory. All
roads and stream crossings were
evaluated to determine sources of
introduced sediment. In addition,
in-channel sources of sediment
were identified using channel-
stability rating methods developed
by Pfankuch (1975) and through the
conversion of stability rating to
reach condition by stream type
developed by Rosgen (1996). These
analyses were conducted in 1999 by
a contracted firm and verified by
a DNRC hydrologist. In addition,
data were collected in 2003 to
quantify road surface sediment
delivery using procedures adapted
from the Washington Forest
Practices Board (Callahan, 2000).
The same procedures used to
estimate road-surface sediment
delivery for the existing road
system were used to estimate the
road-surface sediment delivery
reductions from proposed road BMP
improvements and to estimate the
road-surface sediment delivery
increases from proposed new road
construction and new stream-
crossing installations. Risk of
potential sediment delivery was
evaluated for existing log/earth
fill sites and bridge sites with
log-crib retaining walls at risk
of failure. Potential sediment
delivery from fill failure at
these sites was assessed by
estimating the volume of fill
contained at each site and
converting the value to tons.
> WATER YIELD
The water-yield increase for the
watershed in the project area was
determined using the ECA method as
outlined in Forest Hydrology Part
II (Haupt, 1976). ECA is a
function of total area roaded and
harvested, percent of crown
removal in harvesting, and amount
of vegetative recovery that has
occurred in harvest areas. This
method equates area harvested and
percent of crown removed with an
equivalent amount of clearcut
area. For example, if 100 acres
had 60 percent crown removed, ECA
would be approximately 60, or
equivalent to a 60-acre clearcut.
The relationship between crown
removal and ECA is not a 1-to-l
ratio, so the percent ECA is not
always the same as the percent
canopy removal. As live trees are
removed, the water they would have
evaporated and transpired either
saturates the soil, or is
translated to runoff. This method
also calculates the recovery of
these increases as new trees
vegetate the site and move toward
preharvest water use.
In order to evaluate the watershed
risk of potential water-yield
increase effectively, a threshold
of concern must be established. In
order to determine a threshold of
concern, acceptable risk level,
resource value, and watershed
sensitivity are evaluated according
to Young (1989) . The watershed
sensitivity is evaluated using
qualitative assessments, as well as
procedures outlined in Forest
Hydrology Part II (Haupt, 1976) .
The stability of a stream channel
is an important indicator of where
a threshold of concern should be
set. As water yields increase as a
result of canopy removal, the
amount of water flowing in a creek
gradually increases. When these
increases reach a certain level,
the bed and banks may begin to
erode. More stable streams will be
able to handle larger increases in
water yield before they begin to
erode, while less stable streams
will experience erosion at more
moderate water-yield increases.
RISK-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Where risk is assessed in both
sediment-delivery and water-yield
analyses, the following definitions
apply to the level of risk reported:
- low risk means impacts are
unlikely to result from proposed
activities,
- moderate risk means there is
approximately a 50-percent chance
of impacts resulting from proposed
activities, and
- high risk means impacts are likely
to result from proposed
activities .
Where levels or degrees of impacts
are assessed in this analysis, the
following definitions apply to the
degree of impacts reported:
- very low impact means that impacts
from proposed activities are
unlikely to be measurable or
detectable and are not likely to
be detrimental to the water
resource;
- low impact means that impacts from
proposed activities would likely
be measurable or detectable, but
are not likely to be detrimental
to the water resource;
- moderate impact means that impacts
from proposed activities would
likely be measurable or
detectable, and may or may not be
detrimental to the water resource;
and
- high impact means that impacts
from proposed activities would
likely be measurable or
detectable, and are likely to have
detrimental impacts to the water
resource .
ANALYSIS AREA
> SEDIMENT DELIVERY
The analysis area for sediment
delivery is the area of the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project and the
proposed haul routes. This
includes portions of the South
Fork Lost Creek, Cilly Creek, and
Soup Creek watersheds. South Fork
Lost Creek is a 10,503-acre,
perennial, third-order tributary
to Lost Creek and Swan River. The
Cilly Creek watershed is a 5,266-
acre third-order tributary to Swan
River. The Soup Creek watershed
is a 9,787-acre third-order
tributary to Swan River. Analysis
will cover stream segments within
these watersheds that may be
affected by the proposed project
and all roads and upland sites
that may contribute sediment to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, or Soup
creeks .
> WATER YIELD
The analysis areas for water yield
are the South Fork Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, and Soup Creek
watersheds. The South Fork Lost
Creek is a 10,503-acre third-order
watershed. Precipitation in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
ranges from 30 inches at its
confluence with North Fork Lost
Creek to 90 inches at the ridge
tops. The Cilly Creek watershed
is a 5,266-acre tributary to Swan
River; annual precipitation ranges
from 30 inches in the lower
elevations to 80 inches at the
ridge tops. The Soup Creek
watershed is a 9,787-acre
tributary to Swan River; annual
precipitation ranges from 30
inches in the lower elevations to
90 inches at the ridge tops.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Montana Surface Water-Quality
Standards
According to ARM 17.30.608 (2) (a),
the Swan River drainage, including
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks, is classified as B-1 . Among
other criteria for B-1 waters, no
increases are allowed above
naturally occurring levels of
sediment, and minimal increases over
natural turbidity. "Naturally
occurring, " as defined by ARM
17.30.602 (17), includes conditions
or materials present during runoff
from developed land where all
reasonable land, soil, and water
conservation practices (commonly
called BMPs) have been applied.
Reasonable practices include
methods, measures, or practices that
protect present and reasonably
anticipated beneficial uses. These
practices include, but are not
limited to, structural and
nonstructural controls and operation
and maintenance procedures.
Appropriate practices may be applied
before, during, or after completion
of potentially impactive activities.
Designated beneficial water uses
within the project area include
cold-water fisheries and
recreational use in the streams,
wetlands, lake, and surrounding
area. The Cilly Creek watershed has
domestic water use and irrigation
water rights as beneficial uses.
Water-Quality-Limited Waterbodies
None of the streams in the proposed
project area are currently listed as
water-guality-limited waterbodies in
the 1996, 2002, or 2004 Montana 303
(d) list. Swan Lake is currently
listed on the 2004 Montana 303(d)
list, but was not listed on the 1996
list. The 303(d) list is compiled
by the DEQ as required by Section
303(d) of the Federal Clean Water
Act and the EPA Water Quality
Planning and Management Regulations
(40 CFR, Part 130) . Under these
laws, DEQ is required to identify
waterbodies that do not fully meet
water-quality standards, or where
beneficial uses are threatened or
impaired. These waterbodies are
then characterized as "water quality
limited" and are, thus, tarqeted for
TMDL development. The TMDL process
is used to determine the total
allowable amount of pollutants in a
waterbody of a watershed. Each
contributinq source is allocated a
portion of the allowable limit.
These allocations are desiqned to
achieve water-quality standards.
The Montana Water Quality Act (MCA
15-5-101 throuqh 105) also directs
DEQ to assess the quality of State
waters, ensure that sufficient and
credible data exists to support a
303 (d) listinq, and develop TMDL for
those waters identified as
threatened or impaired. Under the
Montana TMDL Law, new or expanded
nonpoint-source activities affectinq
a listed waterbody may commence and
continue provided they are conducted
in accordance with all reasonable
land, soil, and water conservation
practices. DNRC will comply with
the TMDL Law and interim quidance
developed by DEQ throuqh
implementation of all reasonable
soil and water conservation
practices, includinq BMPs and the
Rules .
Swan Lake is currently listed as
threatened for aquatic life support
and cold-water fisheries. The
current listed cause of impairment
in Swan Lake is siltation; the
probable sources include buildinq
construction, hiqhway/road/bridqe
construction, loqqinq road
construction and maintenance, and
silviculture. Throuqh the Swan Lake
Watershed Group and its associated
Swan Lake Technical Advisory Group,
a water-quality restoration plan was
developed for Swan Lake in June
2004. The Swan Lake Watershed Group
and Technical Advisory Group are
comprised of local stakeholders and
include :
- the Swan Ecosystem Center,
Flathead Lake Bioloqical Station
at Yellow Bay, and Friends of the
Wild Swan;
- landowners, includinq the USDA
Forest Service, Montana DNRC, Plum
Creek Timber Company; and
- requlatory aqencies, includinq DEQ
and EPA.
The Water Quality Restoration Plan
was approved by EPA in Auqust 2004,
and activities are onqoinq to
correct current sources and causes
of sediment to Swan Lake and its
tributaries. DNRC is an active
partner and participant in this
process. All proposed activities
within the project area would
implement actions to alleviate
identified sources of sediment and
comply fully with all TMDL
requirements .
Montana SMZ Law
By the definition in ARM 36.11.312
(3), the majority of the South Fork
Lost Creek, Cilly Creek, and Soup
Creek watersheds are class 1 streams.
All of these streams and many of
their tributaries have flow for more
than 6 months each year. Many of
these stream reaches also support
fish. Some of the smaller first-
order tributaries may be classified
as class 2 or 3 based on site-
specific conditions.
> SEDIMENT DELIVERY
• South Fork Lost Creek
Based on field reconnaissance
from 2003 to 2005, stream
channels in the South Fork Lost
Creek watershed are primarily in
qood to fair condition. One
reach was rated in poor
condition and is located on and
around the section line between
Sections 2 and 3 where USFS
lands are intermixed with DNRC
lands. The reach represents
less than 5 percent of the total
length of streams in the
watershed and is located on both
State trust and FNF lands. The
primary reason for the poor-
stability rating is a midchannel
gravel bar that is a result of
debris jams. The South Fork
Lost Creek watershed has a high
supply of small- to moderate-
sized woody material due to
large avalanche chutes in the
headwater portions of the
drainage. Material deposited
after an avalanche is prone to
forming debris jams that
periodically break. With
continuous forming and reforming
of debris jams, gravel bars
frequently form upstream of the
jam features.
Most reaches of channel were
rated as B3 and B4 channels
using a classification system
developed by Rosgen (1996).
Channel types rated as "B" are
typically in the 2- to 4-percent
gradient range, and have a
moderate degree of meander
(sinuosity) . Channel-bed
materials in B3 and B4 types are
mainly cobble and gravel. Given
the cobble and gravel beds and
the gradient of these stream
types, bed materials commonly
move. Gravel bars have formed
on point bars in these reaches
(point bars are areas of natural
deposition found on the inside
of a meander bend) . No areas of
down-cut channels were
identified during field
reconnaissance. Large woody
debris was found in adequate
supply to support channel form
and function. Woody material in
a stream provides traps for
sediment storage and gradient
breaks to reduce erosive energy
and work as flow deflectors to
reduce bank erosion. Large
woody debris is also assessed
for its ability to provide
habitat for aquatic species.
These issues are discussed
further in APPENDIX E -
FISHERIES ANALYSIS. Little
evidence of past streamside
harvesting was found, and where
past logging took place in the
riparian area, no deficiency of
existing or potential down woody
material was apparent in the
streams .
Cilly Creek
Based on field reconnaissance
from 2003 to 2005, stream
reaches in the Cilly Creek
watershed were rated in good to
fair condition. Cilly Creek
flows perennially in most
reaches, but flow becomes
subsurface during the summer and
fall in some low-gradient
reaches in the valley bottom.
Stream reaches in the upper
portions of the watershed are
mainly A3 and A4 channels using
a classification system
developed by Rosgen (1996).
Channel types rated as "A" are
typically steeper than 4-percent
gradient and have a low degree
of meander (sinuosity) .
Channel-bed materials in A3 and
A4 types are mainly cobble and
gravel. Stream reaches are
mainly B4 and B5 in the lower
portions of the watershed.
Channel-bed materials in B4 and
B5 channels are mostly gravel
and coarse sand. Given the
cobble, gravel, and coarse sand
beds and the gradient of these
stream types, bed materials
commonly move. No areas of
down-cut channels were
identified during field
reconnaissance. Large woody
debris was found in adequate
supply to support channel form
and function. Woody material in
a stream provides traps for
sediment storage and gradient
breaks to reduce erosive energy
and work as flow deflectors to
reduce bank erosion. Large
woody debris is also assessed
for its ability to provide
habitat for aquatic species.
These issues are discussed
further in APPENDIX E -
FISHERIES ANALYSIS. Little
evidence of past streamside
harvesting was found, and, where
past logging took place in the
riparian area, no deficiency of
existing or potential down woody
material was apparent in the
streams .
Soup Creek
Based on field reconnaissance
from 2003 to 2005, stream
channels in the Soup Creek
watershed are primarily in good
to fair condition. An unnamed
tributary to Soup Creek had
reaches in the lower elevations
rated in poor condition. This
tributary begins in Section 23
on FNF land and flows west
through Section 22 of the
proposed project area. About
0.5 mile of stream on this
tributary is rated in poor
condition. This reach
represents less than 3 percent
of the total length of streams
in the watershed. The primary
reason for poor reach rating is
a gully cutting through an
alluvial fan. Alluvial fans are
areas where stream material has
been deposited for millennia,
are similar to a river delta,
and are usually found where a
stream comes out of a steep
canyon onto a broad, flat valley
bottom. Alluvial fans commonly
have streams that shift and jump
from one channel to another
because the material is easily
moved by flowing water. The
rest of the channel stability in
Soup Creek is described below.
Most reaches of the channel were
classified as B3 using a
classification system developed
by Rosgen (1996). Channel types
rated as "B" are typically in
the 2- to 4-percent gradient
range, and have a moderate
degree of meander (sinuosity) .
Channel bed materials in B3
types are mainly cobble with
some boulders and gravel. No
areas of down-cut channels were
identified during field
reconnaissance. Large woody
debris was found in adequate
supply to support channel form
and function. Woody material in
a stream provides traps for
sediment storage and gradient
breaks to reduce erosive energy
and work as flow deflectors to
reduce bank erosion. Large
woody debris is also assessed
for its ability to provide
habitat for aquatic species.
These issues are discussed
further in APPENDIX E -
FISHERIES ANALYSIS. The lower
reaches of the watershed flow
through a series of wetlands and
beaver ponds. The beaver dams
can lead to changing water
levels in the stream, but the
wetlands and beaver ponds tend
to moderate the high runoff
periods and settle out sediment
and channel bed materials that
may be carried downstream during
runoff. Past management of
streamside stands occurred in
the lower reaches of the
watershed. Where past logging
took place in the riparian area,
no deficiency of existing or
potential down woody material
was apparent in the stream.
Road System
The existing road system located
within and leading to the
proposed project area was
reviewed for existing and
potential sources of sediment.
In-channel and out-of-channel
sediment-source reviews were
conducted by DNRC hydrologists
and fisheries biologists, and
PBS&J Consulting (formerly Land
and Water Consulting) in
association with the development
of the Swan Lake Water Quality
Protection Plan and TMDL {DEQ
2005) . Based on the sediment-
source review conducted for the
Swan Lake TMDL, several existing
sources of sediment were
identified on the existing road
system. Each of the sources
identified in this analysis are
either found on DNRC ownership
or are associated with roads
that are under a Cost-Share
Agreement entered into by DNRC
and FNF . Most of the delivery
sites are located at stream
crossings, but a portion of the
South Fork Lost Creek road
system was also identified as a
chronic source of sediment
delivery to South Fork Lost
Creek. On this segment of road,
portions of the road fill are
located within the normal high-
water mark of the stream, and
over 0.5 mile of road is capable
of delivering sediment to the
stream. Another site that was
found to contribute large
volumes of sediment is located
in the Soup Creek canyon. An
existing bridge over Soup Creek
is aging and becoming rotten.
The east road approach to this
crossing is on a steep grade and
has no surface-drainage relief,
making it a chronic source of
sediment delivery. The total
estimated sediment delivery from
roads in the project area to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks are displayed in TABLE D-
1 - ESTIMATED SEDIMENT DELIVERY
TO STREAMS FROM THE EXISTING
ROAD SYSTEM. These sediment-
delivery values are estimates
based on procedures outlined
above and are not measured
values .
TABLE D-1 - ESTIMATED SEDIMENT DELIVERY TO
STREAMS FROM THE EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Existing tons
per year
19.8
2.9
35.6
Estimated sediment delivery
occurs primarily at stream
crossings, and sediment comes
from a variety of sources. The
South Fork Lost Creek and Soup
Creek watersheds each contain
existing crossings constructed
of wood and earth that are in
various stages of decay. These
crossings are located on DNRC-
managed lands on roads that have
not been used for several
decades. South Fork Lost Creek
has 2 wooden bridges with log
crib abutments that were
constructed in the 1960s; the
wood is very rotten and the
bridge decking is starting to
collapse. These 2 sites are not
currently a major source of
sediment in the watershed, but
the bridges are at high risk of
failure due to the decay of the
wood. Each abutment is
supporting 8 to 10 tons of fill
material that would be washed
down the creek should they fail.
In the Soup Creek watershed, 5
old crossing sites are at high
risk for sediment delivery to
Soup Creek. Two of these sites,
located in the Soup Creek
canyon, consist of dirt fill
material over logs spanning the
creek. The upper site has
approximately 35 tons of fill
material placed over the top of
the logs, and the lower site has
approximately 500 tons of
material placed over the top of
the logs. These 2 sites may
contribute minor amounts of
sediment to the stream during
high runoff, but these bridges
are at high risk of failure due
to the decay of the wood.
Should either or both of these
structures fail, most, if not
all, of the 35 tons and 500 tons
of material, respectively, would
be delivered to the stream. A
wooden bridge in the Soup Creek
canyon is constructed of log
crib abutments and is very
decayed. This site was
identified in the Swan Lake
Water Quality Protection Plan
(DEQ, 2005) as a major source of
sediment in the Swan Lake
watershed due to lack of surface
drainage and erosion control on
the road surface approaching the
bridge. In addition to this
finding, the site is at high
risk of failure due to decay of
the wood on the bridge
abutments. Each abutment is
supporting 8 to 10 tons of fill
material that would be washed
down the creek should they fail.
Two additional old bridge sites
exist in the lower reaches of
the Soup Creek watershed. One
is the original Swan Highway
bridge site. The deck was
removed years ago, but the
wooden bridge abutments are
still in place and are badly
decaying. Each abutment is
supporting 8 to 10 tons of fill
material that would be washed
down the creek should they fail.
The other, an old wooden bridge
site with no decking, is located
on a secondary road off Soup
Creek Road. The log stringers
and abutments are still in
place, but are decaying to the
point that the bridge is at high
risk of failure. The bridge
abutments are supporting 8 to 10
tons of fill material that would
be washed down the creek should
they fail.
Other sources of sediment
delivery found during the
inventory are located on sites
needing additional erosion
control and BMP upgrades. These
sites occur on older roads that
were constructed before the
adoption of forest management
BMPs .
Much of the existing road system
in the proposed project area
meets applicable BMPs. Past
project work installed surface
drainage on the road systems in
the lower portions of the Soup
Creek and Cilly Creek
watersheds .
> WATER YIELD
According to ARM 36.11 .423,
allowable water-yield increase
values were set at levels to
ensure compliance with all water-
quality standards, protect
beneficial uses, and exhibit a low
to moderate degree of risk. All
allowable water-yield increases in
project-area watersheds were set
using a low level of risk. This
means that the allowable level is
a point below where water yields
are unlikely to cause any
measurable or detectable changes
in channel stability. The
allowable water-yield increase for
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed has been set at 10
percent based on channel-stability
evaluations, watershed
sensitivity, and acceptable risk.
This water-yield increase would be
reached approximately when the ECA
level in South Fork Lost Creek
reaches the estimated level of
2,626 acres. The allowable water-
yield increase for the Cilly Creek
watershed has been set at 11
percent based on channel-stability
evaluations, watershed
sensitivity, and acceptable risk.
This water-yield increase would be
reached approximately when the ECA
level in Cilly Creek reaches the
estimated level of 1,448 acres.
The allowable water-yield increase
for the Soup Creek watershed has
been set at 9 percent based on
channel-stability evaluations,
watershed sensitivity, and
acceptable risk. This water-yield
increase would be reached
approximately when the ECA level
in Soup Creek reaches an estimated
2,202 acres. Based on review of
1963 aerial photography and DNRC
section records in the project
area, timber-harvesting and
associated road-construction
activities have taken place in the
South Fork Lost Creek, Cilly
Creek, and Soup Creek watersheds
since the 1950s. These
activities, combined with the
vegetative recovery that has
occurred, have led to an estimated
1.2-percent water-yield increase
over an unharvested condition in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed, 2.3 percent over an
unharvested condition in Cilly
Creek, and 1.0 percent over an
unharvested condition in Soup
Creek. TABLE D-2 - CURRENT WATER-
YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN THREE
CREEKS PROJECT AREA summarizes the
existing conditions for water
yield in the project area
watersheds. Estimated water yield
and ECA levels are very low in all
3 watersheds.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
SEDIMENT DELIVERY
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-^lction
Kltternative ,1 to Sediment Delivery
No-Action Alternative A would have
no direct effects to sediment
delivery beyond those currently
occurring. Existing sources of
sediment, both in channel and out
of channel, would continue to
recover or degrade based on
natural or preexisting conditions.
Indirect effects of No-Action
Alternative A would be an
increased risk of sediment
delivery to streams from crossings
that do not meet applicable BMPs.
These sites would continue to pose
a risk of sediment delivery to
streams until other funding became
available to repair them.
Direct and Indirect Effect* to Sediment
Delivery Common to miction Jllternatives B,
€,D,andE
Each of the proposed action
alternatives would replace the
wooden bridge over Soup Creek on
Soup Creek Canyon Road. Each
action alternative would also
permanently remove and
rehabilitate 2 log-and-earth-f ill
crossings in the upper reaches of
Soup Creek, an old wooden bridge
in the lower portion of the Soup
Creek watershed, and 2 old wooden
bridges on South Fork Lost Creek;
the abutments and fill from the
original Swan Highway bridge in
the lower reaches of Soup Creek
would also be permanently removed
and rehabilitated.
Replacement of the existing bridge
over Soup Creek on the Soup Creek
Canyon Road would involve removal
of the log crib walls and the fill
material they are currently
retaining. The existing structure
is beginning to decay and, over
time, would become an increasing
risk of failure due to decay in
the wood. A potential failure of
the wood cribbing could allow
several tons of sediment to enter
the stream. The proposed new
bridge would be designed to allow
the stream to flow freely through
with no constriction of the bank-
full channel. This would reduce
the potential for bank erosion and
channel downcutting that may occur
with vertical bridge abutments.
The new crossing would also
redesign the road approach on the
north side of Soup Creek to allow
runoff to be diverted from the
road surface away from the
TABLE D-2
AREA
- CURRENT WATER-YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN THREE CREEKS PROJECT
South Fork
Lost Creek
Cilly
Creek
Soup
Creek
Existing % water-yield increase
1.2
2.3
1.0
Allowable % water-yield increase
10
11
9
Existing ECA
310
348
428
Allowable ECA
2, 626
1,448
2,202
crossing site in both directions.
These improvements would lead to a
decrease in delivery of
approximately 23.8 tons of
sediment per year at this site.
Removal and rehabilitation of the
2 log/earth crossings in the upper
Soup Creek canyon would remove 2
potential sources of sediment. As
stated above, these 2 sites
contain 500 to 600 tons of fill
material. Removal of this
material and disposal outside of
the SMZ would remove the risk of
this material being delivered to
Soup Creek and Swan River. In the
short term, increases in the risk
of sediment delivery at
rehabilitated sites would
increase. This risk would be
highest in the year immediately
following the rehabilitation
activity and would decrease within
2 to 3 years to below preproject
levels as bare soil revegetates.
The rehabilitation activity would
produce some direct sediment
delivery, but this would be
minimized through the application
of sediment-control measures as
prescribed by a DNRC hydrologist
and fisheries biologist and a DFWP
fisheries biologist.
Removal and rehabilitation of the
2 wooden bridges over South Fork
Lost Creek, the existing wooden
bridge in the lower Soup Creek
watershed, and the existing log
cribs and abutments on the old
Swan Highway bridge site would
remove potential sources of
sediment. As stated above, each
of these 4 sites contain 16 to 20
tons of fill material (8 to 10
tons behind each abutment) .
Removal of this material and
disposal outside of the SMZ would
remove the risk of this material
being delivered to Soup Creek and
Swan River. In the short term,
increases in the risk of sediment
delivery at rehabilitated sites
would increase. This risk would
be highest in the year immediately
following the rehabilitation
activity and would decrease within
2 to 3 years to below preproject
levels as bare soil revegetates.
The rehabilitation activity would
produce some direct sediment
delivery, but this would be
minimized through applying
sediment-control measures as
prescribed by a DNRC hydrologist
and fisheries biologist and a DFWP
fisheries biologist.
Where South Fork Lost Creek Road
exists very near or within the
bankfull channel of South Fork
Lost Creek, portions of the road
would be permanently closed and
rehabilitated. The road would be
relocated up the slope, in general
keeping the road 200 feet or more
away from the stream. No live
stream crossings would be required
for the new construction, and the
old road would be rehabilitated,
revegetated, and permanently
reclaimed. This would reduce the
estimated sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost Creek by
approximately 18.9 tons per year
from the existing condition. In
the short term, increases in the
risk of sediment delivery at
rehabilitated sites would
increase. This risk would be
highest in the year immediately
following the rehabilitation
activity and would decrease within
2 to 3 years to below preproject
levels as bare soil revegetates.
The rehabilitation activity would
produce some direct sediment
delivery, but this would be
minimized through the application
of sediment-control measures as
prescribed by a DNRC hydrologist
and fisheries biologist and a
fisheries biologist from DFWP.
Direct and Indirect Effect* to Sediment
Delivery Common to Jlction Jllternatiees D
and E
Proposed Action Alternatives D and
E would each use the existing road
system in the Cliff Creek portion
of the South Fork Lost watershed.
Portions of this road system are
located on FNF-managed land and
are part of a FRTA Cost-Share
Agreement. This road system
crosses Cliff Creek in Section 7
of T24N, R16W, on FNF-managed
lands. The stream crossing
structure was removed and the site
armored with angular rock and
vegetation within the last 10
years. This crossing site would
reguire the placement of a
temporary bridge for the duration
of activities to facilitate access
to DNRC-managed lands to the west.
No disturbance to existing banks
would occur from the placement of
the bridge; the structure would
span the existing site. Fill
material would be placed on the
road surface to ramp up to the
bridge. This fill would create a
risk of sediment delivery to Cliff
Creek due to bare soil. This risk
would be minimized through the
existing vegetation on the site,
application of all applicable
BMPs, and erosion-control seeding.
Upon project completion, the
bridge would be removed and the
fill material pulled away from the
stream. This material would
remain on-site and be erosion-
control seeded to stabilize bare
soil and reduce the risk of
erosion and sediment delivery.
This would create a short-term
increase in the risk of sediment
delivery. This risk would be
minimized by all applicable BMPs
and would decrease within 2 to 3
years to preproject levels as bare
soil revegetates.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
Jllternatire B to Sediment Delivery
Several stream crossings would be
replaced in the watersheds of the
proposed project area and along
the proposed haul routes, and
erosion control and BMPs would be
improved on approximately 47 miles
of existing road. This work
would :
- decrease the estimated sediment
load to South Fork Lost Creek by
an additional 0.4 tons of
sediment beyond the reduction
shown in Effects Common to
Action Alternatives B, C, D, and
E, for a total reduction of
approximately 19.3 tons of
sediment per year;
- reduce the estimated sediment
load to Cilly Creek by
approximately 1.0 ton per year;
and
- reduce the estimated sediment
load to Soup Creek by an
additional 9.8 tons of sediment
beyond the reduction shown in
Effects Common to Action
Alternatives B, C, D, and E, for
a total reduction of
approximately 33.6 tons per
year .
These projected sediment
reductions are net values for each
watershed. These values include
the projected increases in
sediment delivery from new stream
crossings and new road
construction, as well as projected
sediment reductions from BMP
improvements and road and stream-
crossing rehabilitation and
removal. A more detailed summary
of sediment delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Action Alternative B would also
construct approximately 13.0 miles
of new road and approximately 5.3
miles of temporary road to access
proposed harvest units. The
impacts of proposed new roads are
primarily associated with new
stream crossings. These impacts
are discussed above and in TABLE
D-3 (4, 5) - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT
DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK (CILLY CREEK, SOUP CREEK)
WATERSHED. The remainder of the
impacts of new and temporary road
construction is related to the
risk of erosion resulting from
exposure of bare soil. The risk
of sediment delivery from new
permanent roads is low where these
roads are located away from stream
crossings. As cutslopes and
fillslopes revegetate, this risk
would decrease. The installation
of surface drainage and the
implementation of other BMPs and
the Rules would further reduce the
risk of erosion or sediment
delivery from new roads.
Temporary roads would be
decommissioned immediately
following the completion of
activities in the proposed units.
The decommissioned road would
present an increased risk of
sediment delivery until bare soil
is revegetated.
Action Alternative B proposes to
replace 3 existing stream
crossings in the project area.
Two replacements are existing
culverts on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek, and the third is
the existing wooden bridge over
Soup Creek on Soup Creek Canyon
Road. Crossings proposed for
replacement do not currently meet
all applicable BMPs; in order to
meet applicable standards, a
bridge would be required on the
Soup Creek Canyon Road and a new
culvert would be required on the
following stream crossing sites:
two locations along an unnamed
tributary to Soup Creek. The
replacement of existing stream
crossings would contribute
sediment directly to the streams
where work would be conducted.
This sediment would be minimized
through the application of
standard erosion-control measures.
The sediment delivery anticipated
from this project would be short
term and would comply with all
applicable permits and State
water-quality laws. In addition,
several sites would have
additional erosion control added
to lower the risk of sediment
delivery to a stream or draw. In
some cases, the addition of
erosion-control measures may
increase the risk of sediment
delivery in the short term by
creating bare soil. However, as
these sites revegetate, the long-
term risk of sedimentation to a
stream would be reduced to levels
lower than the existing condition.
Two new stream crossings proposed
with Action Alternative B would be
installed in the upper reaches of
an unnamed tributary to Soup Creek
that flows through Section 22 of
the proposed project area. These
crossings would be located in deep
"v"-shaped valleys with steep
sideslopes (60 to 80 percent) .
Due to the steepness of the
sideslopes coming into the
proposed crossings, cutslopes
would be much higher than those on
standard stream crossings. This
type of road construction does not
use fill material; all material
cut in order to construct these
portions of road would be hauled
away in trucks, so the only risk
to assess at these sites is
associated with the cutslopes and
road travel surface. This
increase in cutslope height would
increase the risk of cutslope
material being eroded and routed
to streams. The soil parent
material is glacial till at these
sites, which also may increase the
risk of material either being
eroded or having small cutslope
failures fill and plug the road
ditches. With all applicable BMPs
in place at these sites, the risk
of erosion problems sending
sediment to a stream is moderate.
This means that there is
approximately a 50-percent chance
that impacts may occur as a result
of construction. Potential
impacts to water quality are
moderate. Therefore, if impacts
would occur, they would be
detectable or measurable, and
these impacts may or may not be
detrimental to downstream
beneficial uses.
Action Alternative B would have a
low risk of sediment delivery to
streams as a result of proposed
timber-harvesting activities. The
SMZ law. Rules, and applicable
BMPs would be applied to all
harvesting activities, which would
minimize the risk of sediment
delivery to draws and streams.
The Montana BMP audit process has
been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
BMPs since 1990; this process has
also been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
the SMZ Law since 1996. During
that time, evaluation of ground-
based skidding practices near
riparian areas had been rated 92-
percent effective, and these same
practices have been found
effective over 99 percent of the
time from 1998 to present {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . Since 1996,
effectiveness of the SMZ width has
been rated over 99 percent {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . As a result,
with the application of BMPs and
the SMZ Law, proposed activities
are expected to have a low risk of
low impacts to sediment delivery.
Harvesting activities are proposed
within the South Fork Lost Creek
and Cilly Creek SMZs. These
activities would follow all
requirements of the SMZ Law and
Forest Management Rules and would
have a low risk of affecting
channel stability and sediment
transport through reduced
recruitment of large woody
material to South Fork Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, or their tributaries.
A more in-depth discussion of the
impacts of riparian harvesting can
be found in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
JlUernative Cto Sediment Delivery
Several stream crossings in the
proposed project area watersheds
and along the proposed haul route
would be replaced, and erosion
control and BMPs would be improved
on approximately 65 miles of
existing road. This work would:
- decrease the estimated sediment
load to South Fork Lost Creek by
an additional 0.4 tons of
sediment beyond the reduction
shown in Effects Common to
Action Alternatives B, C, D, and
E, for a total reduction of
approximately 19.3 tons of
sediment per year;
- reduce the estimated sediment
load to Cilly Creek by
approximately 1.0 ton per year;
and
- reduce the estimated sediment
load to Soup Creek by an
additional 9.8 tons of sediment
beyond the reduction shown in
Effects Common to Action
Alternatives B, C, D, and E, for
a total reduction of
approximately 33.6 tons per
year .
These projected sediment
reductions are net values for each
watershed. These values include
the projected increases in
sediment delivery from new stream
crossings and new road
construction, as well as projected
sediment reductions from BMP
improvements and road and stream-
crossing rehabilitation and
removal. A more detailed summary
of sediment delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Action Alternative C would also
construct approximately 12.4 miles
of new road and approximately 6.9
miles of temporary road to access
proposed harvest units. The
impacts of proposed new roads are
primarily associated with new
stream crossings. These impacts
are discussed above and in TABLE
D-3 (4, 5) - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT
DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK (CILLY CREEK, SOUP CREEK)
WATERSHED. The remainder of the
impacts of new and temporary road
construction is related to the
risk of erosion resulting from
exposure of bare soil. The risk
of sediment delivery from new
permanent roads is low where these
roads are located away from stream
crossings. As cutslopes and
fillslopes revegetate, this risk
would decrease. Installation of
surface drainage and the
implementation of other BMPs and
the Rules would further reduce the
risk of erosion or sediment
delivery from new roads .
Temporary roads would be
decommissioned immediately
following the completion of
activities in the proposed units.
The decommissioned road would
present an increased risk of
sediment delivery until bare soil
is revegetated.
Action Alternative C proposes to
replace 3 existing stream
crossings in the project area.
Two replacements are existing
culverts on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek, and the third is
the existing wooden bridge over
Soup Creek on Soup Creek Canyon
Road. Crossings proposed for
replacement do not currently meet
all applicable BMPs; in order to
meet applicable standards, a
bridge would be required on Soup
Creek Canyon Road, and new
culverts would be required on the
stream-crossing sites at two
locations on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek. The replacement of
existing stream crossings would
contribute sediment directly to
the streams where work would be
conducted. This sediment would be
minimized through the application
of standard erosion-control
measures. The sediment delivery
anticipated from this project
would be short-term and comply
with all applicable permits and
State water-quality laws. In
addition, several sites would have
additional erosion control added
to lower the risk of sediment
delivery to a stream or draw. In
some cases, the addition of
erosion-control measures may
increase the risk of sediment
delivery in the short term by
creating bare soil. However, as
these sites revegetate, the long-
term risk of sedimentation to a
stream would be reduced to levels
lower than the existing condition.
Two new stream crossings proposed
with Action Alternative C would be
installed in the upper reaches of
an unnamed tributary to Soup Creek
flowing through Section 22 of the
proposed project area. These
crossings would be located in deep
"v"-shaped valleys with steep
sideslopes (60 to 80 percent) .
Due to the steepness of the
sideslopes coming into the
proposed crossings, cutslopes
would be much higher than those on
standard stream crossings. This
type of road construction does not
use fill material; all material
cut in order to construct these
portions of road would be hauled
away in trucks, so the only risk
to assess at these sites is
associated with the cutslopes and
road travel surface. This
increase in cutslope height would
increase the risk of cutslope
material being eroded and routed
to streams. The soil parent
material is glacial till at these
sites, which also may increase the
risk of material either being
eroded or having small cutslope
failures fill and plug the road
ditches. With all applicable BMPs
in place at these sites, the risk
of erosion problems sending
sediment to a stream is moderate.
This means that there is
approximately a 50-percent chance
that impacts may occur as a result
of construction. Potential
impacts to water quality are
moderate. Therefore, if impacts
would occur, they would be
detectable or measurable, and
these impacts may or may not be
detrimental to downstream
beneficial use.
Action Alternative C would have a
low risk of sediment delivery to
streams as a result of proposed
timber-harvesting activities. The
SMZ law. Rules, and applicable
BMPs would be applied to all
harvesting activities, which would
minimize the risk of sediment
delivery to draws and streams.
The Montana BMP audit process has
been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
BMPs since 1990; this process has
also been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
the SMZ Law since 1996. During
that time, evaluation of ground-
based skidding practices near
riparian areas had been rated 92-
percent effective, and these same
practices have been found
effective over 99 percent of the
time from 1998 to present {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . Since 1996,
effectiveness of the SMZ width has
been rated over 99 percent {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . As a result,
with the application of BMPs and
the SMZ Law, proposed activities
are expected to have a low risk of
low impacts to sediment delivery.
Harvesting activities are proposed
within the South Fork Lost Creek
and Cilly Creek SMZs. These
activities would follow all
reguirements of the SMZ Law and
the Rules, and would have a low
risk of affecting channel
stability and sediment transport
through reduced recruitment of
large woody material to South Fork
Lost Creek, Cilly Creek, or their
tributaries. A more in-depth
discussion of the impacts of
riparian harvesting can be found
in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
Of reef and Indireet Effeets ofJletion
Jlltemative D to Sedhneiit Delivery
Several stream crossings would be
replaced in the proposed project-
area watersheds and along the
proposed haul route, and erosion
control and BMPs would be improved
on approximately 84 miles of
existing road. This work would
create an estimated net increase
of 0.6 tons of sediment load to
South Fork Lost Creek. This
projected increase, when combined
with the estimated reduction shown
in Effects Common to Action
Alternatives B, C, D, and E,
amounts to:
- a total estimated reduction of
approximately 18.7 tons of
sediment per year;
- a reduction in the estimated
sediment load to Cilly Creek by
approximately 0.6 tons per year;
and
- a reduction in the estimated
sediment load to Soup Creek by
an additional 9.8 tons of
sediment beyond the reduction
shown in Effects Common to
Action Alternatives B, C, D and
E, for a total reduction of
approximately 33.6 tons per
year .
These projected sediment
reductions are net values for each
watershed. These values include
the projected increases in
sediment delivery from new stream
crossings and new road
construction, as well as projected
sediment reductions from BMP
improvements and road and stream-
crossing rehabilitation and
removal. A more detailed summary
of sediment-delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Action Alternative D would also
construct approximately 16 miles
of new road and approximately 4.5
miles of temporary road to access
proposed harvest units. The
impacts of the proposed new roads
are primarily associated with new
stream crossings. These impacts
are discussed above and in TABLE
D-3 (4, 5) - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT
DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK (CILLY CREEK, SOUP CREEK)
WATERSHED. The remainder of the
impacts of new and temporary road
construction is related to the
risk of erosion resulting from
exposure of bare soil. The risk
of sediment delivery from new
permanent roads is low where these
roads are located away from stream
crossings. As cutslopes and
fillslopes revegetate, this risk
would decrease. Installation of
surface drainage and other
implementations of BMPs and the
Rules would further reduce the
risk of erosion or sediment
delivery from new roads .
Temporary roads would be
decommissioned immediately
following the completion of
activities in the proposed units.
The decommissioned roads would
present an increased risk of
sediment delivery until bare soil
is revegetated.
Action Alternative D proposes to
replace 4 existing stream
crossings in the project area.
Two replacements are existing
culverts on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek, another is the
existing wooden bridge over Soup
Creek on Soup Creek Canyon Road,
and the fourth is an existing
culvert on Cliff Creek. Crossings
proposed for replacement do not
currently meet all applicable
BMPs; in order to meet applicable
standards, a bridge would be
reguired on Soup Creek Canyon Road
and new culverts would be reguired
on stream crossing sites at two
locations on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek, and an existing
culvert on Cliff Creek. The
replacement of existing stream
crossings would contribute
sediment directly to the streams
where work would be conducted.
This sediment would be minimized
through the application of
standard erosion-control measures.
The sediment delivery anticipated
from this project would be short
term and comply with all
applicable permits and State
water-guality laws. In addition,
several sites would have
additional erosion control added
to lower the risk of sediment
delivery to a stream or draw. In
some cases, the addition of
erosion-control measures may
increase the risk of sediment
delivery in the short term by
creating bare soil. However, as
these sites revegetate, the long-
term risk of sedimentation to a
stream would be reduced to levels
lower than the existing condition.
Two new stream crossings proposed
with Action Alternative D would be
installed in the upper reaches of
an unnamed tributary to Soup Creek
that flows through Section 22 of
the proposed project area. Action
Alternative D also proposes to
install a new stream crossing in
the upper reaches of Cilly Creek
in the eastern portion of Section
14. These crossings would be
located in deep "v"-shaped valleys
with steep sideslopes (60 to 80
percent) . Due to the steepness of
the sideslopes coming into the
proposed crossings, cutslopes
would be much higher than those on
standard stream crossings. This
type of road construction does not
use fill material; all material
cut in order to construct these
portions of road would be hauled
away in trucks, so the only risk
to assess at these sites is
associated with the cutslopes and
road travel surface. This
increase in cutslope height would
increase the risk of cutslope
material being eroded and routed
to streams. The soil parent
material is glacial till at these
sites, which also may increase the
risk of material either being
eroded or having small cutslope
sloughs fill and plug the road
ditches. With all applicable BMPs
in place at these sites, the risk
of erosion problems sending
sediment to a stream is moderate.
This means that there is
approximately a 50-percent chance
that impacts may occur as a result
of construction. Potential
impacts to water guality are
moderate. Therefore, if impacts
would occur, they would be
detectable or measurable, and
these impacts may or may not be
detrimental to downstream
beneficial uses.
Action Alternative D would have a
low risk of sediment delivery to
streams as a result of proposed
timber-harvesting activities. The
SMZ law. Rules, and all applicable
BMPs would be applied to all
harvesting activities, which would
minimize the risk of sediment
delivery to draws and streams.
The Montana BMP audit process has
been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
BMPs since 1990; this process has
also been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
the SMZ Law since 1996. During
that time, evaluation of ground-
based skidding practices near
riparian areas had been rated 92-
percent effective, and these same
practices have been found
effective over 99 percent of the
time from 1998 to present {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . Since 1996,
effectiveness of the SMZ width has
been rated over 99 percent {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . As a result,
with the application of BMPs and
the SMZ Law, proposed activities
are expected to have a low risk of
low impacts to sediment delivery.
Harvesting activities are proposed
within the South Fork Lost Creek
and Cilly Creek SMZs. These
activities would follow all
requirements of the SMZ Law and
the Rules and have a low risk of
affecting channel stability and
sediment transport through reduced
recruitment of large woody
material to South Fork Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, or their tributaries.
A more in-depth discussion of the
impacts of riparian harvesting can
be found in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of .fiction
^llternatire E to Sediment Delirery
Several stream crossings would be
replaced in the proposed project
area watersheds and along the
proposed haul route, and erosion
control and BMPs would be improved
on approximately 90 miles of
existing road. This work would
create an estimated net increase
of 0.6 tons of sediment load to
South Fork Lost Creek. This
projected increase when combined
with the estimated reduction shown
in Effects Common to Action
Alternatives B, C, D, and E
amounts to:
- a total estimated reduction of
approximately 18.7 tons of
sediment per year;
- a reduction in the estimated
sediment load to Cilly Creek by
approximately 1.0 ton per year,
and a reduction in the estimated
sediment load to Soup Creek by
an additional 10.1 tons of
sediment beyond the reduction
shown in Effects Common to
Action Alternatives B, C, D, and
E, for a total reduction of
approximately 33.9 tons per
year .
These projected sediment
reductions are net values for each
watershed. These values include
the projected increases in
sediment delivery from new stream
crossings and new road
construction, as well as projected
sediment reductions from BMP
improvements and road and stream-
crossing rehabilitation and
removal. A more detailed summary
of sediment delivery estimates can
be found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Action Alternative E would also
construct approximately 7.5 miles
of new road and approximately 3
miles of temporary road to access
proposed harvest units. The
impacts of the proposed new roads
are primarily associated with new
stream crossings. These impacts
are discussed above and in TABLE
D-3 (4, 5) - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT
DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK (CILLY CREEK, SOUP CREEK)
WATERSHED. The remainder of the
impacts of new and temporary road
construction is related to the
risk of erosion resulting from
exposure of bare soil. The risk
of sediment delivery from new
permanent roads is low where these
roads are located away from stream
crossings. As cutslopes and
fillslopes revegetate, this risk
would decrease. Installation of
surface drainage and the
implementation of other BMPs and
the Rules would further reduce the
risk of erosion or sediment
delivery from new roads .
Temporary roads would be
decommissioned immediately
following the completion of
activities in the proposed units.
The decommissioned roads would
present an increased risk of
sediment delivery until bare soil
is revegetated.
Action Alternative E proposes to
replace 4 existing stream
crossings in the project area.
Two replacements are existing
culverts on an unnamed tributary
to Soup Creek, another is the
existing wooden bridge over Soup
Creek on Soup Creek Canyon Road,
and the fourth is an existing
culvert on Cliff Creek. Crossings
proposed for replacement do not
currently meet all applicable
BMPs; in order to meet applicable
standards, a bridge would be
required on Soup Creek Canyon Road
and a new culvert would be
required on the stream crossing
sites at two locations along an
unnamed tributary to Soup Creek,
and an existing culvert on Cliff
Creek. The replacement of
existing stream crossings would
contribute sediment directly to
the streams where work would be
conducted. This sediment would be
minimized through the application
of standard erosion-control
measures. The sediment delivery
anticipated from this project
would be short term and comply
with applicable permits and State
water-quality laws. In addition,
several sites would have
additional erosion control added
to lower the risk of sediment
delivery to a stream or draw. In
some cases, the addition of
erosion-control measures may
increase the risk of sediment
delivery in the short term by
creating bare soil. However, as
these sites revegetate, the long-
term risk of sedimentation to a
stream would be reduced to levels
lower than the existing condition.
Action Alternative E would have a
low risk of sediment delivery to
streams as a result of proposed
timber-harvesting activities. The
SMZ law. Rules, and applicable
BMPs would be applied to all
harvesting activities, which would
minimize the risk of sediment
delivery to draws and streams.
The Montana BMP audit process has
been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
BMPs since 1990; this process has
also been used to evaluate the
application and effectiveness of
the SMZ Law since 1996. During
that time, evaluation of ground-
based skidding practices near
riparian areas has been rated 92-
percent effective, and these same
practices have been found
effective over 99 percent of the
time from 1998 to present {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . Since 1996,
effectiveness of the SMZ width has
been rated over 99 percent {DNRC,
1990 through 2004) . As a result,
with the application of BMPs and
the SMZ Law, proposed activities
are expected to have a low risk of
low impacts to sediment delivery.
Harvesting activities are proposed
within the South Fork Lost Creek
and Cilly Creek SMZs. This
harvesting activity would follow
all requirements of the SMZ Law
and the Rules and would have a low
risk of affecting channel
stability and sediment transport
through reduced recruitment of
large woody material to South Fork
Lost Creek, Cilly Creek, or their
tributaries. A more in-depth
discussion of the impacts of
riparian harvesting can be found
in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
• Ciimiilatii'e Effects ofJWo-Jlction Jllternative
Jl to Sediment Delivery
The cumulative effects would be
very similar to those described in
the EXISTING CONDITIONS portion of
this analysis. All existing
sources of sediment would continue
to recover or degrade as dictated
by natural and preexisting
conditions until a source of
funding became available to repair
them. Sediment loads would remain
at or near present levels.
• Cinniilative Effects of„lction ^llternative B to
Sediment Delivery
Cumulative effects to sediment
delivery would be primarily
related to roadwork and stream-
crossing replacements. Sediment
generated from the replacement of
existing culverts would increase
the total sediment load in project
area streams for the duration of
activity. These increases would
not exceed any State water-quality
laws and would follow all
applicable recommendations given
in the 124 permit and 3A
Authorization. In the long term,
the cumulative effects to sediment
delivery would be a reduction from
approximately 19.8 tons of
sediment per year to approximately
0.5 tons of sediment per year in
South Fork Lost Creek, a reduction
from 2 . 9 tons per year to
approximately 1.9 tons per year in
Cilly Creek, and a reduction from
35.6 tons per year to 1.9 tons per
year in Soup Creek. These values
include projected increases from
new road and stream-crossing
construction, potential increases
from the replacement of existing
stream-crossing structures, and
the projected reductions in
sediment delivery from upgrading
surface drainage, erosion control,
and BMPs on existing roads. A
summary of sediment-delivery
estimates is found in TABLE D-3
(4, 5) - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT
DELIVERY IN THE SOTH FORK LOST
CREEK (CILLY CREEK, SOUP CREEK)
WATERSHED at the end of the
SEDIMENT DELIVERY effects. As the
sites stabilize and revegetate,
sediment levels resulting from
culvert replacements would
decrease further from projected
levels as work sites are closed
and reclaimed roads revegetate and
stabilize. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment loads would be
reduced due to better design on
the crossings. The improved
design would reduce the risk of
structure failures, which would
reduce the risk of sediment
delivery to Swan River and other
downstream waters.
The construction of new roads and
stream crossings and the
installation and improvement of
erosion-control and surface-
drainage features on existing
roads would also affect the
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks as described above. In the
short term, new road construction
and the installation and
improvement of surface drainage
features would expose bare soil,
which would increase the risk of
short-term sediment delivery to
the streams in and around the
proposed project area. The
application of all applicable BMPs
during this work would minimize
the risk of potential short-term
sediment loading to downstream
waters. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks is projected to be lower
than existing conditions.
Projected increases in sediment
delivery from new road and stream-
crossing construction would be far
less than the sediment-delivery
decreases expected with the
installation of more effective
surface-drainage and erosion-
control features on the existing
road system. The net long-term
effect to sediment delivery from
this alternative is expected to be
a cumulative decrease from
preproject levels.
The harvesting of trees within an
SMZ would have a low risk of
adverse cumulative effects to
channel stability and sediment
transport due to reduced down
woody material in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks or their
tributaries. Tree-retention
requirements of the SMZ Law and
Forest Management Rules would
ensure a future supply of woody
material to creeks in the project
area. A more in-depth discussion
of the impacts of riparian
harvesting is discussed in
APPENDIX E - FISHERIES ANALYSIS.
Action Alternative B has a low
risk of adverse cumulative impacts
to sediment yield in project-area
watersheds and presents a low risk
to adversely affect downstream
beneficial uses. Implementation
of BMPs, the SMZ Law, and Forest
Management Rules would ensure a
low risk of increased sediment
delivery, and improvements to the
existing road system would
substantially reduce cumulative
levels of sedimentation from
current levels. All activities
would comply with applicable laws,
rules, and regulations.
Ctrmiilatit'e Effects of„letion jllterHative Cfo
Sedim eiit Delivery
Cumulative effects would be
primarily related to roadwork and
stream-crossing replacements. The
sediment generated from the
replacement of existing culverts
would increase the total sediment
load in project-area streams for
the duration of activity. These
increases would not exceed any
State water-quality laws and would
follow all applicable
recommendations given in the 124
permit and 3A Authorization. In
the long term, the cumulative
effects to sediment delivery would
be a reduction from approximately
19.8 tons of sediment per year to
approximately 0.5 tons of sediment
per year in the South Fork Lost
Creek, reduction from 2.9 tons per
year to approximately 1.9 tons per
year in Cilly Creek, and reduction
from 35.6 tons per year to 1.9
tons per year in Soup Creek.
These values include projected
increases from new road and
stream-crossing construction,
potential increases from
replacement of existing stream-
crossing structures, and the
projected reductions in sediment
delivery from upgrading surface
drainage, erosion control, and
BMPs on existing roads. A summary
of sediment delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED at
the end of the SEDIMENT DELIVERY
effects. As the sites stabilize
and revegetate, sediment levels
resulting from culvert
replacements would decrease
further from projected levels as
work sites are closed and
reclaimed roads revegetate and
stabilize. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment loads would be
reduced due to a better design on
the crossings. Improved design
would reduce the risk of structure
failures, which would reduce the
risk of sediment delivery to Swan
River and other downstream waters.
The construction of new roads and
stream crossings and installation
and improvement of erosion-control
and surface-drainage features on
existing roads would also affect
the cumulative sediment delivery
to South Fork Lost, Cilly, and
Soup creeks as described above.
In the short term, new road
construction and the installation
and improvement of surface-
drainage features would expose
bare soil. This would increase
the risk of short-term sediment
delivery to the streams in and
around the proposed project area.
The application of all applicable
BMPs during this work would
minimize the risk of potential
short-term sediment loading to
downstream waters. Over the long
term, cumulative sediment delivery
to South Fork Lost, Cilly, and
Soup creeks is projected to be
lower than existing conditions.
Projected increases in sediment
delivery from new road and stream-
crossing construction would be far
less than the expected sediment
delivery decreases expected with
the installation of more effective
surface-drainage and erosion-
control features on the existing
road system. The net long-term
effect to sediment delivery from
this alternative is expected to be
a cumulative decrease from
preproject levels.
The harvesting of trees within a
SMZ would have a low risk of
adverse cumulative effects to
channel stability and sediment
transport due to reduced down
woody material in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup Creek or their
tributaries. Tree-retention
requirements of the SMZ Law and
the Rules would ensure a future
supply of woody material to creeks
in the project area. A more in-
depth discussion of the impacts of
riparian harvesting is discussed
in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
Action Alternative C has a low
risk of adverse cumulative impacts
to sediment yield in project area
watersheds and presents a low risk
to adversely affect downstream
beneficial uses. Implementation
of BMPs, the SMZ Law, and the
Rules would ensure a low risk of
increased sediment delivery, and
improvements to the existing road
system would substantially reduce
cumulative levels of sedimentation
from current levels. All
activities would comply with
applicable laws. Rules, and
regulations .
• Cnmtilative Effects ofjlction JlUernative D to
Sediment Delivery
Cumulative effects would be
primarily related to roadwork and
stream-crossing replacements. The
sediment generated from the
replacement of existing culverts
would increase the total sediment
load in project-area streams for
the duration of activity. These
increases would not exceed any
State water-quality laws and would
follow all applicable
recommendations given in the 124
permit and 3A Authorization. In
the long term, the cumulative
effects to sediment delivery would
be a reduction from approximately
19.8 tons of sediment per year to
approximately 1.1 tons of sediment
per year in South Fork Lost Creek,
a reduction from 2.9 tons per year
to approximately 2.3 tons per year
in Cilly Creek, and a reduction
from 35.6 tons per year to 1.9
tons per year in Soup Creek.
These values include projected
increases from new road and
stream-crossing construction,
potential increases from
replacement of existing stream-
crossing structures, and the
projected reductions in sediment
delivery from upgrading surface
drainage, erosion control, and
BMPs on existing roads. A summary
of sediment-delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED at
the end of the SEDIMENT DELIVERY
effects. As sites stabilize and
revegetate, sediment levels
resulting from culvert
replacements would decrease
further from projected levels as
work sites are closed and
reclaimed roads revegetate and
stabilize. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment loads would be
reduced due to a better design on
the crossings. Improved design
would reduce the risk of structure
failures, which would reduce the
risk of sediment delivery to Swan
River and other downstream waters.
The construction of new roads and
stream crossings and the
installation and improvement of
erosion-control and surface-
drainage features on existing
roads would also affect the
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
Creek as described above. In the
short term, new road construction
and the installation and
improvement of surface-drainage
features would expose bare soil,
which would increase the risk of
short-term sediment delivery to
the streams in and around the
proposed project area. The
application of all applicable BMPs
during this work would minimize
the risk of potential short-term
sediment loading to downstream
waters. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks is projected to be lower
than existing conditions.
Projected increases in sediment
delivery from new road and stream-
crossing construction would be far
less than the expected sediment-
delivery decreases expected with
the installation of more effective
surface-drainage and erosion-
control features on the existing
road system. The net long-term
effect to sediment delivery from
this alternative is expected to be
a cumulative decrease from
preproject levels.
The harvesting of trees within an
SMZ would have a low risk of
adverse cumulative effects to
channel stability and sediment
transport due to reduced down
woody material in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks or their
tributaries. Tree-retention
requirements of the SMZ Law and
the Rules would ensure a future
supply of woody material to creeks
in the project area. A more in-
depth discussion of the impacts of
riparian harvesting is discussed
in APPENDIX E
ANALYSIS.
FISHERIES
Action Alternative D has a low
risk of adverse cumulative impacts
to sediment yield in project-area
watersheds and presents a low risk
to adversely affecting downstream
beneficial uses. Implementation
of BMPs, the SMZ Law, and the
Rules would ensure a low risk of
increased sediment delivery, and
improvements to the existing road
system would substantially reduce
cumulative levels of sedimentation
from current levels. All
activities would comply with
applicable laws, rules, and
regulations .
Cnmiilatit'e Effects ofJletion jlUerHative E to
Sediment Delivery
Cumulative effects would be
primarily related to roadwork and
stream-crossing replacements. The
sediment generated from the
replacement of existing culverts
would increase the total sediment
load in project-area streams for
the duration of activity. These
increases would not exceed any
State water-quality laws and would
follow all applicable
recommendations given in the 124
permit and 3A Authorization. In
the long term, the cumulative
effects to sediment delivery would
be a reduction from approximately
19.8 tons of sediment per year to
approximately 1.1 tons of sediment
per year in South Fork Lost Creek,
a reduction from 2.9 tons per year
to approximately 1.9 tons per year
in Cilly Creek, and a reduction
from 35.6 tons per year to 1.7
tons per year in Soup Creek.
These values include projected
increases from new road and
stream-crossing construction,
potential increases from the
replacement of existing stream-
crossing structures, and the
projected reductions in sediment
delivery from upgrading surface
drainage, erosion control, and
BMPs on existing roads. A summary
of sediment delivery estimates is
found in TABLE D-3 (4, 5) -
ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN
THE SOUTH FORK LOST (CILLY CREEK,
SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED at the end
of the SEDIMENT DELIVERY effects.
As the sites stabilize and
revegetate, sediment levels
resulting from culvert
replacements would decrease
further from projected levels as
work sites are closed and
reclaimed roads revegetate and
stabilize. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment loads would be
reduced due to better design on
the crossings. Improved design
would reduce the risk of structure
failures, which would reduce the
risk of sediment delivery to Swan
River and other downstream waters.
The construction of new roads and
stream crossings and the
installation and improvement of
erosion-control and surface-
drainage features on existing
roads would also affect the
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks as described above. In the
short term, new road construction
and the installation and
improvement of surface-drainage
features would expose bare soil,
which would increase the risk of
short-term sediment delivery to
the streams in and around the
proposed project area. The
application of all applicable BMPs
during this work would minimize
the risk of potential short-term
sediment loading to downstream
waters. Over the long term,
cumulative sediment delivery to
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks is projected to be lower
than existing conditions.
Projected increases in sediment
delivery from new road and stream-
crossing construction would be far
less than the sediment-delivery
decreases expected with the
installation of more effective
surface-drainage and erosion-
control features on the existing
road system. The net long-term
effect to sediment delivery from
this alternative is expected to be
a cumulative decrease from
preproject levels.
The harvesting of trees within an
SMZ would have a low risk of
adverse cumulative effects to
channel stability and sediment
transport due to reduced down
woody material in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks or their
tributaries. Tree-retention
requirements of the SMZ Law and
the Rules would ensure a future
supply of woody material to creeks
in the project area. A more in-
depth discussion of the impacts of
riparian harvesting is discussed
in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS.
Action Alternative E has a low risk
of adverse cumulative impacts to
sediment yield in project-area
watersheds and presents a low risk
to adversely affect downstream
beneficial uses. Implementation of
BMPs, the SMZ Law, and the Rules
would ensure a low risk of
increased sediment delivery, and
improvements to the existing road
system would substantially reduce
cumulative levels of sedimentation
from current levels. All
activities would comply with
applicable laws, rules, and
regulations .
TABLE D-3 - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Existing delivery (tons/year)^
19.8
19.8
19.8
19.8
19.8
Estimated reduction'
0.0
19.3
19.3
19.3
19.3
Estimated increase^
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.6
0.6
Postproject delivery (tons/
year)
19.8
0.5
0.5
1.1
1. 1
Reduction (tons/year)^
19.3
19.3
18.7
18.7
Percent reduction'
97%
97%
94%
94%
Methods, and are not measured values.
^Includes projected decreases from rehabilitation and BMP work on existing roads and
crossings .
^Includes projected increases from construction of new roads and new stream crossings .
Percent reduction values are estimates based on procedures outlined in Analysis
Methods, not on measured values.
TABLE D-4 - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN THE CILLY CREEK WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Existing delivery (tons/year)^
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
2.9
Estimated reduction'
0.0
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4
Estimated increase"
0.0
0.4
0.4
0.8
0.4
Postproject delivery (tons/year)
2.9
1.9
1.9
2.3
1.9
Reduction (tons/year)^
1.0
1.0
0.6
1.0
Percent reduction'
34%
34%
21%
34%
These sediment-delivery values are estimates based on procedures outlined in
Analysis Methods, and are not measured values.
^Includes projected decreases from rehabilitation and BMP work on existing roads and
crossings .
^Includes projected increases from construction of new roads and new stream
crossings .
'Percent reduction values are estimates based on procedures outlined in Analysis
Methods, not on measured values.
TABLE D-5 - ESTIMATES OF SEDIMENT DELIVERY IN THE SOUP CREEK WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Existing delivery (tons/year)^
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.6
35.6
Estimated reduction'
0.0
34.3
34.3
34.3
34.3
Estimated increase^
0.0
0.7
0.7
0.7
0.4
Postproject delivery (tons/year)
35.6
2.0
2.0
2.0
1.7
Reduction (tons/year)^
33.6
33.6
33.6
33.9
Percent reduction^
95%
95%
95%
95%
These sediment-delivery values are estimates based on procedures outlined in
Analysis Methods, and are not measured values.
^Includes projected decreases from rehabilitation and BMP work on existing roads and
crossings .
^Includes projected increases from construction of new roads and new stream
crossings .
'Percent reduction values are estimates based on procedures outlined in Analysis
Methods, not on measured values.
WATER YIELD
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction
Kllternative Jl to Water Yield
No-Action Alternative A would have
no direct or indirect effects on
water yield. Water quantity would
not be changed from present
levels, and the harvest units
would continue to return to fully
forested conditions as areas of
historic timber-harvests
regenerate .
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJiction
Alternative B to Water Yield
The annual water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
would increase by an estimated 0.6
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed would
increase by an estimated 6.8
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed would increase by
an estimated 2.1 percent over the
current level. These levels of
projected water-yield increase are
incremental values that refer only
to water yield generated by this
action alternative and do not
include water yield increases from
past activities. The cumulative
water-yield increase will assess
the impacts of the proposed action
alternative when added to the
impacts of past and planned future
activities; this will be discussed
in the Cumulative Effects portion
of this analysis. These levels of
water-yield increases would
produce a low risk of creating
unstable channels in any of the
project-area streams.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Action
Alternative Cto Water Yield
The annual water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
would increase by an estimated 0.5
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed would
increase by an estimated 6.4
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed would increase by
an estimated 1.5 percent over the
current level. These levels of
projected water-yield increase are
incremental values that refer only
to water yield generated by this
action alternative and do not
include water-yield increases from
past activities. The cumulative
water-yield increase will assess
the impacts of the proposed action
alternative when added to the
impacts of past and planned future
activities and will be discussed
later in this analysis. These
levels of water-yield increases
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in any
of the project-area streams.
Direct and Indirect Effects of Miction
JllternaticeD to Water Yield
The annual water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
would increase by an estimated 1.3
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed would
increase by an estimated 9.3
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed would increase by
an estimated 1.1 percent over the
current level. These levels of
projected water-yield increases
are incremental values that refer
only to water yield generated by
this action alternative and do not
include water-yield increases from
past activities. The cumulative
water-yield increase will assess
the impacts of the proposed action
alternative when added to the
impacts of past and planned future
activities and will be discussed
later in this analysis. These
levels of water-yield increases
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in any
of the project-area streams.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJiction
wllternative E to Water Yield
The annual water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
would increase by an estimated 1.2
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed would
increase by an estimated 9.6
percent over the current level .
The annual water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed would increase by
an estimated 0.9 percent over the
current level. These levels of
projected water-yield increases
are incremental values that refer
only to water yield generated by
this action alternative and do not
include water-yield increases from
past activities. The cumulative
water-yield increase will assess
the impacts of the proposed action
alternative when added to the
impacts of past and planned future
activities and will be discussed
later in this analysis. These
levels of water-yield increases
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in any
of the streams in the project
area .
Cumulative Effects
• Ciimtilatice Effects ofJVo-jIction Jllternative
Jl on Water Yield
No cumulative effects on water
yield would be expected. Existing
harvest units would continue to
revegetate and move closer to
premanagement levels of water use
and snowpack distribution.
• Cnmiilative Effects ofJiction Jllternative B on
Water Yield
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative B would
increase the water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
from its current level of
approximately 1.2 percent above
unharvested areas to an estimated
1.8 percent. This water-yield
increase, and its associated ECA
level, includes the impacts of all
past management activities,
existing and proposed roads,
proposed timber harvesting, and
vegetative hydrologic recovery in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed. The water-yield
increase expected from this
alternative leaves the watershed
well below the established
threshold of concern established
in the EXISTING CONDITIONS portion
of this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
South Fork Lost Creek or its
tributaries .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative B would
increase the water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 2.3
percent above unharvested areas to
an estimated 9.1 percent. This
water-yield increase and its
associated ECA level includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Cilly Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative B leaves the
watershed below the established
threshold of concern established
in the existing conditions portion
of this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
Cilly Creek or its tributaries.
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative B would
increase the water yield in the
Soup Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 1.0
percent over unharvested to an
estimated 3.1 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Cilly Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative B leaves the
watershed below the established
threshold of concern established
in the existing conditions portion
of this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in Soup
Creek or its tributaries.
Action Alternative B is expected
to have a low risk of cumulative
impacts to water yield as a result
of the proposed timber harvesting.
A summary of the anticipated
water-yield impacts of Action
Alternative B to the South Fork
Lost Creek and Cilly Creek
watersheds and Soup Creek drainage
is found in TABLE D-6 (1 , 8) -
WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN
SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Cntniilative Effects of miction Jlltemative V on
Water Yield
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative C would
increase the water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
from its current level of
approximately 1.2 percent above
unharvested acres to an estimated
1.7 percent. This water-yield
increase, and its associated ECA
level, includes the impacts of all
past management activities,
existing and proposed roads,
proposed timber harvesting, and
vegetative hydrologic recovery in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed. The water-yield
increase expected from Action
Alternative C leaves the watershed
well below the threshold of
concern established in the
existing conditions portion of
this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
South Fork Lost Creek or its
tributaries .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative C would
increase the water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 2.3
percent above unharvested acres to
an estimated 8.7 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past-management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Cilly Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative C leaves the
watershed below the established
threshold of concern established
in the existing-conditions portion
of this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
Cilly Creek or its tributaries.
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative C would
increase the water yield in the
Soup Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 1.0
percent above unharvested acres to
an estimated 2.5 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Soup Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative C leaves the
watershed well below the
established threshold of concern
established in the existing-
conditions portion of this
analysis. This cumulative level
of water-yield increase would
produce a low risk of creating
unstable channels in Soup Creek or
its tributaries.
Action Alternative C is expected
to have a low risk of cumulative
impacts to water yield as a result
of the proposed timber harvesting.
A summary of the anticipated
water-yield impacts of Action
Alternative C to the South Fork
Lost Creek and Cilly Creek
watersheds and the Soup Creek
drainage is found in TABLE D-6 (7,
8) - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES
IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Cumidatit'e Effects of miction Alternative D on
Water Yield
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative D would
increase the water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
from its current level of
approximately 1.2 percent above
unharvested acres to an estimated
2.5 percent. This water-yield
increase, and its associated ECA
level, includes the impacts of all
past management activities,
existing and proposed roads,
proposed timber harvesting, and
vegetative hydrologic recovery in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed. The water-yield
increase expected from Action
Alternative D leaves the watershed
well below the threshold of
concern established in the
existing conditions portion of
this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
South Fork Lost Creek or its
tributaries .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative D would
increase the water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 2.3
percent above unharvested acres to
an estimated 11.6 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Cilly Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative D leaves the
watershed slightly above the
established threshold of concern.
It is possible that increases in
flow could be observed through the
implementation of Action
Alternative D. Changes in channel
conditions are unlikely, but could
occur in individual reaches that
have lower channel stability.
These changes could include
increased streambank erosion,
channel down-cutting, and
migration of channels away from
current locations. Should in-
channel erosion occur, deposition
of bed and bank material could be
deposited in flatter, gentler
reaches. Deposition of cobble and
gravel material in high enough
quantities could lead to
additional reaches of Cilly Creek
losing surface flow during summer
and fall months due to porous bed
materials. Another possibility of
the projected water-yield
increases is that reaches of Cilly
Creek that currently have
subsurface flow during summer and
fall months could have surface
flow for a longer period of time
or become perennial due to a
higher volume of water available.
These projections are unlikely
given the channel-stability
ratings of Cilly Creek, and Action
Alternative D would most likely
not have measurable impacts to the
stream channel. However, the
estimated water-yield increases
would leave a low to moderate risk
of the described potential
negative impacts in the less
stable reaches and in isolated
instances .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative D would
increase water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed from its current
level of approximately 1.0 percent
above unharvested acres to an
estimated 2.1 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Soup Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative D leaves the
watershed well below the
established threshold of concern
established in the EXISTING
CONDITIONS portion of this
analysis. This cumulative level
of water-yield increase would
produce a low risk of creating
unstable channels in Soup Creek or
its tributaries.
Action Alternative D is expected
to have a low risk of detrimental
cumulative impacts due to water-
yield increases resulting from the
proposed timber harvesting. A
summary of the anticipated water-
yield impacts of Action
Alternative D to the South Fork
Lost Creek and Cilly Creek
watersheds and the Soup Creek
drainage is found in TABLE D-6 (7,
8) - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES
IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
Cnmiilatice Effects ofJlction Jllternative E on
Water Yield
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative E would
increase the water yield in the
South Fork Lost Creek watershed
from its current level of
approximately 1.2 percent above
unharvested acres to an estimated
2.4 percent. This water-yield
increase, and its associated ECA
level, includes the impacts of all
past management activities,
existing and proposed roads,
proposed timber harvesting, and
vegetative hydrologic recovery in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed. The water-yield
increase expected from Action
Alternative E leaves the watershed
well below the threshold of
concern established in the
existing conditions portion of
this analysis. This cumulative
level of water-yield increase
would produce a low risk of
creating unstable channels in
South Fork Lost Creek or its
tributaries .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative E would
increase the water yield in the
Cilly Creek watershed from its
current level of approximately 2.3
percent above unharvested acres to
an estimated 11.9 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Cilly Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative E leaves the
watershed an estimated 0.9 percent
above the established threshold of
concern. It is possible that
increases in flow could be
observed through the
implementation of Action
Alternative E. Changes in channel
conditions are unlikely, but could
occur in individual reaches that
have lower channel stability.
These changes could include
increased streambank erosion,
channels down-cutting, and
migration of channels away from
current locations. Should in-
channel erosion occur, deposition
of bed and bank material could be
deposited in flatter, gentler
reaches. Deposition of cobble and
gravel material in high enough
quantities could lead to
additional reaches of Cilly Creek
losing surface flow during summer
and fall months due to porous bed
materials. Another possibility of
the projected water-yield
increases is that reaches of Cilly
Creek that currently have
subsurface flow during summer and
fall months could have surface
flow for a longer period of time
or become perennial due to a
higher volume of water available.
These projections are unlikely
given the channel-stability
ratings of Cilly Creek, and Action
Alternative E would most likely
not have measurable impacts to the
stream channel. However, the
estimated water-yield increases
would leave a low to moderate risk
of the described potential
negative impacts in the less
stable reaches and in isolated
instances .
The removal of trees proposed in
Action Alternative E would
increase water yield in the Soup
Creek watershed from its current
level of approximately 1.0 percent
above unharvested acres to an
estimated 1.9 percent. This
water-yield increase, and its
associated ECA level, includes the
impacts of all past management
activities, existing and proposed
roads, proposed timber harvesting,
and vegetative hydrologic recovery
in the Soup Creek watershed. The
water-yield increase expected from
Action Alternative E leaves the
watershed well below the
established threshold of concern
established in the EXISTING
CONDITIONS portion of this
analysis. This cumulative level
of water-yield increase would
produce a low risk of creating
unstable channels in Soup Creek or
its tributaries.
Action Alternative E is expected
to have a low risk of detrimental
cumulative impacts due to water-
yield increases resulting from the
proposed timber harvesting. A
summary of the anticipated water-
yield impacts of Action
Alternative E to the South Fork
Lost Creek and Cilly Creek
watersheds, and the Soup Creek
drainage is found in TABLE D-6 (7,
8) - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES
IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (CILLY
CREEK, SOUP CREEK) WATERSHED.
TABLE D-6 - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Allowable percent water-yield
increase
10%
10%
10%
10%
10%
Percent water-yield increase
1.2
1.8
1.7
2.5
2.4
Acres harvested
318
303
512
449
Miles of new road^
3.6
4.3
4.9
2.9
ECA generated
290
262
468
374
Total ECA
310
600
572
778
684
Allowable ECA
2, 626
2, 626
2,626
2, 626
2, 626
'Includes only permanent new roads
TABLE D-7 - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN THE CILLY CREEK WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Allowable water-yield increase
11%
11%
11%
11%
11%
Percent water-yield increase
2.3
9.1
8.7
11.6
11.9
Acres harvested
896
883
986
1, 140
Miles of new road^
2.3
2.3
5.3
3.8
ECA generated
703
691
782
947
Total ECA
348
1, 051
1,039
1,130
1,295
Allowable ECA
1,448
1,448
1,448
1,448
1,448
Includes only permanent new roads
TABLE D-8 - WATER YIELD AND ECA INCREASES IN THE SOUP CREEK WATERSHED
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Allowable water-yield increase
9%
9%
9%
9%
9%
Percent water-yield increase
1.0
3.1
2.5
2.1
1.9
Acres harvested
642
566
443
377
Miles of new road^
7.1
5.8
5.4
1.5
ECA generated
563
500
368
308
Total ECA
428
991
928
796
736
Allowable ECA
2,202
2,202
2,202
2,202
2,202
Includes only permanent new roads
APPENDIX E
FISHERIES ANALYSIS
OBJECTIVE The Swan River drainage, including
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
The purpose of this analysis is to creeks, and any contributing
assess potential impacts to cold- subbasins, is classified as B-1 in
water fisheries within the Three ^^^ Montana Surface Water Quality
Creeks Timber Sale Project area as a standards (ARM 17 . 30 . 608 [b] [i] ) .
result of any one of the project ^^^ g_^ classification is for
alternatives. multiple beneficial use waters,
INTRODUCTION including the growth and propagation
of cold-water fisheries and
The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project associated aguatic life. Among
area includes State trust lands other criteria for B-1 waters, a 1-
withm Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, degree Fahrenheit maximum increase
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, above naturally occurring water
24, 25, 26, and 27, T24N, R17W, temperature is allowed within the
which all lie entirely within the range of 32 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit
Swan River drainage [5^" code HUC (q to 18.9 degrees Celsius), and no
17010211030) . Up to 1,999 acres of increases are allowed above
total harvest area is proposed naturally occurring concentrations
within the project area. of sediment or suspended sediment
The project and analysis areas that will harm or prove detrimental
include portions of the watersheds to fish or wildlife. In regard to
of 3 major tributaries of Swan sediment, naturally occurring
River. From north to south, these includes conditions or materials
are South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup present from runoff or percolation
creeks. South Fork Lost, Cilly, and f^o'" developed land where all
Soup creeks are not identified on reasonable land, soil, and water
the 1996, 2002, or 2004 Montana 303 conservation practices have been
(d) lists as impaired streams. applied [ARM 17 . 30 . 603 [ 19] ) .
Reasonable practices include
methods, measures,
TABLE OF CONTENTS °^ practices that
protect present and
_, . , , „ T reasonably
Objective E-1
_ , , , , _ T anticipated
Introduction E-1 ^
„ , _ „ beneficial uses [ARM
Species E-2
^ V. ■ o '-P' T o ■ ^ r. ■ c ■ ,. -3 17.30.603[24]) . The
Fisheries-Specific Issues Raised During Scoping E-3
^ ,,,,,, , ^ ^ State has adopted
Fisheries Analysis Area E-3
T ■ »/, 4-u ^ ^ o I, ■ T. c BMPs through its
Analysis Methods and Subissues E-5
„ jr , n 4_ 4_ ■ TH r Nonpoint Source
Summary of Alternatives E-5
„.,.„,.,. „ r Management Plan as
Existing Conditions E-6 ^
„,, „,^,^, „, the principle means
South Fork Lost Creek E-6
_,-,-, ^ , _ „. of controlling
Cilly Creek E-24 ^
., , _ , T^ on nonpoint source
Unnamed Creek E-29
„ _ , T^ o /I pollution from
Soup Creek E-34 '^
T^ ■ 4- T /Tint 4- ■ \ TTjrjr 4_ 4_ rn ■ u ■ T^ en s 1 1 V 1 c u 1 1 u 1 a 1
Environmental (Alternative) Effects to Fisheries E-50
, -r , . , „jrjr 4_ T. en activities [Thomas
Direct and Indirect Effects E-50
n 14-' TT^r^r 4_ „ „i et al 1990) .
Cumulative Effects E-91
Specialist Recommendations E-97
Summary of Anticipated Project-Level Monitoring
if an Action Alternative is Selected E-98
SPECIES
Native cold-water fish species
within the project area include bull
trout (Salvelinus confluentus) ,
westslope cutthroat trout
{Oncorhynchus dark! lewisi) , slimy
sculpin (Cottus cognatus) ,
largescale sucker (Catostomus
macrocheilus) , and longnose dace
(Rhinichthys cataractae) . The one
nonnative species known to persist
within the specific project area is
eastern brook trout (Salvelinus
fontinalis) .
Neither slimy sculpin, largescale
sucker, nor longnose dace is
identified as endangered,
threatened, or sensitive species
(MNHP 2004) . Although all 3 species
are an integral component of the
aquatic ecosystem within the project
area, any foreseeable issues or
concerns regarding these species'
populations or habitats can be
addressed through an effects
analysis for bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout. Eastern
brook trout is an invasive species
that is not a component of the
region' s historical biodiversity,
but any foreseeable issues or
concerns regarding this species'
populations or habitats can also be
addressed through an effects
analysis for bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout.
Bull trout and westslope cutthroat
trout are the primary cold-water
species that will be addressed in
this analysis. The USFWS has listed
bull trout as "threatened" under the
Endangered Species Act. Both bull
trout and westslope cutthroat trout
are listed as Class-A Montana Animal
Species of Concern. A Class-A
designation is defined as a species
or subspecies that has limited
numbers and/or habitats both in
Montana and elsewhere in North
America, and elimination from
Montana would be a significant loss
to the gene pool of the species or
subspecies (DFWP, MNHP, and Montana
Chapter American Fisheries Society
Rankings) . DNRC has also identified
bull trout and westslope cutthroat
trout as sensitive species
(Administrative Rule of Montana
[ARM] 36.11.436) .
Both bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout exhibit resident,
fluvial, and adfluvial life forms.
Resident life forms spend their
juvenile and adult life in natal or
nearby low-order tributaries .
Fluvial and adfluvial life forms
generally leave their natal streams
within 1 to 3 years of emergence
(Shepard et al 1984, Fraley and
Shepard 1989) to mature in
downstream river and lake systems,
respectively, and then return again
to headwater or upstream reaches to
spawn. Fluvial and adfluvial life
forms of bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout are typically larger
than resident fish, and bull trout
have been observed returning to
upstream reaches during successive
or alternating years to spawn
(Fraley and Shepard 1989) . Overall,
the life forms and stages of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat trout
have evolved to exist in sympatry
(Nakano et al 1992, Pratt 1984,
Shepard et al 1984) .
Fluvial and adfluvial bull trout
generally mature at ages 5 to 6,
begin upstream spawning migrations
in April, and spawn between
September and October in response to
a temperature regime decline below 9
to 10 degrees Celsius (Fraley and
Shepard 1989) . Spawning adult bull
trout are known to construct redds
in close association with upwelling
groundwater and proximity to
overhanging or instream cover
(Fraley and Shepard 1989) .
Naturally occurring stream-
temperature regimes and substrate
compositions having low levels of
fine material are closely related to
bull trout embryo and juvenile
survival (MBTSG 1998, Weaver and
Fraley 1991, Pratt 1984) .
Resident westslope cutthroat trout
have been observed maturing at ages
3 to 5 (Downs et al 1997), and all
life forms are known to spawn during
May through June [Shepard et al
1984) . Naturally occurring stream-
temperature regimes and substrate
compositions having low levels of
fine material are closely related to
westslope cutthroat trout embryo and
juvenile survival (Pratt 1984) .
FISHERIES-SPECIFIC ISSUES RAISED
DURING SCOPING
Issues, in respect to this
environmental analysis, are not
specifically defined by either MEPA
or the Council on Environmental
Quality. For the purposes of this
environmental analysis, issues will
be considered actual or perceived
effects, risks, or hazards as a
result of the proposed alternatives.
Fifteen written concerns and issues
regarding fisheries resources were
raised through public participation
during the scoping process. These
concerns and issues are contained in
a separate document (Public Comments
to Scoping of Proposed Three Creeks
Timber Sale Project - Fisheries-
Related Comments) that can be found
in the project file. Each concern
and issue is identified and followed
with a statement describing how the
concern or issue will be addressed
by this analysis.
The issues raised both internally
and through public comment during
the scoping process are: the
proposed actions may adversely
affect fisheries populations and
fisheries habitat features,
including flow regime, sediment,
channel forms, riparian function,
large woody debris, stream
temperature, and connectivity, in
fish-bearing streams within the
project area. These issues will be
addressed under EXISTING CONDITIONS
and ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.
FISHERIES ANALYSIS AREA
The general fisheries analysis area
includes those streams within and
approximal to the project area. The
project and analysis area include
portions of the watersheds of 3
major tributaries of Swan River.
From north to south, these are South
Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup creeks.
The detailed fisheries analysis of
potential direct, indirect, and
cumulative effects will focus on the
fish-bearing portions of South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks. Unnamed Creek, a tributary
to Soup Creek, will be separately
analyzed in detail in order to
better address specific fisheries
issues in that stream. The fish-
bearing reaches of South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
within and adjacent to protect area
were chosen for detailed analysis
since the proposed actions may have
foreseeable measurable or detectable
adverse impacts to corresponding
fish habitats .
The downstream reaches of Swan River
and Lost Creek are not within the
project area and will not be
included in the analysis portion of
the direct and indirect effects in
this resource appendix. With
respect to downstream fisheries, no
project alternatives are expected to
have measurable or detectable direct
or indirect effects in the
downstream reaches of Swan River and
Lost Creek. Both Swan River and
Lost Creek will be included in the
cumulative effects analysis as
deemed applicable.
All potential fish-bearing streams
within and immediately adjacent to
the project area were surveyed
during 2003, 2004, and 2005 for
fisheries presence (see FIGURE 1 -
THREE CREEK TIMBER SALE PROJECT FISH
PRESENCE) . Streams that were
surveyed for fish presence and
determined not to contain fish
populations or provide fish habitat
are considered non-fish bearing.
Non-fish-bearing stream reaches are
not individually addressed in this
fisheries analysis and include:
• Tributary A - Field surveys
indicate that the isolated,
disconnected perennial reach of
this stream is non-fish-bearing.
FIGURE E-1 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT FISH PRESENCE
MAP 1 -Three Creeks TS Fish Presence
' tHiU Im ul / we ^Iq pf ru Itki tm t trout / Basle rn bro [tJ< tragi p re sbji t
rilflrmhlem, ne*i-1ish bearing
' {teren^al.nDn-Ci^h bearing
Dn r£:_fQ re^e d_ pa ncels. shp
; /"^^ ■*'-''' ^ fTiaslar sli 122DC6
^^ ^T C master ^\ 122005
I ALT D mastar s3i 122005
I^T ErTiMierSli 122005
1
S4UiliF<>ikLasiOi
• Cilly Creek Tributary 1 - Field
surveys indicate that this
tributary (except for the lowest
approximately 200-foot reach of
the tributary immediately upstream
of Cilly Creek) does not provide
fish habitat. The lowest
approximately 200-foot reach
provides marginal habitat for
eastern brook trout.
• Cilly Creek Tributary 2 - Field
surveys indicate that this
tributary does not provide fish
habitat .
• (Upper) Cilly Creek - Field
surveys indicate that the
isolated, disconnected perennial
reach of this stream is non-fish-
bearing .
• Cliff Creek - The lower 780 feet
of this stream provides marginal
habitat to westslope cutthroat
trout, but this stream is outside
of the project area.
• Cliff Creek Tributary - Field
surveys indicate that the lower
reach of this stream is a
migration barrier and the upper
reach is non-fish-bearing.
• (Upper) Unnamed Creek - Field
surveys indicate that the
isolated, disconnected perennial
reach of this stream is non-fish-
bearing .
The streams bulleted above are
excluded from the specific, detailed
analysis. However, these streams
may be included as part of the
EXISTING CONDITIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL
EFFECTS, and SPECIALIST
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SOUTH FORK LOST,
CILLY, UNNAMED, AND SOUP CREEKS.
ANALYSIS METHODS AND SUBISSUES
The existing conditions of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat trout
populations and habitat will be
described under EXISTING CONDITIONS
of this analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL
(ALTERNATIVE) EFFECTS will compare
those existing conditions to the
anticipated effects of the project
alternatives to determine
foreseeable impacts to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout.
Analysis methods are a function of
the types and guality of data
available for analysis, which varies
among the different watersheds in
the project area. The analyses may
either be quantitative or
qualitative. The best available
data for both populations and
habitats will be presented
separately for South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
Existing conditions and foreseeable
environmental effects for South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks will be
explored using the following outline
of subissues:
- Populations - Presence and
Genetics
- Habitat - Flow Regimes
- Habitat - Sediment
- Habitat - Channel Forms
- Habitat - Riparian Function
- Habitat - Large Woody Debris
- Habitat - Stream Temperature
- Habitat - Connectivity
- Existing Collective Impacts and
Cumulative Effects
Existing conditions and foreseeable
environmental effects for Cilly and
Unnamed creeks will be explored
using a simplified set of accounts,
which do include the more detailed
outline of subissues. Where data is
available regarding each subissue,
that information will be described
for Cilly and Unnamed creeks in the
simplified accounts.
Existing road density and road-
stream crossing density are other
variables that have been indirectly
correlated to native fisheries
population trends across large
regional areas (Quigley and
Arbelbide 1997) . The mechanisms
through which road density and road-
stream crossing density affect
native fisheries populations include
sedimentation, fishing access,
poaching, recreational access,
timber harvest access, and grazing
and agriculture {Quigley and
Arbelbide 1997, Baxter et al 1999) .
As road density and road-stream
crossing density are, therefore,
very broad surrogates of multiple
potential actions, these variables
are tools to describe potential
cumulative effects to fisheries. In
the absence of site-specific
fisheries data to describe the
existing conditions of the project
area, road density and road-stream
crossing density could be considered
simple, viable measures of potential
cumulative effects. However, the
level of detailed, project-specific
fisheries population and habitat
data to be utilized throughout this
analysis is expected to provide a
much more accurate and precise
baseline for the cumulative-effects
analysis of fisheries in the project
area. Therefore, road density and
road-stream crossing density will
not be used as a measure of
potential cumulative effects in this
analysis .
SUMMARY OF ALTERNATIVES
See CHAPTER II - ALTERNATIVES in the
DEIS and FEIS of THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT for detailed
information, specific mitigations,
and road-management plans pertaining
to No-Action Alternative A and
Action Alternatives B, C, D, and E.
• JWo-Jletion Jllternative ./I
Existing conditions relative to
bull trout and westslope cutthroat
trout in the project area would
remain unchanged as a result of
the selection of this alternative.
• Jlction JlUernative li
Approximately 1,884 acres
involving 34 proposed units would
be harvested using various
silviculture plans.
• Jlction JlUernative C
Approximately 1,787 acres
involving 33 proposed units would
be harvested using various
silviculture plans.
• Jlction JllternativeD
Approximately 1,970 acres
involving 33 proposed units would
be harvested using various
silviculture plans.
• ,/lction Jllfemative E
Approximately 1,999 acres
involving 49 proposed units would
be harvested using various
silviculture plans.
Actions associated with Action
Alternatives B, C, D, and E,
including associated road
construction and maintenance, would
occur in the South Fork Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, Unnamed Creek, and Soup
Creek watersheds, all of which
provide varying degrees of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat trout
habitat .
EXISTING CONDITIONS
A very low impact means that the
impact is unlikely to be detectable
or measurable, and the impact is not
likely to be detrimental to the
resource. A low impact means that
the impact is likely to be
detectable or measurable, but the
impact is not likely to be
detrimental to the resource. A
moderate impact means that the
impact is likely to be detectable or
measurable, but the impact may or
may not (50/50) be detrimental to
the resource. A high impact means
that the impact is likely to be
detectable or measurable, and the
impact is likely to be detrimental
to the resource.
> SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
South Fork Lost Creek is a third-
order stream and the entire reach
within the project area is
considered fish-bearing.
♦ South Fork Lost Creek
Populations - Presence and
Genetics
The South Fork Lost Creek
watershed has been identified as
a core habitat area within the
Swan River drainage bull trout
conservation area {MBTSG 1996,
MBTRT 2000) . Core areas are
watersheds, including tributary
drainages and adjoining uplands,
used by migratory bull trout for
spawning and early rearing, and
by resident bull trout for all
life history reguirements {MBTRT
2000) . Although bull trout may
exhibit the resident life form
in South Fork Lost Creek, this
stream is used by bull trout
primarily as spawning and
rearing habitat for adfluvial
populations associated with Swan
Lake. South Fork Lost Creek
supports westslope cutthroat
trout exhibiting adfluvial,
fluvial, and resident life
forms .
Genetic data suggests that
migratory bull trout adults in
the upper Flathead River system
have been found to freguently
return to their natal or near-
natal streams {Kanda et al
1997), and populations of
migratory spawning bull trout in
the Flathead River system have
been observed returning to the
same stream reaches during
subseguent spawning runs {Fraley
and Shepard 1989) . This
propensity for habitual adult
migration to natal or near-natal
streams and the conseguent
selection of unigue spawning
locations would make the use of
redd counts in South Fork Lost
Creek a useful measure of
overall bull trout success in
occupying this specific
subbasin. Similarly, westslope
cutthroat trout redd counts
would be expected to express
that species' overall success in
occupying spawning and rearing
habitats provided by South Fork
Lost Creek.
The protocol for collecting redd
count data in South Fork Lost
Creek is described in Weaver and
Fraley (1991). Experienced
crews and fixed survey reaches
are used for result consistency.
TABLE E-1 - BULL TROUT REDD
COUNTS IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK,
1994 THROUGH 2005 shows that the
number of bull trout redds
constructed in the South Fork
Lost Creek reference reach has
ranged from 9 to 47 during the
years 1994 to 2005. The data is
insufficient to describe a trend
in bull trout redd counts with a
high degree of certainty. An
TABLE E-1 - BULL TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, 1994 THROUGH
2005
50
45
40
35
r
=3
■M)
o
U
?5
(1
S?
?0
tr
15
10
5
Bull trout redd counts on South Fork Lost Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kailspell)
.AL.
28
27
12
14
EEl
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
analysis of bull trout redd
counts from throughout the Swan
River drainage suggests that the
larger bull trout population may
be increasing {Rieman and Myers
1997), but the same study also
indicates that a larger data set
than that provided in this table
is likely needed in order to
begin identifying long-term
trends of bull trout populations
in individual streams. However,
Weaver (2005) has indicated that
the existing Swan River drainage
bull trout population appears to
be stable, and redd counts from
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
are generally representative of
trends in other bull trout
spawning streams within the
drainage. Weaver (2005) noted
that increases in bull trout
redd counts from 1996 through
2000 may have been due to a
strong bull trout population
response to Mysis shrimp
densities in Swan Lake. {Mysis
is an introduced
macroinvertebrate to Swan Lake
that has contributed to the food
base of adfluvial bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout.)
TABLE E-2 - WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT
TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK, 1994 THROUGH 2004
shows that the number of
westslope cutthroat trout redds
constructed in the South Fork
Lost Creek reference reach has
ranged from 7 to 26 during the
years 1994 to 2004. Although
the data is insufficient to
describe a trend in westslope
cutthroat trout redd counts with
a high degree of certainty, this
data is likely indicative of a
generally stable westslope
cutthroat trout population
associated with the South Fork
Lost Creek drainage.
Leathe et al (1985) describes
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout population
densities in 2 different reaches
of South Fork Lost Creek as
ranging from low to moderate
(see TABLE E-3 - SPECIES
DENSITIES IN SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK, 1982 THROUGH 1983 [LEATHE
ET AL 1985]). Reach 1 starts at
the confluence of North Fork
Lost and South Fork Lost creeks
and extends upstream to river
mile 1.86. Reach 2 includes
TABLE E-2 - WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK,
1994 THROUGH 2004
V 20
O
DC
Westslope cutthroat trout redd counts on South Fork Lost Creek (T. Weaver, FWP
Kalispell)
(no data for years 2001 and 2002)
TABLE E-3 - SPECIES DENSITIES IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, 1982 THROUGH 1983
(LEATHE ET AL 1985)
REACH/YEAR
SURVEYED
NUMBER OF FISH GREATER THAN 75
MILLIMETERS PER 300 METERS
NUMBER OF FISH GREATER THAN 150
MILLIMETERS PER 300 METERS
BULL
TROUT
WESTSLOPE
CUTTHROAT
TROUT
EASTERN
BROOK
TROUT
BULL
TROUT
WESTSLOPE
CUTTHROAT
TROUT
EASTERN
BROOK
TROUT
1/1983
24 ('low')
36 ('low')
93 ('mod')
5 ('low')
16 ('low')
11 ('low')
2/1982
9 9 ('mod')
23 Clow')
12 ('low')
12 Clow')
that portion of South Fork Lost
Creek from river miles 1.86 to
6.21.
Independent of the current
population status, present are
considerable existing and future
risks to both bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
populations and genetics in
South Fork Lost Creek and
throughout the Swan River
drainage. Perhaps the greatest
future threats to bull trout in
the Swan River drainage are from
the introduction and spread of
nonnative fish {MBTSG 1996) .
The recently confirmed
introduction and reproduction of
lake trout {Salvelinus
namaycush) in Swan Lake is
expected to have some level of
acute negative effect to bull
trout within the Swan River
drainage. Lake trout will
likely have a negative effect on
bull trout populations in Swan
Lake through the predation of
juvenile and subadult life
stages and niche displacement.
These foreseeable interactions
will likely be expressed through
lower rates of bull trout redd
count construction in South Fork
Lost Creek.
Bull trout are also negatively
affected by nonnative eastern
brook trout primarily through
hybridization and, to some
extent, by the displacement of
juvenile fish in rearing
habitats. Data suggests that
bull trout and eastern brook
trout hybridization has occurred
throughout the Swan River
drainage {Kanda et al 1997) .
Although samples from South Fork
Lost Creek in 1993 (MFISH 2005)
show that 100-percent
genetically pure bull trout may
exist in the stream, that
particular sample set may not
have conclusively ruled out
hybridization in South Fork Lost
Creek at that time {Kanda et al
1997) . Weaver (2005) has noted
that bull trout x eastern brook
trout hybrids are occasionally
captured during sampling efforts
in South Fork Lost Creek.
Several factors point toward
hybridization as a lower overall
risk to bull trout than that of
displacement by lake trout:
migratory bull trout tend to
have a reproductive size
advantage over resident eastern
brook trout {Rieman and Mclntyre
1993), and offspring can have a
considerable chance of being
sterile or exhibiting other
progressive growth problems
(Leary et al 1983) .
Westslope cutthroat trout also
face considerable threats from
the introduction and spread of
nonnative fish. Introgression
from hybridization with rainbow
trout {Oncorhynchus mykiss) and
other cutthroat trout subspecies
may pose the foremost risk to
westslope cutthroat trout in
Montana (Liknes and Graham
1988) . Westslope cutthroat
trout within South Fork Lost
Creek below the migration-
barrier falls at river mile 4.94
are known to exhibit levels of
genetic purity between 75 and 90
percent {NRIS 2004) . Westslope
cutthroat trout upstream of the
migration barrier falls are
potentially 100-percent
genetically pure {NRIS 2004) .
Westslope cutthroat trout are
susceptible to displacement by
introduced salmonids, especially
eastern brook trout; however,
the variable mechanisms through
which this occurs are not well
understood {Griffith 1988) .
Existing impacts to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
populations and genetics in
South Fork Lost Creek are due
primarily to the introduction of
nonnative salmonids. Existing
impacts to bull trout in South
Fork Lost Creek include an
imminent moderate to high impact
due to the propagation of lake
trout in the drainage and a low
to moderate impact due to
hybridization with eastern brook
trout. Existing impacts to
westslope cutthroat trout
include a moderate impact due to
introgression from rainbow trout
hybridization and a low to
moderate impact from
displacement by eastern brook
trout (where the 2 species'
distributions overlap below the
migration-barrier falls) .
♦ South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Flow Regimes
Flow regime is the range of
discharge freguencies and
intensities in a specific
watershed that occur throughout
the year. (Flow regime is
analogous to ''water yield' in
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS . ) The
analysis of hydrologic data for
South Fork Lost Creek indicates
that the existing average
departure in flow regime is
approximately 1.2 percent above
the range of naturally occurring
conditions (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) , which is primarily a
result of past forest-crown
removal. The range of naturally
occurring conditions is
considered representative of
those flow regimes in a 20- to
30-year-old forest (or,
alternatively, a forest that
exhibits evapotranspiration and
precipitation interception rates
that are similar to a mature
forest) .
Changes in flow regime can
affect bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout fisheries
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. However, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime in the project area
are generally not associated
with detectable impacts to fish
habitat variables. As a
conseguence, the likelihood is
very low for very low existing
direct and indirect impacts to
these habitat characteristics as
a result of the estimated 1.2-
percent increase in flow regime
to South Fork Lost Creek within
the project area.
Changes in flow regime have been
known to affect bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
spawning migration, habitat
available for spawning, and
embryo survival. Although, in
general, the existing levels of
increased flow regime described
for the project area are not
likely to have adverse impacts
to fisheries spawning and embryo
survival. For this reason, the
likelihood is very low for very
low existing direct and indirect
impacts to native and nonnative
fish species as a result of
modifications of flow regimes
South Fork Lost Creek within the
project area.
♦ South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Sediment
The existing stream sediment
processes of South Fork Lost
Creek are described using the
Rosgen stream morphological
type, several different sediment
composition surveys, and
streambank stability. The
stream morphology of 5 separate
reaches of South Fork Lost Creek
within the project area (see
following FIGURE E-2 - SOUTH
FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP CREEK
REACH BREAKS IN THE THREE
CREEK TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA)
is described using the Rosgen
river classification (Rosgen
1996) . From the confluence with
North Fork Lost Creek (river
mile 0.00) upstream to river
mile 1.76 (Reach 1), the creek
exhibits a ''C3' channel type;
from river mile 1.76 to 3.42
(Reach 2), the creek exhibits a
■*B3' channel type; from river
mile 3.42 to 4.22 (Reach 3), the
creek exhibits a ''C3' channel
type; from river mile 4.22 to
4.94 (Reach 4), the creek
exhibits a ''B3a' channel type;
and from river mile 4.94
upstream to the USFS property
boundary at river mile 6.27
(Reach 5), the creek exhibits a
'B3' channel type. The B
morphological type broadly
includes riffle-dominated
streams in narrow, gently
sloping valleys, which typically
exhibit infreguently spaced
pools (Rosgen 1996) .
Furthermore, the B3
morphological type is
characteristic of channel
compositions dominated by
cobbles and codominated by
boulders with lesser amounts of
gravel and sand (Rosgen 1996) .
The C morphological type broadly
includes meandering streams with
both riffles and pools in low
gradient, broad, alluvial valley
bottoms (Rosgen 1996) . More
specifically, the C3
morphological type is indicative
of cobble-dominated systems with
well-developed f loodplains .
Several surveys have been
conducted to describe the
sediment composition of South
Fork Lost Creek, including
McNeil core, substrate score,
and Wolman pebble count. The
McNeil core sampling methodology
(McNeil and Ahnell 1964) has
been demonstrated to be an
effective technique for
measuring temporal changes in
the streambed permeability of
spawning gravels. McNeil core
data has been collected in South
Fork Lost Creek in a known bull
trout spawning reach in the
NE1/4SE1/4 of Section 3, T24N,
R17W, between 1994 and 2005 (see
TABLE E-4 - MCNEIL CORE SAMPLES
FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, 1994
THROUGH 2005) . Weaver and
Fraley (1991) found that the
percentage of substrates less
than 6.35 millimeters in
spawning beds was inversely
proportional to bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout embryo
survival in the Flathead River
basin. The Flathead Basin
Commission (FBC) , a cooperative
program involving private.
State, and Federal landowners in
the river basin, subsequently
determined that streams with
spawning gravels having 35 or 40
percent of substrates less than
6.35 millimeters in any given
year were "threatened" or
"impaired", respectively, in
regards to bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout embryo
survival (FBC 1991) . McNeil
core sample results from South
Fork Lost Creek are collected
using Weaver and Fraley (1991)
and displayed to show the
proportion of substrates less
than 6.35 millimeters in size.
The sample sets show that the
proportion of substrates less
than 6.35 millimeters is under
the 35-percent threshold for
"threatened" status .
Embeddedness is generally
described as the degree to which
fine sediments surround coarse
substrates on the streambed
surface (Sylte and Fischenich
2002) . The substrate score is
one technique for measuring
FIGURE E-2 -SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH BREAKS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
MAP 2 -Thnt Cracks TS: South Fork Lost Creak and Soup Creak Raach Breaks
■ bulHiQut lvit'd\ape :uil:hrDat trujit/E'aslern brook iroul pre sent
■ eaiEJsrn brosk trnul preE.?[tt
hisfmltiem, noittish btsririg
■ p^ennial, nan-frah b Baring
• ■*f9 stslop* cull koal If oul (i*ese tA
Dnr(Jciresi*d_.[>aricels,sh|s
Saudi Fori! Lust Cr
B^dReaQh^/
TABLE E-4
- MCNEIL CORE SAMPLES FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, 1994 THROUGH 2005
100.0 n
90.0
80.0
E
E 70.0
in
C\]
d 60.0
I 50.0
r 40.0
c
e 30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
McNeil core samples from South Fork Lost Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell)
30.4 28 8 „^„ 30.1 31.6 30.4 29.6 30.1 30.1 '^^'^
^ '-"4 ^^-^ 25.1 . ^ ^ ^
■ ■■■■■■■■III
llllllllllll
■ ■■■■■■■■■■I
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
embeddedness , where higher
scores indicate lower
embeddedness and typically
better juvenile bull trout
habitat (Shepard et al 1984) . A
modified substrate score
methodology {Weaver and Fraley
1991 citing others) has been
employed on South Fork Lost
Creek from 1994 through 2005
(see TABLE E-5 - SUBSTRATE SCORE
SAMPLES FROM SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK, 1994 THROUGH 2005) in a
known juvenile bull trout
rearing reach (NW1/4SW1/4 of
Section 4, T24N, R17W) . The
Flathead Basin Commission (FBC)
has subseguently determined that
streams with substrate scores
less than 10 or 9 in any give
year were "threatened" or
"impaired", respectively, in
regards to bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout embryo
TABLE E-5 - SUBSTRATE SCORE SAMPLES FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, 1994 THROUGH
2005
12.0
Substrate score samples from South Fork Lost Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell)
11 9 11 9
11.8
11 .7 ULZ
11.8
11.6
11 .5
11 . 1
t
11.6
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
survival and juvenile rearing
habitat {FBC 1991) . The sample
sets show substrate scores
higher than 10, which indicate
low levels of embeddedness .
The Wolman pebble count {Wolman
1954) is another method that can
be used to describe temporal
changes in substrate size
classes on the streambed
surface. Sample data from
Reaches 1 through 4 on South
Fork Lost Creek (see FIGURE E-2
- SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP
CREEK REACH BREAKS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA)
is available from 2002 (see
TABLE E-6 - WOLMAN PEBBLE COUNT
RESULTS FROM SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK, 2002) . Considering
Reaches 1 through 4, the maximum
combined percentage of
substrates less than 8
millimeters is 9.6 percent
(Reach 4), which is considerably
lower than the results
calculated for the similar size
class in the McNeil core samples
(percentage of substrate less
than 6.35 millimeters ranges
from 23.4 percent to 31.6
percent) . This difference
suggests that there could be a
greater level of interstitial
spaces in the streambed surface
(cobble) substrates than may be
indicated by the McNeil core
data .
The final assessment of stream
sediment processes includes a
description of streambank
stability. Streambank stability
is a measure of bank erosion
rates per stream length, and
changes in the rates can be used
as one indicator of potential
existing impacts to fish
habitats. Streambank stability
data for South Fork Lost Creek
is available for the year 2002
(see TABLE E-7 - STREAMBANK
STABILITY RESULTS FROM SOUTH
FORK LOST CREEK [KOOPAL 2002A])
and includes all stream habitats
from the confluence with North
Fork Lost Creek (river mile
0.00) upstream through the
project area and to the end of
Reach 4 (river mile 4.94) (see
FIGURE E-2 - SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH
BREAKS IN THE THREE CREEKS
TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA) . The
protocol used for collecting the
streambank stability data is
that outlined in Overton et al
TABLE E-6 - WOLMAN PEBBLE COUNT RESULTS FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (KOOPAL
20 02 A)
Wolman pebble count results from South Fork Lost Creek (Koopal 2002a)
40.0 1
3
O
CL
-♦ — Reach 1
-■ — Reach 2
-A — Reach 3
->< — Reach 4
8-64 64-128 128-256
Substrate size class (mm)
256-512
TABLE E-7 - STREAMBANK STABILITY RESULTS FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK (KOOPAL
20 02 A)
REACH
BANK LENGTH
(FEET)
PERCENT
STABLE BANK
PERCENT
UNSTABLE BANK
PERCENT
UNDERCUT BANK
LEFT
RIGHT
MEAN
MEAN
MEAN
1
9,355.0
9,346.0
99.89
0.11
2.13
2
8,794.0
9, 164.0
100.00
0.00
1.36
3
4,232.0
4,229.0
98.61
1.39
2.05
4
3, 888.0
3, 892.0
100.00
0.00
0.84
(1991) . Overall, the results of
this data set show very high
levels (98.61 to 100.00 percent)
of streambank stability through
Reaches 1 to 4 in the project
area. Quantitative data of
streambank stability is not
available for Reach 5, but
qualitative field reviews of the
reach have also revealed very
high levels of streambank
stability .
(In terms of the sediment
component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat, the potential effects
of past and present road
construction in the South Fork
Lost Creek drainage are
considered an unspecified,
collective effect. This broad
variable is consequently
addressed in the Existing
Collective Past and Present
Impacts section of EXISTING
CONDITIONS in this analysis.)
McNeil core data indicates that
the substrates of known spawning
reaches are not "threatened",
substrate scores describing
streambed substrate embeddedness
also indicate that known bull
trout rearing habitat is not
"threatened", and Wolman pebble
counts suggest that high levels
of streambed substrates are in
the gravel, cobble, and boulder
classes. Additionally, a recent
streambank-stability assessment
shows very low levels of
potential streambank erosion, a
natural source of sedimentation.
Based on these observations, no
direct and indirect impacts to
the sediment component of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout habitat likely exist in
South Fork Lost Creek.
♦ South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Channel Forms
Two descriptions of channel
formation will also be used to
describe existing bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat in South Fork Lost
Creek: Montgomery /Buff ington
classification (Montgomery and
Buff ington 1997) and R1/R4 Fish
Habitat Standard Inventory
(Overton et al 1997) . The
stream gradient of Reaches 1 and
3 (see FIGURE E-2 - SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH
BREAKS IN THE THREE CREEKS
TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA)
primarily ranges from 1 to 3
percent, and the stream gradient
of Reaches 2 and 4 primarily
ranges from 3 to 7 percent. The
stream formations of South Fork
Lost Creek are broadly described
as exhibiting 'forced pool-
riffle', ■"forced step-pool', and
■"plane bed' Montgomery/
Buff ington classifications. The
■"forced pool-riffle' channel
form is generally a function of
large-woody-debris recruitment
to the bankfull area of the
stream, and the channel form
typically has pool frequencies
of 1:5 to 1:7, where the later
ratio is channel width
[Montgomery and Buff ington
1997) . ■"Forced step-pool'
channel forms are also generally
a function of large-woody-debris
recruitment to the bankfull area
of the stream, and the channel
form typically has pool
frequencies of 1:1 to 1:4 and
gradients of 3 to 8 percent
(Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . The 'plane bed' channel
form typically does not have
pools and generally occurs in
gradients of 1 to 4 percent
(Montgomery and Buffington
1997) .
The R1/R4 Fish Habitat Standard
Inventory is a useful protocol
for describing detailed existing
conditions and tracking temporal
changes in the relative
proportions of different stream
microhabitats used by bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other native
fisheries. Inventory data for
South Fork Lost Creek is
available for the year 2002 (see
TABLE E-8 - R1/R4 FISH HABITAT
STANDARD INVENTORY RESULTS FROM
SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK [KOOPAL
2002A]) and includes all stream
habitats from the confluence
with North Fork Lost Creek
(river mile 0.00) upstream
through the project area and to
the end of Reach 4 (river mile
4.94) (see FIGURE E-2 - SOUTH
FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP CREEK
REACH BREAKS IN THE THREE CREEKS
TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA]) . In
order to simplify the
description of existing
conditions, detailed habitat
data from Reaches 1 through 4
has been consolidated into fast
and slow habitat types. Fast
habitats include stream features
such as cascades, high and low
gradient riffles, runs, and
glides. Slow habitats include
dammed pools, lateral scour
pools, midchannel scour pools,
plunge pools, and step pools.
Bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout utilize all of
the habitat types with varying
frequency throughout the
different life stages, although
long-term persistence within a
stream by all life stages of
each species is generally
limited by the amount and
frequency of different slow
habitat types. Increasing
amounts of different pool
habitats are typically
proportional to increasing
levels of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout stream
habitat quality.
The following existing
conditions can be deduced from
the 2002 habitat inventory:
- The habitat data for Reach 1
indicates that 78 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 22 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 7 percent of the
TABLE E-8 - R1/R4 FISH HABITAT STANDARD
LOST CREEK (KOOPAL 2002A)
INVENTORY RESULTS FROM SOUTH FORK
REACH
HABITAT
TYPE
TOTAL
NUMBER
OF
UNITS
MEAN
HABITAT
LENGTH
(FEET)
MEAN
WIDTH
(FEET)
MEAN
HABITAT
DEPTH
(FEET)
MEAN
WIDTH/
DEPTH
RATIO
MEAN
HABITAT
AREA
(SQUARE
FEET)
MEAN
HABITAT
VOLUME
(CUBIC FEET)
1
Fast
70
122.8
19.4
0.38
53.34
2,385.8
901.4
1
Slow
20
33.4
19.4
1.17
17.84
649.5
759.3
2
Fast
76
95.9
18.6
0.38
50.54
1,782.6
683.3
2
Slow
41
36.0
21.0
1.15
20.40
755.9
866.3
3
Fast
35
91.3
16.2
0.31
55.65
1,481.5
461.9
3
Slow
22
47.3
17.7
1.08
18.21
838.1
907.3
4
Fast
25
122.6
16.6
0.35
48.12
2,031.1
714.2
4
Slow
19
37.5
18.0
1.31
15.50
674.5
881.8
total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 19 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 2
indicates that 65 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 35 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 19 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 41 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 3
indicates that 61 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 39 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 26 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 55 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 4
indicates that 57 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 43 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 20 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 48 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
This information portrays Reach
1 as having a relatively low
proportion of slow, or pool,
habitat features, and Reaches 2
through 4 are described as
having relatively higher
proportions of pool-habitat
features. It can also be
inferred that Reaches 2 through
4 have relatively higher levels
of channel complexity, in-stream
cover, and potential wintering
habitat. Considering reach
gradients, valley location, and
geomorphological processes, the
observed proportions of habitat
types for each reach are within
the broad ranges of expected
conditions .
No specific conclusions
regarding trends in channel form
can be drawn from these current
observations, but this data will
be indispensable in future
habitat assessment and
monitoring efforts. Although
insufficient data is available
for describing specific trends
in channel forms, no direct and
indirect impacts to the channel
form component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat are apparent in South
Fork Lost Creek.
♦ South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Riparian Function
The stream riparian area is
broadly defined as the interface
or linkage between the
terrestrial and aguatic zones,
and this area is critical for
regulating large-woody-debris
recruitment, the interception of
solar radiation, stream nutrient
inputs, and other variables
{Hansen et al 1995) . This
section will consider the
following important existing
conditions of the riparian area:
stand type, site potential tree
height, and stream shading.
The predominant riparian stand
type along South Fork Lost Creek
within the project area is
western red cedar/oak fern.
Although western red cedar is
typically the dominant species
during late serai and climax
stages, other species such as
grand fir, Engelmann spruce,
Douglas-fir, and western larch
are also major components of the
overstory (Hansen et al 1995) .
Furthermore, the riparian stand
type as it relates to the
associated geology and soils can
be classified as exhibiting both
SL2B and SL3B characteristics,
which primarily occur adjacent
to B and C channel types with
stream gradients ranging from 1
to 12 percent (Sirucek and
Bachurski 1995) . Where the SL2B
and SL3B riparian landtypes
occur with the stand type
described above, expected
conditions are somewhat poorly
drained sites with deep, weakly
developed, gravely or bouldery,
sandy loams or loams (Sirucek
and Bachurski 1995) .
Five riparian forest surveys in
Section 3, T24N, R17W, assessed
specific riparian stand
conditions adjacent to South
Fork Lost Creek. During the
surveys, all trees (live and
dead) with a dbh (4.5 feet above
the ground) were recorded.
Results of the surveys indicate
that the quadratic mean diameter
of riparian trees is 9.1 inches,
the average number of trees per
acre is 764, and the average
basal area per acre is 346.0
square feet .
Studies of large-woody-debris
recruitment to the stream
channel suggest that the primary
zone of recruitment is equal to
the height of the tallest trees
growing in the riparian zone
[Robinson and Beschta 1990,
Bilby and Bisson 1998) . The
site potential tree height of
dominant and co-dominant trees
at 100 years {ARM 36 . 11 . 425 [ 5] )
is used to estimate the extent
of the primary zone of large-
woody-debris recruitment for
riparian areas adjacent to
proposed harvest units in
Section 3, T24N, R17W. The site
potential tree height along
riparian zones adjacent to the
proposed harvest units is
approximately 95 feet, and
calculations of the measure are
displayed in TABLE E-9 -
CALCULATIONS OF SITE POTENTIAL
TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK.
Riparian areas also provide
stream shading, which
contributes to the regulation of
stream temperature regimes by
intercepting direct solar
radiation to the stream channel.
During winter seasons, riparian
areas may also function to
TABLE E-9 - CALCULATIONS OF SITE POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK*
SAMPLE
SPECIES
HEIGHT
(FEET)
AGE
(YEARS)
SITE
INDEX
(BEST
FIT)
SITE
POTENTIAL
TRF.F. HEIGHT
@ 100 YEARS
(FEET)
MEAN SITE
POTENTIAL TREE
HEIGHT
@ 100 YEARS
(FEET)
REFERENCE
1
Grand fir
70
55
45
116
USFS RN-71
2
Grand fir
92
102
30
91
USFS RN-71
3
Grand fir
43
90
30
91
USFS RN-71
4
Grand fir
53
135
30
91
USFS RN-71
5
Grand fir
56
95
30
91
USFS RN-71
6
Western
red cedar
87
95
N/A**
92**
N/A**
95
*Samples were taken by DNRC personnel
dominant trees with average growth at
break .
**Western red cedar height relative t
lend well to reliable index curves fo
100 years for this sample was estimat
during July 2004 from random dominant and co-
a distance of 50 feet from the bank full slope
) age is generally inconsistent, which does not
r the species . The site potential tree height at
ed.
regulate stream temperatures by
inhibiting temperature loss
through evaporation, convection,
or long-wave radiation from the
stream (Beschta et al 1987) .
The degree to which a riparian
area blocks direct solar
radiation to the stream can be
determined by measuring the
angular canopy density, which is
a function of riparian tree
species composition, stand age,
and tree density {Beschta et al
1987) . Samples of angular
canopy density were taken at 6
locations from the center of
South Fork Lost Creek during
2004, and measurements were
taken for the months of July and
August (the months during which
direct solar radiation has the
greatest potential effect on
stream-temperature regimes) .
Results of these measurements
indicate that the existing
riparian tree vegetation blocks
an average of 65 percent of
direct solar radiation during
July and an average of 81
percent during August .
A past disturbance to the
riparian area includes the
construction and location of
USFS Road 680, which lies north
of South Fork Lost Creek through
the project area. The majority
of the road corridor lies
outside of the area encompassed
by the site potential tree
height, but approximately 1,300
linear feet of the road corridor
lies within 10 to 95 feet of the
bankfull slope break of South
Fork Lost Creek. Based on field
estimates, the average distance
between the road corridor and
the bankfull slope break within
the 1,300 linear foot zone is
approximately 70 feet. As the
road lies to the north of the
stream, stream shading has
likely been little affected;
however, the road corridor is
likely having a low existing
impact through reduced
recruitable large woody debris.
Other past disturbance in the
riparian area includes the
harvest of isolated western
larch. Based on field
observations, this past harvest
of western larch occurred at
least 30 years ago at a rate of
approximately one tree per 200
linear feet.
Due to the location of the USFS
Road 680 corridor, low direct
and indirect impacts to the
riparian function component of
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout habitat exist in
South Fork Lost Creek.
♦ South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Large Woody Debris
Large woody debris is recruited
to the stream channel from
adjacent and upstream riparian
vegetation; this material is a
critical component in the
formation of complex habitat for
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout. All life
stages of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout have
been observed closely
associating with large woody
debris in the Flathead River
basin (Pratt 1984, Shepard et al
1984) . Large-woody-debris
recruitment rates to South Fork
Lost Creek throughout the
project area can be described
using large-woody-debris counts
per stream length, and this data
was collected during 2002 as
part a R1/R4 Fish Habitat
Standard Inventory (Overton et
al 1997) (see TABLE E-10 -
LARGE-WOODY-DEBRIS COUNT RESULTS
FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
[KOOPAL 2002]). Large-woody-
debris counts for South Fork
Lost Creek include all stream
habitats from the confluence
with North Fork Lost Creek
(river mile 0.00) upstream
through the project area and to
the end of Reach 4 (river mile
4.94) .
TABLE E-10 - LARGE-WOODY-DEBRIS COUNT RESULTS FROM SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
REACH
1
2
3
4
Channel type
C
B
C
B
Total reach length (feet)
9,264
8,763
4,238
3,778
Total number of single pieces
99
106
48
36
Total number of pieces in
aggregates
458
696
289
334
Total number of root wads
20
23
10
14
Total pieces of large woody debris
in reach
577
825
347
384
Number of pieces per 1,000 feet
62
94
82
102
Data from reference reaches
{Harrelson et al 1994)
throughout the Flathead River
basin region indicate that the
expected freguency of large
woody debris in undisturbed B
channels ranges from 74 to 172
pieces per 1,000 feet {Bower
2006) . This data suggests that
the existing freguencies of
large woody debris in Reaches 2
and 4 of South Fork Lost Creek
are within the expected range of
freguencies when compared to
reference reaches in the region
with similar morphological
characteristics. Likewise, data
indicates that the expected
freguency of large woody debris
in undisturbed C channels in the
region ranges from 1 to 121
pieces per 1,000 feet (Bower
2006) . This data suggests that
the existing freguencies of
large woody debris in Reaches 1
and 3 of South Fork Lost Creek
are within the expected range of
freguencies when compared to
reference reaches in the region
with similar morphological
characteristics .
No apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
habitat exist in South Fork Lost
Creek .
South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Stream Temperature
Stream temperature data for
South Fork Lost Creek is
available for 2001, 2003, 2004,
and 2005 and is displayed in
TABLE E-11 - STREAM TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK*
SITE
NAME
MAXIMUM WEEKLY
MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURE
(CELSIUS)
WARMEST DAY OF
MAXIMUM WEEKLY
MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE
(CELSIUS)
DAYS
GREATER
THAN
DATE
MAXIMUM
10.0 15.0 21.1
CELSIUS
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite_20 01
11. 7
08/15/01
11 .8
58
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite_20 03
12. 7
07/23/03
12 . 9
69
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite_20 04
12.1
07/16/04
12.6
52
SFKLost#l_Lower_20 04
11.4
07/15/04
11.9
44
SFKLost#2_Middle_2 004
11.2
07/16/04
11.7
40
SFKLost#3_Upper_2004
11.7
07/16/04
12.2
45
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite_2 05
11.5
08/09/05
11.7
45
SFKLost#l_Lower_2 05
10.7
07/19/05
10.9
33
SFKLost#2_Middle_2 05
10.5
07/19/05
10.7
31
SFKLost#3_Upper_2 05
11.3
08/06/05
11.4
38
*Samples obtained by DNRC resource specialists using Water Temp Pro (Onset
Corporation) data loggers .
TABLE E-11 - STREAM TEMPERATURE
DATA FOR SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK.
FIGURE E-3 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK, CILLY CREEK, AND SOUP
CREEK STREAM TEMPERATURE LOGGERS
displays the locations of
stream-temperature data
recorders on South Fork Lost
Creek .
FIGURE E-3 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT: SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, CILLY
CREEK, AND SOUP CREEK STREAM-TEMPERATURE LOGGERS
MAP 3 -Tliras Craeks TS: Soutli Fork Lost CT%%k, Cllly Cr«»k, and Soup Creak
Stream Temperature Loggers
bull trout/ vue^tl ape cutthroat Iraut/ eastern t rook trout present
^^ eastern brook ETDut present
■'■■'■ irTterm(ttenl:,nafi-li£h bearing!
pErennial. nurj-fisti bearing
vwstsiDpe cutthroattnoyc present
, DnreJurested.parcelE.sfip
lit Stream Temp Logger
SAiitti Fdrk LAsrCr
stream temperature data
indicates that the annual
maximum weekly maximum
temperature at the water-quality
sample site has ranged from 11.5
to 12.7 degrees Celsius for the
years 2001, 2003, 2004, and
2005. During these years the
maximum seasonal temperature
recorded at the water-quality
sample site ranged from 11.7 to
12.9 degrees Celsius. For
comparison, a maximum seasonal
temperature of 12.2 degrees
Celsius was recorded during 1983
approximately 1,000 feet
downstream of the water-quality
sample site {Leathe et al 1985),
which suggests that maximum
seasonal temperatures in the
vicinity of this location of
South Fork Lost Creek may not
have been markedly variable
during the past 2 decades.
Rates of change in stream
temperature are typically
variable between different
stream segments, as rates of
change in stream temperature are
generally a function of
variations in stream shading,
aspect, stream volume, net
radiation, evaporation,
convection, conduction,
groundwater interactions, and
inputs from tributaries {Beschta
et al 1987) . During 2004, the
rate of change in maximum weekly
maximum stream temperature
between SFKLost#3 and SFKLost#2
is approximately -0.5 degrees
Celsius per half mile, +0.2
degrees Celsius per half mile
between SFKLost#2 and SFKLost#l,
and +0.4 degrees Celsius per
half mile between SFKLosttl and
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite. During
2005, the rate of change in
maximum weekly maximum stream
temperature between SFKLost#3
and SFKLost#2 is approximately
minus 0.8 degrees Celsius per
half mile, +0.2 degrees Celsius
per half mile between SFKLost#2
and SFKLost#l, and +0.4 degrees
Celsius per half mile between
SFKLosttl and
SFKLost_NWLO_WQsite. It is
highly likely that inputs from
cooler groundwater influenced
the stream temperature regime
between SFKLost#3 and SFKLost#2,
where the maximum weekly maximum
stream temperature dropped
appreciably at the rate of
approximately -0.5 degrees
Celsius per half mile during
2004 and at the rate of
approximately -0.8 degrees
Celsius per half mile during
2005. Groundwater interactions
are known to affect many of the
streams in the Swan River valley
{Baxter 1997, Stanford and Ward
1993), and the stream
temperature effects of
groundwater interactions likely
occur periodically in other
reaches of South Fork Lost
Creek. However, the extent to
which different groundwater
interactions affect stream
temperatures is generally a
function of a multitude of site-
specific variables and not
consistent across drainages.
In respect to bull trout, the
temperature ranges described in
TABLE E-11 - STREAM-TEMPERATURE
DATA FOR SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
are within the species'
tolerances as observed in
various studies. Fraley and
Shepard (1989) rarely observed
juvenile bull trout in streams
exceeding 15 degrees Celsius.
Gamett (2002) did not find bull
trout where maximum stream
temperatures exceeded 20 degrees
Celsius. Reiman and Chandler
(1999) found that bull trout are
most frequently observed in
streams having summer maximum
temperatures of approximately 13
to 14 degrees Celsius.
No apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the stream
temperature component of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout habitat exist in South
Fork Lost Creek.
South Fork Lost Creek Habitat -
Connectivity
The project area has 2 bridge
crossings over South Fork Lost
Creek in the NW1/4SW1/4 of
Section 4, and the NW1/4SE1/4 of
Section 2, all in T24N, R17W.
These crossings provide full
passage of all life stages of
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout.
A set of naturally occurring
waterfalls in the NW1/4SE1/4 of
Section 2, T24N, R17W (river
mile 4.94) pose complete
migration barriers to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout.
Both bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout exist below the
barriers, and only westslope
cutthroat trout are known to
exist upstream of the barriers.
Although the waterfall migration
barriers limit bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
migration in South Fork Lost
Creek, the stream features are
naturally occurring and not
considered an existing impact.
No direct and indirect impacts
to the connectivity component of
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout habitat exist in
South Fork Lost Creek.
South Fork Lost Creek - Existing
Collective Past and Present
Impacts
Existing collective past and
present impacts to fisheries in
the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area are determined by
assessing the collective
existing direct and indirect
impacts and other related
existing actions affecting the
fish-bearing streams in the
project area. In order to help
convey a summary of collective
existing impacts within the
South Fork Lost Creek portion of
the project area, a matrix of
existing effects to fisheries in
the project area is displayed in
TABLE E-12 - MATRIX OF
COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK.
One related action includes past
and present construction on the
road system in the project area.
This variable is considered here
since the related potential
impacts to native fisheries are
nonspecific and may include the
collective inconsistent effect
of sedimentation, localized
suspended solids, channel
constriction, channel widening,
and modifications to temperature
regimes. The road system has
been assessed for specific
sources of sedimentation to
streams in the South Fork Lost
TABLE E-12 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE EXISTING
LOST CREEK
IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN SOUTH FORK
EXISTING IMPACTS TO BULL TROUT
AND WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT
IN SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
Populations - presence and genetics
Low to high
Habitat - flow regimes
Very low
Habitat - sediment
None
Habitat - channel forms
None
Habitat - riparian function
Low
Habitat - large woody debris
None
Habitat - stream temperature
None
Habitat - connectivity
None
Other related actions
Very Low to moderate
Existing collective impacts
Moderate
Creek watershed. Estimates
indicate that approximately 19.8
tons per year of road material
are contributed to streams in
the South Fork Lost Creek
watershed by the existing road
system (see WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) . The
collective effect from the
existing road system, as
represented by the estimated
amount of material contributed
to streams, likely represents an
existing low to moderate impact
to bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout in South Fork
Lost Creek.
Other related actions that are
considered in the existing
collective impacts are a very
low impact due to fishing and
other related recreational uses,
a low impact from past forest-
management activities on
upstream land ownerships, and a
low impact from road and road-
stream crossing construction and
maintenance activities on
upstream land ownerships.
The determination of existing
collective effects in this
fisheries analysis is based on
an assessment of all variables,
but the variables are not
weighted egually in making the
determination. For example,
impacts from nonnative fish
species, connectivity, and
sedimentation tend to have a
greater level of existing risk
to native fisheries than the
existing impacts from flow
regimes and riparian function.
Determinations of existing
collective impacts are,
therefore, primarily a
conseguence of the overwhelming
impact to native fish species
from nonnative fish species in
conjunction with existing
impacts to other habitat
variables. As a result of these
considerations, existing
collective impacts to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout in
South Fork Lost Creek is likely
moderate .
> CILLY CREEK
Cilly Creek is a second-order
stream and only a very short reach
within the project area is
considered fish bearing.
♦ Cilly Creek Populations -
Presence and Genetics
Eastern brook trout are the only
fish inhabiting Cilly Creek
within and adjacent to the
project area. Although bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout likely inhabited Cilly
Creek to some degree prior to an
eastern brook trout invasion,
several different surveys
confirm that the native species
no longer utilize the stream as
habitat. A redd count survey
during 1982 revealed no bull
trout spawning in Cilly Creek
(Leathe et al 1985) . Another
redd count survey during 1996
revealed no westslope cutthroat
trout spawning in Cilly Creek
(T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell) .
Electrof ishing surveys of
species presence during 1983
{Leathe et al 1985), 2004 (T.
Weaver, DFWP Kalispell) , and
2005 (J. Bower, DNRC Missoula)
also confirmed that native
species do not utilize Cilly
Creek as habitat.
As eastern brook trout currently
thrive in Cilly Creek, a
presumption that bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
historically occupied the stream
to some unknown degree is
reasonable. The complete
displacement by eastern brook
trout, therefore, constitutes a
moderate to high existing impact
to bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout populations and
genetics in Cilly Creek.
♦ Cilly Creek Habitat - Flow
Regimes
Flow regime is the range of
discharge freguencies and
intensities in a specific
watershed that occur throughout
the year. (Flow regime is
analogous to ''water yield' in
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS.) The
analysis of hydrologic data for
Cilly Creek indicates that the
existing average departure in
flow regime is approximately 2.3
percent above the range of
naturally occurring conditions
(see APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) , which is
primarily a result of past
forest crown removal. The range
of naturally occurring
conditions is considered
representative of those flow
regimes in a 20- to 30-year-old
forest (or, alternatively, a
forest that exhibits
evapotranspiration and
precipitation interception rates
that are similar to a mature
forest) .
Changes in flow regime can
affect fisheries through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream-
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. However, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime in the project area
are generally not associated
with detectable impacts to fish-
habitat variables. As a
consequence, a very low
likelihood for very low direct
and indirect impacts to these
habitat characteristics exists
as a result of the estimated
2.3-percent increase in flow
regime to Cilly Creek within the
project area.
Changes in flow regime have been
known to affect fish spawning
migration, habitat available for
spawning, and embryo survival.
Although, in general, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime described for the
project area are not likely to
have adverse impacts to
fisheries spawning and embryo
survival. For this reason, a
very low likelihood for very low
direct and indirect impacts to
native and nonnative fish
species exists as a result of
flow regime modifications to
Cilly Creek within the project
area .
♦ Cilly Creek Habitat - Sediment
The stream morphology of the
fish-bearing reach of Cilly
Creek within the project area is
described using the Rosgen river
classification (Rosgen 1996).
The fish-bearing reach of the
stream exhibits a ''B4' channel
type. The B morphological type
broadly includes riffle-
dominated streams in narrow,
gently sloping valleys, which
typically exhibit infrequently
spaced pools (Rosgen 1996) .
Furthermore, the B4
morphological type is
characteristic of channel
compositions dominated by
gravels (Rosgen 1996) . As this
condition appears consistent
with those found in Leathe et al
(1985), the existing sediment
characteristics of Cilly Creek
are likely representative of
historic trends. Furthermore,
field surveys of the stream
during 2004 and 2005 did not
reveal channel or riparian
disturbances that would
otherwise point toward a
deviation in the expected
characteristics of sediment. No
direct and indirect impacts to
the sediment component of fish
habitat likely exist in Cilly
Creek .
(In terms of the sediment
component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat, the potential effects
of past and present road
construction in the Cilly Creek
drainage are considered an
unspecified, collective effect.
This broad variable is
consequently addressed in the
Existing Collective Past and
Present Impacts section of
EXISTING CONDITIONS of this
analysis . )
♦ Cilly Creek Habitat - Channel
Forms
The description of channel
formation used to describe
existing fish habitat in Cilly
Creek is the Montgomery/
Buffington classification
{Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . The stream gradient of
the fish-bearing reach of Cilly
Creek primarily ranges from 1 to
3 percent. The stream
formations of the reach are
broadly described as exhibiting
the ■'forced pool-riffle' and
■"pool-rif f le' Montgomery/
Buffington classification. The
■"forced pool-riffle' channel
form is generally a function of
large-woody-debris recruitment
to the bankfull area of the
stream. Both ■'pool-riffle'
channel forms typically exhibit
pool frequencies of 1:5 to 1:7,
where the later ratio is channel
width (Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . No direct or indirect
impacts to the channel form
component of fish habitat are
apparent in Cilly Creek.
♦ Cilly Creek Habitat - Riparian
Function
The stream riparian area is
broadly defined as the interface
or linkage between the
terrestrial and aquatic zones,
and this area is critical for
regulating large-woody-debris
recruitment, the interception of
solar radiation, stream nutrient
inputs, and other variables
(Hansen et al 1995) . This
section will consider the
following important existing
conditions of the riparian area:
site potential tree height and
stream shading.
Studies of large-woody-debris
recruitment to the stream
channel suggest that the primary
zone of recruitment is equal to
the height of the tallest trees
growing in the riparian zone
(Robinson and Beschta 1990,
Bilby and Bisson 1998) . The
site potential tree height of
dominant and co-dominant trees
at 100 years (ARM 36 . 1 1 . 425 [ 5] )
is used to estimate the extent
of the primary zone of large-
woody-debris recruitment for
riparian areas adjacent to
proposed harvest units in
Section 16, T24N, R17W. The
site potential tree height
calculated by DNRC personnel
during 2004 is 91 feet. The
measure was calculated from 2
samples of grand fir adjacent to
the fish-bearing reach.
Riparian areas also provide
stream shading, which
contributes to the regulation of
stream temperature regimes by
intercepting direct solar
radiation to the stream channel.
During winter seasons, riparian
areas may also function to
regulate stream temperatures by
inhibiting temperature loss
through evaporation, convection,
or long-wave radiation from the
stream (Beschta et al 1987) .
The degree to which a riparian
area blocks direct solar
radiation to the stream can be
determined by measuring the
angular canopy density, which is
a function of riparian tree
species composition, stand age,
and tree density (Beschta et al
1987) . Samples of angular
canopy density were taken at 6
different locations from the
center of the fish-bearing reach
of Cilly Creek during 2004, and
measurements were taken for the
months of July and August (the
months during which direct solar
radiation has the greatest
potential effect on stream
temperature regimes) . Results
of these measurements indicate
that the existing riparian tree
vegetation blocks an average of
76 percent of direct solar
radiation during July and an
average of 83 percent during
August .
Past disturbance in the riparian
areas of Cilly Creek include the
random, selective harvesting of
large trees until approximately
30 years ago. The potential
existing impacts are low since
the result of the past
associated action poses an
existing low risk of reduced
recruitable large woody debris
over the foreseeable near
future .
Cilly Creek Habitat - Large
Woody Debris
Large woody debris is recruited
to the stream channel from
adjacent and upstream riparian
vegetation, and the material is
an important component in the
formation of habitat for fish.
The frequency of existing large
woody debris in the fish-bearing
reach of Cilly Creek is likely
consistent with the range of
frequencies observed in other B
channels on nearby South Fork
Lost Creek and Soup Creek and
described within this analysis.
No direct and indirect impacts
to the large-woody-debris
component of fish habitat likely
exist in Cilly Creek.
Cilly Creek Habitat - Stream
Temperature
Stream temperature data for
Cilly Creek is available for
2004 and 2005 and is displayed
in TABLE E-13 - STREAM
TEMPERATURE DATA FOR CILLY
CREEK. FIGURE E-3 - THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT:
SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK, CILLY
CREEK, AND SOUP CREEK STREAM
TEMPERATURE LOGGERS displays the
locations of stream temperature
data recorders on Cilly Creek.
Rates of change in stream
temperature are typically
variable between different
stream segments, as rates of
change in stream temperature are
generally a function of
variations in stream shading,
aspect, stream volume, net
radiation, evaporation,
convection, conduction,
groundwater interactions, and
inputs from tributaries (Beschta
et al 1987) . During 2004, the
rate of change in maximum weekly
maximum stream temperature
between Cilly#4 and Cilly#3 is
approximately +1.1 degrees
Celsius per half mile, +1.0
degrees Celsius per half mile
between Cilly#3 and Cilly#2, and
-3.2 degrees Celsius per half
TABLE E-13 - STREAM-TEMPERATURE DATA FOR CILLY CREEK*
SITE NAME
MAXIMUM
WEEKLY
MEAN
TEMPERATURE
(CELSIUS)
WARMEST DAY OF
MAXIMUM WEEKLY
MEAN TEMPERATURE
DAYS
GREATER
THAN
(CELSIUS)
10.0 15.0 21.1
DATE
MAXIMUM
CELSIUS
Cilly#l_Lower_2004
7.5
08/13/04
7.6
Cilly#2_Lower-Middle_2004
12.1
08/17/04
12.5
50
Cilly#3_Upper-Middle_2004
10.6
08/17/04
10.8
34
Cilly#4_Upper_2004
9.3
08/16/04
9.7
Cilly#l_Lower_2005
7.9
06/21/05
8.7
Cilly#2_Lower-Middle_2 05
10.9
08/07/05
11.0
29
Cilly#3_Upper-Middle_2 05
10.4
08/09/05
10.5
13
Cilly#4_Upper_2005
8.8
08/09/05
8.9
*Samples obtained by DNRC resource specialists using Water Temp Pro (Onset Corpora-
tion) data loggers .
mile between Cilly#2 and
Cillytl. During 2005, the rate
of change in maximum weekly
maximum stream temperature
between Cilly#4 and Cilly#3 is
approximately +1.4 degrees
Celsius per half mile, +0.3
degrees Celsius per half mile
between Cilly#3 and Cilly#2, and
-2.1 degrees Celsius per half
mile between Cilly#2 and
Cilly#l. It must be noted that
between Cilly#2 and Cilly#l
field surveys have observed the
stream losing all surface flows
to subsurface flows during the
period of seasonal maximum
stream temperatures. It is,
therefore, readily apparent that
inputs from cooler groundwater
influenced the stream
temperature regime between
Cilly#2 and Cilly#l, where the
maximum weekly maximum stream
temperature dropped appreciably
at the rate of approximately
minus 3.2 degrees Celsius per
half mile during 2004 and at the
rate of approximately -2 . 1
degrees Celsius per half mile
during 2005. Groundwater
interactions are known to affect
many of the streams in the Swan
River valley {Baxter 1997,
Stanford and Ward 1993), and the
stream temperature effects of
groundwater interactions likely
occur periodically in other
reaches of Cilly Creek.
However, the extent to which
different groundwater
interactions affect stream
temperatures is generally a
function of a multitude of site-
specific variables and not
consistent across drainages.
No direct and indirect impacts
to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat are
apparent in Cilly Creek.
♦ Cilly Creek Habitat -
Connectivity
Cilly Creek has 1 bridge
crossing in the project area
located in the NW1/4SE1/4 of
Section 7, T24N, R17W. The
bridge crossing provides full
passage of all life stages of
eastern brook trout (and bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout, if those species were
present) . Also, 3 culvert
crossings of Cilly Creek are in
the project area in the
NW1/4SW1/4 of Section 8, the
NW1/4NW1/4 and the NE1/4SW1/4 of
Section 16, all in T24N, R17W.
These 3 crossings provide full
passage of most adult eastern
brook trout (and most adult bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout, if those species were
present) . These crossings
represent low direct and
indirect impacts to the
connectivity component of fish
habitat existing in Cilly Creek.
♦ Cilly Creek - Existing
Collective Past and Present
Impacts
Existing collective past and
present impacts to fisheries in
the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area are determined by
assessing the collective
existing direct and indirect
impacts and other related
existing actions affecting the
fish-bearing streams in the
project area. In order to help
convey a summary of collective
existing impacts within the
Cilly Creek portion of the
project area, a matrix of
existing effects to fisheries in
the project area is displayed in
TABLE E-14 - MATRIX OF
COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN CILLY CREEK.
One related action includes past
and present construction on the
road system in the project area.
This variable is considered here
since the related potential
impacts to native fisheries are
nonspecific and may include the
collective inconsistent effect
of sedimentation, localized
suspended solids, channel
constriction, channel widening.
TABLE E-14 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN CILLY
CREEK
EXISTING IMPACTS TO NATIVE
AND NONNATIVE FISH IN SOUP CREEK
Populations - presence and genetics
Moderate to high
Habitat - flow regimes
Very Low
Habitat - sediment
None
Habitat - channel forms
None
Habitat - riparian function
Low
Habitat - large woody debris
None
Habitat - stream temperature
None
Habitat - connectivity
Low
Other related actions
Very low to low
Existing collective impacts
Moderate
and modifications to temperature
regimes. The existing road
system has been assessed for
specific sources of
sedimentation to streams in the
Cilly Creek watershed.
Estimates indicate that
approximately 2 . 9 tons per year
of road material are contributed
to streams in the Cilly Creek
watershed by the existing road
system (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) . The collective
effect from the existing road
system, as represented by the
estimated amount of material
contributed to streams, likely
represents an existing low
impact to fish in Cilly Creek.
Other related actions that are
considered in the existing
collective impacts are a very
low impact due to fishing and
other related recreational uses,
a low impact from past forest-
management activities on other
land ownerships, and a low
impact from road and road-stream
crossing construction and
maintenance activities on other
land ownerships.
The determination of existing
collective effects in this
fisheries analysis is based on
an assessment of all variables,
but the variables are not
weighted egually in making the
determination. For example.
impacts from nonnative fish
species, connectivity, and
sedimentation tend to have a
greater level of existing risk
to native fisheries than the
existing impacts from flow
regimes and riparian function.
Determinations of existing
collective impacts are,
therefore, primarily a
conseguence of the overwhelming
impact to native fish species
from nonnative fish species in
conjunction with existing
impacts to other habitat
variables. As a result of these
considerations, a moderate
collective impact to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
likely exists in Cilly Creek.
> UNNAMED CREEK
Unnamed Creek is a second-order
stream, and the fish-bearing reach
of the stream is downstream of the
project area.
♦ Unnamed Creek Populations -
Presence And Genetics
Based on a thorough
electrof ishing survey of Unnamed
Creek during 2005 (J. Bower,
DNRC Missoula) , eastern brook
trout were determined to be the
only fish inhabiting Unnamed
Creek downstream from the
project area. Measurements of
relatively high stream
temperatures (see UNAMED CREEK
HABITAT - STREAM TEMPERATURE)
likely indicate that the stream
is a thermal barrier to bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout. Neither native species
has likely ever utilized Unnamed
Creek as habitat for any period
of time. No direct and indirect
impacts to bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
presence and genetics exist in
Unnamed Creek.
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Flow
Regimes
Flow regime is the range of
discharge freguencies and
intensities in a specific
watershed that occur throughout
the year. (Flow regime is
analogous to ''water yield' in
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS.) The
analysis of hydrologic data for
Unnamed Creek indicates that the
existing average departure in
flow regime is approximately 0.5
percent above the range of
naturally occurring conditions,
which is primarily a result of
past forest crown removal. The
range of naturally occurring
conditions is considered
representative of those flow
regimes in a 20- to 30-year-old
forest (or, alternatively, a
forest that exhibits
evapotranspiration and
precipitation interception rates
that are similar to a mature
forest) .
Changes in flow regime can
affect fisheries through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. However, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime in the project area
are generally not associated
with detectable impacts to fish
habitat variables.
Conseguently , the likelihood is
very low for very low direct and
indirect impacts to these
habitat characteristics as a
result of the estimated 0.5-
percent increase in flow regime
to Unnamed Creek downstream of
the project area.
Major sections of the fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek
seasonally dewater and exhibit
intermittent flows.
Changes in flow regime have been
known to affect fish spawning
migration, habitat available for
spawning, and embryo survival.
Although, in general, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime described for the
project area are not likely to
have adverse impacts to
fisheries spawning and embryo
survival. For this reason, the
likelihood is very low for very
low direct and indirect impacts
to nonnative fish species as a
result of flow regime
modifications to Unnamed Creek
downstream of the project area.
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Sediment
The stream morphology of the
fish-bearing reach of Unnamed
Creek downstream of the project
area is described using the
Rosgen river classification
{Rosgen 1996) . The fish-bearing
reach of the stream alternates
between 'B4', 'C4', and 'E5'
channel types. The B
morphological type broadly
includes riffle-dominated
streams in narrow, gently
sloping valleys, which typically
exhibit infreguently spaced
pools {Rosgen 1996) . The C
morphological type broadly
includes meandering streams with
both riffles and pools in low-
gradient, broad, alluvial valley
bottoms {Rosgen 1996) . The E
morphological type broadly
includes riffle-pool-dominated,
low-gradient streams in broad
alluvial valleys with well-
developed floodplains {Rosgen
1996) . Furthermore, the B4 and
C4 morphological type is
characteristic of channel
compositions dominated by
gravels, while the E5
morphological type is
characteristic of channel
compositions dominated by sands
{Rosgen 1996) . Several large
beaver dam complexes exist
within the 'E5' and 'C4' channel
types. Field surveys of the
stream during 2005 did not
reveal channel or riparian
disturbances that would
otherwise point toward a
deviation in the expected
characteristics of sediment. No
direct and indirect impacts to
the sediment component of fish
habitat likely exist in Unnamed
Creek .
(In terms of the sediment
component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat, the potential effects
of past and present road
construction in the Unnamed
Creek drainage are considered an
unspecified, collective effect.
This broad variable is
conseguently addressed in the
Existing Collective Past and
Present Impacts section of
EXISTING CONDITIONS of this
analysis . )
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Channel
Forms
The description of channel
formation used to describe
existing fish habitat in Unnamed
Creek is the Montgomery/
Buffington classification
{Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . The stream gradient of
the fish-bearing reach of
Unnamed Creek primarily ranges
from 1 to 4 percent. In those
reaches of the stream that flow
through forested areas, the
stream formations are broadly
described as exhibiting the
■"forced pool-riffle' and ''pool-
riffle' Montgomery /Buff ington
classification. The ^forced
pool-riffle' channel form is
generally a function of large-
woody-debris recruitment to the
bankfull area of the stream.
Both ■'pool-riffle' channel forms
typically exhibit pool
freguencies of 1:5 to 1:7, where
the later ratio is channel width
{Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . In those reaches of the
stream that flow through various
sedge meadow complexes, the
stream formations are broadly
described as exhibiting the
■"plane bed' Montgomery/
Buffington classification. The
■"plane bed' channel form
typically does not have pools
and generally occurs in
gradients of 1 to 4 percent
{Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . Several large beaver dam
complexes exist within the fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek.
No direct and indirect impacts
to the channel form component of
fish habitat are apparent in
Unnamed Creek.
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Riparian
Function
The stream riparian area is
broadly defined as the interface
or linkage between the
terrestrial and aguatic zones,
and this area is critical for
regulating large-woody-debris
recruitment, the interception of
solar radiation, stream-nutrient
inputs, and other variables
{Hansen et al 1995) . The
proposed forest-management
activities associated with each
alternative are not expected to
occur adjacent to the fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek.
For this reason, a description
of the existing condition of
site potential tree height is
not needed for the fisheries
analysis .
Riparian areas also provide
stream shading, which
contributes to the regulation of
stream temperature regimes by
intercepting direct solar
radiation to the stream channel.
Field surveys of the stream
during 2005 did not reveal
extraordinary riparian
disturbances that would
otherwise point toward a
deviation in the expected range
of stream-shade conditions.
However, past disturbance in the
riparian areas of Unnamed Creek
may include the random,
selective harvesting of large
trees up to approximately 30
years ago. This random,
selective riparian harvesting
likely represents a potential
low-existing impact to nonnative
fisheries in Unnamed Creek. A
potential low impact exists
since the result of the past
associated action poses an
existing low risk of reduced
recruitable large woody debris
over the foreseeable near
future .
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Large
Woody Debris
Large woody debris is recruited
to the stream channel from
adjacent and upstream riparian
vegetation, and the material is
an important component in the
formation of habitat for fish.
The freguency of existing large
woody debris in the fish-bearing
reach of Unnamed Creek is likely
consistent with the range of
freguencies observed in other B
and C channels on nearby South
Fork Lost Creek and Soup Creek
and is described within this
analysis. In those reaches of
the stream that flow through
various sedge meadow complexes,
field surveys did not reveal
large woody debris as playing an
important role in stream
function. No direct and
indirect impacts to the large-
woody-debris component of fish
habitat likely exist in Unnamed
Creek .
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat - Stream
Temperature
Instantaneous daytime stream
temperatures were recorded at 3
different locations of the fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek
on June 23, 2005. The 3
measures were 15.5, 17.0, and
21.5 degrees Celsius. These
daytime stream temperatures are
relatively high for the month of
June compared to other fish-
bearing streams in the project
area, and the stream
temperatures during July and
August are expected to be even
greater. The simple measures
from June 23, 2005 are likely
indicative of a stream that
presents a thermal barrier to
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout. Although these
temperatures are relatively
high, the field surveys of the
stream during 2005 did not
reveal extraordinary riparian
disturbances or stream
conditions that would otherwise
point toward a deviation in the
observed range of stream
temperature. No apparent direct
or indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat exist in Unnamed
Creek .
♦ Unnamed Creek Habitat -
Connectivity
Two culvert crossings of Unnamed
Creek exist in the project area
in the NE1/4NE1/4 of Section 29,
T24N, R17W and the SW1/4NW1/4 of
Section 28, T24N, R17W. The
culvert crossing in Section 29
poses a migration barrier to
eastern brook trout except for a
portion of the strongest
swimming adults. The culvert
crossing in Section 28 poses a
complete migration barrier to
all life stages of eastern brook
trout. The 2 culvert crossings
represent an existing moderate
to high direct and indirect
impact to the connectivity
component of fish habitat in
Unnamed Creek.
Unnamed Creek - Existing
Collective Past and Present
Impacts
Existing collective past and
present impacts to fisheries in
the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area are determined by
assessing the collective
existing direct and indirect
impacts and other related
existing actions affecting the
fish-bearing streams in the
project area. In order to help
convey a summary of collective
existing impacts within the
Unnamed Creek portion of the
project area, a matrix of
existing effects to fisheries in
the project area is displayed in
TABLE E-15 - MATRIX OF
COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN UNNAMED CREEK.
One related action includes past
and present construction on the
existing road system in the
project area. This variable is
considered here since the
related potential impacts to
native fisheries are nonspecific
and may include the collective
inconsistent effect of
sedimentation, localized
suspended solids, channel
constriction, channel widening,
and modifications to temperature
regimes. The existing road
system has not been assessed for
specific sources of
sedimentation to streams in the
Unnamed Creek watershed.
However, the impacts in the
Unnamed Creek watershed are
likely similar to those found in
Cilly Creek since both
watersheds are comparable in
size, historic-management
regimes, and past road
development. The collective
effect from the existing road
system then likely represents an
existing low impact to fish in
Unnamed Creek.
e t e r I i 1 a t i
t 1 V e e f f e
c 1 1 e c
f i s li e r i e s a n a 1 y s
an a s s e s s I e n t c f
t t
V a r i a 3 1 e s
« e i 9 li t e (1 e q 11 ' 1 1
d e t e r I
acts [
t
r
c
t
t e r 1 e
c native
X i s t i n 5 i
e 5 i I e s an
e t e r I i 1 a t
species,
s e (1 i I e n t a
r e a
c t
n
1
c 1
c n
i c
[ i
t 1
c t t c
r I 1 c n n
n j 11 n c t i
1 p a c t s t
c e
n a
t i
[ t
r 1 a
1 s i
1 1 e c t i V
li i t k
t k e r
i s a
ens, a
i I 5 a c t
1 i k e 1
e X 1
c [ e X i s t i 11 9
s in t k i s
s is 3 a s e (1 c
all V a r i a i) 1 e
are net
in I a k i n 5 t k
c r e X a I ! 1 e ,
a t i J e [ i s k
V i t y , and
(I t c k a V e a
existing lis
e s t k a n t k e
[ r c I [ 1 c !
i a n [ 1 n c t i c n
existing
s are,
i 1 y a
e e v e r II k e 1 I i
f i s k species
s k species i
existing
k a 1) i t a t
r e s n 1 t c f t k
I c (I e r a t e
t c [ i s k e r i e
[I n n a • e (I tree
TABLE E-15 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN UNNAMED
CREEK
EXISTING IMPACTS TO NONNATIVE FISH
IN UNNAMED CREEK
Populations - presence and genetics
None
Habitat - flow regimes
Very Low
Habitat - sediment
None
Habitat - channel forms
None
Habitat - riparian function
Low
Habitat - large woody debris
None
Habitat - stream temperature
None
Habitat - connectivity
Moderate to high
Other related actions
Very low to low
Existing collective impacts
Moderate
> SOUP CREEK
Soup Creek is a third-order stream
and the entire reach within the
project area is considered fish-
bearing .
♦ Soup Creek Populations -
Presence and Genetics
The Soup Creek watershed has
been identified as a core
habitat area within the Swan
River drainage bull trout
conservation area {MBTSG 1996,
MBTRT 2000) . Core areas are
watersheds, including tributary
drainages and adjoining uplands,
used by migratory bull trout for
spawning and early rearing, and
by resident bull trout for all
life history reguirements {MBTRT
2000) . Although bull trout may
exhibit the resident life form
in Soup Creek, this stream is
used by bull trout primarily as
spawning and rearing habitat for
adfluvial populations associated
with Swan Lake. Soup Creek
supports westslope cutthroat
trout exhibiting adfluvial,
fluvial, and resident life
forms .
Genetic data suggests that
migratory bull trout adults in
the upper Flathead River system
have been found to freguently
return to their natal or near-
natal streams (Kanda et al
1997), and populations of
migratory spawning bull trout in
the Flathead River system have
been observed returning to the
same stream reaches during
subseguent spawning runs {Fraley
and Shepard 1989) . This
propensity for habitual adult
migration to natal or near-natal
streams and the conseguent
selection of unigue spawning
locations would make the use of
redd counts in Soup Creek a
useful measure of overall bull
trout success in occupying this
specific subbasin. Similarly,
westslope cutthroat trout redd
counts would be expected to
express that species' overall
success in occupying spawning
and rearing habitats provided by
Soup Creek.
The protocol for collecting
redd-count data in South Fork
Lost Creek is described in
Weaver and Fraley (1991).
Experienced crews and fixed-
survey reaches are used for
result consistency.
The data in TABLE E-16 - BULL
TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUP CREEK,
1992 THROUGH 2005 shows that
number of bull trout redds
constructed in the Soup Creek
reference reach has ranged from
2 to 12 during the years 1992 to
2004. This table contains
insufficient data to describe a
trend in bull trout redd counts
with a high degree of certainty.
An analysis of bull trout redd
counts from throughout the Swan
drainage suggests that the
larger bull trout population may
be increasing {Rieman and Myers
1997), but the same study also
indicates that a larger data set
than that provided in TABLE E-16
- BULL TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUP
CREEK, 1992 THROUGH 2005 is
likely needed in order to begin
identifying long-term trends of
bull trout populations in
individual streams. However,
Weaver (2005) has indicated that
the existing Swan River drainage
bull trout population appears to
be stable, and redd counts from
South Fork Lost Creek and Soup
Creek are generally
representative of trends in
other bull trout spawning
streams within the drainage.
Weaver (2005) noted that
increases in bull trout redd
counts from 1996 through 2000
may have been due to a strong
bull trout population response
to Mysis shrimp densities in
Swan Lake. (Mysis is an
introduced macroinvertebrate to
Swan Lake that has contributed
to the food base of adfluvial
TABLE E-16 - BULL TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUP CREEK, 1992 THROUGH 2005
15
^ 10
o
DC
Bull trout redd counts on Soup Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell) (no data for year 2002)
12
12
10
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout.) The data in
TABLE E-17 - WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT
TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUP CREEK,
1994 THROUGH 2004 shows the
number of westslope cutthroat
trout redds constructed in the
Soup Creek reference reach has
ranged from 9 to 29 during the
years 1994 through 2004.
Although this table also has
insufficient data to describe a
trend in westslope cutthroat
trout redd counts with a high
degree of certainty, this data
is likely indicative of a
generally stable westslope
cutthroat trout population
associated with the Soup Creek
drainage .
Leathe et al (1985) describes
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout population
TABLE E-17 - WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT REDD COUNTS IN SOUP CREEK, 1994
THROUGH 2004
Westslope cutthroat trout redd counts on Soup Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell) (no data for
years 2001 and 2002)
35 -I
30
25
1, 15
DC
10
5
29
H
13
H
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Year
densities in 3 reaches of Soup
Creek as ranging from low to
high (see TABLE E-18 - SPECIES
DENSITIES IN SOUP CREEK, 1982
THROUGH 1983 [LEATHE ET AL
1985]). Reach 1 starts at the
confluence of Swan River and
Soup Creek and extends upstream
to river mile 6.34. Reach 2
includes that portion of Soup
Creek from river mile 6.34 to
7.64, and Reach 3 extends from
river mile 7.64 to 9.32.
Independent of the current
population status, there are
considerable existing and future
risks to both bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
populations and genetics in Soup
Creek and throughout the Swan
River drainage. Perhaps the
greatest future threats to bull
trout in the Swan River drainage
are from the introduction and
spread of nonnative fish (MBTSG
1996) . The recently confirmed
introduction and reproduction of
lake trout {Salvelinus
namaycush) in Swan Lake is
expected to have some level of
acute negative effect to bull
trout within the Swan River
drainage. Lake trout will
likely have a negative affect on
bull trout populations in Swan
Lake through the predation of
juvenile and subadult life
stages and niche displacement.
These foreseeable interactions
will likely be expressed through
lower rates of bull trout redd
count construction in Soup
Creek .
Bull trout are also negatively
affected by nonnative eastern
brook trout primarily through
hybridization and, to some
extent, by the displacement of
juvenile fish in rearing
habitats. Data suggests that
bull trout and eastern brook
trout hybridization has occurred
throughout the Swan River
drainage {Kanda et al 1997) .
Although several factors point
toward hybridization as a lower
overall risk to bull trout than
that of displacement by lake
trout: migratory bull trout tend
to have a reproductive size
advantage over resident eastern
brook trout {Rieman and Mclntyre
1993) and offspring can have a
considerable chance of being
sterile or exhibiting other
progressive growth problems
(Leary et al 1983) .
Westslope cutthroat trout also
face considerable threats from
the introduction and spread of
nonnative fish. Introgression
from hybridization with rainbow
trout {Oncorhynchus mykiss) and
other cutthroat trout subspecies
may pose the foremost risk to
westslope cutthroat trout in
Montana (Liknes and Graham
1988) . Westslope cutthroat
trout within Soup Creek below
migration-barrier cascades at
approximate river mile 7.50 are
TABLE E-18 - SPECIES DENSITIES IN SOUP CREEK, 1982 THROUGH 1983 (LEATHE ET AL
1985)
NUMBER OF FISH
GREATER THAN
75 MILLIMETERS
PER 300 METERS
NUMBER OF FISH
GREATER THAN
150 MILLIMETERS
PER 300 METERS
REACH /YEAR
SURVEYED
BULL
TROUT
WESTSLOPE
CUTTHROAT
TROUT
EASTERN
BROOK
TROUT
BULL
TROUT
WESTSLOPE
CUTTHROAT
TROUT
EASTERN
BROOK
TROUT
1/1983
3
Clow')
279
( 'high' )
48
( 'mod' )
2/1982
240 ('high')
46
( 'moderate ' )
3/1983
expected to express some level
of introgression {NRIS 2004) .
Westslope cutthroat trout
upstream of the migration
barrier falls were determined to
be 100 percent genetically pure
from samples taken in 1983
(MFISH 2005) . Westslope
cutthroat trout are guite
susceptible to displacement by
introduced salmonids, especially
eastern brook trout; however,
the variable mechanisms through
which this occurs are not well
understood (Griffith 1988) .
Eastern brook trout are not
known to exist upstream of the
migration-barrier falls.
Existing impacts to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
populations and genetics in Soup
Creek are due primarily to the
introduction of nonnative
salmonids. Existing impacts to
bull trout in Soup Creek include
an imminent moderate to high
impact due to the propagation of
lake trout in the drainage and a
low impact due to hybridization
with eastern brook trout.
Existing impacts to westslope
cutthroat trout include a likely
moderate impact due to
introgression from rainbow trout
hybridization and a moderate
impact from displacement by
eastern brook trout (where the 2
species' distributions overlap
below the migration-barrier
falls) .
♦ Soup Creek Habitat - Flow
Regimes
Flow regime is the range of
discharge freguencies and
intensities in a specific
watershed that occur throughout
the year. (Flow regime is
analogous to ''water yield' in
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS.) The
analysis of hydrologic data for
Soup Creek indicates that the
existing average departure in
flow regime is approximately 1.0
percent above the range of
naturally occurring conditions
(see APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) , which is
primarily a result of past
forest crown removal. The range
of naturally occurring
conditions is considered
representative of those flow
regimes in a 20- to 30-year-old
forest (or, alternatively, a
forest that exhibits
evapotranspirat ion and
precipitation interception rates
that are similar to a mature
forest) .
Changes in flow regime can
affect bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout fisheries
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. However, the
existing levels of increased
flow regime in the project area
are generally not associated
with detectable impacts to fish
habitat variables. As a
conseguence, the likelihood is
very low for very low existing
direct and indirect impacts to
these habitat characteristics as
a result of the estimated 1.0-
percent increase in flow regime
to Soup Creek within the project
area .
Changes in flow regime have been
known to affect bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
spawning migration, habitat
available for spawning, and
embryo survival. Although, in
general, the existing levels of
increased flow regime described
for the project area are not
likely to have adverse impacts
to fisheries spawning and embryo
survival. For this reason, the
likelihood is very low for very
low existing direct and indirect
impacts to native and nonnative
fish species as a result of flow
regime modifications to Soup
Creek within the project area.
♦ Soup Creek Habitat - Sediment
Existing stream sediment
processes that are described in
this analysis are the Rosgen
stream morphological type,
sediment budget, and streambank
stability. The stream
morphology of 4 separate reaches
of Soup Creek within the project
area (see FIGURE E-2 - THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT:
SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP
CREEK REACH BREAKS) is described
using the Rosgen river
classification {Rosgen 1996).
From the confluence with the
Swan River (river mile 0.00)
upstream to river mile 6.80
(Reach 1), the creek exhibits a
■"04' channel type; from river
mile 6.80 to 7.45 (Reach 2), the
creek exhibits a ''B3' channel
type; from river mile 7.45 to
9.51 (Reach 3), the creek
exhibits a ''A3' channel type;
and from river mile 9.51
upstream to the Forest Service
property boundary at river mile
10.37 (Reach 4), the creek
exhibits a ''B4' channel type.
The C morphological type broadly
includes meandering streams with
both riffles and pools in low-
gradient, broad, alluvial valley
bottoms (Rosgen 1996) . More
specifically, the C3
morphological type is indicative
of gravel-dominated systems with
well-developed f loodplains . The
B morphological type broadly
includes riffle-dominated
streams in narrow, gently
sloping valleys, which typically
exhibit infreguently spaced
pools (Rosgen 1996) .
Furthermore, the B3 and B4
morphological types are
characteristic of channel
compositions dominated by
cobbles and gravels,
respectively (Rosgen 1996) . The
A3 morphological type includes
streams with steep, entrenched,
confined channels that are
dominated by cobbles with lesser
amounts of boulders, gravel, and
sand.
Several different s ii r ? e v s li a ? e
been c c n (1 ii c t e (1 t c (1 e s c r i s e t k e
s e (1 i I e n t s ii (1 5 e t c f S c 11 5 Creel,
i 1 c 1 11 (1 i « 5 McNeil core, substrate
score, and Wolman pebble count.
The McNeil core sampling
methodology (McNeil and Ahnell
1964) has been demonstrated to
be an effective technigue for
measuring temporal changes in
the streambed permeability of
spawning gravels. McNeil core
data has been collected in Soup
Creek in a known bull trout
spawning reach (NE1/4NE1/4 of
Section 19, T24N, R17W) between
1993 and 2005 (see TABLE E-19 -
MCNEIL CORE SAMPLES FROM SOUP
CREEK, 1993 THROUGH 2005) .
Weaver and Fraley (1991) found
that the percentage of
substrates less than 6.35
millimeters in spawning beds was
inversely proportional to bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout embryo survival in the
Flathead River basin. The FBC,
a cooperative program involving
private. State, and Federal
landowners in the river basin,
subseguently determined that
streams with spawning gravels
having 35 or 40 percent of
substrates less than 6.35
millimeters in any give year
were "threatened" or "impaired",
respectively, in regards to bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout embryo survival (FBC
1991) . McNeil core sample
results from Soup Creek are
collected using Weaver and
Fraley (1991) and displayed in
TABLE E-19 - MCNEIL CORE SAMPLES
FROM SOUP CREEK, 1993 THROUGH
2005 to show the proportion of
substrates less than 6.35
millimeters in size. Data from
1993 through 1997 shows that the
proportion of substrates less
than 6.35 millimeters is under
the 35-percent threshold for
"threatened" status. However,
data from 1998 through 2005
TABLE E-19 - MCNEIL CORE SAMPLES FROM SOUP CREEK, 1993 THROUGH 2005
McNeil core samples from Soup Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell)
100.0
90.0
E
F
80.0
in
C\]
70.0
CD
V
60.0
50.0
Q.
34.2 34.9 34.2 34J 33^
353 37.0 38.2 36.9 37.2 38.0 38.0
39.7
1993 1994 1995 1996
1997 1998 1999 2000
Year
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
indicates that the proportion of
substrates less than 6.35
millimeters are over 35 percent,
which indicates a "threatened"
status in respect to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
embryo survival. The data set
from 1998 through 2005 may also
indicate an increasing trend in
the guantity of substrates less
than 6.35 millimeters in size.
Embeddedness is generally
described as the degree to which
fine sediments surround coarse
substrates on the streambed
surface {Sylte and Fischenich
2002) . The substrate score is
one technigue for measuring
embeddedness, where higher
scores indicate lower
embeddedness and typically
better juvenile bull trout
habitat (Shepard et al 1984) . A
modified substrate score
methodology (Weaver and Fraley
1991 citing others) has been
employed on Soup Creek from 1992
through 2004 (see TABLE E-20 -
SUBSTRATE SCORE SAMPLES FROM
TABLE E-20 - SUBSTRATE SCORE SAMPLES FROM SOUP CREEK, 1992 THROUGH 2005
Substrate score samples from Soup Creek (T. Weaver, FWP Kalispell)
11.5
11.0
(1)
10 5
o
C)
Oi
10.0
m
ro
m
9.5
o
-i
W
9.0
8.5
8.0
10-9 10.8
1C
10.3 .„„ ■
.6
1C
.6
10.4
10.4
u./
10.3 10-4
0.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1 9.8
1^
1
-
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Year
SOUP CREEK, 1992 THROUGH 2005)
in a known juvenile bull trout
rearing reach (NW1/4NW1/4 of
Section 20, T24N, R17W) . The
FBC has subsequently determined
that streams with substrate
scores less than 10 or 9 in any
given year were "threatened" or
"impaired", respectively, in
regards to juvenile bull trout
rearing habitat {FBC 1991) . All
of the sample sets in this table
show substrate scores higher
than 10, except for 2004 and
2005. The scores of 9.8 in 2004
and 9.2 in 2005 are indicating a
"threatened" status in respect
to juvenile bull trout habitat
quality for that year. The
substrate score data from 1998
through 2005, which corresponds
to those years when McNeil core
readings have exceeded 35
percent, may also indicate a
decreasing trend in substrate
score, or conversely, increasing
embeddedness due to fine
substrates .
The Wolman pebble count {Wolman
1954) is another method that can
be used to describe temporal
changes in substrate size
classes on the streambed
surface. Sample data from
Reaches 1 through 4 on Soup
Creek (see FIGURE E-2 - THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT SOUTH
FORK LOST CREEK AND SOUP CREEK
REACH BREAKS) is available from
2002 and 2004 (see TABLE E-21 -
WOLMAN PEBBLE COUNT RESULTS FROM
SOUP CREEK, 2002 [REACHES 1 AND
2] AND 2004 [REACHES 3 AND 4]) .
Within Reach 1, the combined
percentage of substrates less
than 8 millimeters is 54.1
percent. When this value is
considered in conjunction with a
McNeil core reading of 37.2
percent {2002), this indicates
that fine substrates are well
distributed on both the surface
and subsurface of the streambed
in Reach 1 . The Wolman pebble
count results from Reaches 2
through 4 are within the
expected ranges of conditions
for the associated morphological
types .
The final assessment of stream
sediment processes includes a
description of streambank
stability. Streambank stability
is a measure of bank-erosion
rates per stream length, and
changes in the rates can be used
as one indicator of potential
existing impacts to fish
habitats. Streambank-stability
data for Soup Creek is available
for the years 2002 (Reaches 1
and 2) and 2004 (Reaches 3 and
TABLE E-21 - WOLMAN PEBBLE COUNT RESULTS FROM SOUP CREEK, 2002 (REACHES 1 AND
2) AND 2004 (REACHES 3 AND 4)
Wolman pebble count results from Soup Creek (Koopal 2002b, Koopal 2004)
60.0 1
-♦ — Reach 1
-■ — Reach 2
-A— Reach 3
-X — Reach 4
64-128
128-256 256-512
>512
Substrate size class (mm)
4) and includes all stream
habitats from the confluence
with Swan River (river mile
0.00) upstream through the
project area and to the end of
Reach 4 (river mile 10.37) (see
TABLE E- 22 - STREAMBANK
STABILITY RESULTS FROM SOUP
CREEK [KOOPAL 2002B, KOOPAL
2004]) . The protocol used for
collecting the streambank-
stability data is that outlined
in Overton et al (1997) .
Overall, the results of this
data set show very high levels
(99.59 to 100 percent) of
streambank stability through
Reaches 1 through 4 in the
project area.
(In terms of the sediment
component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat, the potential effects
of past and present road
construction in the Soup Creek
drainage are considered
unspecified, collective effects.
This broad variable is
conseguently addressed in the
Existing Collective Past and
Present Impacts section of
EXISTING CONDITIONS of this
analysis . )
The most recent McNeil core data
{1998 through 2005) indicates
that the substrates of known
spawning reaches are
"threatened", and the substrate
scores from 2004 and 2005
describing streambed substrate
embeddedness also indicates that
known bull trout rearing habitat
is "threatened". The Wolman
pebble counts also suggest that
high levels of fine (less than 8
millimeters) streambed surface
substrates are in Reach 1. On
the contrary, a recent
streambank-stability assessment
in Reach 1 shows very low levels
of potential streambank erosion,
a natural source of
sedimentation. Reasons for the
measured levels of fine
substrates in Reach 1 may
include land-management-related
activities, natural cycles in
sediment-transport processes,
drought-related low seasonal
flows, or a combination of two
or more of these and other
factors. As 3 historic, native-
material bridges are in the
process of failing within
Reaches 3 and 4, land-
management-related activities
cannot be conclusively ruled out
as a potential source of a
portion of fine substrates found
in Reach 1. In general,
however, measurements of
substrate within Reaches 2
through 4 are within the
expected ranges of conditions
for the respective morphological
stream type. Based on these
observations, low to moderate
direct and indirect impacts to
the sediment component of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout habitat are likely in Soup
Creek .
Soup Creek Habitat - Channel
Forms
Two descriptions of channel
formation will also be used to
describe existing bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
TABLE E-22 - STREAMBANK STABILITY RESULTS FROM SOUP CREEK (KOOPAL 2002B,
REACH
BANK
LENGTH
(FEET)
PERCENT
STABLE
BANK
PERCENT
UNSTABLE
BANK
PERCENT
UNDERCUT
BANK
LEFT
RIGHT
MEAN
MEAN
MEAN
1
36, 100.0
36,165.0
99.59
0.41
3.18
2
3,440.0
3,433.0
99.85
0.15
2.77
3
10,897.0
10, 919.0
100.00
0.00
2.63
4
4,560.0
4,542.0
100.00
0.00
1.51
habitat in South Fork Lost
Creek: Montgomery /Buff ington
classification (Montgomery and
Buff ington 1997) and R1/R4 Fish
Habitat Standard Inventory
(Overton et al 1997) . The
stream gradient of Reach 1 (see
FIGURE E-2 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH
BREAKS) primarily ranges from 1
to 2 percent, from 3 to 5
percent in Reaches 2 and 4, and
from 7 to 8 percent in Reach 3.
The stream formations of Reaches
1, 2 and 4 are broadly described
as exhibiting ''forced pool-
riffle', '*step-pool' , ■'forced
step-pool' , and ''plane bed'
Montgomery/Buff ington
classifications. The ''forced
pool-riffle' channel form is
generally a function of large-
woody-debris recruitment to the
bankfull area of the stream, and
the channel form typically has
pool frequencies of 1:5 to 1:7,
where the later ratio is channel
width (Montgomery and Buff ington
1997) . ''Forced step-pool'
channel forms are also generally
a function of large-woody-debris
recruitment to the bankfull area
of the stream, and the channel
form typically has pool
frequencies of 1:1 to 1:4 and
gradients of 3 to 8 percent
(Montgomery and Buff ington
1997) . The 'step-pool' is
similar to the ''forced step-
pool' classification, but the
formations are primarily
sediment dependent as opposed to
large-woody-debris dependent.
The ''plane bed' channel form
typically does not have pools
and generally occurs in
gradients of 1 to 4 percent
(Montgomery and Buff ington
1997) . The stream formations of
Reach 3 are broadly described as
exhibiting ''step-pool' and
''cascade' Montgomery/Buff ington
classifications. The ''cascade'
channel form generally occurs in
steeper channels where
longitudinal and lateral
disorganization of cobbles and
boulders typically prevent the
development of large pools
(Montgomery and Buff ington
1997) .
The R1/R4 Fish Habitat Standard
Inventory is a useful protocol
for describing detailed existing
conditions and tracking temporal
changes in the relative
proportions of different stream
microhabitats used by bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other native
fisheries. Inventory data for
Soup Creek is available for the
years 2002 and 2004 (see TABLE
E-23 - R1/R4 FISH HABITAT
STANDARD INVENTORY RESULTS FROM
SOUP CREEK [KOOPAL 2002B, KOOPAL
2004]) and includes all stream
habitats from the confluence
with the Swan River (river mile
TABLE E-23 - R1/R4 FISH HABITAT STANDARD INVENTORY RESULTS FROM SOUP CREEK
(KOOPAL 2002B, KOOPAL 2004)
REACH
HABITAT
TYPE
TOTAL
NUMBER
OF
UNITS
MEAN
HABITAT
LENGTH
(FEET)
MEAN
WIDTH
(FEET)
MEAN
HABITAT
DEPTH
(FEET)
MEAN
WIDTH/
DEPTH
RATIO
MEAN
HABITAT
AREA
(SQUARE
FEET)
MEAN
HABITAT
VOLUME
(CUBIC
FEET)
1
Fast
318
96.4
11.2
0.36
34.92
1, 082.8
389.1
1
Slow
193
27.2
15.7
1.04
16.59
426. 9
444. 9
2
Fast
35
84.0
12.3
0.33
37.52
1, 034. 9
346.1
2
Slow
17
18.4
15.4
1.03
15.44
283. 6
289.5
3
Fast
90
96.9
15.0
0.47
33.41
1, 452.8
679.2
3
Slow
78
27.4
14.4
0.94
16.34
395.2
370.7
4
Fast
42
87.9
11.7
0.29
41.99
1, 025.1
299.3
4
Slow
42
19.8
13. 6
0.79
18 .17
270.2
212.3
0.00) upstream through the
project area and to the end of
Reach 4 (river mile 10.37) (see
FIGURE E-2 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH
BREAKS) . In order to simplify
the description of existing
conditions, detailed habitat
data from Reaches 1 through 4
has been consolidated into fast
and slow habitat types. Fast
habitats include stream features
such as cascades, high and low
gradient riffles, runs, and
glides. Slow habitats include
dammed pools, lateral scour
pools, midchannel scour pools,
plunge pools, and step pools.
Bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout utilize all of
the habitat types with varying
freguency throughout the
different life stages, although
long-term persistence within a
stream by all life stages of
each species is generally
limited by the amount and
freguency of different slow
habitat types. Increasing
amounts of different pool
habitats are typically
proportional to increasing
levels of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
stream-habitat guality .
The following existing
conditions can be deduced from
the 2002 and 2004 habitat
inventories :
- The habitat data for Reach 1
indicates that 62 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 38 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 19 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 41 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 2
indicates that 67 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 33 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 12 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 29 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 3
indicates that 54 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 46 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 19 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 32 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
- The habitat data for Reach 4
indicates that 50 percent of
all channel forms are fast-
type habitat features, and the
remaining 50 percent of all
channel forms are slow-type
habitat features;
approximately 21 percent of
the total reach area includes
slow-type habitat features,
and approximately 42 percent
of the total reach volume is
in slow-type habitat features.
This information portrays
Reaches 1 and 4 as having
relatively high proportions of
slow, or pool, habitat features
and Reaches 2 and 3 as having
relatively lower proportions of
pool habitat features. It can
also be inferred that Reaches 1
and 4 have relatively higher
levels of channel complexity,
in-stream cover, and potential
wintering habitat. Considering
reach gradients, valley
location, and geomorphological
processes, the observed
proportions of habitat types for
each reach are within the broad
ranges of expected conditions.
No specific conclusions
regarding trends in channel form
can be drawn from these current
observations, but this data will
be indispensable in future
habitat assessment and
monitoring efforts. Although
insufficient data is available
for describing specific trends
in channel forms, no direct and
indirect impacts to the channel
form component of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat are apparent in Soup
Creek .
♦ Soup Creek Habitat - Riparian
Function
The stream riparian area is
broadly defined as the interface
or linkage between the
terrestrial and aguatic zones,
and this area is critical for
regulating large-woody-debris
recruitment, the interception of
solar radiation, stream-nutrient
inputs, and other variables
{Hansen et al 1995) . This
section will consider the
following important existing
conditions of the riparian area:
stand type, site potential tree
height, and stream shading.
The predominant riparian stand
types along Soup Creek within
the project area include various
grand fir and Engelmann spruce
series. Although grand fir and
Engelmann spruce are typically
the dominant species during late
serai and climax stages, other
species such as subalpine fir,
Douglas-fir, western larch, and
Sitka alder are also components
of the overstory (Hansen et al
1995) . Furthermore, the
riparian stand type as it
relates to the associated
geology and soils can be
classified as exhibiting NL2A
(Reach 1 only) , SL2B, and SL3B
characteristics, which primarily
occur adjacent to B and C
channel types with stream
gradients ranging from 1 to 12
percent {Sirucek and Bachurski
1995) . The NL2A riparian
landtype generally occurs at
sites with deep, weakly
developed, very gravelly sandy
loams or very gravelly loams
{Sirucek and Bachurski 1995) .
Where the SL2B and SL3B riparian
landtypes occur with the stand
types described above, expected
conditions are somewhat poorly
drained sites with deep, weakly
developed, gravely or bouldery,
sandy loams or loams {Sirucek
and Bachurski 1995) .
Specific riparian stand
conditions adjacent to Soup
Creek were assessed in 2004
through 6 riparian forest
surveys in Sections 26 and 27,
T24N, R17W ("Lower Soup Riparian
Cruise") and 6 riparian forest
surveys in Section 25, T24N,
R17W ("Upper Soup Riparian
Cruise") . During the surveys,
all trees (live and dead) with a
dbh were recorded. Results of
the "Lower Soup Riparian Cruise"
surveys indicate that the
quadratic mean diameter of
riparian trees is 5.9 inches,
the average number of trees per
acre is 1,032, and the average
basal area per acre is 195.9
square feet. Results of the
"Upper Soup Riparian Cruise"
surveys indicate that the
quadratic mean diameter of
riparian trees is 8.5 inches,
the average number of trees per
acre is 262, and the average
basal area per acre is 104.2
square feet. Based on data
reflecting relatively low
quadratic mean diameters and
basal areas from the two
separate surveys, a relatively
low frequency of large trees in
the riparian areas of Soup Creek
is likely within the project
area .
Studies of large-woody-debris
recruitment to the stream
channel suggest that the primary
zone of recruitment is egual to
the height of the tallest trees
growing in the riparian zone
{Robinson and Beschta 1990,
Bilby and Bisson 1998) . The
site potential tree height of
dominant and co-dominant trees
at 100 years (ARM 36 . 11 . 425 [ 5 ] )
is used to estimate the extent
of the primary zone of large-
woody-debris recruitment for
riparian areas adjacent to
proposed harvest units in
Sections 25, 26, and 27, T24N,
R17W. The site potential tree
height calculated during the
"Lower Soup Riparian Cruise"
surveys is approximately 83
feet, and the site potential
tree height calculated during
the "Upper Soup Riparian Cruise"
surveys is approximately 74
feet. The calculations of each
measure are displayed in TABLE
E-24 - CALCULATIONS OF SITE
POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUP
CREEK ("LOWER SOUP RIPARIAN
CRUISE") and TABLE E-25 -
CALCULATIONS OF SITE POTENTIAL
TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUP CREEK
("UPPER SOUP RIPARIAN CRUISE") .
Riparian areas also provide
stream shading, which
contributes to the regulation of
stream temperature regimes by
intercepting direct solar
radiation to the stream channel.
During winter seasons, riparian
TABLE E-24 - CALCULATIONS OF SITE POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUP CREEK
("LOWER SOUP RIPARIAN CRUISE")*
SAMPLE
SPECIES
HEIGHT
(FEET)
AGE
(YEARS)
SITE
INDEX
(BEST
FIT)
SITE
POTENTIAL
TREE HEIGHT
AT 100 YEARS
(FEET)
MEAN SITE
POTENTIAL
TRF.F. HEIGHT
AT 100 YEARS
(FEET)
REFERENCE
Lower,
1
Grand fir
42
105
30
91
USFS
RN-71
Lower,
2
Engelmann
spruce
30
61
25
43
USFS
RN-42
Lower,
3
Grand fir
52
101
30
91
USFS
RN-71
Lower,
4
Grand fir
23
54
30
91
USFS
RN-71
Lower,
5
Grand fir
35
88
30
91
USFS
RN-71
Lower,
6
Grand fir
32
57
30
91
USFS
RN-71
Av(
Brage value i
:or "Lower
Soup Rip
arian Cru
ise"
83
*During July 2004, DNRC personnel took samples from random dominant and co-dominant
trees with average growth at a distance of 50 feet from the bankfull slope break.
TABLE E-25 - CALCULATIONS OF SITE POTENTIAL TREE HEIGHT ALONG SOUP CREEK
("UPPER SOUP RIPARIAN CRUISE")*
SAMPLE
SPECIES
HEIGHT
(FEET)
AGE
(YEARS)
SITE
INDEX
(BEST
FIT)
SITE
POTENTIAL
TREE HEIGHT
AT 100 YEARS
(FEET)
MEAN SITE
POTENTIAL
TREE HEIGHT
AT 100 YEARS
(FEET)
REFERENCE
Upper, 1
Douglas-fir
45
42
50
69
USFS RN-47
Upper, 2
Engelmann
spruce
64
96
45
69
USFS RN-42
Upper, 3
Engelmann
spruce
66
66
55
82
USFS RN-42
Upper, 4
Engelmann
spruce
71
79
55
82
USFS RN-42
Upper, 5
Douglas-fir
72
109
50
69
USFS RN-47
Average value for "Upper Soup Riparian Cruise"
74
*During July 2004, DNRC personnel took samples from random domi
trees with average growth at a distance of 50 feet from the ban
nant and co-dominant
kfull slope break.
areas may also function to
regulate stream temperatures by
inhibiting temperature loss
through evaporation, convection,
or long-wave radiation from the
stream (Beschta et al 1987) .
The degree to which a riparian
area blocks direct solar
radiation to the stream can be
determined by measuring the
angular canopy density, which is
a function of riparian tree
species composition, stand age,
and tree density {Beschta et al
1987) . Samples of angular
canopy density were taken at 4
locations from the center of
Soup Creek during 2004, and
measurements were taken for the
months of July and August (the
months during which direct solar
radiation has the greatest
potential effect on stream
temperature regimes) . Results
of these measurements indicate
that the existing riparian tree
vegetation blocks an average of
63 percent of direct solar
radiation during July and an
average of 75 percent of direct
solar radiation during August.
Past disturbance in the riparian
areas of Soup Creek include the
random, selective harvesting of
large trees up to approximately
30 years ago. Based on the
relatively low freguency of
large trees in the "Lower Soup
Riparian Cruise" and "Upper Soup
Riparian Cruise" data sets, this
level of past random, selective
riparian harvesting likely
represents a potential low
existing impact. The potential
existing impacts are low since
the result of the past
associated action poses an
existing low risk of reduced
recruitable large woody debris
over the foreseeable near
future .
Potential low direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
habitat exist in Soup Creek.
♦ Soup Creek Habitat - Large Woody
Debris
Large woody debris is recruited
to the stream channel from
adjacent and upstream riparian
vegetation, and the material is
a critical component in the
formation of complex habitat for
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout. All life
stages of bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout have
been observed closely
associating with large woody
debris in the Flathead River
basin (Pratt 1984, Shepard et al
1984) . Large-woody-debris
recruitment rates to Soup Creek
throughout the project area can
be described using large-woody-
debris counts per stream length,
and this data was collected
during 2002 and 2004 as part a
R1/R4 Fish Habitat Standard
Inventory (Overton et al 1997)
(see TABLE E-26 - LARGE-WOODY-
DEBRIS COUNT RESULTS FROM SOUP
CREEK (KOOPAL 2002B, KOOPAL
2004) . Large-woody-debris
counts for Soup Creek include
all stream habitats from the
beginning of Reach 1 (river mile
0.00) upstream through the
project area and to the end of
Reach 4 (river mile 10.37) .
Data from reference reaches
(Harrelson et al 1994)
throughout the Flathead River
basin region indicates that the
expected freguency of large
woody debris in undisturbed A
channels ranges from 62 to 332
pieces per 1,000 feet, from 74
to 172 pieces per 1,000 feet in
undisturbed B channels, and from
1 to 121 pieces per 1,000 feet
in undisturbed C channels (Bower
2004) . This data suggests that
the existing freguency of large
woody debris in Reaches 1
through 4 of Soup Creek are
within the expected range of
freguencies when compared to
TABLE E-26 - LARGE-WOODY-DEBRIS COUNT RESULTS FROM SOUP CREEK (KOOPAL 2002B,
KOOPAL
2004)
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
TOTAL
PIECES
NUMBER
REACH
CHANNEL
REACH
NUMBER
NUMBER OF
NUMBER
OF LARGE
OF PIECES
TYPE
LENGTH
OF SINGLE
PIECES IN
OF ROOT
WOODY
PER 1,000
(FEET)
PIECES
AGGREGATES
WADS
DEBRIS
IN REACH
FEET
1
C
35, 926
551
3,118
42
4,246
118
2
B
3,427
59
213
7
279
81
3
A
10, 859
201
910
3
1, 114
103
4
B
4,525
72
371
3
446
99
reference reaches in the region
with similar morphological
characteristics .
No apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
habitat exist in Soup Creek.
♦ Soup Creek Habitat - Stream
Temperature
Stream temperature data for Soup
Creek is available for 2001,
2003, 2004, and 2005 and is
displayed in TABLE E-27 - STREAM
TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUP CREEK.
FIGURE E-3 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK, CILLY CREEK, AND SOUP
CREEK STREAM TEMPERATURE LOGGERS
displays the locations of stream
temperature data recorders on
Soup Creek.
The stream temperature data
indicates that the annual
maximum weekly maximum
temperature at the water-guality
sample site has ranged from 15.6
to 19.0 degrees Celsius for the
years 2001, 2003, 2004, and
2005. During these years the
maximum seasonal temperature
recorded at the water-quality
sample site was 16.3 degrees
Celsius during 2001, 19.4
degrees Celsius during 2003,
19.1 degrees Celsius during
2004, and 18.1 degrees Celsius
during 2005. For comparison, a
maximum seasonal temperature of
16.1 degrees Celsius was
recorded during 1983
approximately 1,500 feet
upstream of the water-quality
sample site {Leathe et al 1985) .
A comparison to the 1983
temperature data may suggest
TABLE E-27 - STREAM-TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUP CREEK*
SITE
NAME
MAXIMUM
WEEKLY
MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURE
(CELSIUS)
WARMEST DAY OF MAXIMUM
WEEKLY MAXIMUM
TEMPERATURE (CELSIUS)
DAYS
GREATER
THAN
DATE
MAXIMUM
10.0 15.0 21.1
CELSIUS
Soup_NWLO_WQsite_2 001
15.6
07/11/01
16.3
101
23
Soup_NWLO_WQsite_2 03
19.0
07/23/03
19.4
98
60
Soup_NWL0_WQsite_2 4
18.2
07/16/04
19.1
92
48
Soup#l_Lower_2 00 4
10.5
07/15/04
11.0
26
Soup#2_Middle_2004
9. 6
07/16/04
10.1
3
Soup#3_Upper_2 004
10.2
08/17/04
10.7
7
Soup_NWLO_WQsite_20 05
17. 9
08/06/05
18.1
109
40
Soup#l_Lower_20 05
10.0
08/06/05
10.1
10
Soup#2_Middle_2 05
9.2
08/06/05
9.3
Soup#3_Upper_2005
8.8
08/06/05
8.9
*Samples obtained by DNRC resource specialists using Water Temp Pro (Onset Corporation) data
loggers .
that the maximum seasonal
temperatures within Reach 1 of
Soup Creek during 2003 and 2004
are potentially slightly above
average .
Rates of change in stream
temperature are typically
variable between different
stream segments, as rates of
change in stream temperature are
generally a function of
variations in stream shading,
aspect, stream volume, net
radiation, evaporation,
convection, conduction,
groundwater interactions, and
inputs from tributaries {Beschta
et al 1987) . During 2004, the
rate of change in maximum weekly
maximum stream temperature
between Soup#3 and Soup#2 is
approximately -0.3 degrees
Celsius per half mile, +0.5
degrees Celsius per half mile
between Soup#2 and Souptl, and
+0.7 degrees Celsius per half
mile between Souptl and
Soup_NWLO_WQsite. During 2005,
the rate of change in maximum
weekly maximum stream
temperature between Soup#3 and
Soup#2 is approximately +0.2
degrees Celsius per half mile,
+0.4 degrees Celsius per half
mile between Soup#2 and Souptl,
and +0.7 degrees Celsius per
half mile between Souptl and
Soup_NWLO_WQsite . Inputs from
cooler groundwater likely
influenced the stream
temperature regime between
Soupt3 and Soupt2 during 2004,
where the maximum weekly maximum
stream temperature dropped
appreciably at the rate of
approximately 0.3 degrees
Celsius per half mile. The
reason for the approximate
increase of 0.2 degrees Celsius
per half mile between Soupt3 and
Soupt2 during 2005 is unclear,
except that there may be
fluctuations in groundwater
interception between Soupt3 and
Soupt2 from year to year.
Groundwater interactions are
known to affect many of the
streams in the Swan River valley
(Baxter 1997, Stanford and Ward
1993), and the stream
temperature effects of
groundwater interactions likely
occur periodically in other
reaches of Soup Creek. However,
the extent to which different
groundwater interactions affect
stream temperatures is generally
a function of a multitude of
site-specific variables and not
consistent across drainages.
In respect to bull trout, some
of the temperature ranges
described in TABLE E-27 -
STREAM- TEMPERATURE DATA FOR SOUP
CREEK are not within the
species' tolerances, as observed
in various studies. Fraley and
Shepard (1989) rarely observed
juvenile bull trout in streams
exceeding 15 degrees Celsius.
Gamett (2002) did not find bull
trout where maximum stream
temperatures exceeded 20 degrees
Celsius. Reiman and Chandler
(1999) found that bull trout are
most freguently observed in
streams having summer maximum
temperatures of approximately 13
to 14 degrees Celsius. Reaches
1 and 2 within Soup Creek (see
FIGURE E-2 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK AND SOUP CREEK REACH
BREAKS) are known to provide
habitat to bull trout; however,
the relatively high seasonal
temperatures associated with
Reach 1 likely limit potential
bull trout use only to fall,
winter, and spring. Reach 2
likely provides the only year-
round cold-water refugia for
bull trout.
Maximum seasonal stream
temperatures in Reach 1 of Soup
Creek are historically high, and
these seasonal maximums are
likely a limiting variable to
bull trout populations in Soup
Creek. The apparent swift
increase in seasonal maximum
stream temperature in Reach 1
during 2003 and 2004 may or may
not be a result of regular
fluctuations in stream
temperature regimes. As a
result of this uncertainty, the
increase in seasonal maximum
stream temperature in Reach 1
during 2003 and 2004 represents
a potential low existing direct
and indirect impact to the
stream temperature component of
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout habitat in Reach
1 of Soup Creek. No apparent
direct and indirect impacts to
the stream temperature component
of bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout habitat exist in
Reaches 2, 3, and 4 of Soup
Creek .
♦ Soup Creek Habitat -
Connectivity
Currently 5 bridges cross Soup
Creek within and immediately
adjacent to the project area in
the NE1/4NW1/4 of Section 29,
NW1/4SW1/4 of Section 27,
NE1/4NE1/4 of Section 26,
NW1/4NW1/4 of Section 25, and
SE1/4NE1/4 of Section 25, all in
T24N, R17W. The bridge
crossings in Sections 27 and 29
are the only road-stream
crossing structures that exist
within bull trout habitat, and
these 2 crossings provide full
passage of all life stages of
bull trout. All 5 bridge
crossings provide full passage
of all life stages of westslope
cutthroat trout.
Several sets of naturally
occurring cascades and small
waterfalls on Soup Creek in the
El/2 of Section 27 and Wl/2 of
Section 26 in T24N, R17W, pose
complete migration barriers to
bull trout. The cascades and
small waterfalls also very
likely pose complete migration
barriers to westslope cutthroat
trout, eastern brook trout, and,
if present, rainbow trout. Both
bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout exist below the
barriers, and only westslope
cutthroat trout are known to
exist upstream of the barriers.
Although the waterfall migration
barriers limit bull trout and
westslope cutthroat trout
migration in Soup Creek, the
stream features are naturally
occurring and not considered an
existing impact. No direct and
indirect impacts to the
connectivity component of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout habitat exist in Soup
Creek .
♦ Soup Creek - Existing Collective
Past and Present Impacts
Existing collective past and
present impacts to fisheries in
the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project area are determined by
assessing the collective
existing direct and indirect
impacts and other related
existing actions affecting the
fish-bearing streams in the
project area. In order to help
convey a summary of collective
existing impacts within the Soup
Creek portion of the project
area, a matrix of existing
effects to fisheries in the
project area is displayed in
TABLE E-28 - MATRIX OF
COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN SOUP CREEK.
One related action includes past
and present construction of the
existing road system in the
project area. This variable is
considered here since the
related potential impacts to
native fisheries are nonspecific
and may include the collective
inconsistent effect of
sedimentation, localized
suspended solids, channel
constriction, channel widening,
and modifications to temperature
regimes. The existing road
system has been assessed for
specific sources of
sedimentation to streams in the
TABLE E-28 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE EXISTING IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN SOUP CREEK
EXISTING IMPACTS TO BULL TROUT
AND WESTSLOPE CUTTHROAT TROUT
IN SOUP CREEK
Populations - presence and genetics
Low to high
Habitat - flow regimes
Very low
Habitat - sediment
Low to moderate
Habitat - channel forms
None
Habitat - riparian function
Low
Habitat - large woody debris
None
Habitat - stream temperature
Low
Habitat - connectivity
None
Other related actions
Very low to moderate
Existing collective impacts
Moderate
Soup Creek watershed. Estimates
indicate that approximately 35.6
tons per year of road material
are contributed to streams in
the Soup Creek watershed by the
existing road system (see
APPRENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANAYLSIS) . The
collective effect from the
existing road system, as
represented by the estimated
amount of material contributed
to streams, likely represents an
existing moderate impact to bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout in Soup Creek.
Other related actions that are
considered in the existing
collective impacts are very low
impacts due to fishing and other
related recreational uses and
low impacts from past forest-
management activities on
upstream land ownerships and
road and road-stream crossing
construction and maintenance
activities on upstream land
ownerships .
The determination of existing
collective effects in this
fisheries analysis is based on
an assessment of all variables,
but the variables are not
weighted egually in making the
determination. For example,
impacts from nonnative fish
species, connectivity, and
sedimentation tend to have a
greater level of existing risk
to native fisheries than the
existing impacts from flow
regimes and riparian function.
Determinations of existing
collective impacts are,
therefore, primarily a
conseguence of the overwhelming
impact to native fish species
from nonnative fish species in
conjunction with existing
impacts to other habitat
variables. As a result of these
considerations, a moderate
collective impact to bull trout
and westslope cutthroat trout
likely exist in Soup Creek.
ENVIRONMENTAL (ALTERNATIVE)
EFFECTS TO FISHERIES
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
The purpose of this analysis is the
assessment of potential impacts to
cold-water fisheries and fisheries
habitat variables within the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project area as a
result of implementing any one of
the project alternatives. The
assessment of environmental effects
in this analysis is based, in part,
on the assumption that
recommendations (see FISHERIES
ANALYSIS SPECIALIST RECOMMENDATIONS
at the end of this document) will be
implemented through the TIMBER SALE
CONTRACT specifications and
monitoring .
In each of the following subsections
this assessment will describe the
risk of an impact occurring. A low
risk means that the impact is
unlikely to occur; a moderate risk
indicates that the impact may or may
not (50/50) occur; and a high risk
means that impact is likely to
occur. A very low impact means that
the impact is unlikely to be
detectable or measurable, and the
impact is not likely to be
detrimental to the resource. A low
impact means that the impact is
likely to be detectable or
measurable, but the impact is not
likely to be detrimental to the
resource. A moderate impact means
that the impact is likely to be
detectable or measurable, but the
impact may or may not (50/50) be
detrimental to the resource. A high
impact means that the impact is
likely to be detectable or
measurable, and the impact is likely
to be detrimental to the resource.
♦ Populations - Presence and
Genetics
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-jlction
,/lUeriiatii'e j1 on Populations - Presence
and Genetics
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries population
presence or genetics in South
Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, or
Soup creeks beyond those
described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of , fiction
Jllternatines D, C,D, and E on
Poptilations - Presence and Genetics
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
the current levels of direct and
indirect adverse impacts to bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries
population presence or genetics
in South Fork Lost, Cilly,
Unnamed, or Soup creeks. These
existing levels of impacts are
low to high in South Fork Lost
Creek; moderate to high in Cilly
Creek; none in Unnamed Creek;
and low to high in Soup Creek.
The existing impacts to native
and other fisheries presence and
genetics in the project area are
primarily the result of
displacement, predation, and
genetic introgression .
Examples of actions that may
negatively affect bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries population
presence or genetics in the
project area include the
introduction of nonnative fish
species, targeted fish
suppression or other removal,
stocking, and species
introduction to previously
uninhabited stream reaches. No
actions associated with this
alternative involve the direct
or indirect manipulation of
species population presence or
genetics in the project area.
Therefore, as a result of the
selection of any action
alternative, no direct and
indirect impacts to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries population
presence or genetics would be
expected in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, or Soup creeks
beyond those described in
EXISTING CONDITIONS. Analysis
of bull trout and, in some
cases, westslope cutthroat trout
populations through redd counts
are expected to continue as part
of fisheries monitoring in the
project area.
♦ Habitat - Flow Regimes
• Direct and Indirect Effects qfJVo-^Iction
m'llternatii'e ^I on Habitat - Flow Regimes
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to the bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat
component of flow regime in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
or Soup creeks beyond those
described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of„lction
m/iltemative B on Habitat - Floic Regimes
Changes in flow regime can
affect native and nonnative
fish-spawning migration,
spawning behavior, potential
spawning habitat, and embryo
survival. These effects
typically occur through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. EXISTING CONDITIONS
describes the very low
likelihood of very low levels of
direct and indirect adverse
impacts to the flow regime
component of fish habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks .
An analysis of the proposed
actions related to Action
Alternative B indicates that the
resulting cumulative increase in
water yields would be 1.8
percent in South Fork Lost
Creek, 9.1 percent in Cilly
Creek, 5.3 percent in Unnamed
Creek, and 3.1 percent in Soup
Creek (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) . TABLE E-29 -
EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW
REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE B describes the
expected increases for each
basin as a result of the
proposed actions. The expected
changes to flow regimes in this
table are increases above those
values described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
The expected 0.6- to 6.8-percent
increase in flow regime to
basins in the project area could
affect native and nonnative
fisheries. However, the
expected slight increases and
conseguent potential adverse
effects in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks are not likely to
have detectable or otherwise
measurable effects to native and
nonnative fisheries in those
streams. The expected 4.8 to
6.8 percent increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in Unnamed and Cilly
creeks, respectively, may have a
minor detectable and measurable
effect to native and nonnative
fisheries in that stream. The
potential adverse effects in the
Cilly and Unnamed creeks may
include impacts to spawning
habitat and embryo survival
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, and
channel formations.
With respect to the existing
conditions described at the
beginning of this analysis,
these potential modifications of
flow regimes as a result of the
selection of Action Alternative
B are expected to have a very
low risk of very low direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in the South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks. The risk
is low for low direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. These potential impacts
TABLE E-29 - EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE B
STREAM
BASIN
EXPECTED INCREASE (PERCENT)
IN FLOW REGIMES AS A RESULT
OF IMPLEMENTING ACTION ALTERNATIVE B
South Fork Lost Creek
0.6
Cilly Creek
6.8
Unnamed Creek
4.8
Soup Creek
2.1
to the fisheries-habitat
variable of flow regime would be
in addition to those described
in EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
vlUerHative C on Habitat - Flow Regimes
Changes in flow regime can
affect native and nonnative
fish-spawning migration,
spawning behavior, potential
spawning habitat, and embryo
survival. These effects
typically occur through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. EXISTING CONDITIONS
describes the very low
likelihood of very low levels of
direct and indirect adverse
impacts to the flow regime
component of fish habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks .
An analysis of the proposed
actions related to Action
Alternative C indicates that the
resulting cumulative increase in
water yields would be 1.7
percent in South Fork Lost
Creek, 8 . 6 percent in Cilly
Creek, 5.0 percent in Unnamed
Creek, and 2.5 percent in Soup
Creek (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) . TABLE E-30 -
EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW
REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE C describes the
expected increases for each
basin as a result of the
proposed actions. The expected
changes to flow regimes in this
table are increases above those
values described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
The expected 0.5- to 6.3-percent
increase in flow regime to
basins in the project area could
affect native and nonnative
fisheries. However, the
expected slight increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks are not likely to
have detectable or otherwise
measurable effects to native and
nonnative fisheries in those
streams. The expected 4.5- to
6.3-percent increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in Unnamed and Cilly
creeks, respectively, may have a
minor detectable and measurable
effect to native and nonnative
fisheries in that stream. The
potential adverse effects in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks may
include impacts to spawning
habitat and embryo survival
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, and
channel formations.
With respect to the existing
conditions described at the
beginning of this analysis,
these potential modifications of
flow regimes as a result of the
selection of Action Alternative
C are expected to have a very
low risk of very low direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in South Fork Lost
TABLE E-30 - EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE C
STREAM
BASIN
EXPECTED INCREASE (PERCENT)
IN FLOW REGIMES AS A RESULT
OF IMPLEMENTING ACTION ALTERNATIVE C
South Fork Lost Creek
0.5
Cilly Creek
6.3
Unnamed Creek
4.5
Soup Creek
1.5
and Soup creeks. The risk is
low for low direct and indirect
impacts to the fisheries-habitat
variable of flow regime in Cilly
and Unnamed creeks. These
potential impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime would be in addition
to those described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct ami Indirect Effects of,/lctioii
^Iternatice Z> on Habitat - Flow Regimes
Changes in flow regime can
affect native and nonnative
fish-spawning migration,
spawning behavior, potential
spawning habitat, and embryo
survival. These effects
typically occur through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. EXISTING CONDITIONS
describes the very low
likelihood of very low levels of
direct and indirect adverse
impacts to the flow regime
component of fish habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks .
An analysis of the proposed
actions related to Action
Alternative D indicates that the
resulting cumulative increase in
water yields would be 2.5
percent in South Fork Lost
Creek, 11.5 percent in Cilly
Creek, 5.7 percent in Unnamed
Creek, and 2 . 1 percent in Soup
Creek (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) . TABLE E-31 -
EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW
REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE D describes the
expected increases for each
basin as a result of the
proposed actions. The expected
changes to flow regimes in this
table are increases above those
values described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
The expected 1.1- to 9.2-percent
increase in flow regime to
basins in the project area could
affect native and nonnative
fisheries. However, the
expected slight increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks are not likely to
have detectable or otherwise
measurable effects to native and
nonnative fisheries in those
streams. The expected 5.2- to
9.2-percent increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in Unnamed and Cilly
creeks, respectively, may have a
minor detectable and measurable
effect to native and nonnative
fisheries in that stream. The
potential adverse effects in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks may
include impacts to spawning
habitat and embryo survival
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, and
channel formations.
With respect to the existing
conditions described at the
beginning of this analysis,
these potential modifications of
flow regimes as a result of the
TABLE E-31 - EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE D
STREAM
BASIN
EXPECTED INCREASE (PERCENT)
IN FLOW REGIMES AS A RESULT
OF IMPLEMENTING ACTION ALTERNATIVE D
South Fork Lost Creek
1.3
Cilly Creek
9.2
Unnamed Creek
5.2
Soup Creek
1.1
selection of Action Alternative
D are expected to have a very
low risk of very low direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks. The risk is
low for low direct and indirect
impacts to the fisheries-habitat
variable of flow regime in Cilly
and Unnamed creeks. These
potential impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime would be in addition
to those described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of,/lction
Jllternatine E on Habitat - Flow Regimes
Changes in flow regime can
affect native and nonnative
fish-spawning migration,
spawning behavior, potential
spawning habitat, and embryo
survival. These effects
typically occur through
modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, stream
temperature ranges, and channel
formations. EXISTING CONDITIONS
describes the very low
likelihood of very low levels of
direct and indirect adverse
impacts to the flow regime
component of fish habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks .
An analysis of the proposed
actions related to Action
Alternative E indicates that the
resulting cumulative increase in
water yields would be 2.4
percent in South Fork Lost
Creek, 12.1 percent in Cilly
Creek, 3.8 percent in Unnamed
Creek, and 1.9 percent in Soup
Creek (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) . TABLE E-32 -
EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW
REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE E describes the
expected increases for each
basin as a result of the
proposed actions. The expected
changes to flow regimes in this
table are increases above those
values described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
The expected 0.9- to 9.8-percent
increase in flow regime to
basins in the project area could
affect native and nonnative
fisheries. However, the
expected slight increases and
consequent potential adverse
effects in South Fork Lost,
Unnamed, and Soup creeks are not
likely to have detectable or
otherwise measurable effects to
native and nonnative fisheries
in those streams. The expected
9.8-percent increase and
consequent potential adverse
effects in Cilly Creek may have
a minor detectable and
measurable impact to native and
nonnative fisheries in that
stream. The potential adverse
effects in Cilly Creek may
include impacts to spawning
habitat and embryo survival
through modifications of stream
morphology, sediment budget,
streambank stability, and
channel formations.
TABLE E-32 - EXPECTED INCREASES IN FLOW REGIME FROM BASINS IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE E
STREAM
BASIN
EXPECTED INCREASE (PERCENT)
IN FLOW REGIMES AS A RESULT
OF IMPLEMENTING ACTION ALTERNATIVE E
South Fork Lost Creek
1.2
Cilly Creek
9.8
Unnamed Creek
3.3
Soup Creek
0.9
with respect to the existing
conditions described at the
beginning of this analysis,
these potential modifications of
flow regimes as a result of the
selection of Action Alternative
E are expected to have a very
low risk of very low direct and
indirect impact to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in South Fork Lost,
Unnamed, and Soup creeks. The
risk is low for low direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime in Cilly Creek.
These potential impacts to the
fisheries-habitat variable of
flow regime would be in addition
to those described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
♦ Habitat - Sediment
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction
Jllternatii'e ^1 on Habitat - Sediment
No direct or indirect impacts to
the bull trout, westslope
cutthroat trout, or other
fisheries habitat component of
sediment in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, or Soup creeks
would be expected beyond those
described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
m/Ilternative B on Habitat - Sediment
EXISTING CONDITIONS considered
the sediment component of bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other fisheries
habitat by evaluating the Rosgen
morphological stream type,
McNeil core data, substrate
score data, Wolman pebble count
data, and streambank stability
in South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks . The Rosgen
morphological stream type and
field assessments of streambank
disturbances were evaluated in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks. No
apparent existing impacts to the
sediment component of habitat
have been observed in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Unnamed creeks.
Low to moderate existing impacts
to the sediment component of
habitat are likely occurring in
Soup Creek.
Modifications of stream sediment
size classes, especially with
trends toward fine size classes,
could adversely affect bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries in the
project area by reducing the
quality of spawning habitat, in-
stream cover, rearing habitat,
and wintering habitat.
Increased levels of fine
sediments can be introduced to
the stream system from various
sources, including bank erosion
due to stream-channel
instability, road features, root
wads of windthrown trees
adjacent to the stream channel,
and adjacent timber-harvesting
operations .
Data from APPENDIX D - WATERSHED
AND HYDROLOGY ANAYLSIS indicates
that the range of potential
water-yield increases as a
result of Action Alternative B
has a very low to low risk of
facilitating the development of
unstable stream channels.
Potential impacts to the
sediment component of fish
habitats in the project area
range from very low to low as a
result of modifications to flow
regimes .
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS also
indicates that all road-stream
crossing modifications
associated with Action
Alternative B would reduce
sedimentation by up to
approximately 19.3 tons per year
in South Fork Lost Creek, 1.0
ton per year in Cilly Creek, and
33.7 tons per year in Soup
Creek. These proposed
modifications represent an
approximate 98-, 35-, and 95-
percent, respectively, maximum
reduction in annual sediment
delivery from existing roads.
Road-modification activities
that remove or mitigate
potential sediment sources may
have temporary, unavoidable, and
short-term impacts to the
sediment component of streams
(see APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) , which may
correspond to a minor, short-
term impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat.
However, these road
modifications would provide a
long-term, greatly reduced level
of impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat in
respect to sediment.
New road stream crossings
installed as part of Action
Alternative B may lead to a
disproportionate increase in the
quantities of fine-sediment size
classes in fish-bearing streams
and non-fish-bearing connected
tributaries. Three new road
stream crossings would be
installed on a non-fish-bearing
reach of Unnamed Creek. Two of
the three new road stream
crossings are expected to have a
moderate risk of both short- and
long-term moderate direct and
indirect impacts (see APPENDIX D
- WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) to the sediment
component of fish habitat in
downstream fish-bearing reaches
of Unnamed Creek. Due to beaver
dam complexes and intermittent
flows in Unnamed Creek,
downstream impacts to Soup Creek
are expected to be very limited
in risk and potential effect.
In-stream sediment size classes
may be affected through inputs
from the root wads of windthrown
trees adjacent to the stream
channel. Sediment inputs from
the windthrown root wads of
adjacent trees occur throughout
unmanaged stream channels;
however, in some cases, this
process may be exacerbated by
increased levels of windthrown
trees as a result of riparian
timber-harvesting actions.
Sediment inputs through this
mechanism may lead to a
disproportionate increase in the
quantities of fine sediment size
classes in fish-bearing streams
and non-fish-bearing-connected
tributaries. The riparian
landtypes where riparian
harvesting is expected to occur
along the fish-bearing reaches
of South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks include SL2B and SL3B
(see EXISTING CONDITIONS) . Both
landtypes are susceptible to
windthrow since the shallow
water tables typically found in
these areas restrict root
penetration (Sirucek and
Bachurski 1995) . Furthermore,
Hansen et al (1995) describes
the western red cedar/oak fern
(South Fork Lost Creek) and
grand fir and Engelmann spruce
(Soup Creek) riparian stand
types as being susceptible to
high levels of windthrow.
Considering the expected extent
of riparian harvesting,
landtypes, and riparian stand
types, a low risk of very low
direct and indirect impacts to
the sediment component of fish
habitats throughout the project
area are expected as a result of
potential sedimentation from the
root wads of windthrown trees.
Harvesting activities within the
riparian area may disturb soils,
which can lead to erosion and
increased levels of
sedimentation to streams. Risk
of erosion and consequent
sedimentation is primarily a
function of the types and extent
of soil disturbance, soil types,
and geology (landtype), and
increases in adjacent hill
slope. APPENDIX G - SOILS
ANALYSIS provides information
regarding the types and extent
of soil disturbance and project
area soil types and geology.
According to that analysis, the
landtype associations within the
riparian areas of South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are considered to exhibit
a primarily moderate to high
risk of erosion. TABLE E-33 -
CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED
EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE B provides an
estimate of the total area
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams in the South Fork Lost
Creek, Cilly Creek, Unnamed
Creek, and Soup Creek watersheds
with slope gradients less than
and greater than 35 percent.
Actual soil disturbances within
100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams are expected to range
from to 10 percent of that
total area (see APPENDIX G -
SOILS ANALYSIS) . The precise
gradient threshold at which
disturbed soils within the
project area become increasingly
more mobile is variable and also
fluctuates between different
locations and environmental
conditions. In TABLE E-33 -
CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED
EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE B, 35 percent is
utilized as a descriptive value
since that gradient is applied
in existing SMZ laws as a
general guide for identifying
riparian areas with an increased
risk of erosion.
Timber-harvesting operations
adjacent to South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
would comply with SMZ laws . The
SMZ laws are designed to provide
adeguate mitigations for
avoiding sedimentation to
streams from adjacent timber-
harvest-related activities.
Considering the erosion risk of
landtypes in riparian areas and
the extent of potential riparian
soil disturbance, a low risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
TABLE E-33 - CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE B
STREAM BASIN
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Area (acres) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with less than 35-
percent slope gradient
10.8
14.8
10.2
23.9
Area (area) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with greater than
35-percent gradient
7.9
7.4
5.2
14.6
Range of slope gradients
(percent) Within proposed harvest
units and within 100 feet of
Class 1 and 2 streams
1 to 55
7 to 76
4 to 88
3 to 95
Average slope gradient (percents)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
36
28
29
32
*Data acquired by using 1:24,000 hydrography data and 10-meter digital elevation
model data developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Areas and slopes in the table
are estimates, and the accuracy of the results is limited by precision of the U.S.
Geological Survey data.
to the sediment component of
fisheries habitat are expected
throughout the project area as a
result of potential
sedimentation from riparian
disturbances .
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative B, an overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries-
habitat component of sediment is
expected in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks. An
overall moderate risk of
moderate direct and indirect
impacts to the fisheries-habitat
component of sediment is
expected in Unnamed Creek. This
assessment uses data from
EXISTING CONDITIONS as a
baseline for comparison. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
B is selected for
implementation .
Of reef and Indfreet Effeets of„letfon
Jlffernaffce C on Habffaf - Sedfmenf
EXISTING CONDITIONS considered
the sediment component of bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other fisheries
habitat by evaluating the Rosgen
morphological stream type,
McNeil core data, substrate
score data, Wolman pebble count
data, and streambank stability
in South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks . The Rosgen
morphological stream type and
field assessments of streambank
disturbances were evaluated in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks. No
apparent existing impacts to the
sediment component of habitat
have been observed in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Unnamed creeks.
Low to moderate existing impacts
to the sediment component of
habitat are likely occurring in
Soup Creek.
Modifications of stream sediment
size classes, especially with
trends toward fine size classes,
could adversely affect bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries in the
project area by reducing the
quality of spawning habitat, in-
stream cover, rearing habitat,
and wintering habitat.
Increased levels of fine
sediments can be introduced to
the stream system from various
sources, including bank erosion
due to stream-channel
instability, road features, root
wads of windthrown trees
adjacent to the stream channel,
and adjacent timber-harvesting
operations .
Data from APPENDIX D - WATERSHED
AND HYDROLOGY ANAYLSIS indicates
that the range of potential
water-yield increases as a
result of Action Alternative C
has a very low to low risk of
facilitating the development of
unstable stream channels.
Potential impacts to the
sediment component of fish
habitats in the project area
range from very low to low as a
result of modifications to flow
regimes. The impacts to the
sediment component of fisheries
habitat in the project area due
to road-stream crossing
removals, new road stream
crossings, and root wads of
windthrown trees are also
expected to be the same as those
described in Action Alternative
B.
Harvesting activities within the
riparian area may disturb soils,
which can lead to erosion and
increased levels of
sedimentation to streams. Risk
of erosion and consequent
sedimentation is primarily a
function of the types and extent
of soil disturbance, soil types
and geology (landtype) , and
increases in adjacent hill
slope. APPENDIX G - SOILS
ANALYSIS provides information
regarding the types and extent
of soil disturbance and project
area soil types and geology.
According to that analysis, the
landtype associations within the
riparian areas of South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are considered to exhibit
a primarily low to high risk of
erosion. TABLE E-34 -
CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED
EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE C provides an
estimate of the total area
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams in the South Fork Lost
Creek, Cilly Creek, Unnamed
Creek, and Soup Creek watersheds
with slope gradients less than
and greater than 35 percent.
Actual soil disturbances within
100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams are expected to range
from to 10 percent of that
total area (see APPENDIX G -
SOILS ANALYSIS) . The precise
gradient threshold at which
disturbed soils within the
project area become increasingly
more mobile is variable and also
fluctuates between different
locations and environmental
conditions. Thirty-five percent
is utilized as a descriptive
value in this table since that
gradient is applied in existing
SMZ laws as a general guide for
identifying riparian areas with
increased risks of erosion.
Timber-harvesting operations
adjacent to South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
would comply with SMZ laws . The
SMZ laws are designed to provide
adeguate mitigations for
avoiding sedimentation to
streams from adjacent timber-
harvest-related activities.
Considering the erosion risk of
landtypes in riparian areas and
the extent of potential riparian
soil disturbance, a low risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
to the sediment component of
fisheries habitat throughout the
project area is expected as a
result of potential
sedimentation from riparian
disturbance .
TABLE E-34 - CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE C*
STREAM BASIN
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Area (acres) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1 and
2 streams with less than 35-percent
slope gradient
1.6
22.8
10.2
2.8
Area (area) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1 and
2 streams with greater than 35-
percent gradient
3.5
6.7
5.2
2.9
Range of slope gradients (percent)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
13 to 90
2 to 76
4 to 88
8 to 91
Average slope gradient (percents)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
48
23
29
39
*Data acquired by using i:24,000 hydrography data and 10-meter digitai elevation model data
developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Areas and slopes in the table are estimates , and the
accuracy of the results is limited by precision of the U.S. Geological Survey data.
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative C, an overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries-
habitat component of sediment is
expected in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks. An
overall moderate risk of
moderate direct and indirect
impacts to the fisheries-habitat
component of sediment is
expected in Unnamed Creek. This
assessment uses data from
EXISTING CONDITIONS as a
baseline for comparison. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
C is selected for
implementation .
Direct and Indirect Effects of .fiction
Jllternatice D on Habitat - Sediment
EXISTING CONDITIONS considered
the sediment component of bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other fisheries
habitat by evaluating the Rosgen
morphological stream type,
McNeil core data, substrate
score data, Wolman pebble count
data, and streambank stability
in South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks . The Rosgen
morphological stream type and
field assessments of streambank
disturbances were evaluated in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks. No
apparent existing impacts to the
sediment component of habitat
have been observed in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Unnamed creeks.
Low to moderate existing impacts
to the sediment component of
habitat are likely occurring in
Soup Creek.
Modifications of stream sediment
size classes, especially with
trends toward fine size classes,
could adversely affect bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries in the
project area by reducing the
quality of spawning habitat, in-
stream cover, rearing habitat,
and wintering habitat.
Increased levels of fine
sediments can be introduced to
the stream system from various
sources, including bank erosion
due to stream-channel
instability, road features, root
wads of windthrown trees
adjacent to the stream channel,
and adjacent timber-harvesting
operations .
Data from APPENDIX D - WATERSHED
AND HYDROLOGY ANAYLSIS indicates
that the range of potential
water-yield increases as a
result of Action Alternative D
has a very low to low risk of
facilitating the development of
unstable stream channels.
Potential impacts to the
sediment component of fish
habitats in the project area
range from very low to low as a
result of modifications to flow
regimes .
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS also
indicates that all road-stream
crossing modifications
associated with Action
Alternative D would reduce
sedimentation by up to
approximately 18.7 tons per year
in South Fork Lost Creek, 0.6
tons per year in Cilly Creek,
and 33.6 tons per year in Soup
Creek. These proposed
modifications represent an
approximate 94 percent, 22
percent, and 95 percent,
respectively, maximum reduction
in annual sediment delivery from
existing roads. Road-
modification activities that
remove or mitigate potential
sediment sources may have
temporary, unavoidable, and
short-term impacts to the
sediment component of streams
(see APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) , which may
correspond to a minor, short-
term impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat.
However, these road
modifications would provide a
long-term, greatly reduced level
of impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat in
respect to sediment.
New road-stream crossings
installed as part of Action
Alternative D may lead to a
disproportionate increase in the
quantities of fine sediment size
classes in fish-bearing streams
and non-fish-bearing-connected
tributaries. Two new road-
stream crossings would be
installed on a non-fish-bearing
reach of Cilly Creek, and 3 new
road-stream crossings would be
installed on a non-fish-bearing
reach of Unnamed Creek. One of
the two new road-stream
crossings on Cilly Creek and two
of the three new road-stream
crossings on Unnamed Creek are
expected to have a moderate risk
of both short- and long-term
moderate direct and indirect
impacts (see APPENDIX D -
WATERSHED AND HYDROLOGY
ANALYSIS) to the sediment
component of fish habitat in
downstream fish-bearing reaches
of Cilly and Unnamed creeks.
Due to beaver dam complexes and
intermittent flows in Unnamed
Creek, downstream impacts to
Soup Creek are expected to be
very limited in risk and
potential effect.
The impacts to the sediment
component of fisheries habitat
in the project area due to the
root wads of windthrown trees
are expected to be the same as
those described in Action
Alternative B.
Harvesting activities within the
riparian area may disturb soils,
which can lead to erosion and
increased levels of
sedimentation to streams. Risk
of erosion and consequent
sedimentation is primarily a
function of the types and extent
of soil disturbance, soil types
and geology (landtype), and
increases in adjacent hill
slope. The APPENDIX G - SOILS
ANALYSIS provides information
regarding the types and extent
of soil disturbance and project
area soil types and geology.
According to that analysis, the
landtype associations within the
riparian areas of South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are considered to exhibit
a primarily moderate to high
risk of erosion. TABLE E-35 -
CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED
EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE D provides an
estimate of the total area
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams in the South Fork Lost
Creek, Cilly Creek, Unnamed
Creek, and Soup Creek watersheds
with slope gradients less than
and greater than 35 percent.
Actual soil disturbances within
100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams are expected to range
from to 10 percent of that
total area (see APPENDIX G -
SOILS ANALYSIS) . The precise
gradient threshold at which
disturbed soils within the
project area become increasingly
more mobile is variable and also
fluctuates between different
locations and environmental
conditions. Thirty-five percent
is utilized as a descriptive
value in this table since that
gradient is applied in existing
SMZ laws as a general guide for
identifying riparian areas with
increased risks of erosion.
Timber-harvesting operations
adjacent to South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
would comply with SMZ laws . SMZ
laws are designed to provide
adequate mitigations for
avoiding sedimentation to
TABLE E-35 - CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE D*
STREAM BASIN
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Area (acres) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with less than 35-
percent slope gradient
11.5
16.0
10.2
1.9
Area (area) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with greater than
35-percent gradient
14.1
12.5
5.2
4.2
Range of slope gradients
(percent) within proposed harvest
units and within 100 feet of
Class 1 and 2 streams
1 to 148
8 to 83
4 to 88
5 to 79
Average slope gradient (percents)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
40
33
29
42
*Data acquired by using 1:24,000 hydrography data and 10-meter digital elevation
model data developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Areas and slopes in the table
are estimates, and the accuracy of the results is limited by precision of the U.S.
Geological Survey data.
Streams from adjacent timber-
harvest-related activities.
Considering erosion risk of
landtypes in riparian areas and
the extent of potential riparian
soil disturbance, a low risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
to the sediment component of
fisheries habitat is expected
throughout the project area as a
result of potential
sedimentation from riparian
disturbance .
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative D, an overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries-
habitat component of sediment is
expected in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks. An overall
moderate risk of moderate direct
and indirect impacts to the
fisheries-habitat component of
sediment is expected in Cilly
and Unnamed creeks. This
assessment uses data from
EXISTING CONDITIONS as a
baseline for comparison. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
D is selected for
implementation .
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
jUtemative E on Habitat - Sediment
EXISTING CONDITIONS considered
the sediment component of bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other fisheries
habitat by evaluating the Rosgen
morphological stream type,
McNeil core data, substrate
score data, Wolman pebble count
data, and streambank stability
in South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks . The Rosgen
morphological stream type and
field assessments of streambank
disturbances were evaluated in
Cilly and Unnamed creeks. No
apparent existing impacts to the
sediment component of habitat
have been observed in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Unnamed creeks.
Low to moderate existing impacts
to the sediment component of
habitat are likely occurring in
Soup Creek.
Modifications of stream sediment
size classes, especially with
trends toward fine size classes,
could adversely affect bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries in the
project area by reducing the
quality of spawning habitat, in-
stream cover, rearing habitat,
and wintering habitat.
Increased levels of fine
sediments can be introduced to
the stream system from various
sources, including bank erosion
due to stream-channel
instability, road features, root
wads of windthrown trees
adjacent to the stream channel,
and adjacent timber-harvesting
operations .
Data from APPENDIX D - WATERSHED
AND HYDROLOGY ANAYLSIS indicates
that the range of potential
water-yield increases as a
result of Action Alternative E
has a very low to low risk of
facilitating the development of
unstable stream channels.
Potential impacts to the
sediment component of fish
habitats in the project area
range from very low to low as a
result of modifications to flow
regimes .
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS also
indicates that all road-stream
crossing modifications
associated with Action
Alternative E would reduce
sedimentation by up to
approximately 18.7 tons per year
in South Fork Lost Creek, 0.6
tons per year in Cilly Creek,
and 33.9 tons per year in Soup
Creek. These proposed
modifications represent an
approximate 94-, 35-, and 95-
percent, respectively, maximum
reduction in annual sediment
delivery from existing roads.
Road-modification activities
that remove or mitigate
potential sediment sources may
have temporary, unavoidable, and
short-term impacts to the
sediment component of streams
(see APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) , which may
correspond to a minor, short-
term impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat.
However, these road
modifications would provide a
long-term, greatly reduced level
of impact to bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat in
respect to sediment.
New road-stream crossings
installed as part of Action
Alternative E may lead to a
disproportionate increase in the
quantities of fine sediment size
classes in fish-bearing streams
and non-fish-bearing-connected
tributaries. One new road-
stream crossing would be
installed on a non-fish-bearing
reach of Unnamed Creek. The new
road-stream crossing is expected
to have a low risk of both
short- and long-term low direct
and indirect impacts (see
APPENDIX D - WATERSHED AND
HYDROLOGY ANALYSIS) to the
sediment component of fish
habitat in downstream fish-
bearing reaches of Unnamed
Creek. Due to beaver dam
complexes and intermittent flows
in Unnamed Creek, downstream
impacts to Soup Creek are
expected to be very limited in
risk and potential effect.
The impacts to the sediment
component of fisheries habitat
in the project area due to the
root wads of windthrown trees
are expected to be the same as
those described in Action
Alternative B.
Harvesting activities within the
riparian area may disturb soils,
which can lead to erosion and
increased levels of
sedimentation to streams. Risk
of erosion and consequent
sedimentation is primarily a
function of the types and extent
of soil disturbance, soil types
and geology (landtype), and
increases in adjacent hill
slope. APPENDIX G - SOILS
ANALYSIS provides information
regarding the types and extent
of soil disturbance and project
area soil types and geology.
According to that analysis, the
landtype associations within the
riparian areas of South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are considered to exhibit
a primarily moderate to high
risk of erosion. TABLE E-36 -
CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED
EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE E provides an
estimate of the total area
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams in the South Fork Lost
Creek, Cilly Creek, Unnamed
Creek, and Soup Creek watersheds
with slope gradients less than
and greater than 35 percent.
Actual soil disturbances within
100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams are expected to range
from to 10 percent of that
total area (see APPENDIX G -
SOILS ANALYSIS) . The precise
gradient threshold at which
disturbed soils within the
project area become increasingly
more mobile is variable and also
fluctuates between different
locations and environmental
conditions. Thirty-five percent
is utilized as a descriptive
value in this table since that
gradient is applied in existing
SMZ laws as a general guide for
identifying riparian areas with
increased risk of erosion.
Timber-harvesting operations
adjacent to South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
would comply with SMZ laws . SMZ
laws are designed to provide
TABLE E-36 - CHARACTERISTICS AND ESTIMATED EXTENT OF RIPARIAN AREAS IN THE
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE E*
STREAM BASIN
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Area (acres) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with less than 35-
percent slope gradient
6.8
36.4
9.1
11.5
Area (area) of proposed harvest
units within 100 feet of Class 1
and 2 streams with greater than 35-
percent gradient
24.4
9.4
0.5
6.0
Range of slope gradients (percent)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
9 to 122
1 to
92
4 to 69
5 to
79
Average slope gradient (percents)
within proposed harvest units and
within 100 feet of Class 1 and 2
streams
52
22
16
30
*Data acquired by using 1:24,000 hydrography data and 10-meter digital elevation
model data developed by the U.S. Geological Survey. Areas and slopes in the table
are estimates, and the accuracy of the results is limited by precision of the U.S.
Geological Survey data.
adequate mitigations for
avoiding sedimentation to
streams from adjacent timber-
harvesting-related activities.
Considering the erosion risk of
landtypes in riparian areas and
the extent of potential riparian
soil disturbance, a low risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
to the sediment component of
fisheries habitat is expected
throughout the project area as a
result of potential
sedimentation from riparian
disturbance .
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative E, an overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the bull
trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, or other fisheries
habitat component of sediment is
expected. The risk assessment
applies to fisheries in South
Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and
Soup creeks, and the assessment
uses data from EXISTING
CONDITIONS as a baseline for
comparison. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested as
part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative E is selected
for implementation.
♦ Habitat - Channel Forms
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-^ction
^Iternatice Jl on Habitat- Channel
Forms
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to the bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat
component of channel forms in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
or Soup creeks beyond those
described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
Jllternatives B and C on Habitat -
Channel Forms
As described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS, no direct or
indirect impacts to the channel
form component of bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, and
other fisheries habitat are
apparent in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
Potential changes to stream
channel forms are primarily a
function of modifications to
flow regimes and consequent
relationships with existing
sediment size classes
(Montgomery and Buffington
1997) . Adverse impacts to flow
regimes and existing sediment
size classes may affect channel
forms by shifting the relative
quantities of slow and fast
habitat features. The likely
manifestation of this type of
adverse impact is a decrease in
the total volume of slow habitat
features and an increase in the
total volume of fast habitat
features. This shift in channel
forms may lead to a reduction in
the quantity of rearing and
wintering habitat available to
bull trout, westslope cutthroat
trout, and other fisheries.
As indicated in the risk
assessment for flow regime, a
very low risk of very low
impacts is expected in South
Fork Lost and Soup creeks and a
low risk of low impacts is
expected in Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. As indicated in the
risk assessment for sediment, a
low risk of low impacts is
expected in the South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks and a
moderate risk of moderate
impacts is expected in Unnamed
Creek. A comparable, or overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to channel
forms is expected in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Soup creeks as
a result of implementing an
action alternative. A moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to channel forms is
expected in Unnamed Creek. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested in South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks as part of
future monitoring if an action
alternative is selected for
implementation .
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
m/Iltemativel} on Habitat- Channel Forms
The results of risk assessments
for flow regime and sediment are
similar to those identified in
Action Alternative B, except a
moderate risk of moderate
impacts is expected for the
sediment component of fish
habitat in Cilly Creek. As a
result of the selection of
Action Alternative D, the
anticipated direct and indirect
impacts to the fisheries habitat
variable of channel forms in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
are expected to be the same as
those described for Action
Alternative B. A moderate risk
of low direct and indirect
impacts to channel forms is
expected in both Cilly and
Unnamed creeks. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
as part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative D is selected
for implementation.
Direct and Indirect Effects of,Iction
Alternative E on Habitat - Channel Forms
As indicated in the risk
assessment for flow regime, a
very low risk of very low
impacts is expected in South
Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks and a low risk of low
impacts is expected in Unnamed
Creek. As indicated in the risk
assessment for sediment, a low
risk of low impacts is expected
in South Fork Lost, Cilly,
Unnamed, and Soup creeks . A
comparable, or overall low risk
of low direct and indirect
impacts to channel forms is
expected in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks as a
result of implementing an action
alternative. A moderate risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
to channel forms is expected in
Unnamed Creek. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
as part of future monitoring if
an action alternative is
selected for implementation.
♦ Habitat - Riparian Function
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJWo-jlction
Alternative A on Habitat - Riparian
Function
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to the bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat
component of riparian function
in South Fork Lost, Cilly,
Unnamed, or Soup creeks beyond
those described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of Action
Alternative B on Habitat - Riparian
Function
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
low levels of direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks. Low levels of
existing impacts to South Fork
Lost Creek are due to the
proximity of the road corridor
and consequent reduced
recruitable large woody debris.
Potential low existing impacts
to Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are primarily due to
general reduced recruitable
large woody debris over the
foreseeable near future.
The proposed action associated
with Action Alternative B that
could further affect riparian
function is selective riparian
harvesting. Specific variables
of riparian function that may be
affected by the selective
riparian harvesting are the
compositions of stand types, the
quantity of recruitable large
woody debris within the riparian
management zone, and stream
shading .
Action Alternative B proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 2,950
feet of South Fork Lost Creek in
in Unit 8 in Section 3, T24N,
R17W; this harvest lies entirely
south of the stream channel.
The proposed riparian harvest
prescription includes a no-cut
buffer of 25 feet from the
nearest bankfull edge of South
Fork Lost Creek; from 25 feet to
95 feet, a maximum of 50 percent
of trees 8 inches dbh or greater
would be harvested. The
proposed selective riparian
harvest, which would extend
approximately 2,950 feet, is
representative of approximately
3 percent of the total linear
riparian area adjacent to the
reaches of the stream that
provide habitat to bull trout or
westslope cutthroat trout.
The riparian stand type along
South Fork Lost Creek (western
red cedar/oak fern) is likely to
remain after implementing the
riparian harvest prescription.
(The western red cedar/oak fern
stand type is named after the
climax vegetation community.)
However, as grand fir comprises
a considerable proportion of the
existing low and midlevel
riparian tree vegetation along
South Fork Lost Creek, this
species will likely become co-
dominant throughout the
forthcoming climax stages within
the riparian area. Growth of
early successional tree species
of the existing stand type, such
as western larch and western
white pine, are expected to
remain minor components of the
riparian species composition.
However, the postharvest site
preparation for proposed Unit 8,
in Section 3, T24N, R17W, may
promote the growth of more
western larch and western white
pine and less western red cedar
and grand fir.
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
levels of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
from the riparian area along
South Fork Lost Creek as a
quadratic mean diameter of 9.1
inches, an average of 764 trees
(live and dead standing) per
acre, and an average basal area
per acre of 346.0 square feet.
After modifying the riparian
cruise data to simulate the
residual stand conditions
subsequent to implementing the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription, the expected
levels of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
would (1) remain the same from
the nearest bankfull edge of
South Fork Lost Creek to 25
feet, and (2) from 25 to 95 feet
would include a quadratic mean
diameter of 7.7 inches, an
average of 674 trees per acre,
and an average basal area per
acre of 217.6 square feet. The
estimated trees per acre in the
area between 25 and 95 feet from
the bankfull edge of the stream
would drop approximately 12
percent, but this fraction of
trees would also represent an
approximate 37 percent reduction
of basal area per acre within
the same area. Windthrow and
windsnap within the riparian
area is likely to increase above
existing levels after
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescription.
These events may further reduce
the residual standing trees per
acre and basal area within the
riparian area.
The general probability of a
riparian tree providing in-
stream large woody debris (as
part of riparian function) is a
result of many variables, such
as distance from the stream,
height of the tree, other
riparian trees that may deflect
fall direction, tree bole
breakage, riparian sideslope
gradient, and prevailing local
storm winds. Furthermore,
determining the probability of a
particular tree size class
contributing to in-stream large
woody debris is a function of
additional variables such as
average growth rates of
different species,
susceptibilities to windthrow
and windsnap, species canopy
density, the average heights of
different species, and different
species' responses to disease
and shade. The analysis of
these scenarios and variables is
beyond the scope of this
environmental assessment.
However, the results of a simple
quantitative analysis will
follow based on the typical
characteristics of 100-year-old
index trees found through site
review are summarized below.
(The details of this simple
quantitative analysis can be
found in a separate document in
the project file: FISHERIES
ANALYSIS OF RIPARIAN FUNCTION -
SIMPLE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF
100-YEAR-OLD TREES.) The 100-
year-old index tree is an
appropriate indicator since the
tree may represent an average
piece of residual recruitable
large woody debris throughout a
foreseeable riparian management
zone entry cycle.
The proposed riparian harvest
prescription is expected to
decrease the proportion of
potentially recruitable 100-
year-old trees to the 2,950-foot
reach of South Fork Lost Creek
by approximately 3 percent.
Although notable, based on the
riparian cruise data, the basal
area equivalent of this
proportion of riparian trees is
comparable to 61.5 square feet
per acre or approximately 18
percent of the existing basal
area per acre .
The estimated 3-percent
reduction in potentially
recruitable 100-year-old trees
carries a moderate level of
error, as errors associated with
the data collection, sampling
error, and probability formulas
were not factored. The true
value is also likely higher
considering an existing road
prism is north of South Fork
Lost Creek, which certainly
eliminates a small portion of
potentially recruitable 100-
year-old trees. The value is
also a snapshot in time, and the
estimated reduction is expected
to be negligible after trees of
smaller diameter grow into the
eligible size criteria used in
this assessment. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
B is selected for
implementation .
By establishing the outer
boundary of the RMZ at 95 feet
in accordance with ARM 36.11.425
(5) and implementing the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription, the majority of
riparian trees that currently
grow between 77 and 95 feet from
the nearest bankfull edge of
South Fork Lost Creek will also
be retained. Seventy-seven feet
is the effective height of an
average 100-year-old co-dominant
riparian tree bole that
comprises potentially
recruitable large wood debris
(Robinson and Beschta 1990) . A
portion of these trees will
undoubtedly be greater than 100
years old and exhibit effective
heights taller than 77 feet for
additional potentially
recruitable large woody debris.
Reductions in recruitable large
woody debris from the riparian
area may affect native and
nonnative fish by altering in-
stream large woody debris
freguency (see Habitat - Large
Woody Debris) .
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
levels of shading (angular
canopy density) in South Fork
Lost Creek during peak summer
months. Existing riparian tree
vegetation blocks an average of
65 percent of direct solar
radiation during July and an
average of 81 percent of direct
solar radiation during August.
Potential changes to stream
shading during peak summer
months after implementing the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription are a function of
many variables, such as residual
canopy density, residual crown
characteristics, sideslope
gradients, and residual species
composition. Although a
numerical prediction would,
therefore, contain a high degree
of uncertainty, broad
generalizations can be applied
to estimate potential effects.
A compilation of related
literature {Castelle and Johnson
2000) found that a 49-foot
buffer provides approximately 85
percent of the maximum shade
available for small streams, a
56-foot buffer provides
approximately 90 percent of the
maximum available angular canopy
density, and a 79-foot buffer
typically provides the maximum
available shading to a stream.
The proposed selective riparian
harvest would occur entirely to
the south of South Fork Lost
Creek, which includes the
riparian area providing the bulk
of existing stream shading.
Considering this data and the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription, which includes a
no-cut buffer from the nearest
bankfull edge of South Fork Lost
Creek out to 25 feet and a
maximum harvest of 50 percent of
trees 8 inches dbh or greater
from 25 to 95 feet, a maximum
reduction in angular canopy
density is expected to be 20
percent during the months of
July and August. This estimated
reduction in shading is also
expected to become negligible as
the riparian area between 25
feet and 95 feet regenerates to
preharvest conditions. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
B is selected for
implementation .
Reductions in shading by the
riparian area may affect native
and nonnative fish primarily by
altering the stream temperature
(see Habitat - Stream
Temperature) .
Other proposed harvest units
that are adjacent to South Fork
Lost Creek include Units 15 and
19 in Section 4, Unit 5 in
Section 3, and Unit 3 in Section
1, all in T24N, R17W. These 4
proposed units are located at
least 140 feet from South Fork
Lost Creek and are not expected
to affect riparian functions.
The relocation of USFS Road 680
would allow the riparian area
occupied by the original road
prism north of the stream to
recover over an extended period
of time. This recovery zone in
the South Fork Lost Creek
riparian area is expected to
provide a minor increase in the
long-term amount of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and shading to the stream.
After an assessment of potential
effects, which includes:
- an affected area equal to
approximately 3 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent
to bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout habitat.
- no foreseeable adverse effects
to stand type (such as shifts
in stand type) ,
- a relatively minor reduction
in potentially recruitable
large woody debris, and
- an estimated maximum reduction
in stream shading of 20
percent,
an overall moderate risk of low
direct and indirect impacts to
the riparian function component
of fish habitat are expected in
South Fork Lost Creek.
No proposed harvest units are
adjacent to fish-bearing reaches
of Cilly and Unnamed creeks. A
selective riparian harvest in
accordance with the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams would
occur along approximately 59
percent (6,470 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek and
along approximately 68 percent
(3,830 feet) of the upstream,
perennial non-fish-bearing reach
of Unnamed Creek. This upstream
harvest is not expected to have
adverse impacts to stand types,
such as shifts in stand type,
and potentially recruitable
large woody debris within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
However, moderate reductions in
stream shading may have a low
impact to stream temperatures
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches.
Action Alternative B also
proposes selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to
approximately 5,890 combined
feet of Soup Creek in proposed
Units 5 and 11 in Section 27,
( 'Lower' Soup area) and Units 12
and 13 in Section 25 (''Upper'
Soup Area) , all in T24N, R17W,
which lie entirely north of the
stream channel with the
exception of one 140-foot reach
south of the stream. The
proposed riparian harvest
prescription includes a no-cut
buffer from the nearest bankfull
edge of Soup Creek to 25 feet
and harvesting a maximum of 50
percent of trees 8 inches dbh or
greater from 25 to 83 feet.
(Although the site potential
tree height within the ''Lower'
Soup area [83 feet] surpasses
that found in the ''Upper' Soup
area [74 feet], the data from
the 'Lower' Soup area will be
applied to the proposed riparian
harvest prescriptions throughout
the main Soup Creek drainage.)
The proposed selective riparian
harvest, which would extend
approximately 5,890 feet, is
representative of approximately
6 percent of the total linear
riparian area adjacent to the
reaches of the stream that
provide habitat to bull trout or
westslope cutthroat trout.
The riparian stand types along
Soup Creek (various grand fir
and Engelmann spruce series) are
likely to remain after
implementing the riparian
harvest prescription. Other
early and late successional tree
species of the existing stand
type, such as Douglas-fir and
subalpine fir, are expected to
remain minor components of the
riparian species composition.
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
levels of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
from the riparian area along
''Lower' Soup Creek as a
quadratic mean diameter of 5.9
inches, an average of 1,032
trees per acre, and an average
basal area per acre of 195.9
square feet. After modifying
the riparian cruise data in this
area to simulate the residual
stand conditions subsequent to
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescription,
the expected levels of
potentially recruitable large
woody debris would (1) remain
the same from the nearest
bankfull edge of Soup Creek to
25 feet, and (2) from 25 to 83
feet would include a quadratic
mean diameter of 4.9 inches, an
average of 962 trees per acre,
and an average basal area per
acre of 123.6 square feet. The
estimated trees per acre in the
area between 25 and 83 feet from
the bankfull edge of the stream
would drop approximately 7
percent, but this fraction of
trees would also represent an
approximate 37-percent reduction
of basal area per acre within
the same area. Windthrow and
windsnap within the riparian
area would likely increase above
existing levels after
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescription.
These events may further reduce
the residual trees per acre and
basal area within the ''Lower'
Soup Creek riparian area.
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
levels of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
from the riparian area along
■'Upper' Soup Creek as a
quadratic mean diameter of 8.5
inches, an average of 262 trees
per acre, and an average basal
area per acre of 104.2 square
feet. After modifying the
riparian cruise data in this
area to simulate the residual
stand conditions subsequent to
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescription,
the expected levels of
potentially recruitable large
woody debris would (1) remain
the same from the nearest
bankfull edge of Soup Creek to
25 feet, and (2) from 25 to 83
feet would include a quadratic
mean diameter of 7.1 inches, an
average of 212 trees per acre,
and an average basal area per
acre of 58.8 square feet. The
estimated trees per acre in the
area between 25 and 83 feet from
the bankfull edge of the stream
would drop approximately 19
percent, but this fraction of
trees would also represent an
approximate 44-percent reduction
of basal area per acre within
the same area. Windthrow and
windsnap within the riparian
area is likely to increase above
existing levels after
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescription.
These events may further reduce
the residual trees per acre and
basal area within the ''Upper'
Soup Creek riparian area.
Similar to the assessment of
rates of potential large-woody-
debris recruitment previously
described for South Fork Lost
Creek within this section, the
results of a simple quantitative
analysis for the ''Lower' and
''Upper' Soup Creek riparian
areas will follow based on the
typical characteristics of 100-
year-old index trees found
through site review. (The
details of this simple
quantitative analysis can be
found in a separate document in
the project file: FISHERIES
ANALYSIS OF RIPARIAN FUNCTION -
SIMPLE QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF
100-YEAR-OLD TREES.) The 100-
year-old index tree is an
appropriate indicator since the
tree may represent an average
piece of residual recruitable
large woody debris throughout a
foreseeable riparian management
zone entry cycle.
The proposed riparian harvest
prescription is expected to
decrease the proportion of
potentially recruitable 100-
year-old trees to the 2,480-foot
reach ( ''Lower' Soup) of Soup
Creek by approximately 4
percent. Based on the riparian
cruise data, the basal-area
equivalent of this proportion of
riparian trees is comparable to
55.3 square feet per acre, or
approximately 28 percent of the
existing basal area per acre.
The proposed riparian harvest
prescription is expected to
decrease the proportion of
potentially recruitable 100-
year-old trees to the 3,410-foot
reach ( ''Upper' Soup) of Soup
Creek by approximately 6
percent. Based on the riparian
cruise data, the basal-area
equivalent of this proportion of
riparian trees is comparable to
32 . 8 square feet per acre or
approximately 32 percent of the
existinq basal area per acre.
The estimated 4- and 6-percent
reductions in potentially
recruitable 100-year-old trees
to ■'Lower' and ''Upper' Soup
Creek riparian areas,
respectively, carries a moderate
level of error, as errors
associated with the data
collection, samplinq error, and
probability formulas were not
factored. The true value is
also likely hiqher considerinq
existinq road prisms are north
of Soup Creek, which certainly
eliminates a small portion of
potentially recruitable 100-
year-old trees. The value is
also a snapshot in time, and the
estimated reduction is expected
to be neqliqible after trees of
smaller diameter qrow into the
eliqible size criteria used in
this assessment. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitorinq if Action Alternative
B is selected for
implementation .
By establishinq the outer
boundary of the RMZ at 83 feet,
in accordance with ARM 36.11.425
(5) and implementinq the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription, the majority of
riparian trees that currently
qrow between 51 (''Lower' Soup
area) and 58 feet ( ''Upper' Soup
area) and 83 feet from the
nearest bankfull edqe of Soup
Creek will also be retained.
Fifty-one and 58 feet are the
effective heiqhts of an averaqe
100-year-old co-dominant
riparian tree bole that
comprises potentially
recruitable larqe woody debris
(Robinson and Beschta 1990) . A
portion of these trees will
undoubtedly be qreater than 100
years old and exhibit effective
heiqhts taller than 51 and 58
feet for additional potentially
recruitable larqe woody debris.
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
levels of shadinq (anqular
canopy density) in Soup Creek
durinq peak summer months.
Existinq riparian tree
veqetation blocks an averaqe of
63 percent of direct solar
radiation durinq July and an
averaqe of 75 percent of direct
solar radiation durinq Auqust .
Potential chanqes to stream
shadinq durinq peak summer
months after implementinq the
proposed riparian harvest
prescription are a function of
many variables, such as residual
canopy density, residual crown
characteristics, sideslope
qradients, and residual species
composition. Althouqh a
numerical prediction would,
therefore, contain a hiqh deqree
of uncertainty, broad
qeneralizations can be applied
to estimate potential effects.
A compilation of related
literature (Castelle and Johnson
2000) found that a 49-foot
buffer provides approximately 85
percent of the maximum shade
available for small streams, a
56-foot buffer provides
approximately 90 percent of the
maximum available anqular canopy
density, and a 79-foot buffer
typically provides the maximum
available shadinq to a stream.
The proposed selective riparian
harvest would occur almost
entirely to the north of Soup
Creek, which includes the
riparian area providinq the
least amount of existinq stream
shadinq. Considerinq this data
and the proposed riparian
harvest prescription, which
includes a no-cut buffer from
the nearest bankfull edge of
Soup Creek to 25 feet, and a
maximum harvest of 50 percent of
trees 8 inches dbh or greater
from 25 to 83 feet, a maximum
reduction in angular canopy
density of 5 percent is expected
during the months of July and
August. This estimated
reduction in shading is also
expected to become negligible as
the riparian area between 25 and
83 feet regenerates to
preharvest conditions. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
B is selected for
implementation .
Unit 19 in Section 27, T24N,
R17W is also adjacent to Soup
Creek, though this proposed unit
is located at least 120 feet
from Soup Creek and is not
expected to affect riparian
functions .
After an assessment of potential
effects, which includes:
- an affected area equal to
approximately 6 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent
to bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout habitat,
- no foreseeable adverse effects
to stand type (such as shifts
in stand type) ,
- a relatively minor reduction
in potentially recruitable
large woody debris, and
- an estimated maximum reduction
in stream shading of 5
percent,
an overall moderate risk of low
direct and indirect impacts to
the riparian-function component
of fish habitat are expected in
Soup Creek.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative B, a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian-function
component of fisheries habitat
is expected within South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks. The low expected
impacts are above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of./lction
.Uternative C on Habitat - Riparian
Function
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
low levels of direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks. Low levels of
existing impacts to South Fork
Lost Creek are due to the
proximity of the road corridor
and consequent reduced
recruitable large woody debris.
Potential low existing impacts
to Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are primarily due to
general reduced recruitable
large woody debris over the
foreseeable near future.
The proposed action associated
with Action Alternative C that
could further affect riparian
function is a selective riparian
harvest. Specific variables of
riparian function that may be
affected by the selective
riparian harvest are the
compositions of stand types, the
quantity of recruitable large
woody debris within the riparian
management zone, and stream
shading .
The relocation of USFS Road 680
would allow the riparian area
occupied by the original road
prism north of the stream to
recover over an extended period
of time. This recovery zone in
the South Fork Lost Creek
riparian area is expected to
provide a minor increase in the
long-term amount of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and shading to the stream.
Action Alternative C does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to South
Fork Lost Creek. Proposed Units
14, 15, 19, 20, and 22 in
Section 4 and Unit 5 in Section
3, all in T24N, R17W, are
adjacent to South Fork Lost
Creek. These 6 proposed units
are located at least 140 feet
from South Fork Lost Creek and
are not expected to affect the
riparian functions of standtype
composition, the guantity of
recruitable large woody debris
within the site potential tree
height, and stream shading. As
a result of selecting Action
Alternative C, no foreseeable,
or otherwise detectable, adverse
direct and indirect impacts to
the riparian function component
of fish habitat are expected in
South Fork Lost Creek.
Action Alternative C proposes
selective riparian harvesting
adjacent to approximately 650
feet of Cilly Creek in proposed
Unit 23 in Section 16, T24N,
R17W, which spans both sides of
the stream channel. The
proposed riparian harvest
prescription includes the
establishment of the RMZ at 91
feet, in accordance with ARM
36.11.425(5) and implementation
of the SMZ Law and Rules for
Class 1 streams. The proposed
selective riparian harvest,
which would extend approximately
650 feet, is representative of
approximately 3 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that currently provide
habitat to eastern brook trout.
Expected impacts to the fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek
over the foreseeable near future
include potential moderately
reduced levels of recruitable
large woody debris and reduced
levels of stream shading.
A selective riparian harvest, in
accordance with the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams, would
occur along approximately 49
percent (5,350 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek.
This upstream harvest is
expected to have no adverse
impacts to stand types (such as
a shift in stand type) and
potentially recruitable large
woody debris within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
However, moderate reductions in
stream shading may have a low
impact to stream temperatures
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches.
After an assessment of potential
effects in Cilly Creek, which
includes :
- an affected area equal to
approximately 3 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent
to eastern brook trout
habitat,
- a potential moderate reduction
in recruitable large woody
debris to the fish-bearing
reach,
- a potential moderate reduction
in stream shading to the fish-
bearing reach, and
- a potential moderate reduction
in stream shading to the non-
fish-bearing reach,
a moderate risk of low direct
and indirect impacts to the
riparian-function component of
fish habitat are expected in
that stream.
No proposed harvest units are
adjacent to the fish-bearing
reaches of Unnamed Creek. A
selective riparian harvest, in
accordance with the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams, would
occur along approximately 68
percent (3,830 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek.
This upstream harvest is not
expected to have any adverse
impacts to stand types and
potentially recruitable large
woody debris within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
However, moderate reductions in
stream shading may have a low
impact to stream temperatures
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches.
After an assessment of potential
effects in Unnamed Creek, which
includes a potential moderate
reduction in stream shading to
the non-fish-bearing reach, a
moderate risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of fish
habitat are expected in that
stream.
Action Alternative C proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 140
combined feet of Soup Creek in
proposed Unit 11 in Section 27,
T24N, R17W ( 'Lower' Soup area) ,
which lies entirely south of the
stream channel. The proposed
riparian harvest prescription
includes a no-cut buffer from
the nearest bankfull edge of
Soup Creek to 25 feet and a
maximum harvest of 50 percent of
trees 8 inches dbh or greater
from 25 to 83 feet. The
proposed selective riparian
harvest, which would extend
approximately 140 feet, is
representative of approximately
one-tenth of 1 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that provide habitat to
bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout. Due to the
very limited spatial extent of
the proposed action, a detailed
analysis of potential effects to
riparian function, such as
described in Action Alternative
B, will not be conducted in this
section. Foreseeable adverse
effects to riparian-type
recruitable large woody debris
and stream shading in Soup Creek
are expected to be very minor if
Action Alternative C is
implemented .
Proposed Unit 19 in Section 27,
T24N, R17W, is also adjacent to
Soup Creek. This unit is
located at least 120 feet from
Soup Creek and is not expected
to affect riparian functions.
After an assessment of potential
effects, which includes:
- an affected area equal to
approximately one-tenth of 1
percent of the total riparian
area adjacent to bull trout or
westslope cutthroat trout
habitat,
- no foreseeable adverse effects
to stand type (such as a shift
in stand type) ,
- a relatively very minor
reduction in potentially
recruitable large woody
debris, and
- an estimated very minor
reduction in stream shading,
an overall very low risk of very
low direct and indirect impacts
to the riparian-function
component of fish habitat are
expected in Soup Creek.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative C, a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian-function
component of fisheries habitat
are expected within Cilly and
Unnamed creeks. A very low risk
of very low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian-function
component of fisheries habitat
are expected within South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks. The
potential low and very low
impacts are above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of,/lction
Jllternatii'e D on Habitat - Riparian
Function
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
low levels of direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks. Low levels of
existing impacts to South Fork
Lost Creek are due to the
proximity of the road corridor
and consequent reduced
recruitable large woody debris.
Potential low existing impacts
to Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are primarily due to
general reduced recruitable
large woody debris over the
foreseeable near future.
The proposed action associated
with Action Alternative D that
could further affect riparian
function is selective riparian
harvesting. Specific variables
of riparian function that may be
affected by the selective
riparian harvest are the
compositions of stand types, the
quantity of recruitable large
woody debris within the riparian
management zone, and stream
shading .
Action Alternative D proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 2,950
feet of South Fork Lost Creek in
proposed Unit 8 in Section 3,
T24N, R17W. The location and
extent of the proposed action is
identical to that described in
Action Alternative B. Proposed
Unit 22 of Section 4, Unit 5 of
Section 3, and Unit 3 of Section
1, all in T24N, R17W, are also
adjacent to South Fork Lost
Creek. These 3 units are
located at least 140 feet from
South Fork Lost Creek and are
not expected to affect the
riparian functions of standtype
composition, the quantity of
recruitable large woody debris
within the site potential tree
height, and stream shading. As
a result of selecting Action
Alternative D, effects to the
riparian-function component of
fish habitat in South Fork Lost
Creek are expected to be the
same as those described in the
detailed analysis of riparian
function in Action Alternative
B. The results of that detailed
analysis indicate an expected
moderate risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of fish
habitat in South Fork Lost
Creek. The assumptions derived
from this portion of the project
analysis are expected to be
reevaluated and tested as part
of future monitoring if Action
Alternative D is selected for
implementation .
No proposed harvest units are
adjacent to the fish-bearing
reaches of Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. A selective riparian
harvest, in accordance with the
SMZ Law and Rules for Class 1
streams, would occur along
approximately 67 percent (7,260
feet) of the upstream, perennial
non-fish-bearing reach of Cilly
Creek and along approximately 68
percent (3,830 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek.
This upstream harvest is not
expected to have any adverse
impacts to stand types (such as
shifts in stand type) and
potentially recruitable large
woody debris within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
However, moderate reductions in
stream shading may have a low
impact to stream temperatures
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches.
Action Alternative D proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 2,480
feet of Soup Creek in proposed
Unit 5 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( ^Lower' Soup area) , which lies
entirely north of the stream
channel. The proposed riparian
harvest prescription includes a
no-cut buffer from the nearest
bankfull edge of Soup Creek to
25 feet, and a maximum harvest
of 50 percent of trees 8 inches
dbh or greater from 25 to 83
feet. The proposed selective
riparian harvest, which would
extend approximately 2,480 feet,
is representative of
approximately 2 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that provide habitat to
bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout.
Unit 19 in Section 27, T24N,
R17W, is also adjacent to Soup
Creek. This unit is located at
least 120 feet from Soup Creek
and is not expected to affect
riparian functions.
Although Action Alternative D
does not include Unit 11 in
Section 27, T24N, R17W ('Lower'
Soup area) , which involves a
selective harvest adjacent to
approximately 140 feet of Soup
Creek, the anticipated impacts
of the selective riparian
harvest are expected to be the
same as the results of the
detailed analysis in Action
Alternative B for the 'Lower'
Soup area. The results of that
detailed analysis indicate an
expected overall moderate risk
of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian function
component of fish habitat in
Soup Creek. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested as
part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative D is selected
for implementation.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative D, a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian function
component of fisheries habitat
are expected within South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks. The low expected
impacts are above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
.Uternative E on Habitat - Riparian
Eh net ion
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes
low levels of direct and
indirect impacts to the riparian
function component of habitat in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks. Low levels of
existing impacts to South Fork
Lost Creek are due to the
proximity of the road corridor
and conseguent reduced
recruitable large woody debris.
Potential low existing impacts
to Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks are primarily due to
general reduced recruitable
large woody debris over the
foreseeable near future.
The proposed action associated
with Action Alternative E that
could further affect riparian
function is selective riparian
harvesting. Specific variables
of riparian function that may be
affected by the selective
riparian harvest are the
compositions of stand types, the
quantity of recruitable large
woody debris within the riparian
management zone, and stream
shading .
The relocation of USFS Road 680
would allow the riparian area
occupied by the original road
prism north of the stream to
recover over an extended period
of time. This recovery zone in
the South Fork Lost Creek
riparian area is expected to
provide a minor increase in the
long-term amount of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and shading to the stream.
Action Alternative E does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to South
Fork Lost Creek. Proposed Units
14 and 21 in Section 4 and
Units 5 and 7 of Section 3,
all in T24N, R17W, are
adjacent to South Fork Lost
Creek. These 4 units are
located at least 140 feet
from South Fork Lost Creek
and are not expected to
affect the riparian functions
of standtype composition, the
quantity of recruitable large
woody debris within the site
potential tree height, and
stream shading. As a result
of selecting Action
Alternative E, no
foreseeable, or otherwise
detectable, adverse direct
and indirect impacts to the
riparian function component
of fish habitat are expected
in South Fork Lost Creek.
Action Alternative E proposes
a selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately
1,380 combined feet of Cilly
Creek in proposed Units 18
and 23 in Section 16, T24N,
R17W, which spans both sides
of the stream channel. The
proposed riparian harvest
prescription includes the
establishment of the RMZ at
91 feet in accordance with
ARM 36. 11. 425 (5) and
implementation of the SMZ Law
and Rules for Class 1
streams. The proposed
selective riparian harvest,
which would extend
approximately 1,380 feet, is
representative of
approximately 7 percent of
the total linear riparian
area adjacent to the reaches
of the stream that currently
provides habitat to eastern
brook trout. Expected
impacts to the fish-bearing
reach of Cilly Creek over the
foreseeable near future
include potential moderately
reduced levels of recruitable
large woody debris and
reduced levels of stream
shading .
A selective riparian harvest, in
accordance with the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams, would
occur along approximately 49
percent (5,350 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek.
This upstream harvest is
expected to have no adverse
impacts to stand types (such as
shifts in stand type) and
potentially recruitable large
woody debris within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
However, moderate reductions in
stream shading may have a low
impact to stream temperatures
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches.
After an assessment of potential
effects in Cilly Creek, which
includes :
- an affected area equal to
approximately 7 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent
to eastern brook trout
habitat,
- a potential moderate reduction
in recruitable large woody
debris to the fish-bearing
reach,
- a potential moderate reduction
in stream shading to the fish-
bearing reach, and
- a potential moderate reduction
in stream shading to the non-
fish-bearing reach,
an overall moderate risk of low
direct and indirect impacts to
the riparian function component
of fish habitat is expected in
that stream.
No proposed harvest units are
adjacent to the fish-bearing
reaches of Unnamed Creek. A
selective riparian harvest, in
accordance with the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams, would
occur along approximately 12
percent (650 feet) of the
upstream, perennial non-fish-
bearing reach of Unnamed Creek.
This upstream harvest is not
expected to have adverse impacts
to stand types and potentially
recruitable large woody debris
within the downstream fish-
bearing reaches. However, minor
reductions in stream shading may
have a low impact on stream
temperatures within the
downstream fish-bearing reaches.
After an assessment of potential
effects in Unnamed Creek, which
includes a potential minor
reduction in stream shading to
the non-fish-bearing reach, an
overall low risk of low direct
and indirect impacts to the
riparian function component of
fish habitat are expected in
that stream.
Action Alternative E proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 2,480
feet of Soup Creek in proposed
Unit 5 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( ^Lower' Soup area) , which lies
entirely north of the stream
channel. The proposed riparian
harvest prescription includes a
no-cut buffer from the nearest
bankfull edge of Soup Creek to
25 feet, and a maximum harvest
of 50 percent of trees 8 inches
dbh or greater from 25 to 83
feet. The proposed selective
riparian harvest, which would
extend approximately 2,480 feet,
is representative of
approximately 2 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that provide habitat to
bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout.
Unit 19 in Section 27 and Unit
10 in Section 26, T24N, R17W,
are also adjacent to Soup Creek.
These proposed units are located
at least 100 feet from Soup
Creek and are not expected to
affect riparian functions.
Although Action Alternative E
does not include proposed
harvest Unit 11 in Section 27,
T24N, R17W ('Lower' Soup area).
which involves a selective
harvest adjacent to
approximately 140 feet of Soup
Creek, the anticipated impacts
of the selective riparian
harvest are expected to be the
same as the results of the
detailed analysis in Action
Alternative B for the ''Lower'
Soup area. The results of that
detailed analysis indicate an
expected overall moderate risk
of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian function
component of fish habitat in
Soup Creek. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested as
part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative E is selected
for implementation.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative E, a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the riparian function
component of fisheries habitat
are expected in Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks, and a very low
risk of very low direct and
indirect impacts are expected in
South Fork Lost Creek. The
potential low and very low
impacts are above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
♦ Habitat - Large Woody Debris
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-jlctioii
Jllternative Jl to Habitat - Large Woody
Debris
No direct or indirect impacts to
the bull trout, westslope
cutthroat trout, or other
fisheries habitat component of
large woody debris would occur
in South Fork Lost, Cilly,
Unnamed, or Soup creeks beyond
those described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of./lction
,/llternative B to Habitat - Large W^oody
Debris
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
The proposed action associated
with this alternative that may
affect in-stream large woody
debris is selective riparian
harvesting. Selective riparian
harvesting may affect in-stream
large woody debris by modifying
the amounts of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and modifying existing patterns
of windthrow and windsnap. A
specific variable of large woody
debris that may be affected by
the selective riparian
harvesting is the freguency of
in-stream large woody debris.
The assessment of riparian
function noted that reduced
levels of recruitable large
woody debris is expected from
approximately 3 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent to
the fish-bearing reaches of
South Fork Lost Creek and
approximately 6 percent of the
total riparian area adjacent to
the fish-bearing reaches of Soup
Creek. Furthermore, the actual
levels of reduced recruitable
large woody debris from the
riparian areas adjacent to
proposed harvest units are
expected to be relatively minor
compared to EXISTING CONDITIONS.
And a simple assessment of index
trees at least 100 years old
(adjacent to the proposed
harvest areas) suggests
instantaneous recruitment rates
of this tree size class may be
reduced by approximately 3
percent in the South Fork Lost
Creek proposed harvest unit and
4 to 6 percent in the Soup Creek
proposed harvest units.
Considering this outcome only, a
proportional long-term decrease
may occur in in-stream large
woody debris, but freguency
levels are expected to remain
within the ranges of the
freguencies found in nearby
undisturbed reference reaches
(see EXISTING CONDITIONS) .
On the contrary, large-woody-
debris recruitment to South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks through
windthrow and windsnap is likely
to increase some degree after
implementing the proposed
riparian harvest prescriptions.
This event is likely to occur
since prevailing storm winds are
typically able to have a greater
impact on windthrow and windsnap
within riparian buffers when
relatively more intensive and
adjacent upland harvesting is
implemented. The riparian soil
conditions adjacent to South
Fork Lost and Soup creeks are
also conducive to higher levels
of windthrow. Considering this
outcome only, higher levels of
windthrow and windsnap as a
result of adjacent timber
harvesting are expected to lead
to short-term increases in the
freguency of in-stream large
woody debris to South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks .
A large-woody-debris recruitment
model {Welty et al 2002) also
indicates that higher levels of
in-stream large woody debris in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
may result for at least 100
years after implementing the
proposed riparian harvest
prescriptions. Model results
are not easily guantified since
the default stand-growth
eguations are developed for the
western Cascades region, and to
develop and program project-
specific stand-growth eguations
for the model inputs is beyond
the scope of this portion of
this analysis. However, after
applying the proposed riparian
harvest prescriptions, the
default outputs are likely
representative of a general
trend in large-woody-debris
recruitment (and not necessarily
the future rates of large-woody-
debris recruitment) . The
potential increased trend in
large-woody-debris recruitment
is likely due to model
assumptions such as an
anticipated increase in
windthrow and windsnap and stand
regeneration within the
selective riparian harvest area
that may supersede the existing
late-seral stocking levels.
No adverse impacts to the large-
woody-debris component of fish
habitat are anticipated in Cilly
and Unnamed creeks since no
riparian harvesting is expected
adjacent to the fish-bearing
reaches of these streams.
Primarily due to the relatively
small channel sizes, migration
of in-stream large woody debris
to the fish-bearing reaches from
upstream non-fish-bearing
reaches (where riparian
harvesting would occur) is not
expected to be affected.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative B, a low risk
of very low direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat within South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks are expected.
No direct and indirect impacts
to the large-woody-debris
component of fisheries habitat
are expected within Cilly and
Unnamed creeks. The low impacts
are above and beyond those
described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
as part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative B is selected
for implementation.
Direct and Indirect Effects of,/lction
.Uternative C to Habitat - Large Woody
Debris
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
The proposed action associated
with this alternative that may
affect in-stream large woody
debris is selective riparian
harvesting. Selective riparian
harvesting may affect in-stream
large woody debris by modifying
the amounts of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and modifying existing patterns
of windthrow and windsnap. A
specific variable of large woody
debris that may be affected by
the selective riparian harvest
is the freguency of in-stream
large woody debris.
Action Alternative C does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to South
Fork Lost Creek. Proposed Units
14, 15, 19, 20, and 22 in
Section 4 and Unit 5 in Section
3, all in T24N, R17W, are near
South Fork Lost Creek. These 6
units are located at least 140
feet from South Fork Lost Creek
and are not expected to affect
the riparian function of
providing recruitable large
woody debris within the site
potential tree height. As a
result of selecting Action
Alternative C, no foreseeable
adverse direct and indirect
impacts to the in-stream large-
woody-debris component of fish
habitat in South Fork Lost Creek
are expected.
Action Alternative C proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 650
feet of Cilly Creek in proposed
Unit 23 in Section 16, T24N,
R17W; that harvest spans both
sides of the stream channel.
The proposed riparian harvest
prescription includes the
establishment of the RMZ at 91
feet, in accordance with ARM
36.11.425(5) and implementation
of the SMZ Law and Rules for
Class 1 streams. The proposed
selective riparian harvest,
which would extend approximately
650 feet, is representative of
approximately 3 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that currently provide
habitat to eastern brook trout.
Expected impacts to the fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek
over the foreseeable near future
include reduced levels of
recruitable large woody debris.
A low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the in-
stream large-woody-debris
component of fisheries habitat
in Cilly Creek is also expected
as a result of implementing
Action Alternative C.
Action Alternative C does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to fish-
bearing reaches of Unnamed
Creek. As a result of selecting
Action Alternative C, no
foreseeable adverse direct and
indirect impacts to the in-
stream large-woody-debris
component of fish habitat are
expected in Unnamed Creek.
Action Alternative C proposes
selective riparian harvesting
adjacent to approximately 140
combined feet of Soup Creek in
proposed Unit 11 of Section 27,
T24, R17W ('Lower' Soup area).
The proposed selective riparian
harvest is representative of
approximately one-tenth of 1
percent of the total linear
riparian area adjacent to the
reaches of the stream that
provide habitat to bull trout or
westslope cutthroat trout.
Foreseeable adverse impacts to
recruitable large woody debris
in Soup Creek are expected to be
very minor if Action Alternative
C is implemented. A comparable,
or very low risk of very direct
and indirect impacts to in-
stream large woody debris in
Soup Creek is also expected as a
result of implementing Action
Alternative C.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative C, a low risk
of low direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat is expected in Cilly
Creek, and a very low risk of
very low direct and indirect
impacts is expected in Soup
Creek. No direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat are expected in South
Fork Lost and Unnamed creeks.
The expected impacts are above
and beyond those described for
this habitat component in
EXISTING CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
.Uternative D to Habitat - Ldurge Woody
Debris
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
The proposed action associated
with this alternative that may
affect in-stream large woody
debris is selective riparian
harvesting. Selective riparian
harvesting may affect in-stream
large woody debris by modifying
the amounts of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and modifying existing patterns
of windthrow and windsnap. A
specific variable of large woody
debris that may be affected by
the selective riparian harvest
is the freguency of in-stream
large woody debris .
Action Alternative D proposes
selective riparian harvesting
adjacent to approximately 2,950
feet of South Fork Lost Creek in
proposed Unit 8 in Section 3,
T24N, R17W. The location and
extent of the proposed action is
identical to that described in
Action Alternative B. Unit 22
in Section 4, Unit 5 in Section
3, and Unit 3 in Section 1, all
in T24N, R17W, are also adjacent
to South Fork Lost Creek. These
3 units are located at least 140
feet from South Fork Lost Creek
and are not expected to affect
the riparian function of
providing recruitable large
woody debris. The spatial
extent of anticipated selective
riparian harvesting in Action
Alternative D is similar or less
than that proposed under Action
Alternative B. The degree of
anticipated selective riparian
harvesting in Action Alternative
D is also expected to be
similar. As a result of
selecting Action Alternative D,
the potential overall direct and
indirect effects to the large-
woody-debris component of
fisheries habitat within the
project area are expected to be
the same as those described for
Action Alternative B.
No harvest units are proposed
adjacent to the fish-bearing
reaches of Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. As a result of
selecting Action Alternative D,
foreseeable adverse direct and
indirect impacts to the in-
stream large-woody-debris
component of fish habitat are
not expected in Cilly and
Unnamed creeks .
Action Alternative D proposes a
selective riparian harvest
adjacent to approximately 2,480
feet of Soup Creek in proposed
Unit 5 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( ■'Lower' Soup area) , which lies
entirely north of the stream
channel. The proposed selective
riparian harvest would extend
approximately 2,480 feet and is
representative of approximately
2 percent of the total linear
riparian area adjacent to the
reaches of the stream that
provide habitat to bull trout or
westslope cutthroat trout.
Proposed Unit 19 in Section 27,
T24N, R17W, is also adjacent to
Soup Creek. This proposed unit
is located at least 120 feet
from Soup Creek and is not
expected to affect riparian
functions .
Although Action Alternative D
does not include proposed Unit
11 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( ■'Lower' Soup area) , which
involves selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to
approximately 140 feet of Soup
Creek, the anticipated effects
of the selective riparian
harvest are expected to be the
same as the results of the
detailed analysis in Action
Alternative B for the ■'Lower'
Soup area. The degree of
anticipated selective riparian
harvest in Action Alternative D
is also expected to be similar.
As a result of selecting Action
Alternative D, the potential
overall direct and indirect
effects to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat within the project area
are expected to be the same as
those described for Action
Alternative B.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative D, a low risk
of very low direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat are expected in South
Fork Lost and Soup creeks. No
direct and indirect impacts to
the large-woody-debris component
of fisheries habitat are
expected in Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. The low impacts are
above and beyond those described
for this habitat component in
EXISTING CONDITIONS. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested in South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks as part of
future monitoring if Action
Alternative D is selected for
implementation .
Direct and Indirect Effects of„lction
Jllternative E to Habitat - Large Woody
Debris
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks.
The proposed action associated
with this alternative that may
affect in-stream large woody
debris is selective riparian
harvesting. Selective riparian
harvesting may affect in-stream
large woody debris by modifying
the amounts of potentially
recruitable large woody debris
and modifying existing patterns
of windthrow and windsnap. A
specific variable of large woody
debris that may be affected by
the selective riparian harvest
is the freguency of in-stream
large woody debris .
Action Alternative E does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to South
Fork Lost Creek. Proposed Units
14 and 21 in Section 4 and Units
5 and 7 in Section 3, all in
T24N, R17W, are near South Fork
Lost Creek. These 4 units are
located at least 140 feet from
South Fork Lost Creek and are
not expected to affect the
riparian function of providing
recruitable large woody debris
within the site potential tree
height. As a result of
selecting Action Alternative E,
no foreseeable, adverse direct
and indirect impacts to the in-
stream large-woody-debris
component of fish habitat are
expected in South Fork Lost
Creek .
Action Alternative E proposes
selective riparian harvesting
adjacent to approximately 1,380
combined feet of Cilly Creek in
proposed Units 18 and 23 in
Section 16, T24N, R17W, which
spans both sides of the stream
channel. The proposed riparian
harvest prescription includes
the establishment of the RMZ at
91 feet in accordance with ARM
36.11.425(5) and implementation
of the SMZ Law and Rules for
Class 1 streams. The proposed
selective riparian harvest,
which would extend approximately
1,380 feet, is representative of
approximately 7 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that currently provide
habitat to eastern brook trout.
Expected impacts to the fish-
bearing reach of Cilly Creek
over the foreseeable near future
include reduced levels of
recruitable large woody debris.
A moderate risk of low direct
and indirect impacts to in-
stream large woody debris in
Cilly Creek is also expected as
a result of implementing Action
Alternative E.
Action Alternative E does not
propose any selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to the fish-
bearing reaches of Unnamed
Creek. As a result of selecting
Action Alternative E, no
foreseeable, adverse direct and
indirect impacts to the in-
stream large-woody-debris
component of fish habitat are
expected in Unnamed Creek.
Action Alternative E proposes
selective riparian harvesting
adjacent to approximately 2,480
feet of Soup Creek in proposed
Unit 5 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( 'Lower' Soup area) , which lies
entirely north of the stream
channel. The proposed selective
riparian harvest, which would
extend approximately 2,480 feet,
is representative of
approximately 2 percent of the
total linear riparian area
adjacent to the reaches of the
stream that provide habitat to
bull trout or westslope
cutthroat trout. Unit 19 in
Section 27 and Unit 10 in
Section 26, all in T24N, R17W,
are also adjacent to Soup Creek.
These proposed units are located
at least 100 feet from Soup
Creek and are not expected to
affect riparian functions.
Although Action Alternative E
does not include proposed Unit
11 in Section 27, T24N, R17W
( ■'Lower' Soup area) , which
involves selective riparian
harvesting adjacent to
approximately 140 feet of Soup
Creek, the anticipated effects
of the selective riparian
harvest are expected to be the
same as the results of the
detailed analysis in Action
Alternative B for the ''Lower'
Soup area. The degree of
anticipated selective riparian
harvest in Action Alternative E
is also expected to be similar.
As a result of selecting Action
Alternative E, the potential
overall direct and indirect
effects to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat within the project area
are expected to be the same as
those described for Action
Alternative B.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative E, a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the large-woody-
debris component of fisheries
habitat is expected in Cilly
Creek, and a low risk of very
direct and indirect impacts is
expected in Soup Creek. No
direct and indirect impacts to
the large-woody-debris component
of fisheries habitat are
expected in South Fork Lost and
Unnamed creeks. The expected
impacts are above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS . The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested in
Soup Creek as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
E is selected for
implementation .
Habitat — Stream Temperature
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-jlctioit
./liter native ^1 on Habitat - Stream
Temperature
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to the bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat
components of stream temperature
in South Fork Lost, Cilly,
Unnamed, or Soup creeks beyond
those described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
.Alternative B on Habitat - Stream
Temperature
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
apparent direct and indirect
impacts to the stream
temperature component of habitat
in South Fork Lost, Cilly, and
Unnamed creeks. Potential
existing direct and indirect
impacts to the stream
temperature component of bull
trout and westslope cutthroat
trout habit may be low in Reach
1 of Soup Creek. No existing
direct or indirect impacts to
the stream temperature component
of bull trout and westslope
cutthroat trout habitat are
apparent in Reaches 2, 3, and 4
of Soup Creek. Whether the
potential low existing direct
and indirect impacts in Reach 1
of Soup Creek are from natural
conditions or land-management
practices is uncertain.
The primary proposed action
associated with this alternative
that could adversely affect
stream temperature is selective
riparian harvesting. Stream
temperature may be affected by
the proposed selective riparian
harvest through decreases in
angular canopy density (shade),
sedimentation from increase
rates of windthrown root wads,
sedimentation from soil
disturbances adjacent to
riparian areas, and
sedimentation from road-stream
crossing installations.
Sedimentation may directly or
indirectly contribute to
increases in stream temperature
through the aggradations of pool
(slow) stream features. The
aggradations of pool (slow)
stream features may promote
increases in stream width-to-
depth ratios, which may,
conseguently, decrease the
capacity of a stream to resist
changes in temperature.
Potential changes in stream
temperature are evaluated by
assessing the anticipated change
in temperature at the reach
scale .
Changes in stream temperature in
South Fork Lost Creek adjacent
to the proposed selective
riparian harvest are an issue
that will be further analyzed
below. Potential impacts to
this fisheries-habitat variable
in South Fork Lost Creek are
likely to be more pronounced
than in other fish-bearing
streams due to the extent of the
proposed selective riparian
harvesting that may occur south
of the stream.
Moderate levels of selective
riparian harvesting are expected
to occur in non-fish-bearing
reaches of Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. These moderate levels
of riparian harvesting are
expected to have a moderate risk
of adverse effects to stream
shading in the non-fish-bearing
reaches and a conseguent low
impact to stream temperatures.
However, due to disconnected
surface flows and known
interactions with groundwater
sources, the low impact to
stream temperatures in the non-
fish-bearing reaches of Cilly
and Unnamed creeks are also
expected to have a low risk of
low direct and indirect impacts
to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat in
downstream reaches.
Virtually all of the proposed
adjacent selective riparian
harvesting would occur on the
north side of Soup Creek, which
is expected to reduce angular
canopy closure (shading) during
peak temperatures by an
estimated 5 percent. As a
result of the minor reduction in
shading, a very low risk of very
low direct and indirect impacts
to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat in
Soup Creek is expected.
Two widely acknowledged models
are utilized to analyze
potential changes to stream
temperature in South Fork Lost
Creek as a result of
modifications to angular canopy
density (shade) . The first
model, SSTEMP {Bartholow 2002) ,
considers a myriad of stream and
riparian variables, including
stream input temperatures,
hydrology, stream geometry,
meteorology, percent shade,
other shade factors, and time of
year. The second model,
described in Currier and Hughes
(1980) and Beschta et al (1987),
is based on a simple
relationship between net rate of
heat added to the stream,
surface area of the stream
exposed to solar radiation, and
streamf low .
In order to evaluate the
potential change in stream
temperature through SSTEMP, the
proposed selective riparian
harvest prescription will be
applied to known stream and
riparian variables during the
peak stream temperature periods
of 2004 and 2005. The initial
stream temperature inputs are
those recorded at the
'SFKLost#2_Middle' station
(South Fork Lost Creek) since
these are the approximate
locations of the adjacent
upstream extent of the proposed
selective riparian harvest. The
estimated reduction in angular
canopy closure for South Fork
Lost Creek (20 percent) will be
used in this model. Weather
archives available for Bigfork,
Montana (approximately 19 miles
northwest of South Fork Lost
Creek) will be used for
meteorological inputs. (A total
of 34 stream and riparian
variables are input to the
SSTEMP model and a total of 22
stream and riparian variables
are input to the Currier and
Hughes [1980] and Beschta et al
[1987] model, most of which are
derived from field
measurements.) The SSTEMP model
outputs will estimate the change
in stream temperature through
the portion of South Fork Lost
Creek that is immediately
adjacent to the proposed
selective riparian harvest (see
TABLE E-3 7 - ESTIMATIONS OF
CHANGE IN STREAM TEMPERTURE
ADJACENT TO THE PROPOSED
SELECTIVE RIPARIAN HARVEST ALONG
SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK) . By
using the known stream and
riparian variables from 2004 and
2005, the outputs will reflect
the predicted average changes in
stream temperatures if the
proposed selective riparian
harvest had occurred during
those years.
The potential change in stream
temperature as predicted by
Currier and Hughes (1980) and
Beschta et al (1987) will also
be displayed in TABLE E-37 -
ESTIMATIONS OF CHANGE IN STREAM
TEMPERATURE ADJACENT TO THE
PROPOSED SELECTIVE RIPARIAN
HARVEST ALONG SOUTH FORK LOST
CREEK. These potential changes
in stream temperature reflect
estimated maximum changes in
temperature during late July,
immediately following the
implementation of the proposed
selective riparian harvest
prescription.
The predicted changes in stream
temperature in South Fork Lost
Creek adjacent to the proposed
riparian harvest range from +0.4
to +0.5 degrees Celsius. The
predicted stream temperature
changes developed by SSTEMP for
both 2004 and 2005 are +0.3
TABLE E-37 - ESTIMATIONS OF CHANGE IN STREAM TEMPERATURE ADJACENT TO THE
PROPOSED SELECTIVE RIPARIAN HARVEST ALONG SOUTH FORK LOST CREEK
STREAM
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
2004
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
2005
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
EXISTING
Estimated total linear distance
(feet) of the selective riparian
harvest adjacent to fish-bearing
reaches
2,950
2, 950
2,950
Model
SSTEMP
SSTEMP
C and H, B*
Actual change in stream temperature
(degrees) (maximum weekly maximum
temperature [Celsius])
+ 0.2
+ 0.2
N/A to
model
Predicted change in stream
temperature (degrees) as a result of
implementing selective riparian
harvest (Celsius)
+ 0.5
+ 0.5
+ 0.4
*Currier and Hughes (1980) and Beschta et al (1987)
degrees Celsius above the actual
observed changes in stream
temperature. The predicted
stream temperature change
developed by Currier and Hughes
(1980) and Beschta et al (1987)
is +0.2 degrees Celsius greater
than the actual observed changes
in both 2004 and 2005. The
predicted changes in stream
temperature are expected to be
relatively minor and
representative of a moderate
risk of low direct and indirect
impacts to the stream
temperature component of fish
habitat in South Fork Lost
Creek .
As indicated in the risk
assessment for sediment, a low
risk of low impacts to the
sediment component of fisheries
habitat is expected in South
Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks, and a moderate risk of
moderate impacts is expected in
Unnamed Creek. A proportional,
or overall low risk of low
impacts is expected to the
channel forms in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, and Soup creeks,
and a moderate risk of low
impacts is expected in Unnamed
Creek. As described above, the
aggradations of pool (slow)
stream features may promote
increases in stream width-to-
depth ratios, which may
consequently decrease the
capacity of a stream to resist
changes in temperature. Because
of this potential chain of
events related to sedimentation
and possible shifts in channel
forms, a risk of adverse impacts
to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat is
expected in the project area.
As a result of implementing
Action Alternative B, an overall
low risk of low direct and
indirect impacts to the stream
temperature component of
fisheries habitat is expected in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks. A moderate risk of low
direct and indirect impacts is
expected in Unnamed Creek. The
low impact is above and beyond
those described for this habitat
component in EXISTING
CONDITIONS. The assumptions
derived from this portion of the
project analysis are expected to
be reevaluated and tested as
part of future monitoring if
Action Alternative B is selected
for implementation.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
.Uternatice C on Habitat - Stream
Temperature
The overall anticipated direct
and indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
are expected to be similar or
less than those described in
Action Alternative B. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
C is selected for
implementation .
• Direct and Indirect Effects of,/Iction
,/Ilternatice D on Habitat - Stream
Temperature
The overall anticipated direct
and indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat are expected to be
similar or less than those
described in Action Alternative
B, except a moderate risk of low
direct and indirect impacts is
expected in Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. The assumptions derived
from this portion of the project
analysis are expected to be
reevaluated and tested as part
of future monitoring if Action
Alternative D is selected for
implementation .
• Direct and Indirect Effects of,/lction
Jllternatir'e E on Habitat - Stream
Temperature
The overall anticipated direct
and indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat are expected to be
similar or less than those
described in Action Alternative
B, except a low risk of low
direct and indirect impacts is
expected in Unnamed Creek. The
assumptions derived from this
portion of the project analysis
are expected to be reevaluated
and tested as part of future
monitoring if Action Alternative
E is selected for
implementation .
♦ HABITAT - CONNECTIVITY
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-^Iction
wllter native ^I on Habitat- Connectivity
No direct or indirect impacts
would occur to the bull trout,
westslope cutthroat trout, or
other fisheries habitat
component of connectivity in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks beyond those
described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of,/Iction
tllternative H on Habitat- Connectivity
EXISTING CONDITIONS describes no
direct and indirect impacts to
the connectivity component of
fisheries habitat in South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks within the
project area. Existing direct
and indirect impacts to the
connectivity component of
fisheries habitat are likely low
in Cilly Creek and likely
moderate to high in Unnamed
Creek .
Two existing, failing bridge
crossings of South Fork Lost
Creek within the project area
would be fully removed as part
of Action Alternative B; these
crossings are located in the
NW1/4SW1/4 of Section 4 and the
NW1/4SE1/4 of Section 2, all in
T24N, R17W. Three existing,
failing bridge crossings of Soup
Creek within and immediately
adjacent to the project area
would also be fully removed as
part of Action Alternative B;
these crossings are located in
the NE1/4NW1/4 of Section 29,
NW1/4NW1/4 of Section 25, and
SE1/4NE1/4 of Section 25, all in
T24N, R17W. One other existing,
failing bridge crossing of Soup
Creek would be replaced with a
new bridge; this crossing is
located in the NE1/4NE1/4 of
Section 26, T24N, R17W. The new
bridge structure and 5 bridge
reclamation sites on South Fork
Lost Creek and Soup Creek are
expected to provide naturally
occurring levels of connectivity
to all life stages of native and
nonnative fish species.
Existing direct and indirect
impacts to the connectivity
component of fisheries habitat
in Cilly and Unnamed creeks
would not be remediated as part
of Action Alternative B.
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative B, no adverse
direct or indirect impacts to
the fisheries habitat variable
of connectivity in South Fork
Lost, Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup
creeks would occur beyond those
described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
,/Ilter natives C,D, and E on Habitat -
Connectivity
In terms of fisheries
connectivity, the associated
proposed actions in Action
Alternative B are also expected
to occur if Action Alternative
C, D, or E is selected. As a
result of the selection of one
of these alternatives, the
anticipated risk of direct and
indirect impacts to the
fisheries habitat variable of
connectivity in South Fork Lost,
Cilly, Unnamed, and Soup creeks
are expected to be the same as
those described for Action
Alternative B.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
Cumulative impacts are those
collective impacts on the human
environment of the proposed action
when considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
actions related to the proposed
action by location or generic type
(75-1-220, MCA). The potential
cumulative effects to fisheries in
the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area are determined by assessing the
collective anticipated direct and
indirect impacts, other related
existing actions, and future actions
affecting the fish-bearing streams
in the project area. In order to
help convey a summary of potential
cumulative impacts, a matrix of
anticipated impacts to fisheries in
the project area is displayed in
TABLE E-38 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE
DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE
IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A
RESULT OF THE SELECTION OF NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE A and TABLE E-39
(THROUGH E-42) - MATRIX OF
COLLECTIVE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN
THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA AS A RESULT OF THE SELECTION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE B, (C, D, AND E) .
TABLE E-38 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF THE
SELECTION OF NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE A
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Presence and genetics
None
None
None
None
Flow regimes
None
None
None
None
Sediment
None
None
None
None
Channel forms
None
None
None
None
Riparian function
None
None
None
None
Large woody debris
None
None
None
None
Stream temperature
None
None
None
None
Connectivity
None
None
None
None
Other related actions
Low
Low
None
Low
Future actions
None
Very low
Very low
None
Cumulative effects
Very low
to low
Very low
to low
Very low
Very low
to low
TABLE E- 39 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
TO FISHERIES IN THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF THE
SELECTION OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE B
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Presence and genetics
None
None
None
None
Flow regimes
Very Low
Low
Low
Very Low
Sediment
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
Channel forms
Low
Low
Low
Low
Riparian function
Low
Low
Low
Low
Large woody debris
Very Low
None
None
Very Low
Stream temperature
Low
Low
Low
Low
Connectivity
None
None
None
None
Other related actions
Low
Low
None
Low
Future actions
None
Very Low
Very Low
None
Cumulative effects
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
Cntniilative Effects ofJWo-Jlction Jllternative
Jl to Fisheries
In order to correctly interpret
the potential for cumulative
impacts in this fisheries
analysis, the anticipated
cumulative impact to a specific
stream is relative to the existing
conditions. For instance, there
is likely a 'moderate' level of
existing collective impacts to
fisheries in South Fork Lost Creek
(see EXISTING CONDITIONS) . As a
result of the selection of No-
Action Alternative A, a potential
Very low to low' level of
cumulative impacts that may occur
in addition to the 'moderate'
level of existing collective
impacts to fisheries that
currently exist.
Other related actions that are
considered in the existing
cumulative impacts are low impacts
to South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
due to existing adjacent road use
by recreational vehicles, low
impacts to South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks due to recreational
fishing, and low impacts to South
Fork Lost and Cilly creeks due to
historic riparian harvesting on
other land ownerships in the
project area.
No future actions have been
identified for consideration in
the South Fork Lost Creek and Soup
Creek drainages.
Two future actions that have been
identified for consideration in
the Cilly Creek drainage are the
Cilly Bug Salvage Timber Sale
Project and Red Ridge Salvage
Permit. The Cilly Bug Salvage
Timber Sale Project is expected to
include a riparian harvest through
the application of the SMZ Law and
Rules {ARM 36.11.301). The linear
extent of the riparian harvest is
expected to be approximately 1, 800
feet adjacent to the north side of
the non-fish-bearing reach of
Cilly Creek. The only fish
habitat variable in the downstream
fish-bearing reach of Cilly Creek
that may be affected by the action
is stream temperature. As a
result of this action, potential
direct and indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat in Cilly Creek are
very low. The Red Ridge Salvage
Permit proposes to harvest timber
from approximately 30 acres in the
Cilly Creek watershed. The
proposed timber harvest would take
place approximately 0.5 miles from
Cilly Creek, and road use
associated with the timber harvest
is not expected to have any
adverse impacts to Cilly Creek.
As a result of this action, no
potential direct and indirect
impacts to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat in Cilly
Creek are expected.
The Red Ridge Salvage Permit has
been identified as a future action
for consideration in the Unnamed
Creek drainage. This permit
proposes to harvest timber from
approximately 60 acres in the
Unnamed Creek watershed. The
permit is expected to include
riparian harvesting through the
application of the SMZ Law and
Rules {ARM 36.11.301). The linear
extent of the riparian harvest is
expected to be approximately 700
feet adjacent to the northeast
side of the fish-bearing reach of
Unnamed Creek. Stream temperature
is the only fish habitat variable
in the downstream fish-bearing
reach of Unnamed Creek that may be
affected by the action. As a
result of this action, the
potential direct and indirect
impacts to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat in
Unnamed Creek are very low.
The determination of cumulative
impacts in this fisheries analysis
is based on an assessment of all
variables. As a result of these
considerations, determinations of
foreseeable cumulative impacts in
this analysis are primarily a
consequence of other related
actions and future actions.
As a result of the selection of
No-Action Alternative A,
cumulative impacts to fisheries in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks are expected to be
very low to low beyond those
impacts described in EXISTING
CONDITIONS.
Ciimtilative Effects of miction Jlltertiatit'e B on
Fisheries
In order to correctly interpret
the potential for cumulative
impacts in this analysis, the
anticipated cumulative impact to a
specific stream is relative to
EXISTING CONDITIONS. For
instance, the level of existing
collective impacts to fisheries in
South Fork Lost Creek is likely
'moderate' (see EXISTING
CONDITIONS) . As a result of the
selection of Action Alternative B,
a potential 'low' level of
cumulative impacts may occur in
addition to the 'moderate' level
of existing collective effects to
fisheries that currently exist.
Other related actions that are
considered in the existing
cumulative impacts are a low
impact to South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks due to existing adjacent
road use by recreational vehicles,
a low impact to South Fork Lost
and Soup creeks due to
recreational fishing, and a low
impact to South Fork Lost and
Cilly creeks due to historic
riparian harvesting on other land
ownerships in the project area.
No future actions have been
identified for consideration in
the South Fork Lost Creek and Soup
Creek drainages.
Two future actions that have been
identified for consideration in
the Cilly Creek drainage are the
Cilly Bug Salvage Timber Sale
Project and Red Ridge Salvage
Permit. The Cilly Bug Salvage
Timber Sale Project is expected to
include a riparian harvest through
the application of the SMZ Law and
Rules {ARM 36.11.301) . The linear
extent of the riparian harvest is
expected to be approximately 1, 800
feet adjacent to the north side of
the non-fish-bearing reach of
Cilly Creek. The only fish
habitat variable in the downstream
fish-bearing reach of Cilly Creek
that may be affected by the action
is stream temperature. As a
result of this action, potential
direct and indirect impacts to the
stream temperature component of
fish habitat in Cilly Creek are
very low. The Red Ridge Salvage
Permit proposes to harvest timber
from approximately 30 acres in the
Cilly Creek watershed. The
proposed timber harvest would take
place approximately 0.5 miles from
Cilly Creek, and road use
associated with the timber harvest
is not expected to have any
adverse impacts to Cilly Creek.
As a result of this action, no
potential direct and indirect
impacts to the stream temperature
component of fish habitat in Cilly
Creek are expected.
The Red Ridge Salvage Permit has
been identified as a future action
for consideration in the Unnamed
Creek drainage. This permit
proposes to harvest timber from
approximately 60 acres in the
Unnamed Creek watershed, and is
expected to include riparian
harvesting through the application
of the SMZ Law and Rules {ARM
36.11.301). The linear extent of
the riparian harvest is expected
to be approximately 700 feet
adjacent to the northeast side of
the fish-bearing reach of Unnamed
Creek. Stream temperature is the
only fish habitat variable in the
downstream fish-bearing reach of
Unnamed Creek that may be affected
by the action. As a result of
this action, potential direct and
indirect impacts to the stream
temperature component of fish
habitat in Unnamed Creek are very
low .
The determination of cumulative
effects in this fisheries analysis
is based on an assessment of all
variables, but the variables are
not weighted equally in making the
determination. Anticipated
impacts from sedimentation and
connectivity tend to have a
greater level of risk to fisheries
than the anticipated impacts from
flow regimes and riparian
function. As a result of these
considerations, determinations of
foreseeable cumulative impacts in
this analysis are primarily a
consequence of potential
sedimentation from various
sources, such as flow regime,
potential riparian soil
disturbance, and windthrown root
wads .
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative B, an overall
moderate risk of low cumulative
impacts to fisheries is expected
in South Fork Lost, Cilly, and
Soup creeks beyond those impacts
described in EXISTING CONDITIONS.
An overall moderate risk of a
moderate cumulative impact is
expected to fisheries in Unnamed
Creek. No measurable or otherwise
detectable cumulative impacts are
expected to fisheries in
downstream reaches of Swan River
and Lost Creek as a result of
implementing Action Alterative B.
Cnmiilative Effects ofJlction Jllternative Cto
Fisheries
The assessment of potential
cumulative effects follows the
same methodology described in
Action Alternative B. Other
related future actions are also
expected to be the same as those
described in Action Alternative B.
In order to help convey a summary
of potential cumulative impacts as
a result of implementing Action
Alternative C, a matrix of
anticipated effects to fisheries
in the project area is displayed
in TABLE-4 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE
DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMUILATIVE
IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS
A RESULT OF THE SELECTION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE C.
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative C, an overall
moderate risk of low cumulative
impacts to fisheries is expected
in South Fork Lost, Cilly, and
Soup creeks beyond those impacts
described in EXISTING CONDITIONS.
An overall moderate risk of a
moderate cumulative impact is
expected to fisheries in Unnamed
Creek. No measurable or otherwise
detectable cumulative impacts are
expected to fisheries in
downstream reaches of Swan River
and Lost Creek as a result of
implementing Action Alterative C.
TABLE E-40 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF THE
SELECTION OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE C
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Presence and genetics
None
None
None
None
Flow regimes
Very low
Low
Low
Very low
Sediment
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
Channel forms
Low
Low
Low
Low
Riparian function
Very low
Low
Low
Very low
Large woody debris
None
Low
None
Very low
Stream temperature
Low
Low
Low
Low
Connectivity
None
None
None
None
Other related actions
Low
Low
None
Low
Future actions
None
Very low
Very low
None
Cumulative effects
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
Cnmiilative Effects ofJlction JlUe r native D to
Fisheries
The assessment of potential
cumulative effects follows the
same methodology described in
Action Alternative B. Other
related future actions are also
expected to be the same as those
described in Action Alternative B.
In order to help convey a summary
of potential cumulative impacts as
a result of implementing Action
Alternative D, a matrix of
anticipated effects to fisheries
in the project area is displayed
in TABLE-41 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE
DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE
IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS
A RESULT OF THE SELECTION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE D.
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative D, an overall
moderate risk of low cumulative
impacts to fisheries is expected
in South Fork Lost and Soup creeks
beyond those impacts described in
EXISTING CONDITIONS. An overall
moderate risk of a moderate
cumulative impact is expected to
fisheries in Cilly and Unnamed
creeks. No measurable or
otherwise detectable cumulative
impacts are expected to fisheries
in downstream reaches of Swan
River and Lost Creek as a result
of implementing Action Alterative
D.
TABLE E-41 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO
FISHERIES IN THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF THE
SELECTION OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE D
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED CRF.F.K
SOUP
CREEK
Presence and genetics
None
None
None
None
Flow regimes
Very low
Low
Low
Very low
Sediment
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Channel forms
Low
Low
Low
Low
Riparian function
Low
Low
Low
Low
Large woody debris
Very low
None
None
Very low
Stream temperature
Low
Low
Low
Low
Connectivity
None
None
None
None
Other related actions
Low
Low
None
Low
Future actions
None
Very low
Very low
None
Cumulative effects
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Low
Cumulative Effects of Action Jllternative E
to Fisheries
The assessment of potential
cumulative effects follows the
same methodology described in
Action Alternative B. Other
related future actions are also
expected to be the same as those
described in Action Alternative
B. In order to help convey a
summary of potential cumulative
impacts as a result of
implementing Action Alternative
E, a matrix of anticipated
effects to fisheries in the
project area is displayed in
TABLE-42 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE
DIRECT, INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE
IMPACTS TO FISHERIES IN THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA
AS A RESULT OF THE SELECTION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE E.
As a result of the selection of
Action Alternative E, an overall
moderate risk of a low cumulative
impact to fisheries is expected in
the South Fork Lost, Cilly, Unnamed,
and Soup creeks beyond those impacts
described in the EXISTING
CONDITIONS. No measurable or
otherwise detectable cumulative
impacts are expected to fisheries in
downstream reaches of Swan River and
Lost Creek as a result of
implementing Action Alterative E.
TABLE E-42 - MATRIX OF COLLECTIVE DIRECT,
FISHERIES IN THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE
SELECTION OF ACTION ALTERNATIVE E
INDIRECT, AND CUMULATIVE IMPACTS TO
PROJECT AREA AS A RESULT OF THE
SOUTH FORK
LOST CREEK
CILLY
CREEK
UNNAMED
CREEK
SOUP
CREEK
Presence and genetics
None
None
None
None
Flow regimes
Very low
Low
Very low
Very low
Sediment
Low
Low
Low
Low
Channel forms
Low
Low
Low
Low
Riparian function
Very low
Low
Low
Low
Large woody debris
None
Low
None
Very low
Stream temperature
Low
Low
Low
Low
Connectivity
None
None
None
None
Other related actions
Low
Low
None
Low
Future actions
None
Very low
Very low
None
Cumulative effects
Low
Low
Low
Low
SPECIALIST RECOMMENDATIONS
♦ POPULATIONS - PRESENCE AND
GENETICS
No recommendations
♦ HABITAT - FLOW REGIMES
No recommendations
♦ HABITAT - SEDIMENT and CHANNEL
FORMS
- Apply all applicable Forestry
BMPs (including the SMZ Law and
Rules) and Forest Management
Administrative Rules for soils
riparian management zones.
- Monitor all road stream
crossings for sedimentation and
deterioration of road prism.
- Only allow eguipment traffic at
road stream crossings when road
prisms have adeguate load-
bearing capacity.
♦ HABITAT - RIPARIAN FUNCTION, LARGE
WOODY DEBRIS, AND STREAM
TEMPERATURE
- Apply all applicable BMPs
(including SMZ Law and Rules)
and Forest Management
Administrative Rules for
fisheries riparian management
zones to fish-bearing streams in
the project area.
- South Fork Lost Creek
Immediately adjacent to proposed
harvest units, establish the
outside edge of the fisheries
riparian management zone at 95
feet from the nearest bankfull
edge of the stream channel.
Within the fisheries riparian
management zone, provide
adeguate large-woody-debris
recruitment and stream shading
by (1) creating a no-cut buffer
from the nearest bankfull edge
of the stream channel to 25
feet, and (2) harvesting a
maximum of 50 percent of trees
greater than 8 inches in
diameter at breast height from
25 to 95 feet.
- Cilly Creek
Immediately adjacent to proposed
harvest units, establish the
outside edge of the fisheries
riparian management zone at 91
feet from the nearest bankfull
edge of the stream channel.
Within the fisheries riparian
management zone, provide
adeguate large-woody-debris
recruitment and stream shading
by implementing the SMZ Law and
Rules for Class 1 streams.
- Soup Creek
Immediately adjacent to proposed
harvest units, establish the
outside edge of the fisheries
riparian management zone at 83
feet from the nearest bankfull
edge of the stream channel.
Within the fisheries riparian
management zone provide adeguate
large-woody-debris recruitment
and stream shading by (1)
creating a no-cut buffer from
the nearest bankfull edge of the
stream channel out to 25 feet
and (2) harvesting a maximum of
50 percent of trees greater than
8 inches in diameter at breast
height from 25 to 83 feet.
- Apply the SMZ Law and Rules to
all non-fish-bearing streams in
the project area.
♦ HABITAT - CONNECTIVITY
No recommendations
♦ CUMULATIVE IMPACTS
No recommendations
SUMMARY OF ANTICIPATED PROJECT-LEVEL MONITORING
IF AN ACTION ALTERNATIVE IS SELECTED
Bull trout, and, in some cases,
westslope cutthroat trout,
population monitoring through
annual redd counts.
McNeil core and substrate score
monitoring in bull trout spawning
reaches in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks .
Fish habitat monitoring, such as s
repeat of R1/R4 surveying, in
South Fork Lost and Soup creeks.
Riparian stand characteristics
(guadratic mean diameter, trees
per acre, basal area) monitoring
in proposed selective riparian-
harvest areas adjacent to South
Fork Lost and Soup creeks.
Angular canopy density (shade)
monitoring in South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks adjacent to proposed
selective riparian-harvest areas.
Large-woody-debris freguency and
volume monitoring in South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks.
Stream temperature monitoring in
South Fork Lost, Cilly, and Soup
creeks .
APPENDIX F
WILDLIFE ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION condition (baseline) incorporates
the results of the past actions and
The discussion in this section natural processes within the
pertains to wildlife species and ,n=,nwQ-;Q =,->-o=,
dllci -L y o -L o drtrci.
their habitat in the existing
environment and changes to that To assess the effects of each
environment due to each alternative. alternative, the changes that would
If habitat does not exist in the occur due to project activities are
project area or would not be described within the area where they
modified by any alternative, species occur (i.e., within the harvest
that use that habitat were dismissed unit) . These changes are the direct
from further analysis. Where and indirect effects of the proposed
species use of the area is probable, activities. The cumulative effects
an analysis was performed. To analysis considers how these changes
conduct this analysis, a cumulative- alter the existing condition (which
effects analysis area was defined in includes past actions) and what that
which to assess the effects to the means to the species in guestion at
species in guestion. The Three the analysis-area scale. After
Creeks Timber Sale Project area, these changes and the subseguent
South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly Bear effects are displayed and discussed,
Subunit, and Swan River State Forest other activities that are occurring
scales were considered for possible or are planned in the foreseeable
analysis areas. The scale of future within the cumulative-effects
analysis considered varied according analysis area are added into the
to the species being discussed, but effects analysis. The combination
generally approximates the size of of the effects of the current
seasonal home ranges, total home proposal overlaid on the existing
ranges, or multiple home ranges condition, with the addition of
representing a portion of the concurrent and foreseeable future
population for the species in actions, sum to determine the
guestion. Once an analysis area for cumulative effect to the species in
cumulative effects was defined, the guestion.
existing condition within the .,„™„«^«
METHODS
analysis boundaries was determined
to set the baseline. The existing To
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction F-1
Methods F-1
Coarse-Filter Analysis F-2
Disturbance F-2
Covertypes and Age Classes F-6
Old-Growth-Associated Species F-7
Forested Connectivity F-8
Patch Size F-16
Coarse Woody Debris F-17
Snag Structure F-19
Fine-Filter Analysis F-26
Threatened and Endangered Species .. F-27
Sensitive Species F-43
Big Game F-53
assess the existing condition on
DNRC-managed lands and the
surrounding landscape within
each cumulative-effects analysis
area, a variety of technigues
were used. Field
reconnaissance, scientific
literature, data from the SLI
and MNHP, aerial photography,
consultations with other
professionals, and professional
judgment provided information
for the following discussion and
effects analysis. In the
effects analysis, changes in the
habitat guality and guantity
from the existing conditions
were evaluated and explained.
Specialized methodologies are
discussed under the species in which
they apply.
COARSE-FILTER ANALYSIS
DNRC recognizes that it is an
impossible and unnecessary task to
assess an affected environment or
the effects of proposed actions on
all wildlife species. We assume
that if landscape patterns and
processes similar to those that
species adapted to are maintained,
then the full complement of species
will be maintained across the
landscape {DNRC 1996) . This "coarse
filter" approach supports diverse
wildlife populations by managing for
a variety of forest structures and
compositions that approximate
"historic conditions" across a
landscape. In the coarse-filter
analysis, disturbance, covertype and
age class, forest connectivity, and
snags and coarse woody debris were
analyzed .
DISTURBANCE
Issue
Timber harvesting and the associated
road use would increase motorized
disturbance in the analysis area,
which could result in displacement
of wildlife species from adjacent
habitats. Displacement from
important habitats could result in
decreased ability for the animal to
survive and reproduce in the
analysis area.
Existing Condition
Motorized disturbances can affect
how wildlife species use their
environment. Some species, such as
grizzly bears and elk, are
particularly sensitive to the
disturbance related to motorized
access and tend to avoid areas some
distance from the source of
disturbance. Conversely, some
species, such as Canada lynx,
tolerate motorized disturbance and
do not alter their use of adjacent
habitats substantially {Mowat et al.
2000) . Additionally, the response
to motorized disturbance and the
distance of displacement effects can
vary among individuals within a
species. Therefore, this analysis
focuses on guantifying the area
where disturbance occurs (roads and
harvest units) to rank the potential
displacement effects caused by
disturbance expected under all
action alternatives.
The area where disturbance from
motorized use occurs is the road
surface; however, the displacement
effects caused by the disturbance
can extend well away from the road
surface. Motorized disturbances
related to this project would occur
on the road surface by vehicles
traveling to and from harvest units
and by mechanized eguipment and
personnel within the harvest units.
To guantify the minimum amount of
disturbance, the acreage of driving
surface of forest roads (14 feet
wide) and Highway 83 (40 feet wide)
were used to develop a hierarchy of
potential disturbance to wildlife in
the area. The effects of this
disturbance resulting in
displacement would extend some
distance from the point of
disturbance, which would vary by the
species in guestion.
The South Fork Lost Soup Subunit
cumulative-effects analysis area
consists of the project area and
valley bottom. The project area
lies on the slopes above the valley
bottom and extends upslope toward
the Swan divide. The project area
contains 8.4 miles of open road
covering 14.5 acres (0.1 percent of
the project area) and 20.1 miles of
restricted roads (gated) covering
34.7 acres (0.3 percent) (TABLE F-1
- ACREAGE OF ROAD SURFACES [PERCENT
OF AREA] AT THE PROJECT LEVEL AND IN
THE ANALYSIS AREA) . Due to the lack
of open roads in the area, the
project area experiences limited
motorized access. The restricted
roads in the area support minor
levels of motorized administrative
use. In the valley bottom. Highway
83 runs north and south near the
western edge of the subunit, with 2
main open roads (Cilly Creek and
Soup Creek roads) running east
towards the mountains. Other open
roads enter the project area from
the north (South Fork Lost Creek
Road) and south (Soup Goat Cut-
Across Road) . These roads stay near
the valley bottom or, in the case of
South Fork Lost Road, follow the
creek up the drainage bottom. All
other roads are restricted, but
provide for motorized administrative
access and public nonmotorized
access. Highway 83 accounts for 4.8
miles, covering 23.3 acres (0.1
percent of the analysis area) ; open
roads account for 22.2 miles,
covering 37.7 acres (0.1 percent);
and restricted roads (gated) account
for 47.8 miles, covering 81.1 acres
(0.3 percent) of the 74.8 miles of
roads in the analysis area (TABLE F-
1 - ACREAGE OF ROAD SURFACES
[PERCENT OF AREA] AT THE PROJECT
LEVEL AND IN THE ANALYSIS AREA) .
Consistent high levels of motorized
use occur on Highway 83. There
appears to be a relatively
consistent moderate level of
motorized use along open roads, with
spikes during different seasons
(i.e. big game hunting season) . The
motorized use occurring consistently
on these open roads is generally
associated with recreational traffic
(traffic associated with sightseeing
or accessing a recreational area) ,
public firewood harvesting, and
administrative use. Motorized
vehicles on restricted roads are
limited to administrative use while
the subunit is inactive and
TABLE F-1 - ACREAGE OF ROAD SURFACES (PERCENT OF
AREA) AT THE PROJECT LEVEL AND IN THE ANALYSIS AREA
ROAD STATUS
PROJECT LEVEL
ANALYSIS AREA
Highway
0.0 (<0.1%)
23.3 (0.1%)
Open
14.5 (0.5%)
37.7 (0.1%)
Restricted -
gated
34.7 (0.3%)
81.1 (0.3%)
Total roads
49.2 (0.5%)
142.1 (0.5%)
commercial use when the subunit is
active .
Predicted Effects to Wildlife
Species Due to Disturbance
• Direct, Indirect, and Cnmtilative Effects of
JVo-,/lction Jllternative »4f to Disturbance
No additional disturbances along
existing roads or within harvest
units would occur; therefore, no
additional displacement of
wildlife species would be
expected.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of Disturbance
Resulting from Action ,/IUertiatires B, C, D,
and E
The amount of area that receives
motorized disturbance would
increase under all alternatives.
These increases would result from
the use of existing and newly
constructed roads along with
motorized activities in the
harvest units. The increased
vehicle traffic associated with
each alternative on the highway
and open roads would likely
contribute negligibly to the
displacement effects already
occurring. However, introducing
motorized disturbance within the
harvest units and newly
constructed road, along with
increasing motorized use on
existing restricted roads, would
likely add to the amount of area
where displacement could occur.
To quantify the scale of
disturbance associated with each
alternative, the acreage of
harvest units and driving surface
of restricted roads (14 feet wide)
were summed to develop
a hierarchy of
potential disturbance
to wildlife in the
area. All action
alternatives would be
implemented during a 3-
year period. If the
project is not
completed during this
time period, harvesting
activities could
potentially extend past 2009; but
activities, if extended, would
only occur between November 16 and
March 31. Any or all portions of
the timber harvesting and road use
could occur at any time. This
analysis considers each
alternative as a whole and does
not try to predict the timing of
any phase of implementation of the
alternative. Since this project
is likely to be split into 3
timber sales, the effects expected
under any alternative would likely
be spread over time and space in
some fashion. According to this
analysis. Action Alternative E
would produce the greatest amount
of area where short-term
disturbance would occur, followed
by Action Alternatives D, B, and
C, respectively {TABLE F-2 -
ACREAGE OF DISTURBED AREA WITHIN
HARVEST UNITS AND ASSOCIATED ROAD
USE EXPECTED UNDER EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . The displacement
effects due to motorized
disturbance may extend for some
distance away from the source and
may vary by species and individual
animals. Therefore, the risk of
increased motorized disturbances
resulting in displacement of
wildlife species from important
habitats follows the same trend.
These effects are expected to last
for the duration of the project.
After completion of the project,
some displaced species could move
back into the area. The speed at
which recolonization occurs would
vary by species.
Cnmtilatice Effect* ofJWo-^lction vlUerHative
tl to Disfiirbance
Wildlife species are not expected
to change their use of the
analysis areas.
CumMlaUve Effects to Distil rbance Common to
miction Jllternatives a, C, D, and E
In the longer term, the new
construction of permanent
restricted roads under each action
alternative would increase the
ability for administrative
TABLE F-2 - ACREAGE OF DISTURBED AREA WITHIN HARVEST UNITS AND ASSOCIATED
ROAD USE EXPECTED UNDER EACH ALTERNATIVE
DISTURBANCE
AREA
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Harvest acres
1,883
1, 795
1, 970
1, 998
(Percent of project area)
(17.7)
(16.9)
(18.5)
(18.8)
(Percent of analysis area)
(6.3)
(6.0)
(6.6)
(6.7)
Existing restricted road driving
surface acres
39
36
35
45
(Percent of project area)
(0.4)
(0.3)
(0.3)
(0.4)
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.2)
New road construction of
permanent restricted driving
surface acres
23
22
27
15
(Percent of project area)
(0.2)
(0.2)
(0.3)
(0.1)
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
New road construction of
temporary driving surface acres
9
11
7
8
(Percent of project area)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(0.1)
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.0)
(<0.1)
(<0.1)
(<0.1)
Total combined acres affected
1,954
1, 864
2,039
2,066
(Percent of project area)
(18.4)
(17.5)
(19.2)
(19.4)
(Percent of analysis area)
(6.5)
(6.2)
(6.8)
(6.9)
motorized and public nonmotorized
access. Of these alternatives.
Action Alternative D would result
in the greatest potential for
additional disturbance over the
long term due to the greatest
increase in permanent road
construction. Action Alternative
E would require the least amount
of permanent restricted road and,
thereby, would result in the least
risk of disturbance over the long
term. Since administrative use is
generally light and sporadic, the
risk of additional or continued
displacement is low. Since
nonmotorized use generally results
in fewer disturbances than
motorized use and any increase in
nonmotorized use is expected to be
sporadic and not result in large
changes over the existing
condition, any additional risk to
displacement due to the
construction of new restricted
roads is likely to be low under
any action alternative.
The construction of new roads
could also increase snowmobile
access, resulting in increased
disturbance during the winter
period. However, since most
proposed roads extend existing
roads, are in current roaded
areas, and end at harvest units,
they likely would not greatly
increase disturbance in the area.
Under Action Alternatives D and E,
a 3.5-mile road segment would
extend into a previously unroaded
area. In this case, the road
provides access into new areas,
resulting in increased winter
disturbance to an area that is
currently relatively inaccessible.
Therefore, snowmobile disturbance
is expected to be higher under
Action Alternative D, followed by
Action Alternative E, B, and C,
respectively .
In addition to the potential
disturbance caused by each action
alternative, DNRC is concurrently
considering 2 salvage harvests
that total 120 acres and use 5
acres of existing restricted road
surface in 2 locations within the
analysis area. These harvests
could add approximately 125 acres
(0.4 percent of the analysis area)
to the amount of habitat affected
if these projects ran concurrently
with the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project. The duration for the use
of these roads and harvesting is
expected to be less than 30 days.
Therefore, the cumulative effects
to any alternative would likely
result in short-term negligible
increases in displacement {TABLE
F-3 - CUMULATIVE AMOUNT OF ACRES
WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA EXPECTED
TO BE DISTURBED UNDER EACH
ALTERNATIVE) .
TABLE F-3 - CUMULATIVE AMOUNT OF ACRES WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA EXPECTED TO
DISTURBANCE
AREA
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Existing acres of all roads
142
142
142
142
142
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.5)
(0.5)
Total affected acreage by
alternative in the analysis
142
2,096
2,006
2,181
2,208
area
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.5)
(7.0)
(6.7)
(7.3)
(7.4)
Additional projects (acres)
125
125
125
125
125
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.4)
(0.4)
(0.4)
(0.4)
(0.4)
Total cumulatively affected
acreage in the analysis
267
2,221
2,131
2,306
2,333
area
(Percent of analysis area)
(0.9)
(7.4)
(7.1)
(7.7)
(7.8)
COVERTYPES AND AGE CLASSES
Issue
Timber harvesting and natural
processes can alter the distribution
of covertypes and age classes found
on the landscape. Changes from
historic conditions could result in
adverse effects to native wildlife
species .
Existing Condition
Covertype and age class proportions
provide a variety of habitats for
wildlife species. It is assumed
that the closer the proportions and
distributions of covertypes and age
classes mirror the "historic levels"
reported by Losensky (1997), the
more likely DNRC-managed lands are
providing adeguate levels of habitat
for native species (see APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) . Based on the
vegetation analysis conducted on the
SLI data, mixed-conifer covertypes
are overrepresented, while western
larch/Douglas-fir and western white
pine are underrepresented when
compared to historic levels. When
averaged over all covertypes, stands
on Swan River State Forest tend to
be older than expected. These
conditions likely lead to increased
habitat for species that use older,
denser stands, which include a
variety of tree species at the
expense of species that use more-
open stands dominated by shade-
intolerant tree species.
Predicted Effects to Wildlife
Species Due to Changes in Covertypes
and Age Classes
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-Jlction
JlUernatire ,1 to Covertypes and Jlge Classes
No changes in covertypes or age
classes are expected in the short
term. Over time, trees would
continue to age and shade-
intolerant trees would continue to
die and be replaced by shade-
tolerant species. These
conditions would lead to an
increasing deviation from historic
distributions of covertypes and
age classes. These changes would
continue and increase the risk of
not providing adeguate levels of
habitat for native species.
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJiction
wllternatires B, C,D, and E to Covertypes and
Jlge Classes
Under all action alternatives, a
portion of the harvested stands
would be converted from mixed-
conifer covertypes to shade-
intolerant covertypes (western
larch/Douglas-fir and western
white pine) and also reduce the
average age of stands. These
changes in covertypes and the
conversion of older stands to
younger stands move the stand
proportions toward historic
conditions; however, historic age
distributions may not necessarily
be retained within those
covertypes. Specifically, the
conversion of older western larch/
Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine
stands into younger stand classes
causes movement away from historic
age class proportions in these
covertypes (see APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) . Reductions
of older-aged stands in other
covertypes move Swan River State
Forest more toward historic
conditions of age class within the
covertypes affected. The changes
proposed are expected to result in
beneficial effects for species
that use shade-intolerant
covertypes; however, these
benefits may be delayed due to the
conversion of older-aged stands to
younger-aged, shade-intolerant
stands. In the short-term,
species that use older, denser
stands with a variety of tree
species would be negatively
impacted; however, these species
would likely still have at least
as much, if not more, habitat
available than would be expected
under historic conditions. Action
Alternative C would result in a
higher rate of conversion from
mixed-conifer to western larch/
Douglas-fir covertypes, while
retaining a higher proportion of
older-aged stands, followed by
Action Alternatives D, B, and E,
respectively. Action Alternatives
C, D, and E would enter
approximately 18 acres of
ponderosa pine old stands and
reduce the age class to a 100-
year-old stand.
• Cnmiilative Effects of ./111 .Uternatives to
Covertypes andJlge Classes
The cumulative effects of recent
forest-management activities on
Swan River State Forest result in
a trend of increasing serai
covertypes and the amount of
younger age classes across areas
where management has occurred.
These trends generally tend toward
historic proportions; therefore,
native species are generally
benefiting from the changes in
covertype and age-class
distributions. However, these
benefits may be delayed due to the
conversion of older-aged stands to
younger-aged, shade-intolerant
stands .
OUi-GRO^iTH-ASSOClATED SPECIES
Issue
Old growth provides habitat
components for a host of wildlife
species. Decreasing amounts of
habitat available to less than the
amounts expected historically could
adversely affect species that use
old-growth habitats to fulfill their
life requirements.
Existing Condition
Many wildlife species use old-growth
habitats. Warren (1998) indicates
that approximately 31 wildlife
species are associated with old-
growth forests on the FNF .
APPENDIX C - VEGETATION ANALYSIS
indicates that the current acreage
of old growth on Swan River State
Forest is less than the acres
estimated in the 1930s inventory,
but greater than would be expected
as a long-term average for the
climatic section (Losensky 1997) .
Although the percentage of the area
occupied by old growth, overall, on
Swan River State Forest is presently
greater than what would have been
expected with long-term average
conditions, function may be
compromised for some species due to
reductions of old growth in some
covertypes and overall reductions in
average patch size, patch shape, and
loss of connectivity. The current
distribution, covertypes, and
attribute levels are displayed in
APPENDIX C - VEGETATION ANALYSIS.
Based on the vegetation analysis of
Swan River State Forest,
overabundances of old growth occur
in the Douglas-fir, western white
pine, mixed-conifer (includes stands
dominated by western red cedar) , and
subalpine fir covertypes, while
shortages occur in ponderosa pine,
western larch/Douglas-fir, and
lodgepole pine covertypes. These
differences are attributable to the
differential selection of covertypes
that were harvested, covertype
conversions due to fire exclusion
and forest succession, and a minor
degree of classification and
sampling error. Wildlife species
typically associated with old growth
in the covertypes that are
overrepresented presumably benefited
from additional habitat, while those
associated with underrepresented
types likely suffered from lower
amounts of available habitat.
Predicted Effects to Old-Growth-
Associated Species
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofth e JVo-^lction
Jllternatire „1 to Old-Grouyth-vlssociated
Species
No harvesting of timber would take
place; therefore, no changes in
the amount or quality of old-
growth habitats would occur.
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJlction
wllternatires B, C,D, and E to Old-Growtli-
wlssociated Species
Some amount of stand-replacement-
type harvesting of old growth
would occur under each action
alternative. Thus, young age
classes of stands would likely
develop for several years
following treatments. In some
harvest units, the number of large
trees retained could meet the
minimum criteria for old-growth;
however, these stands may not
necessarily meet the needs of old-
growth-associated species,
especially those species that
prefer densely forested climax
stands. Where old-growth habitat
is altered, old-growth-associated
species are expected to lose
habitat .
Cumulative Effects
• Ciimtilative Effects of,11l,Uternatives to Old-
Growt/i— dissociated Species
Following harvesting, all action
alternatives retain proportions of
old growth within Swan River State
Forest that fall within the
estimated range of historical
amounts of old growth (15 to 52
percent) . Therefore, the overall
risk of adverse effects to species
that use these habitats is low
because levels of old-growth
habitats fall within the historic
range expected on Swan River State
Forest (see APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) . However,
local reductions in old-growth
habitats are expected to reduce
habitat availability for species
that use these habitats. The risk
of affecting old-growth-associated
species is greater under Action
Alternative D than under Action
Alternatives C, B, and E,
respectively, due to the amount of
old-growth harvested.
No other harvests in old-growth
stands are concurrently being
considered or planned in the
foreseeable future. Past
activities that affected old
growth were considered in the
existing conditions. Therefore,
no additional cumulative changes
in the amount of old-growth stands
are expected.
FORESTED CONNECTIVITY
Issue
Timber harvesting would remove
forested cover that could result in
the reduced ability of some wildlife
species to move through their home
range. Disruption of these regular
daily, seasonal, and dispersal
movements could result in a reduced
ability of wildlife species to use
and successfully reproduce in the
area .
Existing Condition
Movement corridors that maintain
connectivity between habitat patches
function to allow regular daily and
seasonal movements along with
providing dispersal routes for
juvenile animals (Dobson et al.
1999) . These movements are
important for species to
successfully move between security
cover (i.e. denning sites, bedding
areas, etc.) and foraging sites to
meet their life requirements.
Additionally, movement corridors are
important to allow for dispersing
individuals to immigrate or emigrate
from one population to the next to
allow for genetic diversity.
Connectivity of forest cover between
adjacent patches is important for
promoting movements of species that
are hesitant to cross broad,
nonforested expanses. In general,
wider, unf ragmented, riparian, and
diverse corridors provide the most
effective connectivity (Fischer and
Fischenich 2000) . The width of the
travel corridor tends to determine
the efficacy of the corridor for
individual species. In general, a
wider corridor would be more
effective and provide for more
species than a narrower one.
Narrower corridors provide some
level of connectivity, especially
for smaller species, such as
rodents. However, these narrow
corridors could also serve as
funnels that increase predator
efficiency and reduce survival of
the individual prey species that are
using the corridor (Groom et al.
1999) . Seedling and sapling stands
can also provide connectivity cover
for some species such as snowshoe
hares {Ausband 2004), but may not
provide connectivity for species
that prefer environments with dense
mature forest canopy.
Based on ARM 36 . 11 . 403 (20) (b) ,
corridors of 300 feet or greater are
assumed to allow adeguate
connectivity to the larger mammals
that inhabit the project area, such
as fishers (Jones 1991) and lynx
(Koehler 1990) . To assess
connectivity, pole and sawtimber-
sized stands semi-closed (40- to 70-
percent canopy closure) and closed
canopy (greater than 70-percent
canopy closure) and greater than 300
feet wide were considered to provide
travel cover for species expected to
benefit from interconnected forest
stands .
The South Fork Lost Soup Subunit
cumulative-effects analysis area
consists of valley bottom and
mountainous terrain. The project
area lies on the slopes between the
valley bottom and the upper
elevations of the subunit.
Generally, high levels of forest
connectivity exist in the
mountainous area, with many
scattered openings existing on the
valley floor portions of the
analysis area. Forest connectivity
is mostly maintained throughout the
analysis area along the ridges,
along 4 major streams running from
the mountains and draining into the
Swan River, and across third-order
drainages (South Fork Lost and Soup
creeks) . Several breaks where
forest cover is reduced to less than
300 feet across the stream occur
along these creeks (FIGURE F-1 -
EXISTING FOREST COVER, WHICH ALLOWS
FOR CONNECTIVITY OF FORESTED
HABITATS IN THE ANALYSIS AREA) .
These openings are natural openings
(wet meadows, shrub fields,
avalanche chutes) or old harvest
units. In most cases, these
openings contain at least some
horizontal cover from shrubs or
regenerating trees, thereby
providing some cover within the
opening. Additionally, these areas
are generally small (FIGURE F-1) .
These conditions provide a well-
connected forest environment for
animals to move relatively unimpeded
through the cumulative-effects
analysis area. However, in the
valley bottom, several open roads,
including Highway 83, present human-
caused impediments to connectivity.
Predicted Effects to Wildlife Due to
Changes in Connectivity
• Direct, Indirect, and Cnmnlative Effects of
JWo-Jlction Jlltemative j1 to Connectivity
No short-term changes in forest
connectivity are expected. Over
time and in the absence of natural
disturbance, forest connectivity
would be expected to increase due
to the successional conversion of
early serai stands and sparse
stands to older stands providing
overhead forest cover. The
increase in connectivity would
benefit species that depend on
dense interconnected forests by
providing movement corridors
between habitats within the
project area.
• Direct and Indirect Effects Common of„Iction
wllternatires B, C,D, and E to Connectivity
Each action alterative could alter
connectivity of mature forest
patches by creating gaps and
producing large openings in the
uplands (refer to PATCH SIZE in
this analysis) . However, the
project design for each
alternative includes mitigations
to maintain forest connectivity
along the 4 major streams (Soup,
Cilly, Unnamed, and South Fork
Lost creeks) in the project area.
Where seedtree or shelterwood
H
I
I
tQ
Eh
H
Eh
U
O
g
O
s
H
S
I
o
o
Eh
IQ
Eh
IQ
H
prescriptions occur on both sides
of a major stream, a 150-foot
buffer on either side of the
stream (300-foot width, total)
would be retained. If harvesting
occurs on only 1 side of the
stream and ample forest cover is
provided on the opposite side of
the stream, a 100-foot buffer from
the stream would be retained along
the harvested portion. Along the
4 main streams, no timber-
harvesting activities would occur
within 25 feet of the stream.
From 25 feet to the buffer width,
up to half of the trees 8 inches
dbh or greater could be harvested,
but an average of 40 percent or
greater canopy cover would be
reguired to be retained. In these
buffers, small openings of 0.25
acre or less could occur in cable-
yarding corridors or in skid
trails .
Forest connectivity through the
project area would be retained in
unharvested stands along the
ridges (south of South Fork Lost,
Cilly, and Soup creeks), across
third-order drainages (Soup and
South Fork Lost creeks), and along
streams with the buffers described
above {FIGURE F-2 (3, 4, 5) -
FOREST COVER FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF ACTION
ALTERNATIVE B (C, D, and E), WHICH
ALLOWS FOR CONNECTIVITY OF
FORESTED HABITATS IN THE ANALYSIS
AREA) . With these mitigations in
place, a minimum of 300-f oot-wide
corridors would be retained along
all major creeks that run through
the harvest units. Connectivity
on upland sites would be reduced
under each alternative, but in
areas used by wildlife species for
travel (ridges and streams),
adeguate forest cover would
remain. Therefore, all
alternatives would result in minor
risk to preventing movement
through the project area.
Cnmtilative Effects Common to Jlrtion
JlUernatives a, C,I}, and E to Connectivity
Other activities that could affect
forested connectivity in the
analysis area include: open roads,
DNRC salvage harvests, potential
timber harvests on adjacent lands,
and tree mortality due to insects
and diseases.
The highway (4.8 miles) and open
roads (22.2 miles) currently in
the analysis area would continue
to decrease habitat connectivity
to some unknown level. All action
alternatives under this project
result in an additional 0.4 miles
of open road. The new road would
result from rerouting South Fork
Lost Creek Road away from the
creek. Although a slight increase
in the length of open roads would
occur from moving the road out of
the South Fork Lost Creek riparian
area, connectivity could improve
by reducing the disturbance in the
riparian corridor. This action
would enhance forested
connectivity along the 1.3 miles
of stream where disturbance would
be reduced.
In addition to this project, DNRC
is proposing to harvest 120 acres
in 2 projects, while no other
harvests on other ownerships are
planned for the 3-year active
period. The DNRC salvage harvests
would occur on the valley floor,
but away from streams.
Additionally, the harvests would
not likely reduce the canopy
closure to less than 40 percent.
Therefore, wildlife species could
still move through the area,
resulting in negligible additional
reductions in connectivity.
Insect and disease activity
continues to kill trees in the
analysis area. These agents tend
to kill the larger trees, leaving
the smaller trees in the
understory. As the larger
overstory trees die, the younger
trees grow and fill in the gap
left by the dead overstory trees.
^
o
H
H
§
H
O
§
H
Eh CO
ft >i
C *^
I
O
g
o
u
El
to
I
I
I*.
i
H
I*.
H
El
O
O
O
H
^
H
El
O
O
O
5
H
6q
H
El
§
H
El
O
§
H
El
g
I
CO
H
q; Eh
o
o
Ei
CO
I
H
Q
10 Bq
w^
4>
o
a>
\^
:^
t—t
•'-J
-Jl
O
Q
H-l
In most cases, this situation
results in retaining forested
cover. In some cases, patches of
trees are killed, leaving open
forested cover. If these patches
attain a large size, forest
connectivity could be reduced. In
the analysis area, the effects of
insects and diseases tend to shift
the proportions of tree species in
stands, but retain 40-percent
canopy closure, or at least
horizontal cover, in the stand.
Therefore, only small, short-term
additional reductions to forest
connectivity due to insects and
diseases are expected.
Considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
activities, any action
alternatives would likely result
in minor cumulative effects to
connectivity.
PATCH SIZE
Issue
Timber harvesting could reduce the
average patch size of age classes.
These changes could reduce habitat
available for species that reguire a
large patch size or interior
habitats .
Existing Condition
Species that are hesitant to cross
broad expanses without forest cover,
or those that depend upon interior
forest conditions, can be sensitive
to the amount and spatial
configuration of appropriate
habitat. Therefore, patch size,
patch juxtaposition, and
connectivity of forest patches can
influence habitat guality and
population dynamics for some
species. Some species are adapted
to thrive near patch edges, while
others are adversely affected by the
presence of edge, or by the presence
of other animals that prosper in
edge habitats. Therefore, this
analysis considers the effects of
patch size of age classes of forest
stands (discussed in APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) on wildlife
species .
The current patch size in the
project area and within Swan River
State Forest deviates from historic
conditions (refer to APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) . Presently,
the average patch size is smaller
than would be expected under
historic conditions. Some of the
decrease can be attributed to
different map-unit minimums, but the
data likely reflects a real
reduction in mean patch sizes, as
harvesting and roads have broken up
some previously intact patches.
These conditions probably lead to an
increase in habitat for species that
use a diversity of age classes or
edge habitats at the expense of
habitat for species that use
interior habitats.
Predicted Effects to Patch Size
• Direct, Indirect, and Cnmnlative Effects of
JVo-wlction ^Uternative Jl to Wildlife Species
Due to Changes in Patch Sisse
Patch size and configuration would
not change in the short-term
within the project area or
cumulative-effects analysis area
(Swan River State Forest) . In
the longer term, without
substantial natural disturbance,
patch size is expected to increase
in the older age-class categories,
while diversity of habitats and
edge habitats would decrease.
Since the current mean patch size
is smaller than expected under
historic conditions, this
alternative would allow movement
toward historic conditions.
Species that use large blocks of
closed-canopy forested habitats
would be impacted the least by
this alternative.
• Direct and Indirect Effects of Action
.Ilternatires B, C,D, and E to Wildlife
Species Due to Changes in Patch Sise
All action alternatives would
reduce patch size of old-aged
stands and increase patch size of
the O-to-39-year-old stands within
the project area. All action
alternatives reduce the average
patch size of old stands by 50 to
55 percent. Action Alternatives
B, E, C, and D, respectively,
would result in the highest to
lowest conversion of old stands to
young stands. Conversely, all of
the action alternatives propose
harvests units to combine with
current younger stands, resulting
in increasing patch sizes of the
O-to-39-year-old age class. The
results of all alternatives reduce
the average patch size of old-aged
stands further away from historic
conditions, while increasing patch
size in the O-to-39-year-old age
class over the historic average.
Therefore, all alternatives trend
away from historic patch size of
old stands, resulting in a
moderate risk of adverse impacts
to species that use large patches
of old-aged stands, while reducing
the risk of adverse effects to
species that use large patch sizes
in the O-to-39-year-old age class.
Cnmtilatice Effects of„letion Jlltertiatives B,
C, D, and E to Wildlife Species Due to
Changes in Patch Sise
The effects discussed above are
expected to also occur at the Swan
River State Forest analysis scale.
The current salvage operations
would not alter the age class or
patch size within the cumulative-
effects analysis area. Ongoing
and completed projects (360 acres)
would add to the conversion of
older stands to younger stands,
resulting in a smaller mean patch
size of older stands and a larger
mean patch size in the younger age
class. Over time, these larger
patches of younger stands would
undergo successional processes to
add to the patch size of the older
age classes.
COARSE WOODY DEBRIS
Issue
Coarse woody debris provides
important habitat attributes for a
variety of wildlife species. Timber
harvests could reduce coarse woody
debris, leading to a decline in
wildlife habitat quality. These
declines could result in decreased
survival or reproduction of species
that require these attributes to
fulfill their life or reproduction
requirements .
Existing Condition
The presence of wildlife species
contributes to healthy, functioning
forests. Coarse woody debris
provides structural diversity and
promotes biological diversity by
providing habitat for wildlife
species. Many small mammals require
coarse woody debris to survive. In
turn, these species distribute
ectomycorrhizal fungi, which is
beneficial for seedling
establishment and tree growth
{Amaranthus 1998, Graham et al.
1994) . The quality and distribution
of coarse woody debris can affect
habitat quality for these species.
Higher quality habitat tends to be
provided when coarse woody debris
exists in longer lengths of large
diameter logs than smaller and/or
shorter logs. Single scattered logs
provide lookout and travel sites for
squirrels or access under the snow
for small mammals and pine martens,
while log piles provide habitat for
weasels, hares, and other small
mammals. Under natural conditions,
logs tend to occur in patches across
the landscape, with the occasional
lone log.
To assess changes in coarse-woody-
debris habitat components, the
project area was used for the
cumulative effects analysis area,
since many animals that rely on
coarse woody debris tend to have
small home ranges (rodents, small
woodpeckers, etc.) . The project
area is expected to encompass many
home ranges of these species. Other
species that use coarse woody debris
and have larger home ranges are
analyzed under the fine-filter
analysis. Presently, the project
area (cumulative effects analysis
area) contains many stands with
moderate to high levels of coarse
woody debris (see APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS) . Within the
analysis area, past harvests have
been limited, thereby allowing
increases in coarse woody debris.
With the high incidence of insect
and disease activities (see APPENDIX
C - VEGETATION ANALYSIS) , these
levels could continue to increase.
High amounts of coarse woody debris
provide habitat for a variety of
wildlife species, which have likely
gained habitat structure over time
as stands age.
Predicted Effects to Wildlife
Species Due to Changes in Coarse
Woody Debris
• Direct, Indirect, and Cinnttlative Effects of the
JWo-Jlction Jllternatire ^1 to Coarse Woody
Debris
No changes in amount, type, or
distribution of coarse woody
debris are expected. Over time,
coarse woody debris would increase
in most stands due to trees dying
and eventually falling to the
ground. Under this alternative,
species that use coarse woody
debris would gain additional
habitat, which would represent a
low to moderate benefit to these
species .
• Direct and Indirect Effect of , fiction
Jllternatives B, C,D, and E to Coarse Woody
Debris
Coarse woody debris would be
retained at 15 to 20 tons per acre
within the harvest units (see
APPENDIX C - VEGETATION ANALYSIS) .
In some cases, coarse woody debris
could increase through harvesting;
however, most of this material
would be made up from pieces of
cull boles, limbs, and tops. Few
intact trees would be retained.
Where broadcast burns are used for
site preparation following
harvesting, coarse woody debris
could be further reduced. These
reductions would occur mostly in
the smaller-sized logs. The
coarse woody debris following
harvesting would provide some
wildlife habitat; however, species
that use large pieces of coarse
woody debris could likely lose a
portion of their habitat
components within the harvest
units .
Cnmiilative Effects of , fiction jllternatives B,
C,D, and E to Coarse Woody Debris
No additional effects to those
listed above are expected, because
no other activities are planned
within the cumulative-effects
analysis area. Losses to firewood
gathering are expected to
continue, especially near open
roads. Away from open roads,
coarse-woody-debris recruitment is
expected to continue. Coarse
woody debris could increase in the
harvest units, while current
levels are expected to be retained
in adjacent stands. The levels of
coarse woody debris in adjacent
stands are expected to continue to
provide habitat structure for
species associated with coarse
woody debris. The current levels
of coarse woody debris in adjacent
stands could mostly offset the
changes expected within the
harvests units. Additionally, the
trees and snags retained in both
harvested and unharvested stands
would continue to provide a source
of coarse-woody-debris recruitment
over time. When past, present,
and future actions were
considered, a low risk that was
projected by the changes in coarse
woody debris under each
alternative could result in
substantial decreases in survival
or reproduction of species that
require these attributes to
fulfill their life requirements.
However, the risk level is higher
in Action Alternative E, than in
Action Alternatives D, B, and C,
respectively .
SNAG STRUCTURE
Issue
Snags provide important habitat
attributes for a variety of wildlife
species. Timber harvests could
reduce the density of snags, leading
to a decline in the guality of
wildlife habitat. These declines
could result in decreased survival
or reproduction of species that
require these attributes to fulfill
their life or reproduction
requirements .
Existing Condition
Snags play an important role in
forested ecosystems by providing
feeding and nesting sites for birds
and mammals. Snags provide foraging
sites for primary cavity-nesting
species, along with structural
components to excavate nesting
sites. The cavities excavated by
primary cavity-nesting species
(woodpeckers) also provide habitat
for secondary cavity users. These
secondary cavity users include both
birds and mammals. Additionally,
these secondary cavity users could
also take advantage of cavities
produced by broken tops and fallen
limbs. Without trees and snags that
provide for cavities or substrate
for cavity excavation, primary and
secondary cavity species would not
be able to survive and/or reproduce
in the area.
The presence of some forest-dwelling
birds is important to forest
management. Several studies suggest
that bird species diversity and
population levels correlate with
snag diversity and density
{McClelland 1979) . Birds provide
many functions in forest ecosystems,
from the dispersion of seeds to
biological control of many forests
insects that are harmful to wood
production by predation, habitat
modification (bark flaking) , and
providing avenues for disease
transmission that reduce survival
{Ovtos 1979, Steeger et al. 1998).
Maintenance of insectivorous bird
populations over time delays the
onset of insect outbreaks,
accelerates the decline following an
outbreak, and increases the time
span between outbreaks (Otvos 1979,
Torgenson 1994) . In 27 studies
reviewed by Steeger et al (1998), 26
concluded that insectivorous birds
substantially reduced bark beetle
survival. Estimates from these
studies indicated a reduction in
insect populations from 2 to 98
percent. Koplln (1972) estimated
that a single three-toed woodpecker
could consume several thousand
beetle larvae per day. In addition
to predation, some studies indicate
that woodpeckers can contribute to
bark beetle mortality indirectly by
bark flaking, excavating,
puncturing, etc., the bark of
infected trees, thereby increasing
parasite access to beetle brood
(Otvos 1965) and altering the
microclimate needed for survival
(Otvos 1979) . In areas with high
densities of insects, woodpecker
abundance can increase up to 7-fold
during the breeding season and 85-
fold during the winter. Downy,
hairy, three-toed, and black-backed
woodpeckers tend to be more apt than
other species to congregate in these
areas [Steeger et al. 1998) . Some
increased reproduction in response
to insect outbreaks could occur,
however, when a time lag between
insect populations and the numerical
response of their predators may take
place. During time lags, the
chance of insect epidemics may be
greater. The ability of these
species to congregate and reduce
prey in such areas is dependent on
maintenance of populations over time
and retention of suitable habitat in
the affected area [Otvos 1979) .
The tree species, diameter, height,
decay stage, and densities of snags
determine the snag-habitat value for
wildlife species. Larger, taller
snags tend to provide nesting sites,
while shorter snags and stumps tend
to provide feeding sites for birds
{Bull et al. 1997). Cavity-nesting
birds often nest in areas where
several snags are available, using
individual snags as feeding or
roosting sites; therefore,
considering the size and
distribution of these resources is
important. Many birds that use
smaller snags will also use large
snags; however, the opposite is not
true .
To assess effects to primary and
secondary cavity-nesting species,
the project area was used for the
cumulative-effects analysis area.
The project area incorporates 10, 636
acres of DNRC-managed lands, which
could provide numerous breeding
ranges for cavity-nesting species.
The past management in this area is
reflected by the existing condition.
For the most part, the analysis area
has been relatively unaffected by
timber harvests in the recent past.
Several open and restricted roads
allow access into the analysis area.
Public firewood cutting has taken
place primarily in areas adjacent to
these open roads, while DNRC-
initiated salvage harvests used both
open and restricted roads to access
dead and dying trees. These
harvests primarily removed Douglas-
fir and grand fir snags, with some
diseased western white pine and
western larch snags also harvested.
Due to the age of the stands and the
presence of insects and diseases,
snag development continues to occur.
To estimate an historic level of
snag densities for the analysis
area, the mean snag densities
reported (snags/acre) from uncut
stands in Harris (1999) were used.
Harris (1999) looked at Forest
Inventory and Analysis plot data
from around western Montana in an
attempt to estimate the abundance of
snags in the absence of timber
harvests. He calculated mean snag
densities based on habitat-type
group [Green et al. 1992, Pflster et
al. 1977) . It is important to note
that the averages based on habitat-
type group occurred throughout
western Montana, not just within the
analysis area or Swan Valley. In
this analysis, no attempt was made
to modify the plot means to account
for other sources of biases (fire
suppression) . Therefore, the
historic estimates are likely
overestimated (Harris 1999) .
However, these are the best data
available to estimate historic snag
abundance in the analysis area.
To calculate an estimated average
historic snag density for the
analysis area, the area was divided
into habitat-type groups using SLI
data. For each habitat-type group,
only those acres with stands older
than 40 years were assumed to have
snags for this analysis. For each
habitat-type group, all acres of
stands greater than 40 years old
were multiplied by the corresponding
mean snag density for uncut stands
reported in Harris (1999). This
calculation produced a weighted
average to estimate the mean density
of snags in the analysis area. The
result of this analysis estimated
that the cumulative-effects analysis
area contains 0.89 large snags per
acre and 2.73 medium snags per acre,
on average (TABLE F-4 - ESTIMATED
HISTORICAL SNAG ABUNDANCE AND
DENSITIES IN THE ANALYSIS AREA USING
HARRIS [1999]) .
To understand how the existing
condition relates to the estimated
historic condition, snag estimates
in the SLI dataset were used. The
acres of stands older than 40 years
in the analysis area were summed by
habitat-type group. Using SLI data
for the analysis area, an average
snag density was obtained for each
habitat type group. Habitat-Type
Group C did not have SLI snag data
collected for stands within the
analysis area; therefore, the
average was obtained by using stands
within Swan River State Forest that
had snag data recorded (the
methodology is included in the
project file) . The acres of stands
over 40 years old were multiplied by
the average SLI snag densities in
TABLE F-4 - ESTIMATED HISTORICAL SNAG
AREA USING HARRIS (1999)
ABUNDANCE AND DENSITIES IN THE ANALYSIS
HABITAT
TYPE
GROUP
ACRES IN
ANALYSIS
AREA
(OVER 40
YEARS
OLD)
AVERAGE
DENSITY OF
LARGE SNAGS
ON UNCUT
STANDS IN
HARRJS (1999)
(NUMBER OF
PLOTS
SAMPLED)
TOTAL
ESTIMATED
LARGE
SNAGS IN
ANALYSIS
AREA
AVERAGE
DENSITY OF
MEDIUM SNAGS
ON UNCUT
STANDS IN
HARRJS (1999)
(NUMBER OF
PLOTS SAMPLED)
TOTAL
ESTIMATED
MEDIUM
SNAGS IN
ANALYSIS
AREA
B
80
0.5 (181)
40
1.4 (181)
112
C
90
0.5 (122)
45
1.4 (122)
126
D
4,775
1.2 (102)
5,730
3.9 (102)
18, 623
E
3,789
0.9 (284)
3,410
2.4 (284)
9,094
G
75
1.0 (33)
75
1.4 (33)
105
H
228
0.5 (33)
114
2.4 (33)
547
I
69
0.8 (202)
55
4.6 (202)
317
J
30
1.0 (41)
30
2.3 (41)
69
Total
10, 636
9,499
28,993
Average
snags/
acre
0.89
2.73
TABLE F-5 - ESTIMATED EXISTING SNAG ABUNDANCE AND DENSITIES IN THE ANALYSIS
AREA USING SLI DATA
HABITAT
TYPE
GROUP
ACRES IN
PROJECT
AREA (OVER
40 YEARS
OLD)
AVERAGE
LARGE SNAG
DENSITY
ESTIMATE
BASED ON
SLI DATA
TOTAL
ESTIMATED
LARGE
SNAGS
AVERAGE
MEDIUM SNAG
DENSITY
ESTIMATE
BASED ON
SLI DATA
TOTAL
ESTIMATED
MEDIUM
SNAGS
B
80
1.0
80
10.0
800
c'
90
5.5
495
5.5
495
D
4,775
3.5
16,713
7.6
36,290
E
3,789
4.0
15, 156
5.8
21,976
G
75
1.7
128
10.0
750
H
228
1.7
388
4.5
1,026
I
69
2.0
138
9.7
669
J
30
2.0
60
11.0
330
Total
10, 636
33,158
62,336
Average
snags/acre
3.12
5.86
*Habitat group C did not have SLI snag data collected for stands. An average was
obtained using stands within Swan River State Forest that had snag data.
the corresponding habitat-type
group. This calculation resulted in
a weighted average based on acres to
estimate the current average snag
density in the analysis area.
Following this method, an average of
3.12 large snags per acre and 5.86
medium snags per acre occur in the
analysis area (TABLE F-5 - ESTIMATED
EXISTING SNAG ABUNDANCE AND
DENSITIES IN THE ANALYSIS AREA USING
SLI DATA) . This average density of
large snags is 244 percent higher
and the density of medium snags is
119 percent higher in the analysis
area than the estimated historical
level .
The higher density of snags in the
analysis area over what would be
expected historically is not
surprising. The analysis area
consists of predominantly older
stands that have been, or are being,
afflicted by insect and disease
agents. In these stands, many of
the older, larger trees have
succumbed to old age or the effects
of insects and diseases, thereby
increasing the snag densities
experienced in the analysis area.
In addition to SLI data, snag data
was collected in areas where SLI
data indicated the stand might meet
the old-growth definition of Green
et al. (1992) and in other areas of
interest using 1/5-acre fixed plots
(data summaries can be found in the
project file) . Additional sampling
was employed to gain a better
understanding of the snag resources
in stands being considered for
harvests. Of the snags sampled,
Douglas-fir, grand fir, and western
larch were the most prevalent tree
species encountered. In the larger
(greater than 21 inches dbh) and
medium (15 to 21 inches dbh) size
classes, western larch and Douglas-
fir provide the majority of snags,
with western white pine the third
most encountered snag species.
Conversely, a majority of the
smaller size class consists of
Douglas-fir and grand fir snags.
Small amounts of subalpine fir,
Engelmann spruce, lodgepole pine,
ponderosa pine, and western red
cedar were noted and occurred across
the size classes. The abundance of
shade-intolerant snag species in the
large size classes reinforces the
effects of age and insect and
disease agents afflicting mortality
on these species. In the smaller
size class, grand fir is becoming a
more prevalent snag species,
indicating a shift in proportions of
shade-intolerant to shade-tolerant
tree species in the analysis area
(FIGURE F-6 - SUMMARY OF SNAGS BY
SIZE CLASS AND BY SPECIES SAMPLED
WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA) .
To estimate snag losses for each
stand proposed for harvesting under
the action alternatives, the
anticipated amount of snag loss was
subtracted from the estimated amount
of snags existing from TABLE F-5 -
ESTIMATED EXISTING SNAG ABUNDANCE
AND DENSITIES IN THE ANALYSIS AREA
USING SLI DATA. Snag loss was
estimated based on the best site-
specific data. More rigorously
collected sampling plot data is
believed to provide better site-
specific estimates than the SLI
data. So, where sampling data were
present (see the project file for
stands sampled and summarized data),
the mean snag density was used to
assess the snag loss and retention
TABLE F-6 - MINIMUM SNAGS DENSITIES (SNAG/ACRE) WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA
(THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT AREA) FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Estimated historic density of medium
snags (Harris 1999)
2.73
2.73
2.73
2.73
2.73
Average density of medium snags
following harvests (15 to 21 inches
dbh)
5.86
5.13
5.12
4.93
4.81
Percent reduction of medium snags
0%
12.5%
12.7%
15.9%
18.0%
Estimated historic density of large
snags (Harris 1999)
0.89
0.89
0.89
0.89
0.89
Average density of large snags
following harvests (less than 21
inches dbh)
3.12
2.79
2.85
2.78
2.79
Percent reduction of large snags
0%
10.5%
8.8%
10.7%
10.5%
in that harvest unit. Where
sampling data were lacking, the mean
of the SLI snag density for the
specific habitat type group was used
to assess snag loss and retention.
Under all action alternatives, a
minimum of 2 snags and 2 snag-
recruit trees greater 21 inches dbh
would be retained (ARM 36.11.411) in
all harvest units. If not enough
snags larger than 21 inches dbh are
available, then the balance needed
to meet the 2 snags per acre rule
would be retained from the medium
size class. The number of snags
needed to meet ARM 36.11.411 were
removed from the calculated snag
loss, with the assumption that all
other snags in the harvest unit
would be harvested. This assumption
likely underestimates snags that
would remain since additional snags
could be retained in retention
patches reguired for grizzly bear
cover and scattered throughout the
units. However, the number of
additional snags to be retained and
the number lost through various
attrition sources are not known.
Therefore, to assess the effects of
these alternatives, the minimum
retention reguirements under ARM
36.11.411 were assumed to disclose
the maximum level of effect due to
snag loss. Any retention of
additional snags would lessen the
effects stated.
Predicted Effects to Snag Structure
• Direct, Indirect, and Cinnnlatire Effects ofJVo-
Jlction Jllternative ^1 to Snag Striicttire
No changes in snag density would
occur due to timber-harvesting
activities. Tree mortality,
especially in shade-intolerant tree
species, could increase due to the
age of the stands, insect
infestations, disease infections,
or other natural events. This
situation would continue to
increase snag densities in the
analysis area. Presently, average
snag densities in Habitat Type
Group D and E, which make up the
majority of habitat-type groups in
the project area, show elevated
densities of snags in the larger
size classes. A majority of these
snags are western larch and
Douglas-fir. Full retention of
these snag densities is expected to
benefit or retain current habitat
for species that use deadwood
resources in the short term. In
the longer term, shade-intolerant
snag species are expected to
decline and not be replaced due to
the lack of reproduction of these
species in the analysis area. The
reduction in shade-intolerant
species, over time, could reduce
nesting structure and available
cavities for secondary cavity
users. The increase in shade-
tolerant species is expected to
contribute to snag densities
through time. However, since the
length of time between shade-
tolerant tree species becoming soft
enough for cavity excavation and
the time they fall to the ground is
relatively short compared to shade-
intolerant species, the length of
time that these snag species
provide secondary cavity-nesting
habitat are expected to be
relatively short term.
• Direct and Itidi red Effects Common to, fiction
,/llternatives B, C, D, and E to Snag Striicttire
In all units proposed under these
alternatives, decreases in feeding
and nesting sites are expected to
occur due to the harvesting of
snags [FIGURE F-6 - SUMMARY OF
SNAGS BY SIZE CLASS AND BY SPECIES
SAMPLED WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA) .
Within the harvest units, a minimum
of 2 snags per acre would be
retained. If adequate preharvest
large-snag densities exist in the
harvest units, these snags would be
retained from the large size class.
In the event that adequate
densities of preharvest snags are
lacking, all large snags would be
retained with the balance needed to
meet ARM 36.11.411 being retained
from the medium size class. All
retention snags would be marked to
leave. If snags planned for
retention were felled for safety
FIGURE F-6 - SUMMARY OF SNAGS BY SIZE CLASS AND BY SPECIES SAMPLED WITHIN THE
ANALYSIS AREA
180
160
■D 140
0)
Q.
E 120
a
(0
« 100
(0
(0
o
n
E
3
80
60
40
20
I LL M
O Q LU
QQ
<3
D. D. LL
_] Q_ <
XL
> " ^
Small (8-15"DBH)
CO LL Q.
LU O -I
> " ^
§ DC §
Medium (15-21" DBH)
Snag Size by Tree Species
05 LL
LU O
Q. LL _]
Q. < §
CL LL
LL D_ _]
CD CL §
Large (21 -27" DBH) Very Large (>27"
DBH)
Birch = Paper, water, or bog birch
DF = Douglas-fir
ES = Engelmann spruce
GF = Grand fir
LP = Lodgepole pine
PP = Ponderosa pine
SAF = Subalpine fir
WL = Western larch
WRC = Western red cedar
WWP = Western white pine
concerns, these snags would be left
on site and/or a replacement snag
could be designated to leave for
the purpose of providing feeding
substrate and habitat structure for
wildlife species. Operational and
safety losses of retention snags
are expected to be higher in the
cable and helicopter units as
compared to the ground-based units
due to safety concerns relating to
sawyers and other workers being
injured from an increased risk of
knocking over snags while yarding
the trees from the steep units. In
these units, close sale
administration would be needed to
ensure snag-retention reguirements
are met .
The retention of 2 snags per acre
in the large size class
approximates the densities reported
by Harris (1999); therefore,
densities of large snags would
decrease under these alternatives,
but the approximate historical
average density would be retained
within each harvest unit.
Therefore, nesting and foraging
sites would be reduced to near-
average historic levels resulting
in a low risk of decreasing
survival or reproduction of species
that need large snags to fulfill
their life requirements. However,
the heavy reduction in densities of
medium and small snags could result
in moderate risks to decreasing
foraging and feeding opportunities
by cavity-nesting species,
resulting in reduced survival and
reproduction in the harvest units.
These effects are likely to last
for 80 to 100 years in regeneration
units and 20 to 50 years in
commercial-thin units, at which
time leave trees could start
appreciably contributing to snag
development .
Ciniuilatire Effects Common toJletion
Jllternatives B, C, D, and E to Snag Striictiire
Large- and medium-sized snags would
be harvested from units within the
analysis area. A majority of these
trees would be Douglas-fir and
grand fir, which primarily are used
for feeding (Bull et al. 1997).
Even after considering the
reductions in snag abundance under
this alternative (TABLE F-6 -
MINIMUM SNAGS DENSITIES [SNAGS/
ACRE] WITHIN THE ANALYSIS AREA
(THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
AREA) FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF
EACH ALTERNATIVE) , snag densities
in the analysis area would still be
substantially more than would be
expected by applying the average
densities found in western Montana
by Harris (1999) for large (0.89
snags per acre) and medium (2.73
snags per acre) snags. Therefore,
habitat attributes of adequate
large and medium snags would be
retained in the analysis area,
albeit reduced. Based on the
existing high densities of snags in
the analysis area, the reduction
expected under any alternative
would not likely affect the ability
of the analysis area to support
species that require snag
structure. However, the reduction
in snag structure and forest
modification caused by the proposed
harvesting could lead to habitat
shifts away from the harvest units.
These shifts could result in lower
use of the harvest units and higher
use of other areas within the
analysis area that contain higher
densities of snags and denser
canopy closures. In some cases,
these shifts could reduce the
number of individuals that live and
breed in the analysis area. In the
long-term (80 to 100 years), the
regeneration units are expected to
start contributing shade-intolerant
snag structure that would otherwise
be reduced in the analysis area due
to the lack of current
reproduction. The increased
production of snags of shade-
intolerant species could result in
benefits to cavity-nesting species
by increased high-quality nesting
structure .
No other projects are planned at
the present time or within the
foreseeable future within the
analysis area. Public firewood
cutting occurs in the analysis area
and is generally confined to sites
adjacent to open roads. Due to the
high amount of dead and dying trees
in the area and the limited access
into the analysis area, firewood
cutting is expected to result in
small reductions of snags that
result in negligible cumulative
effects .
Considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
activities, each of the proposed
action alternatives would likely
result in minor cumulative effects
to snag structure due to the
retention of high densities of
snags (large and medium size
classes) in adjacent stands and the
retention of the historical average
density of large snags within the
harvest units.
FINE-FILTER ANALYSIS
In the fine-filter analysis,
individual species of concern are
evaluated. These species include
wildlife species listed under the
Endangered Species Act, species
listed as sensitive by DNRC, and
species managed as big game by DFWP .
THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES
> Bald Eagle
No bald eagle nests are in the
area, and bald eagles do not
regularly inhabit the project
area. Since no effects to bald
eagles or their habitat are
expected under any alternative,
bald eagles were dropped from
further analysis.
> Canada Lynx
Issue
Activities associated with timber
harvesting could result in
displacement of lynx from suitable
habitat, which could lessen their
ability to acquire adequate prey
and/or successfully reproduce.
Dismissed
All action alternatives would
result in increased human presence
and disturbance associated with
timber-harvesting activities.
Because lynx appear to be
relatively tolerant of human
presence and road use {Mowat et al
2000) and do not appear to avoid
roads at low traffic volumes
(Ruediger et al. 2000), none of
the action alternatives are
expected to result in displacement
or increase the energetic cost of
individual lynx. Therefore, all
alternatives are expected to
result in very minor risks of
displacing lynx from suitable
habitats that could reduce their
ability to survive and reproduce
in the analysis area.
Issue
Timber harvests would remove
canopy closure or alter stand
conditions, which could result in
the reduction or modification of
habitat components leading to
decreased ability for the area to
support lynx.
Existing Condition
Canada lynx are listed as
"threatened" under the Endangered
Species Act. Currently, no
recovery plan exists for Canada
lynx, but a draft recovery plan
outline has been written {USFWS
2005) and is being further
developed and considered by USFWS.
In addition, USFWS published a
draft rule proposing designation
of critical habitat for Canada
lynx. DNRC-managed lands within
the project area, which occur
above 4,000 feet elevation, are
included in the proposed critical
habitat designation. USFWS was
instructed through a court order
to propose critical habitat by
November 1, 2005 and issue a final
rule for critical habitat by
November 1, 2006 {Fed. Reg. Vol.
70, No. 216 Nov. 9, 2005) . If
critical habitat is designated for
a species, section 7(a) (2) of the
Endangered Species Act requires
Federal agencies to ensure that
activities they authorize, fund,
or carry out are not likely to
jeopardize the continued existence
of such a species or destroy or
adversely modify its critical
habitat. Requirements associated
with designation of critical
habitat for lynx would not be
implemented until after formal
adoption of the final rule, which
is currently scheduled to occur by
November 1, 2006. The rule does
not apply to State agencies unless
they are conducting activities
that require Federal funding or
Federal permitting. Due to the
critical habitat proposal being in
the draft stage of the process,
the fact that the designation
could change substantially
following the public comment stage
of the process, and the fact that
no Federal permitting or funding
would be associated with this
project, DNRC anticipates that no
aspect of this project or
selection of any of the proposed
action alternatives would be
affected by the draft critical
habitat rule for Canada lynx.
Lynx are associated with subalpine
fir forests in western Montana
{Ruediger et al. 2000) . Lynx
habitat in western Montana
consists primarily of coniferous
forests with plentiful snowshoe
hares, stands with abundant coarse
woody debris for denning and cover
for kittens, and dense forested
cover for travel and security.
Additionally, mature forests
provide habitat for red squirrels,
an alternative prey source. These
conditions are found in a variety
of habitat types, particularly
within the subalpine fir series
(Pfister et al 1977) .
The South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly
Bear Subunit was used as the
analysis area to assess the
effects of this project on lynx.
This scale of analysis
approximates the home range size
of a lynx {Ruediger et al. 2000) .
The 29,884-acre South Fork Lost
Soup Subunit is comprised of
18,327 acres (61.3 percent) of
State trust lands, 11,010 acres
(36.8 percent) of USFS, 408 acres
(1.4 percent) of private, and 139
acres (0.5 percent) of lands
managed by Plum Creek Timber
Company. The project area is
located on the eastern portion of
the DNRC-managed lands in the
analysis area. This area occurs
on the slopes above the valley
bottom and continues into the
higher elevations. The changes
proposed under each alternative
are considered at the cumulative-
effects analysis area in addition
to other past, present, and
foreseeable future actions that
could affect lynx habitat.
To assess lynx habitat, the DNRC
lynx mapping protocol was applied
to SLI data to determine the
amount and proportions of lynx
habitat elements present in the
cumulative-effects analysis area.
Lynx habitat [ARM 36 . 11 . 403 (40) )
was assigned to a stand if the SLI
data indicated habitat types
(Pfister et al. 1977) that are
consistent with those reportedly
used by lynx (Ruediger et al.
2000) . Lynx habitat was further
broken down into 5 specific
habitat elements:
1) denning,
2) young foraging,
3) mature foraging,
4) "other" habitat, and
5) temporary non-lynx habitat
using stand characteristics
such as stand age, canopy
cover, amount of coarse woody
debris, etc.
Denning habitat provides important
structure needed to provide
denning sites and security for
juvenile lynx, while foraging
habitat is critical for the
survival of both adult and
juvenile lynx. "Other" habitat is
a general habitat category that
provides for secondary prey items
and contains modest levels of
forest structure usable by lynx.
Temporary non-lynx habitat
consists of nonforest and open
forested stands that are not
expected to be used by lynx until
adequate horizontal cover
reestablishes .
DNRC-managed lands support lynx
habitat on 14,457 acres (78.9
percent of DNRC-managed lands
within the South Fork Lost Soup
Subunit analysis area) . The
current distribution of lynx
habitat elements on DNRC-managed
lands is a result of, primarily,
past timber harvesting and the
lack of recent wildfire activity
(FIGURE F-7 - EXISTING
DISTRIBUTION OF LYNX HABITAT
ELEMENTS ON DNRC-MANAGED LANDS AND
POTENTIAL LYNX HABITAT ON ADJACENT
LANDS) . Forest-management
practices over the past 40 to 60
years produced the current amount
FIGURE F-7 - EXISTING DISTRIBUTION OF LYNX HABITAT ELEMENTS ON DNRC-MANAGED
LANDS AND POTENTIAL LYNX HABITAT ON ADJACENT LANDS
LEGEND
n DNEC Ownenlup
Lyni: Habitat(DNRC)
^B DEHHIHG
il ^i MATURE rOEAGE
OTHER
'<^ TEMP NON-LYNX HABITAT
YOUNG FORAGE
I I NOT LYNK HABITAT
Lyiu: H ab itat (other ownerships)
r I Closed Forest
Iffffl Open Forest, Open Roid
of temporary unsuitable and young
foraging habitat. Stands that
were precommercially thinned on
DNRC-managed lands would be
considered "other" habitat and not
young foraging habitat in
accordance with the DNRC lynx-
mapping protocol. Harvests
conducted over 15 years ago likely
recovered to the point of at least
providing "other" habitat. In
addition, the lack of fire,
including the effects of fire
suppression, led to the
development and maintenance of
mature foraging, "other", and
denning habitat. The resulting
acreage and proportions of the
DNRC lynx-mapping protocol are
shown in TABLE F-7 - EXISTING
ACREAGE AND PROPORTIONS OF LYNX
HABITAT ELEMENTS ON DNRC-MANAGED
LANDS IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST SOUP
SUBUNIT CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS
ANALYSIS AREA. Specific lynx use
of the analysis area is unknown.
TABLE F-7 - EXISTING ACREAGE AND PROPORTIONS OF LYNX HABITAT ELEMENTS ON
DNRC-MANAGED LANDS IN THE SOUTH FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
ANALYSIS AREA
LYNX HABITAT ELEMENT
DNRC-MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE
SOUTH FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT ANALYSIS AREA
(PERCENT OF LYNX HABITAT)
Denning
1,868 (12.9%)
Mature foraging
4,591 (31.8%)
Other
6,573 (45.5%)
Temporary nonhabitat
1,371 (9.5%)
Young foraging
54 (0.4%)
Grand Total
14,457 (100.00%)
However, modeling indicates that
lynx habitat is available in
adequate proportions and lynx
tracks have been documented on
several occasions in the South
Fork Lost Creek and Soup Creek
drainages (T. Their, DFWP, pers.
coram. 2/14/06; M. Parker,
Northwest Connections, pers. comm.
11/18/05) . This evidence
indicates that lynx could be
using, or at least traveling
through, the analysis area.
The past management actions on
adjacent lands in the subunit tend
to follow those discussed above
for DNRC-managed lands. Based on
interpretation of aerial
photographs, approximately 8,909
acres of adjacent lands provide
forested habitats with greater
than 40-percent canopy closure,
providing stand conditions that
could support lynx habitat. The
remaining 2,648 acres is comprised
of regenerating timber stands and
natural openings. A portion of
these regenerating timber stands
and natural openings likely
provide some level of foraging
habitat for lynx.
Predicted Effects to Canada Lynx
• Direct, Indirect, and Ctnmilatice Effects of
JVo-jIction JlUernatire »! to Canada Lynx
No lynx habitat would be
affected in the project area.
Additionally, no other projects
are expected to alter the
distribution of habitat elements
on State or adjacent ownerships.
Therefore, in the short-term, no
changes in habitat elements are
expected within the cumulative-
effects analysis area. In the
longer term (barring natural
disturbances), temporary non-
lynx habitat (1,371 acres) could
develop into young foraging
habitat or "other" habitat.
Concurrently, young foraging
habitat (54 acres) could mature
into "other" habitat. The
amount of developing young
foraging habitat (1,371 acres)
is expected to exceed the amount
of young foraging habitat that
would mature into "other"
habitat. Therefore, snowshoe
hare prey availability is
expected to increase within the
next 10 to 20 years. However,
after this time period, young
foraging habitat is expected to
decline because no regenerating
stands would replace the stands
succeeding out of young foraging
habitat. When this occurs,
habitat quality for snowshoe
hares could decline, thereby
reducing the availability of
prey for lynx. As these young
foraging stands mature, habitat
for red squirrels could
increase, slightly lessening the
effect of reduced snowshoe hare
prey. However, a diet of red
squirrels might not provide the
nutrients needed for the
successful reproduction and
rearing of kittens {Koehler
1990) . Mature foraging and
denning habitats are expected to
remain at current proportions or
increase in the future as shade-
tolerant trees develop in the
understory and coarse woody
debris accumulates through time
due to natural events. "Other"
habitat is expected to increase
in the future as temporary non-
lynx and young foraging habitat
matures into this habitat
element. Therefore, in the
short term, no effects to lynx
are expected. In the longer-
term, without disturbance, young
foraging opportunities could
decrease. However, mature
stands that contain dense
horizontal cover could offset or
compensate for these loses.
• Direct and Indirect Effects Common to
miction .Ilternatives B, C,D, and E to
Canada Lynx
Each alternative would alter
lynx habitat in the analysis
area. Harvests using seedtree,
seedtree-with-reserves , and
shelterwood prescriptions are
expected to remove canopy and
horizontal cover to prepare for
regenerating trees. These
prescriptions would convert
available lynx habitat elements
to temporary non-lynx habitat.
Conversely, commercial-thin
prescriptions would retain
greater than 40-percent canopy
cover, thereby converting any
specific lynx habitat element
into the "other" category.
Existing young foraging habitat
would not be affected {TABLE F-8
- ACREAGE CHANGES IN LYNX
HABITAT ELEMENTS FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ON DNRC-
MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE
CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . All treated acres
affected would retain 15 to 20
tons of coarse woody debris and
1 slash pile per harvest unit on
site to provide some horizontal
and security structure for lynx.
In harvest units adjacent to
open roads, slash piles would
not be left due to public safety
concerns . In the short-term.
lynx would likely avoid harvest
units that were converted to
temporary non-lynx habitat,
resulting in habitat usage
shifts away from the
regeneration units. Use of the
commercial-thin units is
expected to continue at some
level .
dniitdatiee Effects Common toJletion
^llternatives B, C,D, and E to Canada
Lynx
Each alternative alters the
amounts and proportions of lynx
habitat elements in the analysis
area. Denning habitat would be
reduced under all alternatives
{TABLE F-8 - ACREAGE CHANGES IN
LYNX HABITAT ELEMENTS FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ON DNRC-
MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA ) . However, following
implementation of each
alternative, enough lynx denning
habitat would be retained on
DNRC-managed lands to satisfy
DNRC's commitment of retaining
TABLE F-8 - ACREAGE CHANGES IN LYNX HABITAT ELEMENTS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ON DNRC-MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE CUMULATIVE
EFFECTS ANALYSIS AREA
CHANGES TO LYNX
HABITAT CAUSED BY TREATMENTS
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Denning Habitat converted to Temporary
Non-Lynx Habitat
-163
-145
-171
-105
Mature Foraging Habitat converted to
Temporary Non-Lynx Habitat
-217
-4
-456
-460
Other Habitat converted to Temporary
Non-Lynx Habitat
-97
-275
21
-54
Total increase in Temporary Non-Lynx
Habitat
+ 477
424
605
618
Denning Habitat converted to Other
Habitat
-85
Mature Foraging Habitat converted to
Other Habitat
-71
-107
-136
Other Habitat treated but remaining as
Other Habitat
83
83
25
160
Total Other Habitat resulting from
treatments
154
83
211
296
Changes to Young Foraging Habitat
Total Lynx Habitat Affected
632
507
823
914
5-percent lynx habitat in the
denning-habitat element {ARM
36.11.435) . {TABLE F-9 - ACRES
AND PROPORTIONS OF LYNX HABITAT
ELEMENTS ON DNRQ-MANAGED LANDS
IN THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
ANALYSIS AREA [SOUTH FORK LOST
SOUP SUBUNIT] FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . No other DNRC
concurrent or foreseeable future
projects are expected to alter
denning habitat in the analysis
area. In addition to denning
habitat on DNRC-managed lands,
denning habitat is likely to
occur within some portion of the
8,909 acres of adjacent lands,
thereby adding to the amount of
denning habitat in the analysis
area. None of this potential
habitat on adjacent lands is
planned for harvesting in the
near future (2007 to 2009) . In
addition, insects and diseases
continue to cause mortality of
trees in the area, which could
lead to the additional
development of denning habitat.
Conversely, public firewood
harvesting could reduce denning
structure primarily along open
roads. Implementation of any of
these alternatives presents a
low risk of interfering with
reproduction of lynx in the
analysis area.
All alternatives would reduce
mature foraging habitat and
would not change young foraging
habitat on 54 acres {TABLE F-8 -
ACREAGE CHANGES IN LYNX HABITAT
ELEMENTS FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ON DNRC-
MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . Following implementation
of this alternative, adeguate
proportions of foraging habitat
on DNRC-managed lands would be
retained {TABLE F-9 - ACRES AND
PROPORTIONS OF LYNX HABITAT
ELEMENTS ON DNRC-MANAGED LANDS
IN THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
ANALYSIS AREA [SOUTH FORK LOST
SOUP SUBUNIT] FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . Implementation of
any alternative satisfies DNRC's
commitment to foraging habitat
under ARM 36. 11. 435. In
addition to foraging habitat on
DNRC-managed lands, foraging
habitat is likely to occur
within some portion of the 8,909
acres with greater than 40-
percent canopy cover and the
2,648 acres of open forest
(assuming that they have
adeguate horizontal cover) of
adjacent lands. None of this
potential habitat on adjacent
lands is planned for harvesting
TABLE F-9 - ACRES AND PROPORTIONS OF LYNX HABITAT ELEMENTS ON DNRC-MANAGED
LANDS IN THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS AREA (SOUTH FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT)
FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH ALTERNATIVE
LYNX
HABITAT
ELEMENT
ACRES OF
LYNX HABITAT (PERCENT OF LYNX J
HABITAT)
ELEMENTS FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF
EACH
ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERED
A
B
C
D
E
Denning
1,868
1, 705
1,723
1, 612
1,763
(12.9%)
(11.8%)
(11.9%)
(11.2%)
(12.2%)
Mature foraging
4,591
4,303
4,587
4,028
3, 995
(31.8%)
(29.8%)
(31.7%)
(27.9%)
(27.6%)
Other
6,573
6,547
6,298
6,744
6, 655
(45.5%)
(45.3%)
(43.6%)
(46.7%)
(46.3%)
Temporary nonhabitat
1,371
1, 848
1, 795
1, 976
1, 989
(9.5%)
(12.8%)
(12.4%)
(13.7%)
(13.8%)
Young foraging
54
54
54
54
54
(0.4%)
(0.4%)
(0.4%)
(0.4%)
(0.4%)
Total lynx habitat
14, 451
14, 457
14, 451
14, 451
14, 451
in the near future (2007 through
2009) . In 10 to 20 years, acres
converted to temporary non-lynx
habitat are expected to
regenerate into young forage,
which would result in an
increase in foraging habitat
available in the analysis area.
Therefore, all alternatives
would result in a low risk of
reducing foraging opportunities
to the point where a lynx could
not survive in the area, and, in
the longer-term, this
alternative could result in a
minor beneficial effect by
increasing foraging habitat for
10 to 30 years.
In the short-term, available
lynx habitat would be converted
to temporary non-lynx habitat on
DNRC-managed lands in the
analysis area {TABLE F-8 -
ACREAGE CHANGES IN LYNX HABITAT
ELEMENTS FOLLOWING
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ON DNRC-
MANAGED LANDS WITHIN THE
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . No other DNRC project or
projects on adjacent lands are
expected to convert any
additional suitable lynx habitat
to temporary non-lynx habitat;
therefore, no additional habitat
conversion is expected. As
these stands regenerate young
trees in 10 to 20 years, young
foraging habitat is expected to
develop. This habitat element
provides habitat for snowshoe
hares, which, in turn, lynx prey
upon. Regenerating stands
provide high guality snowshoe
hare habitat until the branches
of the trees no longer provide
horizontal cover at the ground
or snow level, which is expected
to occur in 10 to 30 years
following the successful
regeneration of young trees. If
these regenerating stands were
precommercially thinned prior to
this point, or if regeneration
was less dense, they would be
considered "other" habitat. In
either case, the amount of
temporary non-lynx habitat would
decrease. Some portion of the
existing 1,371 acres (9.5
percent) temporary non-lynx
habitat would likely convert to
young foraging or other habitat
in the near future, thereby
offsetting the loss of habitat
under these alternatives to some
degree. Regardless of the
conversion of existing temporary
non-lynx habitat to usable
habitat, each alternative, in
combination with other
activities in the analysis area,
is expected to retain enough
usable habitat for a lynx to
survive and reproduce in the
analysis area. Therefore, the
risk of preventing lynx use and
reproduction in the analysis
area would be low under any of
the action alternatives.
All action alternatives would
result in a short-term reduction
in lynx habitat. However,
adeguate amounts of habitat in
suitable proportions of habitat
(denning and foraging habitat)
would be retained. In 10 to 20
years, each action alternative
could result in increased young
foraging habitat that could
provide increased snowshoe prey
availability for 10 to 30 years.
Therefore, all action
alternatives are expected to
result in a low risk of reducing
the ability of a lynx to survive
and reproduce in the area in the
short-term (10 to 20 years), and
could benefit lynx in 10 to 20
years by increasing foraging
habitat as the harvested stands
regenerate and provide snowshoe
hare habitat .
Other actions that may occur in
the analysis area that could be
cumulative to the proposed
alternatives include the
continued effects from insect
and disease agents, future
harvesting activities on
neighboring ownerships, fire
suppression, and bobcat
trapping .
Concurrently, insect and disease
agents continue to kill trees in
the analysis area, which results
in increased recruitment of
coarse woody debris, resulting
in a possible increase in den
sites. Public firewood cutting
(usually adjacent to open roads)
on all ownerships would reduce
recruitment of coarse woody
debris in those areas. However,
the removal of dead and dying
trees are not expected to
appreciably alter the amount of
suitable lynx habitat, but could
reduce local accumulations of
coarse woody debris available
for denning sites and the
development of denning habitat.
However, denning habitat does
not appear to be limiting in the
subunit; therefore, no
substantial additional effects
are expected in addition to the
effects discussed under each
alternative above.
No additional harvesting
activities are planned on
neighboring ownerships in the
cumulative-effects analysis area
during the 3-year active period.
However, fire-suppression
activities would continue to
reduce the potential for stand-
replacing wildfires, which could
limit the natural development of
young foraging habitat in the
future. Therefore, the only
foreseeable potential for the
development of young foraging
habitat would be through the
proposed harvests.
Currently, 1 trapper has a
permit to lawfully set traps for
bobcats, consistent with DFWP
trapping regulations, on DNRC-
managed lands in the analysis
area. Incidental captures are
possible, but not expected. In
the event that a lynx is
captured, the trapper is
obligated to release the animal
without harm. Therefore, no
additional impacts from trapping
are expected.
Considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
activities, any of the proposed
action alternatives would likely
result in minor cumulative
effects to Canada lynx.
> Gray Wolf
Issue
Gray wolves could be affected by
disturbance at key locations
(denning/rendezvous sites) during
harvesting, which could result in
an increased risk to wolf pups.
Dismissed
Wolves are most vulnerable to
human disturbance at den and
rendezvous sites from April
through September. Denning and
rendezvous sites are unlikely to
occur in the project area due to
the steep topography and the
presence of more suitable den
sites outside the project area in
the nearby valley bottom. If a
wolf den were located, DNRC would
temporarily suspend all mechanized
activities and administrative
uses, over which DNRC has control,
in areas that are within a one-
mile radius of the den until such
time as wolves are known to have
vacated the site or it has been
determined that resumption of
activities would not present
conflicts with wolf use {ARM
36.11.430 [1] [a] [i]) . Harvesting
activities would generally occur
outside of the spring period
(April 1 through June 15), thereby
further limiting the risk of
disturbance to wolves at den
sites. When harvests become
active in mid-June, wolves would
likely have moved their pups to
rendezvous sites, where human
disturbance could also be harmful.
If a rendezvous site were located,
DNRC would temporarily suspend
operations within 0.5 mile of the
site until it is determined that
resumption of activities will not
present conflicts with wolf use
(ARM 36. 11.430 [1] [b]) . With these
mitigations in place, this project
is not expected to disrupt wolves
at key locations. Therefore, a
negligible risk to wolf pups would
be expected under any alternative.
Issue
Gray wolves could be adversely
impacted through increased
motorized access due to road
construction and a reduction in
hiding cover, which could result
in increased risk of human/wolf
conflicts and subsequent mortality
of wolves .
Issue
Timber harvesting could alter
habitat and reduce the ability of
the project area to support wolves
by decreasing the carrying
capacity of the winter range for
native ungulates.
Existing Condition
The gray wolf is listed as
"endangered" under the Endangered
Species Act in the northern
portion of Montana, which includes
the project area. To meet the
delisting criteria, the 3 recovery
areas need to support a minimum of
30 breeding pairs for 3
consecutive years. The 3 recovery
zones have met the recovery
objectives for breeding pairs
since 2000. In 2005, 71 packs
were documented within the tri-
state region {USFWS et al. 2006).
Of those 71 packs, 46 occurred in
Montana, with 19 of those found in
northern Montana portion of the
recovery area [Sime et al. 2006) .
The delisting process is ongoing,
and DFWP has assumed lead
management authority over the
species in Montana.
The wolf is a wide-ranging, mobile
species. Adequate habitat for
wolves consists of areas with
adequate prey and minimal human
disturbance, especially at den
and/or rendezvous sites. Wolves
prey primarily on white-tailed
deer, and, to a lesser extent, elk
and moose, in northwest Montana
[Kunkel et al . 1999). Wolves
typically den during late April in
areas with gentle terrain near a
water source (valley bottoms),
close to meadows or other
openings, and near big game
wintering areas. When pups are 8
to 10 weeks old, wolves leave the
den site and start leaving their
pups at rendezvous sites while
hunting. These sites are used
throughout the summer and into the
fall. When the pups are 5 to 6
months old, they start traveling
with the pack (DFWP 2003) .
Disturbance at den or rendezvous
sites could result in avoidance of
these areas by the adults or force
the adults to move the pups to a
less adequate site. In both
situations, the risk of pup
mortality increases.
To analyze the cumulative effects
to wolves, the South Fork Lost
Soup Subunit was used. This
analysis area represents the
amount of area that a wolf pack
may use during the summer months
while raising their pups (Mech
1987, Ream et al . 1988) .
Therefore, if a denning site
occurred in the analysis area,
wolf use would likely remain
within the analysis area. Outside
the denning and rearing period,
the pups travel with the pack and
home ranges can expand greatly
{Mech 1970, FWP 2003, USFWS et al .
2006) . The South Fork Lost Soup
Subunit includes the project area
and the valley floor, which
contains approximately 6, 613 acres
of elk and mule deer composite
winter range. No white-tailed
deer winter range occurs in this
subunit. Wolf tracks and
sightings have occurred in and
near the project area within the
last 2 years; however, no denning
activity has been documented
{USFWS et al. 2006, K.Lauden,
pers . coram. 3/20 / 06) . Transitory or
sporadic wolf use is expected to
continue in the project area. Due
to the topography and the lack of
white-tailed deer winter range,
denning and rendezvous sites are
not expected to occur within the
project area, but may be
established in the valley bottom
where habitat conditions are
favorable. Wolf use of the
project area would probably be
associated with foraging or
traveling activities.
In addition, this subunit is
cooperatively managed for grizzly
bear habitat and access. Actions
taken by the cooperators to manage
motorized access, hiding cover,
visual screening along open roads,
and spring harvest restrictions to
project grizzly bears also benefit
wolves. Currently, 31.2 percent
of the analysis area exceeds 1
mile per square mile open-road
density and 79 percent of the
analysis area provides hiding
cover. In addition, 49.6 miles of
restricted road occurs within the
cumulative-effects analysis area.
Cattle and sheep grazing
operations can be a source of
human/wolf conflict; however, no
livestock grazing leases or
licenses occur within the
cumulative-effects analysis area.
Predicted Effects to Gray Wolves
• Direct, Indirect, and Ctinuilatice Effects of
JVo-jlctioH ,/Ilternatire Jl to Gray Wolves
The existing vegetation and
human access in the project area
are not expected to be altered;
therefore, no effects on wolves
are expected.
Direct and Indirect Effects to Gray
Wolves Common to miction Jllternatives D,
C,D,andE
The risk of human/wolf conflicts
and/or wolf mortality in the
project area could be increased
through additional human access
and reduced hiding cover
attributable to new road
construction and logging
operations. Under all
alternatives, a range of 8.4 to
15.8 miles of new restricted
road would be constructed to
harvest the proposed units. Any
new road would be managed as
restricted, except for the new
portion (1.7 miles) of South
Fork Lost Creek Road. The old
portion of this open road would
be abandoned (1.3 miles) .
Timber harvesting could remove
between 1,203 and 1,351 acres of
hiding cover for 10 to 20 years,
depending on the alternative
chosen {TABLE F-10 - PROPOSED
AMOUNTS OF HIDING COVER REMOVED
AND AMOUNT OF LINEAR MILES OF
PERMANENT RESTRICTED ROAD
CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED UNDER EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . To mitigate the
risks associated with increased
human access during logging
operations and the reduction of
hiding cover, regeneration units
would be laid out, so that no
point of any regeneration unit
would be greater than 600 feet
to cover, visual screening would
be retained between open roads
and regeneration units (seedtree
and shelterwood harvest units),
and contractors would not be
allowed to carry firearms while
on duty. Taken together, these
TABLE F-10 - PROPOSED AMOUNTS OF HIDING COVER REMOVED AND AMOUNT OF LINEAR
MILES OF PERMANENT RESTRICTED ROAD CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED UNDER EACH
ALTERNATIVE
PARAMETER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Hiding cover acres removed
1,274
1,203
1,351
1,322
Linear miles of permanent, restricted
road
13.3
12.7
15.8
8.4
mitigations are expected to
result in a low risk for human/
wolf conflicts or increased wolf
mortality if wolves use the
harvest units .
Ciimtilatiee Effects to Gray Wolves
Common to miction m/llteriiatiees B, C, />,
and E
Each alternative was analyzed at
the South Fork Lost Soup Subunit
analysis area level in the
context of the existing
condition. Under all action
alternatives, open-road density
would increase, hiding cover
would decrease, and additional
linear miles of restricted roads
would be constructed, which
could affect wolf use and the
ability to survive in the
analysis area.
Under all alternatives, the
proportion of the analysis area
that exceeds 1 mile per sguare
mile open-road density would
increase from 31.2 percent to
31.5 percent within the analysis
area {TABLE F-11 - CHANGES BY
ALTERNATIVE IN OPEN-ROAD
DENSITY, HIDING COVER, AND
RESTRICTED ROAD MILEAGE FOR THE
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . (Refer to the analysis
on Grizzly Bear for analysis
methods.) Since the increase is
small and occurs due to the
rerouting of a currently open
road in the same area, this
increase is expected to result
in a low risk of increasing wolf
mortality in the analysis area.
Implementation of any
alternative would reduce the
hiding cover in the analysis
area by 4.8 to 5.4 percent for
10 to 20 years, depending on
whether an action alternative is
chosen and which one is chosen
{TABLE F-11 - CHANGES BY
ALTERNATIVE IN OPEN-ROAD
DENSITY, HIDING COVER, AND
RESTRICTED ROAD MILEAGE FOR THE
CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . Following implementation
of any alternative, a high
proportion of hiding cover
(ranging from 75.2 to 74.8
percent) would still remain in
the subunit. Concurrent salvage
harvests on DNRC-managed lands
are not expected to alter hiding
cover, nor are any projects
planned on adjacent lands that
could reduce hiding cover.
Although no threshold levels of
hiding cover have been
established for wolves {USFWS et
al. 2006), the thresholds
developed for grizzly bears
{SVGBCA 1997) would likely also
provide adeguate security for
wolves. Therefore,
implementation of this
alternative is expected to
remove hiding cover, but result
in a low risk of increased
mortality to wolves using the
analysis area.
TABLE F-11 - CHANGES BY ALTERNATIVE IN OPEN-ROAD DENSITY, HIDING COVER, AND
RESTRICTED ROAD MILEAGE FOR THE CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS AREA (IE., SOUTH
FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT)
PARAMETER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Percent Open-Road Density
greater than 1 mile per square
mile in the South Fork Lost
Soup Subunit (% increase)
31.2%
(0.0%)
31.5%
(1.0%)
31.5%
(1.0%)
31.5%
(1.0%)
31.5%
(1.0%)
Hiding Cover retained in the
South Fork Lost Soup Subunit (%
reduction)
79%
(0.0%)
75.0%
(5.1%)
75.2%
(4. 8%)
74.7%
(5.4%)
74.8%
(5.3%)
Linear miles of restricted
roads (% increase)
49.6
(0.0%)
62.9
(26.8%)
62.3
(25.4%)
65.4
(31.9%)
58.0
(16.9%)
Additional permanent road access
could lead to additional
disturbance and/or mortality
risk in the future. This
alternative would increase the
linear mileage of restricted
roads from 49.6 to a range of
58.0 to 62.9 miles, a 16.9- to
26.8-percent increase {TABLE F-
11 - CHANGES BY ALTERNATIVE IN
OPEN-ROAD DENSITY, HIDING COVER,
AND RESTRICTED ROAD MILEAGE FOR
THE CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS
AREA) . No other concurrent or
foreseeable future projects on
DNRC-managed or adjacent lands
would construct new roads;
therefore, only this project
would increase road access. The
presence and maintenance of
restricted roads produces a
long-term potential for
additional disturbance to wolves
and an increased risk of wolf/
human conflicts when compared to
areas without road access.
These disturbances would likely
be associated with
administrative and salvage
harvests during inactive periods
and could include commercial
forest-management activities
during active periods as
dictated by the SVGBCA. Since
mitigations are in place to
protect key sites and restrict
carrying firearms while on duty,
these increases are likely to
represent a negligible risk to
increasing wolf mortality in the
analysis area.
Overall, all alternatives
protect key sites, retain
considerable levels (74.7 to
75.2 percent of the analysis
area) of hiding cover, maintain
approximately the same level of
public motorized access (small
location shift of South Fork
Lost Creek Road) , restrict
contractors from carrying
firearms while on duty, and are
not expected to affect big game
populations (refer to the
analysis on BIG GAME) in the
analysis area. Therefore, each
alterative presents a low risk
to increasing mortality to
wolves or substantially reducing
their prey in the analysis area.
> Grizzly Bear
Issue
Activities associated with timber
harvesting can alter cover,
increase access, and reduce secure
areas, which can adversely impact
grizzly bears by displacing bears
from preferred habitats and/or by
increasing risk to bears of human-
caused mortality.
Existing Condition
Grizzly bears, native generalist
omnivores that use a diversity of
habitats found in western Montana,
are currently listed as
"threatened" under the Endangered
Species Act. Primary threats to
grizzly bears are related to
human-bear conflicts, habituation
to unnatural foods near high-risk
areas, and long-term habitat loss
associated with human development
{Mace and Waller 1997) . Forest-
management activities may affect
grizzly bears by altering cover
and/or by increasing access to
humans into secure areas by
creating roads {Mace et al . 1997) .
These actions can lead to
displacement of grizzly bears from
preferred areas and/or result in
an increased risk of human-caused
mortality by bringing humans and
bears closer together and/or
making bears more detectable,
which can increase their risk of
being shot illegally. Displacing
bears from preferred areas may
increase their energetic costs,
which may in turn lower their
ability to survive and/or
reproduce successfully.
For decades, lands in the Swan
Valley have been aggressively
managed for timber production, the
influences of which are evident
when touring the valley or viewing
recent aerial photographs of the
area. Evidence of past activities
exists on USFS lands, corporate
timberlands, and DNRC-managed
State trust lands associated with
the foothills and valley floor.
Past activities have resulted in
an obvious patchwork comprised of
multiaged forest stands that are
variously shaped, which exist at
differing stages of successional
development. Some old harvest
units now contain productive berry
patches and hiding cover; whereas,
more recent clearcut and seedtree
harvest units provide little in
the way of forage or cover for
bears . Other areas that have been
lightly harvested, intensively
harvested several decades ago, or
never harvested do continue to
provide ample levels of cover in
the valley {SVGBCA monitoring
report 2004) . Extensive road
systems that have been required
over the years to facilitate
intensive logging are also evident
in the valley. These road systems
have developed over the years and
now provide a number of access
routes into otherwise remote
areas .
In Swan Valley, DNRC, USFS, Plum
Creek Timber Company, and the
USFWS collaborated to
cooperatively manage grizzly bear
habitat and access under the
SVGBCA. Another main objective
of the SVGBCA is to ensure
connectivity across Swan valley
through special management of
linkage zones. Preliminary
evaluation of data collected from
radio-collared bears indicates
that the use of the valley bottom
by bears is occurring to
facilitate linkage between the Bob
Marshall Wilderness and Mission
Mountain Wilderness bear
populations. However, monitoring
of radio-collared bears has also
indicated a trend of high
mortality rates in Swan Valley,
primarily attributable to illegal
human-caused mortality and
management removals {SVGBCA
monitoring report 2004) .
Under the SVGBCA, a rotation of
active and inactive subunits was
devised. The rotation schedule
allows for active subunits, where
harvesting activities might
displace grizzly bears, and
inactive subunits, where
commercial activities are
prohibited to provide undisturbed
habitat. These rotations occur on
a 3-year-active and 6-year-
inactive basis. The South Fork
Lost Soup Subunit was scheduled to
become active during the 2006
through 2008 period. However,
DNRC requested, and was granted,
an exception to the rotation
period for the South Fork Lost
Soup Subunit. Based on the
exception, the South Fork Lost
Soup Subunit would be active for
the period of 2007 through 2009.
This exception requires that no
commercial activities occur in the
South Fork Lost Soup Subunit for
the 2006 nondenning period, and no
commercial activities occur on
DNRC-managed lands in the Lion
Creek Grizzly Bear Subunit for the
2009 nondenning period.
When a subunit is active,
harvesting activities would not
occur during the spring period
(April 1 through June 15) in
spring habitat (areas within
linkage zones below 5,200 feet) .
After the spring period,
harvesting activity and associated
road use can occur unrestricted in
the active subunit. However, any
restricted road used for
commercial activities would
require the restriction of public
use through the placement of signs
while harvesting activities are
occurring and the placement of a
barrier across the road when
harvesting activities are not
occurring (weekends, nights,
inactive periods, etc.) . Other
stipulations under the SVGBCA
include :
- retaining a 100-foot visual
buffer between open roads and
the even-aged harvest units.
- utilizing uneven-aged management
in the riparian zones,
- laying out harvest units so that
no point is greater than 600
feet to cover, and
- restricting contractors from
carrying firearms while on duty.
In addition to the above
stipulations, the SVGBCA provides
defined standards for hiding cover
and open-road density for each
subunit and requires cooperators
to track amounts of total-road
density and secure habitat.
Cumulative effects of the
alternatives considered under this
proposal were analyzed at the
South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly Bear
Subunit scale. All analyses
required by the SVGBCA are also
reported at the grizzly bear
management unit subunit scale,
which approximates the home range
size of a female grizzly bear.
For the cumulative effects
analysis, other past, present, and
foreseeable future actions in the
South Fork Lost Soup Subunit (all
cooperators) and their effects in
combination with this project on
hiding cover, open-road density,
total-road density, and secure
habitat were considered. Past
projects resulting in changes to
hiding cover and the construction
of roads are considered in the
existing condition.
The SVGBCA requires each
cooperator to manage their lands
so that a minimum of 40 percent of
each subunit supports hiding
cover. Presently, hiding cover in
the South Fork Lost Soup Subunit
is comprised of 82 percent of
DNRC-managed, 75 percent of USFS,
and 57 percent of Plum Creek
Timber Company lands, averaging
(weighted on acres) 79 percent for
the subunit. The other defined
standard in the SVGBCA is open-
road density. The SVGBCA requires
cooperators to manage open roads
so that no more than 33 percent of
the subunit exceeds 1 mile per
square mile of open-road density.
Open-road density is calculated by
using a moving-windows-analysis
technique {Ake 1994) . Presently,
31.2 percent of the subunit
exceeds 1 mile per square mile of
open-road density.
The SVGBCA does not contain a
total-road density or secure
habitat standard, but requires the
cooperators to annually report
these values by subunit. To
measure total-road density, a
moving-windows analysis was
conducted to determine that 53.4
percent of the analysis area
exceeds 2 miles per square mile.
To measure secure habitat, the
highway, open roads, gated roads,
and high-use trails were buffered
by 1,640 feet (500 meters). The
buffered area was then subtracted
from the subunit acreage to obtain
the amount of potential secure
habitat in the analysis area
{FIGURE F-8-EXISTING POTENTIAL
SECURITY CORE HABITAT IN THE SOUTH
FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT) . To be
considered secure habitat, the
area in question needs to exceed
2,500 acres. This analysis
yielded 32.2 percent of the
analysis area in secure habitat.
Predicted Effects to Grizzly Bears
• Direct, Indirect, and Ctnniilative Effects of
JVo-jlctioH Jllternatice Jl to Grissli/ Bears
No alteration of habitat
attributes or increased human
presence would occur; therefore,
no changes in habitat use or
human-caused mortality would be
expected under this alternative.
• Direct and Itidi red Effects Common to
miction .Uternatives B, C,D, and E to
Grissssly Dears
Under each alternative, a range
of 1,203 to 1,351 acres of
hiding cover would be removed by
the implementation of seedtree
and shelterwood silvicultural
prescriptions {TABLE F-12 -
PROPOSED AMOUNTS OF HIDING COVER
REMOVED AND AMOUNT OF LINEAR
FIGURE F-8 - EXISTING DISTRIBUTION OF FISHER
HABITAT ON DNRC-MANAGED LANDS AND POTENTIAL
HABITAT ON ADJACENT LANDS
Legend
Existing Potential Security Core
South Fork Lost Soup Subunit
Ownership
^
state of Montana (DHRC)
■
Forest SerTice
Plum Creek
1 1
Piiyate
MILES OF RESTRICTED ROAD
CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED UNDER EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . To reduce the
avoidance of harvest units and
provide security if a bear uses
the harvest unit, the seedtree
and shelterwood harvest units
would be laid out to ensure that
no point of the unit exceeds 600
feet to cover and visual
screening would be
retained in a 100-foot
strip between the harvest
unit and an open road.
With the mitigation
measures in place, a low
risk of avoidance of
harvest units and a low
risk to increased
mortality while using the
harvest units are
expected. These effects
would be expected to last
until hiding cover
reestablishes in 10 to 20
years .
The harvesting activities
could result in short-term
displacement effects,
while construction of new
roads could result in both
short-term and long-term
displacement effects.
Under these alternatives,
between 7.5 and 16 miles
of new permanent roads and
3 to 7 miles of new
temporary roads would be
constructed {TABLE F-12 -
PROPOSED AMOUNTS OF HIDING
COVER REMOVED AND AMOUNT
OF LINEAR MILES OF
RESTRICTED ROAD
CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED
UNDER EACH ALTERNATIVE) .
All new permanent roads, except
for 1.7 miles, would be managed
as restricted. The 1.7 miles of
new permanent road would be
constructed to reroute the
existing South Fork Lost Creek
Road away from South Fork Lost
Creek. Approximately 1.3 miles
of the existing South Fork Lost
Creek Road would then be
TABLE F-12 - PROPOSED AMOUNTS OF HIDING COVER REMOVED AND AMOUNT OF LINEAR
MILES OF RESTRICTED ROAD CONSTRUCTION EXPECTED UNDER EACH ALTERNATIVE
PARAMETER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of hiding cover harvested
1,274
1,203
1,351
1,322
Linear miles of permanent, restricted
road constructed
13.3
12.7
15.8
8.4
Linear miles of temporary, restricted
road constructed
5.2
6.6
3.9
4.6
abandoned, resulting in a 0.4-
mile increase in open roads.
The new permanent restricted
roads would be blocked by a gate
that would allow for
administrative use. The new
temporary roads would be blocked
off with a berm (or like
structure) that would prevent
public and administrative
motorized use. The effects of
displacement during the active
period (2007 through 2009) are
expected to be mitigated by
having inactive subunits within
the Bunker Hill Bear Management
Unit to provide relatively
undisturbed areas for bears to
displace into. Therefore, each
alternative is expected to
represent a minor risk to bear
displacement that results in
mortality. In the longer-term,
bears could avoid habitat
associated with the new roads,
which would result in a loss of
habitat. These effects will be
discussed further under the
cumulative effects section of
this analysis .
(Jtimtilatiee Effects Common to Jletion
m/Hteriiatives B, C,I}, and E to Grissslif
Bears
Under all alternatives, the
amount of hiding cover retained
in the subunit would be reduced
from 79.0 percent to between
74.7 and 75.2 percent (a 5.1- to
4.8-percent reduction),
depending on whether an action
alternative is chosen and which
one (TABLE F-13 - RESULTS
EXPECTED AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF
EACH ALTERNATIVE FOR HABITAT
PARAMETERS IMPORTANT TO GRIZZLY
BEARS) . In any case, the hiding
cover amounts greatly exceed the
40-percent stipulation reguired
by the SVGBCA. Additionally,
DNRC is concurrently considering
salvage harvests on an
additional 120 acres in the
analysis area. These harvests
are not expected to alter hiding
cover, so no additional changes
in hiding cover is expected on
DNRC-managed lands . Other
cooperators (USFS and Plum Creek
Timber Company) do not have
plans for projects in this
subunit during the 2007 through
2009 active period. Therefore,
this alternative would result in
small proportional reductions of
hiding cover, resulting in
negligible risk of reducing
availability of grizzly bear
habitat or increasing mortality
risks to bears using the
analysis area.
All action alternatives would
increase the open-road density
the same amount within the South
Fork Lost Soup Subunit. The
rerouting of the South Fork Lost
Creek Road and the abandonment
of portions of the existing
TABLE F-13 - RESULTS EXPECTED AFTER IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH ALTERNATIVE FOR
HABITAT PARAMETERS IMPORTANT TO GRIZZLY BEARS (estimates are for ownership of
all SVGBCA cooperators within the South Fork Lost Soup Subunit analysis area)
PARAMETER
SVGBC
REQUIREMENTS
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Open-road
density
No more than 33%
31.2%
31.5%
31.5%
31.5%
31.5%
Hiding cover
retained
No less than 40%
79.0%
75.0%
75.2%
74.7%
74.8%
Linear miles of
restricted
roads
No limit
49.6
62.9
62.3
65.4
58.0
Total-road
density
No limit
53.2%
58.3%
57.5%
59.9%
56.9%
Secure habitat
No limit
32.2%
29.7%
30.1%
28.9%
30.8%
roads would result in an
increase in open-road density
from 31.2 to 31.5 percent. This
increase is within the 33-
percent stipulation of the
SVGBCA. The increase in open-
road density is slight and
within the same area already
affected by this road;
therefore, any additional risk
of an increase in mortality or
decrease in reproduction due to
this change is likely to be
negligible .
The presence and maintenance of
restricted roads produces a
long-term potential for
additional disturbance to
grizzly bears and increased risk
of human-caused mortality when
compared to areas without road
access. Under all alternatives,
the proportion of area affected
by total-road density would
increase and secure habitat
would decrease {TABLE F-13 -
RESULTS EXPECTED AFTER
IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE FOR HABITAT
PARAMETERS IMPORTANT TO GRIZZLY
BEARS) . The increase in total-
road density and decrease in
secure habitat could result in
increased disturbance of grizzly
bears by nonmotorized dispersed
recreation, administrative
activities (including
motorized) , salvage harvests
during inactive periods, and
commercial forest-management
activities during active
periods. Since no stipulations
for total-road density or secure
habitat are noted in the SVGBCA,
all alternatives are in
compliance. The increase in
total-road density and decrease
in secure habitat could result
in an increased risk of
avoidance of suitable habitat
and human/bear interactions.
However, stipulations placed on
contractors and DNRC personnel
that restrict carrying firearms
reduce the risk of additional
mortality associated with
administrative use. The
availability of roads could
increase nonmotorized use in the
analysis area. However, this
use is not expected to grow
substantially; therefore, the
risk to bears associated with
nonmotorized use would be
negligible .
Concurrent salvage harvests on
DNRC-managed lands (120 acres)
are not expected to remove
hiding cover or construct new
roads in the subunit.
Additionally, no foreseeable
future forest-management
activities are planned on any
cooperator lands in the subunit.
Therefore, no cumulative effects
are expected from concurrent or
foreseeable future actions of
other cooperators.
All alternatives fully meet the
stipulations in the SVGBCA.
These alternatives are expected
to result in a low risk of
increased bear mortality or
decreased reproduction due to
displacement and human-caused
mortality based on:
- the retention of a high
percentage of hiding cover
(74 .8 to 75.2 percent) ,
- the minor increase in open-
road density (0.3 percent),
- the increase in total-road
density (3.5 to 6.5 percent),
- the reduction of secure
grizzly bear habitat (2.1 to
3 . 3 percent) ,
- the restrictions of firearms,
and
- the availability of
undisturbed habitat in the
adjacent subunits.
Action Alternative D poses the
greatest risk, followed by B, C,
and E, respectively.
SENSITIVE SPECIES
When conducting forest-management
activities, SFLMP directs DNRC to
give special consideration to
several "sensitive" species. These
species may be sensitive to human
activities, have special habitat
requirements, are associated with
habitats that may be altered by
timber management, and/or may, if
management activities result in
continued adverse impacts, become
listed under the Federal Endangered
Species Act. Because sensitive
species usually have specific
habitat requirements, consideration
of their needs serves as a useful
"fine filter" for ensuring that the
primary goal of maintaining healthy
and diverse forests is met. The
following sensitive species were
considered for analysis. As shown
in TABLE F-14 - STATUS OF DNRC
SENSITIVE SPECIES FOR NWLO IN
RELATION TO THIS PROJECT, each
sensitive species was either
included in the following analysis
or dropped from further analysis for
various stated reasons.
TABLE F-14 - STATUS OF DNRC SENSITIVE SPECIES FOR NWLO IN RELATION TO THIS
PROJECT
SPECIES
DETERMINATION - BASIS
Black-backed
woodpecker
No further analysis conducted - No burned habitat
occurs in the project area.
Coeur d'Alene
salamander
No further analysis conducted - No moist talus or
streamside talus habitat occurs in the project
area.
Columbian sharp-
tailed grouse
No further analysis conducted - No suitable
grassland communities occur in the project area.
Common loon
No further analysis conducted - No lakes occur in
or near the project area.
Fisher
Included - Potential fisher habitat occurs in the
project area.
Flammulated owl
No further analysis conducted - No dry ponderosa
pine or dry Douglas-fir habitats occur in the
project area.
Harlequin duck
No further analysis conducted - No observations of
harlequin ducks have been documented on any streams
in the project area and no alternative would alter
vegetation directly adjacent to the streams in the
project area.
Northern bog lemming
No further analysis conducted - No sphagnum bogs or
other fen/moss mats occur in the area.
Peregrine falcon
No further analysis conducted - No potential
habitat is expected in the project area.
Pileated woodpecker
Included - Western larch/Douglas-fir and mixed-
conifer habitats occur in the area.
Townsend' s big-eared
bat
No further analysis conducted - No caves or mine
tunnels occur in the project area.
> Fisher
Issue
Timber harvesting could reduce
fisher habitat availability and
quality by reducing canopy cover,
snag density, and the amount of
coarse woody debris. Reductions
in fisher habitat quantity and
quality could result in adverse
effects to fishers.
Issue
Timber harvesting could remove
canopy cover, which may impede
fisher movement within their home
range, resulting in decreased
ability for fishers to use the
analysis area.
Existing Condition
Fisher habitat consists of
foraging, denning, and resting
components. Fishers avoid areas
with deep soft snow {Buskirk and
Powell 1994) and are typically
found below 6, 000 feet in
elevation {Powell and Ziellnski
1994) . Fishers are generalist
predators that prey upon a variety
of small mammals and birds, along
with snowshoe hares and
porcupines. They also take
advantage of carrion and
seasonally available fruits and
berries {Foresman 2001) . Fishers
use a variety of successional
stages, but are disproportionately
found in stands with dense
canopies {Powell 1982, Johnson
1984, Jones 1991, Helnemeyer and
Jones 1994) and avoid openings or
young forested stands {Buskirk and
Powell 1994) . However, some use
of openings does occur for short
hunting forays or if sufficient
overhead cover (shrubs, saplings)
is present. Fishers appear to be
highly selective of stands that
contain resting and denning sites
{Jones 1991) . Resting and denning
sites are found in cavities of
live trees and snags, downed logs,
brush piles, mistletoe brooms,
squirrel and raptor nests, and
holes in the ground.
For cumulative effects analysis
purposes, the South Fork Lost Soup
Grizzly Bear Subunit scale was
used {ARM 36.11 .440) . This scale
includes enough area to
approximate overlapping home
ranges of male and female fishers
{Helnemeyer and Jones 1994) . The
existing condition as it relates
to fisher habitat is primarily
affected by the lack of wildfire
and the effects of past timber
harvests. The project area and
the higher elevations of the
subunit consist of large patches
of mature to old-growth stands
that developed over time in the
absence of recent stand-replacing
fires. Additionally, past harvest
units reduced stand age and canopy
cover near the South Fork Lost
Creek and Soup Creek roads and
natural openings (avalanche
chutes, talus slopes, etc.) near
the divide between Swan Valley and
the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.
The lower elevations of the
subunit are a patchwork of past
harvest units and natural openings
with low amounts of canopy
closure. Forested cover is
primarily intact along Soup,
Unnamed, Cilly, and South Fork
Lost creeks and along the major
ridges in the analysis area,
resulting in highly connected
forested stands, especially along
the riparian corridors and across
third-order drainages (South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks) .
To assess potential fisher habitat
and travel cover on DNRC-managed
lands in the analysis area,
sawtimber stands within preferred
fisher covertypes {ARM 36.11.403
(60)) below 6,000 feet in
elevation with 40-percent or
greater canopy closure {Jones
1991) were considered potential
fisher habitat. Fisher habitat
was further divided into upland
and riparian-associated areas. In
the uplands, DNRC-managed lands in
the analysis area consist of
approximately 9, 991 acres of
potential fisher habitat {FIGURE
F-8 - EXISTING DISTRIBUTION OF
FISHER HABITAT ON DNRC-MANAGED
LANDS AND POTENTIAL HABITAT ON
ADJACENT LANDS.
Fisher habitat in and near
riparian areas tend to be used
disproportionally more than their
availability on the landscape
(Jones 1991) . DNRC manages
preferred fisher covertypes within
100 feet of class 1 and 50 feet of
class 2 streams, so that 75
percent of the acreage (State
school trust lands only) would be
in the sawtimber size class in
moderate to well-stocked density
(ARM 36.11. 440 (1) (b) (i) ) .
Moderate (40- to 69-percent canopy
closure) and well-stocked (greater
than 70-percent canopy closure)
density designations are based on
SLI data. To ensure compliance,
the number of moderately to well-
stocked acres of sawtimber in
preferred covertypes along streams
was divided by the total acres of
preferred covertypes in the same
area. At the South Fork Lost Soup
Subunit level, 86.9 percent of the
DNRC-managed acreage associated
with riparian features currently
supports moderate- to well-stocked
densities of sawtimber (TABLE F-15
- ACREAGE AND PERCENT OF PREFERRED
FISHER COVERTYPES CONSISTING OF
SAWTIMBER STANDS PROVIDING GREATER
THAN 40-PERCENT CANOPY COVER IN
THE ANALYSIS AREA) .
Predicted Effects to Fisher
• Direct, Indirect, and Ciimttlative Effects of
JVo-,/lctioH Jllternative Jl to Fishers
Fisher habitat, preferred
covertype stocking, and
connectivity would remain
relatively unchanged in the
short term. Fisher habitat
would remain at 9,991 acres
(77.2 percent) in the uplands
and 731 acres (86.9 percent)
associated with the riparian
areas on DNRC-managed lands
within the cumulative-effects
analysis area. The current
level of connectivity would be
retained. In the longer term,
fisher habitat and the
percentage of fisher habitat in
the uplands and associated with
riparian areas would increase as
stands develop more overhead
cover; resting/denning structure
would develop as trees increase
in size, die, and fall to the
ground. This alternative would
result in negligible effects to
fishers .
• Direct and Indirect Effects of,/Iction
vllternatire B, V,D, and E to Fishers
Each alternative would harvest
in potential fisher habitat.
Within each harvest unit, leave
trees, at least 2 large snags,
and 5 to 20 tons of coarse woody
debris, and 1 slash pile per
unit would be retained. In
seedtree-with-reserve units, a
number of unharvested patches of
approximately 1.7 TO 4 acres
would be retained so that no
TABLE F-15 - ACREAGE AND PERCENT OF PREFERRED FISHER COVERTYPES CONSISTING
OF SAWTIMBER STANDS PROVIDING GREATER THAN 40-PERCENT CANOPY COVER IN THE
ANALYSIS AREA.
HABITAT ELEMENT
SOUTH FORK LOST SOUP SUBUNIT
Potential habitat
(% preferred upland covertypes)
9,991 acres
(77.2%)
Preferred covertypes
(% preferred covertypes associated with
stream)
731 acres
(86.9%)
Total fisher habitat
(% of preferred covertypes)
10,722 acres
(70.5%)
point of the unit exceeds 600
feet to cover. In Section 22,
where regeneration harvesting
occurs on both sides of South
Fork Lost, Cilly, Soup, and
Unnamed creeks {FIGURE F-2
[through F-5] - FOREST COVER
FOLLOWING IMPLEMENTATION OF
ACTION ALTERNATIVE B [C, D, AND
E] , WHICH ALLOWS FOR
CONNECTIVITY OF FORESTED
HABITATS IN THE ANALYSIS AREA) ,
a 150-foot buffer on either side
of the stream would be retained.
No harvesting would occur within
25 feet of the creek. From 25
to 150 feet, harvesting would
remove up to 50 percent of the
trees 8-inches dbh or larger,
but a minimum of 40-percent
canopy cover would be retained.
In other areas where harvesting
would occur on 1 side of said
streams, a 100-foot buffer would
be used. The same mitigations
would apply within this buffer.
The retention of 40-percent
canopy cover within these
buffers would retain adequate
canopy cover for fishers to use
as habitat or travel cover; as a
result forest connectivity along
the stream would be retained .
The harvesting proposed under
all alternatives would result in
reduced quantity and quality of
fisher habitat by 1,760 to 1,924
acres, depending on whether an
action alternative were chosen,
and which one {TABLE F-16 -
CHANGES IN FISHER HABITAT UNDER
EACH ACTION ALTERNATIVE) . In
the seedtree.
seedtree-with-
reserves, and
shelterwood
harvest units,
timber
harvesting
would reduce
canopy closure
to less than
40 percent and
remove
understory
vegetation to
TABLE F-16 - CHANGES
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
provide for seedling
establishment. Since fishers
avoid stands with less than 40-
percent canopy closure {Jones
1991) and areas that lack
overhead cover {Buskirk and
Powell 1994) , these
silvicultural prescriptions
would result in a loss of
habitat for 10 to 20 years.
After this time, regeneration of
conifer trees is expected to
provide overhead cover, which
would allow for fisher use.
Retention of snag-recruitment
trees and a minimum of 2 large
snags per acre could provide
denning or resting sites between
the time the stands develop
overhead cover and when the
stands regenerate to a point of
starting to produce large snags
again. As stand matures in 80
to 100 years, canopy cover and
additional structure in the form
of large trees, snags, and
coarse woody debris would
reestablish. Conversely,
commercial-thin units and areas
within riparian buffers
(including preferred covertypes)
would retain a minimum of 40-
percent canopy cover and would
continue to be available for
potential fisher habitat.
Reductions in snag densities and
coarse woody debris would occur,
resulting in a potential
decrease in habitat quality for
fishers by removing denning/
resting structure and prey
habitat. However, mitigation
IN FISHER HABITAT UNDER EACH
FISHER
HABITAT
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of upland
habitat removed
1,274
1,218
1,279
1,185
Acres of upland
habitat altered
527
487
508
648
Acres of riparian
habitat altered
83
55
84
91
Total acres of
habitat affected
1, 884
1, 760
1, 871
1, 924
measures would include retention
of estimated average historic
levels of large snags and coarse
woody debris; thereby, necessary
habitat components would likely
be retained, albeit at lower
levels, to provide for fisher.
The length of time these
reductions would last depends
upon the growth rate of the
retention trees and resting/
denning habitat development
(snags and coarse woody debris) .
Therefore, seedtree, seedtree-
with-reserves , and shelterwood
units would result in decreased
habitat availability for 10 to
20 years, while commercial-thin
units and stream buffers would
retain usable habitat, albeit of
lesser guality, following
harvesting. All action
alternatives pose a moderate
risk of preventing or reducing
habitat use in the harvest
units, which would result in
habitat shifts away from these
areas and increased use of other
stands in the analysis area.
€JtimHlatiee Effects Common to miction
Alternatives B, C,D, and E to Fishers
Available fisher habitat would
be reduced within the
cumulative-effects analysis
area. On DNRC-managed lands,
available fisher habitat in the
uplands would decline from 9,991
acres to between 8,712 and 8,806
acres (a 11.9- to 12.8-percent
reduction in habitat) .
Additionally, habitat guality
would be reduced on between 487
and 648 acres (4.9 to 6.5
percent of existing habitat) .
No losses in the amount of
fisher habitat associated with
streams would occur, but 55 to
91 acres of habitat associated
with riparian areas would be
reduced in guality through
timber harvesting.
Additionally, connectivity would
be maintained along the streams,
ridges, and across third-order
drainages {ARM 36 . 11 . 441 [ 1] [c] ) .
On adjacent ownerships, an
additional 6,452 acres of fisher
habitat could be present,
thereby, adding to the amount of
fisher habitat in the analysis
area. The reduction in fisher
habitat is expected to result in
avoidance of the seedtree
harvest units, but, since the
remaining portions of fisher
habitat on DNRC-managed lands
provide high densities of snags
and coarse woody debris, the
risk of these alternatives
reducing the guantity or guality
of fisher habitat to the point
where fishers can no longer use
the analysis area is low.
Other activities that could lead
to additional impacts on fisher
habitat include concurrent or
future timber or salvage
harvesting and public firewood
cutting. DNRC is concurrently
considering salvage harvests on
an additional 120 acres in the
analysis area. These harvests
would not affect the guantity,
but could reduce the guality of
fisher habitat. No fisher
habitat is expected to be
harvested from adjacent lands
during the 2007 through 2009
period. Firewood cutting would
be limited to areas near open
roads. Due to the small area
affected by these additional
activities, any additional
changes in fisher habitat are
expected to be minor.
Considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
activities, any proposed action
alternative would likely result
in a low risk of cumulative
effects to fishers. TABLE F-17 -
PREDICTED POSTHARVEST FISHER
HABITAT UNDER EACH ACTION
ALTERNATIVE WITHIN THE
CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS AREA
summarizes the effects to fisher
habitat .
TABLE F-17 - PREDICTED POSTHARVEST FISHER HABITAT UNDER EACH ACTION ALTERNATIVE
WITHIN THE CUMULATIVE-EFFECTS ANALYSIS AREA
FISHER
HABITAT
ACRES OF RETAINED HABITAT
ACRES OF REDUCED QUALITY
(% REDUCTION)
(% PREFERRED COVERTYPE*)
(% REDUCTION)
(% PREFERRED COVERTYPE*)
9, 991
Upland habitat
(0.0%)
(0.0%)
A
(77.2%)
(0 .0%)
731
Riparian habitat
(0.0%)
(86. 9%)
(0.0%)
(0 .0%)
8, 717
527
A
1
t
B
Upland habitat
(12.8%)
(67.4%)
(5.3%)
(4.1%)
731
83
Riparian habitat
(0.0%)
(11.4%)
(86. 9%)
(9.9%)
8, 773
487
r
n
a
C
Upland habitat
(12.2%)
(67.8%)
(4.9%)
(4.1%)
731
55
1-
Riparian habitat
(0.0%)
(7.5%)
i
V
(86.9%)
(6.5%)
8, 712
508
e
D
Upland habitat
(12.8%)
(67.3%)
(5.1%)
(4.1%)
731
84
Riparian habitat
(0.0%)
(86.9%)
(11.5%)
(10.0%)
8, 806
648
Upland habitat
(11.9%)
(6.5%)
E
(68.0%)
(4.1%)
731
91
Riparian habitat
(0.0%)
(86. 9%)
(12.5%)
(10.8%)
*Percent preferred covertype is the percentage of preferred covertype in the
sawtimber size class with greater than 40— percent canopy cover divided by all acres
of lands within these covertypes .
Pileated Woodpecker
Issue
Timber harvesting could cut nest
trees or displace adults away from
active nests, resulting in
increased mortality of pileated
woodpecker chicks.
Dismissed
Under all action alternatives,
timber harvesting could result in
direct mortality of nestlings if
nest trees were cut prior to the
nestlings' fledging or if the
adults are displaced from the nest
area. A majority of harvesting
would occur after June 15 due to
stipulations in the SVGBCA (ie.,
would occur outside the spring
grizzly bear season) or would be
delayed due to soil moisture
conditions, and nest trees would
likely be marked to leave.
Therefore, most harvesting
activities would occur after
pileated woodpecker nestlings have
fledged {Bull and Jackson 1995),
and, if they occurred during the
nesting period, the nest tree
would likely be retained.
Issue
Timber harvesting would remove
canopy cover and snags needed by
pileated woodpeckers to forage and
nest. The reduction of habitat
could lead to a reduced ability
for pileated woodpeckers to use
and/or reproduce in the area.
Existing Condition
Pileated woodpeckers play an
important ecological role by
excavating cavities that are used
in subsequent years by many other
species of birds and mammals.
Pileated woodpeckers excavate the
largest cavities of any
woodpecker. Preferred nest trees
are western larch, ponderosa pine,
Cottonwood, and quaking aspen,
usually 20 inches dbh and larger.
Pileated woodpeckers primarily eat
carpenter ants, which inhabit
large downed logs, stumps, and
snags. Aney and McClelland (1985)
described pileated nesting habitat
as... "stands of 50 to 100
contiguous acres, generally below
5,000 feet in elevation with basal
areas of 100 to 125 square feet
per acre and a relatively closed
canopy." The feeding and nesting
habitat requirements, including
large snags or decayed trees for
nesting and downed wood for
feeding, closely tie these
woodpeckers to mature forests with
late-successional characteristics .
The density of pileated
woodpeckers is positively
correlated with the amount of dead
and/or dying wood in a stand
{McClelland 1979) .
Pileated woodpecker habitat is
comprised of nesting and foraging
habitats. Pileated woodpecker
nesting habitat was identified by
searching the SLI database for
stands over 100 years old and with
more than 100 square feet basal
area per acre, more than 40
percent canopy cover, and below
5,000 feet in elevation. Foraging
habitat does not include the acres
that meet the definition above,
but includes the remaining
sawtimber stands below 5,000 feet
in elevation with greater than 40-
percent canopy cover. To assess
habitat on other ownerships in the
cumulative-effects area, aerial
photographs were interpreted to
assess forest stands under 5,000
feet in elevation. Where stands
appeared to meet the minimum
potential foraging habitat,
pileated woodpecker habitat was
assumed present. Potential
foraging and nesting habitat were
not differentiated on other
ownerships for this analysis due
to data limitations.
The South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly
Bear Subunit provided the analysis
area to consider the effects to
pileated woodpeckers. Since the
project area occurs toward the
upper elevations used by pileated
woodpeckers and extends across 3
major drainages, the subunit
analysis area was chosen to better
reflect the potential pileated
woodpecker home ranges that are
contained within each drainage.
A majority (73 percent) of this
area is managed by DNRC, with
adjacent lands also providing
potential habitat. On DNRC-
managed lands, 6,130 acres of
nesting and 2,305 acres of
foraging habitats currently exist.
Although nesting habitat is
defined differently than foraging
habitat, nesting habitat also
provides foraging opportunities
for pileated woodpeckers. On
adjacent ownerships, approximately
3,411 acres of habitat could
occur. When combined, SLI
modeling and the interpretation of
aerial photographs for other than
DNRC-managed lands indicated that
approximately 11,846 acres of
potential pileated woodpecker
habitat are in the analysis area
{FIGURE F-9 - EXISTING
DISTRIBUTION OF PILEATED
WOODPECKER HABITAT ON DNRC-MANAGED
LANDS AND POTENTIAL HABITAT ON
ADJACENT LANDS) . However, no
population estimate for the area
is available.
A
;3
a
p5
^
o
^
|0
Q
§
.1
1^
3 K
a s
s S
t^ s
S -S
■^ o
O I' o ^
Q "S
£ S S Cu
1— 1 1^
ID
Predicted Effects to Pileated
Woodpeckers
• Direct and Indirect Effects ofJVo-jIction
^Iternatine ,>! to Pileated Woodpeckers
No disturbance of pileated
woodpeckers would occur. Forest
succession and natural
disturbance agents would
continue to bring about changes
in existing stands. Trees would
continue to grow, mature, and
die, thus providing potential
nesting and foraging structure
for pileated woodpeckers.
However, as shade-intolerant
trees die and fall to the
ground, barring any sizable
disturbances that would promote
the reestablishment of shade-
intolerant tree species,
preferred nesting trees (shade-
intolerant) and snags could
become rare. Thereby, nesting
habitat structure would decline
and could lead to decreased
reproduction in the analysis
area. Therefore, under this
alternative, pileated woodpecker
habitat would increase through
time, then decline, resulting in
a short- to mid-term moderate
beneficial effect to pileated
woodpeckers, but a long-term
moderate negative effect due to
the declining densities in
quality nesting-habitat
structure (western larch trees
and snags) .
• Direct and Indirect Effects Common to
miction ,/llternatives B, C,D, and E to
Pileated Woodpeckers
Under all action alternatives,
between 1,051 and 1,559 acres of
potential nesting habitat, plus
an additional 140 to 394 acres
of potential foraging habitat,
would be modified [TABLE F-18 -
CHANGES IN PILEATED WOODPECKER
HABITAT UNDER EACH ACTION
ALTERNATIVE) . Where harvests
reduce canopy cover to less than
40 percent, potential pileated
habitat (nesting and foraging)
would be removed for 30 to 100
years, depending on the density
of trees retained. Where
harvest retain more than 40-
percent canopy cover, pileated
woodpecker habitat would likely
retain a minimum of 40-percent
canopy cover, but the number of
snags could be reduced
substantially. However, 2 large
snags per acre would be retained
to approximate the average
historic abundance of snags;
therefore, adequate nesting and
foraging structure would likely
be retained, albeit reduced from
current conditions. Since
pileated woodpecker density is
positively correlated with the
amount of dead and/or dying wood
in a stand [McClelland 1979),
pileated woodpecker densities in
the analysis area could be
expected to be reduced by all
alternatives. In the longer
term, serai species would be
planted under this alternative
and could provide pileated
woodpecker habitat in the
distant future (100 to 150
years ) .
TABLE F-18 - CHANGES IN PILEATED WOODPECKER HABITAT UNDER EACH ACTION
ALTERNATIVE
PILEATED WOODPECKER
HABITAT
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of nesting habitat removed
950
1,104
731
806
Acres of nesting habitat altered
448
455
320
344
Acres of foraging habitat removed
255
121
253
176
Acres of foraging habitat altered
48
19
104
218
Total acres of habitat affected
1, 701
1, 699
1, 408
1,544
Cumulative Effects
• Ctimtdatiee Effects ofJ\o-Jlction
Jllternative Jl to Pileated Woodpeckers
No projects are planned on
adjacent ownerships; therefore,
the amount of habitat on these
lands is expected to be
retained, while, over time,
shade-intolerant tree species
would become rare on adjacent
lands. In combination with the
effects expected under this
alternative, nesting habitat
structure could become rare on
all lands in the analysis area,
resulting in a moderate risk of
reduced reproduction in the
analysis area.
On DNRC-managed lands, salvage
harvests are planned for 120
acres of nesting habitat in the
analysis area. These salvage
harvests remove dead and dying
trees that could provide
foraging and nesting structure
and generally do not facilitate
regeneration of shade-intolerant
tree species for future habitat
structure. Following
harvesting, these acres would
still gualify as nesting habitat
because large snags and adeguate
canopy closure would be
retained, albeit reduced.
Thereby, these activities could
result in both short-term and
long-term reduction in habitat
quality, but at a small scale,
resulting in a low risk of
additional effects to pileated
use and reproduction in the
analysis area.
dniitdatiee Effects Common toJlction
Jllternatines B, C,D, and E to Pileated
Woodpeckers
Potential habitat would be
reduced to between 6,734 acres
and 7,027 (a 16.7- to 20.1-
percent reduction from the
existing 8,435 acres) on DNRC-
managed lands in the cumulative
effects analysis area {TABLE F-
19 - ACREAGE OF PILEATED
WOODPECKER HABITAT ON DNRC-
MANAGED LAND AS A RESULT OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . The proposed
harvests would remove large
patches of potential habitat
while retaining a majority of
the existing habitat (between
79.9 and 83.3 percent) in the
analysis area. Although
potential habitat would be
reduced under this alternative,
the remaining habitat consists
of high densities of snags that
provide forage and nesting
TABLE F-19 - ACREAGE OF PILEATED WOODPECKER HABITAT ON DNRC-MANAGED LAND AS A
RESULT OF EACH ALTERNATIVE
PILEATED WOODPECKER
HABITAT
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of retained nesting
habitat
6,130
5, 180
5,026
5,399
5,264
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(15.5%)
(18.0%)
(11.9%)
(14.2%)
Acres of reduced quality
448
455
320
344
nesting habitat
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(7.3%)
(7.4%)
(5.2%)
(5.6%)
Acres of retained foraging
2,305
2,050
2, 148
2,052
2,129
habitat
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(11.1%)
(5.3%)
(11.0%)
(7.6%)
Acres of reduced quality
48
19
104
218
foraging habitat
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(2.1%)
(0.1%)
(4.5%)
(9.5%)
Total acres of pileated
8,435
6,734
6,736
7,027
6, 891
woodpecker habitat
(% reduction)
0.0%
20.2%
20.1%
16.7%
18.3%
structure, which could offset
some of the losses experienced
in the harvest units.
Additionally, estimated historic
densities of large snags (2
snags per acre) would be
retained within the harvest
units to provide foraging and
nesting structure when the
canopy closure recovers to the
point of allowing pileated
woodpecker use. In addition,
approximately 3,411 acres of
potential pileated woodpecker
habitat exists on the adjacent
lands. In the long-term (100 to
150 years), these stands are
expected to regenerate with a
major proportion of western
larch, which could provide
nesting and feeding structural
components in the future,
thereby improving pileated
woodpecker habitat. Each
alternative is expected to
remove between 11.9 and 18.0
percent of the existing nesting
habitat, while reducing guality
on an additional 5.2 to 7.3
percent of the available
habitat. Foraging habitat would
be less affected {TABLE F-19 -
ACREAGE OF PILEATED WOODPECKER
HABITAT ON DNRC-MANAGED LAND AS
A RESULT OF EACH ALTERNATIVE) .
However, the reduction in
nesting habitat would reduce
nesting and foraging habitat
structure available to pileated
woodpeckers, which could result
in a moderate risk of reducing
the use and reproduction of
pileated woodpeckers in the
analysis area in the short term.
These effects could be lessened
to some degree due to the high
density of snags found in the
project area. In 80 to 100
years, each alternative would
likely contribute to the
potential for nesting structure
in the analysis area by
regenerating preferred nest
trees (western larch) .
Other activities in the area
could reduce habitat guality.
but no changes in guantity are
expected. DNRC is concurrently
considering salvage harvests on
an additional 120 acres of
nesting habitat in the area.
Following harvesting, these
acres would still gualify as
nesting habitat because large
snags and adeguate canopy
closure would be retained. No
other forest-management projects
are expected to occur in the
analysis area during the active
period of 2007 through 2009.
Firewood cutting would likely
continue to remove dead and
dying trees primarily along open
roads on all lands in the South
Fork Lost Soup Subunit . None of
these activities would
substantially add to the effects
expected under each alternative.
Considered in conjunction with
other past, present, and future
activities, any of the proposed
action alternatives would result
in low risk of cumulative
effects to pileated woodpecker.
BIG GAME
Issue
Timber harvesting could reduce
thermal cover on big game winter
ranges. Reductions in thermal cover
could result in a reduced carrying
capacity of the winter range.
Existing Condition
When considering populations of big
game species, the winter-range
component of their habitat is
usually the limiting factor driving
big game populations. During the
winter period, plant dormancy
results in decreased forage quality,
while snow cover limits forage
quantity and increases the energetic
costs of maintaining body heat in a
cold environment and movement
through snow. To increase access to
forage and decrease energetic costs,
big game species seek areas with low
snow cover and higher temperatures,
which are typically found on south
to west aspects. In addition, big
game species seek vegetative cover
to fulfill these same needs. Forest
cover intercepts snow, which
increases an animal's ability to
find forage, while reducing the
energetic costs of movement and
ameliorating the effects of weather.
Forested stands that fulfill these
needs are referred to as thermal
cover .
Thermal cover is defined for elk as
stands with trees greater than 40
feet tall with a crown closure of 70
percent or more (Thomas 1979) .
Stands with 40- to 70-percent canopy
closure may not provide thermal
cover by definition, but do provide
many of the benefits related to snow
interception. Since western larch
loses its needles during winter,
stands dominated by western larch
generally do not provide much snow
intercept. Therefore, for this
analysis, thermal cover includes
pole and sawtimber stands that are
not dominated by western larch and
have greater than 40-percent canopy
closure .
To assess cumulative effects to big
game, winter range within the South
Fork Lost Soup Subunit was used.
This scale of analysis provides
enough area to provide winter
habitat for a herd of elk. DFWP
designated big game species
throughout the State. In the
analysis area, DFWP mapped elk (DFWP
1999) and mule deer (DFWP 2004)
winter ranges, but no white-tailed
deer (DFWP 1996) winter range.
White-tailed deer winter range
occurs primarily on the valley floor
to the southwest of the analysis
area in the Goat Creek Grizzly Bear
Subunit. Changes to winter range
caused by the proposed project could
affect elk and mule deer winter
range, but would not affect white-
tailed deer. Therefore, the
following analysis focuses on elk
and mule deer, while not conducting
any further analysis on white-tailed
deer .
Since most of the winter range for
elk and mule deer overlap, a
composite winter range was used for
analysis purposes. The composite
winter range includes 6,613 acres,
of which 5,434 acres occur on DNRC-
managed lands and 1,179 acres occur
on other ownership in the analysis
area (FIGURE F-10 - THERMAL COVER
LOCATED ON DNRC-MANAGED LANDS AND
ADJACENT LANDS WITHIN THE ELK-MULE
DEER COMPOSITE WINTER RANGE) . Of
the winter range within the State
ownership in the analysis area,
3,503 acres (64.5 percent) provide
thermal cover. Based on
interpretation of aerial
photographs, approximately 1,100
acres (93.3 percent) on adjacent
lands could provide thermal cover.
When the winter range is analyzed
for all ownerships in the analysis
area, approximately 4,603 acres
(69.6 percent) of thermal cover
exists. However, this estimate is
likely high due to the inclusion of
stands dominated by western larch,
which could not be distinguished
through interpretation of aerial
photographs .
PREDICTED EFFECTS TO ELK AND MULE
DEER
Direct and Indirect Effects
• Direct an d In direct Effect* ofJVo-Jlction
wllternative ,1 to Elk and JMnle Deer
Thermal-cover levels would not be
affected. Through time, thermal
cover could be reduced by insects
and diseases. However, as
overstory trees die, younger
shade-tolerant trees present in
the understory would likely fill
in the canopy gap, resulting in a
short-term loss of thermal cover.
Under this alternative, the
ability of the available habitat
to support the current elk and
mule deer population would remain
largely unchanged.
• Direct and Indirect Effects to Jlction
,/Ilteriiatires B, C,D, atid E to Elk and JMnle
Deer
Each alternative proposes to
harvest between 675 and 895 acres
of thermal cover. However, only
regeneration harvests (seedtree
and shelterwood) would reduce
canopy cover to less than 40
percent, resulting in a loss of
thermal cover. Therefore, the
alternatives would remove between
514 and 601 acres of thermal
cover. On the other harvested
acreage, greater than 40-percent
canopy cover would be retained,
which would retain thermal cover,
albeit with reduced quality from
the existing condition {TABLE F-20
- ACRES OF THERMAL COVER AFFECTED
BY ALTERNATIVE) . These reductions
are expected to result in a
moderate risk of habitat shifts of
wintering elk and deer away from
treated areas. The risk of
avoidance would increase in
relation to greater snow
accumulations in these areas.
Cumulative Effects
• Ctntuilatiee Effects of miction Alternatives
B, C, D, and E to Elk and JUtile Deer
Following implementation of an
action alternative, the amount
of thermal cover on DNRC-managed
portions of the composite winter
range would range between 2,989
to 2,903 acres (a 14.7- to 17.2-
percent reduction) . Commercial-
thin prescriptions would reduce
the quality of thermal cover on
another 3.1 to 8.4 percent of
the existing thermal cover. The
proposed harvests would reduce
the percentage of winter range
in thermal cover from 64.5
percent to between 53.4 and 55.0
percent on DNRC-managed lands
{TABLE F-21 - ACRES OF THERMAL
COVER RESULTING FROM THE
TABLE F-20 - ACRES OF THERMAL COVER AFFECTED BY
ALTERNATIVE
THERMAL
COVER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres removed
542
600
514
601
Acres reduced in quality
149
109
161
294
Total acres of habitat
affected
691
705
675
895
IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE) . Concurrent
salvage harvests on DNRC-managed
lands (120 acres) within the
winter range are not expected to
alter thermal cover and,
therefore, would not increase
the risk of reducing carrying
capacity on this portion of the
winter range. On DNRC-managed
lands, enough thermal cover
would be retained under any
alternative to provide adequate
winter range habitat for elk and
mule deer; therefore, a low risk
to the reduction of carrying
capacity is expected under any
alternative .
In addition to the thermal cover
found on DNRC-managed lands, an
additional 1,100 acres of
thermal cover could occur on
adjacent ownerships within the
cumulative-effects analysis
area. When these acres are
considered, the action
alternatives would reduce the
proportion of thermal cover on
the composite winter range from
69.6 percent to between 60.5 and
61.8 percent. No additional
forest-management activities are
expected on adjacent lands
during the 2007 through 2009
active period. Therefore, this
thermal cover would remain
available to winter animals,
thereby reducing the overall
effects of any alternative.
However, the use of harvested
areas is expected to be reduced
when snow accumulations
increase. Considered in
conjunction with other past,
present, and future
activities, any of
the proposed action
alternatives would
result in low risk
of substantially
reducing the
carrying capacity of
elk and mule deer in
the analysis area.
TABLE F-21 - ACRES OF THERMAL COVER RESULTING FROM THE IMPLEMENTATION OF EACH
ALTERNATIVE
THERMAL
COVER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of retained
3,503
2, 961
2, 903
2,989
2,904
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(15.5%)
(17.1%)
(14.7%)
(17.2%)
(% of winter range on DNRC)
(0.0%)
(54.5%)
(53.4%)
(55.0%)
(53.4%)
Acres of reduced quality
149
109
161
294
(% reduction)
(0.0%)
(4.3%)
(3.1%)
(4.6%)
(8.4%)
(% of winter range on DNRC)
(64.5%)
(2.7%)
(2.0%)
(3.0%)
(5.4%)
Total acres affected
691
709
675
895
(% of winter range on DNRC)
(0.0%)
(19.7%)
(20.2%)
(19.3%)
(25.5%)
(% affected)
(64.5%)
12.7%)
(13.0%)
(12.4%)
(16.5%)
APPENDIX G
SOILS ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
The Swan River watershed is a valley
formed by glaciers and river
processes. The dominant soil types
found in the project area are deep
glacial tills derived from
argillite, siltite, and limestone
from the Belt Supergroup. Upper
slopes and ridges are weathered
bedrock scoured by glaciers. This
analysis addresses the issue that
timber harvesting and associated
activities may affect soil
conditions in the proposed project
area .
ANALYSIS METHODS
Soil effects and conditions will be
analyzed by evaluating the current
levels of soil disturbance in the
proposed project area through the
use of aerial-photo interpretation
and ocular estimates based on field
review of existing and proposed
harvest units. Analysis will also
include assessing slope stability
with aerial-photo interpretation and
field review of proposed roads and
harvest units .
Estimated effects of proposed
activities will be assessed based on
findings of DNRC soil monitoring.
Soil-monitoring efforts have been
ongoing by DNRC over the last 20
years. Through soil monitoring
conducted in Swan River State Forest
on soil types similar to those found
in the proposed project area, DNRC
found that ground-based skidding on
slopes of to 15 percent on the
Goat Creek watershed resulted in
13.8 percent of the area in
detrimental soil effects, with no
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction G-1
Analysis Methods G-1
Analysis Area G-1
Existing Conditions G-1
Alternative Effects G-2
observed soil erosion. Ground-based
skidding on slopes of 20 to 50
percent in the Woodward Creek
watershed in 2002 resulted in 8.1
percent of the area in detrimental
soil effects, and spotty soil
erosion was observed on segments of
skid trails (DNRC 2004) . Based on
analysis in the SFLMP, analysis
found that up to 20 percent of
ground-based harvest areas would be
trafficked by skid trails [DNRC
1996), and DNRC soils monitoring has
shown that up to an estimated 75
percent of the skid trails would
result in moderate to severe
impacts. In addition, DNRC
conducted soil monitoring in 2002 on
cable-yarding units in a burned
area. The results of this
monitoring are found in the MOOSE
PROJECT SOIL MONITORING REPORT (DNRC
2003) . Results found that up to 5
percent of cable yarding units were
in an impacted condition.
ANALYSIS AREA
The analysis area for evaluating
soil effects will include State-
owned land within the Three Creeks
Timber Sale Project area. The
proposed project area is found
within the South Fork Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, and Soup Creek
watersheds .
EXISTING CONDITIONS
Soil types in the project area
include deep alluvial and glacial
deposits on the nearly level valley
floor with wetland types in the
lower portions of Cilly Creek and
Soup Creek. The valley sideslopes
have moderate to deep glacial till
deposits with cobbly silt loam
subsoils and, in most cases, a
volcanic ash surface soil. Shallow
bedrock and high-rock-content
residual soils are found on glacial
scoured ridges. A list of soil
types found in the Three Creeks
Timber Sale Project area and their
associated management implications
is found in TABLE G-2 - SOIL MAP
UNIT DESCRIPTIONS FOR THE THREE
CREEKS PROJECT AREA. The FNF Soil
Survey identified one area of soils
at elevated risk for mass movements
in the project area. This soil type
is landtype 77, and is found in the
southern portion of the proposed
project area south of Soup Creek.
During field reconnaissance, several
areas of past slope instability were
identified in the proposed project
area. These areas, mostly small,
are a result of several site-
specific conditions. These
conditions include a combination of
the glacial till, steep slopes,
shallow depth to bedrock, and
avalanche chutes; in one case, past
management may have been a
contributing factor. A more
detailed description of past slope
instability and recommended measures
to mitigate for possible instability
can be found in the project file at
Swan River State Forest.
The proposed project area is
approximately 10,344 acres and is
located in Swan River State Forest.
In the proposed project area, DNRC
has conducted timber harvesting
since the 1950s. Based on review of
aerial photos from the 1960s through
the present, section record cards,
and timber sale records,
approximately 1,463 acres (or about
14 percent of the acres in the
project area) have been harvested on
State land within the proposed
project area using a combination of
ground-based and cable-yarding
harvest methods. Ground-based
yarding can affect soil conditions
through displacement and compaction
of productive surface layers of
soil, mainly on heavily used trails.
Cable yarding can also produce
impacts to soils. These impacts
mainly occur where one end of the
logs are dragged on the ground as
logs are lifted to the landing,
especially on convex slopes where
the cable line may be closer to the
ground and logs are not lifted as
high. These impacts are generally
far less in area and degree of
impact than impacts from ground-
based skidding.
Based on field review of past
harvest areas within the proposed
project area, existing soils impacts
are estimated to be 10 percent or
less of the previously harvested
areas. Field reconnaissance using
ocular estimates shows that existing
skid trails are spaced about 50 to
60 feet apart, and take up
approximately 15 percent of the
harvested areas. Many of the
existing trails from past management
are well vegetated, and past impacts
are ameliorating from frost and
vegetation growth. Frost and
vegetation are estimated to have
reduced old impacts by about one-
third of their original levels
leaving approximately 10 percent
impacts to soils in previously
harvested areas. Soil impact
observations in the proposed project
area are similar to levels found in
DNRC soil monitoring in and around
the Swan River State Forest.
Minimal evidence of isolated soils
erosion was observed on short
pitches of existing skid trails and
landings within the project area.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS
• Direct an d In direct Effect* ofJWo-Jlction
KlUernative ,1 to Soils
Direct or indirect impacts would
not occur with this alternative.
No ground- or cable-based activity
would take place under this
alternative, which would leave the
soil in the project area unchanged
from the description in EXISTING
CONDITIONS of this analysis.
Existing areas of slope
instability or erosion would
continue to recover or degrade
according to natural and
preexisting conditions and would
not be affected by this
alternative .
Direct and Indirect Effects Common to miction
JlUernatires a, C,I}, and E to Soils
The estimated range of soil
impacts for all action
alternatives is from 7 to 9
percent of all harvested acres,
and no individual harvest unit is
expected to have impacts greater
than 15 percent. Fifteen percent
impacts fall within the range of
impacts analyzed for in the
EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS section
of the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
According to the SFLMP, the level
of concern for compaction and
displacement is elevated when
these impacts exceed 20 percent of
an area (DNRC 1996) . DNRC expects
that by maintaining 85 percent of
the area with healthy soil
conditions and limiting the
detrimental effects of moderate
and severe displacement,
compaction, and erosion to less
than 15 percent of the area,
productive and hydrologically
stable sites will be maintained
within harvested areas. This
level of impacts would be achieved
through a combination of skidding
mitigation measures including, but
not limited to:
- slope and equipment
restrictions ;
- restriction for season-of-use to
periods of dry, frozen, or snow-
covered soil conditions;
- utilization of a minimum skid-
trail spacing;
- installation of erosion control
where needed;
- retention of 10 to 15 tons per
acre of woody debris; and
- adherence to all applicable
BMPs .
Proposed timber-harvesting and
road-building operations in all
action alternatives are not
expected to increase mass soil
movements in the analysis area.
Risk of slope failure could
increase in some stands following
the removal of live trees, but
slope failure risk would decrease
in other areas due to mitigation
measures designed to protect and
improve slope stability risk.
Mitigation measures to maintain
slope stability include:
- removal of trees with mortality
risk, windthrow risk, and
thinning of overstocked stands;
- promote actively growing
codominant trees;
use cable and helicopter
yarding on steep slopes;
avoid road construction across
slopes with marginal stability;
and
upgrade the existing road
system with BMPs, adequate
surface drainage and erosion
control to eliminate
concentration of runoff.
A more detailed assessment of the
impacts of the proposed action
alternatives on slope stability
can be found in the project file
at the Swan River State Forest
office .
Timber-harvesting operations in
all action alternatives would
retain adequate coarse woody
debris (greater than 3 inches in
diameter) and green litter to
conserve available nutrients and
maintain long-term soil conditions
similar to the range of natural
conditions. To be effective, the
material would be well distributed
across the management unit.
Current direction for recommended
amounts of debris to retain during
operations would be based on
"Managing Coarse Woody Debris in
Forests of the Rocky
Mountains" (Graham et al . 1994)
and ranges from 4 to 33 tons per
acre based on habitat types. As
more information on the role of
woody debris and litter is
developed concerning tree growth
and site productivity, DNRC may
modify the recommendations. On
sites where levels of coarse woody
debris are below average historic
levels (compared to Graham et al
1994), proposed silvicultural
prescriptions would be designed to
promote larger tree diameters for
future coarse woody debris through
snag management {ARM 36.11.411) .
Direct and Indirect effects ofjlction
wllternative B to Soils
BMPs and a combination of
mitigation measures would be
implemented to limit the area and
degree of soil impacts as noted in
ARM 36.11.422 and the SFLMP (DNRC
1996). This alternative would
have direct impacts on an
estimated 8.7 percent of the area
in proposed harvest units. This
includes skid trails, landings,
cable-yarding corridors, and
impacted spots. The estimate is
based on procedures detailed in
the ANALYSIS METHODS portion of
this analysis. Direct impacts to
soils would include compaction and
displacement resulting from use of
ground-based equipment to skid
logs on approximately 891 acres,
cable yarding on approximately 557
acres, and landings from
helicopter yarding.
Ground-based site preparation and
road construction would also
generate direct impacts to the
soil resource. Site-preparation
disturbance would be intentionally
done, and these impacts are
considered light and promote
reforestation of the site. TABLE
G-1 - SUMMARY OF DIRECT EFFECTS OF
ALL ALTERNATIVES ON SOILS WITH
SUMMER HARVESTING summarizes the
expected impacts to the soil
resource as a result of Action
Alternative B. These activities
would leave up to 8.7 percent of
the proposed harvest units in an
impacted condition. This level is
below the range analyzed for in
the EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS
section of the SFLMP and are well
within the 20-percent impacted
area established as a level of
concern in the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
Direct and Indirect Effects of miction
Jllternative Cto Soils
BMPs and a combination of
mitigation measures would be
implemented to limit the area and
degree of soil impacts as noted in
ARM 36.11.422 and the SFLMP (DNRC
1996). This alternative would
have direct impacts on an
estimated 8.6 percent of the area
in proposed harvest units. This
includes skid trails, landings,
cable-yarding corridors, and
impacted spots. The estimate is
based on procedures detailed under
ANALYSIS METHODS. Direct impacts
to soils would include compaction
and displacement resulting from
use of ground-based equipment to
skid logs on approximately 823
acres, cable yarding on
approximately 543 acres, and
landings from helicopter yarding.
Ground-based site preparation and
road construction would also
generate direct impacts to the
soil resource. Site-preparation
disturbance would be intentionally
done, and these impacts are
considered light and promote
reforestation of the site. TABLE
G-1 - SUMMARY OF DIRECT EFFECTS OF
ALL ALTERNATIVES ON SOILS WITH
SUMMER HARVESTING summarizes the
expected impacts to the soil
resource as a result of Action
Alternative C. These activities
would leave up to 8.6 percent of
the proposed harvest units in an
impacted condition. This level is
below the range analyzed for in
the EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS
section of the SFLMP and are well
within the 20-percent impacted
area established as a level of
concern in the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
Direct anti Indirect Effects of miction
,/llternative D to Soils
BMPs and a combination of
mitigation measures would be
implemented to limit the area and
degree of soil impacts as noted in
ARM 36.11.422 and the SFLMP (DNRC
1996). This alternative would
have direct impacts on an
estimated 7.2 percent of the area
in proposed harvest units. This
includes skid trails, landings,
cable-yarding corridors, and
impacted spots. The estimate is
based on procedures detailed under
ANALYSIS METHODS. Direct impacts
to soils would include compaction
and displacement resulting from
use of ground-based equipment to
skid logs on approximately 699
acres, cable yarding on
approximately 679 acres, and
landings from helicopter yarding.
Ground-based site preparation and
road construction would also
generate direct impacts to the
soil resource. Site-preparation
disturbance would be intentionally
done, and these impacts are
considered light and promote
reforestation of the site. TABLE
G-1 - SUMMARY OF DIRECT EFFECTS OF
ALL ALTERNATIVES ON SOILS WITH
SUMMER HARVESTING summarizes the
expected impacts to the soil
resource as a result of Action
Alternative D. These activities
would leave up to 7.2 percent of
the proposed harvest units in an
impacted condition. This level is
below the range analyzed for in
the EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS
section of the SFLMP and are well
within the 20-percent impacted
area established as a level of
concern in the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
Direct and Indirect Effects ofJiction
.Ilternatine E to Soils
BMPs and a combination of
mitigation measures would be
implemented to limit the area and
degree of soil impacts as noted in
ARM 36.11.422 and the SFLMP (DNRC
1996). This alternative would
have direct impacts on an
estimated 7.6 percent of the area
in proposed harvest units. This
includes skid trails, landings,
cable-yarding corridors, and
impacted spots. The estimate is
based on procedures detailed in
the ANALYSIS METHODS portion of
this analysis. Direct impacts to
soils would include compaction and
displacement resulting from use of
ground-based equipment to skid
logs on approximately 786 acres,
cable yarding on approximately 629
acres, and landings from
helicopter yarding.
Ground-based site preparation and
road construction would also
TABLE G-1 - SUMMARY OF DIRECT EFFECTS OF ALL ALTERNATIVES ON SOILS WITH
SUMMER HARVESTING
DESCRIPTION OF
PARAMETER
ALTERNATIVE
A
B
C
D
E
Acres of
harvest
1, 856
1,752
1, 941
1, 966
Acres of
helicopter yarding
408
386
563
551
Acres of
tractor yarding
891
823
699
786
Acres of
skid trails and landings"""
178
165
140
157
Acres of
cable yarding
557
543
679
629
Acres of
yarding corridors'
56
54
68
63
Acres of
moderate impacts^
162
151
139
149
Percent of harvest area with impacts
0%
8.7%
8.6%
7.2%
7.6%
20 percent of ground-based area
5 to 10 percent of cable yarding units
75 percent of ground-based skid trails and 50 percent of cable corridors (based
on DNRC monitoring as reported under ANALYSIS METHODS)
generate direct impacts to the
soil resource. Site-preparation
disturbance would be intentionally
done, and these impacts are
considered light and promote
reforestation of the site. TABLE
G-1 - SUMMARY OF DIRECT EFFECTS OF
ALL ALTERNATIVES ON SOILS WITH
SUMMER HARVESTING summarizes the
expected impacts to the soil
resource as a result of Action
Alternative E. These activities
would leave up to 7.6 percent of
the proposed harvest units in an
impacted condition. This level is
below the range analyzed for in
the EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS
section of the SFLMP and are well
within the 20-percent impacted
area established as a level of
concern in the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
• Cnmtilative Effects ofJVo-,/IctioH Jllternative
Jl to Soils
This alternative would have no
additional cumulative impacts on
soil conditions. No soil would be
disturbed, and no past harvest
units would be entered.
Previously harvested areas would
continue to ameliorate over time.
Cumulative effects of this
alternative would be similar to
those described under EXISTING
CONDITIONS of this analysis.
• Cnmtilative Effects to Soils Common to miction
Jllternatives li and C
Both of these alternatives would
enter one stand (approximately 19
acres) where previous timber
management has occurred.
Cumulative effects to soils may
occur from repeated entries into a
forest stand. Cumulative impacts
may include compaction,
displacement, and erosion on
additional trails beyond those
already existing from past
entries. Additional compaction
and displacement may occur on
existing trails from reuse. Any
amelioration of compaction from
frost action and vegetation is
erased if an existing trail is
reused by equipment, and the
effects may be more extensive with
repeated use. DNRC would maintain
healthy soil conditions and
minimize adverse cumulative
effects by implementing any or all
of the following:
- use of existing skid trails from
past harvesting activities if
they are properly located and
spaced;
- use of additional skid trails
only where existing trails are
unacceptable;
- use of soil moisture
restrictions, season of
operation, and method of
harvesting to mitigate potential
direct and indirect effects; and
- retention of 10 to 15 tons per
acre of coarse woody debris and
fine litter for nutrient
cycling.
Based on soil monitoring conducted
on DNRC land in Swan River State
Forest, DNRC expects cumulative
effects to soil conditions to be
15 percent or less of harvested
areas, including impacts from past
harvesting. In most of the
proposed project area, cumulative
impacts would be less than 10
percent. Each value is within or
below the range analyzed for in
the EXPECTED FUTURE CONDITIONS
section of the SFLMP and well
within the 20-percent impacted
area established as a level of
concern in the SFLMP (DNRC 1996) .
In the remaining previously
unharvested stands, cumulative
effects to soil conditions from
multiple entries would be the same
as those listed under Direct and
Indirect Effects . For slash
treatment, equipment piling of
slash and site preparation would
be limited to less than 30-percent
scarified soils within
regeneration harvest units.
Scarification to mix the surface
duff to promote conifer
establishment, but not remove
surface soil, is considered a
nondetrimental effect to soils.
Future stand entries would likely
use existing trails and landings.
Ciimtilative Effects of miction JlUernative D to
Soils
This alternative would enter one
stand (approximately 8 acres)
where previous timber management
has occurred. Cumulative effects
to soils may occur from repeated
entries into a forest stand.
Cumulative impacts may include
compaction, displacement, and
erosion on additional trails
beyond those already existing from
past entries. Additional
compaction and displacement may
occur on existing trails from
reuse. Any amelioration of
compaction from frost action and
vegetation growth is erased if an
existing trail is reused by
equipment, and the effects may be
more extensive with repeated use.
DNRC would maintain healthy soil
conditions and minimize adverse
cumulative effects by implementing
any or all of the following:
- use of existing skid trails from
past harvesting activities if
they are properly located and
spaced;
- use of additional skid trails
only where existing trails are
unacceptable;
- use of soil moisture
restrictions, season of
operation, and method of
harvesting to mitigate potential
direct and indirect effects; and
- the retention of 10 to 15 tons
per acre of coarse woody debris
and fine litter for nutrient
cycling.
Based on soil monitoring conducted
on DNRC-managed land in Swan River
State Forest, DNRC expects
cumulative effects to soil
conditions to be 15 percent or
less of harvested areas, including
impacts from past harvesting. In
most of the proposed project area,
cumulative impacts would be less
than 10 percent. Each value is
within or below the range analyzed
for in the EXPECTED FUTURE
CONDITIONS section of the SFLMP
and well within the 20-percent
impacted area established as a
level of concern in the SFLMP
(DNRC 1996) .
In the remaining previously
unharvested stands, cumulative
effects to soil conditions from
multiple entries would be the same
as those listed under DIRECT AND
INDIRECT EFFECTS. For slash
treatment, equipment piling of
slash and site preparation would
be limited to less than 30-percent
scarified soils within
regeneration harvest units.
Scarification to mix the surface
duff to promote conifer
establishment, but not remove
surface soil, is considered a
nondetrimental effect to soils.
Future stand entries would likely
use existing trails and landings.
Cnmtilatice Effects ofJlction JlUernative E to
Soils
This alternative would enter 2
stands (combined 27 acres) where
previous timber management has
occurred. Cumulative effects to
soils may occur from repeated
entries into a forest stand.
Cumulative impacts may include
compaction, displacement, and
erosion on additional trails
beyond those already existing from
past entries. Additional
compaction and displacement may
occur on existing trails from
reuse. Any amelioration of
compaction from frost action and
vegetation growth is erased if an
existing trail is reused by
equipment, and the effects may be
more extensive with repeated use.
DNRC would maintain healthy soil
conditions and minimize adverse
cumulative effects by implementing
any or all of the following:
- use of existing skid trails from
past harvesting activities if
they are properly located and
spaced;
- use of additional skid trails
only where existing trails are
unacceptable;
- use of soil moisture
restrictions, season of
operation, and method of
harvesting to mitigate potential
direct and indirect effects; and
- the retention of 10 to 15 tons
per acre of coarse woody debris
and fine litter for nutrient
cycling.
Based on soil monitoring conducted
on DNRC-managed land in Swan River
State Forest, DNRC expects
cumulative effects to soil
conditions to be 15 percent or
less of harvested areas, including
impacts from past harvesting. In
most of the proposed project area,
cumulative impacts would be less
than 10 percent. Each value is
within or below the range analyzed
for in the EXPECTED FUTURE
CONDITIONS section of the SFLMP,
and well within the 20-percent
impacted area established as a
level of concern in the SFLMP
(DNRC 1996) .
In the remaining previously
unharvested stands, cumulative
effects to soil conditions from
multiple entries would be the same
as those listed under DIRECT AND
INDIRECT EFFECTS. For slash
treatment, eguipment piling of
slash and site preparation would
be limited to less than 30-percent
scarified soils within
regeneration harvest units.
Scarification to mix the surface
duff to promote conifer
establishment, but not remove
surface soil, is considered a
nondetrimental effect to soils.
Future stand entries would likely
use existing trails and landings.
m
M
a oj
P
CO
■d
-H
CO
C
M
(0
OJ
CO
0)
4J
P
p
CO
-H
4J
o
M -H
>1
P
S-l
P
M
CD
o
E
p
tS
m
ii;
a
f-l
CO
-H
p
-H
P
p
4-1
P
ni •
s
U
>
0)
x;
0)
-H
m
^
4-1
Id
+-1
4^
4J
0)
P
^
o
^
£
&i ft:
0)
-H
+-I M
CO
>
M
>i
E
(0
C
E
(0
c
P
^
■d
0)
P
ni
(0
+-I
CO 4-1
M
(0
M
>,
C
ni
.-H
U
.-H
0)
-H
ni
M
0)
-H
ni
M
Bi
M
0)
■d
a
M
ni
P
0)
>1
-H
Bi
M
M
M
4J
4-1
Hi ^
^
OJ »
-H
+-1
TJ
-H
M
4-1
-H
n
^
-H
4-1
-H
CO
-H
-H
^
4-1
M
(0
s
ft 4J
cii
tS
CO
P
Si
ni
CO
M
O
O
E
M
E
u
n
P
M
uo
P
X
O
X
0)
c
C
di
u >
ni ■H
CO
ni
TJ
CO
M
o
(0
.H
(0
(0
CO
^
CO
4-1
ni
di
(0
M di
Ui
«
CQ
P
0) ni
C
.H
u
OJ
-H
M
ft
-H
M
ft
a
M-l
a
-H
p
M
a
CO
\i\
e
■d
a
M
(0 ni
0)
+-1
^
0)
-H
E
0)
-H
E
OJ
E
0)
O
^
P
0)
E
E
-H
-H
4J >
S
-d
e
a
ii;
u
X
P
T> ^
>
-H
>
(0
-H
>
CO
-H
>
-H
>
ni
>
-H
-H
0)
-d
P
§
c
0)
tS
■d
uo Q)
Si
ni CO
-H
E •
-H
(0
-H
(0
-H
-H
P
Bi
X
-H
M
(0
p
(0
^
U P
iii
CO
0)
c^
4J
+-1
-H 0}
4J
-d
x;
^
■d
x;
^
^
+-I
O
p
+-I
4J
x;
a
ni
(0
^
+-I
Q
u
CO
^
4-1
U
o
^ CO
o
0)
^
4-1
CD
M
^
4-1
CO
4-1
^
CO
>i
s
M
-H
c
c
0)
CD
M S-l
CO
4-1
p
-d
P
p
u
ft
P
U
ft
P
a
p
ni
(0
P
a
0)
>1
• 4-1
0)
O
0)
4J
a
0) CD
ni
TJ
■d
CD
■d
p
OJ
0)
TJ
P
0)
OJ
-d
CD
-d
0)
4-1
(0
■d
0)
ft
P
M
M
CO
>
CO
-H
e
tS
> ^
o
OJ CD
o
+-1
c: 144
o
+-1
x;
■d
4-1
X
-d
■d
CO
m
0)
-d
o
p
M
4J
ni
4-1
0)
0)
s
.H
^
■d
P
u
-H
o
u
X
S-l
X
u
p
M
p
M
^
ni
>
ft M
M
0)
-H
+J
CO
ni
ni
ni -d
^
ft
P
-H
ft
0)
.-H
ft
CD
M
ft
.H
a
0)
CO
a M
CO
-H
a
£
-H
O P
&
o
4-1
Hi
ni
0)
(0
o
^
(0
^ ID
+-1
.^
-H
4-1
^
-H
-H
di
m
-H
P
m
(0
M
tS
CD
M
M
o
^
Hi (0
u
M >,
^
ni o
^
4^
O
^
+-I
^
^
ni
4-1
CD
^
ft
ni
(0
CO -H
a
m
a
a
0)
p
4-1
a
Si
p a
u
ft
M
U CO
ft
CD
(0
CO
ft
0)
(0
(0
ft
CO
a
P
-H
a
a
(0
(D
P
-H
>i
m
0)
u
e
m
-d
■d
P
TJ
to E
-d
0)
M
oj ni
0)
P
-H
ft
0)
c
-H
ft
0)
a
CD
0)
E
CD
a
(1)
0)
M
P
-d M^
0)
3
-H
0)
M c
u
c P
0)
0)
0)
ft (D
0)
-H
o
0)
-H
0)
CD
>
-H
M
CD
4-1
a
X
-H -H
Q
CO
-d
S
u
CO
(0 ni
D X!
X
Q
s
CO
Q
h
E
H
Q
h
E
H
Q
H
Q
ni
iP
(0
Q
H
CQ
x;
>
CO -d
EROSION
(BARE
SURFACE)
+J
4-1
4J
(1)
4J
4J
0)
ni
P
CD
-d
a
CD
4J
0)
4-1
Hi
M
0)
-d
M
0)
Ti
s
1-q
m
a)
■a
0)
Ti
s
di
-H
x;
B]
P
CD
■d
ni
P
0)
■d
S
hP
CO
o
S
S
S
s
a
a
EH
~
>i
(0
g
p
p
a
C5 S
p
■d
p
s i
,^
M
a
^2
h
M
T3
T3
Ti
-d
-d
■d
■d
(0
-H
M
p
(0
n5
-d
p
>
h
-H
CM
O
O
O
o
o
o
di
1
p
-H
CO
ni
ni
p
u
Cu
h
s
a)
OJ
E-l O
M
f-l
^
TOPSOIL
DISPLACEMEN
ND COMPACTI
(1)
+J
(0
4-1
0)
4J
CD
>
CD
CO
+-1
CD
3
-H
0)
4J
0)
>
(0
4J
»
-H
-H
0)
4J
0)
4-i
p
0)
E
0)
-d
Hi
0)
-d
nJ
u
0)
0)
4J
ni
0)
■d
ni
u
0)
-d
0)
0)
+-I
ni
P
0)
-d
a
B]
P
0)
■d
P
>
0)
0)
ni
s
hP
ni
o
ni
CQ
a
S
a
s
0)
■d
S
S
S-l
0)
-d
o
a
-H
T3
<
^
a
M
15
-d
-d
■d
■d
■d
-d
-d
-d
Q
0)
3:
0)
c
-H
-H
CO
CO
0)
U
.-H
.-H
0)
0)
c
-H
ni
.-H
.-H
0)
0)
c
-H
ni
U
0)
c
-H
Bi
u
0)
3:
0)
c
-H
Id
c
-H
ni
P
(1)
3:
0)
p
-H
ni
P
.-H
3:
0)
p
-H
ni
P
3:
p
-H
ni
P
■o
CO
X
0)
-d
-d
■d
■d
■d
-d
-d
-d
g
m
1
a
O
H
C
M
M
M
M
o
M
Hi
1
M
ni
o\o
.-H
M
o
-^
o
M
M
m
o
-H
-H
O
-H
-H
-d -H
M
CN
^
O
C^
4J
^
^
^
^
-d
4J
ni
Oi
M
^
ni
CO
CO
(0
M
p
S
H
10
^
p
S M
.-H
o
.-H
M
M
CD
M
0)
M
0)
ni
ni
^ M
M
(Hi
-H
0)
CO
~
ni o\o
di
ni
o\o
ni
o\o
ni
C
ni
p
B]
p
P
ni ni o\o
ni
o\o
U
>
p
C
m
MHO
-H
O
-H
O
-H
-H
-H
-H
-H
-H
■d
m
P -H O
-H
P
O
M
P
ty
-H
M a
M ^
ft
M
O
^
CD
Bi
ni
ni
-H
M
r-
CO
Oi
1
1
1
m
Oj H
1
<:
<:
<
u
O
Q
1
^
^
T-\
\o
\o
\o
CD
CD
CD
r--
c^
2 D
^
c^
CN
Oi
tN
CN
rsi
c^
CN
ICQ
c-
steep slopes, rocky soils
with common rock outcrops.
Cable logging recommended
for slopes over 45 percent.
Lop and scatter or
excavator-pile slash.
Shallow and moderately deep,
very gravelly/ rocky soils.
Cable yarding on slopes over
45 percent, broadcast burn.
Steep slopes, rocky soils
with common rock outcrops.
Cable logging recommended
for slopes over 45 percent.
Lop and scatter or
excavator-pile slash.
Steep slopes, rocky soils
with common rock outcrops.
Cable logging recommended
for slopes over 45 percent.
Lop and scatter or
excavator-pile slash.
Steep slopes, rocky soils
with common rock outcrops.
Cable logging recommended
for slopes over 45 percent.
0)
p
Hi
p
0)
p
o
a
pi
-H
pi
-H
1
p
p
P
o
Poor,
subalpine
climate
p
p
(D
p
Hi
p
0)
P
g
(D
X!
Hi
U
1
p
c
0)
g £
0) ty
O -H
Hi £
.p
ft
ra
-H
Q
p
c
0)
g
^ 0)
pi u
-H Hi
ft
ra
-H
P
p
c
0)
g
.C 0)
pi
-H Hi
ft
ra
-H
P
p
c
0)
g
^ 0)
tji
-H Hi
ft
ra
-H
P
ft
(0
0)
p
ra
>^
M
U
O
O
ra
p ft
• - p
OJ u
p p
OJ P
>
OJ
m
Severe; rock
outcrops,
steep
p
■^ p
p
0)
>
-H
ra
ra
0)
X
w
0)
>
-H
ra
ra
0)
o
X
w
p
3^ P
P
Glacial
trough wall,
60-90%
Rock,
residual
soils on
steep slopes
Geologic
breaklands,
slopes over
60%
Geologic
breaklands ,
slopes over
60%
Glacial
trough
wall, 60-
90%
CO
FIGURE G-1 - THREEE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT LANDTYPE MAP
Proposed Project Area
Section Lines
Swan Land Types
Streams
Montana D NRG
Trust Land Management ^
NWLO-Swan River State Forest
0.25 0,25 0.5 0.75 1 Miles
1 : 45,682 1 inch = 0.72 miles
APPENDIX H
ECONOMICS ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
This section analyzes the economic
impacts associated with each of the
alternatives and how they affect
revenue to the trust, local
employment and income, and
other uses of the area.
The Three Creeks Timber
Sale Project is located in
Swan River State Forest in
the southeastern corner of
Lake County and near the
northeastern corner of
Missoula County. The sale
is in an area of
relatively low population
density and has produced
timber for the area mills
since the 1800s. The
focus of this section will
be on market activities
that directly or
indirectly benefit the
Montana education system,
generate revenue for the
school trust fund, and provide
funding for public buildings.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
The location of Swan River State
Forest in relation to the lumber and
plywood mills and pulp producers
likely to be interested in the
timber sale necessitates analyzing
economic and demographic data from
several counties. Producers from
Lake, Missoula, and Flathead
counties are all likely to have an
interest in this sale. TABLE H-1 -
SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR
FLATHEAD, LAKE, AND MISSOULA
COUNTIES contains selected
demographic information for each of
these counties and the entire State.
TABLE H-1 - SELECTED DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION FOR
FLATHEAD, LAKE, AND MISSOULA COUNTIES
DEMOGRAPHIC
COUNTY
STATE
OF
MONTANA
FLATHEAD
LAKE
MISSOULA
Population
1990
59, 218
21, 041
78, 687
799, 065
Population
2000
74, 471
26, 507
95, 802
902, 195
Growth rate
(%)
2.3
2.3
2.0
1.2
Median age
37.2
38.2
33.2
37.8
School
enrollment
13, 000
4,560
9, 400
157,560
Source: Mor
and the Offi
tana Department of Labor and Commerce
ce of Public Instruction
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction H-1
Existing Conditions H-1
Alternative Effects H-3
Direct Effects H-3
Indirect Effects H-7
Cumulative Effects H-9
Flathead and Lake Counties are
widely known for their production of
"Flathead cherries" and Christmas
tree farms. Flathead County
includes the northern portion of
Flathead Lake and the west side of
Glacier Park. Lake County
encompasses a large part of Flathead
Lake and includes much of the
Flathead Indian Reservation.
Missoula County includes the
University of Montana as well as
several timber-processing
facilities. Kindergarten through 12
school enrollment in the 3 counties
totals nearly 27,000. Flathead
County is the second largest county
in terms of population, but boasts
the largest school population,
13,000, which is almost half of the
total kindergarten through 12 school
population for the 3 counties.
The data in TABLE H-2 - COVERED
WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT IN 1999 FOR
SELECTED INDUSTRIES IN FLATHEAD,
LAKE, AND MISSOULA COUNTIES shows
CM
I
'i
^-\
M3
LO
C^i
-^
VD
LO
CM
cn
■xT
LO
o
CM
LO
^"
CM
^"
CO
KD
CM
X— 1
o
CO
cn
■xT
CM
CM
X)
CO
en
(T)
cn
m
cn
cn
Ci
CM
^
cn
CM
^
cn
CM
rt
-o>
-c/>
»
^
a>
O^
KD
r-
KD
KD
CM
LO
o
CM
cn
CO
CTi
X)
cn
g
^
^-\
a>
-^
cn
o\
CM
u^
UD
CO
cn
iX)
X)
LO
cn
o
o
^q
o
O
CO
o
LO
CO
Ci
CTi
■^
en
CM
O
CO
■^
o
rtl U o
pi
CO
CO
U3
CTi
cn
X— 1
LO
LO
KD
CO
CO
cn
CM
X)
CM
-c/y
(Ti
O
cn
LO
o
CM
^
r~-
cn
LO
T-\
^
o
cn
■xT
o
o
m
m
H
S
1^1
^ g s
CO
o^
■^
X— 1
cn
CO
X— 1
U^
cn
cn
CM
LO
r~
CM
CM
o
■=:r
'xi
cn
CM
LO
LO
CM
o
LO
a>
■xT
'X
LO
^-\
■xT
rsi
o
CO
CTi
r-
O
CTi
cn
a>
O
o
■^
CM
cn
CM
X— 1
O
CM
^
^
^
CO
CM
^
CM
■xT
w
■^
CO
r-
CM
r-
o\
a^
cn
a>
LO
OJ
rsi
CM
cn
cn
^-\
CM
CM
^
^
CM
CM
rt
-OO-
-OO-
H
^-\
■=:r
O
o
o
<:
VD
LO
CM
cn
cn
■xT
'X
o
cn
kI
OJ
KD
a>
LO
a\
s
-^
a>
CO
o
o>
O
a>
X)
cn
Q
11
r-
o
a>
r-
KD
KD
a>
KD
cn
cn
LO
O
U
^
o
CNl
C\l
KD
LO
CM
UD
CO
■xT
^
'X
o
u
^
CM
HJ
s
-0>
1^
p
:3
m
t^
Pi
■xT
CO
-^
KD
CTi
<:
VD
CO
LO
■xT
CO
X)
CM
LO
cn
m
CO
vn
-^
LO
CTi
s
cn
■^
CO
O
CM
CO
r~
CO
CO
-H
-^
r-
X— 1
CM
U3
cn
■xT
^
LO
CM
m
^
..
^
..
>i
CM
CM
CO
1— 1
in
w
in
1^
^
o
a>
w>
CO
-^
o
•^
LO
CM
■xT
o
LO
X>
iX
x;
a>
CO
CM
LO
r~
C\l
,—1
cn
'Xi
CO
r-
r-
LO
CO
a>
o
CO
o
■^
^
o
CO
C\l
C\l
,—1
o
CO
CM
cn
LO
LO
LO
■xT
X)
cn
CM
p
0)
en
■=:r
cn
cn
-^
-^
C\l
CM
^
cn
C
0)
H
3 u o
ili
r-
LO
r~
CO
KD
^-\
m
•^
a>
^-\
r-
^-\
o^
KD
^
p
o
OJ
■=:r
^
,—1
cn
•=T
'vD
cn
'Xi
LO
LO
■xT
^
cn
LO
-p
u
,—1
'vD
^-\
,—1
■^
CM
r-
^
CM
1—1
-^
r-
C
rf!
1— 1
ffl
-OO-
-d
C
m
b
H
t_i
Pi
C\l
o
o
KD
r-
o
-^
'X
cn
o
LO
CT^
CM
r-
o
PI
CO
LO
(Ti
CO
X— 1
cn
CO
o
cn
r-
a>
cn
■=:r
CO
o
CO
Csl
o
O
LO
cn
VD
■^
o
^
cn
CM
(y\
'=^
r-
•^
-
-
•^
•^
•^
•-
•-
-
•-
cn
cn
xH
\X)
^
CM
■xT
'=^
LO
^
cn
L|-l
o
w
-p
OJ
m
-p
p
(^
0)
Q
-H
Q)
Xl
c;
-H
(0
m
rd
P
-H
m
-p
p
T^
P
M-l
-p
c;
3 0)
C
m
-p
o
>H
o
C
OJ
m -p
n5
1=5
Pi
Ti
tP
HI
O
t3 e
c; fti
p
c;
Ti
H
- c
c;
i=;
-d
-H
c ^
-H -P
0)
P
c
to
0) nJ
>i
-H
o
-P
(i3 tJi W
m
C -H
-H
B
U
u
-H
M
M
(ti
C -H
^ 0)
^
OJ -P
P
■^ -
-p
-P
1=5
a
(f)
-p
tji -H M
1— 1
m
B rd
iz;
•—{
g
-P >i
m
-P
M
M
C ^ X!
iT5 ■— 1
m
1— 1
0) OJ
m
(^ p
0)
n3
M M
^
c
(ti
n3
c; -d
P
>
P
t?
(ti
u
P
-H c
0)
<; m
u
S
H
H
fxj OJ
CQ
o
H
CO
employment and income in selected
industry categories for each of the
3 counties included in the analysis.
Economic activity within these
counties varies substantially,
although all 3 counties have some
timber-related industries.
Flathead County has a larger number
of workers employed in timber-
related jobs than does Missoula
County. Lake County has the
smallest labor force and the
smallest number of workers employed
in timber-related jobs. In all 3
counties, timber-related jobs pay
more than the average wage in
Missoula County; the average wage in
the timber industry is 49 percent
higher than the average wage for all
industries .
The corresponding wage comparison
numbers for Lake and Flathead
counties are 50 percent and 39
percent, respectively. Service-
industry wages are lower than the
average in all 3 counties. The
largest difference is in Missoula
County, where wages in hotels and
the recreation and amusement
industries are 60 percent of the
countywide average. The service
industries provide employment for 2
to 3 times as many workers as the
timber industry, but at a
substantially lower wage.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
DIRECT EFFECTS
Five options are being analyzed in
this EIS. The following estimates
are intended for relative comparison
of alternatives and are not intended
to be absolute estimates of returns,
taxes, employment, or wages.
• Direct Eeononiic Fleets ofJWo-Jlction
Jllternative wl
If No-Action Alternative A were
followed, none of the employment,
income, or trust fund effects that
result from the action
alternatives would occur.
Direct Econotnic Effects of Action
wlltertiatires B, C,D, and E
- Timber Sale Effects
The estimated revenue and
expenditures associated with the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
are shown in TABLE H-3 -
ESTIMATED REVENUES AND
EXPENDITURES FROM THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT.
Because there are no impacts
from timber harvesting
associated with No-Action
Alternative A, the remaining
analysis will focus on the other
4 alternatives. The estimated
revenues and expenditures
associated with the Three Creeks
Timber Sale Project are shown in
TABLE H-3 - ESTIMATED REVENUES
AND EXPENDITURES FROM THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT. The
4 alternatives analyzed may
ultimately be broken into
smaller sales, but are treated
as a unit for the purpose of
this analysis. The volume
associated with each of the
alternatives is shown in TABLE
H-3 - ESTIMATED REVENUES AND
EXPENDITURES FROM THE THREE
CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT. The
area associated with each
alternative is identified in
CHAPTER II - ALTERNATIVES.
Revenue per acre is highest for
Action Alternative C, followed
in order by Action Alternatives
B, D, and E. Revenue estimates
for this sale are somewhat lower
than would normally be expected;
however, each alternative has a
significant component of
helicopter logging. Helicopter
logging is comparatively
expensive and bid estimates were
reduced to reflect the higher
logging costs.
Stumpage prices, which are
currently flat and near the
long-term average, are highly
dependent on the housing market,
which in turn is dependent on,
among other things, the interest
TABLE H-3 - ESTIMATED REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES FROM THE THREE CREEKS TIMBER
SALE PROJECT
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Harvest volume (tons)
154, 557
147,771
167, 687
155, 838
Stumpage price $/ton
34.41
34.43
32.73
33.26
FI fee (total $)
463,700
443,300
503,100
467,500
Stumpage revenue (total $)
5,318,300
5,087,800
5,488,400
5, 183,200
Trust income ($)
3,459, 900
3,309,800
3,505,300
3,301,400
State income ($)
5,782,000
5,531, 100
5, 991,500
5, 650, 700
Expenditures ($)
2,322,000
2,221,300
2,486,200
2,349,308
Trust income per acre ($)
1, 864
1,889
1,806
1, 679
Source: DNRC, Trust Land Management Division
Note: Totals may not add due to rounding .
rate. The interest rate, in
part, determines who can
"gualify" to purchase a home.
Interest rates are currently at
very low levels that have not
been seen since the late 1950s
and early 1960s. These low
interest rates would normally
impact the housing market by
stimulating new construction to
satisfy the demand for housing
from individuals who can now
"gualify" to purchase a home.
The economy is in a period of
steady growth. Large federal
budget expenditures have had a
positive impact on the current
U.S. economy. The housing
market has generally been very
strong and has only recently
demonstrated any signs of
weakening. As a result, housing
starts, while generally
increasing, are showing some
weakening and have in recent
months been lower than last
year's level. In addition,
mortgage
interest rates
appear to be
increasing,
which will
offset some of
the income
gains in the
other sectors
of the
economy .
TABLE H-4 - NUMBER OF
THE ESTIMATED REVENUE
These factors have resulted in
timber prices at or near
historical averages. The timber
prices used in this analysis
attempt to recognize the current
market conditions.
TABLE H-4 - NUMBER OF STUDENTS
FUNDED FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE
ESTIMATED REVENUE shows the
differences in revenue to the
trusts from the 4 action
alternatives .
The school trust income from
Action Alternative B is
estimated to be $3,459,900,
enough to fund the education of
489 students for 1 year based on
an average cost of $7,080, as
determined from information
provided by the Montana Office
of Public Instruction. This
information is shown in TABLE H-
4 - NUMBER OF STUDENTS FUNDED
FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE ESTIMATED
REVENUE. If the sale does not
take place, no students are
STUDENTS FUNDED FOR ONE YEAR FROM
ACTION ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Estimated
school
revenue
$3, 459, 900
3, 309, 800
3, 505, 300
3, 301, 400
Students
funded
489
467
495
466
Source: Montana DNRC, Trust Land Management Division
benefited. Thus, one of the
"costs" of not harvesting the
timber compared to harvesting
under Action Alternative B is
the loss of financing for 489
kindergarten through grade 12
students for a year. If the
trust does not fund these
students through the sale of
timber, funding must come from
other sources, primarily
property taxes.
The school trust income from
Action Alternative C is
estimated to be $3,309,800,
enough to fund the education of
467 students for 1 year based on
an average cost of $7,080, as
determined by information
provided by the Montana Office
of Public Instruction. This
information is shown in TABLE H-
4 - NUMBER OF STUDENTS FUNDED
FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE ESTIMATED
REVENUE. If the sale does not
take place, no students are
benefited. A "cost" of not
harvesting compared to
harvesting the timber under
Action Alternative C is the loss
of financing for 467
kindergarten through grade 12
students for a year. Action
Alternative C earns the highest
amount of trust income per acre,
has the lowest expenditure level
of any alternative, and harvests
on the fewest number of acres.
The school trust income from
Action Alternative D is
estimated to be $3,505,300,
enough to fund the education of
495 students for 1 year based on
an average cost of $7,080, as
determined by information
provided by the Montana Office
of Public Instruction. This
information is shown in TABLE H-
4 - NUMBER OF STUDENTS FUNDED
FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE ESTIMATED
REVENUE. If the sale does not
take place, no students are
benefited. A "cost" of not
harvesting compared to
harvesting the timber under
Action Alternative D is the loss
of financing for 495
kindergarten through grade 12
students for a year.
The school trust income from
Action Alternative E is
estimated to be $3,301,400,
enough to fund the education of
466 students for 1 year based on
an average cost of $7,080, as
determined by information
provided by the Montana Office
of Public Instruction. This
information is shown in TABLE H-
4 - NUMBER OF STUDENTS FUNDED
FOR ONE YEAR FROM THE ESTIMATED
REVENUE. If the sale does not
take place, no students are
benefited. A "cost" of not
harvesting compared to
harvesting the timber under
Action Alternative E is the loss
of financing for 466
kindergarten through grade 12
students for a year.
Timber-Related Employment
Timber harvesting generates
employment. Keegan et al
estimate that, on average, 10.58
jobs are created for every mmbf
of timber harvested. Both
economic theory and empirical
analysis suggest that the
marginal effect of an increase
in the timber harvested is
likely to be different than the
average effect because of
increasing returns.
The marginal effect may be
larger or smaller than the
average. Empirical evidence
would suggest that in a growing
industry, marginal effect on
employment is likely to be
smaller than the average. In a
contracting industry, the
marginal effect on employment
could be either larger or
smaller than the average. In
most cases, the marginal effect
of increased or decreased timber
sales is "lumpy", i.e. two sales
of the same size under different
conditions might induce a larger
than average employment response
in one case and a smaller than
average employment response, or
nearly negligible, in another.
FIGURE H-1- TOTAL TIMBER HARVEST
FROM MONTANA FORESTS (MBF)
demonstrates that the amount of
timber being harvested in
Montana has declined since 1987.
The decrease in the harvest
since the peak of 1,411 mmbf in
1987 has been nearly 46 percent,
to 710 mmbf in 2001. Mills,
such as the American Timber
Company mill in Olney, have
closed, citing a lack of
available timber as the cause of
their foreclosure {Missoulian,
1/12/2000) . All of these point
to an industry declining in
size. Based on the previous
discussion, the assumption of
the average induced employment
of 10.58 jobs per mmbf is
reasonable. Because the exact
conditions of this sale are
unknown, the best estimate of
employment, i.e. the average
effect on employment, should be
used since it is the best
estimate available and the
marginal effect of the sale is
unknown .
A ratio of 10.58 jobs per mmbf
of wood harvested implies the
FIGURE H-1 - TOTAL TIMBER HARVEST FROM MONTANA FORESTS
(MBF)
direct generation of between 241
and 273 jobs and between $9.3
and $10.6 million in wages,
depending on which alternative
is chosen. The wages are based
on an average wage of $38,874,
which was derived from data in
TABLE H-2 - COVERED WAGES AND
EMPLOYMENT IN 1999 FOR SELECTED
INDUSTRIES IN FLATHEAD, LAKE,
AND MISSOULA COUNTIES. The
estimated wages shown in TABLE
H-5 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE
PROJECT DIRECT EMPLOYMENT TO
INCOME IMPACTS are the result of
employment within the timber
industry. Without a timber
harvest, income will be lost to
the State and communities.
Wages in the timber industry are
higher than average. This
allows individuals working in
the industry to obtain higher
than average ownership of real
personal property. Since much
of the revenue for school
funding comes from property
taxation, higher levels of real
property ownership should
provide for better school
funding .
1,600,000 -|
1,400,000 -
1,200,000 -
„ 1,000,000 -
t 800,000 -
^ 600,000 -
400,000 -
200,000 -
-
1
Source: Montana De
Resources, Forest IV
'
'
1
46%
. /^
\/\
^■"\r ^
SA-
i
k
s/
V.
^
375 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000
partment of Natural
Management Bureau
In addition to these jobs,
additional employment is created
when the income earned within
the timber industry is spent to
purchase goods and services
elsewhere in the
economy. Impacts
also occur when
logging companies
and timber mills
purchase goods and
services from the
local economy. Both
of these effects are
important since they
support other
community businesses
such as grocery
stores, clothing
stores, gas
stations, etc. The
loss of income from
this sale would mean
not only the loss of
TABLE H-5 - THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT DIRECT EMPLOYMENT AND
INCOME IMPACTS
ALTERNATIVE
B
C
D
E
Direct employment
252
241
273
254
Wages and salaries
$9,779, 600
$9,350,200
$10, 610,400
9,
860,600
direct income, but the loss of
indirect income as well.
The economic impact on schools
occurs through ways other than
just the direct contribution to
the school trust fund from
revenue generated through timber
sales. Taxes are paid on the
facilities the wood industry
owns and operates. In the year
2000, the wood industry paid
taxes of nearly $1,914,000 to
the schools in Flathead, Lake,
and Missoula counties. The tax
contribution will decline in the
future if mill closures, such as
American Timber Company in
Flathead County, continue. This
closure reduced the tax base by
an estimated $4.4 million,
thereby reducing the taxes
received by the school districts
by about $28,500. This is a
permanent reduction in school
funding for over 5 students per
year .
INDIRECT EFFECTS
• Indirect Econom ic Effects ofJVo-vlction
Alternative Jl
None of the indirect effects that
would result from the action
alternatives would occur.
• Indirect Econoniic Effects of Action
Alternatives B, C,D, and E
Indirect economic impacts are much
broader than those identified
under DIRECT EFFECTS, above. Some
of these impacts are the result of
the money from the sales
"recycling" through the economy
several times. For example, the
money spent for groceries by the
employee of the timber mill, in
part, goes to pay the salary of
the grocery store employee, the
grocery store employees use that
money to purchase groceries for
themselves. This, in turn,
generates more income for the
grocery store employees, etc.
Unfortunately, a model of the
county that could be used to
demonstrate secondary effects is
not available. In a broader
State-wide context, money paid to
wood-industry workers results in
increased State income-tax
collections, as well as increased
purchases in other areas of the
State. Income-tax collections
from the wages of millworkers
alone are estimated to generate
between $168,000 and $196,000 in
State tax revenue, depending on
which alternative is selected.
Taxes on indirect wages would add
to this tax amount. Since the
State revenue is spent on projects
State-wide, the entire State
shares, in part, in the benefits
that result from the timber sale.
In particular, Montana schools
benefit additionally by being able
to use these revenues to fund
schools throughout the State.
- Nonmarket Issues
Quantitative analysis of the
economic value of nonmarket
benefits and costs will not be
part of this analysis because
they do not generate income for
the trust, although they do
affect the well-being of Montana
residents. Because of their
effects, a short gualitative
discussion of nonmarket issues
follows: A brief description of
the biological impacts is
included in order to identify
areas where economic values
might be affected. A more
detailed discussion of the
biological impacts is found in
other sections of the report.
Environmental Modifications
The harvest of timber will
modify the undisturbed
development of the forest and,
as a result, will affect both
the short- and long-term habitat
and wildlife regimes. How
individuals value these
modifications is an empirical
question and may be viewed
either positively or negatively
by different individuals.
Modifying the undisturbed
development of the areas may
change the use of the area by
some species of wildlife in the
short run and may affect the use
by other species in the longer
term. The estimation of the net
social benefit or loss of these
impacts is an empirical issue
that does not directly affect
the school trust fund.
Human Use
The harvest area has been
historically used for
recreational purposes such as
hiking, hunting, and fishing.
While the use of these areas is
likely to decline or change
during the period of logging,
long-term overall use of the
area is expected to remain high,
and some nonmarket uses are
unlikely to change. Fishing,
for example, should not be
severely affected by the logging
since SMZ laws protect streams.
The aesthetics will be modified
and some individuals will view
this as a loss, others may
prefer the more-open forest that
will result from the harvest.
Visual changes are minimized to
the extent practicable by
limiting the trees harvested in
some areas and by "sculpting
cuts" to avoid "unnatural"
visual lines. Some activities
may be enhanced. For instance
the logged area may enhance the
habitat of some game species.
and the increased use of areas
by those game species may make
the area more attractive to
hunters. As in the case of the
environmental modifications, the
net social benefit or loss is an
empirical issue dependent on
individual values.
Social Impact
The area has a substantial
presence in the wood-processing
industry and, as a result, has
institutions established to
handle the social requirements
associated with this industry.
The timber sale is unlikely to
add sufficient pressures to
these institutions to require
their modification. A high rate
of employment (low rate of
unemployment) is associated with
lower rates of crime, domestic
violence, alcohol/drug problems,
and a healthier, more satisfied
community. To the extent that
No-Action Alternative A might
contribute to unemployment, the
harvest might be a short-term
negative social impact on the
community. Conversely, to the
extent that the sale provides
employment, the short-term
impact will be positive.
Roads
New roads would be constructed
for the sale(s) . Existing roads
would be improved to handle the
logging trucks and provide
transport for other equipment
used in logging; because of
terrain, each alternative has a
significant proportion of the
sale that will be logged using
helicopters. Expenditures for
road improvements are identified
in each action alternative as
part of the sale development
cost. Some improvements are
also funded through FI fees, as
well as other funds set up for
this purpose. To the extent
that these expenditures are
spent locally, local economic
conditions would improve. A
portion of the money would leave
the area and provide income for
other areas of the State and
national economies. Culverts,
for example, usually come from
manufacturers outside of
Montana; however, most of the
road-improvement expenditures
would remain in Montana.
Population Impacts
Logging and milling activities
associated with the timber sale
are not anticipated to have any
long-term impact on the
population of the region or the
State of Montana.
Underlying Assumptions
Project impact estimation and
analysis assumes that most of
the economic impact associated
with the sales will take place
in the 3-county area. The
estimates are intended for
comparative purposes and do not
purport to be the value of the
impacts in any absolute sense.
Stumpage prices were determined
using the current transaction
eguation modified by
professional judgment to reflect
current and local market
conditions as much as possible.
The FT fee is for a program that
provides funding for forest
development and improvement and
is collected from the logging
company as part of their bid.
Activities funded under this
program include site
preparation, tree planting,
thinning, roadwork, right-of-way
acguisition, etc. The current
FT fee for the NWLO area is
$19.50 per mbf.
Most of the economic impacts
associated with this sale are
short term. If no other trees
were available for harvest after
these sale(s), the tendency
would be to return to a lower
level of economic activity. A
short-term impact that might
occur as the local economy
contracts is an increase in
unemployment as local employers
adjust to the lowered production
levels .
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
• Cnmiilative Eeononiic Fleets of JVo-Jletion
JlUernatice wl
No cumulative effects would occur.
• CnmnlaHve Eeononiic Effects of miction
tllternatives a, C,D, and E
This sale would be part of the
annual harvest of timber from the
State of Montana forested trust
lands. The net revenue from this
sale would add to the trust fund.
Annual trust fund contributions
have varied widely over the years
because the actual contribution to
the trust is more a function of
harvest than of sales. Harvest
levels and prices can vary
substantially over time; sales
volumes tend to be more
consistent. TABLE H-6 - ANNUAL
GROSS REVENUE FROM TIMBER
HARVESTED FROM MONTANA TRUST LANDS
shows the annual gross revenue
from harvests for the last 5
years. The net contribution to
the trust fund is also affected by
the annual costs experienced by
DNRC for program management, which
varies year to year. DNRC should
continue to make net annual
contributions to the trust from
its forest-management program.
DNRC has a State-wide sustained-
yield annual harvest goal of 53.2
mmbf. If timber from this project
is not sold, this volume could
come from sales elsewhere;
however, the timber may be from
other areas and not benefit this
region of the State. Long-term
deferral of harvesting from this
forest would impact harvest
patterns, changing both the region
where the trees are harvested and
the volumes taken. The other
areas of the State where harvests
would occur if this sale is not
sold would be impacted.
TABLE H-6 - ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE
FROM TIMBER HARVEST FROM MONTANA
FORESTED TRUST LANDS
YEAR
HARVEST REVENUE
2005
$16,596, 191
2004
$11,043,525
2003
$8,278,792
2002
$9,686,844
2001
$8,524,150
APPENDIX I
RECREATION ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
An issue was raised that forest-
management activities may conflict
with hunting and general
recreational use in the area. The
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area currently experiences moderate
recreational use by the general
public .
METHODS
The methodologies used to portray
the existing condition and determine
recreational impacts of the project
include determining recreational
uses, approximate revenue, and the
potential for conflict between
project activities and recreational
uses .
ANALYSIS AREA
The analysis area includes all
legally accessible lands within the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area (South Lost, Cilly, and Soup
Creek watersheds) and the roads that
would be used to haul eguipment and
logs .
EXISTING CONDITION
The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project
area receives moderate recreational
use throughout the year. The area
is primarily used for berry and
mushroom picking, snowmobiling,
cross-country skiing, horseback
riding, bicycling, fishing, hiking,
hunting, and camping that includes
the use of the Soup Creek
Campground. The main roads within
the sale area that provide
recreational access to the Swan
Mountains are South Lost Creek,
Cilly Creek, and Soup Creek roads.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction I-l
Methods I-l
Analysis Area I-l
Existing Condition I-l
Alternative Effects 1-2
Currently 3 separate outfitting
licenses have been issued for
hunting: one each for spring black
bear ($700.00 annually), big game
($2,550.00 annually), and mountain
lions ($1,850.00 annually). In
addition, 6 licenses for fishing
outfitters on Swan River are
available; 5 are currently in use.
The fishing outfitters pay an annual
fee of $200.00 each, for a total
return of $1,000.00 a year.
Finally, a cross-country skiing
recreational use license ($200.00
annually) is in effect, and a
horseback-riding permit is pending.
The total annual return on hunting
and fishing outfitting and
recreational use permits is
$6,300.00, which, spread across
39, 833 acres of Swan River State
Forest, is approximately $0,158 per
acre .
State lands are available for
nonmotorized recreational use to
anyone purchasing a General
Recreational Use License. A
recreational fee of $2 for each user
is also obtained through the sale of
wildlife conservation licenses
required for hunting and fishing in
Montana. These two types of
licenses and fees are not site
specific and allow use of all
legally accessible State lands.
Therefore, determining the amount of
recreational use and income
resulting from the sale of licenses
for a specific area is difficult.
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2004, the total
gross revenue to the school trust
from the General Recreational Use
Licenses was approximately $183,660.
From March 1 through June 30, 2004,
$515,628 in revenue was created
under Conservation License sales.
As a result, the recreational
revenue created totaled $699,288.
School trust lands State-wide total
5,160,692 surface acres {DNRC Annual
Report 2004) . Therefore, the
average gross revenue is
approximately $0.136/acre ($699,288
divided by 5,160,692 acres) for FY
2004.
Applying the State-wide average
revenue per acre to State land
within the project area
(approximately 10,640 acres), this
land produced estimated revenue of
$1,447.04 from General Recreational
Use and Conservation licenses,
assuming the project area receives
an average amount of paid
recreational use.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
DIRECT EFFECTS
• Direct Effects ofJWo-^lction JlUernative Jl to
Recreation
Recreational uses and revenue
would not change.
• Direct Effects of ./let ion Alternatives B, C, D,
and E to Recreation
Under any action alternative,
harvesting activities may
temporarily disturb normal game-
movement patterns, which may
affect hunter success during
project implementation. The
activities may also briefly affect
cross-country skiing and hiking
due to increased noise associated
with project activities. The
harvesting of Unit 27-19, adjacent
to Soup Creek Campground, would be
planned for winter (November 16
through March 31); thus, no effect
to hunting or recreational
campground use is anticipated.
Finally, Soup Creek Campground
will be closed during the winter
for a short period to remove
hazard trees during project
implementation. The winter
closure would not be expected to
conflict with periods of high use.
Short delays due to log hauling,
snowplowing, and road construction
may inconvenience cross-country
skiers, snowmobilers, bicyclists,
and other recreationists .
However, recreational use and
revenue income from outfitting.
General Recreational Use Licenses,
and wildlife conservation licenses
are not expected to change with
the implementation of this
project .
The status of open, restricted,
and closed roads would not change
with the implementation of this
project .
INDIRECT EFFECTS
• indirect Effects ofJWo-Jlction Alternative Jl to
Recreation
No change is anticipated.
• Indirect Effects of Action Alternatives B, C,
D, and E to Recreation
The amount of recreational use
within the project area may change
during project implementation.
Recreational users may use
adjacent areas to avoid harvesting
and log-hauling activities.
Recreational use and revenue
income from Outfitting, General
Recreational Use, and Conservation
licenses are not expected to
change .
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
• Cnmtilative Effects ofJWo-Action Alternative
A to Recreation
Some recreational users may be
reluctant to use roads within the
project area if roads continue to
deteriorate due to the lack of
maintenance associated with the
commercial activity. However,
recreational use and revenue
income from Outfitting and General
Recreational Use licenses are not
expected to change.
• Cntniilative Effects of Action Alternatives B,
C, D, and E to Recreation
The harvesting and log-hauling
activities within the project area
may temporarily displace
recreational use to areas adjacent
to the project area. All levels
of existing recreational use on
Swan River State Forest are
expected to continue. Therefore,
revenue income from Outfitting,
General Recreational Use, and
Conservation licenses are not
expected to change.
APPENDIX J
AIR QUALITY
INTRODUCTION
During scoping, a concern was
expressed that timber harvesting and
associated activities may negatively
affect air guality. Two specific
issues were studied in detail:
• Air quality could be affected by
smoke from project-related logging
slash and prescribed burning.
• Air quality may also be affected
by road dust created from
harvesting and log-hauling
activities .
METHODS
The methodologies used to analyze
effects to air quality include
estimating the location, amount, and
timing of smoke and dust generated
by project-related activities.
ANALYSIS AREA
The analysis area for air quality
includes all of Lake County, which
is part of Montana Airshed 2 as
defined by the Montana/Idaho Airshed
Group smoke-management program.
EXISTING CONDITION
Currently, the project area
contributes very low levels of air
pollution into the analysis area or
local population centers. Temporary
reductions in air quality from the
project area exist in the summer and
fall due to smoke generated from
prescribed burns on the Flathead
Indian Reservation or other upwind
sources. Locally, dust is produced
by vehicles driving on dirt roads.
None of the air-quality reductions
affect local population centers
beyond EPA standards. The project
area lies northwest of the Bob
Marshall Wilderness Area, which is a
Class 1 airshed. All burning
activities by major burners comply
with emission levels authorized by
the Montana/Idaho Airshed Group.
The project area is outside of the
local high population impact zones,
where additional restrictions may be
imposed to protect air quality.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
DIRECT EFFECTS
• afreet Effeefs ofJWo-Jletion Mtemative ,1 to
Klir QtialUy
The existing condition would not
change .
• Direet Effeets Common to Jetton Alternatives
B, C,D, and E to Jlir finality
Postharvest burning would produce
smoke emissions; log hauling and
other project-related traffic on
dirt roads would increase road
dust during dry periods. Members
of the smoke-monitoring unit pay
according to the amount of
particles released to the
atmosphere as measured by the tons
of fuel that will be burned. Each
alternative may be expected to
generate similar amounts of fuel
to burn. No increase in emissions
is expected to exceed standards or
impact local population centers or
the Class 1 airsheds that exist to
the east within the Bob Marshall
Wilderness Area, provided that
burning is completed within the
requirements imposed by the
Montana/Idaho Airshed Group and
dust abatement is applied to roads
during dry periods .
INDIRECT EFFECTS
• Indirect Effects ofJVo-,/lction Alternative vl to
Jlir Quality
The existing condition would not
change .
• Indirect Ejects Common to Action
Alternatires B, C,D, and E to Air Quality
Since emissions are expected to
remain within the air-quality
standards, no indirect effects to
human health at local population
centers are anticipated.
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
• Cinniflatit'e Effects ofJWo-Jlction Jllternative
,/l to ^lir QtialUy
The existing condition would not
change .
• Cnmiilative Effects Common to .Iction
Jllternatives B, C,D, and E to ^dir Quality
Additional smoke produced from
prescribed burning on adjacent
USFS, private industrial
forestlands, and State school
trust lands would remain within
the standards for air quality.
The cumulative effects during peak
burning periods could affect
individuals with respiratory
illnesses at local population
centers for short durations. All
known major burners operate under
the requirements of Montana/Idaho
Airshed Group, which regulate the
amount of emissions produced
cumulatively by major burners.
APPENDIX K
AESTHETICS ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
In regard to the Three Creeks Timber
Sale Project, the concern was raised
that forest-management activities
may affect aesthetics. The public
generally views the project area
while sightseeing or recreating.
ANALYSIS METHODS
The existing conditions and
potential impacts to the current
views are presented from the
perspective of 3 viewing categories.
Foreground views include vegetation
and topography that are next to
roads or trails. Middleground views
take in hillsides or drainages from
roads and trails. Background views
consist of horizons, mountain
ranges, or valleys.
The foreground and middleground
views are discussed in regard to
changes in vegetation, soil, and
timber stands along roads. The
analysis area for these views is
along Soup Creek, Cilly Creek, and
South Lost Creek roads, as well as
various hiking and cross-country
skiing trails .
Background views were analyzed based
on the openness of the proposed
harvest areas and the patterns of
trees that would be left in those
areas. The analysis area for this
view is the central Swan Range on
the east side of Swan River State
Forest as viewed from Highway 83.
EXISTING CONDITION
Foreground views along open roads
and trails in the project area
consist of the immediate landscape
up to 200 feet in distance. The
foreground views are of open and
dense forest stands and openings
caused by previous harvesting
activities. Firewood gathering and
salvage logging have caused some
damage to residual live trees; limbs
and tops are scattered along skid
trails, roads, and ditches.
Middleground views along open roads
and trails in the project area are
the visible landscape 200 to 1,000
feet in distance, which usually
consists of hillsides or drainages.
The middleground views are of open
and dense multiple-aged forest
stands. On State ownership, areas
that have been harvested in the past
range from 10 to 150 acres and have
a dense cover of 6- to 40-foot
trees. The old boundaries of
harvest units usually follow
straight lines and, therefore,
appear unnatural .
Background views of the project area
are a collection of drainages and
ridges that make up a portion of the
central Swan Range. The vegetation
is a mixture of dense mature forests
and past harvest units. Past
harvest units range from having few
trees to dense retentions of mature
trees and abundant tree
regeneration. The background
landscape of the project area is
rarely visible unless viewed from
the Soup Creek Road/Highway 83
junction; otherwise, middleground
trees obscure visibility for 200 to
1,000 feet.
ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS
DIRECT EFFECTS
• afreet Effeefs ofJWo-jletion JlUernative ./I to
Jlestheties
Due to lack of forest-management
activities, shrubs and trees would
continue to grow along the roads
and limit views.
• Direet Effeets ofJletion ^llternatives B, C, D,
and E to wlestlieties
Treatment methods utilized include
commercial thinning, seedtree,
seedtree with reserves,
shelterwood, and sanitation
(within the Soup Creek
Campground) . As described in
CHAPTER II - ALTERNATIVES, the
acreage proposed for treatment
varies by alternative. These
treatments would aesthetically
affect the harvest area by:
- opening views;
- causing some damage to the
residual vegetation;
- creating logging slash;
- disturbing soil along skid
trails and landings;
- constructing new roads; and
- creating temporary landing piles
along roads within the project
area .
Generally, the foreground views
would be altered because fewer
residual trees would remain. In
portions of the project area, the
treatments would allow visibility
into the middleground, which would
appear altered, more open, and
have fewer residual trees. The
background views, only visible
from the Soup Creek Road/Highway
83 junction, would appear altered
and show a variety of tree
densities remaining on the
landscape .
INDIRECT EFFECTS
• Indirect Effects ofJVo-Jlction Alternative Jl to
Jlesthetics
Aesthetics would not be indirectly
affected by this alternative.
• Indirect Ejects of Action JlUernatiees B, C,
D, and E to Jlesthetics
For units that would receive
seedtree or seedtree-with-reserves
harvest treatments, tree density
in the affected area would appear
similar to the results of a
moderately severe fire. For areas
of other treatments, the tree
density remaining would appear
similar to the results of a low-
intensity fire of mixed severity.
In both scenarios, the species
retained will typically be those
of early serai stages that would
survive these types of fires .
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS
The following effects of other
projects may influence the
cumulative effects of aesthetics on
the 3 viewing categories:
1) Environmental processes on the
landscape, such as wildfires,
windstorms, insect infestations,
and disease infections, would
continue to alter views over
time .
2) Salvage harvesting and firewood
gathering would alter the
foreground by damaging vegetation
along roads and leaving some
debris on surfaces of roads and
skid trails and in ditchlines.
Salvage permits administered by
DNRC would keep roadside debris
to a minimum. Middleground views
would appear altered with fewer
trees . Background views would
remain largely unaltered due to
the minimal size of the salvage
harvest areas on the landscape.
3) Previous harvest units of the
Goat Squeezer timber sales south
of the project area, have
resulted in altered views with
fewer trees along all 3 viewing
categories .
• Cnmtilatice Effects of J\o- Action Alternative
A to Aesthetics
Cumulative effects would be those
described above with no additional
impacts from project activities.
• Cnmtilatice Effects of Action Altematires B,
C, D, and E to Aesthetics
Any of the action alternatives
would result in no additional
changes to aesthetics, beyond
those expected due to
environmental processes and other
proposed or ongoing projects.
Over time, the altered views may
be less visible due to natural
processes and forest succession.
APPENDIX L
SCOPING AND MAILING LIST
JANE ADAMS
1401 4™ AVENUE WEST
KALISPELL MT 59901
ALLIANCE FOR THE WILD ROCKIES
PO BOX 8731
MISSOULA MT 59807
ROGER BERGERMEIER
MONTANA TRUST
616 SIMMONS DRIVE
MISSOULA MT 59803
BIGFORK EAGLE
BOX 406
BIGFORK MT 59911
STEVE BRADY
SWAN LAKE RANGER DISTRICT
200 RANGER STATION ROAD
BIGFORK MT 59911
KATHY BRAMER
OFFICE OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
PO BOX 202501
HELENA MT 59620-2501
KEVIN CHAPPELL
AG & GRAZING MGMT BUREAU
DNRC TRUST LAND MGMT DIVISION
PO BOX 201601
HELENA MT 59620-1601
SOIL SCIENTIST
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
ANN DAHL
SWAN ECOSYSTEM CENTER
68 8 7 HWY 83
CONDON MT 59826
PAUL ENGELMAN FOREST ECONOMIST
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
ELLEN ENGSTEDT
MT WOOD PRODUCTS ASSOCIATION
21 NORTH LAST CHANCE GULCH SUITE 207
PO BOX 1149
HELENA MT 59624
ALLEN BRANINE
FIRE SUPERVISOR
SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
34925 MT HWY 83
SWAN LAKE, MT 59911
DAN BUSHNELL MT DNRC, ISS
CENTRALIZED SERVICES DIVISION
PO BOX 201601
HELENA MT 59620-1601
TOMMY BUTLER
LEGAL COUNCIL
DNRC
PO BOX 201601
HELENA MT 59620-1601
STEVE CALDBECK
21201 BUFFALO BRIDGE ROAD
BIG ARM MT 59910
WILLIAM ENSIGN
900 RAINBOW DRIVE
BIGFORK MT 59911
BRENNAN FERGUSON
FERGUSON FOREST PATHOLOGY
CONSULTING, INC
P.O. BOX 2127
MISSOULA MT 59806-2127
STEVE FUECHT
PO BOX 1266
CONDON MT 59826
STEVE FUNKE
578 1ST AVE EAST NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
DONALD GEE
RT 1 MEADOW CREEK ROAD
BIGFORK MT 59911
RANDY GORDON
SWAN ROUTE
BIGFORK MT 59911
DAVID GROESCHL BUREAU CHIEF
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
PAT HEFFERNAN
MONTANA LOGGING ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 1716
KALISPELL MT 59901
CESER HERNANDEZ
MONTANA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION
307 1ST AVE E STE 20
KALISPELL MT 59901-4965
TONY M HULETT LOGGING
PO BOX 5102
SWAN LAKE MT 5 9911
JOEY JAYNE
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
2 99 LAMPRY ROAD
ARLEE MT 59821-9747
SARA JOHNSON
15 KOA ROAD
THREE FORKS MT 59752
JEFF JUEL
ECOSYSTEM DEFENSE DIRECTOR
WILD WEST INSTITUTE
PO BOX 7998
MISSOULA MT 59807
STEVE KELLY
BOX 4641
BOZEMAN MT 59772
JIM KRANTZ
PLUM CREEK TIMBER COMPANY
PO BOX 1990
COLUMBIA FALLS MT 59912
FRED LESTIKO
SOUP CREEK RANCH
132 BUFFALO STAGE ROAD
KALISPELL MT 59901
STUART LEWIN
615 3RD AVENUE NORTH
GREAT FALLS MT 59401
TOM LITCHFIELD WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
DEPARTMENT OF FISH WILDLIFE & PARKS
4 90 N MERIDIAN ROAD
KALISPELL MT 59901-3854
LUCKOW LOGGING INC
PO BOX 5200
SWAN LAKE MT 5 9911
BRIAN LONG
INVENTORY SECTION SUPERVISOR
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
JIM MANN
DAILY INTERLAKE
727 EAST IDAHO
KALISPELL MT 59904
STEPHEN MCDONALD
FORESTRY DEPARTMENT
CONFEDERATED SALISH AND
KOOTENAI TRIBES
104 MAIN STREET SE
RONAN MT 59864
NORM MERZ
WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST
NORTHWESTERN LAND OFFICE
2250 HWY 93 NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
NEIL MEYER
SWAN VALLEY AD HOC COMMITTEE
52143 SALMON PRAIRIE ROAD
SWAN LAKE MT 5 9911
MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION
CENTER
PO BOX 1184
HELENA MT 59624
MONTANANS FOR MULTIPLE USE
BOX 1557
KALISPELL MT 59903
ARLENE MONTGOMERY
FRIENDS OF THE WILD SWAN
PO BOX 5103
SWAN LAKE MT 5 9911
DOUG MOOD
PYRAMID MOUNTAIN LUMBER
PO BOX 549
SEELEY LAKE MT 59868
BILL MOORE
PO BOX 977
CONDON MT 59826
BUD MOORE
PO BOX 1070
CONDON MT 59826
TONY NELSON HYDROLOGIST
NORTHWESTERN LAND OFFICE
2250 HWY 93 NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
TOM AND MELANIE PARKER
PO BOX 1340
CONDON MT 5 982 6
MARK P HARES
DNRC LEGAL COUNSEL
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
SARAH PIERCE MEPA SPECIALIST
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804-3199
PLUM CREEK TIMBERLANDS
PO BOX 567
3360 MT HWY 83 N
SEELEY LAKE MT 59868
PATRICK RENNIE
DNRC ARCHEOLOGIST
1625 11'
AVENUE
HELENA MT 59620
STEVE ROLFING
600 BLACKMER LANE
COLUMBIA FALLS MT 59912
SCOTT RUMSEY
FISHERIES BIOLOGIST
DEPARTMENT OF FISH WILDLIFE AND
PARKS
4 90 N MERIDIAN ROAD
KALISPELL MT 59901-3854
GORDON SANDERS
PYRAMID MOUNTAIN LUMBER
PO BOX 549
SEELEY LAKE MT 59868
BOB SANDMAN AREA MANAGER
NORTHWESTERN LAND OFFICE
2250 HWY 93 NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
TOM SCHULTZ
TRUST LAND MANAGEMENT
PO BOX 201601
HELENA MT 59620-1601
ROGER SHERMAN
1370 4TH AVENUE WESTNORTH
COLUMBIA FALLS MT 59912
LYNDEE STEVENSON
PO BOX 1061
CONDON MT 59826
RON BUENTEMEIER
FH STOLTZE LAND & LUMBER
PO BOX 1429
COLUMBIA FALLS MT 59912
SWAN VIEW COALITION
3165 FOOTHILL ROAD
KALISPELL MT 59901
PAT TABOR
PO BOX 5081
SWAN LAKE MT 5 9911
SHAWN THOMAS
MANAGER FORESTRY AND LANDS PROGRAMS
NORTHWESTERN LAND OFFICE
2250 HWY 93 NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
STEVE THOMPSON
NATURAL RESOURCE CONSULTANT
BOX 4471
WHITEFISH MT 59937
TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE
CONFEDERATED SALISH AND KOOTENAI
TRIBES
PO BOX 278
PABLO MT 59855
DAVE VAN NICE
OFFICE OF STATE AUDITOR
PO BOX 4009
HELENA MT 59604
MIKE VOLESKY POLICY ADVISOR
GOVERNOR' S OFFICE
ROOM 204, STATE CAPITOL
BOX 200801
HELENA MT 59620-0801
TOM WEAVER
DEPT FISH WILDLIFE AND PARKS
4 90 N MERIDIAN ROAD
KALISPELL MT 59901-3854
CANDACE WEST
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
PO BOX 201401
HELENA MT 59620-1401
ALLEN WOLF
SILVICULTURE SUPERVISOR
NORTHWESTERN LAND OFFICE
2250 HWY 93 NORTH
KALISPELL MT 59901
ROGER ZIESAK
FOREST MANAGEMENT BUREAU
2705 SPURGIN ROAD
MISSOULA MT 59804
GLOSSARY
Acre-foot
A measure of water or sediment
volume equal to an amount of
material that would cover 1 acre to
a depth of 1 foot.
Action alternative
One of several ways of moving toward
the project objectives.
Adf luvial
A fish that out migrates to a lake
as a juvenile to sexually mature and
returns to natal stream to spawn.
Administrative road use
Road use that is restricted to DNRC
personnel and contractors for
purposes such as monitoring, forest
improvement, fire control, hazard
reduction, etc.
Airshed
An area defined by a certain set of
air conditions; typically a mountain
valley where air movement is
constrained by natural conditions
such as topography.
Ameliorate
To make better; improve.
Background view
Views of distant horizons, mountain
ranges, or valleys from roads or
trails .
Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Guidelines to direct forest
activities, such as logging and road
construction, for the protection of
soils and water quality.
Biodiversity
The variety of life and its
processes, including the variety of
living organisms, the genetic
differences among them, and the
communities and ecosystems where
they occur.
Board foot
144 cubic inches of wood that is
equivalent to a piece of lumber 1-
inch thick by 1 foot wide by 1 foot
long .
Canopy
The upper level of a forest
consisting of branches and leaves of
the taller trees.
Canopy closure
The percentage of a given area
covered by the crowns, or canopies,
of trees.
Cavity
A hollow excavated in trees by birds
or other animals. Cavities are used
for roosting and reproduction by
many birds and mammals.
Centimeter
A distance equal to .3937 inch.
Commercial-thin harvesting
A harvest that cuts a portion of the
merchantable trees within a stand to
provide growing space for the trees
that are retained. For the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project, thinning
would reduce stand densities to
approximately 80 to 110 trees per
acre .
Compaction
The increase in soil density caused
by force exerted at the soil
surface, modifying aeration and
nutrient availability.
Connectivity
The quality, extent, or state of
being joined; unity; the opposite of
fragmentation .
Core area
See Security Habitat (grizzly
bears) .
Cover
See HIDING COVER and/or THERMAL
COVER.
Coarse down woody material
Dead trees within a forest stand
that have fallen and begun
decomposing on the forest floor.
Crown cover or crown closure
The percentage of a given area
covered by the crowns of trees.
Cull
A tree of such poor quality that it
has no merchantable value in terms
of the product being cut and
manufactured .
Cumulative effect
The impact on the environment that
results from the incremental impact
of the action when added to other
actions. Cumulative impacts can
also result from individually minor
actions, but collectively they may
compound the effect of the actions.
Desired future conditions
Describes the set of forest
conditions determined by DNRC to
best meet the SFLMP objectives. The
4 main components useful for
describing an appropriate mix of
conditions are covertype
proportions, age-class
distributions, stand-structure
characteristics, and the spatial
relationships of stands (size,
shape, location, etc.); all are
assessed across the landscape.
Direct effect
Effects on the environment that
occur at the same time and place as
the initial cause or action.
Ditch relief
A method of draining water from
roads using ditches and a corrugated
metal pipe. The pipe is placed just
under the road surface.
Dominant tree
Those trees within a forest stand
that extend their crowns above
surrounding trees and capture
sunlight from above and around the
crown .
Drain dip
A graded depression built into a
road to divert water and prevent
soil erosion.
Ecosystem
An interacting system of living
organisms and the land and water
that make up their environment; the
home place of all living things,
including humans .
Embeddeness
Embeddedness refers to the degree of
armour or the tight consolidation of
substrate .
Environmental effects
The impacts or effects of a project
on the natural and human
environment .
Equivalent clearcut area (ECA)
The total area within a watershed
where timber has been harvested,
including clearcuts, partial cuts,
roads, and burns.
Allowable ECA - The estimated
number of acres that can be
clearcut before stream-channel
stability is affected.
Existing ECA - The number of
acres that have been
previously harvested taking
into account the degree of
hydrologic recovery that has
occurred due to revegetation .
Remaining ECA - The calculated
amount of harvesting that may
occur without substantially
increasing the risk of causing
detrimental effects to stream-
channel stability.
Excavator piling
The piling of logging residue
(slash) using an excavator.
Fire regimes
Describes the frequency, type, and
severity of wildfires. Examples
include: frequent, nonlethal
underburns; mixed-severity fires;
and stand-replacement or lethal
burns .
Fluvial
A fish that outmigrates to a river
from its natal stream as a juvenile
to sexually mature in the river and
returns to its natal stream to
spawn .
Forage
All browse and nonwoody plants
available to wildlife for grazing.
Foreground view
The view immediately adjacent to a
road or trail .
Forest improvement (FI)
The establishment and growing of
trees after a site has been
harvested. Associated activities
include :
- site preparation, planting,
survival checks, regeneration
surveys, and stand thinnings;
- road maintenance;
- resource monitoring;
- noxious weed management; and
- right-of-way acguisition on a State
forest .
Fragmentation (forest)
A reduction of connectivity and an
increase in sharp stand edges
resulting when large contiguous
areas of forest with similar age and
structural characteristics are
interrupted through disturbances,
such as stand-replacement fires and
timber-stand harvesting.
Frass
Debris or excrement produced by
insects .
Geomorphological processes
The observed proportions of habitat
types for each reach are within the
broad ranges of expected conditions.
Habitat
The place where a plant or animal
naturally or normally lives and
grows .
Habitat type
Land areas that would produce
similar plant communities if left
undisturbed for a long period of
time .
Harvest units
Areas of timber proposed for
harvesting .
Hazard reduction
The abatement of a fire hazard by
processing logging residue with
methods such as separation, removal,
scattering, lopping, crushing,
piling and burning, broadcast
burning, burying, and chipping.
Hiding cover
Vegetation capable of hiding 90
percent of a standing adult mammal
from human view at a distance of 200
feet .
Historical forest condition
The condition of the forest prior to
settlement by Europeans.
Indirect effects
Secondary effects that occur in
locations other than the initial
action or significantly later in
time .
Intermediate trees
Characteristics of certain tree
species that allow them to survive
in relatively low-light conditions,
although they may not thrive.
Interdisciplinary team (ID Team)
A team of resource specialists
brought together to analyze the
effects of a project on the
environment .
Landscape
An area of land with interacting
ecosystems .
McNeil Coring
McNeil coring is a method used to
determine the size range of material
in streambed spawning sites.
Meter
A distance egual to 39.37 inches.
Middleground view
The view that is 200 to 1,000 feet
from a road or trail, usually
consisting of hillsides and
drainages .
Millimeter
A distance egual to .03937 inch.
Mitigation measure
An action or policy designed to
reduce or prevent detrimental
effects .
Multistoried stands
Timber stands with 2 or more
distinct stories.
Nest site area (bald eagle)
The area in which human activity or
development may stimulate the
abandonment of the breeding area,
affect successful completion of the
nesting cycle, or reduce
productivity. It is either mapped
for a specific nest, based on field
data, or, if that is impossible, is
defined as the area within a V4-mile
radius of all nest sites in the
breeding area that have been active
within the past 5 years.
No— action alternative
The option of maintaining the status
quo and continuing present
management activities by not
implementing the proposed project.
Nonforested area
A naturally occurring area, (such as
a bog, natural meadow, avalanche
chute, and alpine areas) where trees
do not establish over the long term.
Old growth
Working definition - Old growth as
defined by Green et al.
Conceptual definition - The term old
growth is sometimes used to describe
the later, or older, stages of
natural development of forest
stands. Characteristics associated
with old-growth generally include
relatively large old trees that
contain a wide variation in tree
sizes, exhibit some degree of a
multistoried structure, have signs
of decadence, such as rot and spike-
topped structure, and contain
standing large snags and large down
logs .
Overstory
The level of the forest canopy that
include the crowns of dominant,
codominant, and intermediate trees.
Patch
A discrete (individually distinct)
area of forest connected to other
discrete forest areas by relatively
narrow corridors; an ecosystem
element (such as vegetation) that is
relatively homogeneous internally,
but differs from what surrounds it.
Potential nesting habitat (bald
eagle)
Sometimes referred to as ''suitable
nesting habitat', areas that have no
history of occupancy by breeding
bald eagles, but contain potential
to do so.
Project file
A public record of the analysis
process, including all documents
that form the basis for the project
analysis. The project file for the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project EIS
is located at the Swan River State
Forest headquarters office at Goat
Creek .
Redds
The spawning ground or nest of
various fish species.
Regeneration
The replacement of one forest stand
by another as a result of natural
seeding, sprouting, planting, or
other methods .
Reinitiation
The first phase of the process of
stand development.
Resident
Pertaining to fish, resides and
reproduces in natal stream.
Residual stand
Trees that remain standing following
any cutting operation.
Road— construction activities
In general, "road-construction
activities" refers to all activities
conducted while building new roads,
reconstructing existing roads, and
obliterating roads. These
activities may include any or all of
the following:
- constructing road
- clearing right-of-way
- excavating cut/fill material
- installing road surface and ditch
drainage features
- installing culverts at stream
crossings
- burning right-of-way slash
- hauling and installing borrow
material
- blading and shaping road surfaces
Road improvements
Construction projects on an existing
road to improve the ease of travel,
safety, drainage, and water quality.
Saplings
Trees 1.0 inches to 4.0 inches dbh .
Sawtimber trees
Trees with a minimum dbh of 9
inches .
Scarification
The mechanized gouging and ripping
of surface vegetation and litter to
expose mineral soil and enhance the
establishment of natural
regeneration.
Scoping
The process of determining the
extent of the environmental
assessment task. Scoping includes
public involvement to learn which
issues and concerns should be
addressed and the depth of the
assessment that will be required.
It also includes a review of other
factors such as laws, policies,
actions by other landowners, and
jurisdictions of other agencies that
may affect the extent of assessment
needed.
Security
For wild animals, the freedom from
the likelihood of displacement or
mortality due to human disturbance
or confrontation.
Security habitat (grizzly bears)
An area of a minimum of 2,500 acres
that is at least 0.3 miles from
trails or roads with motorized
travel and high-intensity,
nonmotorized use during the
nondenning period.
Seedlings
Live trees less than 1.0 inch dbh.
Seedtree harvesting
Removes all trees from a stand
except 6 to 10 seed-bearing trees
per acre that are retained to
provide a seed source for stand
regeneration.
Sediment
Solid material, mineral or organic,
that is suspended and transported or
deposited in bodies of water.
Sediment yield
The amount of sediment that is
carried to streams.
Serai
Refers to a biotic community that is
in a developmental, transitional
stage in ecological succession.
Shade intolerant
Describes tree species that
generally can only reproduce and
grow in the open or where the
overstory is broken and allows
sufficient sunlight to penetrate.
Often these are serai species that
get replaced by more shade-tolerant
species during succession. In Swan
River State Forest, shade-intolerant
species generally include ponderosa
pine, western larch, Douglas-fir,
western white pine, and lodgepole
pine .
Shade tolerant
Describes tree species that can
reproduce and grow under the canopy
in poor sunlight conditions. These
species replace less shade-tolerant
species during succession. In Swan
River State Forest, shade-tolerant
species generally include subalpine
fir, grand fir, Douglas-fir,
Engelmann spruce, western hemlock,
and western red cedar.
Sight distance
The distance at which 90 percent of
an animal is hidden from view by
vegetation .
Silviculture
The art and science of managing the
establishment, composition, and
growth of forests to accomplish
specific objectives.
Site Preparation
A hand or mechanized manipulation of
a harvested site to enhance the
success of regeneration. Treatments
are intended to modify the soil,
litter, and vegetation to create
microclimate conditions conducive to
the establishment and growth of
desired species.
Slash
Branches, tops, and cull trees left
on the ground following timber
harvesting .
Snag
A standing dead tree or the portion
of a broken-off tree. Snags may
provide feeding and/or nesting sites
for wildlife.
Spur roads
Low-standard roads that are
constructed to meet minimum
requirements for harvest-related
traffic .
Stand
An aggregation of trees that are
sufficiently uniform in composition,
age, arrangement, and condition and
occupy a specific area that is
distinguishable from the adjoining
forest .
Stand density
Number of trees per acre.
Stocking
The area of a piece of land that is
now covered by trees is compared to
what could ideally grow on that same
area. The comparison is usually
expressed as a percent.
Stream gradient
The slope of a stream along its
course, usually expressed in
percentage, indicating the amount of
drop per 100 feet.
Stumpage
The value of standing trees in the
forest, sometimes used to mean the
commercial value of standing trees.
Substrate scoring
Rating of streambed particle sizes.
Succession
The natural series of replacement of
one plant (and animal) community by
another over time in the absence of
disturbance .
Suppressed
The condition of a tree
characterized by a low growth rate
and low vigor due to overcrowding
competition with overtopping trees.
Texture
A term used in visual assessments
indicating distinctive or
identifying features of the
landscape depending on distance.
Thermal cover
For white-tailed deer, thermal cover
has 70 percent or more coniferous
canopy closure at least 20 feet
above the ground, generally
requiring trees to be 40 feet or
taller. For elk and mule deer,
thermal cover has 50 percent or more
coniferous canopy closure at least
20 feet above the ground, generally
requiring trees to be 40 feet or
taller .
Timber— harvesting activities Water-yield increase
In general, all activities conducted An increase in average annual runoff
to facilitate timber removal before, over natural conditions due to the
during, and after the timber is removal of the forest canopy,
removed. These activities may
include any or all of the following:
- felling standing trees and bucking
them into logs
- skidding logs to a landing
-processing, sorting, and loading
logs at the landing
- hauling logs to a mill
- slashing and sanitizing residual
vegetation damaged during logging
- machine piling logging slash
- burning logging slash
- scarifying, preparing the site as a
seedbed
- planting trees
Understory
The trees and other woody species
growing under a, more-or-less,
continuous cover of branches and
foliage formed collectively by the
overstory of adjacent trees and
other woody growth.
Uneven-aged stand
Various ages and sizes of trees
growing together on a uniform site.
Ungulates
Hoofed mammals, such as mule deer,
white-tailed deer, elk, and moose,
that are mostly herbivorous; many
are horned or antlered.
Vigor
The degree of health and growth of a
tree or stand.
Visual screening
The vegetation that obscures or
reduces the length of view of an
animal .
Watershed
The region or area drained by a
river or other body of water.
Water yield
The average annual runoff for a
particular watershed expressed in
acre-feet .
APPENDIX N
COMMENTS AND RESPONSES
This section contains comments received from parties interested in the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project DEIS and DNRC s responses to those comments. A
response is not required for those portions of the comments that stated
either an opinion or a recommendation. All comments were carefully reviewed.
DNRC appreciates both the time and thought that was involved in producing
these comments. The decisionmaker will carefully consider each received
comment to aid him in deciding on a course of action for this project.
Adams Comments
Dote R©G'd
Jane Adams
Montana Old Growth Project
1401 4*^ Avenue West
KalispeU, MT 59901
Karen Jorgenson
Swan River State Forest
34925 Highway 83
Swan Lake, Montana 5991 1
Dear Karen, October 2, 2006
Please accept the following comments on the Three Creeks timber sale DEIS. Please keep me informed
of all opportunities for public input and participation in this sale. Please plan a field trip in the near
future, preferably on a Friday or Saturday.
1 . Range of Alternatives All the alternatives are ver>' similar in terms of acres treated, location of
units, volume harvested, and do not present an adequate range of alternatives. All the alternatives
propose to build many miles of road and harvest in old growth and do not adequately address concerns
for wildlife and ecosystem integrity.
2. Sustained yield target driving volume targets One reason given for the high volume is that the
sustained yield was increased to 53.2 MMBF. The sustained yield calculation is flawed for a number of
reasons and is an unsustainably high volume target (let me know if you would like me to elaborate - I
can go on for pages). It is not good forest stewardship to allow a volume target to dictate land
management practices.
VEGETATION ANALYSES
3. Current versus historic amounts of Old Growth, and desired future condition It is stated in inany
places throughout the DEIS that the current age class distribution is not representative of the desired
Mure condition; that older age classes are over-represented and younger age classes are under-
represented. For example, the DEIS states (appendix pg C-9) "Comparison of the current age-class
distribution by covertype across the entire SRSF to historical data from Section M333C demonstrates
reduced acreage in the seedling-sapling age class and an overabundance in the 1 50 year old age
class.''' Every scientific analysis of historic versus current conditions has concluded otherwise; that there
is fer less old growth today than historically. DNRC's erroneous conclusion is due to a faulty analysis
of historic versus current conditions. This analysis needs a major overhaul.
The DEIS uses different scales to compare historic to current conditions. DNRC is comparing
ctirrent conditions on the SRSF to historic conditions on the climatic section. This is comparing
apples to oranges. Instead, the DEIS should compare current conditions on the SRSF to historic
conditions on the SRSF, and current conditions on the climatic section to historic conditions on the
climatic section. Rather, historic conditions on the SRSF are briefly presented but not carried through
the analyses, and current conditions on the larger scale of the climatic section are never presented at all.
DNRC Response
Opening paragraph in letter
A public field trip regarding the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project EIS was held in
June 2005. An additional field trip was planned and cancelled in September 2005 due
to lack of public interest and participation. No future public field trips are
planned at this time for the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area.
DNRC will continue to inform all interested parties of opportunities for public input
and participation in current and future projects. DNRC also encourages interested
parties to view current and future project areas on an individual basis at any time.
1. Please refer to response #41 - Friends of the Wild Swan comment letter.
2. Thank you for your comments.
3. The commenter asserts that there are many references to a desired future
condition related to age classes. However, DNRC has not identified a desired
future condition for stand age classes. The confusion may result from
descriptions presented in the DEIS of average historic conditions for age classes
that suggest current conditions may be higher or lower than those expected.
However, it should not be construed that DNRC has determined a target or a
desired future condition for age classes.
As to the assertion that other analyses have shown contrary results to those
presented in the DEIS, DNRC is unaware of any analysis conducted specifically for
Swan River State Forest other than the many specific analyses conducted by DNRC
over the years. Every previous MEPA analysis conducted on Swan River State
Forest has supported and corroborated the conclusions reached in this DEIS
analysis. Because the commenter has not identified any other applicable
references, DNRC has no reason to believe the extensive analyses we have
conducted and relied on are incorrect.
The commenter' s assertion that DNRC is using different scales to compare historic
and current forest conditions may stem from a misconception regarding the meaning
of ^historic' conditions. With the SFLMP, subsequent guidance, and ARM, the term
refers to a condition that promotes long-term landscape-level diversity and does
not refer to any one particular historic date or time. DNRC has never intended
the term to refer to a single point-in-time snapshot with its correspondingly
static view of the environment, believing that such views of the natural
landscape seldom represent sustainable or reproducible conditions. If one were
to accept the snapshot view of the forested landscape, one could end up
clearcutting the entire Swan River State Forest with a single project, or never
cutting any of it until it all burned up, while simultaneously claiming those
conditions represented historical conditions. Such wild swings in forested
conditions are not likely to be sustainable nor particularly desirable to the
public. Hence, DNRC takes the position that historic point-in-time snapshots can
provide information to help guide management, but they do not provide a cookie
cutter with which to stamp out a desired future condition for Swan River State
Forest .
DNRC uses an ecological-based approach to determine average historical conditions
that relies on historic age-class distributions by covertype to characterize
long-term average conditions by covertype. Then, those characterizations are
applied to Swan River State Forest to determine what a long-term average historic
condition would look like. The comparison is between similar stands on similar
sites with similar growing conditions and does not mix scales. Doing so makes
drawing direct comparisons between current conditions and average historic
conditions possible.
The approach also avoids undue reliance on microscale, point— in-time observations
that can be wildly skewed in one direction or another because of single
disturbance events. The nearby Condon Fire in 2003 provides an example of the
problems posed by using small-scale, point-in-time observations to indicate a
desired future condition. The fire resulted in an area that is about the size of
Swan River State Forest being mostly reduced to a nonstocked condition (i.e.,
stand replacement fire) . Such an event could easily occur on an area as small as
Adams Comments
In bK)ki are the values DNRC chooses to compare, and in parenthesis are ihe values it ignores in the
analj'sis. Ft is only by this eomparison ufapples ti> oranges that DH^V is able lo concludle Ihat there ts
currenlly more o!d groMh now than liistorically.
Historic Old growth Current Qldi lrowth
Climatic Section 29% (3%)
Sg5F (74%) 32.4%
Tlie SRSF had tar grealtfr amounts of old growth liistoricalJy thou the clmiatic section, 74% on the
SRSP versus 29% on the climatic section. Tlie DEIS acknowfedgeij thts (appendix pg C-), but
dimiisses this fact a.s irrelevant wl>en doing the analysis of historicai versus current conditions. There is
no justidcation Ibr ignorine histLiric^ conditions on the SRSF and current conditions on the climaiit-
sectioa They both are inlc^iral parts of this analysis and siniply mentioning Ihcm as sidelines is not
enough.
4. The DEIS does not analyze historic verus current within-.stand conditions The DEIS states
(appendix pg C-i) 'The rtiajorily of the acres (54 percentj in the project area have never been
harvested". This means that 46% have been harvested with some type of treatni^nt, liven salvage
harvesting, often coiisidered relatively Jow-bnpact, removes liabitat components critical tor many
wildlife species and fc)r the healthy fui5Ctioning of old growth- The (bllowing analyses should all
consider past within stand harvesting: Quantity ofold growth and old stands. Quanlity ofold growth
attributes (the FOGI anaSysis); Wildlife species associated with kirgc trees, snags and downed wood;
and the vegetation cumulative eftects analysis, t'or example, the DEIS states thut the SRSF currently
has I2,47S acres of old growth, wtiich is 32.4% of the total acreage. However, there is no astiessment
ofhow many of these acres have been subjected to selective and salvage bar\'estinK in (he past. This
needs to be analyzed and cleJirly stated,
Iti addition to analyzing past witliin-stand haivesling. the DEIS needs to acknowledge that ail the action
altemaiives would move wilhtn-stand conditions hirther frotii historic in teniis of quantities of large
trees, and large snags and snag recruits. Table C-10 on page C-42 shows that all action alternatives
would increase the acres of staixls with a low FOGI classification, and decrease the acres of stands with
medium and high levels. ITiis is clearly agamsl the rules and SFLMP.
5. Ajhhti jiction altemaiives wouki move conditions further from historic, which is against \M
phibsonhv of the SFLMP aiid Rnifis . Acres of old stands, acres of old growth, patch si/t', w ithiii-staiid
amuunts of large trees, sn^^^s and snag recniils all would move further from historic conditions, AIJ f)f
these arc critical for matnlaining ecosystem integrity, forest health aud wikliife hahitiil, und they all have
already been seriously impacted by past forest management. The entire management approach in the
Sll .Ml' and rules is based on the coarse filter approach. The rules define coarse filter as ^'tj cnana
filter approach assumes that if lamhcafX pctiiertLV and processes similar to those species evolved with
lira muiniiiined. then (he full campkmsnt afspeciea will persist and biodiversity will he mainktimd".
The rules alw st:ite 36. 1 1 .407 Biodiversity- Manaaement on Blocked lands ^'Within areas of large
blocked owner xhip. the department shall mamigefar a desired future' amdititw that can be
cliuruvterized bv the proportion and distrihutUm of forest types and structures historically present on
4.
DNRC Response
Swan River State Forest and yield similar results, i.e., a single uniform age
class with no old age or old-growth stands represented.
Finally, every previous professional review of the DNRC analysis procedures,
including the Scientific Review Committee for Old Growth, has supported the DNRC
process. All of those reviews have clearly stated that determining a desired
future condition for an area such as Swan River State Forest should not be based
on a single point-in-time assessment conducted at the local level. Desired
future conditions are meant to be reflective of an average desirable condition,
not a static precept taken at a time that may or may not be sustainable or even
reproducible. Desired future conditions generally avoid targeting extreme
conditions due to the impossibility of exerting such a high level of control over
the natural environment, and DNRC recognizes the fallacy of targeting
unsustainable conditions.
The commenter' s assertion that 74 percent of Swan River State Forest existed as
old growth is an incorrect interpretation of the information presented in the
1930s inventory. The 74 percent represents a single point-in-time, coarse
estimate of the amount of stands over 160 years that also had a minimum of 4 Mbf
per acre. It is not, and cannot be, an estimate of old growth because it relies
solely on age and 4 Mbf per acre and ignores all other attributes, including
whether or not even one large live tree is present. Additional care must be
taken when interpreting the data because the stand ages in the 1930s inventory
were based only on ages of trees larger than 14-inches dbh, which greatly over-
estimates stand age compared to currently accepted procedures that base age on
all trees, or trees over 8-inches dbh. Given the data-collection procedures of
the 1930s inventory, it is clear that the 74 percent refers solely to old-age
stands having a minimum of 4 Mbf per acre and not to old-growth stands. The 74
percent is not representative of "old growth" stands which require the presence
of specified numbers, sizes, and ages of large live trees. Thus, comparing
current old-growth levels to the 1930s old-age-stand amounts will always be
misleading because only a small subset of old-age stands would meet the criteria
for assigning the old-growth label. In other words, estimates for historic
amounts of old-age stands will always be higher than the amount of old growth
that was present; in some cases, the over-estimation can be very large. For
example, even on the highly productive Swan River State Forest, old-age stands
equal 63 percent of the area within the project area {DEIS, Page C-12) , but old
growth stands equal only 42 percent of the area (DEIS, Page C-38) . The commenter
is correct in the assertion that DNRC has not stated that the 1930s estimate of
old-age stands represents old growth amounts because of the significant
differences between old age and old growth. So, while the Department avoids
implying that the 1930' s data represents old growth, the data is presented in
discussions on stand age-class distributions. Notably, the FNF old-growth
estimation of 15 percent suggests Swan River State Forest carries far more than
historical levels of old growth.
The commenter asserts that the analysis should have evaluated differences in
historic and current levels of attributes within old-growth stands. Regrettably,
no data is available to quantify historic within-stand levels of old-growth
attributes, but even if there were the fact that all stands change over time and
all old-growth stands eventually begin to fall apart, the utility of such
comparisons is marginal at best. The analysis presented in the DEIS does
acknowledge that minor salvage harvesting over the years has removed some dead
trees, thus affecting snag and subsequent coarse-woody-debris levels. One must
also consider the fact that due to various other influences, primarily fire
suppression, insect infestations, and introduced diseases, there may be more
large live trees, snags, and coarse woody debris present than would have existed
historically. Unfortunately, we have no satisfactory method available to divine
historic quantities of never-measured attributes, nor does DNRC believe such
unwarranted speculation would represent a responsible approach to trust land
stewardship .
DNRC disagrees with the assertion that ^all' action alternatives would move
stands further from historic within-stand conditions due, in part, to the many
nonquantif iable influences affecting forests and the often-opposing effects of
Adams Comments
the landscape". This sale clearly violates the intent of the SFLMP and rules.
6. DEIS needs to justifr classification of stands as old grow th after heavy harvestintf. Stands treated
with commercial thin treatments would have approximately 50% of current stocking levels.
Shelterwood units would be reduced to approximately 20% percent of current stocking levels. Stands
treated with both types treatment would be classified as old growth post-harvest. This is very heavy
cutting in old growth. Please provide scientific citations that justify classifying stands as old growth
after such heavy cutting.
The scientific experts that DNRC hired in 2000 to evaluate three different approaches to old growth
management were clear that heavy harvesting in old growth is not scientifically acceptable. They state
'^mUe cutting is appropriate to reduce density as needed to secure regeneration if fire alone fails to
accomplish this, it is not appropriate to reduce large tree numbers down to some minimum threshold".
They also state ''...there is the question of the appropriateness of management manipulation of old-
growth stands - both those extant and those in process of development toward old-growth condition.
Opinions of well-qualified experts vary in this regard As long term results from active management
He in the future - likely quite far in the future - considering such manipulation as appropriate and
relatively certain to yield anticipated results in an informed guess at best and therefore encompasses
some unknown level of risk In other words, producing "old-growth " habitats through active
management is an untested hypothesis ".
7 Fragmentation was analyzed p>t the incorrect scale. Because fragmentation is a landscape-level issue,
the analysis area should be the SRSF. The project area has had relatively little fragmentation to date,
whereas the SRSF is highly fragmented as a result of past management activities. The DEIS shovild
disclose that current conditions on the SRSF are highly fragmented, and that the project area is one of
the last remaining areas with relatively large patches. In addition, analyses of impacts should clearly
disclose that all alternatives will move the forest flirther away from historic conditions.
8. Old stands and trees are bei n p taryieted in this sale . The Insects and Diseases summary, page III- 1 3
states "'Direct effects of (he harvest treatments are the removal of trees affected by insects and
diseases, tho.se with reduced vrowth rates due to ase. and shade-tolerant trees that do no help meet
desired future conditions'\ Why should trees be removed simply because they have reduced growth
rates due to age? How does that help the insect and disease problem? This comes up again in the lire
summary which states, page 111-15 ''The majority of timber stands being comideredfor harvesting are
in the mature or older age classes in .stands that have not burned since pre-pMropean settlement".
Why are the oldest stands being target for treatment? How does this maintain the ftiU range of forest
conditions as directed by the SFLMP?
9 Stand age divisions on the old stand map are incomp letely presented. Page 111-20 of the summary
states that there is a I930's map that shows historic old stands, and that the age divisions are 0-39. 40-
99 1 00- 1 50 and 1 50+. The DEIS fails to mention that the map also shows 200+. The DEIS should
inc'lude a map shovring historic old stands on the SRSF, separating out the 100-150 yr old stands from
the 200+ stands. Similarly, the pie charts (figures C-4 to C-6, page C-12 in appendix), and tables (C-5,
C-6, and C-7 on pages C-IO and C4 1 in appendix) need to separate out the 1 50+ stands from the 200+
stands The DEIS states that no information exists for the amount of old growth on the SRSF. It is
safe to assume that essentially all of the 200+ stands would meet today's definition tor old growth.
Although a few stands may not meet the Green et al. definitions for minimum number of large trees.
DNRC Response
various influences on attribute amounts. Consider, for example, the contrasting
effects of fire suppression and introduced disease on attribute levels. On the
one hand, for decades fire suppression has been contributing to the development
of higher stand densities and the potential development of more large live trees
than would have otherwise occurred if the stands had been exposed to fire. The
introduced disease, white pine blister rust, has killed most of the large white
pine trees present on the forest, which effectively reduces the number of large
live trees, but increases the number of large snags and the amount of coarse
woody debris. The complex interactions of these, and other influencing factors,
means that simplistic declarations of more or fewer attributes are not
demonstrable or supportable for Swan River State Forest.
DNRC disagrees with the commenter' s assertions that 'all' action alternatives
move the forest further from various historic conditions than it is currently.
The analysis presented in the DEIS demonstrates that the amount of old growth on
Swan River State Forest is moving closer to average historical conditions and
snag numbers are likely to exceed average historical conditions by a factor of 2
to 3. DNRC does agree, and presents an analysis in the DEIS, that patch size of
stands over 150 years old shows some decreases when compared to a 1930s inventory
conducted with very different minimum map-unit sizes and data collection
protocols (DEIS, Pages C-54 through C-60) . The analysis also states that direct
comparisons of the best available information regarding patch sizes is
considerably complicated by these protocol differences that, by definition, would
suggest approximately an 8-fold decrease in patch size. For example, and as
presented in the DEIS analysis, one 14,000-acre 'patch' was mapped in the 1930s.
DNRC conducted extensive analysis on that patch and discovered that, absent any
management effects, the patch would be broken into a great many smaller patches
simply because of the mapping differences and that the apparent decrease in stand
patch size was not reflective of any actual change to the stands.
DNRC went through an inclusive public-involvement effort regarding old-growth
definitions and ultimately adopted the Green, et al (1992) definition based on
numbers, sizes, and ages of large live trees, by old-growth type and site (and
absent any other criteria) . Those definitions were adopted as a direct result of
input received from the commenter, Montana Old Growth Project (MOGP), Montana
Environmental Information Center (MEIC), and Friends of the Wild Swan (FOWS).
Prior to adopting the current definitions, DNRC presented extensive information
on the pitfalls of the proposed old-growth definition, such as the concern that
recently harvested stands could continue meeting the old-growth definition, a
lack of data available to quantify historic old-growth-attribute levels, the
inability to distinguish attribute levels, the minimal nature of the definitions,
and others. In response to the concerns expressed by the groups mentioned, DNRC
adopted the Green definitions, despite their inherent shortcomings, and presented
them to the Land Board and public in ARM as follows:
ARM - 36.11.403 (48) : "Old growth" means forest stands that meet or exceed the
minimum number, size, and age of those large trees as noted in Old-Growth
Forest Types of the Northern Region by P. Green, J. Joy, D. Sirucek, W. Hann,
A. Zack, and B. Naumann (1992, USES Northern Region, internal report).
It should be noted that no other attributes are required or any other subjective
criteria applied when determining if a stand does or does not meet the old-growth
definition. Consequently, when a stand meets the old-growth definition from the
administrative rules, DNRC labels the stand as old growth - again without
applying additional, unspecified criteria that has never been presented to the
public or approved as ARM.
Regarding comments made by the Scientific Review Committee for Old Growth, one
can extract individual statements to support a number of diverse opinions. For
example, the Review Committee noted that DNRC s SFLMP ethoes of maintaining old-
growth components in State forests was fundamentally at odds with the trustees'
income-generation obligation, which strongly suggests not retaining any old
growth (Pfister, R.D., W.L. Baker, C.E. Eiedler, and J.W. Thomas, 2000. Contract
Review of Old-Growth Management on School Trust Lands: Supplemental Biodiversity
Adams Comments
most stands would probably far exceed the miniinuins.
10 Patch sizes of covertvpes and old stands are currently far smaller than historic a nd will be farther
reduced in size with all action alternatives. Page (1 1-20 has a discussion of historic covertype and old
stand patch sizes on the SRSF and states that they were much larger than currently, and the project area
had especially large patches. TTiey state ''Overall, current covertype patches on SRSF and the project
area are about one-third the size of the historic meanr This is stated again on Pg III-2 1 . ''The hO+
year old patches in the project area are larger than the historic mean for SRSF. hut are approximately
one-third the size of historic patches in the project area:' The DEIS also states "Within the project
area, the mean old-stand patch size would be reduced to about one-half of current means with all
action alternatives'\ This is clearly moving away from historic conditions, which is against the SFLMP
and rules.
11. The discussion of various estnnates of the historic a m ount of naturally occurring old growth is
biased and incomplete (pages C-37 & 38) .
A. The DEIS states that DNRC's own analysis suggests that 22% of the SRSF was old growth.
Then they say "That analysis used a more restrictive definition for old growth than DNRC currently
uses". Please describe the definition previously used to arrive at 22%, and explain exactly how it is
more restrictive than the current definition.
B. The DEIS states that the Flathead National Forest estimated an historical range of variability
of old growth on aO FNF lands of 1 5-60% (FNT Amendment 21). The DEIS should also include the
FNF assessment of current versus historic vegetation , which states (Amendment 21, pg 47) "The
amount of late serai forest has consistently declined across all terrestrial community groups, typically
to a level that is below the historic range of variability. This has been accompanied by a dramatic
increase in mid-seral forests. In both early and mid-seral forests, large shade intolerant trees are
much less abundant than historically, as a result of timber harvest practices that selectively removed
the large overstory trees."''
C. The DEIS mentions Losensky's data for old stands on the climatic section at 29%, but fails
to mention his estimate of old stands on the SRSF of 74%.
D. The DEIS summarizes the data on the range of historic old growth on the SRSF at 1 5-50%.
While h includes the low end of the FNF range of 1 5% , it did not include the high end of 60%. Such
biased reporting is not acceptable in a MEPA document.
E. The DEIS should have placed greater emphasis on studies specific to the Swan Valley. For
example- (1) Flart's estimate for the Seeley and Swan Valleys that 48% of stands had a significant
component of trees over 200 years old. (2) TTie FNF estimate that 36% of the Swan Valley existed as
late serai forest. (3) Lessica's estimate that 52% of the Swan Valley was 180 years old or older. (4)
Losenskys estimate of old stands on the SRSF of 74% (which was not even mentioned in this section).
This gives a range of 36-74% for historic old growth in studies specific to the Swan Valley.
12 The DEIS states that the SRSF currently has 32.4% of the total acreage of old growth and that this
is within the naturally occurring range. However, estimates specific to the Swan Valley indicate that the
SRSF is below the historic range.
DNRC Response
Guidance 8/02/00. Helena, MT : Department of Natural Resources and
Conservation) .
I. Fragmentation was analyzed at various scales with various methods. The DEIS
presents fragmentation analysis on Pages C-21 through C-23. Patch size analyses
are presented on Pages C-54 through C-60. Analyses of fragmentation effects to
wildlife are presented on Pages C-21 through C-23.
8. The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project DEIS presents extensive information related
to insect and disease problems within Swan River State Forest and the project
area {Pages C-23 through C-32) . Those insect and disease problems result in a
diminishing economic value and drove the selection of many older-age stands for
treatment. Trees, like any living organism, go through a series of
developmental stages from infancy to youth to maturity and on to old age and
death. Throughout that progression, the tree generally becomes more and more
predisposed to attack by any of a number of insect and disease organisms that can
kill the tree. Thus, to strike the appropriate balance between economic and
ecologic values, those dying and dead trees are being targeted in this project.
Likewise, the stands targeted with this project are those that have elevated or
excessive levels of insect and disease problems. The targeted stands are often
of an older age than healthy stands because of the causal relationship between
insect and disease problems and tree (stand) age, but the stands are not targeted
for treatment simply because of their age. However, old-growth and old-age
stands, well beyond their prime economic age, can be likely harvest candidates
for both economic and legal rationales {Jackson, 1983. Economic Returns and the
Management of Montana' s Trust Forest Lands. Helena: Joint Interim Subcommittee
No. 2 of the Montana Legislature) .
The analysis in the DEIS shows that, of the 4,483 acres of old growth within the
project area, only about 1,200 acres are being treated, depending on the
alternative (Pages C-37 through C-53) . During project development, stands with
high attribute levels were not preferentially selected for treatment. While
stands of low attribute levels are increased in representation, it needs to be
remembered that the description is for conditions immediately following
treatment. The retention of many large live trees and other old-growth-
associated attributes means that these stands will continue to develop additional
attributes and soon will no longer be classed as low attribute. Trees and stands
grow and, in doing so, levels of various conditions change. In the case of
postharvest old-growth stands, their attribute levels will increase over time
while still remaining old growth. The maintenance of stands with varying
attribute levels, as demonstrated in the DEIS, provides for the maintenance of
diversity within Swan River State Forest (see FIGURES C-13 through C-18) .
9. The age class analysis completely presents all the relevant information {DEIS,
Pages C-9 through C—19) without unnecessarily clouding the presentation with
partial or incomplete data or the presentation of data that provides no basis for
comparison with current information. The 1930s inventory was very coarse, and
undue reliance on its spatial accuracy or precision would tend to mislead the
reader rather than inform them. While it is tempting to assign greater accuracy
and reliability to the 1930' s data than is actually warranted, DNRC has carefully
attempted to present all of the most salient data into which confidence can be
placed. DNRC presents the data with specific caveats intended to prevent
confusion over appropriate applications of the data. In addition, no previous
analysis has supported the commenter' s assertion that all stands of any age class
would have met any old-growth definition, and, consequently, DNRC would be remiss
in making such an easily refuted assumption.
10. As is presented in the DEIS, patch sizes are believed to have decreased over time
(DEIS, Pages C-54 through C—60) . However, some caveats are also presented that
reduce the certainty of the level of decrease (DNRC, Page C-54) . DNRC agrees
that patch sizes are reduced from historic conditions, but does not agree that
the project runs contrary to the SFLMP because of the reduction.
II. A. The more restrictive definition of old growth as described in the DEIS
included additional attribute amounts that are not included in the current
definition {Pages C-37 and C—38) . By default, the addition of more attribute
criteria results in a more restrictive old-growth definition.
B. Conclusions reached by USFS for FNF, while interesting, are not applicable to
Swan River State Forest, as evidenced by the quote describing conditions that
may exist on FNF, but are demonstrated in the DEIS to not be the condition
existing on Swan River State Forest. DNRC makes no allusions to conditions
on landscapes outside of Swan River State Forest that were not analyzed for
this project, and, further, makes no commitments to those landscapes.
C. DNRC disagrees with the assertion that Losensky presents data specific to
Swan River State Forest. It is conceivable that DNRC is unaware of an
existing report, but none of the several reports that DNRC has contracted
with Losensky to complete contain the information in question. The 74
percent is from an analysis conducted by DNRC and is not derived from the
Losensky report referred to by the commenter, nor does the 74 percent refer
to old-growth amounts.
D. DNRC was indicating an amount of old growth that may have existed on Swan
River State Forest and not on FNF as is represented by the 50 percent.
Additionally, as explained in the DEIS, differing old-growth definitions will
result in differing estimates of historic amounts {Pages C-37 and C-38) .
However, the DEIS demonstrates that using an old-stand definition rather than
an old-growth definition could yield an historic range of old-age stands that
exceeds even the 50 percent estimated by FNF, i.e., the 74-percent number
discussed earlier. The point of the presentation is that considerable
differences exist in estimates of historic old growth, and the definition
used can make those estimates diverge even further.
E. DNRC presented the information suggested, but disagrees that the old-stand
acres on Swan River State Forest as represented by the 1930s inventory was
ever presented by Losensky; DNRC also disagrees that the old-stand acres are
equivalent to old-growth acres. The 74 percent referred to represents old age
and not old growth. Old age and old growth are not equivalent and, so, DNRC
does not presume they are the same.
12. DNRC disagrees that the 32.4-percent old growth on Swan River State Forest is
outside the historically occurring range and presents information in the DEIS to
support that position {Pages C-37 and C-38) .
Adams Comments
13 The FOGI index uses 4 categories of abundance: none, few, some, many. However, the DEIS
does not say what the cutoffs are for these categories. It aJso does not say how these categories relate
to historic abundances. It simply states wliat they are currently, and how these levels would change
with each action alternative. The DEIS needs to provide quantitative definitions m terms of attribute
levels for these categories.
The DEIS also needs to compare these current attribute levels with site-specific historic attribute levels.
Because many stands in the project area and the SRSF have been entered with previous harvests, they
do not have natural, historic amounts of large live trees, snags, and large downed wood. This is not a
trivial matter. L.andscape level assessments have demonstrated that large trees have been greatly
affected by past timber harvest, and are currently under-represented in most forest age classes and forest
types (Hann et al. 1997). Further, within-stand reduction in large trees and snags is one of the most
profound differences between current and historic forests. This has also occurred on state lands. The
SFLMP FEIS states: "a large proportion oj stale lands forests fuive been partially cut on one or more
occasions, removing primarily large, high value ponderosa pine and western larch from stands''
(SFLMP FEIS page IV-38). The current radical departure from historic conditions simply cannot be
ignored, especially given that this sale proposes to further lower old growth attributes on up to 654
acres.
One way to estimate historic levels of large trees on the SRSF would be to look at old harvest records.
Using estimates for total volume harvested, average size (dbh) of trees harvested and voliune per tree,
and acres harvested, it is possible to estimate the number of large trees harvested per acre. Then add
this to existing large tree per acre estimates on previously harvested areas.
1 4 The analysis for large trees per acre is incomplete . Figure C-1 5 on page C-45 shows current and
post-harvest amount of large trees per acre in old growth stands on the SRSF. This uifomiation needs
to be in a table form, and more importantly, needs to be broken out for just the project area. By
showing the data for the entire SRSF the effects are greatly watered down and harder to visualize. The
analysis for coarse woody debris is done at the project area scale, so obviously it is easHy done.
15 The analysis for snags is similarly incomplete . Figure C-1 6 on page C-46 shows current and post-
harvest amount of snags per acre in old growth stands on the SRSF. This information needs to be in a
table form, and more importantly, needs to be broken out for just the project area. By showing the
data for the entire SRSF the effects are greatly watered down and harder to visualize.
16. It appears that the inlbrmation in figure C-1 8 on page C-48 and the text description are not
congruent. The text states "Approximately 22 percent of old growth contains over 25 mbf per acre".
Yet it looks like over 2000 of the 4500 acres of old growth currently have 26+ mbf, which is 44%.
This data needs to be in a table form, and needs to be shown for just the project area.
17. Inadequate cumnlntive effects analysis The DEIS states on page C-49 that the ongoing salvage and
sanitation program on the SRSF has resulted in the reduction of some old-growth attributes in many
current old growth stands through the effects of timber harvesting. The effects of these previous
entries include lower attribute levels in the following categories: fewer acres with high numbers of large
trees, lower snag numbers, and less coarse woody debris. Simply stating that there has been past
harvesting is not a sufficient cumulative efiects analyst! The effects of previous harvests need to be
carried through all the appropriate analyses. Since the SFLMP and rules use a coarse filter approach,
DNRC Response
13. The Full Old Growth Index value assignment criteria was inadvertently omitted
from the DEIS. It is presented as ATTACHMENT C-1 following APPENDIX C -
VEGETATION ANALYSIS in the FEIS.
DNRC does, however, disagree that the analysis needs to focus on site-specific
historic attribute levels, not because they are unimportant, but rather because
no data exists with which to make the comparison. As mentioned by the commenter,
other researchers in other areas have conducted analyses of some forest
components that are also analyzed for this project. In the case of variables
mentioned, the conclusions reached by researchers analyzing other landscapes are
contradicted by the site-specific analyses completed for this project. In such a
situation, DNRC feels it is most informative to focus on the specific project
effects on the lands managed by the Department and not on information from other
landscapes that may not be applicable to the project-area landscape in question.
So, while DNRC does not dispute the results reported by other researchers on the
lands they analyzed, it would be a disservice to the beneficiaries and the public
to substitute the conclusions reached through analysis of the actual project area
with the conclusions reached through analysis of a different landscape. The
reference to SFLMP comments is out of context in the sense that the comments were
general and not specific to Swan River State Forest, nor were they quantified.
14. The analysis presents results for the project area, but FIGURE C-15 in the DEIS
is mislabeled to suggest the data is for the entire Swan River State Forest. The
correction has been made in this FEIS. The choice was made to present the data
in a chart rather than a table because the results were easier to interpret and
presentation of both tables; to avoid redundancy, charts were not done.
15. Please refer to response #14 above; the label for FIGURE C-15 has been corrected
in this FEIS.
16. Please refer to response #14 above; the label for FIGURE C-15 has been corrected
in this FEIS. DNRC agrees that the statement referring to amounts of high
density old growth is incorrect and has been corrected in the FEIS.
17. ARM 36.2 .522 (7) provides:
"Cumulative impact" means the collective impacts on the human environment of
the proposed action when considered in conjunction with other past and present
actions related to the proposed action by location or generic type. Related
future actions must also be considered when these actions are under concurrent
consideration by any state agency through pre— impact studies , separate impact
statement evaluation, or permit processing procedures .
The cumulative-effects analysis presents information regarding projects that may
be ongoing, incomplete, or are being conducted by another organization. In
describing changes to the affected environment that have occurred over the years
(i.e., the cumulative effects of previous actions), one must necessarily
determine an appropriate starting point or baseline. Care must be taken to
select a starting point for which data exists. In the case of historical old-
growth amounts, attribute levels, or other factors related to old growth, that
starting point would be any time after DNRC's initiation of data collection for
old-growth description purposes. Because the only harvesting in old-growth
stands that has occurred on Swan River State Forest since signing the SFLMP
Record of Decision (ROD) in 1996 has been minor salvaging, the current condition
is the oldest and best data available for describing cumulative effects of
previous actions. All effects from previous entries made over the years, and all
effects from natural succession, insect and disease attacks, and other factors
are represented in the description of the current condition, and no other
description of a baseline condition can be made that is based on data. Because
no methodology exists for recreating or revisiting the past, DNRC has not
included a quantitative analysis of the unknowable conditions existing prior to
data collection. The 1930s data does not provide information on specific stands
or attribute levels that would enable its use for a cumulative effects analysis.
The analysis presented in the DEIS does state qualitatively that it expects that
some reductions in some old-growth attributes have occurred over time, but does
not present a speculative quantification of the amount. Additionally, because of
Adams Comments
and it is assumed that biodiversity will be maintained by maintaining natural historic conditions, it
follows that past DNRC actions that have caused substantial change from natural conditions need to be
evaluated in the cumulative effects analysis.
1 8. Regarding both the classification of stands as old growth after commercial thinning and
sheiterwood harvests, and the FOGI classifications, please keep in mind that the Green et al. large-tree
minimums are the minimum numbers of large trees necessary to classity a stand as old growth. The
Green et al. numbers are the low end of the historic range. The average numbers of large trees per
acre are considerably higher. Taking everything dovra to minimum numbers will not maintain the
historic range of conditions.
1 9. The three creeks sale uses the FOGI method to describe stands after harvesting. The scientific
review committee that DNRC hired to evaluate three different methods of analyzing old growth had
strong reservations about the use of such indices. They state: ''Old growth indexes are not supported
bv science, especially relative to the weighting of factors. For example, if a high index is
mathematically possible with few large trees, then the index would be judged unacceptable based on
OG literature to date ".
20. Nowhere in the DEIS could I find an explanation of how old growth was identified or field verified,
or how old growth stand exams were conducted. There are various methods available, all with diflerent
biases, strengths and weaknesses. Please explain exactly the methods that were used.
WILDLIFE ANALYSES
2 1 . Covertvpes and aae classes Several statements in this section simply do not make sense given actual
on-the-ground conditions. For example, Page F-6 states 'When averaged over all covertypes, stands
on Swan River State forest tend to be older than expected'. This statement needs explanation. What b
the "expected" condition? Another example is found in the predicted effects to wildlife of the no-
action alternative, which states that as stands continue to age "conditions would lead to an increasing
deviation from historic distribution of covertypes and age classes". Another example is tbund on
page F-6 which states under the direct effects of the action alternatives "the conversion of older stands
to younger stands move the stand proportions toward historic conditions". Yet another example is
found on page F-7, which states under the cumulative effects of all action alternatives (note that your
heading here is incorrect) "These trends generally move toward historic proportions: therefore, native
species are generally benefitting from the changes in covertype and age-class distributions".
These statements are simply not true. The SRSF currently has far less old growth than it had
historically, the Swan Valley has less old growth than it had historically, and the larger landscape has
only about 10% of the historic amount of old growth. How is it that maintaining or increasing the
amount of old growth will move things fiarther from historic? Please look beyond DNRC's analyses to
see what the larger scientific community is saying, and keep to real on-the-ground conditions rather than
abstract analyses that distort facts.
22. Action alternatives C, D, and E would enter approximately 18 acres of ponderosa pine old stands
and reduce the age class to a 100 year old stand. Why was this fact not mentioned in the vegetation
analysis? Why was it not disclosed to the general public that ponderosa pine old growth is FAR less
abundant than lustoricaily?
DNRC Response
the interactions of fire suppression, many current old-growth stands likely have
elevated levels of some attributes, including large live trees, snags, and coarse
woody debris, and other factors; others may have decreased levels of some
attributes, such as snags and coarse woody debris, because of the limited salvage
harvesting that has occurred.
18. DNRC agrees that efforts to force every stand into identical conditions,
regardless of what those may be, does not contribute to maintaining biodiversity;
information describing the wide diversity of postharvest conditions is presented
throughout the DEIS analysis. This project maintains diversity and limits
management treatments to those stands that are rapidly losing economic value and/
or sufficient large live trees so that they now, or soon will, no longer qualify
as old growth.
19. The Full Old Growth Index is utilized as a communication tool to describe changes
to attribute levels in old-growth stands {DEIS, Pages C-41 through C-50) . The
commenter' s conclusions that low index values equate to low attribute levels
demonstrates the sole purpose of the index - as a communication tool. The
comments presented from the Scientific Review Committee report are taken out of
context and do not relate to the current use of the index. Indeed, other
organizations are moving toward an index approach for the same reasons DNRC
proposed one several years ago - which is, threshold definitions like the ones
DNRC currently uses have their own suite of problems. As the commenter has
previously mentioned, those problems include postt reatment stands that qualify as
old growth; no acknowledgement of stands with high attribute levels that have too
few large live trees to qualify as old growth; and no ability to distinguish
between stands with minimum attribute levels and stands with very high attribute
levels. However, as also mentioned earlier, the commenter and several other
groups lobbied extensively for DNRC to adopt the definitions we currently use
despite the identified problems with them.
20. Old growth, at the scale of Swan River State Forest, and the timber sale project
area are determined using DNRC s SLI (DEIS, Pages C-38 and C-42) . The acres of
old growth described in the DEIS represent those acres meeting DNRC's old-growth
definition based on data that was collected on every sawtimber stand in Swan
River State Forest. To further validate the conclusions drawn from the SLI
dataset, additional data collection was conducted on some borderline old-growth
stands using a fixed-area-plot procedure to provide an independent assessment of
whether or not those specific stands within the project area met DNRC's old-
growth definitions. Because of widespread insect and disease problems, some
previously labeled old-growth stands were sampled to determine whether or not
they still met DNRC's old-growth definition. Standard procedures for forest
inventory sampling were followed in each instance.
21. DNRC disagrees with the commenter' s assertions. The expected condition is that
current and historical stands of similar composition growing on similar sites
will develop similar age-class distributions. Rationale is presented in the age-
class (Pages C-9 through C-19) and old-growth analysis (Pages C—37 through C-60)
sections of the DEIS and is further explained in responses to questions 3, 4, 5,
5, and others. Also, DNRC has repeatedly and consistently applied its intention
from the SFLMP and ARM that it will not commit to providing additional habitat or
stand conditions on DNRC-managed land simply because another landowner has
removed that component from their land. Although ARM does not rule out extending
that concept to the flipside, DNRC also does not currently rely on mitigations
provided by the nearly 2 million acres of federally designated wilderness that
are in close proximity to the project area to lessen the effects of our
activities on the land we manage. The commitment from the SFLMP and ARM is as
follows :
36.11.407(3) : "The department shall design timber harvests to promote
long-term, landscape-level diversity through an appropriate representation
of forest conditions across the landscape as described in ARM 36.11.404.
Where state ownership contains forest conditions made rare on adjacent
lands by the management activities of others, the department may not
necessarily maintain those conditions in amounts sufficient to compensate
Adams Comments
23. Page F-8 states that the estiimted range of the histoncaJ amount or old growin is 1 30Z percent.
Please explain exactly where this 1 5% comes from and how it applies to the SRSF, why higher
estimates found for the top end of the range were not included, why Losensky's estimates of liistoric ol«
growth on SRSF were not included, and old growth estimates specific to the Swan Valley were not
included.
24. Page F-8 States "Past activities that affected old growth were considered in the existing
conditions". Please indicate exactly where this is to be found for the effects of selective harvesting on
within-stand conditions. For wildlite, habitat quality is just as important as quantity.
25. Under cumulative effects for coarse woody debris, the DEIS states "77ie current levels of coarse
woody debris in adjacent stands could mostly offset the changes expected within the harvest units\
Please explain the reasoning behind this statement. Animals have territories, and the size of them is
partly determined by habitat quality: As quality goes down (eg. less CWD), territory size often goes up
meaning the area supports fewer individuals. Given this, it is not clear how adjacent units will offset tht
changes in the harvest units. Please also state that downed woody recruits will be less in harvest units,
particularly since many decadent trees affected by insects and disease, and likely to die soon, will be
harvested.
26. To estimate historic levels of snags, the DEIS snag analysis used mean snag densities reported fron
uncut stands in Harris (1999). The statistics and assumptions used in Harris (1 999) are so flawed as tc
make the conclusions highly questionable. I have attached an assessment of the statistical validity of thi
paper that points out some major flaws. In lay-persons terms, the concerns have to do with the
assumption that unlogged stands represent the full range of stands within a habitat type. The literature
indicates that logging generally took place in low-elevation highly productive sites that tend to produce
large trees. Areas that were never logged often were on less productive sites, on steeper slopes, at
higher elevations, which generally produce smaller trees and lower quality old growth. Unlogged
stands therefore generally had below average old growth attributes and will not provide a complete
picture of the range of conditions naturally found in old growth. Of particular concern is the WL/DF
type, which has been heavUy logged and is quite valuable for wildlife. In Harris (1999), table 1 shows
that all the site variables are significantly different between entered and un-entered stands. In particulai
Harris found that the logged stands were at lower elevations and on less-steep slopes, but strangely the
overaU regression is not statisticaUy significant. I asked the author about this and he admitted that, but
said that the relationships between individual variables were confounded (ie. offset one another)
resulting in no net relationship. The statisticians who reviewed Rich's paper Rirther explain why
statistical flaws with this analysis, and with Pfister et al. (1 977) upon which it is bi:^d, produced such
questionable results. Given the inherent flaws and unreliability of Harris (1999). it should not be used 1
make land management decisions, or to conclude that post-harvest snag densities would be
"substantially more than expected". The fact is that many snags and snag recruits will be harvested an.
habitat for snag users will be substantially reduced. Large concentrations of snags provide an
abundance of nesting, roostmg and feeding opportunities. The select harvesting of large trees that ha;
gone on for years has resulted in far fewer large snags and snag recruits on the landscape than existed
historically, arid all action alternatives in this sale will push conditions further away from historic.
27. Page F-30 of the DEIS states ''Currently, one trapper has a permit to lawfully set traps for
bobcats, consistent with DFWP trapping regulations, on DNRC managed lands in the analysis area.
i«.-;.i^»t^i ,nr,un-i>^ nrP nnssihle. bul not exoected. In the event that a lynx is captured, the trapper is
DNRC Response
for their loss when assessed over the broader landscape, except as it
coincides with other agency objectives."
22. The treatment of the 18-acre ponderosa pine stand in question is described for
each action alternative in the Effects to Covertype and Age Classes presented in
the DEIS on Pages C-13 through C-19 in terms of effects to the age of the stand.
Additionally, the vegetation analysis specifically presents information on the
18-acre ponderosa pine stand in TABLES C-1 (Page C-11) and C-8 (Page C-18) .
23. The estimate that 15 percent of the general landscape represents the historic
amount of old growth comes from FNF Amendment 21. All estimates of historic old
stands and old growth available are described in the DEIS on Pages C-37 and C-38.
There is no estimate of historic amounts of old growth on Swan River State Forest
that are presented in the Losensky report. DNRC is unaware of any other
estimates for old growth applicable to this project, and the commenter has not
identified any that are not covered in the analysis.
24. When the existing condition was defined, the current SLI information and field
review were used. Both these methods incorporate past activities {DEIS, Page F-
1) . For instance, if past harvesting occurred and the stand has regenerated into
a pole stand, the existing conditions recognize that stand as a pole stand, with
the understanding that some activity caused this current condition. In the case
of old growth, the SLI data and field verification were used to assess the
current amount of old growth based on Green et al . (1992) (DEIS, Page C-37) .
25. In treated and adjacent stands, coarse woody debris is relatively high due to
insect and disease activities (DEIS, Page F—15) . The existing condition and No-
Action Alternative assessment acknowledges that coarse woody debris has
increased, and would continue to increase, over time due to stand age, insects,
and diseases (DEIS, Page F-15) . Following harvests, coarse woody debris loading
could increase in the harvest units, with a minimum retention of 15 to 20 tons
per acre. Reductions in the size of coarse woody debris is disclosed in the DEIS
on Page F—16 along with disclosure of continued recruitment due to retention
snags, snag-recruitment trees, and retention trees. Since approximate historical
amounts of coarse woody debris and snags would be retained, adequate coarse woody
debris is expected to be retained within the harvest units, along with higher
amounts in other stands within the analysis area.
26. The Harris (1999) publication was used to estimate the historical densities of
snags. This publication used Forest Inventory and Analysis plots distributed
across western Montana, thereby providing the most localized data. DNRC
recognizes that these estimates are based on the assumption that "uncut" stands
approximate "historic conditions" and that the uncut stands likely have been
influenced by human activities and environmental conditions, such as fire
suppression, insects and diseases, windthrow, etc. DNRC believes the estimates
in this publication provide a reasonable estimate of historical snag densities
given the environmental variables and caveats discussed in the publication.
27. Trapping is a legal method to take wildlife species in Montana. As such, DFWP
regulates trapping methods and quotas for wildlife species. Since trapping is a
legal method of taking wildlife species and a legal recreational activity,
trapping is allowed on State trust lands. Because DNRC manages these lands for
the trust beneficiaries, a fee is changed for their use. In 2002, the
legislature approved an additional $2 fee on each Conservation License to be used
for access to State school trust lands for hunting, fishing, and trapping
purposes (§77-1-815) . This fee generates approximately $900,000 annually.
Ninety percent of the money raised by this fee is used to compensate the trust
for recreational use, while the remaining 10 percent is distributed to DNRC for
repair of lease improvements, weed control/management, protection of the resource
value, administration/management, and/or maintenance of roads related to public
recreational use of State trust land (§77-1-808, MCA) .
Adams Comments
obligated to release the animal without harm". How will DNRC ensure that the animal is released
without harm? What type of traps is he/she using? Are they required to report any incidental lynx
captures? A recent report from Minnesota of incidental take of iynx shows that of 1 3 accidental
captures, 6 resulted in death. And that is only the reported captures - total fatalities may be much
higher. Why is the DNRC even allowing trapping on state lands? Does it generate revenue for the
school trust fund? Trapping is an activity that benefits one human, while potentially contributing to
population declines that may have high costs for DNRC if the species is listed as endangered. Trapping
is no longer an essential economic activity, but a form of "recreation" that causes great suffering to
animals trapped as they die an often slow and agonizing death. Please answer the above questions and
provide rationale and justification for why MT DNRC is allowing trapping on state lands. And how will
this impact lynx populations in relation to this timber sale?
28. Page F-41 of the DEIS states that stands with 40% or greater canopy closure were considered
potential fisher habitat. Is this adequate? Will 40% canopy cover provide the dense canopies that can
intercept enough snow to provide fisher habitat? Please provide citations that discuss.
29. In the Pileated Woodpecker analysis, why were other ownerships included in the analysis, and the
rest of the SRSF left out? It is more appropriate to use the SRSF since DNRC only has control and
responsibility over what happens on their land.
30. The DEIS states "Where regeneration harvests are planned, potential pileated habitat (nesting
and foraging) would be removed for 30 to 100 years". Please explain exactly how they will be able to
use a 30 to 1 00 year old stand. Pileated woodpeckers need large trees with heartrot, which usually are
much older than 100 years. There is also no mention of the impacts of roads and firewood cutters
taking snags, or that the stands will be more open and snags and trees susceptible to wind-throw.
3 1 . The cumulative effects section for pileated woodpeckers is grossly incomplete in that it does not
consider how much pileated woodpecker habitat existed on DNRC lands liistorically and has been
removed by past DNRC timber sales. This would be easy enough to estimate assuming that all or most
of the valley bottom Western Larch/Douglas Fir aiid Ponderosa Pine old growth previously harvested
provided high quality pileated woodpecker nesting habitat.
32. The cumulative efifects section for pileated woodpecker relies on Harris et al. ( 1 999) for historic
snag densities. Please see comment #24 above. Please remove any discussion of Harris ( 1 999) as it is
so statistically flawed as to not be reliable enough for land management decisions.
Thank you for considering these comments.
Sincerely,
' Jane Adams
President, Montana Old Growth Project
DNRC Response
28. The SLI data breaks down canopy cover into 4 categories: to 9 percent, 10 to
39 percent, 40 to 69 percent, and 70-plus percent. Fishers tend to use stands
with denser canopy closures. Jones (1991) found that fishers in Idaho avoided
stands with less than 40-percent canopy cover (DEIS, Page F—44) . In Region One
Fisher Assessment , USFS used greater than 40-percent canopy cover as a component
of their current habitat assessment. Therefore, 40 percent was used as a
parameter to describe fisher habitat in the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project EIS
analysis .
29. The rationale for the analysis area is discussed on Pages F—1 and F—47 of the
DEIS. Generally, the scale of analysis is based on the size of the home range of
the species in question. Since the project area occurs near the upper elevation
used by pileated woodpeckers and spans 3 major drainages, the subunit scale was
deemed appropriate to analyze the effects to pileated woodpeckers. This analysis
area incorporates enough area to provide for several home ranges and extends from
the valley floor to the upper elevations used by the species (DEIS, Page F-47) .
30. A. The time estimated for pileated woodpecker use is based on estimates of time
needed for canopy closure to increase to 40 percent or more (DEIS, Page F—47) .
Project mitigations retain some large snag and tree structure needed for
pileated woodpecker feeding and nesting habitat. However, in harvest units
where canopy cover is reduced to less than 40 percent, pileated woodpecker
habitat is expected to be removed. Depending on the density and distribution
of the leave trees, canopy cover would likely recover to 40 percent or greater
over the timeframe stated in the DEIS.
B. The cumulative effects of public firewood cutting on snag densities are
discussed on Page F-22 and F-23 of the DEIS.
31. The rationale for the analysis area is discussed in the DEIS on Pages F—1 and F-
47. MEPA requires evaluation of the existing baseline conditions and measures
effects of each alternative against that baseline condition. When the existing
condition is defined, the current SLI information and field review are used.
Both these methods incorporate past activities (DEIS, Page F-1) . For instance,
if past harvesting occurred and the stand has regenerated into a pole stand, the
existing conditions recognizes that stand as a pole stand, with the understanding
that some activity caused this current condition.
32 . The publication Abundance and Characteristics of Snags in Western Montana Forests
(Harris 1999) was used to estimate the historical densities of snags. This
publication used Forest Inventory and Analysis plots distributed across western
Montana to estimate snag densities, thereby providing the most localized data.
DNRC recognizes that these estimates are based on the assumption that "uncut"
stands approximate "historic conditions" and that the uncut stands likely have
been influenced by human activities and environmental conditions, such as fire
suppression, insects and diseases, windthrow, etc. DNRC believes this
publication provides a reasonable estimate of historical snag densities given the
environmental variables and caveats discussed in the publication.
American Fisheries Society Comments
■^ in the long term, improving Ihc riparian buffer bttwetn the road and the South Fork Lost
Crensk would undoubtedly be better for water lemperatures by reducing solar iuputf now
caused by tbe pwroxunity of ihc road. Il would be helpfiil for future EIS fislMales suncimarics To
include information on the distance from the creek to the harvest, area (size of buffer zodc) as
w«ll m th« leng^ of harvest units adjacent to each sQeam.
\ lliaikk you for your interesT asd work toward conserving and impmving Montana's aquatic
natural resouro&&.
Sincerely,
Leatmc RouleOiL, Ftiesidet]t
Montana Chapter of the
Amedcaji I'lisheries Society
American Fisheries Society Comments
w
AMERICAN FISHERIES SOCIETY /
MONTANA CHAPTER
7SS0 Shedbom Drive
Bu£cmaii,MT 59718
October 2, 2006
Karen Jot^gt^son
Project Leader
Swan River Slali; Forest
34925 MT Highway 83
Swan Lak&.MT 59911
De^ Mrs. Jorgcnson,
TTie Montana Chapter of the American Fisbedes Sociecy CMCAFS) appreciates the
oppoTtumty to cotiimcnt on the TJirec Creeks Timber Sale Project. The MCAFS is an
otijanizaljoa of profe^siojial fisheries scientists md studenLs from multipif: ugcueks,
imiversirlisft, and the private sector across Montmta, One of otur objaciives is the conwrvfltion,
developmfiot, and wise utilizarion of Montana" b fiKhcrie^. MCAFS has several comments
rcganliiig the pnjlcction this timber sale will afford fisheries in the Thr™ Creefci area,
Revie* of tfce Thi« Greeks Timber Sale EnvironmentaJ Impact Statement indicates
that b1) pnjposed Dptions will have a low pmbablllty of impact to fish popuJarioris and the
associated chuncel and riparian habitat. The replacement ct improvement of the siix Etream
CTDS sings in(;liiide4 in all four harvest options probably has the greaieBt polenlid lu icilueiiu;;
the fisheries of the South Fork Lost, Cillj ^ Soup, and Unnamed crtdii. Of greatest coiicera
fvould be tho«e crossings on the South Fork Lost Creek anJ Soop Creek, which fJUpport native
bull firoui and wesiilope cutthrca: trout spawtiing ami rearing habitat, hnproving stream
crossings to moie adequately haJldle flow regimes CHDuId result in slight scdimfiniaiion
downstream initially bui seems better for fish habitai in the long term by preventing culvert
failures that could result in serious erosion alongside and seditiientation within stream
cbajmels. MCAFS encoimgcs stream crossing engineered to accoiiiii*Odate the full namral
channel width ai bank full flows whenever practicable. These crossings have the added
bcjjefit of pobenliuUy serving as wildlife corridors, particularly for smaU mamm als and
aiDphibiaD!;,
In additioit, the relocaiioo of FS road 680 two-hundred feet to the north of South Fork
Lost Croek could be itnoilwir poteniial sotirce of unnati;iral sedimiwit inputs iiilrially. However,
DNRC Response
Thank you for submitting comments to the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project DEIS.
Of the 6 road-stream crossings that you refer, 5 would not be "replaced" or
"improved". In fact, the 5 road-stream crossings would be completely removed, which
would include rehabilitation of the disturbed area. One new bridge would be
installed on a fish-bearing reach of Soup Creek at an existing bridge site, which
will greatly reduce the existing potential risks and impacts to fisheries adjacent to
the road-stream crossing site. We also feel that these actions would have the
potential to greatly and positively influence the fisheries of South Fork Lost and
Soup creeks. In the process of removing the 5 road-stream crossing sites and
improving the 1 bridge site, there may be minor short-term impacts related to
sedimentation. The anticipated short-term and long-term impacts related to these
proposed actions are described in the DEIS, Pages D-9, D-10, E-57, E-60, E-62, and E-
65, and this FEIS, Pages D-9, D-10, E-56, E-59, E-61, and E-63. No culverts will be
installed on any fish-bearing streams as part of the proposed actions. A new bridge
would be installed on a fish-bearing reach of Soup Creek; this structure would be
engineered to accommodate the full natural channel width at bankfull flows. New
culverts that would be installed on non-fish-bearing stream reaches in the proposed
project area would not necessarily be engineered to accommodate the full natural
channel width at bankfull flows, but these culverts will be engineered to accommodate
the hydrologic conditions associated with a minimum 50-year flow event. New bridges
that would be installed on non-fish-bearing stream reaches in the proposed project
area would be engineered to accommodate the full natural channel width at bankfull
flows .
The anticipated short-term and long-term impacts related to this proposed action are
described in the DEIS, Pages D-10, E-57, E-60, E-62, and E-65, and this FEIS, Pages
D-10, E-56, E-59, E-61, and E-63. The relocation of USES Road 680 is expected to
have positive long-term impacts to fish habitat in South Fork Lost Creek. Please see
pages E—70, E-74, and E-78 of this FEIS. Your comment will be considered for future
EIS fisheries summaries. This detailed information can be found throughout the
sections Direct and Indirect Effects of Action Alternatives [B, C, D, and E] on
Habitat - Riparian Function on Pages E-68 to E-81 of the DEIS, APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS for this project and Pages E-67 to E-80 of this FEIS, APPENDIX E - FISHERIES
ANALYSIS for this project. The anticipated short-term and long-term impacts related
to this proposed action are described on Pages D-10, E-57, E-60, E-62, and E-65 in
the DEIS and on Pages D-10, E-57, E-60, E-62, and E-65 of this FEIS. The relocation
of USES Road 680 is expected to have positive long-term impacts to fish habitat in
South Fork Lost Creek. Please see Pages £-70, E-74, and E-78 of this FEIS.]
Your comment will be considered for future EIS fisheries summaries. This detailed
information can be found throughout the sections Direct and Indirect Effects of
Action Alternatives [B, C, D, and E] on Habitat — Riparian Function on Pages E-68
through E-81 of the DEIS APPENDIX E - FISHERIES ANALYSIS for this project and Pages
E-67 through £-50 of this FEIS for this project.
Friends of the Wild Swan
frkfids of the Wild Swan
P,0, Box 5103
Swan Lake, MT 5991 1
Ociobfcr 5.3006
Swan Ri^'CT State Forei?!
Attnj Kaien Jorgcnson
34925 Owy 83
Swan Lake, MT 59911
Via e-mail to' kjol ^cmm^^&in^it,i'ield raur of pre\'irn.jsly logged '•naif, in the pi'ojeol Jirea?
Whst treatments wtre used In the uniis thai arc having icKcncTaiion problems or slow
rcgeijeiation? How dnas this compare to the treatment & proposed for Uiis timber sale oa
simiiftf sites?
The 20O4 Sustained Yield Calculation tliet jncreastd the timber target oa. elfilc lands and
almoHt doubled the size of this tinnher sale is pTedicated on tlie assuiTiptifin that: 'The
vidd projections rellet-t iuipfoved growth from stocking JR.C can manage for mimocied old-growih because it is bhickcd-up
ownership, instead this project will further fragmcjit old-growth forest iiablLEit.
9 ■ This project will manipulate old-growth forest habitat under the asBumption thjtl. il will
slill be old-growth after it is Eogged. The Technital B.eviP'W Report (Contract Review of
OId-Grov\lh Managemeul on School Trust Lands: Supplemental Riodiveisitj' (juidam^
S/02/00) comraJEssioiiied by DNR.C in 3000 was very clear-
"In addition, iheie is the question of ihi; appropriaterufcsa of managenienl
msunpuktiQii of old-gto^vtb stands - both those extant and those in process of
development toivgid old-growth f,onditlou, Opinions of well-qunlified experts
vary in this regard, As lortg term results fToin active rnan^cmcnL lie in tlie luturc
— likely quite far bi the future - eonsidaHng such manipiiJatinn as appropriate
and rclii*ive)y ecrtain to yield anticlpflinrl i-esults is an informed guess at best
ondf therefor^, pncompafie^s some uukxtuuii level of risk. In other word*,
DNRC Response
Over the course of the last couple of years, the average cost for planting is
$44.13 per acre, not including seedling production, seed collection, and
administration. The average cost of site preparation and slash reduction has
been $123.00 per acre. Due to the type of ground (steepness) and the density of
the stand, the average precommercial thinning cost has a range. Recent projects
range from $90.00 to $200.00 per acre.
Current SLI data shows that there is 10,228 acres of western red cedar/queen cup
beadlily habitat type on Swan River State Forest, with 2,704 acres occurring
within the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area. The action alternatives
propose harvesting within 4.1 percent (Action Alternative E) to 6.8 percent
(Action Alternative C) of this habitat type found on Swan River State Forest.
The quantities of cedar to be harvested are not known at this time. Approximate
western red cedar volume would be known after a unit has been marked and cruised.
Pockets of cedar would likely be retained in these units.
The species in question, like other native species, are considered in the coarse-
filter analysis (Pages F-6 through F-8) , since they are not listed as endangered,
threatened, or sensitive. All action alternatives would result in a reduction of
habitat for species that use mixed-conifer stands within these habitat types,
while retaining habitat in other areas on Swan River State Forest.
Following field reconnaissance and a search of the SLI database, hemlock is only
present in trace amounts within the project area. One stand located in the
northwest corner of the forest has a population of western hemlock greater than
10 percent. The limited (trace) amounts of western hemlock are located along
South Fork Lost creek. The 2 types of hemlock found in western Montana are
western hemlock and mountain hemlock. Western Montana is the extreme eastern
edge of the range for both species. Extensive forests of western hemlock occur
in southeastern Alaska, coastal British Columbia, and western Washington (Harlow
et al, 1979) . Mountain hemlock has a natural range from southern Alaska south
along the coastal ranges of British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon and is known
to be present in southeastern British Columbia, northern Idaho and western
Montana (Harlow et al, 1979) . Given the natural range of the species, the trace
amounts of hemlock found on Swan River State Forest is to be expected. Hemlock
becomes more common as one moves north in the Swan Range toward the Foothills
area .
Minor amounts of western hemlock may be harvested as part of this project.
The comment on Page C—38 refers to future actions wherein additional data
collection may result in reclassification of some stands and is not intended to
imply field data has not been collected. Data has been collected for all
sawtimber stands on Swan River State Forest and was used for all analyses .
While connectivity will be reduced, it will be maintained, albeit at a lower
level. DNRC has not identified specific stands to manage as replacement old
growth given that DNRC has no formal commitment to dedicate or set aside such
stands and the controlling language of 77—5—116 MCA that clearly states set-
asides must receive full market value.
See response #18 to the Adams' letter. Because DNRC adopted the Green
definitions, as described above and in ARM, it applies the old-growth label to
stands that meet the definition. The commenter was among the 3 groups who
insisted DNRC adopt the Green definitions despite their shortcomings. Comments
from the Scientific Review Committee report are taken out of context given they
were made in relation to a different process and prior to DNRC adopting its old-
growth definitions. Given the clear and objective thresholds provided by DNRC's
old-growth definitions, each and every stand can be consistently and accurately
assigned to either the old growth class or not. Comprehensive and flexible
approaches to defining old growth were rejected by the MOGP, MEIC, and FOWS,
and subsequently by DNRC, in order to provide clarity and certainty
regarding whether or not a stand would be labeled as old growth due to
the presence of large, live trees. The input received from those 3
groups, each of whom has also commented on the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Friends of the Wild Swan
[jrodncing "old-growth*^ faiibitiitis through active mauagtiuciit h an unfc^^tcd
hypothesis " (Page 11 - emphasis added)
Tlie 'Whole old-gi-ovvi}) ait&iysis is Isised on a flawed aaauaipliori and untested h^'pdthesis
DNRC may be wieafuily ihinking ihai Qitse standi will still be □Jd-growth after loggjrifi
Ivai otciiJTed in them birt you don't know Lhal. Whst other subtle changes will occur m
these viands after they are logged? Will soils be drier'? Will tnychorn?aI ftmgi be
destroyed? How will these changes affect tree fliid plfljit g^i}v^tll■? 'l'\M j^ why the
techiaical r6vie\i-' scientigta iccuramctdcd "adhisrcnce to the precautionary principle" aiid
"the mere coimnqji approach of "fes-erve sliaiegies' eonsidertng the, . , variabtes of
numbers of L>id-growth patches, stand siae, j uxtaitosiiioTi with other stands, and
cojmectivity/' (Page 11}
10 ' ITie Full Old Grow'lii hudcx (FOQl) wcaknesaes were also identified by the technical
review scienusta:
"The paiticulflr OG Index u^ is net supported by seicnce, espcciaily wiili ttie
weig.hfiiirtg of factors. [A hi&h iadex wlili do laxge trees is possible, but Totally
imacceptahle ba^d on OG literature to date.) Since a lai'ge proportion of the
acrc-agc would still he opeii for hflrvcsting,, the possibility of rumoving tot! many
large tiees dops aol provide tiredihilit}' for tiie DNRC Alloy's "li.ajrv'«ting" Iti
]arg& amourits of OG acre^age, when the emphasis should he on i he need for
"ecologies,] restoratioij treatincnts'" rtiLher than haiveiiting CTltis is not a play on
words! Ecologies I re-storatioii ireaiments should he prcsycription?!. with emphasis
to enhance old growiJi development, rpther ihrn altowiiig harvcsliag dowra to
minimuiB OG standards,)" (Page 4)
**t1je main Option 2 v^'eaknesses are lack of scieniific support ibr tlie prn^wsed
index (not available ai thJi* lime}, find public triisifl ti0Jii5«ru about use of the index
to allow im'va^m^ «f too many tojge trees." (Page 10)
The cotjcCTU? expressed by the scientists; are pTtcisely what we sx^ seeing with this
project- l.-arge amounts- of tiLd-gTowth forests sre slated for logging even though fhe
FOGJ index still mtes them as old-growth, albeit Issser quality' old-aroulh. Agaia, the
old-grovii'th anal^'sis is h&sei Qv. a flawed methodology that is not acccpitd hi the
scientific commtjnity.
11
' The wildlife toialysis r,ites dispJeccmem of wildiife tVom roads, however, there is no
consideratton or analysis of ilJegal motorized use on closed roads or iaowmobile use. It
also narrows the impacts io the road itself when distplactjirieiit fnom motorized use goes
far beyond the road. Wildlife, especiaiiy grizzly bears and elk, flvoid roaded areas.
There is no real axialysi.s of the cutnulaiive effects of the esJstiiig mads and new roads on
\vildlife. The DHtS tells us that wildlife are negatively affected but there is np toflly$i$ tsf
how that affej:ts breeding, feeding or raising young.
DNRC Response
Project, indicated that the presence of specified numbers of large, live trees
was the fundamental threshold for labeling a stand as old growth. Again, no
other threshold levels for any other attributes are included in DNRC's old-growth
definitions .
10. See #19 response to Adams' letter. The Full Old Growth Index (FOGI) is used as a
communication tool and apparently serves this purpose well as evidenced by
several comments regarding the reduction in FOGI values due to stand treatments.
The index is used solely for communication purposes and is not used to justify
treatments, or to label or define whether or not a stand is old growth.
11. DNRC plans to manage all roads in accordance with the project design. Monitoring
under the SVGBCA reveals an 88-percent success rate in restricting roads {SVGBCA
Monitoring Report 2005) . When a breach in a road system is detected, DNRC
attempts to repair the closure as soon as possible.
The disturbance analysis is provided as a relative analysis to produce a
hierarchy of disturbance for each alternative (Page F—2 through F—4) . This is a
coarse-filter analysis that applies differently to each individual species
considered and recognizes that the disturbance effects extend beyond the road
prism (Page F—2) . The fine-filter analyses describe the effects of roads on
individual species (Pages F-23, F—31 through F-39) .
Friends of the Wild Swan
12
13
• The DRiS also jsakcs broad sr^Jtcmcijis such as 'In some harvest unita the number of
larfre trees retained could me^l the minimuiK crilftna Tor o!d"f;fO\\ih; however, these
stands imy nni net-:es$arily meet the ndede of oid-^rfTftth- associated species, especially
tJlose species iJiat prefer densely forested cimjax atandii. Where oJd-groiATh habitat is
altered, oid-growth-aisociatcd spaci&s are expecisd to Id&t habiiat," ;\nd "]f>oai
reduciions in oid-grov-oh habitats are exp*etcd to reduce habitat availability for species
th*it iisc th«ie habitats," (page F-8) What species wtiuld be affeaed? How u'ould Uiey
be affected? How do these negative impacts afitci biological diversitv in the proiect
area? On the SRSF?
* The lytiK analysis does nm andyzc the effciits of cx5mpacdoii from snowmobiles, oew
joads. mcrcascd number of plowed roads, etc. Lynx utilise areas ihal are unavHil&bk to
predalOTs such as mountain lions aiid ixiyoles, but when these p?ace§ arc compac!^' from
hunau use ihe- predators have access to them competing for prey spooios such as
• SDu^shoc hiuc or preyiiig on lynx,
14 . Some of the a^aumpttons for lynx ident:fied in the DEIS are questiotiablc mthoui
proper monitorinn:: 20-30 year old sapling stands may provide fomging habitat for lynx,
provided snowsJjoe hares aie abiindflni. However, hare response to hitrve^is will be
stTOTifily influencftd hy local conditions and type of disturbance^ so one cannot
aytoinaticftUy assume liiai logging will create hare Mbiiai, This will aleo requjr*^ that
logged fitsnd.B rue not later tliiiiiied le piDinote tree gro^vdu a praclide which is rarely
ideiitined on public lajiids managed for timber.
15 * it is our mijde!rstflndijig that tire trsain criteria for lyiix foraging habitat is the prtscnc* of
suiowflUoc^ harc5. Where are the haiportani hare areas in this project area, and what is iJic
esiimated populatioti de^iisJQ' {law, medium, highj?
■ As is noted hi the Lyn?( Conservatiors Apsessineyt and Strategy, 9;:if«wshoe hare habitat
can oeovir w.-jthin old growth forests, depending on the type and local cnndiridOK Heve
you done any siitveys for snowshoe hares in older stands in this ai'ea?
16 ' The DElS fails to usft aceurate information when reporting oti ojH^n rf>ad densities in ihc
South Lest Houp subunit. TJits DEIS claims that ORD for ibis subimit arp at 3 1 .2%.
Howe vex, the Swan VaJley CoRservaiion Agjreement (SVC A) nionitoHng reports for
2003, 2004 and 2005 diselose that DN'RC's open, road densities are 35%. That h above
the 33% ORD that was to be- achieved withir; 3 years of signing the SVC"! A. This, pro] set
will further increase ORD, Under th SVGA ihe p?ffties were snppojied to worV towards
a long-term, goa] of 21% O'RB in each EKiV subunh. DNRC rs ctirreotly out nf
eompliance with the 33% ORD and Is moving in the wrong direction by increa.siny, not
deoreasLng open road densities.
^■^ - The Swian Valley Conseivation Agreement docs not dismiss DNHC from attalyzing the
cumulative efT«cis of logging, Rdditionaf road buildine end disruptian of li&bitat to the
gri/Jtly bear, Uliile the DEIS pays lip .service to cumulative effptiT.s ihe contents are
empty of any aiudysis, The following concemsi need to he addressed:
DNRC Response
12. These statements are made in the Coarse-Filter Analysis. This analysis is
general by nature; therefore, the species and specific effects are not discussed.
However, an overall assessment of the old-growth coarse filter is found under the
Cumulative Effects heading on Page F-8.
13. Although snow compaction might allow travel of coyotes and mountain lions into
lynx habitat, spatial separation likely occurs (Todd et al . 1981, Murray et al .
1994) . Furthermore, Kolby et al . (in press) found that coyotes did not show
strong affinity for compacted trails and did not prey heavily on snowshoe hares
during the winter. Therefore, compacted trails are not expected to affect lynx
and were not analyzed in the DEIS.
14. The assumption of sapling stands providing snowshoe hare habitat is appropriate.
There is no indication in APPENDIX C - VEGETATION ANALYSIS that regeneration
would be problematic. Whether regenerating stands undergo precommercial thinning
would be determined at a future date. Therefore, the timing and precommercial
thinning prescription are beyond the scope of this analysis and would be
considered under a separate environmental analysis at the appropriate time.
15/15. DNRC manages habitat and assumes if suitable habitat for a species is present,
then the species can use the area in question. DNRC does not manage or monitor
hare populations. Additionally, incidental survey information is difficult to
interpret without long-term monitoring or research to accompany these data. This
is especially true for snowshoe hares populations, which can be cyclic, annually
or seasonally. Therefore, a change in survey numbers could be related to
habitat, population, or seasonal changes. Without an in-depth study, to
determine the cause-effect relationship would be difficult. Therefore, DNRC
relies on habitat assessments to measure effects.
17. The commitments made in the SVGBCA are based on a subunit basis. Therefore, the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project grizzly bear analysis was based on the subunit
scale, not at the ownership within the subunit scale. The percentages reported
for the South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly Bear Subunit in TABLE F-11 are correct and
concur with the figures provided in the 2005 SVGBCA Monitoring Report. The
increase in ORD is due to rerouting the South Fork Lost Road away from the stream
to address issues of water quality and sediment delivery. This project fully
complies with the road-density standards in the SVGBCA.
Friends of the Wild Swan
a) The Biological Opinion {BO) foi the SVCA admiii ihat "core areas are iimited
and restricted to higher elevations; no fuflciionaf cotc: hshlisi exJSJS ar Icwer elcvaisons"
(BO page 23), Yet, the DEIS ckics not disclose ii^ievaHondly where H^^c core area m in Ihi
sabuait, how iL is aiTected, or whether it is acifiqufltc,
b) The I'ish'aBid Wildlife SeT\'icc believEiS that displatcmmt of grizzly btars and
undftr-UBe of habitai currently Qcwirs, and cxpcc-ts that this would continue" (BO pa&c
23). Wh^t is DNRC doing to remedy this?
c) "High road densities in lawa- clevaticms majj continue kt precEiide the
estiibltshinent of home ranges by (susjccsaful rqproducing) adu]\ females" (BO page 24),
Whai ia DNRC cioing to remedy tJiis'?
d) ''Blocks of core habitgt of ?tiff]cicnt size to be funclioiml are ahsent a[ lower
elevations . , , erod wou3d renaairi iibscnt oildcr the lenna of the agreement" (BO psgc 25J
What is DNRC doing to remedy this?
18 ■ The DEIS fails to analyae- the effects on fis'her of decreasing hahitiit -quality and
t^usmtity. Merely stating rJiEit habitflt viHl! decline istjot adeqtiate, Wliere will fisher live,
bret-d and shelter fnr the next SO years while they ai'e woitiDg for habilHt to improve?
DNRC caiinrtt rely on other flwnersiupi^ s3 a surrogate foi elhniiiating habitat on state
lands. How T,vill managing for low habitat valtiei impact fisher in the near and long-
term?
■"■^ - Why have fisher corfidofs widths beets d^reased from those delineated on other
projects in the SRSF in iJie past few years? lATjat is the scientific b&sis for this change?
^° - The DEIS fails to analyze the effects or pileated woodpecker. The DEIS discloses that
habitat will deoimc hut how doee that elYect the woodpeckers Uvi-ng there now? How
many are usin^ the area now? What sun-eys have been done? Where will \voodpccJiers
be displaced to? Is that habitat adequate? Instead of tiulj^ aniilviing the impacts the
DEIS mak"es vague stetenientfl that iiabitat may improve in HO to 100 years. And that is,
of course^ if no moie logginE takes place ij3 the fnterim,
^^ ■ The DEIS fails to ariaiy2e the cumulative effects on elk aad mule deer, Winter range
thermal cover wa.s reduced to btlow scientifically recommended levels in tho Goat
Squeezer tirnbe!- sale project. Did that reduction in thermal cover squeeze moie big game
into tlus project area? What are the effects of this project on calving grounds? On spring
range?
^^ ' How rntich of the project area, on SREF lands, was historically big game winter range?
Fleaiie be more specific regarding the cxpcctBri poputaiion impacts on big yame from ^
votii proposed rediK'tions in big gairte winter rartge. instead of just saying a rcduttion in
carrying capacity- may occur. How much are popwiaticjnfi expected to decline by?
23 , \\.'hy w-ere tlie specific alternatives selected in regard to removal of big game winter
range? For example, why weren't nauch lower levels considered? Also, why were
pEirLictiiai winter range stands selected for rcm.ovai, and not others?
DNRC Response
18. TABLE F—13 displays the reductions in security core. A map was added to the FEIS
to show the current location of potential security core areas (FIGURE F—8) . The
USFWS determined the adequacy of the long-term security core areas and issued an
incidental-take statement.
Some incidental take was anticipated and was authorized by the USFWS as terms of
the SVGBCA when it was established. DNRC is conducting management activities in
compliance with the stipulations in the SVGBCA, thereby minimizing impacts of
forest management to grizzly bears.
19. Page F-45 gives rationale for the statement that "the risk of these alternatives
reducing the quantity or quality of fisher habitat to the point where fishers can
no longer use the analysis area is low."
20. The width of fisher corridors from the SFLMP guidance to the ARMs decreased from
165 feet to 100 feet on class 1 (perennial) and 83 feet to 50 feet on class 2
(intermittent) streams. This change was due to an administrative decision made
to meet State trust obligations while accommodating wildlife habitat
considerations. Initially, riparian corridor widths were determined by
considering riparian widths that incorporated 75 percent of radio relocations of
fishers studied in Idaho. During the rule-making process, the width was narrowed
to widths that incorporated percent of radio relocations reported in this same
study (Jones 1991) .
21. DNRC s wildlife analysis is based on habitat parameters and the changes to those
parameters. Surveys or population estimates for pileated woodpeckers in the
analysis area were not conducted. In western Montana, pileated woodpeckers
appear relatively common, are not listed as a species of concern (outside DNRC) ,
and show increasing distribution (SJcaar 2003) . Based on changes to the habitat,
the DEIS states that the alternatives "could result in a moderate risk of
reducing use and reproduction of pileated woodpeckers in the analysis area in the
short-term" (Page F—50) . Long-term future harvests are beyond the scope of this
analysis and would be considered when a specific project is proposed.
22 . The Goat Squeezer winter range and subsequent effects to big game primarily
affect white-tailed deer. Conversely, the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area
does not provide winter range for white-tailed deer, and white-tailed deer show
high fidelity to winter ranges; therefore, white-tailed deer use of the elk/mule
deer winter range in the Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area is not expected.
The effects of calving grounds and spring range were not raised as issues in this
area. No calving grounds have been designated in the analysis area.
Furthermore, if isolated calving areas occur in the project area, timing and
cover stipulations under the SVGBCA would retain hiding cover and reduce
disturbance for calving elk. On spring ranges, removal of canopy cover would
allow for increased forage and earlier green-up resulting in a benefit to big
game species .
23. Winter ranges are generally defined due to their location within the landscape.
Winter ranges tend to have lower snow accumulations than surrounding areas due to
the influence of elevation, aspect, and climatic variables. The historical
amount of potential big game winter range is likely unchanged from the present
amount; however, patches of dense forest cover associated with winter ranges
likely retreated, advanced, and shifted over time due to the occurrence of
natural disturbances such as wildfire. Today, logging can also affect the
quality and carrying capacity of these winter ranges. However, the analysis
concludes that the effects of all action alternatives would result in a low
risk of decreasing carrying capacity on this portion of the elk/mule deer
winter range because of a variety of factors (Pages F-53 to F-54) .
Therefore, no detectable population changes are expected.
Friends of the Wild Swan
24 ' Has DK'Rr defined how mucb winrer range ne^ds m be mairtjiined over time- on this
landsc-apc to maJnlain stabJi:? hi^ gairte populations? What are your macaFi^ment fjoiiJs fdr
big game winier range and associated popuJa+to?i-Si sin SRSF lands? Do you have fmy
limitatJoTifi on the amouji.i of big game winter range thai you can remove over a. given
period or dme'^
25 » ^^hy were the specific aiiettiatives selected in regard to removal dI habitat for the othcj*
species sinalyzed? Why werie particular ne&tihg or deniiifig stonds selected foi removal,
and not others? Do you have any limitutians on tlxe arnotmt of sensitive, tiM-eatened ox
end^nga'ed species habitul that you can leniovc- uve- e given period of tiiiic?
26 • For filJ wildlife t)^JRC needs to qiiantily what does curreiit habitat availabiJity, loeal
population moojtoting, aiid tiinrcnt stahis i>f Ac species indicate about current populat'ttn
htalth in this laivdac^pe-, or bi other words, is the current habitat ejidugh? Jf it is, htiw
much more can you take and stiH not trigger signiticsjiL popujalion inipacls? if there
cumenily isn't enough habjmt, haw can you justifV taking more?
27 * What conservation strategics does DNRC have to cnstire ihat bioiogical diversity is
maintainec: on the SKSF? The SFLMP rules do not c-onslitute an overall c-onservatioii
strategy, thfty are broad guidance, We realize that conservatloin strategies arc being
dcvcfoped with the Habitat Conse-rvation Plan iot lynx, grizzly beai and hul! troiti, but
whal cctni;i?r\'ation stratJCgies docs DNRC ha\'e for sensitive specieSf woJveg, and baid
eagles?
28 • There is a diseonneci in the analysis, all ihe wridtifc spReies analyzed in the DEIS
require cortidars to move fof foraging, dcnuirnj, nt^ling and ff&asonsA habitats, Bui \*e
don'l know: Wheiii flrc these c:0JTi dors'' What i^ the habitat quality' m them? What size
are they? Aie they v^de Cnoufih TO prottijt from edge ftffects and ptovide security? Are
mey fragmeiited by rosds or pasi loggiag unitR? How much (;anopy cover, ihprni&l ctwer
or hiding cover is in them? How ji^ucJn down -woody dehns is in them? Wliat lype of
liabitai is t^onsidered suitable?
Corridors of interior forest habitat between old growth habitat have bwn recorajnetidisd
by the oJd growth Technical Review Team, snd they recommend a ruinimiini width tif
>100 meters. Do yciu have any acltiai ^vidth criteria you are Using a) present to define
corridors ir^ the project area? DNRC needs to map ail corridor liabitat in the project ftrea.
atid define both current and long term objectives fcr maiMtaining these corridors over
lime,
29 * DNRC must discJoa* any siEhtings, ues\s and'oi dens of sensliive, threatened ajid
endaJ^gtriid. gpecies- in. the project are^ and what is bcin^ done to protect Ihem,
30 Fi gberieSj'HydTalQg v
' The DEIS contains a summary of anlidpated pfdjeci-Level momtcirinE hut docs not
disclose ho-w long the monltoiing will be done. How often il wi\l be done. Whether
there is fimdinis avsdlable for the monitoring. Also, the rtionitoring does not contain Lht
DNRC Response
24. The harvest unit selection addressed the project objectives (Page 1—2) and was
modified to mitigate other resource issues. Big game thermal cover was not an
issue that modified the objective-based proposal.
However, one of the project objectives (DEIS, Page 1-2; FEIS, Page 1-2) directed
the ID Team to consider harvesting in areas where winter-harvesting operations
are limited. This objective is aimed at retaining winter-harvesting
opportunities lower in the South Fork Lost Soup Grizzly Bear Subunit that could
be used to reduce the amount of volume (thermal cover) needed from the Goat
Squeezer Grizzly Bear Subunit during the 2012 through 2014 active period. In
combination with that objective was the objective of addressing insect and
disease activities, and many of those units are in the mid-elevation zones for
this particular area.
25. ARM 36.11.443 outlines DNRC management for big game winter range.
26. The harvest units and treatments were selected to meet the stated project
objectives (Page 1-2) and were modified to mitigate other resource issues. DNRC
applies a coarse-filter management philosophy that attempts to emulate the
historic conditions found prior to European settlement (DNRC 1996) . The amount
of habitat allowed to be removed over time is managed on a project-by-project
level under each environmental analysis. Under each environmental assessment,
the decisionmaker must weigh the effects to wildlife and their habitat,
considering amounts that would be affected and the impacts to the species of
concern .
27. Please refer COARSE FILTER ANALYSIS, Introduction (Page F-2) .
28. ARMs provide the direction that explains how DNRC manages habitat for bald
eagles, gray wolves, and sensitive species. Specific measures are contained in
ARMs for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species that are most likely to be
influenced by forest-management activities.
29. This information is provided under the Forest Connectivity Analysis on Pages F-8
through F-13 and in FIGURES F-1 through F-5.
30. Species use of the area is based on available habitat and is supported by
observations. The criteria for habitat assessment along with any documentation
of use are discussed in the DEIS under the species in question. DNRC reports
sightings from field staff of threatened and endangered and sensitive species to
the Montana Natural Heritage Program, and observations are reported in the DNRC
5-YEAR SFLMP Monitoring Report.
Friends of the Wild Swan
Bull Trout Re5fltoration Team's rcccirani ended frilcria in Th^ R&hriomhip Ettwem land
Mannge.meni Activities mii Habitat for Buli "/i-ow/ (hereafter Lund Managenieiii RcponJ
'i"he Thjcc Creeks Tinibei Sde does nut contain the momiorine compouciiia cantaintd m
Table 3 of the Tand Management Plan (other ±m fine sediment and redd uJimts wbicii in
Tuutinely done by Fish, Wildlife and Parks).
The Land Management Plan strategy' waa adypled md as ddI to impose "one size fiis all"
stflndatdi hut raiher to apply an adaptive rnaiiag&riient iippfoacii which would include
monitoring liabitai components, wrttria based sfamdnids and delineation cif caution zones,
AL'.Ltvities that occur within the "caution gone" {i,o., 10(] year floodplairi pins 1 50 feet un
eithti' sidi; and/of the hydrologsc b(iiin,diar>' of tiie watersh^J m&iy inherently pdsc snme
risk and shotjJd nol occror unless sufficieni information i* avdkbte to rcli&bly
demonstrate that lie actuity \^dll nol adversely ftl'foct habitat cJiaracteristic-S ncccsam^' to
support bull tntmi, Why isn'i thcrt a "caution 7^dc" delineated for Uiis profscf? \ATiy is.
DNRC using bajikfii] width instead of tht 100 ytmr J'lcodpJaiii to delineate a buffer zone?
What data Crom past pfojccts an the SRSF exists lo reliably demonstrate tiiitt logging
within M ''caution ?x)At>" will not ndvcrstly effect habitBl rharactcr<:«ttcs netcssary m
suppon bull trout?
31 • The DEIS dclm^t^i; a mere 25 foot no hflivcst bufer im key bull trout spawning
iitTcajTis without pfovidirig any ^ciencif to support it, This buJTer is weaker than the besl
scientifir research sugge^s frr iiqumic speciies. As slated aboi'e, llie Montana Bull Trout
RestorBtion Tcatn's ?ci*sn[5« Group suggcxsted a caution zone thnt ranged Irom the I (It,)
year floodplam plus 1 50 fc:et to the whole ^vBterslucd. TTie Forrefrt Survice'.? [rJancI Nfative
Fish Strategy reqnfirs 300 fool buiTers on each side of (he sLteaLn. The IJSFWS Interim
Conservfltion Guidanct* states:
The Service believer avtivtlli^ that rtficur within the Cfliitida iirtiit msty
imhcj entl^' pose snm* risk, and should not occur unlftiis surHcieti^ infornirttitia
is availahle to reliably dcmoTmliate that the activity ii'ill nfit adveviseiy aftlect
hfthit^t chiiractcristips njj^ifi^sary' to support buJl trout, (emphasis addedj
U^FWS Bull Trout Intariiij Conservation. Gujdiioce, 12/9/98 citing Montana Buli
Trout Scientific Group's 1 998 leport "Tlw Rcletionship b&tween Land
Mfln-tgciiieDt Aerivitses and Habitat l^equircmtnts of Bull Troul."
Thi! I'laution zotie they rcfcj- !u is iht !00 yc-ar tlooplatii + 1 50 feet tor both b-jll trout core
and nodal areas. DNRC is dearly out of sl£p with other agencies and aeicndsts,
32
• The Fisheries analysis relics on the hyt&oiogy analysis Ihai onJy Jfioks Ht the long-tcmi
decrease in sediment from removine old bridges, up-graatng roada, relocating the South
Lost road from the strefiieside, etc Ho^vevea-, all of these actions v^ill in^erease sedunent
in the short-term yet this is not mentioned or analyiwd ifl the DHTS Tlie DlRlS does not
disclose how many cnlverlJ* vviU be repkced in the- road itconstnjcilion. h.o\v many nev/
culvertB will be installed, vwhcre iJiey are locetcd end what the timing oi'aJl this road wurk
ift. In other words, will all these ar-tivilics be taking place at die same timti? We must
assume that they wiD because there ia only a three year witidow to complete this work.
So, there will be impacts to fish hflbitat and these are not ajial>Twd nr disclosed in tlis
DEIS, Nor ts dje DEIS clear as to whether the temporary roads will be ftaiy reclaiined,
DNRC Response
31. Postharvest redd count, McNeil core, and substrate monitoring is expected to
occur during at least 5 consecutive years in South Fork Lost and Soup creeks if
one of the action alternatives is selected. Postharvest fish habitat, riparian
stand, shade, and large-woody-debris monitoring is expected to occur during at
least 1 year in South Fork Lost and Soup creeks if one of the action alternatives
is selected. Postharvest stream temperature monitoring is expected to occur
during at least 3 consecutive years in South Lost, Cilly, and Soup creeks if one
of the action alternatives is selected. Postharvest redd count, McNeil core, and
substrate monitoring is expected to be initiated 1 year postharvest and would
occur once a year if one of the action alternatives is selected. Postharvest
fish habitat and large-woody-debris monitoring is expected to be initiated within
5 years postharvest and would occur once a year during base flow periods if one
of the action alternatives is selected. Postharvest riparian stand and shade
monitoring is expected to be initiated 1 year postharvest and would occur once a
year if one of the action alternatives is selected. Postharvest stream
temperature monitoring is expected to be initiated 1 year postharvest and would
occur once a year from spring to fall if one of the action alternatives is
selected. If one of the action alternatives is selected, DNRC intends to conduct
the anticipated project-level monitoring; funds for the monitoring are included
in the DNRC budget. DNRC is a signatory to the Restoration Plan for Bull Trout
in the Clark Fork River Basin and Kootenai River Basin, Montana, of which, the
Land Management Report (MBTSG 1998) is a supporting appendix. DNRC continues to
consider the Restoration Plan a very valuable and notable planning guide of bull
trout conservation goals when considering land-management activities in bull
trout watersheds. However, even though DNRC makes best efforts to adapt to the
proposed strategies in the Land Management Report, the proposed strategies are
nonetheless "recommendations" only. The anticipated monitoring (detailed above)
is designed to be both validation and effectiveness monitoring. The anticipated
monitoring is validation monitoring since the monitoring results will test many
of the risk and impact assessments made in the effects analysis of APPENDIX E -
FISHERIES . Although the anticipated monitoring does not explicitly tier to the
"criteria" in the Land Management Report in terms of effectiveness monitoring,
the "criteria" for the Land Management Report indices that would be analyzed as
part of the anticipated monitoring are generally analogous to those made in the
risk and impact assessments for fisheries. For instance, the potential impacts
to fisheries resources in bull trout streams are expected to range from
negligible to low, with "low" meaning effects may be detectable or measurable,
but those effects are not likely to be detrimental. The "criteria" for the Land
Management Report indices that would be analyzed as part of the anticipated
monitoring are described as "no measurable detrimental change" or "maintain". To
summarize, the anticipated monitoring does not explicitly tier to the "criteria"
in the Land Management Report, but the anticipated monitoring will address most
of the Land Management Report indices using complementary parameters. Of the 20
indices that address the 8 habitat components in Table 3 of the Land Management
Report, the anticipated monitoring will be able to directly analyze 14 of the
indices that address 6 habitat components. The two habitat components that are
not addressed by the anticipated monitoring are connectivity and chemical water
quality. Connectivity would not be monitored in bull trout streams in the
project area since there would be no impacts to this habitat component. In order
to accurately convey DNRC commitments to interagency bull trout monitoring
efforts, the reason that ^fine sediment' and ^redd counts' are routinely done by
DFWP (throughout Swan River State Forest) is because DNRC routinely pays DFWP to
conduct such monitoring. These annual monitoring commitments are just one part
of DNRC's commitments to larger interagency efforts (including the 'Restoration
Plan', Flathead Basin Forest Practices Water Quality and Fisheries Cooperative
Program, and Swan Valley Bull Trout Work Group) to support regional bull trout
research and conservation efforts.
The Land Management Plan states: "Land management activities are not
categorically prohibited or restricted within these caution zones by this
strategy. However, because activities that occur within the caution zone
inherently pose some risk, they should not occur unless monitoring occurs or
sufficient information is available to reliably demonstrate that the activity
will not adversely affect the habitat components." [MBTSG 1998) As cited above,
"land management activities are not categorically prohibited or restricted within
these caution zones by this strategy", and DNRC has chosen to implement the
Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM) . In this case DNRC is required to
implement a fisheries riparian management zone on fish-bearing streams (ARM
36,11.425) in order to adequately protect important fisheries habitat components.
Furthermore, this decision also satisfies the framework for conducting land-
management activities in the "caution zone" since supplemental analysis has been
conducted for the DEIS and an anticipated monitoring plan has been developed.
The DEIS provides a thorough analysis of potential impacts, and, consequently,
sufficient information that reliably demonstrates that the proposed activities
are not expected to have detrimental effects on habitat variables in bull trout
streams. The analysis relies on both data from past projects and outputs from
peer— reviewed models. The DEIS also provides a list of anticipated monitoring.
DNRC has chosen to implement the Administrative Rules of Montana. In this case
DNRC is required to implement a fisheries riparian management zone on fish-
bearing streams (ARM 36.11.425) in order to adequately protect important
fisheries habitat components. The fisheries riparian management zone is
established in conjunction with and adjacent to the Streamside Management Zone
(ARM 36.11 .311, 36 .11 .312) . Streamside Management Zones are delineated at the
stream edge using the "ordinary high water mark", which corresponds with those
points delineating the bankfull edge of the stream. Data from past projects on
Swan River State Forest is not required in order to reliably demonstrate that the
proposed land-management activities are not expected to adversely affect the
habitat components. The text from the Land Management Report states: "Land
management activities are not categorically prohibited or restricted within these
caution zones by this strategy. However, because activities that occur within
the caution zone inherently pose some risk, they should not occur unless
monitoring or other sufficient information is available to reliably demonstrate
that the activity will not adversely affect the habitat components." (MBTSG 1998)
Again, the FEIS provides a thorough analysis of potential impacts, and,
consequently, sufficient information that reliably demonstrates that the proposed
activities are not expected to have detrimental effect on habitat variables in
bull trout streams. The analysis relies on both data from past projects and
outputs from peer-reviewed models. Some of the data that takes into account the
potential impacts of past projects on and adjacent to Swan River State Forest
that are included in the DEIS analysis are: redd counts, McNeil cores, substrate
scores, Wolman pebble counts, fish habitat variables such large woody debris
frequency, pool volume and frequency, and stream temperature.
32 . The DEIS analysis delineates a 95-foot buffer on South Fork Lost Creek that
includes 25 feet of no harvest close to the stream and 70 feet of adjacent
partial harvest away from the stream. The DEIS analysis delineates an 83 foot
buffer on Soup Creek that includes 25 feet of no harvest close to the stream and
58 feet of adjacent partial harvest away from the stream. The DNRC analysis
finds that the 95-foot and 83-foot buffers described here are expected to be
effective management prescriptions to prevent detrimental impacts to habitat
variables in bull trout streams. However, in order to mitigate for potential
adverse impacts to terrestrial wildlife, the actual management prescriptions on
bull trout streams are expected to increase the partial harvest portion of the
buffers to 75 feet, which will create 100-foot buffers. Therefore, the actual
potential risks and impacts to bull trout habitat variables may be less than
those outlined in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES. A 25-foot no-harvest buffer alone
might be weaker than the best available data suggests for adequately protecting
most aquatic species. However, DNRC does not propose to utilize only a 25-foot
no-harvest buffer. (See comment response above.) The Inland Native Fish Strategy
only applies to federal land-management activities on Forest Service land. The
plan does not apply to land-management activities on State trust lands. The
USFWS Bull Trout Interim Conservation Guidance was developed for use by the
USFWS . So that the statement above is not taken out of context for readers, the
text at the beginning of the document states: "[The Bull Trout Interim
Conservation Guidance] is not intended to provide site specific land management
prescriptions, but to provide recommended actions that may be adapted and
modified to benefit bull trout in a particular locale."
This comment is addressed through several different responses above.
Friends of the Wild Swan
33 Will dl of them bq rciclaimed or jial some? Will other roads be reclaimed? Whai is the
timing of this road wurk and how doeii ft cuinulativialy impact these impcnani hu31 trout
Wliile th^ bridfie removals may be considered "mitigation" liisy sdll have a t;umulati^■e
(jffect from optratiitg equipment in the stitsuu and from Stidiment thai may enter the
sucam from liie till iMshiiid the bridges, lliere needs to be a thorough cnmuktivc effects
analysis of ihe bridge removals, new road cnn^tmcli&n^ ro^ upgfadi^s ajid tht coduniied
existetit:* of an wiinainLaincd Sdwh Lost Creek road on bidl iroitt end bull troui liabitet-
34 * The DEiS does not dtscloise whellifu the Sout}! Lost Road thai is I'eiocaied wiii be
pennanciitly or hydrolofjit^lty rpf-laiined m will jusi bt made impassable aiid left in plsicc
tfj Jelericiralc iiilo South Lost Creek .Ajiother road will be built upslope on sensitive yoil
tjpes- FriDnt a terrestrjaJ ^species sfandpoini ywu may consider Mock&din^ the rn^d to be
suXficient fwe do not) but fron:5i a watershed stj:n4poiiit you arc increasing road densities
and road impacts on li btdl trout spawning stream We are not ai^ng that the current
South I ,ost Creek road is in a good jncation; «r m good shape, How-e^'SrJusl abandoning
Lite current road and building another does not solve the prpble^tn thai the current road is
causing to the iilfeiiiii.
35 ' The prcijeci area is designated critical habitat for buU trout. DNRC should he iBidng
every prECitULion not to Hdversely modify bull trotil habitat, instead tills proseci delineates
skimpy huffe-rs and does not disclose or anAlysua die short-lerm or cuintiiative sedimejii
itnfMittii.
36 • The South Lost and Cilly Creek roads sue FRT'A cost share roads with the Forest
Sorvioe. UNRC mtist consult oq the eiTwts to bull trout criticaj habitRi: and must
eotiferencp on the ciTects xa proposed lynx critical hab-ilat from re-buildtlie the South Lost
Road Biid any other loads associated with the PRTA agreemijoi.
37 • DNKC is irapleniemiiig some qitcsticnabk strmegie? contained in the draft tionservalioti
stpfttegies for the ITabitat Conservation Plan prior to compledn^ the HCP, This could
result in lake of thrfiatfined and endangcrtd species.
38
■ This ptojecl has numerous cuttinij units on Landtypes 72.. 75 nnd 76. The Flatheiid
National PoresT Plan describes Landtype 75 as "ooi capable of comitiercial timber
ntaiiagcmcnt, .™iface Lxcupaucy or permitted domestic livestock use due to the steepness
cif ilope, exposed roi^k and lack of soil" Landtype 73 md 76 liaiard rtiduction find site
preparation i^ expensive due to steep slopes, sot:di sbpes liave bw vci^etative
prodiicrivity and are difTitid!: to revegctate, U'"hfit ia tlie growth aiid yield rate of
previously logged -Ludts on these sod types in the pro] eel area? How doee DNRC intend
to regenerate treeai on these ftitss thai even liie Flf.thMd NationaJ I'orcsi ktlO^^'5 have low
vegetative productivity aiid arp difRcult to revegetatc? If these Elow-regcneretlng ^hes
arc being UJ^ed in assumpdojis r«sajdit:g wildhfe habitat then tie entire wildlife m&lysh
Is fiawed,
DNRC Response
33. The DEIS discloses the estimated short-term impacts of removing old bridges,
upgrading of roads, and relocating South Lost Road from the streamside on Pages
III-29 through III-33, and Pages D-9 and D-10; and in the FEIS on Pages III-29
through III— 32 and D-9 through D-11 . The DEIS lists and describes each of the
proposed stream crossing replacements and proposed new stream crossing
installations, along with a description of their locations on Pages D-9 through
D-18. These discussions can also be found in this FEIS on Pages D-9 through D-
18. The proposed roadwork involving CMP installations or replacements would be
contained in 3 contracts, and the number of these projects is dependent on the
selected alternative. Construction on these contracts would be managed by timing
constraints set down in the Stream Preservation Act (124) Permit process and may
lead to simultaneous operations. However, as stated in the DEIS on Pages D-18
through D—22, all applicable recommendations given in the 124 and 318 permits
would be followed, and no limits set forth in State water-quality laws would be
exceeded. The expected impacts to fish habitat from sediment are disclosed for
all proposed activities in the DEIS on Pages E-57 through E—66, and in this FEIS
on Pages E-56 through E-66. All temporary roads would be decommissioned to a
condition where they permanently meet all applicable BMPs, require no
maintenance, and would not be a risk to water quality or erosion. As stated in
the DEIS on Page III-29 and Pages D-9 through D-18, temporary roads would be
decommissioned immediately following the completion of activities in the proposed
units, and portions of South Fork Lost Creek Road would be decommissioned under
all proposed action alternatives. The timing of all proposed roadwork at stream
crossings and where fish habitat may be impacted would be timed according to
stipulations and specifications called for by the DFWP through the 124 Permit
process. All timing and mitigation measures will be discussed and approved prior
to starting these proposed activities. The cumulative effects of the proposed
action alternatives, including proposed roadwork and stream crossings, are
displayed in the DEIS on Pages E-91 through £-97 and in this FEIS on Pages E-91
through E-96.
The DEIS does not refer to the proposed bridge removals as "mitigation", but as
rehabilitation measures. The purpose of the bridge removals is to rehabilitate
sites where sediment delivery is either occurring, or is at a high potential to
occur with further decay of the existing structures. The cumulative effects to
sediment delivery of all proposed action alternatives is displayed in the DEIS on
Pages D-18 through D-24, and in this FEIS on Pages D-19 through D-25. The
expected impacts to fish habitat from sediment are disclosed for all proposed
activities in the DEIS on Pages E-57 through E-66, and in this FEIS on Pages E-56
through E-66.
34. The Forest Roads and Trails Act (FRTA) Agreement completed between the FNF and
DNRC in 2002, and the Cost-Share Agreement between the FNF and DNRC in 2003
detailed the proposed and agreed-upon measures to rehabilitate the sections of
South Fork Lost Creek Road proposed for replacement . These were analyzed for in
the Biological Opinion and deemed appropriate by all parties in the Agreement,
and would be implemented under any selected action alternative of the Three
Creeks Timber Sale Project FEIS. The methods of reclamation for South Lost Creek
Road include a range of designs from laying portions of the road prism back to
slope, relieving compaction to allow water infiltration, and scarifying the
surface and placing rocks. Logs and slash would make the old roadbed impassable.
All levels of reclamation would provide for erosion control, sediment filtration,
surface drainage and short- and long-term revegetation . No portion of the
reclaimed South Fork Lost Creek Road would need maintenance following reclamation
activities. The proposed new location for South Fork Lost Creek Road would
locate the new road on the same landtypes as the current segments proposed for
abandonment. The proposed new location would simply move the road farther from
the South Fork Lost Creek and reduce the risk of sediment delivery to the stream
from the road. The FNF soil survey does not list any of the soil types in the
proposed road relocation as a high risk for mass movements or as an unstable soil
type. Road densities and road impacts to bull trout spawning streams are
addressed in APPENDIX F - FISHERIES ANALYSIS of the DEIS and this FEIS. The
methods of reclamation for South Fork Lost Creek Road include a range of designs
from laying portions of the road prism back to slope-relieving compaction to
allow water infiltration, and scarifying the surface and placing rocks, logs, and
slash to make the old roadbed impassable. All levels of reclamation would
provide for erosion control, sediment filtration, surface drainage and short- and
long-term revegetation . No portion of the reclaimed South Fork Lost Creek Road
would need maintenance following reclamation activities.
35. The 'project area' is not designated 'critical habitat' for bull trout. Certain
reaches of South Fork Lost and Soup creeks that are designated as critical
habitat do flow through the project area. DNRC is taking all reasonable and
practical precautions to not adversely modify bull trout habitat in South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks. The DEIS analyses describe the proposed actions associated
with each alternative and anticipated positive and negative effects of those
proposed actions to bull trout habitats. The detailed DEIS analyses describe
"low" impacts that may occur to some variables of bull trout 'critical habitat'
in the project area; however, "low" impacts mean the effects may be detectable or
measurable, but those effects are not likely to be detrimental. In this regard,
a potential "low" impact is extremely different from an "adverse modification"
impact, which would correspond to a "high" impact in the detailed DEIS analyses
(see DEIS Pages D-2, E-7 and E-51 and this FEIS, Pages D-2 and D-3, E-6 and E-1 ,
and E—50) . We interpret "skimpy" buffers to mean that the proposed buffers are
"inadequate or lacking in size. The size of the proposed buffers on South Fork
Lost and Soup creeks are described above in the response to comment: "The DEIS
delineates a mere 25 foot no harvest buffer on key bull trout spawning streams
without providing any science to support it." The DEIS analysis describes the
potential impacts to bull trout habitats as a result of implementing the proposed
buffers in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES. The anticipated short-term impacts from
sediment related to the proposed actions are described in the DEIS, Pages D—9, D-
10, £-57, E-60, E-62, and E-65, and in this FEIS Pages D-9, D-10, E-56, E-59, E-
61, and E—63. The anticipated cumulative impacts, including the impacts from
sediment, are described in the DEIS, Pages D-18 through D-24 and E-91 through E—
95, and in this FEIS, Pages D-19 through D-25 and E-91 through E-96.
Furthermore, as 'critical habitat' regulations do apply to federal nexus
situations, the short-term and cumulative impacts related to sediment are
detailed in the federal environmental analyses related to the proposed relocation
of the cost-share road segment adjacent to South Fork Lost Creek (see comment
response immediately below.)
36. DNRC and FNF completed the FRTA package in 2002, and the Cost-Share Agreement
between the FNF and DNRC was completed in 2003. Consultation with FNF and USFWS
began in 1999, and the Biological Opinion was issued in 2001 regarding the
proposed relocation of the South Lost Creek Road. The agreements made under
those negotiations would be fully implemented under any action alternative of the
Three Creeks Timber Sale Project FEIS.
37. DNRC is in the process of developing a Habitat Conservation Plan for bull trout,
which would apply to most forested State trust lands, including those in the
proposed Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area. DNRC is not implementing
conservation strategies proposed for the Habitat Conservation Plan in the
proposed Three Creeks Timber Sale Project because the Habitat Conservation Plan
has not been completed. Although the proposed prescriptions in APPENDIX E —
FISHERIES ANALYSIS are similar to the conservation strategies proposed for the
Habitat Conservation Plan, the proposed riparian prescriptions in APPENDIX E —
FISHERIES ANALYSIS are an application of ARM. In this case, DNRC is proposing to
implement a fisheries riparian management zone on fish-bearing streams (ARM
36.11.425), which has been designed to avoid detrimental impacts to the habitat
components of bull trout, a "threatened" species. Furthermore, the proposed
riparian prescriptions in APPENDIX E - FISHERIES ANALYSIS greatly exceed the
requirements established for Streamside Management Zones (ARMs 36.11.311,
36.11 .312) .
38. According to forest-improvement surveys in old harvest units within and near the
proposed project area, all stands are fully stocked with trees with the exception
of portions of harvested stands in the Cliff Creek portion of the project area.
Stands here are partially stocked, and trees are actively growing in all
previously harvested stands. Stands not fully stocked within the project area
are all found in the Cliff Creek drainage, and are found on several different
landtypes . Stand regeneration plans are discussed in the DEIS on Pages II-4
through 11-10, Pages III-5 through III-8, and Pages C-13 through C-17. More
detailed stand-by-stand regeneration plans are included in stand prescriptions,
which are part of the Timber Sale Contract.
For responses to the growth and yield proportion of this comment refer to
response #2 above.
Friends of the Wild Swan
39 • The DEIS ccsnUdiiE niisleadiiig mfprm&timi regarding tiow schools are aciuallv ftiDdud.
In ibc South Waud Projec-t file a DNRC memu aclcnowJE£%cd thai tht; economic anaiysLs,
as ii relates to classroom benefits is not accurate, yet the Thre^. C'recks DHlS still tontaias
tilts inaccuiiite informHtiof:, Fot exacuple. Action Alljumative B is cslimate^i to prci-duce
slifihiJy more thfinS3,459,900 which would pyrportedJy produce enough revemie to send
4B9' siudeni5 ijj «hool for 1 year without any financial support, (see page 11-4) DNRC
kiiQwij that uu&i revenue only supplies, n amaJl porti[}ri of tolaJ Si^hoo] funding finci the
Icgi^ilerure adjiii;Ls schoai fxinding frotE the Geneiia] Fund lu make up any dilTerence.
Furthermore, an eccuomic analysis that only discusses the rtv^Rcic and not the costs and
further JOates tiiat this rc^-enije will edtjcate 485 schcoJ childten witho-uf sublracirng the
costs ismisksding.
40 « The DEIS fai led to analyze opportunity cosis or CjSmpare what file rate Of return would
be if the (iosts foT this sale were ki vested in soni tithing eJse, In other words, whut is the
next bcsl use tor mvestmi that money?
41 Rang g.a f Altema iivjss
■ The DEIS did not BaaiyM: a range of altemativcs as raiuijred hy ihc Montana
Envircmmental Policy Act. All foui action aliejnativea consiruci many niilcs of new and
lempoTELiy roadi^ which. frHgmeni old gnjiAtii habitat and'cj tros? stneems, rdl log in ojd-
grnwth forcSii habirai. all log along bull trout .'>paivTilng atreftmE^ all log between 22 ;iiid 26
cailiior boafd feet of timbtr and all log with regeneration harveiii methods.
We eKpcct titai our comments and toncemis be addressed in the Final HIS.
SiH^rely,
ricne MontgomcTy 1 J>
I'rograni Dhccior "^
DNRC Response
39. The DEIS contains no information on the funding of schools, only on the estimated
amount of net revenue the "treatments" identified in the alternatives will
provide to support Montana's school trusts. How schools are funded is a broader
question, outside the scope of this EIS and primarily the responsibility of the
Office of the Governor, Office of Public Instruction, and other trust beneficiary
governing institutions.
The response in the South Wood file appears to be in response to a statement
indicating a direct correspondence between the number of students funded and the
revenue from a timber sale. The DEIS makes no such linkage, but does establish a
correspondence or equivalence between the net revenue from the timber harvests
and the cost of educating a single student for a year. Nowhere does it state
that these sale monies will go directly to the schools or that all of the money
will be spent directly on students. The requirement from the ^^Enabling Act of
1889" is that the money be used for the "support of schools." Modifications to
the DEIS will be made to ensure this relationship is clear.
The amount of school funding provided from trust lands generally varies between 4
and 10 percent of the kindergarten through grade 12 school budget, depending on
whether both State and federal monies are included and the resources prices in
any given year, amongst other things. There is no requirement that the trust
monies cover all of the school expenditures, only that the earnings from trust
lands be used to support schools. This is what is occurring; trust earnings are
identified for education, additional funds are provided from other sources to
provide the overall level of educational support established by the legislature
and the governor. As stated in the DEIS, if the trust earnings were not
available to support the schools, the money would have to come from taxes or
other similar source, other programs would need to be cut in order to provide
funding at the current level, or the educational budget would need to be cut in
order to "balance the budget."
The economic analysis does discuss costs based on the average level of
expenditures associated with timber sales (TABLE H-3) . Because of the large size
of this project, these costs are likely to be higher than the actual costs, which
cannot be known until the sale is completed. Statewide timber sale revenue in FY
2005 exceeded costs by a factor of over 2 to 1. All estimates of equivalent
education of school children are based on estimated net revenues, not gross
revenues .
40. With a State-wide rate of return of over 2 to 1, the rate of return on costs is
over 100 percent. Only the most speculative, risky investments earn similar
rates of return. This level of risk cannot be justified based on the level of
return being earned on costs of managing State trust assets. Since the disposal
of the land is difficult due to laws and other influences on the Bureau,
analyzing the returns on earnings from selling the land seemed inappropriate,
particularly since it did not relate to proposed actions within the DEIS.
41. DNRC believes that we have presented an adequate range of alternatives by
analyzing 4 action alternatives and a no-action alternative. Each alternative is
unique in terms of stands treated and volume harvested, as well as in the level
of road building and amount of harvesting in old growth. Action Alternative E
was designed specifically to reduce the amount of harvesting in old-growth areas
and minimize road building (DEIS, Page 11-10 and this FEIS, Page 11-10). ARM
36.2.529 (5) requires "an analysis of reasonable alternatives to the proposed
action, including the alternative of no action and other reasonable
alternatives...." Accordingly, ARM 36.2.522 (2) (b) requires the Agency "to
consider only alternatives that are realistic, technologically available, and
that represent a course of action that bears a logical relationship to the
proposal being evaluated." We feel that through the alternative-development
process, we have addressed the concerns of the public and have developed
alternatives that meet the tenets of the SFLMP and Administrative Rules for
Forest Management (ARM 36.11.401 through 36.11 .450) . Each action alternative was
designed to meet the overall project objectives (DEIS, Page 1—2 and this FEIS,
Page 1-2) . As described in the DEIS, 2 additional alternatives were considered,
but not analyzed in detail because preliminary analysis showed the project
objectives would not be met (DEIS, Page 11-20 and this FEIS, Page 11-22) .
Montana Environmental Information Center
MONTANA ENVIRONMENTAL C^JFORMATION CENTER
-'Wovlijjii^ rVt IVrf/ci ; .(i'li/ f\>M V,- \i-,'.i-in, J.
■. n. 'i)i!j.,)i(
FAX TRANSMITTAL
0»B1.iW(ll«T
^jren.
.^Aijic.
-}5- V- ae04
• fir w«
Z^W'<3^ G icjpCSiJ^i
'/Ml I
L^^
PCN 3B*S-IM-SU-73M M«-ll)i SflffiRAl ttiRVItEg AJMIH^TTMTVM
October >, 20O6
KBTCai Joriciiljon,
Sw-aii RivH- State fared
34925 Highway 85
SwBn Lake, Mooiafla 5?91 1
Via
F»; 406-542-^217
Dtar UNRC; . "
Tlw MontHtm Envrronmsfltal Infcj^rrunioiii Center is extremely canoenied abour Uie Draft
En viroiuflcnlal MpacL StBtemoit on the ptopose-d Thjec Forks Timber Sale Project ir tJic I
Rrvcx Siwte Fprrat Wc would like to itkcorpoioTc by rtferencc th* coniuncoto submitted (>>■
Arfism^ Brith tbf^ McoMim Old Gxowih Projcci. Since ihe cioaiJ and fe? oiasbex for subnjjttitig
cqniTTieniB wn^ not ^vidod in iht DEIS en on thf Tmsl Laiid Manigcnacnl Division ':» wet !
HJTj subrtiittiiig thcte comments directly lo Mi. GiOfiscliJ with the assurjipijon ihet be will fotwaid
Sl^■an
site, I
Fojf SWJiiy years MEIC adVocolBd the devclopmcm of rwle?? fw the menaEttrjcnt pf old grcwjih
fwcsls OD Btatc scJtuAil tniEi Laiidji. After ycats ol'dpbste, the state adopted such roles. T"hfl
aduptian of fhes? rules wm a huge acccmjjlistimenl fot the state Finally citizena had la&sniiWgW
lattguflgc tJjcy could Tcly upon tr> euswc ttar fptcsts wtre morutfcil for lonE'tcnrt sig well as
sJujfl-tcnn Cflviitmnittaiml benefit and economic gaic.
Ir. additiDTU NffilC Eirgued ftgainst the ina&^w in the aiuiLiJicf gustained yield because it wa^
appereni thai iucrEssing tfac imnuaJ qm v^ui6 ttai be sinuijnablc. insiaMi it would puly rcsujt m
Short tcriD profit at liie expense of long-tcim managemcni g oals.
i^ow, Auc lo lh& increase te the amiuflJ sustsjjied y\c\^. it appeari that DNRC i;! proposing uhe of
Oje Iw^est timber sales in stale Innds hi$t^tiry with ranch of the timber cominf! from old-^rovlth
{wcsJs. rhis sale will provjdt approxinaniejly one^balf of the fequired annijal t;u1 from om «i^.
ftegaj^Jcss of whcihpr this Is broken up into two or three years, U is still a dispropoTlionate iharc
c»f timber coming ftBm otje small, yet rcologleiilly importani ana.
Fbe aoaiyiiis pro%'Jded iix this documftrn, undeislwtsa the liistnriffil qtjaJiity and ecoiogical
LEDportwKc t)f old isowUt fcwests in ilie Swan Kiwf State Forest. As Jsnf Adaois stated, niuih
icseaich wiaji igrwnJti or faijed lo be curried ihroiigh in iJb wnalysig on historic conditions of old
pnwth £ii the an* uf the ll«itei saJc. The mlea Ttlj on the vamcily of this data. Using incOft pl»^
DNRC Response
The fax number was on the cover letter in the bottom right-hand corner, but will be
included on the back cover of the FEIS along with an e-mail address.
DNRC disagrees with the commenter' s assertions. The expected condition is that
current and historical stands of similar composition growing on similar sites will
develop similar age-class distributions. Rationale is presented in the age-class
{Pages C-9 through C-19) and old-growth analysis (Pages C—37 through C-60) sections
of the DEIS and further explained in responses to Montana Old Growth Project's
questions 3, 4, 5, 6, and others. Also, DNRC has repeatedly and consistently applied
its intention from the SFLMP and ARM that it will not commit to providing additional
habitat or stand conditions on its land simply because another landowner has removed
that component from their land. Although ARM does not rule out extending that
concept to the flip side, DNRC also does not currently rely on mitigations provided
by the nearly 2 million acres of federally designated wilderness that are in close
proximity to the project area to lessen the effects of our activities on the land we
manage. The commitment from the SFLMP and ARM is as follows:
36.11.407(3) : The department shall design timber harvests to promote long-
term, landscape-level diversity through an appropriate representation of
forest conditions across the landscape as described In ARM 36.11.404. Where
state ownership contains forest conditions made rare on adjacent lands by the
management activities of others, the department may not necessarily maintain
those conditions In amounts sufficient to compensate for their loss when
assessed over the broader landscape, except as It coincides with other agency
objectives .
Please refer to response #41 that pertains to the comment letter from Friends of the
Wild Swan.
Montana Environmental Information Center
LT,Sr*Jl!^^''« **'r'' *' ^^ '^^''^- '^* '^'^y^^ should be ^mpktdy
rev^p«t and sbciUld reflrcr ihc tn>e Historic conditJorag. nor be geared to^.md rtihmg the
o^fiix^ ojrtc(.tne oi tejv«mig largf quantities of old jmj wlh in on. of the most ^oiogLjll'
importttnt regions of tbe Hate, ** *
??tr*'5S^'''^J'^'^"^'^'''' Jt prwJJes r» f«d variabflii,- irifc numb., of aL. to
^ InappropmteJy analysid to ^ewthe results, In sJjoa lie rules nsjuirt iLai DNRC maW
™i 'IH^T^ ''^"Sr,.^ f^''' hmonc:a]|y piescn, *>. th. lendsc^pa a, a result 7^
SS ^^'!^^^^' ^^^^ ^* 11*18 n)This dmbe, ^!e ,s b^.d en feultv assumptions L
flawed Jogi,;Jt does BOt move tmvwB MiiUjric cpDditioDS, but a^^^y ^
?^^J!^t''T ? '^*'^^ «*^ tkPJS aiid ptoperly finely?* old er(?wT}i jorcsis ill the S^van River Jiate
Foresi, Until il,w umiyisis je coinpte. DNRC should not move fcm^d with this imbei sale.
Sinewy,
///
lJu%-'>^L^
Anne Hedges
PtogrflDi Dixeo&r
Montana Wood Products Association
lirt a IM T A nj A
September 27 3006
ABBQi^iATiorsr
Karen Jorgcnson, Project Leader
Swan River State Forest
34925 MT Highway S3
Swan Lake. MT 59911
Re Three Creeks Timber Ssle Project PELS ^
These brief comments are provided (in behairnf the 17 member companies and 4C
associalt; members of the Montana Wood Products Association All of these companies
and individuals rely nn the health of Montana's timber !ndustr\' for their livelihoods.
The MWPA supports Alternative D in the DEIS for a number of reasons This alternative
harvests the greatest amount of timber at 25,3 mmbf thus itenerating the largest amount
of revenue for the inist at approximately S> S million This al(err>attve also would build.
reconstruet and perform maintenance on the most amount of road and would open more
area for public access.
Timber would be harvested from L97n acres with commercial thinning occurring on ,^60
nf those acres Harv'esl would occur on 1 , 143 acres of old growth with 547 continuing to
be clessitled as such while the remainder would no longer meet the old growth definition
The downside lo the selectkm of Akemative D ia the use of helicopter lagging, the most
expensive method of harvest. 'I'he MWPA encourages the use of conventional ground
based equipment and skyline cable systeins wherever possible to mini mi ae costs
LonLr-temi numagement objectives will best be met by use of Alternative D. Some of the
roads in the area are open year round to ail users and improvements, including a hndge
crossing on Soup Creek, would enhance the use by the public In addition* six older
stream crossings in various stages of coJIap.^ie would be rehabilitated under this proposal,
A much needed improvement to a section of the South Fork of Lost Creek Road would
also occur by moving the road about 200 feet north and away from the streamside
management zone Tliere would also be slreaiiibaiik stabilization of several locations.
^ REcvciefl Paper 21 N. Last Cranes Gulch, Siiie 2^7, Heler^, Mon-ani 59S)i PQBoi" of all alternatives do not exhibit trmch diversity in acraa cut, the
amount or volume lakcn, old growth cut and many miles ot mads built, I am opposed to the
extreme amount of roads that will be built and the cimounl of old gro^'^lh that is lo be cut.
I am a]so concemt;d with unsustainable HIGM v Jcid of 5-'^.2MMBr. Jt seemss to me that Ihe
eatting of this large voiumc, only to reach au arbitraiy btKird feet amount, js backwards forest
management and that this is out of the classification of sustainable and into the dassifjeation of
gluttony.
As to old gniwth, the SRFS now has far less old growth than the historical past. When you stale
that maintaining or increasing the amount of old growth moves the Kiluation further from the
historical ptBl you are in contradiction of what science has shown ui was the casej ie Losenskys
estimate of old growth in SUSP of 74% a fact nol mentioned in your DVAS.
Tn fact } feel all proposed alternatives create conditicn,'i that take thi!i forest away from what you
eall historically sijinificimt, All old stands would be inlernally weakened from historic conditions
Thus you loiw; integrity of wildlife habitat, forest health and this further impacts areas which have
not been managed properly in the past.
On a side note, in my research of schools (for example Colitmbia I'alls) presently receive a small,
ear marked percentage from school trust timber sales, approximately S60.000 I ^dp? question
wh y (ht- DNRt: allows U-at>pin) j ; of wildlife on stalt: landi;. It doca nothin a f or economic: i?ent ifit of
schools and is indisenminatc of whiit animals, i.e.. hvnx. are killed Of trapped.
i would ask that you return lo an alternative that does not impact the fores! as all alternatives
demonstrate they will do and GOOl? FOREST S IKWARDSl 1!J' is replaced by large larjieted
voluraiiiimL=! cuts that are not sustainable.
Roge/S^rjinan
6203 Monterra Ave
Unit H
Whilefish MT 59937
DNRC Response
1. DNRC believes that we have presented an adequate range of alternatives by
analyzing 4 action alternatives and a no-action alternative. Each alternative is
unique in terms of stands treated and volume harvested, as well as in the level of
road building and the amount of harvesting in old growth. Each action alternative
was designed to meet the overall project objectives (DEIS, Page 1—2 and this FEIS,
Page 1-2) . As described in the DEIS, 2 additional alternatives were considered,
but not analyzed in detail because preliminary analysis showed that they would not
meet the project objectives (DEIS, Page 11-20 and FEIS, Page 11-22) . One of the
objectives is to provide volume toward DNRC's annual sustained yield, which was
calculated in 2004 .
2. Please refer to DNRC's responses to Montana Old Growth Project's comments #4 and
#11.
3. The State is obligated to use the revenues from all
"support" of schools and other designated institutio
beneficiaries, including Public Building, that benef
revenues. The revenue is transferred from DNRC to t
accordance with laws and rules established by the En
Constitution, Montana State Legislature, and Governo
an individual school is made within this framework.
the money is from the Office of Public Instruction f
(kindergarten through grade 12) . The amount of scho
lands State-wide generally varies between 4 and 10 p
through grade 12 school budget, depending on whether
are included and the on the resource prices in any g
revenues are not sufficient to cover all school expe
mix of funding for kindergarten through grade 12 . T
trust monies cover all of the school expenditures, o
trust lands be used to support schools or other desi
trust land resources for the
ns . There are 10 trust
it from State trust land
he appropriate agency in
abllng Act of 1889, Montana
r. The allocation of funds to
The actual distribution of
or Public Schools
ol funding provided from trust
ercent of the kindergarten
both State and federal monies
iven year. The trust land
nditures, but are part of the
here is no requirement that
nly that the earnings from
gnated institutions.
The coarse-filter analysis on Pages F-2 through F-23 of the DEIS describes the
effects to wildlife habitat. Trapping is a legal method to take wildlife species
in Montana. As such, DFWP regulates trapping methods and quotas for wildlife
species. Since trapping is a legal method of taking wildlife species and a legal
recreational activity, trapping is allowed on State trust lands. Because DNRC
manages these lands for the trust beneficiaries, a fee is charged for their use.
In 2002, the legislature approved an additional $2 fee on each Conservation
License to be used for access to State school trust lands for hunting, fishing,
and trapping purposes (State Statute [§] 77-1-815) . This fee generates
approximately $900,000 annually. Ninety percent of the money raised by this fee
is used to compensate the trust for recreational use, while the remaining 10
percent is distributed to DNRC for repair of lease improvements, weed control/
management, protection of the resource value, administration/management, and/or
maintenance of roads related to the public recreational use of State trust land
(§7 7-1-8 08 MCA) .
Swan Lake Ranger District
I
Agricuhurc
I'wrfsr
Swan Lake
200 Ranker Station Road
Scrvi«<;
Ranger Districl
l'S\ mt>l 837-7503
BigfnrluMT 5^911
File Cud t: 1930/1620
Date: October 1 1, 2006
Daiiid J. Robei^ini
Unit Miinager
Svvan River S)ylc Forest
Dtar Mr. Roberson,
Tnmk yi>Li fw tJit oppttnuniiy k' revievt mii wsmmt-iii uti yam- Thticc? Creeks Titnber Sale DEIS. Hie
following coiiimeiits antt'or questions on your proposal are provided by the district planning team,
1 . How does ihe proposed new road constniction fli in(o llit standards iimt KuWelinew of die Swaii VaUey
Grizzly Bear Consenation Aj^rcnriciil? Hvw many miips of permanent new roads would be
cotistmctttJ'? Hou' niLtch, it'any, of the proposed road oon3trui;tion would he teniparar>' roads?
Would lemporaf>' roiid.'; he recJainied ntler (heir use','
2. The description o f the proposed actinns includes nKmagetnenf actions lo remove and replace biidpes;
however, it does noi addrcsw the pbeemcnl ofa stream i;rassin!i wliere FDR ff(>SO crosses Cliff Crcsek
in Section 7. T24N, Rl 7W. The Forest Service h.ts rerao^'ed the culvert a( ihc Cl if!' Creek qrn-isinjj,,
tmri the use nj'iliis cost-share nititl will require suhslJinlial road maiiilenanee to support U>g Imuling,
ineludiiig ihc plaa:men! of a bridge at llie slreain crDisiiiB.
4. In reviewing the watansJied and hydrolog>' analysis (Appendix D), it dws not appear that the eft'ects
nnatysis included actions on KFS lands, suth as the pbcLnitrnt tT the stream wossiiig on road #680.
5. WLl ihe Sotidi Fork Lost Soup grizzly beiir sub-unil he "active* long enougli to finish sale acti-vnttes?
6. Your assessnieni indicates that effects to Canada [yux would be short-lcnn. It appears that there tould
be loji^-tenn etlects to iyru, IHhe unlis proposed (br regeneration harvest are scheduled for pne-
commerciiiil thinning in the fmure.
7. Tlie wildlife analysis sunirtiary indicates that enoLHih themiitl cover \vi]l remain for mule deer and elk.
but deica not address wlute-tailed deer, 'llicrmat cover requirements for wbite-tailed det?r i\re liitihcr
(requircji more canopy cover) thiin lor tnule deer Biid elk. Il appear.'! that the potential eJTeei to white-
tailed deer winiei habitiil should beineludeii in the wildlife ansdvsis sunintnrx' nfliie DtlS.
DNRC Response
1. The proposed road construction and management meets all the standards and
guidelines in the SVGBCA. The total miles of new permanent and temporary roads
by alternatives are found in TABLE F-12 on Page F—40. Temporary roads would be
made impassable and be abandoned following use. Details of road construction can
be found in the DEIS on Pages II-4, II-5, II-9, and 11-10 through 11-12. TABLE
II-l has been added to this FEIS that summarizes road construction information.
2. Thank you for the comment. The use and reconstruction of the Cliff Creek road
system and its associated sediment delivery estimates are included in the values
and mileages reported in the DEIS, Pages III-32 through III— 33 and Pages D-14
through D—23. The placement of a temporary bridge over Cliff Creek will be
addressed in this FEIS.
3. Number 3 was skipped in the comment letter.
4. See #2 above.
5. Yes. This project, including timing restrictions, is designed to meet the SVGBCA
stipulations .
6. The assumption of sapling stands providing snowshoe hare habitat is appropriate.
The vegetation analysis does not indicate that regeneration would be problematic.
Whether regenerating stands undergo precommercial thinning would be determined at
a future date. Therefore, the timing and precommercial thinning prescription are
beyond the scope of this analysis and would be considered under a separate
environmental analysis at the appropriate time.
7. The Three Creeks Timber Sale Project area does not provide designated winter
range for white-tailed deer (DEIS, Pages III-58 and F-51) ; therefore, effects of
thermal-cover reduction on white-tailed deer was not considered.
8. MEPA requires analysis of the cumulative effects of past, present, and future
actions. Past and present activities on other lands within the subunit were
incorporated into the existing condition. Plum Creek Timber Company and USES do
not have timber sale projects planned for this subunit during the active period
Swan Lake Ranger District
H. The cumulative eftctls analysis of past, present, and tbusonably Ibreseeablc maimgement actions
appears lo be limited to DNRC lands. Depending t>ii tiie analysis area idenlified by your resource
aptxiiiJisis for their resuLirce araiis, Ti^ere may be N!-S wndVor privaLei kinds wiiliiii the analyss.s area
thai sliould be considered in iht ciunulalive ciTkis analysis- -'^j^ example of this is llic wildlite
CLLiiiuiativc ctTet:ts amilysis area, which inciuded tlie entire South Fwk Lost Soup gn//ly hear subimil;
within llic submiil. there are approxiniiatdy 7 setliom of NFS and I section ul' private lands,
ThaTiky again for the opportunity to conimiaK an your'ihnse Creeks Timber Sale i*rojecf DHIS-
Sincerely, >-
STliVH BRADY
District Ranger
SwiU] ijtke Kanger Disfrici
DNRC Response
(DEIS, Page F—38) . Therefore, no foreseeable future actions on other ownerships
within the analysis area were considered.
Swan View Coalition
lie neHMrJ its Mti '.IDs atctm
Swan View Coalition
"People Helping People Help the Earth"
2J6$ footJiiH Ruitii, KahajtfU, MT n99ti1
October 5, 20n6
Swan River State Forest
Attn; Karen JoTgensoti
34925 H^T. 83
Swcin Lake, MT 5991 1
Via e-mail to; km r ^ C nst JH fe 'mt ■ ^o v
Dear Ms- Jorgenson;
Fleayt! accept the following comments on the Three Creeks Timbt^r 5ale Project on
behalf of Swan View Coalitittn.
Wi.' havf n-.^iid the October 5, 200b comments submitted in this matter by Artent'
Montgomery on behalf of Friends of the VVild Swan. Wc foncur with Ihem and support
Friertd.s of the Wild Swan's findin^H. We incorporate Friends' cummtints by reference as
our comments on the Tliree Creeks Timber Sale Project.
We have aJso read the Septt'mbm^ lb, 2(K)h conxjnenls sobmiltt^ in this matter by Jane
Adenis nn bdiiilt of the Montana Old Growth ProjtiCt, We concur with tht'm and
support Montana Old GrowtJi I'rofecl's [indin|;s. We incorporate Montajia Old Growth
Project's aimmentfeby reference as our comments on the Three Creeks Timber Sale
Project-
We ask to be kept informed of this project and to be invited to any field lours, open
houses, or other public meetings thai may occur in ttiis matter.
Thani^ yt>u for thi.s opportunity to comment-
Sincerely,
/s/ Keith], Hammer
Keith J. Hammer
Chair
DNRC Response
Thank you for your comments on the proposed Three Creeks Timber Sale Project. DNRC
acknowledges your incorporation of others' comments by reference. Please refer to
DNRC's specific responses to comments submitted by Friends of the Wild Swan and
Montana Old Growth Project. We will keep you informed of the FEIS status and any
events related to the project.
THREE CREEKS TIMBER SALE PROJECT
REFERENCES
Ake, K. 1994. Protocol paper:
Moving Window Motorized Access
Density Analysis and Security Core
Area Analysis for Grizzly Bear.
Unpubl . mimeo., 2/22/1995. Flathead
National Forest, Kalispell, MT lOpp
Amman, G.D., McGregor, M.D., and
Dolph, R.E., Jr. 1989. Mountain
Pine Beetle. Forest Insect and
Disease Leaflet 2 (revised) . USDA
Forest Service, Washington DC 11 pp
Aney, W. and R. McClelland. 1985.
Pileated Woodpecker Habitat
Relationships (revised) . Pages 10-
17 in Warren, N. eds . 1990. Old
Growth Habitats and Associated
Wildlife Species in the Northern
Rocky Mountains . USFS, Northern
Region, Wildlife Habitat
Relationships Program Rl-90-42 47pp
Antos, J. A., and Habeck, J.R. 1981.
Successional Development in Abies
grandis (Dougl.) Forbes Forests in
the Swan Valley, Western Montana.
Northwest Science, Vol. 55, No . 1 :
26-39
Ausband, D. 2004. Snowshoe Hare
Response to Precommercial Thinning
in Northwest Montana : Final report
to the Montana DNRC . Forest
Management Bureau, DNRC, Missoula,
MT 19pp
Ayers, H.B. 1898. The Flathead
Forest Reserve. Twentieth Annual
Report, Part 5. pp 245-316
Ayers, H. B. 1899. Lewis and Clarke
Forest Reserve, Montana. Twenty-
First Annual Report, Part V, PL VIII
pp 35-80
Bailey, R.G., P.E. Avers, T. King,
and W.H. McNab, comps . and eds.
1994. Ecoregions and Subregions of
the United States. Color map
(1:7,500,000) and supplementary
table of map-unit descriptions.
USDA Forest Service and USGS,
Washington, DC
Bartholow, J.M. 2002. SSTEMP for
Windows : The Stream Segment
Temperature Model (Version 2.0).
U.S. Geological Survey computer
model and documentation
Baxter, C.V. 1997. Geomorphology,
Land-Use, and Groundwater-Surface
Water linteraction : Aa Multi-scale,
Hierarchical Aanalysis of the
Distribution and Abundance of Bull
Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
spawning. Master's Thesis,
University of Montana, Missoula, MT
Baxter, C.V., C.A. Frissell, and
F.R. Hauer. 1999. Geomorphology,
Logging Roads, and the Distribution
of Bull Trout Spawning in a Forested
River Basin: Implications for
Management and Conservation .
Transactions of the American
Fisheries Society. 128:854-867
Beatty, U.S., G.M. Filip, and R.L.
Mathiasen. 1997. Larch Dwarf
Mistletoe in Forest Insect and
Disease Leaflet 169.
USDA Forest
Service, Washington, DC. 7pp
Beschta, R., R. Bilby, G. Brown, L.
Holtby, and T. Hofstra. 1987.
Stream Temperature and Aguatic
Habitat: Fisheries and Forestry
Interactions. In: Salo, E. and T.
Cundy (eds.) . Streamside
management: Forestry and Fishery
Interactions. University of
Washington, Institute of Forest
Resources, Contribution No. 57.
Seattle, WA
Bilby, R.E. and P. A. Bisson. 1998.
Function and Distribution of Large
Woody Debris. In River Ecology and
Management: Lessons from the Pacific
Coastal Ecoregion. Springer, New
York, NY
Bosch, J. M. and Hewlett, J. D.,
1982. A Review of Catchment
Experiments to Determine the Effect
of Vegetation Changes on Water Yield
and Evapotranspiration . Journal of
Hydrology 55:3-23
Bower, J. 2004. Trends in Large
Woody Debris (LWD) Recruitment to
Stream Channels in Western Montana
(Draft). Unpublished. Department
of Natural Resources and
Conservation, Missoula, MT
Branine, A. 2006. Montana
Department of Natural Resources and
Conservation. Personal
communication
Bull E.L. and J. A. Jackson. 1995.
Pileated Woodpecker : Dryocopus
Pileatus . The Birds of North
America, American Ornithologists'
Union, Washington DC 24pp
Bull, E.L., C.G. Parks, and T.R.
Torgersen. 1997. Trees and Logs
Important to Wildlife in the
Interior Columbia River Basin.
General Technical Report PNW-391.
USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station,
Portland, OR 55pp
Buskirk, S.W. and R.A. Powell.
1994. Habitat Ecology of Fishers
and American Martens . Pages 283-296
in Buskirk, S.W., A. Harestad, M.
Raphael, eds . Biology and
Conservation of Martens, Sables and
Fishers. Cornell University Press,
Ithaca, NY
Byler, J.W. and S.K. Hagle. 2000.
Succession Functions of Pathogens
and Insects: Ecoregion Sections
M332a and M333d in Northern Idaho
and Western Montana. Summary.
Region 1 FHP Report 00-09. USDA
Forest Service, Northern Region,
State and Private Forestry,
Missoula, MT 37pp
Callahan, Paul. 2000. Forest Road
Sedimentation Assessment
Methodology . Land and Water
Consulting, Inc.
Castelle, A. and A. Johnson. 2000.
Riparian Vegetation Effectiveness .
National Council for Air and Stream
Improvement, Technical Bulletin No.
799
Currier, J. and D. Hughes. 1980.
Temperature. In: An Approach to
Water Resources Evaluation on
Nonpoint Silvicultural Sources.
EPA-600/8-80-12 . U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Environmental
Research Laboratory, Athens, GA
Department of Natural Resources
(DNRC) . 2003. Goat Sgueezer Final
Environmental Impact Statement.
Montana DNRC, Swan Lake, MT . 418 pp
Department of State Lands, Idaho
Department of Lands, USES. 1996.
Forest Insect and Disease
Identification and Management
DNRC. 1996. State Forest Land
Management Plan. Montana Department
of Natural Resources and
Conservation, Missoula, MT
DNRC. 1998. South Fork Lost Creek
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement. Montana Department of
Natural Resources and Conservation,
Swan Lake, MT . 182pp
DNRC. 2000. State Forest Land
Management Plan Implementation
Guidance - Draft: Old-Growth
Management on School Trust Lands.
Unpublished document, August 7,
2000. Missoula, MT . DNRC Forest
Management Bureau. 72 pp
Dobson, A., K. Ralls, M. Foster,
M.E. Soule, D. Simberloff, D. Doak,
J. A. Estes, L.S. Mills, D. Mattson,
R. Dirzo, H. Arita, S. Ryan, E.A.
Norse, R.F. Noss, and David Johns.
1999. Corridors : Reconnecting
Fragmented Landscapes . Pages 129-
170 in M.E. Soule and J. Terbourgh,
eds. Continental Conservation:
Scientific Foundations of Regional
Reserve Networks. Island Press,
Washington, DC
Downs, C.C., R.G. White, and B.B.
Shepard. 1997. Age at Sexual
Maturity, Sex Ratio, Fecundity, and
Longevity of Isolated Headwater
Populations of Westslope Cutthroat
Trout. North American Journal of
Fisheries Management 17:85-92
Etheridge, D.E., and R.S. Hunt.
1978. True Heartrots of British
Columbia. Pest Leaflet 55.
Canadian Forestry Service, Pacific
Forest Research Centre, Victoria, BC
lOpp
FBC (Flathead Basin Commission) .
1991. Final Report. Flathead Basin
Forest Practices Water Quality and
Fisheries Cooperative Program,
Kalispell, MT
Farns, P. 1978. Hydrology of
Mountain Watersheds, Preliminary
Report. Soil Conservation Service.
Bozeman, MT
Ferrell, G.T. 1986. Fir Engraver.
Forest Insect and Disease Leaflet
13 . USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Southwest Forest and Range
Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA .
8pp
Filip, G.M., P.E. Aho, and M.R.
Wiitala. 1983 Indian Paint Fungus:
A Method for Reducing Hazard in
Advanced Grand and White Fir
Regeneration in Eastern Oregon and
Washington. Report R6-FPM-PR-2 93-
87. USDA Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
24pp
Filip, G.M., and D.J. Goheen. 1984.
Root Diseases Cause Severe Mortality
in White and Grand Fir Stands of the
Pacific Northwest . Forest Science
20:138-142
Fins, L., J. Byler, D. Ferguson, A.
Harvey, M.F. Mahalovich, G.
McDonald, D. Miller, J. Schwandt,
and A. Zack. 2001. Return of the
Giants. Station Bulletin 72.
University of Idaho, Moscow 20pp
Fischer, R.A. and J.C. Fischenich.
2000. Design Recommendations for
Riparian Corridors and Vegetated
Buffer Strips. ERDC TN-EMRRP-SR-24 :
1-17
Fisher, W.C., and A.F. Bradley.
1987. Fire Ecology of Western
Montana Forest Habitat Types . USES
General Technical Report. INT-223
Foresman, KR . 2001. The Wild
Mammals of Montana . Special
Publication 12. American Society of
Mammalogists . Allen Press, KS
278pp
Fraley, J.J., and B.B. Shepard.
1989. Life History, Ecology and
Population Status of Migratory Bull
Trout (Salvelinus confluentus) in
the Flathead lake and River System,
Montana . Northwest Science. 63
(4) :133-143
Freedman, J.D., and J.R. Habeck.
1985. Fire, Logging, and White-
tailed Deer Interrelationships in
the Swan Valley, Northwestern
Montana. In Fire's Effects on
Wildlife Habitat Symposium
Proceedings. Compiled by J.E. Lotan
and U.K. Brown, USDA Forest Service
Genral Technical Report INT-186.
pp. 23-35
FWP . 1996. White-tailed Deer
Densities and Overall Distribution .
Kalispell, MT
FWP. 1999. Montana Elk Winter
Ranges, Summer Ranges, Calving
Areas, and Migration Areas.
Kalispell, MT
FWP. 2003. Montana Gray Wolf
Conservation and Management Plan:
Final Environmental Impact
Statement. Montana Fish, Wildlife,
and Parks, Helena, MT 420pp
FWP. 2004. Mule Deer Distribution
and Habitat. Kalispell, MT
Gamett, B. 2002. The Relationship
Between Water Temperature and Bull
Trout Distribution and Abundance .
Master's Thesis. Utah State
University, Logan, UT
Gibson, K. 2004. Western Larch
Mortality in Western Montana . Report
TR-04-11. USDA Forest Service,
Region 1 Forest Health Protection,
Missoula, MT 3pp
Goheen, D.J., and E.M. Hansen.
1993. Effects of Pathogens and Bark
Beetles on Forests . Pages 175
through 196 in Beetle-Pathogen
Interaction in Conifer Forests.
Schowalter, T.D., and G.M. Filip,
eds . Academic Press, San Diego, CA
252pp
Graham, R.T., A.E. Harvey, M.F.
Jurgensen, T.B. Jain, J.R. Tonn, and
D.S. Page-Dumroese . 1994. Managing
Coarse Woody Debris in Forests of
the Rocky Mountains . USDA Forest
Service Research Paper. INT-RP-477.
13pp
Green, P., J. Joy, D. Sirucek, W.
Hann, A. Zack, and B. Naumann.
1992. Old-growth Forest Types of
the Northern Region. R-1 SES. USDA
Forest Service, Northern Region,
Missoula, MT 60pp
Groom, M, D.B. Jensen, R.L. Knight,
S. Gatewood, L. mills, D. Boyd-
Heger, L.S. Mills, and M.E. Soule.
Buffer Zones: Benefits and Dangers
of Compatible Stewardship . Pages
171-197 in Soule, M. and J.
Terborgh, eds. 1999. Continental
Conservation: Scientific Foundation
of Regional Reserve Networks.
Island Press, Washington DC
Griffith, J.S. 1988. Review of
Competition Between Cutthroat Trout
and Other Salmonids . American
Fisheries Society Symposium 4:134-
140
Hadfield, J.S., D.J. Goheen, G.M.
Filip, C.L. Schmitt, and R.D.
Harvey. 1986. Root Diseases in
Oregon and Washington Conifers .
USDA Forest Service. Report R6-FP-
250-86
Hansen, E.M., and K.J. Lewis,
editors. 1997. Compendium of
Conifer Diseases. APS Press, St.
Paul, MN lOlp
Hansen, P., R. Pfister, K. Boggs, B.
Cook, J. Joy, D. Hinckley. 1995.
Classification and Management of
Montana' s Riparian and Wetland
Sites. Miscellaneous Publication
No. 54. University of Montana,
Montana Forest and Conservation
Experiment Station, Missoula, MT
Harlow, W.M., E.S. Harrar, and F.M.
White. 1979. Textbook of
Dendrology: Covering the Important
Forest Trees of the United States
and Canada. Sixth Edition. pp 146-
153
Harrelson, C.C., C.L. Rawlins, J. P.
Potyondy. 1994. Stream Channel
Reference Sites: An Illustrated
Guide to Field Technique . General
Technical Report RM-245. U.S.
Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and
Range Experiment Station, Fort
Collins, CO
Harris, R. 1999. Abundance and
Characteristics of Snags in Western
Montana Forests . General Technical
Report RMRS-GTR-31. Rocky Mountain
Research Station, Missoula, MT 19pp
Hart, M. 1989. Past and present
Vegetative and Wildlife Diversity in
Relation to an Existing Reserve
Network: A GTS Evaluation of the
Seeley-Swan Landscape, Northwest
Montana. Master thesis. University
of Montana, Missoula, MT 288pp
Haupt, H.F., et al. 1974. Forest
Hydrology Part II Hydrologic
Effects of Vegetation Manipulation .
USDA Forest Service, Region 1.
Missoula, MT
Heinemeyer, K., and J. Jones. 1994.
Fisher Biology and Management in the
Western United States: A Literature
Review and Adaptive Management
Strategy. USDA Forest Service,
Northern Region, Missoula, MT 108pp
Johnson, S. 1984. Home Range,
Movements, and Habitat Use of
Fishers in Wisconsin. M.S. Thesis,
University of Wisconsin, Stevens
Point, WI 78pp
Jones, J.L. 1991. Habitat Use of
Fisher in Northcentral Idaho. M.S.
Thesis, University of Idaho, Moscow,
ID 147pp
Jones, J.L., and E.O. Garton. 1994.
Selection of Successional Stages by
Fishers in Northcentral Idaho.
Pages 377-387 in Buskirk, S.W., A.S.
Harestad, M.G. Raphael, and R.A.
Powell, eds . Martens, Sables, and
Fishers: Biology and Conservation.
Cornell University Press, NY
Kanda, N., R.F. Leary, and F.W.
Allendorf. 1997. Population
Genetic Structure of Bull Trout in
the Upper Flathead River Drainage .
Friends of the Bull Trout Conference
Proceedings, May 5-7, 1994, 299-308
Keegan, Charles et al, 1995,
Montana' s Forest Products Industry,
A Descriptive Analysis, 1969-1994
Kelsey, R.G., and G. Joseph. 1998.
Ethanol in Douglas- fir with Black-
stain Root Disease (Leptographium
wageneri) . Canadian Journal of
Plant Pathology 18:194-199
Koehler, G.M. 1990. Population and
Habitat Characteristics of Lynx and
Snowshoe Hares in North Central
Washington . Canadian Journal of
Zoology 68:845-851
Kohler, S. 2003. Montana
Department of Natural Resources and
Conservation. Personal
communication
Kolbe, J. A., J.R. Sguires, D.H.
Pletscher, and L. F. Ruggiero. In
Press. The Effect of Snowmobile
Trails on the Coyote Movements
within Lynx Home Ranges. Journal of
Wildland Management 72:1444-1451
Koopal, M. 2002a. South Fork Lost
Creek R1/R4 Fish Habitat Inventory.
Unpublished report prepared for
Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation,
Kalispell, MT
Koopal, M. 2002b. Soup Creek R1/R4
Fish Habitat Inventory. Unpublished
report prepared for Montana
Department of Natural Resources and
Conservation, Kalispell, MT
Koopal, M. 2004. Upper Soup Creek
R1/R4 Fish Habitat Inventory.
Unpublished report prepared for
Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation,
Missoula, MT
Koplin, J.R. 1972. Measuring
Predator Impact of Woodpeckers on
Spruce Beetles. Journal of Wildland
Management 36:308-320
Kunkel, K., T.K. Ruth, D.H.
Pletscher, and M.G. Hornocker.
1999. Winter Prey Selection by
Wolves and Cougars In and Near
Glacier National Park, Montana .
Journal of Wildland Management
63:901-910
Leaf, Charles F. 1975. Watershed
Management in the Rocky Mountain
Subalpine Zone: The Status of Our
Knowledge. Research Paper RM137.
USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain
Forest and Range Experiment Station.
Ft. Collins, CO
Leathe, S.A, S. Bartelt, L.M.
Morris. 1985. Cumulative Effects
of Micro-Hydro Development on the
Fisheries of the Swan River
Drainage, Montana. Vol. Ill: Fish
and Habitat Inventory of Tributary
Streams. Bonneville Power
Administration, Division of Fish and
Wildlife. Project 82-19
Lesica, Peter. 1996. Using Fire
History Models to Estimate
Proportions of Old Growth Forest in
Northwest Montana, USA.
Conservation Biological Research,
University of Montana, Missoula,
Montana. Biological Conservation
77:33-39
Liknes, G.A. and P.J. Graham. 1988.
Westslope Cutthroat Trout in
Montana : Life History, Status, and
Management. American Fisheries
Society Symposium 4:53—60
Livingston, R.L. 1999. Douglas- fir
Beetle in Idaho. State Forester
Forum No. 18. Idaho Department of
Lands, Coeur d'Alene, ID 4pp
Losensky, J. 1997. Historical
Vegetation of Montana . Contract
#970900. Montana DNRC . Missoula,
MT 10 9pp
Mace, R.D., and J.S. Waller. 1997.
Final Report: Grizzly Bear Ecology
in the Swan Mountains, Montana .
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks,
Helena, MT 191pp
Mace, R.D., J.S. Waller, T.L.
Manley, L.J. Lyon, and H. Zuuring.
1997. Relationships Among Grizzly
Bears, Roads, and Habitat in the
Swan Mountains, Montana . Pages 64-
80 in Mace, R.D., and J.S. Waller.
1997. Final Report: Grizzly Bear
Ecology in the Swan Mountains,
Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks, Helena, MT 191pp
Maloy, C. 1991. Review of
Echinodontium tinctorium 1895-1990 .
Extension Bulletin 1592. Washington
State University Cooperative
Extension, Pullman. 29pp
Mathiasen, R.L. 1998. Infection of
Young Western Larch by Larch Dwarf
Mistletoe in Northern Idaho and
Western Montana . Western Journal of
Applied Forestry 13:41-46
MBTRT (Montana Bull Trout
Restoration Team). 2000.
Restoration Plan for Bull Trout in
the Clark Fork River Basin and the
Kootenai River Basin, Montana .
Report prepared for Governor Marc
Racicot. Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks, Helena, MT
MBTSG (Montana Bull Trout Scientific
Group) . 1996. Swan River Drainage
Bull Trout Status Report (including
Swan Lake.) Report prepared for the
Montana Bull Trout Restoration Team.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks,
Helena, MT
MBTSG (Montana Bull Trout Scientific
Group). 1998. The Relationship
Between Land Management Activities
and Habitat Requirements of Bull
Trout. Report prepared for the
Montana Bull Trout Restoration Team.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks,
Helena, MT
McClelland, B.R. 1979. The
Pileated Woodpecker in Forests of
the Northern Rocky Mountains . Pages
283-299 in Role of Insectivorous
Birds in Forest Ecosystems .
Academic Press
McNeil, W.J., and W.H. Ahnell.
1964. Success of Pink Salmon
Spawning Relative to Size of
Spawning Bed Materials . U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. Special
Scientific Report: Fisheries No. 469
Mech, L.D. 1987. The Wolf: The
Ecology and Behavior of an
Endangered Species. University of
Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN
384pp
MFISH (Montana Fisheries Information
System). 2005. Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks, Montana Natural
Resource Information System
MNHP (Montana Natural Heritage
Program) . 2004. Animal Species of
Concern . Montana Natural Resource
Information System
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality. "1996 TMDL Query System."
12 December, 2005.
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality. "2004 TMDL Query System."
12 December, 2005 . < http : //
nris.state.mt.us/wis/
environet/2 004Home . html>
Montana Department of Environmental
Quality. 2005. "Water Quality
Protection Plan and TMDLs for the
Swan Lake Watershed" 15 December,
2005
Montgomery, D.R., and J.M.
Buffington. 1997. Channel-Reach
Morphology in Mountain Drainage
Basins. GSA Bulletin. 109 ( 5 ): 596-611
Morrison, D.J., K.W. Fellow, D.J.
Norris, and A.F.L. Nemec. 2000.
Visible Versus Actual Incidence of
Armillaria Root Disease in Juvenile
Coniferous Stands in the Southern
Interior of British Columbia .
Canadian Journal of Forest
Restoration 30:405-414
Morrison, D., and K. Mallett. 1996.
Silvicultural Management of
Armillaria Root Disease in Western
Canadian Forests . Canadian Journal
of Plant Pathology 18:194-199
Morrison, D., H. Merler, and D.
Norris. 1991. Detection,
Recognition, and Management of
Armillaria and Phellinus Root
Diseases in the Southern Interior of
British Columbia . Forestry Canada
and the British Columbia Ministry of
Forests, Victoria, British Columbia,
Canada. FRDA Report 179
Morrison, D., and K. Pellow. 1994.
Development of Armillaria Root
Disease in a 25-Year-Old Douglas- fir
Plantation in Proceedings of the
Eighth International Conference on
Root and Butt Rots . lUFRO Working
Party S2.06.01. Johansson, M., and
J. Stenlid, eds . Swedish University
of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala,
Sweden
Morrison, D.J., K.W. Pellow, D.J.
Norris, and A.F.L. Nemec. 2000.
Visible Versus Actual Incidence of
Armillaria Root Disease in Juvenile
Coniferous Stands in the Southern
Interior of British Columbia .
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
30:405-414.
Morrison, D.J., K.W. Pellow, A.F.L.
Nemec, D.J. Norris, and P. Semenoff.
2001. Effects of Selective Cutting
on the Epidemiology of Armillaria
Root Disease in the Southern
Interior of British Columbia .
Canadian Journal of Forest Research
31:59-70
Morrison, D.J., R.E. Williams, and
R.D. Whitney. 1991. Infection,
Disease Development, Diagnosis, and
Detection . Pages 62 through 75 in
Armillaria Root Disease. Shaw,
CO., Ill, and G.A. Kile, eds. USDA
Forest Service. Agriculture
Handbook 691
Mowat, G., K.G. Poole, and M.
O'Donoghue. 2000. Ecology of Lynx
in Northern Canada and Alaska.
Chapter 9 in Ruggiero, L.F., K.B.
Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, et al . , tech
eds. Ecology and Conservation of
Lynx in the United States.
University Press of Colorado.
Boulder, CO 480pp
Murray, D.L., S. Boutin, and M.
O'Donoghue. 1994. Winter Habitat
Selection by Lynx and Coyotes in
Relations to Snowshoe Hare
Abundance . Canada Journal of
Zoology 72:1444-1451
Nakano, S., K. Fausch, T. Furukawa-
Tanaka, K. Maekawa, and H. Kawanabe .
1992. Resource Utilization by Bull
Trout and Cutthroat Trout in a
Mountain Stream in Montana, U.S.A.
Japanese Journal of Ichthyology. 39
(3) :211-217
NRIS (Natural Resource Information
System) . 2004. Westslope Cutthroat
Trout Distribution, Swan Drainage,
HUC Num: 17010211 (map) . Montana
State Library, Helena, MT
Otvos, I.S. 1965. Studies on Avian
Predators of Dendroctonus brevicomis
Leconte (Coleoptera : Scolytidea) ,
with Special Reference to Picidae .
Canadian Journal of Entomology
97:1184-1199
Otvos, I.S. 1979. The Effects of
Insectivorous Bird Activities in
Forest Ecosystems : An Evaluation .
Pages 341-374 in Dickson, J.G., R.N.
Conner, R.R. Fleet, J.C. Kroll, and
J. A. Jackson, eds. 1979. The Role
of Insectivorous Birds in Forest
Ecosystems. Academic Press, New
York, NY
Overton, C.K., S.P. Wollrab, B.C.
Roberts, and M.A. Radko . 1997. Rl/
R4 (Northern/Intermountain Regions)
Fish and Fish Habitat Standard
Inventory Procedures Handbook.
General Technical Report INT-GTR-
346. U.S. Department of Agriculture,
Forest Service, Intermountain
Research Station, Ogden, UT
Pfankuch, D. J. 1975. Stream Reach
Inventory and Channel Stability
Evaluation . USDA Forest Service,
$1-75-002. Government Printing
Office #696-260/200, Washington DC
26 pp
Pfister, R.D., B.L. Kovalchik, S.F.
Arno, and R.C. Presby. 1977.
Forest Habitat Types of Montana.
USDA Forest Service General
Technical Report. INT-34
Intermountain For. and Range
Experiment Station. Ogden, UT 174pp
Pierce, John, and Drake Barton.
Sensitive Plant Survey in the Swan
River State Forest, Montana .
Unpublished report to DNRC .
December 2003
Pierce, W.R. 1960. Dwarf Mistletoe
and Its Effect Upon the Larch and
Douglas- fir of Western Montana .
Bulletin No. 10. Montana State
University School of Forestry,
Missoula, MT 38pp
Powell, R. 1982. The Fisher:
National History, Ecology, and
Behavior. University of Minnesota
Press, Minneapolis, MN 217pp
Powell, R. and W.J. Zielinski.
1994. Fisher. Pages 38-73 in
Ruggiero, LF, KB Aubry, SW Buskirk,
LJ Lyon, WJ Zielinski, eds . The
Scienti
.fie
Basis :
for Conserving
Forest
Carnivores
: American
Marten,
Fisher,
Lynx, and
Wolverine
in the
Western United States . US Forest
Service General Technical Report RM-
254. 184pp
Pratt, K. 1984. Habitat Use and
Species Interactions of Juvenile
Cutthroat (Salmo clarki lewisi) and
Bull Trout (Salvelinus confluentus)
in the Upper Flathead River Basin.
Master's Thesis, University of
Idaho, Moscow, ID
Quigley, T.M., and S.J. Arbelbide,
tech eds. 1997. An Assessment of
Ecosystem Components in the Interior
Columbia Basin and Portions of the
Klamath and Great Basins. General
Technical Report PNW-GTR-405.
Portland, OR: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific
Northwest Research Station. 4 vol
Ream, R.R., D.H. Pletscher, M.W.
Fairchild, and D.K. Boyd. 1988.
Population and Movements of
Recolonizing Wolves in the Glacier
National Park Area: Annual report:
1 July 1987 - 30 September 1988.
University of Montana, Missoula, MT
24pp
Redfern, D.B., and G.M. Filip.
1991. Innoculum and Infection.
Pages 48 through 61 in Armillaria
Root Disease. Shaw, C.G., III, and
G.A. Kile, eds. USDA Forest
Service. Agriculture Handbook 691
Rieman, B.E., and G.L. Chandler.
1999. Empirical Evaluation of
Temperature Effects on Bull Trout
Distribution in the Northwest . Final
Report to U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Boise, ID
Rieman, B.E., and D.L. Myers. 1997.
Use of Redd Counts to Detect Trends
in Bull Trout (Salvelinus
confluentus) Populations .
Conservation Biology 11 ( 4 ): 1015-101 8
Rizzo, D.M., R.A. Blanchette, and G.
May. 1995. Distribution of
Armillaria ostoyae Genets in a Pinus
resinosa-Pinus banksiana Forest.
Canadian Journal of Botany 73:776
through 787
Robinson, E.G., and R.L. Beschta.
1990. Identifying Trees in Riparian
Areas That Can Provide Coarse Woody
Debris to Streams . Forest Science
36(3) :790-800
Robinson, R.M., and D.J. Morrison.
2001. Lesion Formation and Host
Response to Infection by Armillaria
ostoyae in the Roots of Western
Larch and Douglas- fir . Forest
Pathology 31:371-385
Rosgen, D. 1996. Applied River
Morphology. Printed Media
Companies. Minneapolis, MN
Rosgen, David L. 1996. Applied
River Morphology . Wildland
Hydrology, Pagosa Springs, CO
Ross, D.W., K.E. Gibson, and G.E.
Daterman. 2001. Using MCH to
Protect Trees and Stands From
Douglas- fir Beetle Infestation .
Report FHTET-2001-09. USDA Forest
Service Forest Health Technology
Enterprise Team, Morgantown, WV
llpp
Roth, L.F., L. Rolph, and S. Cooley.
1980. Identifying Infected
Ponderosa Pine Stumps to Reduce
Costs of Controlling Armillaria Root
Rot. Journal of Forestry 78:145-
148, 151
Ruediger, B., J. Claar, S.L.
Mighton, B. Nanaey, T. Tinaldi, F.
Wahl, N. Warren, D. Wenger, A.
Williamson, L. Lewis, B. Holt, G.
Patton, J. Trick, A. Vandehey, and
S. Gniadek. 2000. Canada Lynx
Conservation Assessment and Strategy
(2"*^ Edition) . USDA Forest Service,
USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, USDI
Bureau of Land Management, and USDI
National Park Service. Missoula, MT
122pp
Ruggiero, L.F., K.B. Aubry, S.W.
Buskirk, et al . 2000. The
Scientific Basis for Lynx
Conservation : Qualified Insights .
Chapter 16 in Ruggiero, L.F., K.B.
Aubry, S.W. Buskirk, et al (Tech.
Eds). 2000. Ecology and
Conservation of Lynx in the United
States. University Press of
Colorado, Boulder, CO 480pp
Schmitz, R.F., and K.E. Gibson.
1996. Douglas- fir Beetle. Forest
Insect and Disease Leaflet 5. USDA
Forest Service, Washington, DC 8pp
Schroeder, L.M., and A. Lindelow.
1989. Attraction of Scolytids and
Associated Beetles by Different
Absolute Amounts and Proportions of
Alpha-pinene and Ethanol. Journal
of Chemical Ecology 15:807-817
Schwandt, J., and Zack, A. 1996.
White Pine Leave Tree Guidelines .
Report 96-3. USDA Forest Service,
Northern Region, Missoula, MT 7pp
Sime, Carolyn A., V. Asher, L.
Bradley, K. Laudon, M. Ross, J.
Trapp, and L. Handegard. 2006.
Montana Gray Wolf Conservation and
Management in the Northern Rockies
Wolf Recovery Area. Pages 3-63 in
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service et
al . Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery
2005 Interagency Annual Report.
C.A. Sime and E. E. Bangs, eds .
USFWS, Ecological Services, 585
Shepard Way, Helena, MT 59601.
130pp
Shepard, B.B., K.L. Pratt, P.J.
Graham. 1984. Life Histories of
Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout
in the Upper Flathead River Basin,
Montana. Montana Fish, Wildlife and
Parks, Kalispell, MT
Sirucek, D.A., and V.C. Bachurski.
1995. Riparian Landtype Survey of
the Flathead National Forest Area,
Montana. U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service,
Kalispell, MT
Stanford, J. A., and J.V. Ward.
1993. An Ecosystem Perspective of
Alluvial Rivers: Connectivity and
the Hyporheic Corridor . Journal of
the North American Benthological
Society 12:48-62
Steeger, C, M.M. Machmer, and
B.Gowans. 1998. Impact of
Insectivorous Birds on Bark Beetles :
A Literature Review. Pandion
Ecological Research Limited. Ymir,
BC
Streamside Management Rules. 1996.
Montana Code Annotated 36.11.311 -
36.11.312
SVGBCA. 1997. Swan Valley Grizzly
Bear Conservation Agreement. USFWS,
Helena, MT 37pp
SVGBCA Monitoring Team. 2004. Swan
Valley Conservation Agreement
Monitoring Report, Year 2004. USDI
FWS. Helena, MT 7pp.
SVGBCA. 1998. The Swan Valley
Grizzly Bear Conservation Agreement.
USDI Fish and Wildlife Service.
Helena, MT 20pp
Sylte, T., and C. Fishenich. 2002.
Techniques for Measuring Substrate
Embeddedness . EMRRP Technical Note:
ERDC TN-EMRRP-SR-36, U.S. Army
Engineer Research and Development
Center, Vicksburg, MS
Thomas, J., K. Sutherland, B. Kuntz,
and S. Potts. 1990. Montana
Nonpoint Source Management Plan.
Montana Department of Health and
Environmental Sciences, Water
Quality Bureau, Helena, MT
Thomas, J.W. 1979. Wildlife
Habitats in Managed Forests : The
Blue Mountains of Oregon and
Washington . US Forest Service
Agriculture Handbook 553. 512pp
Todd, A.W., L.B. Keith, and C.A.
Fisher. 1981. Population Ecology
of Coyotes During a Fluctuation of
Snowshoe Hares. Journal of Wildland
Management 47:394:404
Torgersen, T. 1994. Natural
Enemies in Forest Insect Regulation .
Pages 108-111 in Pilarski, M (ed) .
Restoration Forestry: An
International Guide to Sustainable
Forestry Practices. Kivaki Press
Troendle, Charles A. 1987. The
Potential Effect of Partial Cutting
and Thinning Streamflow from the
Subalpine Forest. Rocky Mountain
Forest and Range Experiment Station
USDA Forest Service. Flathead
National Forest Plan, Amendment 21,
DEIS, Management Direction Related
to Old Growth Forests. Kalispell,
MT 8 5pp
USDA Forest Service. 1998. Soil
Survey of the Flathead National
Forest Area, Montana. USDA Forest
Service and Natural Resources
Conservation Service
USDA Forest Service. 1999. Douglas-
fir Beetle in the Intermountain West.
USDA Forest Service pamphlet.
USDA Forest Service. 2006.
Schedule of Proposed Action 71/2006
to 9/30/2006, Flathead National
Forest . http : //www. fs.fed.us.sopa/
forest-level .php?110110
USFWS. 1987. Northern Rocky
Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan. USFWS,
Denver, CO 119pp
USFWS. 1986. Recovery Plan for the
Pacific Bald Eagle. USFWS.
Portland, OR 160pp
USFWS. 1993. Grizzly Bear Recovery
Plan. Missoula, MT 181pp
USFWS. 1999. Rocky Mountain Wolf
Recovery : 1999 Annual Report.
USFWS. Helena, MT 22pp
USFWS. 2005. Recovery Outline:
Contiguous United States Distinct
Population Segment of the Canada
Lynx. USFWS Mountain-Prairie Region
http : / /mount ainpr air ie . f ws . gov/
species /mammals/ lynx/ final%2 01ynx%
20RecoveryOutline9-05 .pdf
USFWS, Nez Perce Tribe, National
Park Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife
and Parks, Idaho Fish and Game, and
USDA Wildlife Services. 2006.
Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery 2005
Annual Report. Sime, C.A., and E.
E. Bangs, eds . USFWS, Ecological
Services, 585 Shepard Way, Helena,
MT 59601 130pp
Warren, N. 1998. Old-growth
Associated Wildlife : Status and
Management Recommendations .
Flathead National Forest, Land
Management Technical Note No. 16.
9pp
Weaver, T. 2005. Montana
Department of Fish, Wildlife and
Parks, Kalispell, MT . Personal
communication
Weaver, T., and J. Fraley. 1991.
Fisheries Habitat and Fish
Populations . Flathead Basin
Commission, Flathead Basin Forest
Practices Water Quality and
Fisheries Cooperative Program,
Kalispell, MT
Welty, J., T. Beechie, K. Sullivan,
D. Hyink, R. Bilby, C. Andrus, G.
Pess. 2002. Riparian Aquatic
Interaction Simulator (RAIS) : A
Model of Riparian Forest Dynamics
for the Generation of Large Woody
Debris and Shade. Forest Ecology
and Management 162:299-318
Wolman, M.G. 1954. A Method of
Sampling Coarse River-Bed Material .
Transaction American Geophysical
Union 35 (6) :951-956
Young, Stephen L. 1989. Cumulative
Watershed Effects . Lassen National
Forest
ACRONYMS
ARM Administrative Rules of
Montana
BMP Best Management Practices
CEA Checklist Environmental
Assessment
dbh diameter at breast height
DEIS Draft Environmental Impact
Statement
DEQ Department of Environmental
Quality
DFWP Montana Department of Fish,
Wildlife, and Parks
DNRC Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation
ECA Equivalent Clearcut Acres
EIS Environmental Impact
Statement
EPA Environmental Protection
Agency
FBC Flathead Basin Commission
FEIS Final Environmental Impact
Statement
FI Forest Improvement
FM Forest Management
FNF Flathead National Forest
FY Fiscal Year (July 1 - June
30)
FOGI Full Old-Growth Index
GIS Geographic Information
System
ID Team Interdisciplinary Team
MBTRT Montana Bull Trout
Restoration Team
MBTSG Montana Bull Trout
Scientific Group
MCA Montana Codes Annotated
MEPA Montana Environmental
Protection Act
MFISH Montana Fisheries
Information System
MMBF Million Board Feet
MNHP Montana Natural Heritage
Program
NRIS Natural Resource Information
System
NWLO Northwestern Land Office
RMZ Riparian Management Zone
Rules Administrative Rules for
Forest Management
SFLMP State Forest Land Management
Plan
SLI Stand-level Inventory
SMZ Streamside Management Zone
SVGBCA Swan Valley Grizzly Bear
Conservation Agreement
TMDL Total Maximum Daily Load
USDA United State Department of
Agriculture
USES United States Forest Service
USFWS United States Fish and
Wildlife Service
124 Permit
3A Authorization
Stream Preservation Act Permit
A short-term Exemption from Montana' s Surface Water
Quality and Fisheries Cooperative Program
Land Board
Board of Land Commissioners
Copies of this document with its appendices were published at an approximate
cost of $12.72 per copy for printing and $5.00 for mailing.
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
SWAN UNIT OFFICE - SWAN RIVER STATE FOREST
34935 MT HIGHWAY 83
SWAN LAKE, MT 39911
(406) 754-3301 or Fax
(406) 734-3884
Persons nith (Usabilities wlio need an alternative, aeeessible
Format of tliis doeiuuent slionld contact DNRC
At tlie adch'ess or plione nniuber sliomi above.