leaver Laka

* ' department oWatural Resi5ukes and" Conservation

Mlwater Uhtt Office • Stillwater State Forest

MONTANA STATE LIBRARY

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3 0864 0014 4371^

momns^

A.C.B. Montana State University Grant

ARM Administrative Rules of Montana

BF board feet

BMP best management practices

C.S. Common School Grant

CWA Clean Water Act

dbh diameter at breast height

DEIS Draft Environmental Impact Statement

DP Douglas©fir

DPWP Department of Pish, Wildlife and Parks

DMZ deferred management zone

DNRC Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

ECA equivalent clearcut acres

EIS Environmental Impact Statement

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement

FEPC Flathead Economic Policy Center

FI Forest Improvement

GIS Geographical Information System

ID Team Interdisciplinary Team

LP lodgepole

MBF thousand board feet

MC mixed conifer

MCA Montana Codes Armotated

MEPA Montana Environmental Protection Act

mm millimeter

MMBF million board feet

OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

P.B. Public Building Grant

PP ponderosa pine

R/W right-of-w^ay

SAP subalpine fir

SFLMP State Forest Land Management Plan

SLI Stand level inventory

S.M. Montana Tech of the University of Montana Grant

SMZ streamside management zones

S.N.S. Montana State University-Billings and Western Montana College of the University of

Montana Grant

SSFI sale-specific forest improvement

USDA United States Department of Agriculture

USFWS United States Fish and Wildlife Service

USPS United States Forest Service

WL western larch

WP white pine

WYI water yield increase

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CHAPTER I ' HELENA, MONTANA b'=.b20 :

PUPO'OSE 1

RELATIONSHIP TO THE SFLMP 2

EIS PROCESS 2

EIS DEVELOPMENT 2

PUBLIC SCOPING 2

DRAFT EIS (DEIS) 4

FINAL EIS (FEIS) 4

NOTIFICATION OF DECISION 4

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES 4

OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS RELATED TO THE PROJECT 4

OTHER AGENCIES WITH JURISDICTION/PERMITS REQUIRED 5

PERMITS THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE PROPOSED ACTIONS 5

PUBLIC CONCERNS 5

VEGETATION 5

WILDLIFE 6

WATER QUALITY 6

FISHERIES 6

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 6

ECONOMICS 7

TRAILS 7

VISUAL RESOURCES (SCENERY) 7

CULTURAL RESOURCES 8

CHAPTER II

DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVES 1

ALTERNATIVES 2

NO- ACTION ALTERNATIVE 2

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B 2

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS 12

CHAPTER III

INTRODUCTION 1

VEGETATION 1

WILDLIFE 13

WATER QUALITY AND FISHERIES 28

SOILS 34

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM 38

ECONOMICS 39

VISUALS 44

AIR QUALITY 46

CHAPTER IV ,: «#'

INTRODUCTION 1

VEGETATION 1

WILDLIFE 8

WATER QUALITY AND FISHERIES 15

SOILS 21

\ Table of Contents rOC-1

TRANSPORTATION 23

ECONOMICS 28

VISUALS ^. ».«s.%^.^ 39

AIR QUALITY 40

IRRETRIEVABLE AND IRREVERSIBLE COMMITMENTS OF NATURAL RESOURCES 41

IRREVERSIBLE 41

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roC-2- Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

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Stillwater State Forest, Montana Department
of Natural Resources (DNRC) proposes the
Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project and several
potential actions relating to the Beaver Lake
Project area. Proposed actions include:

timber harvesting
new road construction
surface drainage and BMP applications to
roads

safety improvements on existing roads
development of new State-leased
cabinsites on Murray Lake
the evaluation of selling existing cabinsites
on Beaver Lake

granting of temporary /permanent ease-
ments across State land to private or
corporate ownerships twi-.^!.-

Approximately 4.5 million board feet (MMBF)
of timber would be harvested from about
1,130 acres, between 7.5 to 8.5 miles of new
road would be built, and between 9.5 and 12.0
miles of existing road would be reconstructed
if an action alternative was selected.

The project area is located in the Beaver Lake
area, approximately 4 air miles northwest of
Whitefish, Montana, and includes State lands
in all or portions of Sections 7, 8, 16-21, 28 and
29, Township 31 north. Range 22 west. The
entire project area encompasses approxi-
mately 4,129 acres. (See Figure I-l, Vicinity
Map)

PURPOSE

The lands involved in the proposed project are
held by the State of Montana in trust for the
support of specific beneficiary institutions,
such as public schools. State colleges and
universities, and other specific State institu-
tions, such as the school for the deaf and
blind. Enabling Act of February 22, 1889; 1972

Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 11. The
Board of Land Commissioners and DNRC are
required by law to administer these trust lands
to produce the largest measure of reasonable j
and legitimate return over the long run for j
these beneficiary institutions. Section 77-1-202,
Montana Codes Annotated (MCA). On May 30, '
1996, DNRC released the Record of Decision ;
on the State Forest Land Management Plan
(SFLMP). The Land Board approved the
SFLMP's implementation on June 17, 1996.
The SFLMP outlines the management philoso- i
phy of DNRC in the management of State .
forested trust lands and sets out specific '

Resource Management Standards for 10 !'

resource categories. ']

The Department will manage the lands in-
volved according to the philosophy and ^
standards in the SFLMP, which states: •

Our premise is that the best way to ,

produce long-term income for the trust is
to manage intensively for healthy and ?^ .,v ;
biologically diverse forests. Our under- •

standing is that a diverse forest is a
stable forest that will produce the most
reliable and highest long-term revenue |

stream. ..In the foreseeable future, timber
management will continue to be our
primary source of revenue and our
primary tool for achieving biodiversity
objectives.

In order to meet the goals of the management
philosophy adopted through a programmatic
review of the SFLMP DNRC has set the
following specific project objectives:

• Harvest 2 to 5 MMBF of sawtimber and
small roundwood to generate revenue for
the appropriate school trusts.

• Improve the long-term productivity of the
timber stands by increasing vigor, reduc-

Chapterl: Introduction

I-l

ing incidence of insect and disease infesta-
tions, and regenerating portions of the
stands where the timber-stand growth is
decreasing. Actions would be done in a
manner that maintains site productivity
and favors the retention and regeneration
of appropriate species mixes. Harvesting
>) would be done to reduce the hazard of
heavy fuel loading and risk of large wild-
fires that would be difficult to control.

• Provide for additional benefit^ and main-
tain options for sustained revenue to the
school trusts by:

Completing site improvements on
existing roads to improve water quality
and safety in the area. Constructing a
new road system to access the entire
area with roads that meet current Best
Management Practice (BMP) standards
and provide for safety. •uij^H »>^i?c.?;!9i'!

Restricting motorized travel on some
-r- existing and new roads to provide
additional wildlife security and allow
better control of unseasonable use of
roads, thereby protecting the State's
investment in the roads and water
quality. v5jh«>m^

RELATIONSHIP TO
THE SFLMP

M^I-.C

The SFLMP is a programmatic plan that
provides field personnel with consistent
policy, direction, and guidance for the man-
agement of State forested lands. It contains
the general philosophies and management
standards that will provide the framework for
project-level decisions.

\i m wii</'3\

The planning of the proposed Beaver Lake
project was guided by the SFLMP. The SFLMP
philosophy and appropriate resource manage-
ment standards have been incorporated into
the design of the proposed actions. The
Beaver Lake Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) is not intended as a programmatic or
area plan and is limited to addressing specific

proposed actions in reference to issues that
were identified through public involvement
and interdisciplinary input.

EIS PROCESS

EIS DEVELOPMENT

This EIS was prepared in compliance with the
Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA).
MEPA requires State government to include
consideration of environmental impacts into
its decision-making process. It also requires
agencies to inform the public and other inter-
ested parties about proposed projects, the
environmental impacts that might result, and
alternative actions that could achieve project
objectives.

PUBLIC SCOPING

On March 27, 1997, a public involvement
notice was published in Montana's Flathead
County newspapers. Initial comments were
requested on DNRC's proposal "to identify
current, legitimate projects, including timber
harvesting, that could generate revenue for the
Montana school trust funds and design a means of
implementing these projects in a combined, com-
prehensive manner. " DNRC announced its
intention to hire a consultant to identify all
parties who had a proposal or would like to
propose a project to generate revenue for the
trusts. The consultant was contracted to
"clearly define each party's interest or proposal"
and "work with all parties to identify ways of
combining/coordinating these projects into one or
more comprehensive alternatives" that would
meet DNRC's legal mandates, the SFLMP, and
the desires of the interested parties and com-
munities.

Through a competitive bidding process, the
Flathead Economic Policy Center (FEPC) of
Kalispell, Montana was chosen as the consult-
ant to facilitate the alternative development
process. FEPC managed the public involve-
ment through the alternative-development
process.

( 1-2 r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

TABLE I-l - PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

DATE

PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT OPPORTUNITY

Initial Public Scoping

March 1997

An initial public involvement notice was published in the Daily InterLake and
Whitefish Pilot newspapers. The notice included information pertaining to hiring
a consultant to facilitate the alternative development, the intention of DNRC to
complete an EIS on alternatives that are developed, general information about the
area where proposed actions would occur, and a request for comments. DNRC
accepted comments on the proposal for 30 days.

June 1997

FEPC sent out a letter and questiormaire mailing to 618 individuals and
organizations. The mailing ir\formed people of the project and requested comments,
proposals, and information on how best to involve them in pubUc participation.

Collaborative Meetings

July 30 - November
19,1997

During this time period, 9 public meetings were held in Whitefish. The goal of
the meetings was to engage the public in discussing the project area, issues, options,
proposed actions, and other matters of concern. All interested people were invited
to participate. The meetings, facilitated by FEPC, became known as the Beaver
Lake Collaborative Effort. A meeting schedule was provided to the local
newspapers and radio stations several times throughout the process*; a meeting
notice and summary of the previous meeting were mailed regularly to 255 persons.

Field Trips |!

August 1997

The public was invited to participate in a field trip to observe existing timber
stand conditions, discuss proposed treatments, and look at impacts from
recreational use in the area, particularly along Murray Lake.

1 October 1997

A field trip was taken to observe and discuss the 2 alternative road-construction
proposals.

August 1998

A field trip was taken to observe potential elk wallow sites and osprey nests.

Additional Public Involvement

February 1998

A newsletter was sent out to the mailing list of interested parties to inform them of
Interdisciplinary Team (ID Team) members' names and how to contact them.
DNRC requested them to contact individual team members if they wanted to be
involved with the analysis. The newsletter also discussed the time schedules for
the analysis process and the ongoing project work.

Formal Public Review

December 1998

The Draft EIS (DEIS) will be issued for public review. Comments will be accepted
for 30 days.

1999

The Final EIS (FEIS) will be available for public review.

1999

A decision, which identifies and provides a rationale for the selected alternative,
will be published.

* News releases about the collaborative meetings were sent to The Daily Interlake, Whitefish Pilot, Hungry Horse News and the
Bigfork Eagle newspapers. KOFI and KGEZ radio stations were also sent news releases.

•<{■!

Chapter I: Introduction

1-3

DRAFT EIS (DEIS)

Following scoping, DNRC prepares a DEIS,
incorporating public corrunents relating to
issues that could affect the project. Upon
publication, the DEIS is circulated to interested
parties; notification that it is available is sent to
the parties on the mailing list that has been
developed for this project. Comments are
accepted for 30 days.

FINAL EIS (FEIS)

After all public comments are received and
evaluated, DNRC will prepare a FEIS or adopt
the DEIS as the FEIS, which consists primarily
of a revision of the DEIS that incorporates new
information based on public and internal
coiiunents.

NOTIFICATION OF
DECISION

Following publication of the FEIS, the Unit
Manager of the Stillwater State Forest will
review the information contained in the FEIS
and project file, including public comment. No
sooner than 15 days after publication of the
FEIS, the Unit Manager will consider and
deterirune the following:

• Do the alternatives presented in the FEIS
meet the project's purpose?

• Is the proposed mitigation adequate and
feasible?

• Which alternative or combination/modifi-
cation of alternatives should be imple-
mented? Why?

These determinations will be published and all
interested parties will be notified.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE
OF ACTIVITIES

After a decision is published, if an action
alternative is selected, several actions would
be initiated. The actions initiated depend on
whether the alternative is chosen in its en-
tirety. Contract packages for at least 2 timber
sales and proposed road construction could be
prepared in 1999 and 2000. The development
of new cabinsite leases on Murray Lake, sale
of existing cabinsite leases on Beaver Lake,
and completion of access agreements for
interested adjacent landowners could proceed
following the EIS decision.

The schedule is to present the a timber sale to
the State Land Board in the spring of both
1999 and 2000. If the Land Board approves
the projects, harvesting activities and road
construction would occur for approximately 3
years after each sale is sold. Postharvest
activities, such as site preparation, planting,
and hazard reduction, would occur following
harvesting activities.

OTHER

ENVIRONMENTAL
REVIEWS RELATED
TO THE PROJECT

An environmental review was completed for a
temporary road use permit in the Beaver Lake
area in 1996. This review and all the recent
environmental reviews completed on the
Stillwater State Forest were considered while
analyzing for cumulative effects on this
project.

14

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

OTHER AGENCIES
WITH JURISDICTION/
PERMITS REQUIRED .,

DNRC has had an ongoing contract with the
Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and
Parks (DFWP) to collect data and monitor
streams in Stillwater State Forest for existing
fisheries habitat and the presence/absence of
bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. A
DFWP fisheries biologist made a presentation
at a collaborative meeting; DFWP is on the
mailing list and received the initial proposal
and other information that was mailed follow-
ing the collaborative meetings. DFWP leases a
fishing-access site on Beaver Lake from DNRC
and has jurisdiction over the management of
fisheries and recreational boat use in lakes in
the project area.

,.^..

V-"— -r

PERMITS THAT MAY
BE REQUIRED TO
IMPLEMENT THE
PROPOSED ACTIONS

A Stream Preservation Act Permit (124) is
required from DFWP for activities that influ-
ence any fisheries stream.

A Short-term Exemption from Montana's
Surface Water Quality Standards (3A Authori-
zation), issued by the Montana Department of
Environmental Quality, may be required if:

temporary activities would introduce

sediment above natural levels into streams,

and

DFWP feels a permit is necessary after

reviewing the mitigation in the 124 permit.

DNRC is a member of the Montana Airshed
Group, which regulates DNRC slash burning.
DNRC receives an air quality permit through
participation in the Airshed Group.

Through the public-involvement process, the
public and resource specialists of DNRC and
other agencies raised concerns about the
project's potential impacts on the environ-
ment. DNRC used these concerns in develop-
ing the project design, mitigation measures,
and alternatives (see Chapter II). A para-
phrased summation of comments that were
incorporated into the alternatives is presented
below.

VEGETATION

MAINTENANCE OF FOREST
HEALTH AND DIVERSITY

Concern was expressed that natural succes-
sional development, appropriate species
] I mixes, size classes, and age classes should be
perpetuated. Further, the effects of the pro-
posed actions on sensitive plant species that
exist in the area were a concern.

PUBLIC CONCERNS

j^.

OLD GROWTH

.ijjiK'sr iJJfea-.i* 1. '^mif.

Concern was expressed that old-growth levels
should not fall below the amounts necessary
to ensure the viability of old-growth-depen-
dent species and the historically appropriate
component of old growth in the forest struc-
ture be maintained or moved toward. Old-
growth areas should be identified and
mapped.

FIRE HAZARD REDUCTION

Concern was expressed that management
activities should contribute to the reduction of
wildfire hazard risks, particularly in areas
where wildfires would be difficult to suppress
or human life and property may be at risk.

NOXIOUS WEEDS

Concern was expressed that harvesting activi-
ties, road construction, and other project . , t
activities should not increase the establish- , j •
ment of noxious weeds in the area.

Chapter I: Introduction

1-5

WILDLIFE

BIG GAME

jij d I

Concern was expressed that some of the
proposed timber-harvesting and road-con-
struction activities would be located in areas
used by white-tailed deer, mule deer, moose,
and elk for winter range, breeding, and other
purposes. Also, the effects of the proposed
actions on hiding cover and habitat connectiv-
ity for big game species was a concern. Col-
laborative members requested that local
knowledge concerning game trails, wallows,
and seasonal use be incorporated into the
analysis.

THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES

The possible effects of the project on the
following species are of concern:

Grizzly bears - Cumulahve effects of the
proposed actions on this species

Bald eagles - Effects from the proposed activi-
ties to bald eagles that frequent Beaver Lake.

Grey wolf - No activities should create a
reduction in the prey base of the wolves that
may occasionally frequent the area.

SNAG AND DOWN WOODY
MATERIAL MANAGEMENT

Concern was expressed that adequate
amounts of large-diameter snags required by
cavity-nesting birds and other species should
be left or that potential snags should be re-
cruited, as necessary, to provide adequate
habitat. In addition, down woody material in
certain sizes and quantities may be necessary
to provide habitat for various wildlife species.

SENSITIVE WILDLIFE SPECIES

Some sensitive wildlife species, such as the
common loon, have been reported in the
Beaver Lake area. The idenhfication of sensi-
tive species in the area and an analysis of the

effects on them from this project should be
accomplished.

WATER QUALITY

Concern was expressed that water quality in
the area should satisfy the nvinimum legal
requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act,
State water-quality standards, and MEPA, and
that the cumulative effects of this proposed
project on water quality and fisheries be
quantified. Pollution sources should be
identified and mitigated. "Above natural"
pollution should be considered. A concern
was expressed that human-caused sediment
from nonpoint sources should be mitigated
before additional sediment-causing activities
proceed. Proper analysis and monitoring
methods should be developed to protect the
quality of important water bodies in the area.

FISHERIES

Concern was expressed that potential effects to
water quality may have negative impacts to
the fisheries in the area.

TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM

Concerns were expressed that:

The road system should enhance user safety
while providing necessary access and options
for future DNRC management of the entire
Beaver Lake complex.

The cost of constructing new roads is relative
to the reconstruction of existing roads in the
same tributary areas.

The location of roads should be analyzed
regarding their impact on wildlife habitat and
travel, water quality, and recreational and
other human uses of the area.

1-6

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Road closures or road-use restrictions to
protect wildlife, water-quality resources, arid
road investments should be considered, where
appropriate.

The design of the transportation system
should be evaluated to ensure it supports
potential fire-suppression activities, as well as
the safe and timely evacuation of the Beaver
Lake complex in the event of wildfire.

There is disagreement among the collaborative
members as to whether there is an existing
right-of-way for the State from South Beaver
Lake Road to Skyles Lake Road. To fully
analyze transportahon planning options, the
existence or absence of that right-of-way
should be determined (in conjunction with
DNRC's Kalispell Unit).

ECONOMICS

There is concern that adequate information be
presented to enable decisionmakers and the
general public to consider both the short- and
long-term economic effects of the proposed
activities (or no action) on the individual
beneficiary trusts. The collaborative group
posed the following questions:

• What are the expected returns on invest-
ment?

• How are they calculated?

• Would the timber harvesting and transpor-
tation-system improvements included in
this project increase, detract from, or have
no impact on the value of the area for
future timber management or for other
beneficial, revenue-generating uses, such
as recreation?

• What would be the impacts of selling some
Beaver Lake cabin lease sites?

Could the revenue obtained from the
sales be invested elsewhere to produce
returns equal to or greater than the
returns under current management?
Would the existence of private land-

holdings in the interior of the Beaver
Lake project area have any effect on the
ability of the State to manage the area
for maximum benefit to the trusts?
Would the private ownership be
expected to result in a sharing of road
maintenance and construcHon costs or
other long-term financial benefits to the
State? ■

What would be the impact of establishing
four new cabin lease sites on Murray Lake?

Would additional road building or
maintenance activities be required?
Would the existence of cabin sites on
the lake have any effect on the ability
of the State to manage the area for
other beneficial, revenue-producing
purposes?

Would the long-term return to the
trusts from the leases exceed the costs
involved in establishing the lease sites?

TRAILS

Concern was expressed that timber-harvesting
and road-construction activihes should not
adversely impact important existing trail
systems for nonmotorized uses, such as horse-
back riding, bicycling, and hiking.

This concern is addressed in the document
under the general recreation subsection of
Economics.

VISUAL RESOURCES
(SCENERY)

Concern was expressed that key scenic and
visual resources should be identified and
protected. Of particular interest are the scenic
vistas from developed sites on Beaver and
Whitefish lakes and the drive-by views on
roads within the project area.

Chapter I: Introduction

1-7

CULTURAL RESOURCES

Concern was express that if any archaeological
or significant historical site exists within the
project area, that proper measure should be
taken to protect the site.

A DNRC archaeologist exanuned the project
area for historical or archaeological resources,
but found none. Mitigating measures would
be implemented if archaeological resources
were found during further examination or
during project activities (see Appendix A,
Stipulations and Specifications, under Archae-
ology).

( I-S

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

c^APm ft

DEVELOPMENT OF
ALTERNATIVES

Alternative development took place during
the Beaver Lake Collaborative Effort from
summer through fall of 1997 (see Chapter I,
Public Scoping). Ideas on how to address
issues, generate additional revenue for the
school trusts, and protect or enhance adjacent
landowners and cabinsite leaseholders' invest-
ments were discussed and defined by the
collaborative.

The collaborative requested DNRC to present
proposed timber harvesting, road construc-
tion, and transportation plans. This informa-
tion and ideas generated from the collabora-
tive were incorporated into alternatives. The
idea of including an additional harvest unit
adjacent to the existing cabinsite leases on
Beaver Lake and portions of the leases where
leaseholders wanted to participate was
adopted for the action alternatives. The
primary goal of the silvicultural treatments
applied to this harvest unit would be to reduce
fire hazards and expand the defensible space
around these cabinsites in the event of a
wildfire while retaining aesthetic values.

The collaborative suggested that the develop-
ment of new cabinsite leases on Murray Lake
be analyzed as part of the action alternatives.
These leases would provide an additional
source of income from the area and create a
presence of residents on Murray Lake. That
presence may reduce the litter and water-
quality problems that currently occur from
unmanaged recreational use.

Some individuals were concerned about the
location of a segment of new road that was
proposed in the initial transportation plan;
they felt alternative routes were feasible. After
attending the field trips and reviewing both of

'/S'--

the proposed transportation systems, the n/
collaborative decided to fully develop 2
alternatives and analyze their impacts.

Additional revenue for the trust may be
produced from making the existing Beaver
Lake cabinsites available for purchase consis-
tent with the current State enabling legislation.
(Note: After analyzing the impacts of selling or
purchasing a particular lot, any or all of the
interested parties, including the State, may decline
to pursue a sale. Inclusion in the environmental
analysis does not obligate any party to sell or
purchase a particular lot.)

Collection of use fees for roads accessing
adjacent private property would also (on a '
permanent or temporary easement basis)
provide revenue to the trust. This component
of the alternatives was developed after several
adjacent landowners expressed interest in
obtaining rights-of-way across State lands.
The collaborative and ID Team proposed that
all known rights-of-way proposals be ana-
lyzed at once under this environmental analy-
sis, rather than individually, to gain efficiency
and better portray cumulative impacts. (Note:
It is possible that after analyzing the impacts of
granting or obtaining a particular access, any or all
of the interested landowners, including the State,
may decline to pursue the matter. Inclusion in the
environmental analysis does not obligate any
landowner to sell, purchase, or lease a particular
access/easement).

An easement to access land located on the east
side of Beaver Lake in Section 21 was re-
quested by a landowner. To grant this ease-
ment, a road that would conform with the
transportation plan would need to be located
further north of Little Beaver and Beaver lakes
than it is presently. After considerable recon-
naissance, DNRC personnel could not locate a
route that met the transportation plan stan-
dards. The main problems encountered were

Chapter II: Alternatives

U-l

steep, broken rocky slopes and wet ground
northeast of Beaver Lake. This easement was
dropped from consideration.

The collaborative effort of alternative develop-
ment was completed in November of 1997.

An ID Team was formed in January of 1998;
several members had participated in the
collaborative. The ID Team further defined
elements of the alternatives so an analysis
could be completed. For instance, an area
along Murray Lake was chosen for consider-
ation of developing cabinsite leases. Harvest-
ing in the proposed Murray Lake cabinsite
lease area, approximately 10 acres, would be
needed for development. The harvesting
objectives would reduce stocking densities to
improve recreational values while retaining
aesthetic values and protecting water quality
in Murray Lake.

Further reconnaissance of the 2 transportation
systems was done to aid analyses of road
standards and economics and the develop-
ment of mitigation. Private landowners
interested in obtaining easement over the State
road system in the area were contacted and
their requests clarified and summarized.
Additional information about the affected
environment was collected to assist in design-
ing mitigation and completing analysis work.

ALTERNATIVES

This section describes the No- Action Alterna-
tive and the 2 action alternatives that were
developed. Mitigation measures and compo-
nents that are common to the action alterna-
tives are described in this section. Stipulations
and specifications that are designed to protect
resources during harvesting and road-building
activities are incorporated into the contract
clauses and enforced through timber sale
administration. These stipulations and specifi-
cations are forms of mitigation; those that
would be applied to an action alternative in
this project are listed in Appendix A. Mitiga-
tion designed to reduce impacts on a particu-
lar resource is also discussed in Chapter IV.

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

No proposed timber harvesting, road con-
struction or reconstruction, development of
new cabinsite leases on Murray Lake, sale of
existing cabin lease sites, or granting of rights-
of-way to adjacent landowners would occur at
this tirne. Recreational use, firewood cutting,
road maintenance, fire suppression, and
additional requests for easements and pur-
chases may occur. Natural events, including
plant succession, windthrow, and wildfire
starts, would continue to occur. Future ac-
tions, including timber harvesting, could be
proposed and would go through the appropri-
ate environmental analysis before implementa-
tion. Some seasonal or permanent road clo-
sures may be installed to protect water quality
and investments in road maintenance.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A
ANDB

COMPONENTS COMMON TO
ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The decisionmaker may select a modification
or combination of the alternatives.

TIMBER HARVESTING

A philosophy of timber management that aims
to improve the health and vigor of the forest,
manage overall for an uneven-aged forest
structure, and lower the risk of wildfire would
be pursued. Timber-harvest units would be
located in areas:

affected by mountain pine beetles (lodge-
pole pine stands),

with the potential for root disease and
stem disease losses (stands with grand fir
and Douglas-fir),

at substantial risk to wildfires that would
be difficult to control, and
lacking certain tree sizes and structural
stand characteristics that would histori-
cally have been present.

ir-2

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

No harvesting would take place adjacent to
any lake in the proposed area, except:

in the area where cabinsite development is
proposed along Murray Lake
where requested by Beaver Lake cabinsite
leaseholders to remove hazard trees and
reduce ladder fuels.

The silvicultural treatments are designed to
retain the multistoried structure of the area
and retain and perpetuate species diversity.
Harvest units would be designed with irregu-
lar shapes to better emulate natural distur-
bances. The locations of the harvest units,
with the exception of road right-of-way clear-
ing, are the same for both action alternatives.

Both action alternatives would harvest ap-
proximately 4.5 MMBF of timber from 19
harvest units distributed over approximately
1,130 acres. Harvest units would range in size
from 4 to 169 acres. These 19 harvest units
may be divided among several different
timber sale contracts. Vegetation along open
roads would be retained, when possible, to
reduce impacts to visual quality and maintain
security for big game.

PROPOSED SILVICULTURAL
TREATMENTS

1

The action alternatives use combinations of 6
silvicultural treatments. Figure II-l - Graphical
Reproduction of Silvicultural Treatments provides
a visual representation of how these treated
areas may appear following harvesting. The
visualizations are only a qualitative approxi-
mation of what would be expected to occur on
the ground due to the variations and diversifi-
cation of the stands treated in this project area.
Each visualization portrays the geographical
distribution of the treatment effects across a
harvest unit. Keep in mind that this is a
representation of the remaining distribution of
trees and that 1 tree from the visualization
does not equate to 1 tree on the ground.

Clearcut with reserves - This treatment is pre-
scribed in densely stocked lodgepole pine
stands. Reserve trees would include vigorous

trees of varying age classes of species other
than lodgepole pine and large snags. Small
pockets and strips of the existing stands would
be retained within the harvest units to help
break up the openings and create more-
irregular shapes that emulate natural distur-
bances.

Seedtree with reserves - Large western larch,
Douglas-fir, western white pine, and ponde-
rosa pine would be retained, individually and
in clumps (approximately 6-10 trees per acre), „>
to provide a seed source, future snags, and
cavity-nesting sites. Existing snags and small
clumps of younger trees would also be re- ... ;»
tained to provide for both structural and
species diversity. <

Modified seedtree/sheltenoood with reserves - 'j
Large western larch, Douglas-fir, western >]
white pine, and ponderosa pine would be
retained, individually and in clumps (approxi-
mately 6-10 trees per acre; in shelterwood
areas, up to 40 trees per acre) to provide a seed
source, future snags, and cavity-nesting sites.
Existing snags and small clumps of younger
trees would also be retained to provide for i^
both structural and species diversity. i}

Commercial thinning - 40% to 60% of the exist- s,
ing overstory would be harvested to reduce i
the stocking density, improve growth rates :'
and vigor, and increase the serai composition t
in the stand.

Croup selection with reserves - Small openings, .•
up to 5 acres in size, would be created in the
existing stand to promote regeneration and/or
release established regeneration. Reserve trees
would include vigorous trees of varying age
classes in all species present. Snags and large
serai trees that have a high potential to become
cavity-nesting sites in the future would be
retained.

Improvement cutting - Selective harvesting
would be done to reduce stocking density, li
increase the serai component in the species
mix, and remove trees that are at high risk for
value loss and mortality or are showing signs
of low vigor. ;

Chapter II: Alternatives

U-3

FIGURE ll-l - GRAPHICAL EFFECTS OF PROPOSED SILVICULTURAL TREATMENTS

iVi/p-:^

Clearcut with reserves

— a».-^^

SeedtreelShelterwood/with Reserves

*ffe;'^v ;

Qroup'Selectllmprovement Harvest Treatment

Commercial Thin

114

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

HARVEST ACTIVITIES

The following table and Figure 11-2 - Proposed Harvest Activity Map identify the proposed treatnnents
in their proposed locations

TABLE II-l - PROPOSED HARVEST ACTIVITIES FOR ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

UNIT

#

TOTAL
ACRES

IKEATMENT

YARDING
MklHOD

Sn t PREPARATION

REGENERATION
Mt THOD AND SPECIES

'

47

Clearcut with
reserves

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of westem
larch and ponderosa pine

2

155

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural ^ ■ i]

i i;

3

4

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of ponderosa
pine

4

22

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with |l|
interplanting of westem
white pine and westem
larch

5

149

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with |
interplanting of westem
white pine and westem
larch

6

11

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jaclqpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of westem
white pine and westem
larch

7

105

Combination of
group selection and
stand improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of westem
white pine and westem
larch

8

73

Clearcut with
reserves

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural

9

125

Modified
seedtree/

Shelterwood
w/ reserves

Tractor

Broadcast bum

Natural

10

24

Seedtree with
reserves

Tractor

Broadcast bum

Plant westem larch

Chapter II: Alternatives

II-5

: iT^mb.'^ii b'-'.

UNIT

#

TOTAL
ACRES

TREATMENT

YARDING
MtlHOD

Sll L PREPARATION

REGENERATION
METHOD AND SPECIES

11

8

Commercial
thinning

Tractor

None

N/A

12

29

Seedtree with
reserves

Tractor

Mechanical

Plant western larch

13

104

Combination of
group selection
and stand
improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of western
larch

14

24

Combination of
group selection
and stand
improvement

Tractor

Combirxation of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of western
white pine and western
larch

«

15

4

Combination of
group selection
and stand
improvement

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural with
interplanting of western
white pine and westem
larch

16

169

Clearcut with
reserves

Tractor

Combination of
mechanical and
jackpot bum

Natural

1

17

39

Modified
seedtree/

Shelterwood
w/ reserves

Tractor

Jackpot bvim

Natural

18

28

Improvement
cutting

Tractor

N/A

N/A

19

10

Improvement
cutting

Tractor

N/A

N/A

TOTAL

1,130

1

htm !c

.04 r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FIGURE 11-2 - PROPOSED HARVEST ACTIVITY MAP

hfl

Beaver Lake Proposed Harvest Activity Map

for Both Action Alternatives

4t.i^~

1

f.'iiBhoinmo'Xm

Hwy. 93
Existing Roads

Stillwater State
Forest Boundary

Proposed Harvest Treatments:

Seedtree/Sheltenwood w/Reserves |^^^

Clearcut w/Reserves

Improvement Cut/ Group Select gjo;

Chapter II: Alternatives

-U-7

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

The transportation plan was designed to:

- access State lands in the entire Beaver Lake
project area for forest management;

* accommodate a moderate level of dis-
persed recreation;

implement a road system that minimizes
impacts to cabinsite lease lots and
lakeshores;

locate main access roads away from
lakeshores where feasible;
deternune desired access points to adjoin-
ing private lands through State ownership;
and

keep open, if possible, any routes across
State lands to adjoining private lands,
especially where no other available access
to those private lands exists.

Both action alternatives would:

* include reconstruction and site improve-
ment on existing roads to improve ditch
relief, surface drainage, safety, and main-
tainability;

enlarge and improve the existing cul-de-
sac where Beaver Lake Road enters State

Hwy. 93

Existing Koade

Stillwater State Forest Ooundary

Proposed Koad Obliterations

Cul-de-sac Turnaround

Cabin Site Lease Area

forest land;

build new road to access portions of the
project area with a maintainable road; and
close some roads to motorized vehicle
traffic and obliterate sections of existing
roads to mitigate for wildlife and water-
quality concerns and protect road invest-
ments.

For more information on the alternative
transportation systems, see Figure 11-4 and II-5 -
Proposed Road Plan Maps in this chapter.

MURRAY LAKE CABINSITE
DEVELOPMENT

Approximately 10 acres would be developed
for 4 State cabin lease sites on the north end of
Murray Lake (see Figure 11-3 - Proposed cabinsite
lease area on Murray Lake). A selective harvest
would take place on this area during develop-
ment. The road that accesses the area would
be improved to install additional surface
drainage and construct a cul-de-sac at the end
to provide ingress and egress for residents and
firefighting equipment. Driveways would
likely be necessary into the cabins.

PROCEED WITH PROCESSING

RIGHTS-OF-WAY REQUESTS
AREA ON FOR THE BEAVER LAKE AREA

The environmental effects of grant-
ing requested rights-of-way on State
roads and land would be analyzed.
Potential use fees or right-of-way
costs, based on the value of the road
and the land value within the right-
of-way, would be assessed for
adjacent private landowners that
requested easements. A cooperative
road-maintenance agreement would
also be referenced in the easement
document.

SALE OF EXISTING
CABINSITE LEASES ON
BEAVER LAKE

The existing State cabinsite leases
would be examined for the ben-
efits/costs of offering them for sale

U-8

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

to private ownership. The sale of cabinsites
would be presented to the State Land Board if
the decisionmaker chooses to implement this
component of the action alternatives. Under
current law, lessees may still apply for pur-
chase of cabinsite leases if they are not recom-
mended with this project. Ultimately, the
Land Board would make the decision. Ease-
ment to access cabinsites would be a compo-
nent of the sale and value charged for the
property. A cooperative road-maintenance
agreement would also be referenced in the
easement document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
COMPONENTS UNIQUE TO
EACH ACTION ALTERNATIVE

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A

Alternative A was developed with the philoso-
phy of providing a long-term upgrade to the
transportation systems in the area to provide
access for current forest-management uses and
other possible future uses, including recre-
ational and /or residential development. With
this outlook for alternative development,
proposed roads would be located where the
road can be upgraded to a higher standard if
needed. A segment of new road construction
would be built upslope to the west of Little
Beaver Lake through an area that has been
identified by a resident as being important
habitat for white-tailed deer during the breed-
ing season. This road is proposed to:

direct traffic away from the cabinsite leases
on Beaver Lake,

replace an existing road on the west shore
of Little Beaver Lake that has been identi-
fied as a concern for the lake's water
quality, and *

provide improved access to timber stands
in Sections 17 and 20.

Alternative A would construct 8.3 miles of
new road, reconstruct .11.75 miles of existing
road, install permanent and seasonal road
closures, and obliterate 5.6 miles of existing
road (see Figure 11-4 - Proposed Road Plan for
Alternative A Map).

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

Alternative B was developed with the philoso-
phy of designing the transportation system to
consider current forest-management uses and
other future uses, but not to facilitate or
encourage major recreational and/or residen-
tial development. This alternative was devel-
oped to use existing roads, when feasible, and
lessen the noise during road construction
around cabinsites on Beaver Lake. The loca-
tion of some road segments would not allow
the road to be upgraded to facilitate increased
traffic from recreational and/or residential
development. The primary system roads
would be located to avoid an area that has
been identified by a resident as being impor-
tant habitat for white-tailed deer during the
breeding season. Alternative B would con-
struct 7.85 miles of new road, reconstruct 9.75
miles of existing road, install permanent and
seasonal road closures, and obliterate 5.7 miles
of existing road (see Figure 11-5 - Proposed Road
Plan for Alternative B Map).

TABLE II-2 - DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS FOR ACTION ALTERNATIVES

A

B

Miles of reconstruction

11.75

9.75

Miles of new cor\struction

8.3

7.85

Acres affected by road right-of-way clearing due to a harvest proposal.

24.9

23.5

Total road miles for harvest proposal

20.05

17.6

Potential miles of new road due to right-of-way access

1.5

1.5

Potential acres affected due to right-of-way access

7.2

7.2

Miles of obliteration

5.6

5.7

Road miles and acres are estimates based upon the road layers input on OASIS 7/29/98 and the road
development Table on Excel (finalized on 9/10/98).

Chapter II: Alternatives

— 11-9

FIGURE II-4 - PROPOSED ROAD PLAN FOR ALTERNATIVE A MAP

BEAVER LAKE PROPOSED ROAD PLAN
FOR ALTERNATIVE A

LEGEND

PROPOSED ROADS - UnrestrictMl
EXISTING ROAOS -Untrestiictsd

PROPOSED ROADS - Year-fOund Restrictions =

EXISTING ROAOS - YMr-nxind Restrictions =

®

Oblitaratad Road Ssgments

Seasonal Road Restriction «^
Year-round Road Restriction r — r
Culdeaac O Right-of-Way Accass Points

71m raid iocalMns ffesaied on IB nop as ipprain*i ■ (wy Iwi not b<«i Mwyid ii t hs im

n-io)

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FIGURE II-5 - PROPOSED ROAD PLAN FOR ALTERNATIVE B MAP i /i ^ iy i i Vi U CJ

BEAVER LAKE PROPOSED ROAD PLAN
FOR ALTERNATIVE B

T32N
R22W

n

\\

S'^fX'^hf.KiVf-J

fi

H

LEGEND

PROPOSED ROADS - Unrestricted
EXISTING ROADS -Untrestricted

PROPOSED ROADS - Year-round Restrictions
EXISTING ROADS - Year-round Restrictions

Obliterated Road Segments »~__— _._.

Seasonal Road Restriction »^
Year-round Road Restriction p — f
Cuktesac O RiflW-of-Way Access Points — -«»>

'The raad localim presated 0(1 this rap ve aniromiie - they hm not bm af^

Chapter II: Alternatives

,n-n

SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS

The following table summarizes the environmental consequences of the alternatives. The basis for the conclu-
sions of environmental effects summarized here is discussed in more detail in Qiapter IV. For a more com-
plete understanding of the terms, quantities, and statements presented here, refer to Qiapter IV.

TABLE II-3 - ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TABLE

RESOURCE

ALTERNATIVE
A

ALTERNATIVE
B

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

VEGETATION |

Cover type

representation (Stillwater
State Forest)

Approximately 119 acres of timber stands in the mixed-conifer
cover type would be converted to a western larch/Douglas-fir cover
type. Approximately 236 acres of the lodgepole pine cover type
would be converted to a western larch/Douglas-fir cover type.

No short-term change, with a
gradual increase of the mixed-
conifer cover type and a
subsequent decrease in the
western larch/Douglas-fir cover
type.

Age-Class Distribution
(Stillwater State Forest)

The amount of 1 50+-year-old stands would remain the same; 100-
to-149-year-old stands would decrease by approximately 218 acres;
40-to-99-year-old stands would decrease by approximately 44 acres;
O-to-39-year-old stands would increase by 262 acres.

No short-term change, with a
gradual decrease of O-to-39-year-
old stands over time.

Patch characteristics
(Beaver Lake area)- size
and shape

Patch size by cover type would increase slightly. Patch size by age
class would decrease slightly. Patch shape would be slightly less
irregular.

Patch size and shape would not
change over the short term.

Old-growth

representation (Stillwater
State Forest)

Old-growth stands would be entered and attributes would be
changed; however, the amount of old-growth stands would remain
the same.

The amount of old-growth would
not change.

OLD-GROWTH ATTRIBUTES: |

Large hve trees

Most of the large live trees would be retained in proposed harvest
units (shght decrease).

No change. Over time, mortality
may outstrip growth in this size
class, decreasing amounts of large
live trees in the area.

Coarse woody material

Coarse woody material would increase notably following the
proposed harvest for the short term.

In the absence of a large natural
disturbance, only a shght gradual
increase of coarse woody material
over time.

Snags

A slight decrease in the number of snags and a reduction of low-
vigor trees that may soon become snags.

The number of snags would
gradually increase over time with
tree mortality.

Decadence

Decadence would be reduced.

Decadence in the project area
would increase over time with
tree mortality.

SENSITIVE PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS: 1

Sensitive plants

Some individual spurred gentian plants would be destroyed, while
the overall population of this species would not change
considerably. Road closures would provide additional protechon to
several other populations of sensitive plants.

No change in the individual
plants, except as is presently
taking place through general
recreational use. Some road
closures that would provide
additional protechon to these
plant populatior\s may occur over
time as funding becomes
available.

Noxious weeds

Initially, populations may increase with the exposure of mineral soil
on disturbed ground; however, open roads would be reduced and
seeding and herbicide would be applied, along with ongoing
monitoring and spot herbicide application over time. Thus, in the
long-term, populatior\s may actually decrease.

Populations may increase with
increased recreahonal use.
Monitoring and spot herbicide
application would occur.

iU-U:

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

RESOURCE

ALTERNATIVE

A

ALTERNATIVE
B

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

WILDLIFE

COARSE-FILTER ELEMENTS:

Availability of snags and

Snag availability would decrease.

reducing habitat for cavity

)dy debris would increase in the

g term.

More snags would be available
for cavity nesters.

coarse woody debris

short term and decrease in the Ion

Cover-type
characteristics

Wildlife associated with the western larch/Douglas-fir cover type
would have more of this cover type short term and long term.
Spedes associated with more open forests would be favored for as
long as resulting regeneration is managed to maintain the initial
open conditions.

Western larch/Douglas-fir-
associated wildlife habitat would
not change short term, but may
decline long term. Species
adapted to denser forests would

Stand-age characteristics

Reduction in cavity-nesting habitat.

Gradual increase in cavity-nesting
habitat.

Patch characteristics

Effects to wildlife would be close to neutral.

No change.

THREATENED AND ENI

JANGtKtU brhCItb:

Wolves

Their prey base would benefit slightly from the reduced open roads
and educational signing, but would lose some winter range.
Cabinsite leases n\ay displace prey.

■

Their prey base would not benefit
from reduced open roads and the
educational sigrung effort. No
new cabinsites would be
developed, so risk of prey
displacement would be less.

Grizzly bears

Additional security would be provided with reduced open roads.
The potential for grizzly bear/human conflict may increase with
increased human use over time and because new cabinsites may
have food and garbage attractants.

The potential for grizzly
bear /human conflict would
increase with more recreational
use over time.

Bald eagles

No negative impacts with potential positive net impacts from road
closures along lakes.

No change.

Peregrine falcons

No negative impacts

No negative impacts.

Sensitive Species

Townsend's big-eared
bat

Minor reduction in roosting habitat.

Slow increase in roosting habitat.

with the loss of some nesting and
ove in the future (greater than 40
rger sizes.

Habitat quality would remain
low.

foraging trees. Habitat may impr
years) as remaining trees attain la

Common loon

Road closures would increase security along lakeshores.

Increased motorized recreational
use may increase disturbance to
loons.

BIG GAME:

Elk

Calving grounds

Calving habitat would be improv
openings.

sd by the creation of small

Gradual reduction in preferred
calving sites.

Winter range

A possible increase in disturbance to elk from new cabinsite
development

Gradual improved snow
intercept.

Thermal cover

Thermal cover reduced over 13 acres of elk winter range.

Gradually improved thermal
cover.

Habitat effectiveness

Some improvement to an overall
habitat effectiveness of 46% for
much of the year.

Some improvement to an overall
habitat effectiveness 47% for
much of the year.

Continued high densities of open
roads and large amounts of
hiding cover (39% habitat
effectiveness).

Bull elk security

Slight increase in security from the reduction of open roads.

Continued high vulnerability.

Mule deer winter ran^e

Thermal cover reduced by 3% on winter range.

No change in winter range.

White-tailed deer winter
range

Thermal cover would be reduced by 9% and a total of 51 acres
would be lost from patches over 40 acres.

Thermal cover would increase
gradually.

f r

Chapter II: Alternatives

.U-13

RESOURCE

ALTERNATIVE
A

ALTERNATIVE
B

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

OTHER:

Osprey 1 No effect. No change.

WATER QUALITY

Coarse woody debris
recruited

May be a minor reduction in coarse woody debris recruitment to
Murray Lake at proposed cabinsite leases.

Some reduction in coarse woody
debris recruitment from
continued motorized access to
lakes allowing intensive firewood
cutting and gathering.

Water-yield increases

Detectable increases in annual water yield. Water yield would be
within recommended thresholds.

No effect to current water yield.

Total increase in EGA for
all watersheds in project
area

615 equivalent dearcut acres

No increase in equivalent clearcut
acres.

Total water yield increase by watershed: |

Murray Lake

1.8%

0

Boyle Lake

5.6%

0

Beaver Lake

2.2%

0

Thomberg Lake

.4%

0

Fine-sediment
production

Constructs and reconstructs the
greatest amount of roads;
therefore, has the greatest
sediment-production potential.
Implements all proposed
obliteration, surface drainage,
and ditch relief. This should
result in long-term reduction of
sediment delivery to lakes.

Slightly less fine-sediment-
production potential than
Alternative A and implements
the same road closures and
obliteration. Repairs surface
drainage and ditch relief on
existing roads. This should
result in long-term reduction of
sediment dehvery to lakes.

Proposes no actions that increase
potential sediment. Only minor
improvements to existing surface
drainage and ditch relief. This
would not result in a short-term
or long-term reduction of
sediment delivery to lakes.

nSHERIES 1

Fishing pressure

A reduction in fishing pressure from reduction in access to several
lakes.

No change.

SOILS 1

Estimated acres with
greatly reduced site
quality from proposed
harvest activities.

24.9

23.5

N/A

Acres with some
reduction in site quality.

220.6

220.6

N/A

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM i

Safety

^

Travel safety would increase by:

Increasing sight around curves and over hills;
Incorporating an adequate number of turnouts into the road
design to allow passing and pull-off areas; and
Reducing winter driving risks.

Travel safety may increase:
Sight distances may be
increased on some segments
of the road, and
Some turnouts may be added
to the road over time.

Winter driving risks are high.

Access

The State has 1 access point to the project area; up to 9 access points
would be available to private ownerships.

The State has 1 access point to the
project area; 2 access points to
private ownerships are available
on existing roads.

1 1

iJW4-

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

'■«* * |# ii i

'*H,

RESOURCE

ALTERNATIVE
A

ALTERNATIVE
B

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

Costs

Road values wo.uld increase. Due to the locations and designed
road standards, the increased maintainability of the roads would
reduce maintenance costs.

Road values would conhnue to
depreciate; maintenance and
emergency repair costs would
increase due to road standards.

Road uses

•! bfwflv* >

Seasonal and/or year-round
motorized use restrictions
would be incorporated into the

Seasonal and/or year-round

motorized use restrictions would

be incorporated into the

transportation system:

all roads may be restricted

seasonally during spring

breakup;

8.4 miles of road would be

restricted from motorized

Seasonal restrictions may be
applied to some road segments
during spring breakup.

The existing barricaded road on
the north end of Murray Lake
would be the only road with year-
round use.

No roads would be obliterated.

The types of motorized vehciles
currently using the road system
would not change.

4pter con J.

trar\sportation system:

- all roads may be restricted
seasonally during spring
breakup;

- 8.6 miles of road would be
restricted from motorized

use year-round;

5.6 miles of road would be

use year-round;
5.7miles of road would be
obliterated.

Location and standards
of roads

Overall, roads would be located
approximately as displayed in
the Beaver Lake Road Plan for
Alternative A;

CH'erall, roads would be located
approximately as displayed in
the Beaver lake Road Plan for
Alternative B:

All existing roads would remain
in their current locations.

of draws;
- loop roads would be
eliminated.

roads would be moved out

of draws;

loop roads would be

eliminated.

Road standards would be improved.

Road standards would remain the
same and depreciate over time.

Road locations on at least 7.2
miles would be suitable for
future upgrades in standards.

Road locations on at least 4.2
miles would be suitable for
future upgrades in standards.

The road system would meet BMPs.

The road system would not meet
BMPs.

Fewer and shorter temporary
roads would be required for
future harvest entries.

More and longer temporary
roads would be required for
future harvest entries.

All road would need to meet
BMPs prior to future harvest
entries.

Effects of transportation
plan on long-range
harvest activities

on the am-

Has the least amount (2-5%) of
helicopter yarding, which is
more costly than conventional
logging methods.
Has the shortest helicopter
yarding distances, generally
less than .25 miles.
Has the least amount of
temporary roads and least
construction costs per mile.

Has the most (5-10%) amount of

ground where helicopters would

need to be used to harvest

hmber.

Has increased yarding distances

with hehcopter, up to 1 mile, and

flights over lakes.

Has the most amount of

temporary roads and

construction costs per mile of

temporary road.

No action would occur with this
alternative; further development
of a transportation plan would be
required prior to future actions.

ECONOMICS 1

Total timber value based
on stumpage value, FI
costs, and development
costs times estimated
harvest volume

$1,330,144

.. -. , .,.1

$1,322,509

$0

Potential total easement
value

$103,584

$104,826

$0

<rated

l-A'i'..

Chapter Ik Alternatives

MS

RESOURCE

ALTERNATIVE
A

ALTERNATIVE
B

NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

Effects of new cabinsite
leases on timber
management and the
sale of existing leases

Murray Lake - Approximately 8 acres would be removed from the
timber management land base. Implementing timber management
activities on adjacent lands would become more complicated and
costly.

No change.

General recreationalists

Increased use, improved conditions on open roads, reduction in
motorized access to lakes, segments of some trails would be
destroyed.

Increased use over time. Road
conditions would remain poor.

Cost of Murray Lake
cabinsite development

$8,000

$0

Estimated annual gross
revenue from Murray
Lake cabir\site
development

$4,200 to $19,000

$0

Jobs and income

Potentially, 10.58 direct jobs per MMBF harvested, with an average
aruiual income of $31,866.35 per job.

No jobs and income created from
timber harvesting.

VISUALS 1

Scenic viewpoints and
foreground viewing

Very little change would occur in views from the scenic viewpoints
analyzed. Roads would be brushed and widened. New roads
would be created and some harvest units would be visible from
open roads. This effects predominantly foreground viewing from
open roads.

No changes from scenic
viewpoints, assuming no large-
scale natural disturbances occur.
Minor effects to foreground
viewing from maintenance and
road brushing.

AIR QUALITY |

Road dust

Increase in road dust from log hauling, heavy equipment operation,
and, over the long term, from increased recreational traffic. Dust
effects largely mitigated by the application of dust abatement and
improved maintainability of roads.

No immediate effect to air quality.
Increase in road dust created
from increased recreational use.

Smoke

Increased smoke from slash-burning operations would have short-
term negative effects on air quality, but would not exceed the
maximum allowable levels as defined by the State of Montana
Cooperative Smoke Management Plan.

No effect to air quality.

ffi

mi

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

QUAPJ^P fff

AffecTEo emf^oNHShir

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS,

ANALYSIS AREAS,

AND ANALYSIS METHODS

INTRODUCTION

This chapter contains infonnation on the
environment of Stillwater State Forest and the
Beaver Lake Project area in reference to associ-
ated issues. The size of each resource analysis
area varies depending on the analysis methods
used and the viewpoint from which a resource
needs to be examined. Current condihons
discussed in this chapter include effects from
past management and other known distur-
bances, including other active timber sale
projects, projects that are in the planning stage,
and ongoing maintenance and use of the areas
being analyzed.

VEGETATION

The vegetation analysis will consist, primarily,
of 2 major components:

a landscape analysis that will examine
cover types, age-class distribution, and
patch characteristics, and
old-growth commitments that will focus
on the amounts and attributes of old-
growth stands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE PROJECT AREA

LOCATION

The project area is comprised of approximately
4,129 acres located in 10 sections. The primary
drainage, located on private land, is Beaver

Creek, which flows east of the project area into
Whitefish Lake.

The topography is glacially influenced with
predonninately broken ground of cliffs, draws,
ridges, benches, and potholes. Elevations
generally range between 3,000 and 4,000 feet.

Forest productivity is rated moderate to high,
with the less productive sites on the steeper
southwest exposures containing shallow soils
and on ridges. Douglas-fir, lodgepole pine,
and scattered western larch and ponderosa
pine occupy these sites. The more productive
sites are located on the northerly exposures
and near draws where soils are deeper. These
sites are predominately occupied with grand
fir, Douglas-fir, western larch, and lodgepole
pine, with a scattered representation of west-
em red cedar, subalpine fir, western white
pine, and western hemlock.

Stand structures and the variability of tree size
classes have been heavily influenced by past
natural disturbances, fire suppression, and
harvest treatments. Insect and disease condi-
tions in the forest include stem decays (prima-
rily in grand fir, but associated with all other
tree species) and root diseases (primarily in
Douglas-fir, grand fir, and subalpine fir).
Mountain pine beetle mortality is still occur-
ring, but has slowed considerably since the
epidemic of the 1980s. There is a range of other
stem decays, root diseases, insects, and foliar
pathogens present within the project area, all
of which influence the variability of the stand
structures and size classes represented in the
project area.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-:iim:

Forest habitat types (Pfister et al, 1977) are
used to describe the vegetation of a site. They
have been grouped to indicate the severity and
frequency of wildfires that historically oc-
curred on a site (ENT 223; Fischer and Bradley,
1987). The Douglas-fir habitat type occurs on
approximately 14% of the area; the grand fir,
57%; the alpine fir, 23%; the cedar, 5%; and the
hemlock, 1%. These habitat types indicate
microclimates of the area they represent; for
instance, much of the Douglas-fir habitat type
occurs on moderately w^arm, dry sites. Figure
III-l below shows the proportion of habitat
grouped by temperature and moisture.

FIGURE III-1-HABITAT TYPE GROUPS

HABITAT-TYPE GROUPS
BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA

Warm and dry

Cold

Modarataly warm and dry

Modarataly cool and dry

Warm and moist

These habitat types indicate a range of dry to
moist climatic regime with vegetative poten-
tial limited by, to a small degree, available
moisture and, to a greater degree, tempera-
ture. These sites generally support a rich
diversity of trees and other plant species and
are moderately highly to very highly produc-
tive.

LANDSCAPE ANALYSIS

BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS
METHODS, AND AREA

BACKGROUND

The SFLMP directs DNRC to take a coarse-
filter approach to biodiversity by favoring an

appropriate mix of stand structures and
compositions on State land (Montana DNRC
1996). To implement a coarse-filter approach
and meet SFLMP directives, landscape-analy-
sis techniques were used to determine an
appropriate mix of stand structures and
compositions, including cover-type represen-
tation, age-class distribution, structural charac-
teristics, and spatial considerations, such as
patch size, shape, and location.

METHODS

This landscape analysis will view components,
such as cover-type representation, from vary-
ing spatial scales and compare historic condi-
tions with the current conditions and condi-
tions that we think would be appropriate for
the site the stand occupies. This analysis
accounts for past management activities.
Inventory data from the 1930s was used by
Losensky (1993) to estimate the proportion of
various stand-structural stages by cover type
in the Inland Northwest in 1900 by projecting
back 30 years. This provides an estimate of the
natural characteristics of forests prior to fire
suppression and extensive logging. Losensky
has since (1997) worked with DNRC to com-
plete an analysis for the entire state; some
vegetation types that are specific to that work
are included in this analysis.

In reference to historic conditions and species
mixes, the followitig methodology was used to
analyze current and appropriate stand condi-
tions:

Two filters were developed and applied to the
Stillwater State Forest's current Stand Level
Inventory (SLI) data. The filters were assigned
cover types similar to those used in the 1930s'
inventory. One filter followed the 1930s'
criteria exactly, or as closely as possible,
representing current conditions (current filter).
The other filter (appropriate filter) assigns
cover types using criteria primarily designed
to help address the situation where succession
from one cover type to another was occurring.
The appropriate filter was developed to
indicate that those areas in the absence of fire
suppression, introduced pathogens, and
timber harvesting would likely have been

te

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

assigned to a different cover type than the
current cover-type filter would suggest. The
appropriate filter estimates, from the current
condition of the stand, what the stand may
have looked like in 1900.

The protocol used to assign cover types is
explained in detail in Coal Creek DEIS, 1998,
pages 111-6 through 111-24.

Patch size will be expressed in acres and patch
shape will be derived from the patch shape
index of McGarigal and Marks (1994).

ANALYSIS AREA

Historic conditions will be displayed from the
scale of Climatic Section 333c, which repre-
sents the Upper Flathead Valley. Current
and appropriate conditions will be dis-
played on the scale of the contiguous
Stillwater State Forest, approximately
91,119 forested acres.

AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION

Age-class distributions delineate another
characteristic important for determining
average historical or appropriate condi-
tions. When these distributions are
combined with information on cover
types, a fairly clear picture emerges of the
average forest conditions over time.
Knowledge about local topographic effects
ecological characteristics of tree species.

climatic-vegetational relationships, and distxir-
bance regimes adds clarity to the picture of
appropriate conditions.

The 1930s' inventories quantified the ages of
forest stands. Losensky examined the data
and projected the stands back in time to the
early 1900s to arrive at age estimates. This
data is useful in setting baseline conditions for
determining the extent to which current forest
age-class distribution deviates from average
historical conditions.

The following Figure III-2 and Table III-l
compare the current condition of age classes
on Stillwater State Forest and the historical
conditions from the Upper Flathead Valley.
They also show the age-class distribution in

FIGURE III-2- AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION
AGE-CLASS DISTRIBUTION

Comparison of Historic and Currant Conditions

C»ndlllo»» Ud»«« W««l<««d V«ll«y I

Nonstocked/seedling/sapling

Poles

Mature

Old stands

TABLE III-l - PERCENTAGE OF AREA/ AGE CLASS

NONSTOCKED/SEEDLING
/SAPLING

POLES

MATURE

OLD-GROWTH
STANDS

Historic condition of Upper
Rathead Valley

36%

13%

22%

29%

Current condition of contiguous
Stillwater State Forest

9%

27%

26%

38%

Current condition of Beaver
Lake Project area

3%

17%

23%

57%

Chapter III: Affected Environment

the Beaver Lake Project area.

Comparing the entire Stillwater State Forest
with the 1930s' data from the Upper Flathead
Valley shows that Stillwater State Forest is low
in stands of the seedling /sapling age /struc-
ture class and high in stands that are old,
relative to the 1930s' data. The Beaver Lake
project area is relatively small and so, given
the often-large sizes of natural disturbances,
should be viewed to simply show the age/
class representation in the project area. This
area has a high percentage of old growth (57%)
and a very low percentage of seedling /sapling
stands (3%). This age-class-structure represen-
tation in the project area would indicate the
lack of any large stand-replacement event,
such as wildfire, in the area for the last 100+
years. Many of the pole-sized stands in the
area are lodgepole, a result of wildfires that
partially entered the area in the 1910 fire
season. Much of the harvesting retained a
portion of the overstory and did not affect the
age-class structure at the stand level, but
rather created small pockets of regeneration
within stands.

COVER-TYPE
REPRESENTATION

mixed-conifer cover types are shade tolerant
and their representation increases in stands as
the interval between disturbances, such as
wildfires, is lengthened. The western larch/
Douglas-fir cover type is currently
underrepresented on the forest in reference to
historic data; western larch is not shade toler-
ant and the species has historically been
perpetuated through fairly intensive distur-
bances, such as wildfire. Although this data
sort indicates that the current amount of
western white pine cover type is similar to
what occurred historically, the number of
western white pine that occupy the canopy as
overstory dominants has decreased dramati-
cally over the last decade due to the white
pine blister rust infection and mountain pine
beetle infestations.

The Beaver Lake Project area is not typical of
Stillwater State Forest, as a whole, in cover
type representation. The western larch/
Douglas-fir cover type currently occupies 80%
of the project area, and the mixed-conifer
cover type occupies only 14%, approximately.

The following Figure III-3 and Table
ni-2 illustrate the percentage of
forested grovmd that is/was occu-
pied by a certain cover type. The
comparison shown includes the
Upper Flathead Valley historic
data, current conditions on
Stillwater State Forest, and appro-
priate conditions on Stillwater
State Forest that were derived
from current data and run through
a filter, as described earlier in this
chapter.

Data indicates, as is illustrated by
Figure 111-3 and Table 111-2, that the
mixed-conifer stands are currently
considerably overrepresented in
reference to both historic condi-
tions and conditions that DNRC
feels would be appropriate. Many
of the species that make up the

FIGURE III-3-PERCENTAGE OF AREA BY COVER TYPE

PERCENTAGE OF AREA BY COVER TYPE

.-/

bU^

^

^

^

^ I'fli

4U-

^

^

Hn

ni ^% i

30 -

/

^

|b

1 1

20-

y

^

^„„

H

H i

10-

.^

A

A

^■P'.-d

^^^^^^K^^^^^^^H ^^^^^^^B ' ^^^^^^B ^^^^^^1

pj^

n

/*

i^-^^^mF^

^^^T^^^^^T^^^^^rnl^^T^^^V

^^

\j

1

1 i

1

1

PP DF WL/DF WP LP MC SAF

[ 1 Historic U pper Flathead Valley

m Current Condition Stillwater State Forest

H Appropriate Condition Stillwater State Forest

(ffl-4;

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

TABLE III-2 - PERCENTAGE OF COVERAGE BY COVER TYPE

COVER

TYPF

HISTORIC

CURRENT

APPROPRIATE
CONDITION
STILLWATER

STATE FOREST

UPPER
FLATHEAD

V A 1 T FY

CONDITION
STILLWATER

STATF FOUFST

Ponderosa pine (PP)

1

<1

<1

Douglas-fir (DF)

<1

<1

1

Western larch/Douglas-fir

(WL/DF)

28

22

43

Western white pine (WP)

1

10

10

Lodgepole pine (LP)

27

11

11

Mixed conifer (MC)

6

24

10

Subalpine (SAF)

36

31

25

Other types

Trace

Trace

Trace

PATCH
CHARACTERISTICS

Tables 111-3 and III-4 show the current patch
size on Stillwater State Forest and in the
project area in reference to cover type and age
class. Historically, the most prevalent distur-
bance mechanism in the area creating mosaics
of vegetation patches of varying age classes
and cover types was wildlfire. Sneck's (1977)

fire history maps of Coram Experimental "^"
Forest suggests that small to moderately large
bums had regenerated stands ranging in size
from only a few acres to 500 acres in size.
There are ample examples of patches created
by wildfire that exceed 1,000 acres. The cur-
rent mean patch size on Stillwater State Forest
over all cover types is approximately 120 ,■ , .;
acres. The Beaver Lake mean patch size is
very similar. Current patch size is generally
considered smaller than what existed in the

TABLE III-3 - PATCH SIZE AND SHAPE INDEX BY COVER TYPE, CURRENT CONDITION^

COVER
TYPES

MEAN PATCH SIZE AND SHAPE

ON STILLWATER STATE

FOREST

MEAN PATCH SIZE AND SHAPE

IN THE BEAVER LAXCE PROJECT

AREA

PATCH SIZE

PATCH SHAPE

PATCH SIZE

PATCH SHAPE

Subalpine

311

1.5

Douglas-fir

29

1.3

5.3

1.1

Lodgepole pine

89

1.6

32

1.7

Mixed conifer

143

1.7

58

^ 1.6

Nonforest

24

1.6

15

1.3"

Ponderosa pine

31

1.7

Western larch/
Douglas-fir

114

1.5

269

1.44

Western white pine

176

1.9

Water

11

1.4

56

1.4

Total mean for all
cover types

120

1.6

118

1.5

'(Patch size is expressed in acres for patches of equivalent cover type. Patch shape was derived with the patch shape index
ofMcGarigal and Marks (1994)*) The patch shape index ofMcGarigal and Marks (1994) calculates patch complexity.
The calculation uses the perimeter and area of each patch and corrects for the effects of patch size. A. perfectly square
patch takes a value ofl. Circular patches have a complexity value of less than 1. More irregular shapes take numbers
higher than 1.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

iffl-5

TABLE 111-4 - PATCH SIZE AND SHAPE BY AGE CLASS

CURRENT
AGE

0-39 years

STILLWATER STATE FOREST

MEAN PATCH
SIZE

35

MEAN PATCH
SHAPE

1.3

BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA

MEAN PATCH
SIZE

20

MEAN PATCH
SHAPE

1.3

40-99 years

155

1.6

33

1.4

100-149 years

93

1.5

71

1.6

150+ years

279

1.8

384

1.7

Total mean for all
age classes

118

1.5

86

1.5

area prior to 1900. Mean patch shape by cover
type on Stillwater State Forest and the Beaver
Lake Project area are very similar, with the
Beaver Lake patches being slightly more
regular.

Table III-4 shows that the mean patch size by
age class on Stillwater State Forest is very
similar to the size class by cover type. While
the Beaver Lake mean patch size by age class
is considerably smaller at, approximately, 86
acres, the mean patch shape by age class of
both analysis areas is almost identical to the
patch shape by cover type. Patch shapes, in
general, are considered to be less complex than
historic conditions because of stand distur-
bance from timber harvesting and other
human development based on ownership
rather than topography. However, this is not
always the case, and it depends on the map-
ping techniques used and analysis-area size
being discussed. ,

OLD-GROWTH
REPRESENTATION

BACKGROUND, ANALYSIS
METHODS, AND AREA

BACKGROUND

The SFLMP states that DNRC would seek to
maintain or restore old-growth forests in
amounts of at least half the average proportion
that would be expected to occur with natural
processes on similar sites (MT DNRC 1996).
Old growth must be retained not only in the

amounts committed to, but also in appropriate
proportions and sites across the landscape.
Old growth is defined as stands that are older
than 150 years (140 years for lodgepole pine)
and that exhibit a range of structural attributes
associated with old age.

ANALYSIS METHODS

DNRC approaches the issue of old-growth
retention from the perspective that the charac-
teristics of old stands that make them func-
tionally different than other stands should be
defined and managed for.

Although no estimates of historic amounts of
old growth are available, there are estimates of
historic age-class distributions and accompa-
nying estimates of proportions of old stands.
This information is available from a forest '
inventory conducted in the 1930s across
western Montana. Losensky (1997) summa-
rized the 1930s' inventory showing propor-
tional age-class distributions by climatic
section. The proportion of old stands within a
given analysis area, compared to the climatic
section proportion from the 1930s', inventory,
is DNRC's numeric criterion for assessing
compliance with our commitment to retaining
a minimum of 50% of old-growth amounts
that would be expected to occur with natural
processes on similar sites. DNRC will assess
the structural attributes associated with old
age that characterize the variety of forest
conditions that would have naturally occurred
on the landscape. Stands should be assessed
as they come up for treatment on a project-by-
project basis, keeping some with high old-
growth qualities, while possibly harvesting

m-6

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

others. Additionally, stands that are not
technically old may possess many important
old-growth components, serving the old-
growth function better than some actual old
stands and, thus, should be considered as
potential replacement old-growth stands.

1.-

I

The intent of the SFLMP is to maintain enough
old growth to meet the specified old-growth
commitment, but not drop bejow that amount.
The at-least-half amount represents the naini-
mum DNRC has committed to retaining, but
does not necessarily represent the maximum
desirable for retention. .•,..?,

ANALYSIS AREA

In the old-growth analysis, historic conditions
will be displayed from the scale of Climatic
Section 333C, which represents the Upper
Flathead Valley. Current and appropriate
conditions will be displayed on the scale of the
contiguous Stillwater State Forest, approxi-
mately 91,119 acres.

e remsiiLvw

OLD-GROWTH
COMMITMENTS

Stands with a substantial overstory compo-
nent of 150 years old and older are considered
old -giT'Vv'rh svands in this analysis. The excep-
tions are lodgepole pine stands, which were

sorted as old stands if they were 140 years old
or older. Table 111-5 shows that approximately
34,244 acres, approximately 38% of the entire
Stillwater State Forest analysis area are cur- „
rently considered old-growth stands. The
1930s' data from the Upper Flathead Valley
indicates that old stands occupied approxi-
mately 29% of the area. Proportions of old |
growth on Stillwater State Forest exceed the ";
one-half historic commitment in all cover !

types, with the exception of the western larch/
Douglas-fir cover type, which is now approxi-
mately 381 acres below the minimum. Cur- - •
rently, there is one timber sale on Stillwater
State Forest (Upper Stryker Ridge II Timber „
Sale) being harvested that will likely convert
several hundred acres of old-growth stands
with a mixed<onifer cover type directly to
old-growth stands with a western larch/
Douglas-fir cover type. This will be accom-
plished by harvesting many of the shade- '""™'
tolerant and retaining many older large west-;
em larch and Douglas-fir. -^

The SFLMP calls for the maintenance of ' ci
sufficient acres to replace old stands that may
fall apart, die, or bum. The proportions were
calculated using a Weibull function for age-
class distribution. The Weibull function uses t
both the fire-return interval and a shape
parameter to fit the age-class curve. This
curve indicates the proportion of stands
needed in each age class in Stillwater St^te
Forest. Table III-6 shows the cover types and

A i

TABLE nZ-5 - DNRC OLD-GROWTH RETENnON COMMTTMENTS ON STILLWATER STATE FOREST

DNRC
COMMITMENT TO
THE PERCENTAGE
OF OLD GROWTH

APPROPRIATE

PORPORTION OF

STILLWATER

MINIMUM
ACRES OF

EXISTING

STATE FOREST BY

COVER TYPE

(PERCENTAGE)

OLD

GROWTH

TO RETAIN

ACRES OF

OLD
GROWTH

COVER
TYPES

RETENTION BY
COVER TYPE

Ponderosa pine

37

<1

11

31

Douglas-fir

27

250

3

1

TAT ■ 1 1 /

9,112

8,731

Western larch/
Douglas-fir

23.5

43

Western white
pine

8.5

10

775

6,366

Lodgepole pine

2.5

11

251

. 253

Mixed conifer

21.5

9.5

1,868

8,276

Subalpine

10

25

2,278

10,337

Column 1 X Column 2

X forested acres on Stillwater

State Forest (91,119) = Colw

nn 3.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

'111-7

TABLE ni-6 - OLD-STAND REPLACEMENT SCHEDULE (based on the Weibtill function)

COVER
TYPES

OLD-STAND

MINIMUM

PERCENTAGE

MINIMUM

PERCENTAGE IN THE

110-YEAR AGE CLASS

AND YOUNGER

MINIMUM

PERCENTAGE IN EACH

AGE CLASS BE 1 WEEN

110 AND 150'

Ponderosa pine^

-

-

-

Douglas-fir

3

2.4

1.0

Western larch/
Douglas-fir

24

3.5

2.5

Western white pine

9

3.2

1.9

Lodgepole pine'

3

1.8

0.8

Mixed conifer

22

3.5

2.5

Subalpine

10

3.3

2.0

'77j€ 150-year age class is used because in the DNRC inventory that class corresponds best to Losensky's

old-stand designations.

^Ponderosa pine - only a minor trace of Stillwater State Forest is considered to be an appropriate ponderosa

pine cover type.

'Lodgepole pinelrecomes old growth at 140, so the 0.8 refers to the 110-year to 140-year age classes.

percentages of stands needed in the 110-year
and younger age classes and the percentages
necessary for the age classes between 110 and
150 years. Age classes cover 10 years (e.g. the
110 class is from 110 to 119 years).

OLD-GROWTH
ATTRIBUTES

In this section the current conditions of old-
growth stands in the Beaver Lake Project Area
will be displayed. Four attributes that often

characterize stands in the latter stages of
development will be examined: large live
trees, snags, coarse down woody material, and
decadence among live trees.

LARGE LIVE TREES

Table 111-7 summarizes data on large trees in
old stands in the project area and indicates
that there are few acres (2% of area) that have
a heavy stocking of large trees (more than 21"
dbh).

TABLE 111-7 - PERCENT OF BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA OCCUPIED BY LARGE LIVE
TREES IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS

1 TREES PER ACRE

TREES 21" DBH OR GREATER

1-5

31%

Less than one

39%

6-10

21%

More than 11

2%

hz

COARSE DOWN WOODY
MATERIAL

Approximately 44% of old growth in the
Beaver Lake Project area have no large down
woody material over 15" dbh; only 5% were
recorded as having up to 3 pieces per acre.

{m-8

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

SNAGS PER ACRE

TABLE III-8 - SNAGS/ACRE IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS IN THE BEAVER LAKE AREA

SNAGS/ACRE

% AREA WITH SNAGS
15-20" DBH

% AREA WITH SNAGS
MORE THAN 21" DBH

Less than 1

26%

49%

1-5

55%

20%

6-10

8%

4%

11 ore more

2%

2%

DECADENCE

Lack of tree vigor, as shown by poor crown
development, slow growth rates, and damage,
will be used for indicators of stand decadence.
Approximately 76% of old-growth stands in
the Beaver Lake Project area have a vigor class
of good to average, where growth has not
slowed greatly and the crown lengths are still
over 33% of the stem height. The remaining
old-growth stands are in the below-average to
poor-vigor class where crown-to-stem ratios
and growth rates are low. None of the old-
growth stands were in the very-poor vigor
class.

SUMMARY OF OLD-GROWTH
ATTRIBUTES

Old-growth stands in the Beaver Lake area
have few large trees per acre, few acres that
have many snags, little large course woody
material, high stand vigor, and less decadence
than one would generally expect in
unmanaged stands of this age and type. Most
of these stands have been entered in the past
with stand-improvement and salvage harvests.
Some of the standing large trees and snags and
blown down larger trees were harvested; the
reduction of stocking density and removal of
trees showing poor crowns have reduced the
overall decadence in the stands.

COMPARISON OF OLD-
GROWTH STANDS ON
STILLWATER STATE
FOREST AND THE
BEAVER LAKE PROJECT
AREA

A comparison of old-growth stands on the
entire forest with the old-growth stands in the
project area is useful to determine how consis-
tent the characteristics of these stands are. A
comparison of decadence, as portrayed by
vigor class, stocking levels, and structure
(whether stands are multistoried or not),
follows.

FIGURE III-4-COMPARISON OF VIGOR IN
OLD-GROWTH STANDS

COMPARISON OF VIGOR IN OLD-GROWTH STANDS

n Full vigor

■ Good to avorags vigor

H Bolow avarag* vigor

H Vary poor vigor

Chapter III: Affected Environment

nCURES IU-5-COMPARISON OF STAND STRUCTURE

Clumpy multistorled

Classic uneven-aged appearance

Single-storied

Two-storied

Multistoried

no distinct canopy levels

FIGURES III-6-COMPARISON OF STOCKING LEVELS
OF OLD-GROWTH STANDS

4-11 MBP/acr«
20-27 MBP/acr*

12-19 MSF/acr*
2S-36 MBF/aer«

Comparing the old-growth stands in the 2
areas as depicted in Figures III-4 through 111-6
shows the major differences in the 3 attributes
that were lised. The largest variances were that
the Beaver Lake old-growth stands had very
few heavily stocked stands, vigor was higher,
and the structure of the old stands in the
Beaver Lake Project area were, for the most
part, an uneven-aged structure with no dis-
tinct canopy levels, while old-growth stands
on the entire forest are predominantly
multistoried stands. The differences between
old growth in the project area and on the
entire Stillwater State Forest may be largely a
product of past harvest entries in the majority
of the old-growth stands in the Beaver Lake
Project area.

FIRE HISTORY AND
CURRENT WILDFIRE
HAZARDS AND RISKS
IN THE BEAVER LAKE
PROJECT AREA

A major wildfire burned into the edge of
this area both in 1910 and 1919. Between
1962 and 1992, 41 small fires, all less than
one acre, occurred in the project area.
There have been no major fire occurrences
in nearly 90 years. Following the habitat-
type grouping that was done by Fisher
and Bradley, Fire Ecology of Western
Montana Habitat Types (INT 223;Fisher
and Bradley 1987), 2 main habitat-type
groups occupy most of areas Group 6 and
Group 11. Group 6 covers fire intensities
from nonlethal to mixed lethal, with small
areas of stand-replacing fires. Group 11
covers a wide variety of site and moisture
differences, and fire severity can range
from minor ground fires on moist sites to
stand-replaceing fires. Stillwater State
Forest completed a risk rating of the
Beaver Lake Wildland/ Residential Inter-
face Zone. The score fell into the extreme
risk/extreme priority category. Key
concerns were:

deadends on secondary roads with no
cul-de-sacs;

more than 25% of homes/cabins not
meeting fire-resistant construction
and /or landscaping guidelines;
dense timber stands or high brush
fields around more than 10% of the
existing structures;

the absence of organized homeowner-
contact mechanisms;
the presence of campgrounds, debris
burning, use of wood for domestic
heat, farming and ranching,
powerlines, railroads, and vehicle
travel routes;
no fire hydrants;

a fire department estimated response
time of 16 to 30 minutes; and
a past fire occurrence rate of .40-i- fires/
1,000 acres/ 10 years.

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Some of the lodgepole-pine-dominated timber
stands in the area have experienced a high
percentage of mortality from past mountain
pine beetle infestations and other factors due
to high stocking densities. This mortality has
left a continuous layer of fuels on the ground
in these stands, increasing fire hazard and
reducing the ability to suppress wildfires in
those areas.

SENSITIVE PLANTS IN
BEAVER LAKE PROJECT
AREA

Two sensitive plant populations were identi-
fied and listed in the Montana Natural Heri-
tage Program prior to the analysis for the
Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project. The popula-
tions include a small area that is occupied by
Giant Helleborine {Epipactis gigantea) and a
small population of Yellow Lady's Slippers
{Cypripidium parviflorum), both in Section 17.

DNRC contracted a botanist to conduct a
sensitive-plant survey of the Beaver Lake
Project area. The botanist has located and
surveyed 7 previously undocumented popula-
tions or subpopulations of Montana Plant
Species of Special Concern:

Creeping sedge {Carex chordorrhiza)- Sec-
tion 8

Slender cotton grass {Eriophonim gracile) -

Section 8

An additional population of yellow lady's

slipper - Section 21

Buckler fern {Dn/opteris cristata) - Section

16

Kidney-leafed white violet {Viola renifolia) -

Section 16
- - Two populations of spurred gentian
\ {Halenia deflexa) - One in Sections 8 and 17,
; the other in Section 20.

Most of these plants were found in or along
edges of wetlands. Spurred gentian, the
largest population detected, was found to be
common across large areas of varied habitat in
the south end of Stillwater State Forest; the
number of flowering plants was estimated in
the tens of thousands to hundred of thou-

sands. This species is an annual and its popu-
lation undergoes dramatic year-to-year fluc-
tuations. Spurred gentian is found regularly -
in disturbed sites, such as dirt roads and
timber harvest units. This species is listed as
proposed sensitive by the USPS, Region One
(Heidel 1997); however, this status has been
rescinded based on its abundance in disturbed
settings (M. Mantas, personal communication
with J. Vanderhorst). A recommendation has
been made that the Natural Heritage Program;
no longer tracks this species.

The botanist who surveyed the Beaver Lake
Project area found evidence of people cutting ■
flowerheads off yellow lady's slippers. He
thought this had occurred over several years.

PAST MANAGEMENT ' !
ACTIVITIES I

Timber harvesting has occurred in the area
since around 1919. Approximately 28 MMBF
of sawtimber have been harvested in the area.;
There have been approximately 16 separate
timber harvests in the area between 1925 and
1976, when the last major timber harvest was
carried out. Approximately 3,981 acres have
been entered. Much of this harvesting was
done in a manner that did not remove the
entire canopy, and only patchy regeneration
occurred. In addition, other product sales
have occurred in the area, including post/
poles, firewood, and Christmas trees/boughs.

NOXIOUS WEEDS

!v <

The Flathead County Weed /Parks District
conducted a survey of the Beaver Lake Project
area during August, 1998. DNRC funded the
survey of this area, some other areas on the
south end of Stillwater State Forest, and areas
on Coal Creek State Forest. The survey found
spot populations of the following weeds in the
Beaver Lake Project area (See figure III-7 - ^

Noxious Weed Map): -■'■' |

j

Saint-John's-wort |
Orange hawkweed >. ,' I
tansy ragwort f 4 f
spotted knapweed , l
yellow toadflax

Chapter III: Affected Environment

#W1

The small, spotty populations were found
primarily along existing roads. Saint-John's-
wort and spotted knapweed were the most
widely distributed along roads in the area.
Tansy ragwort was found in 3 isolated areas.

The weed district treated many of the weed
populations they encountered with a combina-
tion of pulling and spot applications of herbi-
cide Tordon 22k.

FIGURE III-7 - NOXIOUS WEED MAP

Beaver Lake l>loxious Weed Survey Map

Hwy. 93

Existing Koade

Stillwater State Forest Boundary

3 St. Johnswort |^ Spotted Knapweed "J" Tansy Ragwort
H Orani^e Hawkweed Y Yellow Toadflax

m-ur

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

WILDLIFE

:;tnfK5ffJ;

This analysis accounts for cumulative impacts
from past management activities. DNRC
approaches its land management and the
analysis of its proposed actions with a 2-tiered
approach.

For the first tier, or 'coarse- filter' approach, v^e
assume that if landscape patterns and pro-
cesses similar to those that species evolved
with are maintained, then habitats for a full
complement of species would be maintained
across the landscape. We manage State trust
lands to favor an appropriate mix of stand
structures and compositions based on ecologi-
cal conditions (DNRC 1996). Additionally, the
commitment from the SFLMP is to maintain or
restore old-growth forests in amounts of at
least half the average proportion that would
be expected to occur with natural processes on
similar sites.

Recognizing that our fundamental approach
uses the coarse filter, we acknowledge that it is
often difficult to ensure that such a broad view
sufficiently considers all the important habitat
elements that may be affected by any given
project. Habitat connectivity, juxtaposition of
required habitats, and human disturbances are
examples of elements that may not be ad-
dressed adequately for particular species
through the coarse-filter approach. Thus, we
incorporate the second tier, or 'fine-filter'
analysis, in which we evaluate individual
species that are recognized to be of special
concern and /or species whose needs are so
specialized that a coarse-filter approach may
not guarantee their well being. These are the
species that are addressed in the fine-filter
analysis:

wildlife species Federally listed as 'threat-
ened' or 'endangered',
species listed as 'sensitive' by DNRC,
species managed as 'big game' by Montana
Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, and
other wildlife species for which public
concern raised their well-being as an issue
(for this project, osprey).

Both the coarse- and fine-filter analyses incor-
porate cumulative effects from past manage-
ment activities, because the existing landscape
has resulted from those effects. It should be
noted that quantitative analyses have been
confined to DNRC lands because data isn't
readily available for surrounding lands, i jrii
Surrounding lands are assumed to provide no
habitat for threatened, endangered, sensitive,
or big game species, or species identified as a
concern specifically for this sale due to gener-
ally high road density, habitat conversion, and
subdivision trends.

COARSE-FILTER
ASSESSMENT ,,^,^i

As in most western Montana forests, large, .'
stand-replacement fires have been uncharac-
teristically infrequent during much of this
century due to suppression activities. Fire-
dependent or fire-associated species, such as
the black-backed woodpecker {Picoides
arcticus), are probably less abundant in the
Beaver Lake Project area than would typically
have been the case under a more natural fire
regime. Browse for big game species may also
exist in a lower quantity and quality than
would have been the case were fire allowed its
natural role.

Logging throughout most of the project area
has had a very strong influence on the forest
structure. The largest trees have been re-
moved from most stands, with the remaining
forest almost devoid of trees 20 inches dbh or
larger. The remaining overstory is fairly
scattered over much of the area. Snags have
been thinned out, and the potential for large
snags, coarse woody debris recruitment, and
cavities in live trees are much reduced because
remaining trees are healthier and fewer large
trees are there to serve as sources of large dead
material. ,^i-,.,. ,-,, ., ^j-,^, .vM'.j j -,\.; ;

Besides direct habitat changes, other impacts
that can greatly impact some species are
displacement and stress from human activity
and direct mortality agents of hunting, trap-
ping, and unrestrained pets.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-ffl-D;

EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE

COVER-TYPE CHARACTERISTICS

The vegetation analysis indicates that current
conditions differ from those that characterized
the analysis area historically. Mixed-conifer
types (often with shade-tolerant species) have
generally increased at the expense of fire-
associated lodgepole pine and fire-resistant
western larch. This has probably benefited
some species that are adapted to forests domi-
nated by grand fir, but hurt species for which
lodgepole pine or western larch-donninated
forests provide appropriate niches. The shade-
tolerant species generally provide better snow
intercept than do the shade intolerants, thus
favoring wildlife species that have trouble
with deep snow. Conversely, shade
intolerants, notably western larch, can harbor
heart rot without weakening the entire tree,
thus providing excellent raw materials for
cavity-dependent species. Western white pine
and any species dependent on western white
pine have declined; the project area is no
exception.

STAND-AGE CHARACTERISTICS

A decrease in fire influences during this
century and a stimulation of regeneration
through logging has resulted in an abundance
of trees 20 to 100 years old in the understory
and midstory, while logging has decreased the
size and density of older trees. Many stands in
the project area are classified as being 150
years old or older because of the age of these
remaining mid-sized trees (less than 20 inches
dbh), but these stands have generally been
sanitized by logging and have few snags, little
coarse woody debris, and less defect than
average stands in these age classes. Thus,
species such as the brown creeper {Certhia
mericana) and winter wren {Troglodytes troglo-
dytes), which thrive in older forests, and any
species dependent on cavities have probably
not done so well.

PATCH CHARACTERISTICS

Wildlife species that occupy large home ranges
or do not easily cross inhospitable habitats can

be sensitive to the spatial configuration of
appropriate habitat. Thus, patch size and
connectivity can influence wildlife population
dynamics. Additionally, some species are
adapted to taking advantage of the diversity of
habitats that occur near patch edges, such as
where a closed-canopy forest abuts a recently
burned, younger forest. Other species are
adversely affected by the presence of edge, or
by the presence of animals that thrive near
edges, and thrive only near the interior of
relatively homogeneous patches. Patch shape
is correlated with how much edge a patch has,
given a constant area.

The vegetation analysis indicated that patch
size has generally decreased since 1900. Patch
shape among stands has also evidently be-
come less complex, although some of the
decrease in patch size and decrease in patch
complexity may be an artifact of the inventory
system. Size and complexity may simply
reflect to some degree an inventory system
that now divides areas along boundaries that
are not based on stand characteristics (owner-
ships, streams, and roads) and boundaries due
to finer subdivisions based on better knowl-
edge of dominant species, age, and stocking.
The abundant regeneration has softened edges
so there are few sharp (high-contrast) edges,
minimizing habitat for edge species and
maximizing the benefit to forest interior
species. The minimum mapping unit size
from the 1930s' inventory was 40 acres,
whereas our SLI maps down to a minimum
size of 5 acres. This difference in technique
results in more patches of smaller mean size
even for a forest otherwise unchanged.

SPECIAL HABITATS

Several areas within the project area are
noteworthy for wetlands. There are several
lakes, shorelines, and marshes that provide
habitat for nnink {Mustela vison), eagles, loons,
ospreys, amphibians, and other wildlife
species associated with mesic (wet-site) plants.
Besides the obvious lakes and their shorelines,
there is a large, wet, sedge meadow in the
southeast portion of Section 8 and forested wet
areas across the middle of Sections 7 and 8.

mM4r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FINE-FILTER
ASSESSMENT

THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES

Four terrestrial wildlife species are federally
listed as threatened or endangered in north-
western Montana:

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOLF
(CANIS LUPUS IRREMOTUS)

The Northern Rocky Mountain Wolf is classi-
fied as endangered under the 1973 Endan-
gered Species Act. As part of the 1987 North-
em Rocky Mountain Wolf Recovery Plan (U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service 1987), recovery zones
have been delineated where recovery of wolf
populations will be encouraged. The goal in
these recovery zones is to establish viable
populations; upon reaching certain population
thresholds, they would be downlisted to
threatened and, eventually, delisted. The
project area is within the Northwest Montana
Wolf Recovery Area.

In the mid-1980s, wolves from British Colum-
bia naturally recolonized the Montana portion
of the North Fork of the Flathead River. Since
that time, dispersing wolves have established
packs in other parts of Montana. There has
been wolf activity in the project area the past
few years. The Whitefish Pack is known to use
the area in winter to take advantage of the big
game winter ranges, but it heads northeast
and over the next major divide for denning.
Wolves killed a mountain lion in the vicinity in
the late fall of 1996, and a Beaver Lake area
resident reported seeing a pair of wolves in
November of 1997. ,

Like the grizzly bear, the wolf is a habitat
generalist and will occur almost anywhere that
its preferred prey (most often large ungulates)
are abundant and vulnerable, and that perse-
cution from humans is tolerably low. Habitat
management for wolves primarily involves
maintenance of their big game prey base,
providing security (mainly by minimizing
motorized access and controlling trapping).

and the site-specific protection of den and
rendezvous sites.

Due to the existing density of open roads (2.9
miles per square mile), the area does not
currently provide good security for wolves.

GRIZZLY BEAR (URSUS ARCTOS
HORRIBILIS)

The grizzly bear is classified as threatened
under the 1973 Endangered Species Act. As
part of the 1993 Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan
(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1993), recovery
zones have been delineated where recovery of
grizzly bear populations will be encouraged.
The goal in these recovery zones is to establish
viable populations; upon reaching certain
population thresholds, the grizzly bear would
be delisted. The closest recovery zone is the
Northern Continental Divide Recovery Zone.
Because the project area is outside of the
recovery zone, grizzlies will receive cursory
treatment in this document.

Occasional use of the area by grizzly bears is
suspected. ri .^:

Grizzly bears are habitat generalists and have
large home ranges. Management for grizzlies
primarily involves minimizing accidental ai' /
mortality from black bear hunters, maintain-
ing security from motorized disturbance
through road management, and maintaining
food sources, such as big game and fish popu-
lations. Big game populations provide an
important food source in the spring on winter
ranges in the form of carcasses from winter
mortality.

Due to the existing density of open roads (2.9
miles per square mile), the area does not
currently provide good security for grizzlies.

EAGLES

The bald eagle is classified as threatened and
is protected under the Endangered Species
Act. Strategies to protect the bald eagle are
outlined in Pacific States Bald Eagle Recovery
Flan (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1986) and
Montana Bald Eagle Management Plan (Mon-

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-m-15

tana Bald Eagle Working Group 1994). Man-
agement direction involves identifying and
protecting nesting, feeding, perching, roosting,
and wintering /migrating areas (U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service 1986; Montana Bald Eagle
Working Group 1994).

The eagle nest nearest the project area is on
private land at the northern end of Whitefish
Lake. A site-specific management plan has
not been completed for this nest, but a prelimi-
nary report was written in 1991. This plan
(Paige 1991) identified much of the Beaver
Lake Project area as being within this eagle
pairs' home range, delineated by drawing a 2.5
mile radius circle around the nest {see Figure
111-8 - Bald Eagle Home Range Map). Having an
abundance of fish and waterfowl, the Beaver
Lake area may be used for foraging and
roosting. Food is probably
not a limiting factor at this
nest because of the abundance
of fish and waterfowl in
Whitefish Lake. Factors
limiting reproductive success
at this nest are thought to be
primarily related to human
disturbance.

Management guidelines
(Montana Bald Eagle Working
Group 1994) within the home
range are as follows:

• Human activities, includ-
ing permanent develop-
ments, should be designed

/ and regulated to minimize
disturbance and avoid
conflicts with bald eagle
key-use areas.

• Human activity should
not reach a level where
cumulative effects de-
crease habitat suitability.

• Habitat alterations should be designed to
ensure that prey base and important
habitat components, such as perch trees or
screening vegetation, are maintained or
enhanced.

• Pesticides should not be used in a manner
that pose a hazard to bald eagles.

• Structures that pose a hazard should be
located and designed to minimize or avoid
risks to bald eagles or their prey.

FIGURE III-8 - BALD EAGLE HOME RANGE MAP

Bald Eagle Home Range

Hwy. 93
Existing Roade

Stillwater State Forest Boundary
Shaded Area is Within 2.5 Miles
of Bald Eagle Nest

^ffl-16-

■ Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

PEREGRINE FALCONS

The peregrine falcon, classified as endangered
in Montana, is protected under the Endan-
gered Species Act. Strategies to protect and
recover populations are outlined in the Ameri-
can Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan (USFWS
1984).

Peregrine falcons nest on dominant cliffs that
usually exceed 200 feet in height, most nests
overlook hunting habitat. Peregrines feed
almost exclusively on birds; hunting habitats
include river bottoms, lakes, meadows,
marshes, and cropland. The only potentially
suitable nesting areas within the project area
are some cliffs on Lion Mountain. These cliffs
are surrounded by forest and are about a mile
away from Beaver and Skyles lakes, the closest
potential foraging habitats, jmii^x--

SENSITIVE SPECIES
CONSIDERED THROUGHOUT
THE ANALYSIS ^^naki\

Sensitive species include those in which
further population declines may warrant
listing them as threatened or endangered or
whose habitats may be particularly sensitive to
disturbance by land-management activities.
DNRC maintains a sensitive species list for
each land office area.

The following sensitive species, as listed by
the Northwestern Land Office, are considered
to either occur in or near the project area or
have habitats that are represented within the
project area; they are, therefore, considered
throughout the document.

TOWNSEND'S BIG-EARED BAT
(PLECOTUS TOWNSENDII)

Townsend's big-eared bat is a widely distrib-
uted species that, evidently, exists in low
densities wherever it is found. It has a low
rate of reproduction, making population
recovery following a reduction slow and
difficult. Townsend's big-eared bats are very
susceptible to disturbance and may perma-
nently abandon hibernating sites and roosts if
disturbed.

In western Montana, Townsend's big-eared
bats are most-closely associated with cavern-
ous habitat and rocky outcrops of sedimentary
or limestone origin, which are used for roost-
ing. In old-growth forests, large-diameter
hollow trees may be used for roosting. Mater-
nity colonies are found in warm areas of caves,
mines, and, occasionally, buildings. Hiberna-
tion typically occurs in caves or mines with
winter temperatures 2 to 7 degrees centigrade
and a relative humidity of more than 50°/o. ,, : i

There are no documented records of this bat
from the project area and no caves or aban-
doned mine tunnels are identified in or near
Stillwater State Forest. However, Thompson
(1982) indicates a verified specimen taken
from this latilong. The status of roosting
habitat closely follows the availability of large
snags. Currently, there are only modest
numbers of snags in most stands.

PILEATED WOODPECKERS

Pileated woodpeckers excavate the largest
cavittes of any woodpecker. Preferred nest
trees are larch, ponderosa pine, cottonwood,
and aspen, usually 25 inches dbh and larger.
The pileated woodpecker plays an important
ecological role because the cavities they exca-
vate are used in subsequent years by many
other species of birds and mammals. Pileated
woodpeckers primarily eat carpenter ants,
which inhabit large downed logs, stumps, and
snags. Habitat requirements, including large
snags or decayed trees for nesting and large
down wood for feeding, closely tie these
woodpeckers to mature forests with old-
growth characteristics (Bull and Jackson 1995).

Most of the accessible acres in the Beaver Lake
Project area were harvested in the past (see
vegetahon analysis). Harvesting removed,
primarily, large western larch and Douglas-fir.
Although a few scattered large snags and
remnant trees remain, especially in the old
western larch/Douglas-fir stands, generally
the area has few large live trees, snags, and
large downed wood. The larch snags that exist
are receiving heavy use from pileated wood-
peckers and other cavity nesters. The larger
grand fir are also being used for nesting and

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-an-17

roosting by pileated woodpeckers and other
cavity-nesting species. The largest cohort of
live western larch is currently about 21" dbh.
These trees appear to be generally healthy and
vigorous with little sign of heartrot; as such,
they present few opportunihes for nesting at
the present time.

LOONS

The common loon spends most of its time on
or near the water and is poorly adapted for
flying. Loons prefer to place their nests in the
marshy areas of lakes where they are sheltered
from wind and wave action. In Montana,
loons typically:

arrive at the breeding grounds in mid to

late April;

build nests and incubate eggs through

May; and

hatch chicks the first 2 weeks of June.

Loon chicks are highly dependent on their
parents for food, warmth, and protection from
predators. Loon chicks fledge in early Septem-
ber.

In the Beaver Lake area, nesting has been
documented on Boyle and Beaver lakes.
Loons have also been observed on Murray and
Little Beaver lakes, though nesting has not
been documented. Murray Lake is classified
as a type 'C lake in the Montana Common
Loon Management Plan (Skaar 1989). Type 'C
lakes are lakes that meet all the habitat re-
quirements for loons, but nesting has not been
documented (Skaar 1989). Murray Lake was
surveyed in 1998 by the DNRC biologist for its
potential to support nesting loons. The most
likely area on Murray Lake to support nesting
loons is at the southern end of the lake where
there is more vegetation for constructing nests
and higher security from campers. It is also
suspected that loons may be unsuccessfully
attempting to nest on Little Beaver Lake
(Dolan 1994).

People can affect loons in many different
ways. In the Beaver Lake Project area, poten-
tial sources of impacts to loons include:

unintentional disturbances near nests or

broods,

intentional harrassment,

an increase in predation by crows and

ravens attracted by garbage,

the introduction of exotic fish species,

changes in the pattern of wave action of

water from speedboats, and

strangling in plastic 6-pack holders and

fishing line.

Of these, human disturbance is probably the
most common impact. Although people
disturbing loons usually intend no harm,
disturbance can result in the adult loons
leaving their nests, exposing the eggs to
predation, chilling, and/or overheating. If
both adults are off the nest for more than an
hour, they often abandon the nest. Human
disturbance can also cause adults with chicks
to move frequently, whereas normally they
spend a lot of time floating quietly or feeding.
Moving around greatly increases the energy
expenditure of the chicks at the same time that
they are receiving less food; thus, continual
disturbance can lead to reduced chick sur-
vival. Most of the sources of loon mortality in
Forest Service Region 1 are related to human
activity (Dolan 1994).

SENSITIVE SPECIES - NOT
ASSESSED IN DETAIL

The Northwestern Land Office lists the follow-
ing species as sensitive, but neither they nor
their habitats occur in the Beaver Lakes Project
area, or their habitat is not sufficient in size or
connectivity with other habitat to contribute to
the support of individuals; they are excluded
from further analyses. A brief rationale ex-
plains the basis for not considering these
species further in this document.

FISHER (MARTES PENNANTI)

The fisher is closely associated with forested
habitats. In the western United States, it is
generally associated with closed-canopy

ID-lSr

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

forests where snow depths are moderated.
Because of its body shape and energetic
demands, the fisher cannot easily cope with
deep snow conditions. Fishers will use a
variety of forest conditions, but often travel
and hunt near riparian zones and rest in snags,
down logs, witches-brooms, or other struc-
tures associated with older forests. They prey
on a variety of small mammals, including
voles, squirrels, snowshoe hares, and porcu-
pines.

Fishers typically have large home ranges and
can be negatively affected at a population level
by excessive fragmentation of acceptable
habitat. Thus, assessing habitat features on a
small scale (e.g., stand level) is of limited use;
instead, landscape scale assessments are more
meaningful. This analysis will focus on the
project area. Mature forest with closed canopy,
a habitat feature usually associated with
fishers, is uncommon on the project area.
More specifically, we looked at 2 habitat
components that can be quantified at a land-
scape scale to assess current fisher habitat:

canopy density (assumed to be a reason-
able surrogate for forest structure near the
ground) within buffers of 50 meters (ap-
proximately 164 feet) on either side of all
perennial streams within the project area,
as quantified by the SLI; and
connectivity among adjacent drainages,
defined again as a minimum acceptable
canopy density.

The first analysis assumes that fishers prefer-
entially use riparian zones (and /or habitats
near them), and within these, prefer those with
substantial overstory structure. This structure
evidently provides for prey availability and
resting sites (Powell and Zielinski 1994). This
analysis also asks whether important riparian
buffers are so lacking in overhead cover that
they may act as barriers to fisher movement.
This analysis asks whether natural features
and /or timber harvesting have fragmented the
landscape to the point where the entire land-
scape no longer contains sufficient connectiv-
ity to allow for functional home ranges.

We generated maps of buffers on all riparian
zones less than 6,000 feet in elevation (fishers
rarely hunt or rest in higher elevations),
excluding cover types that rarely contain
complex structures near the ground (Douglas-
fir and lodgepole pine-dominated sites).
Within these buffers, we identified those in
which stands were classified as "sawtimber"
(dominated by 9-inch+ dbh trees) and in
which stocking was characterized as "well-
stocked" overall, or at least "moderately
stocked" in the overstory component. The
project area consists of a number of lakes • '
without outlets. Any streams that flow into
lakes are very short and originate from small
seeps. Therefore, these small, short riparian
areas are isolated from other fisher habitat.
Logging history in this landscape eliminated
most of the nonriparian habitats that might -
have served as connections. jj-jf.

Streams in Sections 7 and 8 in the northern
part of the project area come closest to provid-
ing suitable habitat. This area is at the south-
ern end of Stillwater State Forest and is con-
nected by State land that, at one point, is only
one-fourth mile wide. Heavily logged private
and State lands and Boyle Lake isolate the
short segments of riparian habitat in Sections 7
and 8 from the rest of the main Stillwater State
Forest. Small stringers of timber on State land
are on both sides of Boyle Lake, but have open
canopies. The forest on the north side of the
lake is, generally, heavily logged. There is an
active railroad right-of-way between most of
the project area and the main Stillwater State
Forest. Even if a fisher managed to find its
way into these sections, it would find only
short segments of habitat that dead-ended.
Because of this lack of viable habitat, the fisher
will not be considered further.

i ■-•/•

LYNX (LYNX CANADENSIS)

The lynx is currently a candidate species for
listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
As of this writing (1998), it is widely expected
that lynx will be listed as either threatened or
endangered in Montana during 1999.
Throughout North America, lynx distribution
and numbers are strongly correlated with their
primary prey, snowshoe hares. At the lower

Chapter III: Affected Environment

^m-19

latitudes of lynx distribution, lynx are found at
higher elevations where environmental condi-
tions are more similar to the boreal forests of
Canada and Alaska. Within these forests, lynx
habitat in western Montana appears to consist
of a heterogeneous mosaic of 2 structurally
different forest cover types:

foraging areas consisting of early- to mid-
successional coniferous forests that contain
high numbers of snowshoe hares, and
denning areas consisting of late succes-
sional forests with large amounts of
downed woody debris to provide cover for
kittens (Koehler and Aubry 1994).

We currently lack a thorough understanding of
what types and conditions of forests in west-
ern Montana provide optimum, or even
acceptable, amounts of these 2 habitat ele-
ments, but it does seem clear that elements of
both are needed for hares and lynx. A third
component that appears necessary is a mini-
mum amount of forest cover on lands that
serve to connect the first two (Koehler and
Aubry 1994).

Although lynx use of the area cannot be
completely ruled out, the low elevation of the
area (less than 5,000 feet) and the general lack
of older stands with dead and down material
suggest that it is unlikely to be used as den-
ning habitat. Since the closest areas exceeding
5,000 feet in elevation are over 3 miles away
and on other ownership (habitat conditions
there are unknown and cannot be managed by
DNRC), there is no ability to provide a forage/
denning habitat matrix. There is no
precommercial thinning planned for this
project, so lynx foraging habitat will not be
reduced. Any thinning in the future would
follow DNRC's Sensitive Species Implementa-
tion Guidance with respect to maintenance of
lynx foraging habitat. Since denning and
foraging habitat would not be affected nega-
tively and there is no opportunity to provide a
habitat matrix, the lynx will not be considered
further in this analysis.

■j*)wo( 'jd:

COEUR D'ALENE SALAMANDERS
(PLETHODON IDAHOENSIS)

Coeur d'alene salamanders are found in
elevations below 5,000 feet, primarily in spring
seeps, waterfall spray zones, and streamsides
of small cascading creeks with dense overhead
canopies that maintain cool, moist microcli-
mates. Fractured bedrock or gravels that
provide underground refuge during the
winter appear to be an important habitat
component (Blaustein et al. 1995). None of
these habitats were found in the project area.

No surveys for this species have been con-
ducted on Stillwater State Forest. At present,
its known geographic range does not extend
as far east as Stillwater State Forest (Thomp-
son 1982, Reichel and Flath 1995).

FERRUGINOUS HAWK (BUTEO
REGALIS)

The ferruginous hawk occupies open country
that may be covered with sagebrush and
saltbush-greasewood shrubs, or at the periph-
ery of pinyon-juniper and other woodland
types. Such habitats do not occur in the
project area.

COLUMBIAN SHARP-TAILED GROUSE
(TYMPANUCHUS PHASIANELLUS
COLUMBIANUS)

The Columbian sharp-tailed grouse is a sub-
species of the more common sharp-tailed
grouse. It occupies open grassland and
shrubland habitats not found in the project
area.

BOREAL OWL

Boreal owls in Montana inhabit mature to old-
growth forests at elevations from 5,000 to 8,000
feet. Nesting in the Rocky Mountains has
been documented in subalpine forests domi-
nated by subalpine fir and Englemann spruce
(Hayward 1994). No boreal owl habitat exists
within the project area. The highest elevation
in the project area is about 3,900 feet and does
not include subalpine fir-Englemann spruce
forests suitable for boreal owl nesting habitat.

111-20^

•Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FLAMMULATED OWL

The flammulated owl breeds in North America
in the spring and summer and migrates to the
tropics for the winter (McCallum 1994).
Flammulated owls typically nest in mature to
old-growth ponderosa pine or ponderosa
pine /Douglas-fir montane forests. In the
Rocky Mountains, flammulated owls typically
nest in stands with moderate canopy closure
(30-50%), at least 2 canopy layers, and an open
understory composed of regenerating trees,
pinegrass, and shrubs. All published records
of nesting, except one, came from forests in
which western yellow pine was present, if not
dominant (Reynolds and Linkhart 1992).
Preferred flammulated owl habitat is not
found in the project area.

BLACK-BACKED WOODPECKER

Black-backed woodpeckers require areas with
high concentrations of recently dead trees and
logs for feeding. Feeding trees usually have
been dead less than 2 or 3 years and harbor
high concentrations of wood-boring insects,
particularly bark beetle larvae and pupae.
Black-backed woodpecker habitat is primarily
recently burned areas and patches of un-
burned insect-infested trees. Nest trees are at
least 17 inches in diameter, have heart rot, and
usually are located in dense patches of green
trees.

No fires have occurred in or near the project
area in the recent past, and there are no large
concentrations of insect-infested trees within
the project area. Thus, the project area does
not currently contain suitable black-backed
woodpecker habitat. Because this area re-
ceives high human use and has several homes,
aggressive fire suppression will continue and
the likelihood of black-backed woodpecker
habitat developing is low.

HARLEQUIN DUCK '

Harlequin ducks use swift, clean, clear streams
with stream-bottom rock ranging in size from
cobble to boulder. They feed on aquatic
benthic invertebrates, whose productivity is
affected by water quality. They are sensitive to

human disturbance and vulnerable to manipu-
lation of streamside vegetation (Reichel and
Center 1995, Harlequin duck working group
1993) . There is no harlequin duck habitat in
the project area. The closest location known to
support breeding harlequin ducks is to the
north on Swift Creek (Reichel and Center |
1995).

BIG GAME SPECIES ]

The species considered here are elk {Cerviis \
elaphus), mule deer {Odocoileus hemiomis), and \
white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginiana). Theyl
have been shown to have special needs, such
as winter range cover, that may not be met
solely through DNRC's Big Game Implemen-
tation Guidance in great enough quantity, so
they are considered in the fine-filter analysis, s
Implementation of the Guidance should j

provide suitable habitat for other big game ',
species that occur in the project area [moose
(Alces alces), black bear {Ursus americaniis), and
mountain lions {Felis concolor)]. Because the f
project area is almost surrounded by private
ownership and quantitative information about
roads or cover is not readily available on those
private lands, the analysis focused on the
project area. It is assumed from a cumulative
effects standpoint, that those private lands will
continue to undergo habitat conversion ;

through logging and home construction,
subdivision, and road construction, and do not
provide suitable habitat. The detailed data
available was from State lands; however, maps
and air photos showing the surrounding
ownerships were considered in the analysis. '

-. S'i-.'<

rv')

ELK

Background on elk management
Habitat NEEDS

Biologists generally recognize the "fundamen-
tal role of elk habitat in producing and sustain-
ing elk populations and perpetuating current
levels of elk-related public recreation..."
(MDFWP 1992). The four habitat elements this
analysis will focus on are calving grounds,
winter range, thermal cover, and security.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

■^-21^

Calving grounds

Elk in each herd or region tend to exhibit a
preference for calving in a kind of habitat
that is characteristic of that herd or region.
When sagebrush is not available, elk tend
to utilize small openings in the forest
(Marcum 1975). The primary management
objective for calving grounds is to provide
an undisturbed period on these grounds
during calving (mid-May to mid-June) and
shortly after (until about July 1).

Winter range and thermal cover

Winter range should provide ample forage
and thermal cover in areas that are rela-
tively free of disturbance. Disturbance
causes animals to move more and induces
stress, both of which sap energy reserves
that are needed to survive the long win-
ters. Elk and mule deer winter range
should have thermal cover (defined in the
next paragraph) in blocks of 20 acres or
more. One fourth or more of the area
should be covered with thermal cover; it is
best if these patches are connected and
include a diversity of aspects.

Thermal cover for elk is defined as conifer-
ous cover that has at least 50% non-larch
canopy closure from trees roughly 40 feet
tall or taller. Thermal cover reduces
energy drain by intercepting snow (in-
creasing ease of elk movement) and creat-
ing a microclimate that reduces energy
loss. It is beneficial for hot and cold
weather.

One problem that can be very difficult to
address is snowmobile access. Distur-
bance from free-ranging snowmobiles can
cause elk to lose energy through excessive
movement in deep snows and can reduce
opportunity for elk to utilize portions of
the winter range. Closure of roads for
snowmobiles by barrier or signs has
varying degrees of success and is very
dependent on local public support.

• Security

Elk are affected by a lack of security in at
least 3 ways:

disturbance would limit the degree to
which elk utilize portions of their
habitat (habitat effectiveness),
disturbance in winter increases energy
requirements at a critical time, and
lack of security makes elk more vulner-
able to hunter harvest.

When hiding cover constitutes 40% or
more of the landscape and the density of
open roads is less than 1 mile per square
mile, elk can utilize their habitat effectively
[outside of the hunting season] (Lyon
1983). This density of 1 mile per square
mile of open roads is considered to be an
important threshold. More recently,
habitat needs for security during the fall
hunting season have been more restric-
tively delineated and are discussed in the
"Bull Elk Vulnerability" section, beginning
on the next page.

Hunting objectives

One measure of the elk herd status is in rela-
tion to DFWP's hunting objectives. Although
individual land-management agencies control
the types and degrees of activities occurring
on the land (including access), DFWP manages
elk populations. Hunting District 110 encom-
passes the analysis area.

DFWP would like to:

maintain a late-winter population of 670,
maintain a minimum late-winter calf:cow
ratio of 30:100,

maintain a harvest of 85 antlered and 85
antlerless,

maintain a bull harvest of at least 40%
branch-antlered bulls (including 28% 6-
point bulls),

provide 14,784 mandays of hunting recre-
ation for 1,800 hunters each year, and
encourage maintenance of security so that
no more than 40% of the bull harvest
occurs during the first week of the general
season (DFWP 1992).

(ffl-22r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FIGURE III-9-ELK WINTER RANGE MAP

:WS1*ai"4*-

mM

Elk Winter Range

Hvvy. 93

Existing Koade

Stillwater State Forest doundary

Elk Winter Ratine

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-in-23

In summary, DFWP has goals to maintain a 5-
week hunting season, spread a larger harvest
throughout the season, and maintain a high
level of older bulls. DFWP would like to reach
these goals primarily through maintenance of
habitat security, rather than direct control of
harvest through regulations and permit sys-
tems. On the other hand, DNRC provides for
elk primarily through its biodiversity ap-
proach, as opposed to a concerted effort to
maximize hunting opportunity.

Bull elk vulnerability

In recent years, elk populations throughout
Montana have prospered, but the carryover of
bulls through the hunting season has been
problemahc. The issue of limiting bull vulner-
ability to hunhng has, thus, generated much
discussion and research.
Hillis et al (1991) emphasized the role of
security areas in maintaining low elk vulner-
ability (and thus high hunter opportunity).
They defined security areas as being nonlinear
blocks of hiding cover at least 250 acres in size
and no less than 0.5 mile from any open road.
They further suggested that such security
blocks must equal at least 30% of analysis
units to avoid increasing elk vulnerability.

Affected elk population

There are a moderate number of elk utilizing
this area, with some being resident year-round
and some migrating (Tim Thier, district wild-
life biologist, DFWP, personal communica-
tion). The project area contains some areas
that provide year-round habitat for elk.

Current habitat situation

• Calving grounds

Although calving is suspected in the
project area (Tim Thier, district wildlife
biologist, DFWP, personal communica-
tion), it is probably of a dispersed nature,
so that concentrations of animals are not
disturbed by human activity. There is also
abundant cover in the area. Security for
calving elk in this area has not been an
issue to date.

• Winter range and thermal cover

Winter-range use seems to be variable,
depending on the severity of winter.
Perhaps because the area does not have a
reputation for over-wintering many ani-
mals, it has not received much attention,
and quantified information about levels of
use was not found. There are 472 acres
identified as elk winter range in the project
area south of Beaver Lake (see Figure III-9,
Elk Winter Range Map).

Winter thermal cover, according to the
geographical information system (GIS)
analysis, covers 38.2% (180 acres) of the
472 acres of winter range. Where it fits
into other resource goals, DNRC may
strive to provide winter thermal cover on a
minimum of 25% of the winter-range
acreage. All of the existing thermal cover
occurs in blocks of 20 acres or larger. This
cover is well connected and well distrib-
uted on the winter range.

Security

Although 97.5% of the nonlake acres of the
project area provides hiding cover, only 6% of
the project area has road densities of less than
1 mile per square mile. Overall, the 19.7 miles
of open road on the analysis area creates an
open-road density of 2.9 miles per square mile.
According to Lyon (1983), this density reduces
elk habitat use to 39% of its potential.

Current status of elk hunting objectives

The hunting district is below its target for elk
population numbers, but has been on target
for the proportion of branch-antlered bulls.
The most recent data available (1996) was
provided by Harvey Nyberg (Region 1,
DFWP); Table III-9 shows the status of the herd
objectives as compared to the goals for hunt-
ing objectives.

{in-24r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

TABLE III-9 - COMPARISON OFMDFWP HUNTING DISTRICT 110 ELK GOALS AND 1996
HUNTING DISTRICT STATUS

Late-winter elk population

Late-winter calfxow ratio

Armuai harvest

Percent bulls with branch antlers

MDFWP GOAL

670

30.0:100

170

40

CURRENT STATUS

535

12.0:100

65

55

Percent buUs with 6-point antlers

28

36

Hunter recreation mandays

14,784

7,537

Hunters

1,800

1,370

Research has shown that wolves and moun-
tain lions are keeping elk recruitment low (Tim
Thier, district wildlife biologist, DFWP, per-
sonal communication).

Bull elk vulnerability

About 97.5% of the nonlake acres in the project
area provides hiding cover. An analysis of
security cover fitting the Hillis Paradigm
(forest cover blocks .5 miles or farther from
roads and 250 acres or larger in size), however,
indicated that none of the area fits the criteria
for blocks of cover that can provide quality
security areas during hunting season. Only 80
acres has cover that is beyond the .5-mile
distance from roads. The potential for elk
security is reduced by the large amount of
road access to the area.

Christensen et al (1993) emphasized the
importance of configuration and connectivity
of cover patches for elk security. Patches of
cover in the project area are naturally continu-
ous.

MULE DEER

Mule deer are present and, for much of the
year, are widely distributed on Stillwater State
Forest. Winter range is the primary concern
for managing mule deer habitat. Mule deer
winter range is restricted to 591 acres south of
Beaver Lake and overlaps the elk winter
range. Winter thermal cover exists on 33.8%
(291 acres) of the winter range. This cover is
well connected and well distributed on the
winter range. Mule deer are not so easily
displaced from habitat as elk by traffic on open

roads, but snowmobile access does create an
energy drain on mule deer (see Figure lll-lO,
Mule Deer Winter-Range Map). . >

WHITE-TAILED DEER j ;

White-tailed deer, present and widely distrib- ,
uted all year on the project area, are also \

among the most abundant and vulnerable
prey items for recolonizing wolves. This area
also has a reputation for producing the large
bucks prized by hunters. White-tailed deer
utilize a wide variety of habitats during
summer, but are closely associated with the
closed-canopy forests during winter, especially
when snow depths are high, as during the .
1996-97 winter. The removal of forest canopy ;
that produces effective snow interception is,
thus, generally detrimental to white-tailed
deer when it occurs on areas used by them i
during winter. Winter range for white-tailed '.
deer is widely available, covering 3,076 acres
of the project area. Of this, 43.5% (1,339 acres)
provides winter thermal cover, of which 1,275
acres is in patches of 40 acres or larger. Except
for one large patch that is disconnected in the
southwest corner of the project area, thermal >
cover is well distributed and well connected. ,
The areas south of Beaver Lake and on the ■
mountainside facing Whitefish Lake are not
used in winter by white- tailed deer (see Figure
III-ll, White-tailed Deer Winter Range Map).

Although winter cover in high snowfall areas
is critical for snow interception, cover require-
ments at other times of year have not been ^
shown by research to be so critical for white-
tailed deer.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

im-25;

FIGURE III-IO- MULE DEER WINTER-RANGE MAP

m-26r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FIGURE Ul-ll- WHITE-TAILED DEER WINTER RANGE MAP

White4ailed Deer Winter Range

Hwy. 93
Existing Koads

Stillwater State Forest boundary
White-tailed Deer Winter Kanqe

Chapter III: Affected Environment

iffl-2/

OTHER

OSPREY -, ».^

There are 2 known osprey nests that were
occupied in 1998 southeast of Beaver Lake
near the Beaver Lake Project area. While
ospreys are not under Federal protection or
considered sensitive species by DNRC, a local
landowner brought them up as a concern.

Ospreys are migratory throughout most of
their range, spending the winter in Central
and South America and the spring-summer at
northern breeding grounds. Ospreys eat many
different species of medium-sized fish.
Ospreys nest on live trees, tall dead snags,
utility poles, rock pinnacles, buoys, cliffs, and
artificial nesting platforms. The particular
species of tree and surrounding tree density
are highly variable and do not appear to affect
nest-site selecHon. Although ospreys eat
primarily fish, they have been found nesting
up to 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from water
(USFWS 1987).

Many ospreys appear to be quite tolerant of
human achvity and will breed in areas fre-
quently and heavily used by humans. All
studies examining the effects of human activi-
ties on ospreys indicate that tolerance of
human activity was dependent on the timing
and frequency of such activity and the degree
of habituation to the activities. Ospreys
initiating nesting in or near an area with
human activity may be more tolerant of
subsequent human activities than those nest-
ing further from humans or those that begin
nesting with humans absent. Ospreys seem
most vulnerable to sudden activity occurring
during the critical periods of incubation and
early nestling stages (Vana-Miller 1987).

WATER QUALITY

INTRODUCTION

AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT

This analysis accounts for cummulative im-
pacts from past management activities.

ANALYSIS AREA

The Beaver Lake project analysis area lies
approximately 4 air miles
northwest of Whitefish, Montana, and in-
cludes all or portions of Sections 7, 8, 16, 17,
18, 19, 20, 21, 28 and 29, Township 31 north.
Range 22 west. Pothole lakes, cliffs, benches,
and moraines formed by glacial activity that
occurred throughout the Pleistocene Epoch
and ended approximately 10,000 years ago
characterize the area. With one exception, the
tributary drainage features within the analysis
area are dry swales and ephemeral draws that
do not produce measurable inputs of water or
sediment to the pothole lakes. Beaver Creek,
the only perennial stream within the project
area, is the principle perennial outlet of Beaver
Lake and flows east through private land to its
confluence with Whitefish Lake (refer to
Existing Hydrology).

In order to assess the potential cumulative
effects to water quality within the analysis
area, the Beaver Lake project area is subdi-
vided into 5 individually distinct
subwatersheds with their corresponding
watershed acres and DNRC ownership.

TABLE III-IO - BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA SUBWATERSHEDS

SUBWATERSHED

WATERSHED AREA
(ACRES)

DNRC OWNERSHIP
(ACRES)

DNRC OWNERSHIP
(% OF TOTAL)

Lazy Creek

10,576

298

2.8

Boyle Creek

3,845

1,511

39.3

Thomberg Lake

1,350 ■

329

24.4

Murray Lake

2,535

1,095

43.1

Beaver Lake

2,335

1,460

62.5 1

m-igr

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

The climate of the analysis area consists of
mild winters and summers, with the principle
influence resulting from Pacific maritime air
masses (Schultz, 1980). The average armual
precipitation ranges with elevation from 20 to
25 inches.

WATER USES AND REGULATORY
FRAMEWORK

The water-quality goal in the analysis area is
to have all streams and waterbodies capable of
protecting their beneficial uses. This portion
of the Flathead River Basin, including all of the
subwatersheds associated with the Beaver
Lake Timber Sale proposal, are classified A-1
by the State of Montana Department of Envi-
ronmental Quality, as stated in the Montana
Water Quality Standards. The water-quality
criteria for protection of beneficial uses, spe-
cific to A-1 waters, appear in Section 16.20.618
Administrative Rules of Montana (ARM).
Uses specific to the watershed of the proposed
actions include: stock watering, irrigating,
wildlife, fishing, and domestic use.

State water quality regulations prohibit any
increase in sediment above "naturally occur-
ring" concentrations in waters classified A-1.
Naturally occurring means conditions or
materials present from runoff or percolation
over which man has no control or from devel-
oped land where all reasonable land, soil, and
water conservation practices have been ap-
plied. "Reasonable soil, water, and land
conservation practices include methods,
measures, or practices that protect present and
reasonably anticipated beneficial uses. The
State of Montana has adopted BMPs through
its Non-Point Source Management Plan as the
principle means of meeting water-quality
standards.

The Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Environ-
mental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Quality
Planning Regulations require each state to
identify watersheds that contain water-qual-
ity-limited segments. Water-quality-limited
segments are waterbodies that do not:

- fully meet State water-quality standards or
have intended beneficial uses that are
being threatened.

The State of Montana published a list of water-
quality-limited segments in a document titled,
Montana SOSfb) Report. The Beaver Lake
Project area does not contain water-quality-
limited waterbodies. Whitefish Lake, the
receiving basin for water and sediment pro-
duced in the Beaver Creek subwatershed, is
considered to be water quality limited and is
included in the Montana SOSCbl Report. Im-
paired uses include cold-water fisheries, with
the most probable causes being nutrient and
sediment loading, oil and grease, and sus-
pended solids. id3m;tf»teHte.- tMn

.Bt:

POTENTIAL ISSUES

Land management activities, such as timber
harvesting and road construction, can poten-
tially impact water quality and aquatic-depen-
dent resources. The primary impacts are:

direct sediment delivery to streams and
draws and the resulting effects to water
quality and fisheries; t^ y

a reduction in long-term woody-debris
recruitment; and

increased water yield that may adversely
affect stream channel morphology, aquatic
habitat quality and availability, and sedi-
ment transport processes.

'V') -_/'.'...„ J. ■ 'J£iH.Li

These impacts are caused by erosion from road
surfaces, skid trails, firelines, log landings, a
reduction in recruitable tree numbers near ' |
streams and lakes, and the removal of riparian
and upland vegetation that alters the water
balance on site.

Watershed issues specific to the proposed
Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project were devel-
oped through internal scoping and public
involvement (Beaver Lake Collaborative
Group). The primary concerns relating to
aquatic resources within the affected environ-
ment are:

cumulative effects on water quality and
fisheries from past and proposed activities;
direct and indirect effects to Streamside
Management Zones (SMZ) of streams and
lakes that support fish, including effects to
future woody debris recruitment.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-ffl-29

streambank vegetation, and water tem-
5 perature; and,

indirectly, impacts to fishing pressure from
changes in access.

In order to address these issues, the following
parameters are analyzed by alternative:

Water Yield - Existing and anticipated

equivalent clearcut acres (ECA) by

subwatershed.

Fine Sediment Production - Miles of new

road construction, reconstruction, and

obliteration.

Large Woody Debris Recruitment - Acres

of streamside management zone (SMZ)

harvesting.

LAKES

Lakes within the Beaver Lake Pproject area are
formed in remnant glacial depressions, or

discharge normally occurs in areas where the
water table or aquifer is close to the land
surface. It can be assumed that the analysis
area is most likely dominated by a series of
local flow systems that have their recharge
areas in the basin divides and their discharge
areas in the valley bottoms and pothole lakes.
Several flow systems are most likely present
due to topographic relief in the watershed that
forms undulations in the water table.

Several State-leased cabinsites are located
along the shoreline of Beaver Lake. Impacts to
lakes from shoreline development include loss
of riparian habitat and near-shore (littoral)
vegetation, increased nutrient loading from
septic drain fields, and the potential increase
in primary productivity that may affect the
lake's water quality. At this time, develop-
ment along Beaver Lake is considered an
insignificant water-quality issue.

TABLE III-ll - PHYSICAL LAKE CHARACTERISTICS FOR THE BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA

LAKE

SURFACE AREA
(ACRES)

MAXIMUM DEPTH
(FEET)

DOMINANT
HYDROLOGY

Boyle

41

24

Surface

Woods

20

20

Pothole

Dollar

8

51

Pothole

Beaver

106

110

Surface

Little Beaver

18

40

Pothole

Murray

45

101

Pothole

Rainbow

4

12

Pothole

"potholes". Potholes in the Beaver Lake
Pproject area were formed as ice detached
from the receding glaciers at the end of the
Pleistocene Epoch and were partially buried in
glacio-fluvial deposits. With the exceptions of
Beaver and Boyle lakes, the lakes within the
analysis area are considered lentic (closed)
systems that do not receive measurable
amounts of water or sediment from surface
sources, such as streams and overland flow.
Inputs to these lakes include direct precipita-
tion, groundwater exchange, and overland
flow, while outputs include loss to evapotrans-
piration and groundwater. In general, water
recharges the groundwater in the upper-
forested portions of the watershed, while

LAKE FISHERY

There is limited historic lake fishery data for
the analysis area. DFWP poisoned Dollar and
Murray lakes in the fall of 1997 to eliminate
undesired exotic species. Dollar Lake was
restocked with cutthroat trout. Murray Lake
was planted with both rainbow trout and
cutthroat trout.

Little Beaver and Beaver lakes currently
support kokanee salmon and rainbow trout.
Due to the shallow nature of Woods and
Rainbow lakes, past attempts at stocking have
been unsuccessful. Winter fish-kills are result-
ing from winter freeze-outs.

m-30-

-Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

STREAMS

First- and second-order interniittent and
ephemeral drainage features characterize the
Beaver Lake Project area, with the exception of
the main stem of Beaver Creek. These features
were formed as lingering valley ice melted,
creating topographic depressions and drain-
age features. The main difference between
ephemeral and intermittent channels is their
interaction with the water table. While inter-
mittent, effluent channels flow for only certain
times of the year, they receive water from
groundwater springs and surface runoff.
Ephemeral channels are considered influent;
having channels that are above the water table
at all times. They carry water only during and
immediately following a rainfall or precipita-
tion event and are not hydrologically con-
nected to the groundwater table.

Intermittent and ephemeral channels in the
project area were reviewed to determine their
flow regime and sediment-delivery potential.
A majority of the stream courses identified on
the USGS Beaver Lake quadrangle as peren-
nial or intermittent streams are nonscoured
ephemeral features that do not produce sedi-
ment and show no indication of recent surface
flow. Small, isolated wetlands and draws
adjacent to most of the lakes in the analysis
area experience high water tables and serves
as groundwater discharge areas to the lake
basins.

It is likely that since the retreat of continental
glaciers, many of these lakes were periodically
interconnected with surface water due to the
climatic variability that influenced groundwa-
ter table elevations.

BEAVER CREEK

Beaver Creek, the only perennial Class I
stream within the project area, is the principal
outlet of Beaver Lake. Peak flows occur
during the months of April and May in re-
sponse to groundwater recharge to Beaver
Lake and upland surface runoff generated
from the melting of the winter snowpack.
During the summer, fall, and winter months,
baseflows are maintained through groundwa-

ter recharge, lake discharge, and seasonal
rains.

Beaver Creek was field reviewed to assess the
potential effects of past and proposed activi-
ties on stream channel processes and function.
Channel surveys were completed according to
the Rosgen Stream Channel Classification
methodology. Pfankuch channel stability
ratings were completed in order to predict the
response of Beaver Creek to imposed water-
shed management activities such as timber
harvesting and road construction.

• REACH 1

The lower reach of Beaver Creek upstream
of the confluence with Whitefish Lake is
formed in sandy glacial till and outwash
deposits that have been sorted by glacial ,
meltwater. The channel is characterized as
a moderately entrenched channel with bed
morphology dominated by fine to coarse-
grained cobbles and step-pool bedform
features (Rosgen B4 channel type). Coarse
woody debris (>4" dbh) is fairly abundant,
forming step features and small, unstable
debris jams. In general, banks are stable,
well vegetated with moss, birch, cedar,
spruce, equisetum, princess pine, and red
osier dogwood. There is some evidence of
isolated bank scour and erosion through-
out Reach One, which may account for the
accumulation and deposition of fine mmi
sediment in pools. Approximately 30% of ;
the channel substrate is comprised of fine
material less than 2 millimeters in diameter
(based on Wolman pebble-count data). .
Fine sediment deposition is most likely
being exacerbated through Reach 1 due to |
jn a small on-stream impoundment that has i
formed upstream of the railroad fill along f
the shoreline of Beaver Bay (Section 22). It
is likely that this small lake was connected
to Beaver Bay prior to construction of the
Burlington Northern Railroad. {Refer to
Table 111-12 - Beaver Creek Channel Character-
istics.)

Chapter III: Affected Environment

,v.^7^A.*,?r^«»:;.^

-ffl-31

• REACH2

Upstream through private land, Beaver

• Creek flows through a broad, low gradient
alluvial valley with a well-developed

• floodplain (Rosgen E5 channel type). The
channel is characterized as a moderately
sinuous, low gradient system with inher-
ently stable beds and banks. However,

• riparian vegetation has been substantially
altered due to past harvesting and road
building, resulting in isolated areas of
instability. {Refer to Table 111-12 - Beaver
Creek Channel Characteristics.)

• REACH 3

Reach 3 is a steep, entrenched, structurally

controlled channel that includes the imme-
diate outlet of Beaver Lake. The streambed
through this portion of Beaver Creek is a
cascading, step/pool system with irregu-
larly spaced drops and scour pools. Adja-
cent sideslopes are steep (-45%) and
relatively stable, with recruiting woody
debris (standing and down). Although
woody debris appears abundant, the
dominant pool-forming mechanisms are
structural changes in bedrock that form
grade breaks and step /pool features.
Dominant riparian-indicator species
include spruce, birch, and dogwood. {Refer
to Table 111-12 - Beaver Creek Channel Charac-
teristics.)

TABLE III-12 - BEAVER CREEK CHANNEL CHARACTERISTICS

REACH
I.D.

ROSGEN
CHANNEL TYPE

STABILITY
RATING

MEAN CHANNEL
SUBSTRAl E SIZE

1

B4

70 (fair)

7mm, fine gravel

2

E5

56 (good)

1mm, coairse sand

3

Al

Excellent

Bedrock

STREAM FISHERY

According to the Montana Rivers Information
System, a reporting program developed
between DFWP, the Natural Resource Infor-
mation System, and Bonneville Power Admin-
istration, no known fish species are docu-
mented in the Beaver Creek drainage. Based
on channel surveys, a natural migration
barrier exists at the outlet of Beaver Lake
(Reach 3 described above). In addition, it is
likely that the culvert under the Burlington
Northern Railroad effectively limits migration
between Whitefish Lake and Beaver Creek. As
a result, it is unlikely that Beaver Creek sup-
ports a viable fishery.

WATER YIELD

State-conducted timber sale harvesting within
the Beaver Lake Project area began, approxi-
mately, in 1919; the most recent sales were
completed between 1974 and 1976. Due to
mixed ownership around the project area.

commercial and noncommercial timber sales
have occurred on private land as well during
this time.

Analysis of existing forest crown conditions
was calculated to determine the approximate
area within each subwatershed that exists in
an open, early-seral condition (including
roads). Table 111-13 states the results of water
yield analyses conducted for the Beaver Lake
Project area.

As indicated in Table 111-13, above, all
subwatersheds associated with the proposal
are well below the recommended values of
maximum water yield increases and equiva-
lent clearcut acres. The most recent harvesting
activity was completed on private land in the
Beaver Creek subwatershed. These units were
selectively harvested and comprise, approxi-
mately, 94% of the total equivalent clearcut
acres.

■nr-32-

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

TABLE III-13 - EXISTING WATER YIELD INCREASE (WYI) AND EQUIVALENT CLEARCUT
ACRE (ECA) DATA' '*^' <'

WATERSHED

WATERSHED
ACRES

EXISTING
WYI
(%)

AI.LOWABLE
WYI
(%)

EXISTING
ECA

ADDITIONAL

ALLOWABLE

ECA

% OF
WATERSHED

IN ECA
CONDITION

Boyle Lake

3,845

0.8

12.0

41.0

1,058

1.0

Thomberg Lake

1,350

L6

12.0

32.0

354

2.4

Murray Lake

2,535

3.7

12.0

235.0

489

9.0

Beaver Lake

2,335

4.4

12.0

285.0

382

12.2

'WYI and ECA values were not calculated for the Lazy Creek subxvatershed. Action Alternatives A and B do not propose any activities
within the Lazy Creek drainage. As a result, there would be no effect to water quality ami related resources through implementation of
the action alternatives.

ROADS

Results of a comprehensive review of the
existing transportation system concluded that
roads and recreational use in the Beaver Lake
area are the most serious impacts to hydro-
logic resources. Due to unmanaged, dispersed
recreation and numerous historic access points
through private ownership to the north, south,
and west, the analysis area has a relatively
high road density (2.9 miles per square mile).
These factors have resulted in loop roads and
road located adjacent to sensitive wetland/
riparian areas, lakeshores, and draw bottoms.
In addition, motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle
use has created numerous single-track trails
located on steep grades.

In general, the existing transportation system
lacks adequate road drainage features and
does not meet recommended minimum-
standard BMPs. As discussed under the
Transportation System section in this chapter a
majority of the roads were constructed to icj! J
minimum standards for log hauling in the
1920s and 1930s. At that time. State policy did
not require BMPs. This had a direct influence
on the location and standard of roads con-
structed in the analysis area during this time
period.

Numerous road segments within the analysis
area are identified as high-risk areas to water
quality and are listed in Table IV-14 - High-Risk
Roads. The sites were identified through

TABLE III-14 - HIGH-RISK ROADS

ROAD SEGMENT IDENTIFICATION

WATER-QUALITY CONCERN

West shore of Little Beaver Lake

Cut-slope and fill-slope failure, direct delivery
to Little Beaver Lake

North shore of Beaver Lake _ ,

Inadequate road drainage, direct sediment
delivery to Beaver Lake

East shore of Woods Lake

Fill-slope failure, direct sediment delivery to
Woods Lake

North shore of Dollar Lake

Inadequate road drainage, direct sediment
delivery to Dollar Lake

First .25 mile to Little Beaver Lake

Fill-slope failure, direct sediment delivery to
Little Beaver Lake

North shore of Woods Lake

Steep road grades and risk of direct sediment
delivery to Woods Lake

Loop road of Murray Lake

Recreational use and sediment delivery from
undesignated campground

North of Little Beaver Lake

Steep road grades and risk of direct sediment
delivery to Little Beaver Lake

Southeast of Dollar Lake

Inadequate road drainage

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-in-33

internal agency scoping and public involve-
ment (Beaver Lake Collaborative).

In general, high-risk segments are those that
are positioned adjacent to or u^ithin 200 feet of
lakeshore riparian-habitat areas; are steep,
entrenched and actively eroding (gullying);
and are constructed in draw bottoms. The
lakeshores, in particular, being high-recre-
ational-use areas, have been encroached upon
by general recreationalists building unautho-
rized roads, trails, boat launch pads, camp-
sites, and pit toilets. Although other issues,
such as safety and access, were also used to
identify these high-risk areas, these were
deemed the most appropriate in terms of
addressing potential impacts to water quality
and riparian wetland habitat.

Upland roads generally lack adequate road
drainage features in the project area. As a
result, numerous segments are rutted, gullied,
and highly entrenched. However, since there
are no discemable channels capable of trans-
porting sediment to Beaver Creek, the only
perennial streams in the analysis area, these
segments pose a low risk to water quality.

SOILS

INTRODUCTION TO

AFFECTED

ENVIRONMENT

ANALYSIS AREA

The Beaver Lake Project area lies approxi-
mately 4 air miles northwest of Whitefish,
Montana, and includes all or portions of
Sections 7, 8, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28 and 29,
Township 31 north. Range 22 west. The
topography is glacially influenced, with
predominantly broken ground, cliffs, draws,
benches, and pothole lakes ranging in eleva-
tion from 3,000 and 4,000 feet. There are 6
lakes in the area: Beaver, Murray, Little Beaver,
Woods, Dollar and Rainbow.

GEOLOGIC HISTORY AND
PARENT MATERIAL

The surficial landforms found in the Beaver
Lake Project area have resulted from a com-
plex and diverse geologic history dating back
to the formation of the Rocky Mountain
Trench, and, more recently, continental and
valley glaciation. The predominant rock types
exposed throughout the project area are
referred to as the Belt Supergroup and were
formed over six-hundred-million years ago.
These slightly metamorphosed, sedimentary
rocks were formed from sand, silt, clay, and
carbonate material deposited in the great
shallow Belt Basin which existed in this area in
Precambrian times (600 to 1,400-million years
ago). Over time, compressive forces, along
with burial and compaction, altered the physi-
cal and chemical composition of the material
deposited in the Belt Basin, resulting in the
formation of sedimentary rocks, sandstones,
shales, and siltstones.

The formation of the Rocky Mountain Trench
is dated to around 65-million years ago when a
thickening of the continental crust occurred in
Oregon and Washington as the Pacific sea-
board collided with an island arc in the Pacific
Ocean. At this convergent margin, compres-
sive forces caused deformation, uplift, and
consequent faulting of the Belt Supergroup,
forming local compressional features that
include large northwest/southeast trending
folds.

The project area was influenced by glacial
activity throughout the Pleistocene Era (10,000
to 1.8-rrullion years ago). Glacial activity had
considerable influence on the location and
character of surface materials throughout the
Stillwater State Forest. In general, steeper
sideslopes (30% to 40%) were scoured of
glacial tills, while more moderately and gently
sloping topography was blanketed with deep
till and glacial outwash deposits. Glacial
activity formed 2 main landforms:

• Water-influenced topography - occurs in
low-relief, low-elevation areas (valley
bottoms). The lakes found in the valley
bottoms are formed in kettles and pot-

m-3ir

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

holes. These formed as masses of stagnant
ice isolated from the retreating ice sheet
and were partially or completely buried in
till or outwash before the glacier melted.
Upon full melt, a pit or depression was left
remnant in the drift. These depressions,
referred to as kettles or potholes, formed
Beaver, Murray, Little Beaver, Woods,
Dollar and Rainbow Lakes.

• Continentally glaciated lands - These were
formed as a result of the Cordilleran Ice
Sheet that advanced south from British
Columbia, covering a large portion of the
Stillwater State Forest. Glaciated foothills,
ground moraines, and rounded ridgetops
dominate this landform.

SOIL RESOURCE
MEASUREMENT INDICATORS

In order to assess the potential effects to soil
resources in the Beaver Lake analysis area,
compaction potential, susceptibility to surface
erosion, and susceptibility to displacement are
analyzed for each soil map unit.

COMPACTION

Compaction results from soil particles packing
together as increased pressure is applied to the
soil surface. This may potentially result in
decreased infiltration capacity, porosity, and
productivity of the soil. Of particular concern
is the structure of soils containing a relatively
high percentage of fine-textured materials.

EROSION

Erosion generally occurs in areas where the
organic litter has been removed and water
accumulates and flows. As water concentrates
and flows, energy is generated to detach soil
particles, initiating the erosion process. Re-
moval of duff and litter layers increases ero-
sion potential in the presence of increased
water and overland flow. Forest organic
matter, both living and dead, is important in
controlling soil erosion. Vegetation recovery
and organic-matter deposition on bare soil is
important for reducing erosion potential.

DISPLACEMENT

Soil displacement refers to the actual removal
or movement of the surface soil. When surface
soils are displaced, organic matter and nutrient
sources are removed and site productivity may
decline.

SOIL MAP UNITS (REFER TO I

TABLE IV-15 - SOIL '
MEASUREMENT INDICATOR

RATINGS) \

Soil map units refer to land areas with similar
topography and soil patterns. Typically, a map
unit consists of one or more major soils and
some minor soils. Although general, the soil
map unit can be used to compare the suitability
of large areas for common land-use practices.

SOIL MAP UNIT 23-8

\

Soil Map Unit 23-8 comprises approxi- ■■{
mately 80% of the project area and gener-
ally occurs on glaciated mountain slopes
and ridges. Soils are formed in dense,
brittle glacial till on the lower slopes, while
outcrops of argillites, siltites, and lime-
stones of the Belt Supergroup dominate the
upper slopes and ridges.

'.

Soil properties vary with topographic
position. Gravelly silt loam and cobbly
sandy loam generally characterize lower
slopes, 3,300 to 3,600 feet, within the project
area. Clayey material occurs throughout
most of the lower slopes and does not ;
extend upslope through the subsoil profile.
Soils are considered skeletal due to coarse
fragments of decomposed limestones and j
argillites (30% to 60% rock fragments).
Soils are considered moderately shallow
and contain angular subsoil rock fragments.

Upper slopes (more than 3,600 feet) contain
ridges, benches, and outcrops of Precam-
brian belt rock. These upper slopes with |
ridges and outcrops have been further
classified as Soil Map Units 23-9 and 55.

Chapter III: Affected Environment

SOIL MAP UNIT 27-7

Soil Map Unit 27-7 occurs along the flood-
plains, terraces, and sideslopes adjacent to
Beaver Creek. Soils are formed in cobbly,
sandy glacial till and outwash that have
been deposited and sorted by glacial
meltwater.

Soils have medium-textured surface layers.
Surface layers form in volcanic ash influ-
enced loess, with subsoils and substrate
containing 50% to 80% rounded rock
fragments. Surface horizons are loamy-
skeletal and have a brown gravelly silt
loam surface layer 4" to 8" thick. The
upper subsoils are light yellowish brown,
extremely cobbly sandy loam approxi-
mately 9 inches thick. The lower subsoil is
light olive brown extremely cobbly sandy
loam. Substratum is extremely cobbly
loamy sand to depths of 60 inches or more.

• SOIL MAP UNIT 14-3

Soils included in Map Unit 14-3 are formed
in lacustrine sediments deposited in
topographic depressions and on glacial
moraines. In general, these soil types have
fluctuating water tables that are at or near
the ground surface during spring and early
summer. As a result, soils commonly occur
in riparian areas and are highly sensitive to
certain management practices due to the
high soil moisture and low bearing
strength. Additional site-specific BMPs are
recommended for operations on Unit 14-3.

TABLE 111-15 - SOIL MEASUREMENT INDICATOR RATINGS

SOIL MAP
UNIT'

SUSCEPTIBILITY
TO EROSION

SUSCEPTIBILITY TO
DISPLACEMENT

COMPACTION
POTENTIAL

23-8

Moderate

>20% Slopes - moderate
<20% Slopes - low

Low-moderate

27-7

Moderate

>20% Slopes - moderate
<20% Slopes - low

Low-moderate

14-3

Moderate

>20% Slopes - moderate
<20% Slopes - low

Moderate-high

'Minor inclusions of deeper, nonskeletal, finer-textured soils occur in isolated areas throughout the project area. In these
areas, compaction potential increases to moderate. Compaction potential is considered low during dry operating periods and
increases to moderate under saturated conditions.

ID^6^

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

FIGURE III-12- SOIL MAP UNITS

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-JD-37

TRANSPORTATION
SYSTEM

The analysis area for the transportation system
is the area displayed as the project area on the
maps in Chapter II. The Proposed Beaver
Lake Harvest Activities Map displays the
existing road locations. The analysis on the
transportation system considers safety-related
uses of roads, access, costs and maintainability
of the system, uses of the roads, and discus-
sions on the location and standards of roads.

BACKGROUND OF THE
EXISTING ROAD SYSTEM

The initial roads into the Beaver Lake area
were constructed in the 1920s and 30s. The
roads, located to access timber stands, were
constructed to minimum standards for log
hauling. Early State policy set limits on the
amount of money that could be spent on
constructing roads; this had a direct bearing
on road standards. Some older road segments
that had steep road grades with severe erosion
and maintenance problems were relocated
with State timbers sales in the 1970s. With the
improvements n\ade to the South Beaver Lake
Road in 1995-96, other uses of the road were
beginning to be recognized by DNRC (ie., use
by recreationists and access to private hold-
ings).

SAFETY

Some of the factors that affect safe travel on
these roads:

• Most of the existing roads have poor

f visibility and stopping distances. These

1 factors are created from both the vertical

I and horizontal alignment of the roads. The

I hills are difficult to see over; the sharp or

I blind curves, especially with the brush

i encroachment, are difficult to see around.

• The roads have few turnouts, which are
too short, too narrow, and brushed-in, and
do not allow for vehicles to safely meet
and pass.

• Winter driving, whether the roads are
plowed or not, is difficult due to narrow
roads, ruts in the snow, and poor traction
on steep segments of the road.

• The road base is made up primarily of
native material, which is generally not
suitable for a finished road surface. Large
boulders protrude and chuckholes have
developed, forcing cars to drive around
these obstacles.

ACCESS

The State has basic access to all State owner-
ship in the Beaver Lake Project area via the
Beaver Lake (county) Road. There are private
lands adjacent to the State ownership that do
not have legal access to a public road. Cur-
rently, the State has not granted any perma-
nent rights-of-way to access private holdings
adjacent to the Beaver Lake Project area.

Considerable controversy and opinions in the
public and private sector surround the ques-
tion of legal access to the private lands adja-
cent to the State ownership in Sections 28 and
29. DNRC's current opinion is addressed in a
memorandum in response to a petition to
'Open a County Road', dated October 26, 1995
{see Appendix B).

COSTS

Because the roads were constructed to mini- * ■
mum standards up through the 1970s, natural
weathering and unrestricted public use have
reduced the value and usability of the roads to
a minimum. Current costs include minimal
maintenance and emergency spot repairs.
Because of the current condition of the roads
and the native materials used when the roads
were constructed, all maintenance and repairs
are short lived.

HISTORIC USES \

Currently, there is no effective management of
roads on State ownership. Most roads and
many old skid trails are accessible to motor-
ized vehicles year-round. Vehicle uses include

m-38r

--v'Ji^^ttivif^ Jrf<'- .

•vv.v.i,ij ?*n*(. ■

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

cars, 4x4s, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), snow-
mobiles, mountain bikes, and motorized bikes.
Uses include pleasure driving, firewood
cutting, fishing, hunting, and accessing private
property.

LOCATION AND
STANDARDS OF ROADS

Roads that were built to access stands of
timber utilized existing trails and roads as
much as possible during construction. Prior to
the 1970s, roads accessed the project area
through various private ownerships to the
north, south, and west. No effort was made to
design a long-term transportation plan. These
factors have resulted in loop roads and roads
in draw bottoms, on steep grades, and along
lakeshores. Recreationists have expanded the
road system without authorization to access
areas they wished to use.

The general lack of planning for road loca-
tions, standards, and management has re-
sulted in roads that do not meet BMPs. Most
of the roads lack surface drainage; the seg-
ments of roads built through draw bottoms
have become entrenched like log flumes.
There are extended grades where there is no
way to remove water from the road surface.
On the sides of roads, ditch relief was mini-
mally done; there are not sufficient culverts in
the roads, and some of these are plugged.
Since 1996, some new culverts have been
installed and drain dips have been built to
remove some surface water on South Beaver
Road. ' —

Segments of roads along the shore of Little
Beaver Lake, the north shore of Beaver Lake,
and the west side of Woods Lake were built
with inadequate distances between roads and
lakes to allow for the filtration of sediments.
In spots along these lakeshores, the road fill
has fallen into the lakes. The lakeshores, being
high recreational use areas, have been en-
croached upon by general recreationists
building unauthorized roads, trails, boat
launch pads, campsites, pit toilets, etc.

Except for several short road segments, all
roads are open to motorized traffic. The

project area has only two berm/rock closures
and one gate that are effective. Several other
smaller berm/debris closures are either
breached or ineffective.

The locations of the existing roads allow access
to various dispersed campsites, trails, 5 lakes,
and some private property.

Due to the conditions and low standards of the
roads, recreational use accessing the northern
portion of the Beaver Lake Project area is
generally limited to horses, bicycles, ATVs, ti: >
and pickups. Sedans may attempt to drive
portions of South Beaver Lake Road, but
seasonally this may be difficult or impossible.

None of the existing roads in the project area
meet the minimum standards required by the
County under their subdivision rules. These
rules have graduated requirements based on
the number of homesites on each parcel of
land. The larger the number of homesites, the
higher the standard of road must be. Road
standards consider such things as grade and
width of road, surfacing material, curve radii,
maintainability, speed design, and right-of-
way width. Another main requirement is the
year-round accessibility by emergency re- ,
sponse vehicles, such as fire trucks, ambu- \i
lances, and law enforcement vehicles. Other =
considerations are alternate escape routes in
case of a major wildfire. ;

ECONOMICS

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Demand for timber sales in the northwestern
region of Montana (Flathead, Lake, Lincoln,
and Sanders counties) is fair to poor (8/98)
and the future outlook is uncertain. Very few
bids were received on the 1998 timber sales
offered by Stillwater Unit. Based on recent
DNRC sales sold from western Montana the
stumpage prices appear to have fallen about
25% from last year. "The U.S. economy re-
mains very strong with high building activity
and wood product consumption, but we
expect reduced production later in the year
unless Japan and other Asian economies

Chapter III: Affected Environment

'^■i i'it'S

^^2^^^"^"^;. «iR^«:;?'

<m-39

improve." (Keegan 1998) Lumber production
was up 6% for the first quarter of this year
compared to the first quarter of 1997; produc-
tion employment is also up by 1.5% for the
same period (Keegan 1998). DNRC feels that
stumpage prices and demand would probably
not increase until next year's building season
because of the high production levels, current
lumber and log supplies in the market, and
current economic problems in Asia. If the U.S.
economy weakens, leading to a reduction in
housing starts, stumpage prices and demand
could soften further.

Based on a past study. The Role of the Wood
Products Industry in the Economy of Flathead
County. Montana. An Estimate of the Effects
on Total Employment Using Input-Out Analy-
sis. 20 to 35% of the economy of Flathead
County can be attributed to the wood-product
industry. This estimate of the economic effect
of the wood products industry was deter-
mined primarily with the use of the computer
program Micro Implan, an economic-impact
model based on county-level economic data
(Beckley, 1994).

PAST HARVESTS FROM THE BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA

TABLE 111-16 - HISTORICAL HARVEST VOLUME (MBF), TOTAL VALUE IN NOMINAL, 1997
DOLLARS AND ACRES BY GRANT, TOTAL AND PERCENTAGES

GRANT

TOTAL
VOLUME (MBF)

TOTAL VALUE
NOMINAL $s

TOTAL VALUE

1997 $s

ACRES

S.N.S

4,739

$40,212

$147,871

568

S.M.

3,869

$64,784

$238,321

477

P.B.

6,921

$116,534

$408,282

1,078

A.C.B.

9,095

$128,327

$528,822

1,218

C.S.

4,244

$99,542

$354,424

640

Totals

27,868

$449,399

$1,677,720

3,981

PERCENTAGES

GRANT

TOTAL
VOLUME (MBF)

TOTAL VALUE
NOMINAL $s

TOTAL VALUE

1997 $s

ACRES

S.N.S.

17%

9%

9%

14%

S.M.

14%

14%

14%

12%

P.B.

25%

26%

24%

27%

A.C.B.

29%

29%

32%

31%

C.S.

15%

22%

21%

16%

Totals

100%

100%

100%

100%

Table 111-16 is a review of past harvest activities
in the Beaver Lake Project area. These esti-
mates of past activities are taken from the
section record cards located in Missoula. The
volume is only for products that were entered
into the section record cards as board feet. The
value includes all products that were recorded.
DNRC manages forested trust lands based on
timber management opportunities, as dictated
by stand conditions and other related factors.
DNRC does not select harvest sites based on
grant. The abbreviations used for grants are as
follows:

S.N.S

S.M.

RB.

A.C.B.

C.S.

- Montana State University-
Billings and Western Montana
College of the University of
Montana

- Montana Tech of the University
of Montana

- Public Building

- Montana State University

- Common School

Total value for each grant will be displayed as
both a nominal value and as a real value in
1997 dollars. The nominal rate is the rate of

lU40r

i/nir-ii^fS^j; Tfa -aer w.-

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

return earned on investments measured in
current dollars (including inflation). The real
rate is expressed in constant dollars and does
not include inflation.

ASSET VALUE RELATED
TO THE CURRENT
TIMBER-MANAGEMENT
POLICY STATEWIDE

DNRC has adopted a Statewide sustained-
yield harvest volume estimate of 42.164 MMBF
per year using assumptions based on the
Omega Alternative from the Statewide Plan
(Montana DNRC, 1996). The asset value that
is related to timber harvesting from trust land
is, therefore, the value of an infinite series of
harvests totaling 42.164 MMBF per year. The
present value of an infinite series of annual
payments is equal to the armual payment
divided by the interest rate. The current real

interest rate for DNRC is 4% (see Montana
DNRC, 1996, for details). If we assume an /■'
average gross stumpage value (gross income
to the trust does not include the forest im-
provement fee or administration costs) of $190
(average used in the State Plan, Montana -—4
DNRC, 1996) per MBF and no future changes
in cost and prices, the estimated present gross
asset value related to timber harvesting is
$200,279,000 (42,164 * 190/. 04). If we use an
average program ratio of total revenue /total
cost equaling 2.0, this yields a present net asset
value of $100,139,500 (42,164 * 95/. 04). XI

The following table estimates the annual
average harvest volume in board feet per acre
for the State as a whole. This is based on the
sustained-yield-study estimate of harvest
volume and acres, the gross-revenue estimate
of $190 per MBF, and a net-revenue estimate of
$95 per MBF. The $95 per MBF assumes a
ratio of total revenue to total cost of 2.0.

TABLE 111-17 - THE AVERAGE VALUE PER ACRE OF TIMBER HARVESTING, ESTIMATED
GROSS, AND ESTIMATED GROSS AND NET REVENUE STATEWIDE

STATEWIDE

1. Sustained yield harvest in MBF

42,164'

2. Net forested acres in sustained yield study

363,783'

3. Annual harvested board feet (BF) per acre (row 1 * 1000/row 2)

116

4. Annual gross revenue per acre (row 3 * $190/1000) from timber harv^esting

$22

5. Annual net revenue per acre (row 3 * $95/1000) from timber harvesting

$11

'Montana State Lands Sustained Yield Study 1996 \

CURRENT ESTIMATED VALUE BASED ON CURRENT INVENTORY FOR THE BEAVER
LAKE PROJECT AREA

The following table was estimated using the SLI database.

TABLE III-18 - ESTIMATED TOTAL ACRES, SMZ ACRES, DMZ ACRES, AND NET ACRES FOR SLI

GRANT

TOTAL ACRES

SMZ'
ACRES

DMZ'
ACRES

NET'
ACRES

A.C.B.

1,209.2

91

51.4

1,066.8

C.S.

639.1

40

93.7

505.4

P.B.

1,060.3

42

30.5

987.8

S.M.

492.1

24

133.7

334.4

S.N.S.

569.8

43

16.5

510.3

AU Acres

3,970.5

240

325.8

3,404.7

'SMZ - streamside management zone

'DMZ - deferred management zone

^NET ACRES - total acres minus SMZ acres minus DMZ acres

Chapter III: Affected Environment

-m-^:

TABLE III-19 - ESTIMATED VALUE FOR TOTAL CURRENT STANDING TIMBER INVENTORY
IN THE BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA BASED ON NET ACRES FROM SLI

GRANT

AVERAGE
STUMPAGE'

($/MBF)

NET VOLUME

PER ACRE

(MBF)

TOTAL
VOLUME

(MBF)

TOTAL
VALUE'

($)

A.C.B.

185

9.7

10,301

1,908,260

C.S.

188

13.1

6,634

1,248,851

P.B.

194

8.9

8,804

1,710,177

S.M.

195

11.9

3,988

777,660

S.N.S.

195

11.9

6,090

1,187,550

All Acres

191

11.9

35,817

6,832,498

'Average Stumpage was based on a weighted average volume using $146.09 per MBFfor slope class >4 and $194.66
per MBFfor slope classes <4. The slope was taken from the Standard Level Inventory (SLI). Volume is based on the
net MBFfrom the SLI times net acres.
'This value assumes that DNRC would cut it all. This is a questionable assumption.

CURRENT ASSET VALUE
RELATED TO GENERAL
RECREATIONAL USE

The Beaver Lake Project area, containing trails,
old logging roads, lakes, and forests, is a prime
area for recreation. Hunters, hikers, mountain
bikers, horseback riders, and motorized
recreational vehicles have created trails
throughout the area. For the most part, these
trails were established without the knowledge
of, or input from, DNRC management. The
only portions of this area not available to the
general recreationist are the cabinsite leases,
which are, basically, private lands when it
comes to the general recreationist. DFWP
leases 2 acres as a public fishing access site and
parking area on the south side of Beaver Lake.
The lease carries an annual payment of $760.20
and expires March 1, 2001. Until the late 1980s
there was a boat ramp on private land to
access Beaver Lake. Once this access was
closed, a substantial drop (70%) occurred in
the number of people using the Beaver Lake
area for fishing and boating.

Historically, there has been environmental
damage (human waste, litter, and vegetation
trampled) to some of the areas around the
lakes from unregulated human use. There
have, historically and presently, been places in
Montana that are free and unregulated for
camping and recreating. This philosophy is

applied to areas in the Beaver Lake area.
Based on the 1996 survey done on Stillwater
Forest from Upper Whitefish Lake Camp-
ground, 70% of the recreationists did not have
a general Recreational Use License, though
40% of these same recreationists were familiar
with the requirements to buy this license.

The gross revenue generated Statewide from
the general Recreational Use Licenses for the
fiscal year 1997 was $306,775 (Annual Report.
1997, page 57). The amount of trust acres
Statewide equals 5,856,720 (Annual Report for
Fiscal Year 1997. page 53). Approximately
two-thirds (.667) of these acres are legally
accessible (personal communication with Jeff
Hagener, Administrator, Trust Land Manage-
ment Division). The average annual gross
revenue from the general Recreational Use
Licenses from trust land is approxinaately
$0.08 per acre per year ($306,775/
(5,856,720*.667)). Using this average times the
approximate project area of 4,000 acres yields
an estimated annual gross revenue from the
project area of $320 per year.

CURRENT ASSET VALUE
RELATED TO CABINSITE
OR HOMESITE LEASES

Currently, we have 20 cabinsite leases on
Beaver Lake. The lease sites range in size from
.42 to 5.0 acres. Lease payments on the sites

HflM2r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

totaled $15,591.36 in 1996, with individual
cabinsite lease rates ranging from $337.05 to
$1,147.13 annually. The current average gross
value (not including administration cost) is
$3.90 per acre ($15,591.36/4,000 acres, the
approximate Beaver Lake Project area). Given
the location of the project area and the lakes
and forest within this project area, there is
potential to develop more cabinsites or
homesites in the Beaver Lake Project area.
DNRC does not have an inventory of potential
development sites.

Another factor that could impact cabinsite
leases is the court ruling by Dorothy McCarter,
District Court Judge, Lewis and Clark County,
that the renewal of cabinsite rentals are not
limited to 3.5% of their appraised value and
the Department must obtain the fair market
value of that use. This ruling should result in
a fee increase for the cabinsite leases. The
Department is currently considering options in
this case. Currently, DIVIRC is competitively
bidding new leases. The impact on new leases
would be less now and more in the future
when lease rates may not decrease to the 3.5%.
Some of the lessees may not be able to afford
the new higher price; therefore, there may be
some turnover. For the potential over the
short term (5 years), DNRC could have numer-
ous cabinsites Statewide that would be on the
market for lease.

SELLING OF CABINSITES/
HOMESITES

There was interest by some of the cabinsite
leaseholders to buy their lots. The Land Board
makes the decision to sell or not to sell a
cabinsites. The following is the current direc-
tion related to the cabinsite/homesite analysis
from the Land Board dated 10/94, Cabin/
Home Site Sale Financial Analysis.

The financial analysis compares (1) the value
of land, plus cabinsite lease revenues if the
land were not sold; (2) the value of the princi-
pal and interest earned if the land were sold.
This analysis is affected by the following
variables:

the rate of land value appreciation

the State cabinsite lease rate

the rate of return on the trust fund.

These variables are addressed in several key
assumptions:

• Evaluate the financial returns of the keep
versus sell options over period of at least
60 years.

As a measure of future rate of return on
trust investments, use a long-term bond
rate of 8%.

4.

Use Department of Revenue's (DOR)
changes in appraised value over a 10-year
period to project the rate of appreciation of
the value of the homesite.

Ji -livflkttrtiAAi <jAa>«i

Assume that in no case would land appre-
ciate at less than 1% annually over the 60-
year period.

• " f I

~-1

Present the analysis of the sale of the
homesite as defined in the State lease
separately from the sale of State agricul-
tural or grazing land.

Use the current homesite or cabinsite lease
rate (i.e. do not anticipate changes in the
cabinsite lease rate).

■;>■•>•■

CURRENT ASSET VALUE
OF TRUST LANDS IN THE
PROJECT AREA RELATED
TO A LARGE-
DEVELOPMENT
PROPOSAL %

Given the location, current uses, and condition
of the forest in the project area, there is poten-
tial for a large-development proposal in the
project area. Public ownership would probably
limit the potential of a large development on
this tract because of the public environmental
review process and the political nature of the
process. During the collaboration process,
proposals for development were requested

Chapter III: Affected Environment

4". -.|y ~ Z^^''-if^f^A'---^':4y^r^^:^^ i.%Vi^^i-,=

'fi:fe''Si?^:Sf5^^v5*Ss5'i- ■

'1U43

from the private sector, but none were re-
ceived. This is probably related to the uncer-
tainty of leasing publicly owned land and the
current supply and demand for new large and
small tracts of land in the Whitefish area.

PAST COSTS AND
REVENUES FROM DNRCS
FOREST PRODUCT SALES
PROGRAM

DNRC does not have a formal accounting
system to track costs for individual projects
from start to finish. An annual cash-flow
analysis is conducted of the DNRC forest
product sales program. Revenue and costs are
calculated by land office and at the Statewide

level. The revenue-to-cost ratios are a measure
of economic efficiency. A ratio value less than
1.0 means that the costs are higher than the
revenues (losing money). A ratio greater than
1.0 means revenues are higher than the costs
(making money). A ratio equaling 1.0 means
that the costs equal the revenues. Ratio for the
Northwestern Land Office was 3.33 for fiscal
year 1994, 2.41 for 1995, 1.51 for 1996, and 1.52
for 1997. For the last 2 years for every $1.00
spent on costs, the Northwestern Land Office
generated $1.51 in revenue.

Total revenue is revenue from timber sales,
permits, forest improvement (FI), and road
maintenance; total cost is the sum of timber
operating and general administration costs.
Net return is total revenue less total cost.

TABLE 111-20 - THE NET REVENUE/COST RATIOS (TIMBER SALE ACCOUNTING SUMMARY ■
FY95 AND REVISED FY94 MEMO, FY96, FY97)

TOTAL REVENUE/TOTAL COST RATIO |

FISCAL YEAR:

FY94

FY95

FY96

FY97

Northwestern Land Office

3.33

2.41

1.51

1.52

Total Program

2.68

2.07

1.68

1.89

VISUALS

Concern was expressed that key scenic and
visual resources be identified and protected,
particularly the scenic vistas from developed
sites or roads on Beaver and Whitefish lakes.

DNRC personnel and the Collaborative have
identified key scenic viewpoints within and
into the Beaver Lake project area. These
viewpoints include views from:

the north shoreline of Beaver Lake within

the leases,

the DFWP fishing access on the south

shoreline of Beaver Lake,

East Lakeshore Drive along Whitefish

Lake, and

the entrance to the Beaver Lake area in

Section 19.

Additional views, such as those seen while
driving within the project area, will be de-
scribed.

The view from the north shoreline of Beaver is
primarily a middleground viewpoint looking
south into Sections 28 and 29. The lake is in
the foreground with a mature stand of timber
along the shoreline. The background view
follows up into the drainage basin between
Skyles Lake and Beaver Lake. The back-
ground displays a high degree of texture due
to topography and a variety of tree species,
tree heights, and timber stand treatments on
adjacent ownership. The general topography
consists of gentle grades up to .25 mile from
the lake. Numerous ridges within the cential
part of the basin extend toward the lake. Lion
Mountain is also visible from this viewpoint.
Visible recent harvesting on private ownership
in Section 21 displays less texture and density
in the forest canopy.

m-ur

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

The view north into the project area from the
DFWP fishing access on the south shore of
Beaver Lake is also a middleground view-
point. This view has the lake in the fore-
ground, with a variety of tree and brush
species along the far shoreline. Boat docks
and portions of some cabins from the leases
are also visible. The background displays a
high degree of texture due to the broken
topography and variety of tree species present.
The broken topography shows rock outcrops
through the timber canopy. Roads within tiie
State ownership are not visible. Roads and
recent harvesting activities on the private
ownership in Section 21 are visible.

For most of the public, the view west from
East Lakeshore Drive along Whitefish Lake is
a middleground, drive-by view, often broken
by the trees along East Lakeshore Drive. The
far shoreline is private ownership; the visible
part of State ownership begins midway on the
slope and extends to some of the ridge tops.
The background displays a high degree of
texture due to the broken topography and
variety of tree species and tree heights present.
Roads are not visible within the project area.

The entrance to the State ownership is com-
monly referred to as the 'cul-de-sac'. A
wooden sign provides the general locations of
roads and lakes on the project area. Another
sign provided by DFWP
gives the general direction
to the public fishing
access. In regard to the
forested landscape aroimd
the cul-de-sac, the view is
strictly foreground with a
variety of grass, forbs,
brush, and tree species in
varying size classes.

In general, the views
within the project area can
be seen from the existing
roads. The brush and
encroachment of small
trees along the roadways
create a narrow, tunneling
appearance with limited
visibility around curves

and into the adjacent forest. A minimum
clearing width when roads are constructed is
30 feet; all vegetation would be removed
within this 30 feet during construction. There-
fore, with the exception of South Beaver Road
(brushed in 1995), most of the road segments
20 to 50 years old have trees and brush en-
croaching.

A computer-simulated view of the project area,
projected from high elevation and looking
north into the project area, is presented in
Figure III-13. The simulation is accurate in its
display of topography and topographic fea-
tures. The portrayal of forested and
nonforested portions of the landscape is
relatively accurate. The trees within the
forested landscape are only a visual represen-
tation and are not based on stand inventory
data of the forest. Road widths are exagger-
ated in this computer demonstration, but do
help the viewer become oriented inside the
project area. The computer simulations were
created in cooperation with the Beaver Lake
Cooperative, DNRC, and Flathead National
Forest.

FIGURE 111-13- COMPUTER-SIMULATED VIEW OF EXISTING
BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA

Chapter III: Affected Environment

AIR QUALITY

Federal, State, and local agencies enforce rules
for open controlled burning. Air quality is
analyzed by estimating emissions from pre-
scribed broadcast burns and determining
which roads would have road dust created by
project activity vehicles.

The area analyzed for air quality, which
includes all of Flathead County, is located in
Montana Airshed 2; the project area is located
in the Kalispell Impact Zone. The Montana
Airshed Group delineates both.

Temporary reductions in air quality currently
exist from the occurrence of wildfire, pre-
scribed broadcast burning, and road dust.

in46r

•Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

INTRODUCTION

Chapter FV describes the environmental effects
of each alternative on the resources described
in Chapter III and provides the basis for the
summary of environmental effects table at the
end of Chapter 11. Cumulative effects from
past management and other known distur-
bances are discussed in this chapter. These
include other active timber sale projects,
projects that are in the planning stage, ongoing
maintenance, and other uses of the areas being
analyzed. Direct, indirect, and cumulative
effects on the resources being analyzed were
considered. An economic analysis is also
presented. Appendix A lists proposed mitiga-
tions common to both action alternatives.

' I

VEGETATION [. ^_

LANDSCAPE ANALYSISI
CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

EFFECTS TO AGE-CLASS
DISTRIBUTION AND COVER
TYPE

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

V!

The age class in the project area would
remain the same for the short term.

Over time, lacking substantial distur-
bances, such as timber harvesting or
wildfire, the proportion of seedling/
sapling-sized stands would gradually
decrease. ' — -

As shade-tolerant species continue to grow
under the existing canopies, the mixed-
corufer cover type would increase and the

western larch/Douglas-fir cover type
would decrease.

• Stocking densities would, generally,
increase and additional competition,
mortality, insect infestations, and disease
infections would reduce stand vigor.

i

• Mature stands would become more

multistoried as the current overstory dies
and is replaced by patches of regenerated
shade-tolerant species.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Approximately 119 acres of timber stands in
the mixed-conifer cover type would be con-
verted to a western larch /Douglas-fir cover
type. Approximately 136 acres of the lodge-
pole pine cover type would also be converted
to a western larch /Douglas-fir cover type. As
shown in Chapter III, the mixed conifer cover
type is presently overrepresented on Stillwater
State Forest in reference to appropriate condi-
tions. The proposed harvest would move |
cover types slightly toward the representation
that DNRC feels would be appropriate. Age
classes in stands that are currently 150+ years
would not change, while some of the 40-to-99-
and 100-149-year-old stands would be con-
verted through regeneration to the O-to-39- ^
year age class. Table lV-1 shows the projected
changes in age class and cover types in harvest
units, following the proposed silvicultural
treatments.

™J

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

iJV-1)

TABLE rV-1 - EFFECTS TO AGE/CLASS DISTRIBUTION AND COVER TYPE BY UNIT

1 UNIT

*

APPROXIMAIL
AREA

(ACRES)

CHANGES IN
AGE/CLASS

CHANGES IN 11
COVER TYPE 1

1

47

Most of the harvest area is in the
40-to- 100-year age class and would
be converted to the O-to-39- year
age class.

■' ' , ^

■3

Lodgepole pine is the predominant
species, with some larger diameter (8-to-
12" dbh) western larch and Douglas-fir
in dumps and scattered throughout
(approximately 30% of stand);
therefore, it was classified through SLI
as a western larch/Douglas-fir stand.
The cover type would remain the same
after harvest since many of the western
larch and Douglas-fir would be retained.
A mix of western Icirch and Douglas-fir
is the target for regeneration.

2

155

The present 150-year-+ age class
would remain the same, as a large
percentage of the old trees would be
retained.

The cover type would remain western
larch / Douglas-fir .

'

4

The present 150-year-+ age class
would remain the same, as a large
percentage of the old trees would be
retained.

The cover type would remain western 11
larch/Douglas-fir. 11

*

22

Approximately 72% of the harvest
area is currently in the lOO-to-149-
year age class; the remaining 28% is
in the 150-yeai-+ age class. The age
classes would not change, as many
of the older trees would be retained.

The cover type would remain western
larch/Douglas-fir. ?cVJyii-i.JL •

1 ^

149

Approximately 82% of this unit is
currently in the 150-year-+ age
class; the remainder is in the 100-
to-149-year age class. The age
classes wotdd not cheinge, as many
of the older trees would be retained.

The cover type would remain western
larch/Douglas-fir.

6

11

Currently, 65% of this imit is in the
150-year+ age class; the remainder
is in the lOO-to-149-year age class.
The age classes would not change,
as many of the older trees would be
retained.

The cover type would remain western
larch / Douglas-fir.

WO?

4rtf*t\ ..«:*»— L^*

Oil

W-2r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

i ^i .

UNIT

#

APPROXIMATE

AREA

(ACRES)

CHANGES IN
AGE/CLASS

CHANGES IN |
COVER TYPE 1

7

105

Currently, 77% of this imit is in the

The cover types would remain the same.

150-year-+ age clciss, 4% is in the
lOO-to-149-vear aee class, and the

remainder is in the 40-to-99-year
age class. All stands would remain
the same, as many of the older trees
would be retained.

8

73

Approximately 30% of the unit
would change from a 40-to-99-year
age class to a O-to-39-year age class;
an additional 30% of the unit would
change from a lOO-to-149-year age
class to a C>-to-39-year age class.

Approximately 30% of the laiut would
convert from a lodgepole pine cover type
to a western larch /Douglas-fir cover
type; 8.5% would change from a mixed- |
coruf er cover type to a western V
larch/Douglas-fir cover type. |

9

125

The age classes would not chtinge,
as many of the older trees would be
retained.

Approximately 35% of the unit would
convert from a mixed conifer cover type
to a western larch /Douglas-fir cover
type. The treatment would remove many
of the shade-tolerant species and retain
western larch and Douglas-fir.

10

24

The entire unit would convert from a
40-to-99-year age class to a O-to-39-
year age class.

The entire uivit would convert from a
mixed-coruf er cover type to a western
larch/ Douglas-fir cover type.

11

8

No change

No change

12

29

Currently, 98% of the unit is in the
lOO-to-149-year age class and would
convert to the O-to-39-year age
class.

Approximately 98% is in the mixed-
coridfer cover type and would change to
the western larch/Douglas-fir cover
type-

13

104

Approximately 10% of this unit is
currently in the lOO-to-149-year age
class and would convert to the 0-to-
39-year age class. The age class in
the remainder of the unit would not
change.

Currently, 10% of this unit is a mixed-
conifer cover type and would be
converted to a western larch/Douglas-fir
cover type. The other 90% would remain
in the western larch/Douglas-fir cover
type.

14

24

No change

No change

15

4

No change

No change

<VJ?1U-<UU

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

iIV-3)

UNIT
#

APPROXIMATE

AREA

(ACRES)

CHANGES IN
AGE/CLASS

CHANGES IN
COVER TYPE

16

169

iiSi(«Biiifc» J-.--- ryiws^-

Approximately 93% of the unit is
currently in the 40-to-99-year age
class and would be converted to the
O-to-39-year age class.

Approximately 60% of the imit is
lodgepole pine cover type that wovild
convert to a western larch/Douglas-fir
cover type through prescribed
treatments.

17

39

No change

No change

18

28

No change

No change

19

10

No change

No change

I PATCH CHARACTERISTICS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

I Patch size w^ould remain the same over the
I short term.

I ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The mear\ patch size /cover type in the project
area would increase approximately 12 acres
over all cover types. The mean patch size by
age class in the project area would be reduced
by approximately 24 acres. These changes are
rather minor when viewed from a landscape
i level, as they are only occurring in the project
' area. In general, it is believed that the average
patch size of timber stands has been reduced
by land-management activities in comparison
to historic conditions. Trying to retain natural
processes by moving towards historic condi-
tions would be one of the goals of land-man-
agement activities.

A Patch shape would become slightly less irregu-
lar in the Beaver Lake area after the proposed
treatments. Some degree of irregularity is
desirable when trying to emulate natural
disturbances; however, too much irregularity

tt can seriously reduce amounts of core interior
forest. A combination of laying out irregular
imit boundaries and retaining trees in clumps
along urut boundaries to create patches that
better emulate natural disturbance is pro-
posed.

OLD GROWTH

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

• The amount of total old-growth stands on
Stillwater State Forest would remain the
same in the short term, with changes in the
cover type as plant succession continues.

• The amount of large live trees in the old-
growth stands would likely stay the same
for the short term and decrease over time
through mortality. « «

• The amount of large coarse woody mate-
rial on the ground in old-growth stands
should increase over time as more large-
tree mortality takes place.

• The number of snags would increase over
time; however, snags would continue to be
lost to firewood cutters and natural distur-
bances. } j I

• The combination of increased stocking
density, mortality, and overall stand age
should lead to a reduction in stand vigor
and an increase in the decadence of old
stands within the project area.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES
AANDB

OLD-GROWTH REPRESENTATION

The proposed harvest treatments would not

IV4

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

change the current amount of old-growth
stands or the cover-type representation in old-
growth stands on Stillwater State Forest. The
following harvest treatments are proposed in
old-growth stands:

combination group selection and stand

improvement,

modified seedtree/shelterwood with

reserves, and

improvement cutting.

The treatments proposed in old-growth stands
would retain most of the large trees and favor
the retention of western larch and Douglas-fir.
Most of the old-growth stands that would be
entered have been entered previously with
timber harvests. As stated in Chapter III,
Stillwater State Forest is low in the amount of
old-growth stands in the western larch/
Douglas-fir cover type needed to meet its
"one-half historic minimum" standard. The
proposed harvest would not change this
situation in the short term, and old-growth
stands that are entered should be able to
maintain their classification as old growth for
many years. The stands that would be con-
verted from the mixed-conifer cover type to
the western larch/Douglas-fir cover type
would increase the future options for manage-
ment and meeting DNRC's connmitments.
Stillwater State Forest also has opportunities
with future timber management proposals to
convert some old growth that is currently in
the mixed-conifer cover type directly to a '
western larch/Douglas-fir old-growth stand.
This can be done by entering these stands with
harvest treatments that remove a portion of
shade-tolerant species while retaining most of
the older western larch and Douglas-fir. These
treatments would be similar to disturbances
caused by mixed-severity fire events.
Stillwater State Forest would likely look for
these opportunities in future timber sale ■
proposals. ^ i

EFFECTS TO OLD-GROWTH
ATTRIBUTES j

Large live trees

'■ifm

Most of the large live trees in the old-growth
stands proposed for harvesting would be *«
retained. The change in stocking levels would
likely decrease the stress on these trees, in-
creasing vigor and very likely increasing their
resistance to some insect and disease mortality.
At the same time, trees retained in the 17-to-
20-inch dbh size class may experience some
increase in vigor and growth rates from the
reduction in stocking levels; therefore, they
may become larger trees sooner. The reduc-
tion of stocking levels in a stand does increase
the risk of blowdown; however, since many of
these stands have been entered before and
stocking is not extremely dense, most of these
trees are likely quite wind firm. The drier sites
and broken nature of the topography in the
proposed harvest units reduce the risk of
blowdown.

Coarse woody material j a ^^Aip^^^si^ Ifsi ^M-. tdo

The amount of coarse woody material on the
ground after harvesting would increase in the
old-growth stands being entered. As a mitiga-
tion to ensure this occurs, the Timber Sale
Contract specifications would require from 12
to 15 tons of coarse woody debris to be distrib-
uted throughout the harvest unit. The sale
administrator would ensure that a large
percentage of the larger cull material is re-
tained in the unit when logs are manufactured.
This larger material is important for the nutri-
ent-recycling processes that occur in forest
soils and as habitat for wildlife. Leaving 12 to
15 tons of larger coarse woody debris scattered
throughout a harvest unit would meet the
hazard reduction law and not increase fire
hazards above existing conditions.

;'<;

Snags per acre

The overall amount of snags per acre may
decrease slightly due to harvesting activities.
In addition, some low-vigor trees that would
likely die and become snags in the near future
would be harvested. Some snags would

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

^IV-5]

continue to be lost to firewood cutters and
from natural disturbances. The following
mitigations would be implen\ented to help
retain as many large valuable snags as possible
in the old-growth stands being entered.

• No large snags would be designated for
harvest.

• Large snags and live broken-topped culls
that would make valuable wildlife habitat
in the future would be marked for reten-
tion.

• Clumps of other trees adjacent to large
snags or culls would be marked for reten-
tion to protect the snags /culls during

io V harvesting activities.

• Logging contractors would be required,
when possible, to plan skidding activities
to protect snags.

• Additional road closures would protect
some wildlife trees from being harvested
by firewood cutters.

Decadence

When using stand vigor as a surrogate for
decadence, it is likely that decadence in the
old-growth stands being entered would
slightly decrease and vigor would increase.
Over time, this would be a positive effect in
relation to holding these stands in their current
age class; however, retaining some old-growth
stands with a high amount of decadence is
desirable on a landscape level. Since most
stands being entered with this proposed
project are in the good-to-average vigor class,
the opportunity for retaining them with a large
amount of decadence does not exist. Since the
amount of decadence in the stands being
entered would change only slightly from
existing conditions, the change in old-growth
stands over the entire Stillwater Forest would
be slight and no shortage of old growth with a
particular degree of decadence would be
caused.

SENSITIVE PLANTS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

If the No- Action Alternative were chosen, no
new negative effects to sensitive plants would
be expected in the short term. Several roads
that currently provide motorized access near
sensitive plant populations may not be closed
and the higher risks of sensitive plants being
picked by recreationists and increased noxious
weed infestation would exist to these popula-
tions.

ACTION ALTERATIVES A AND B

The 9 populations of sensitive plants located in
the project area are in or near wetlands or
riparian areas, with the exception of spurred
gentian, which is more widespread. Most
harvesting or road-building activities are not
proposed to go through or directly adjacent to
these areas. Most of these plants would be
probably not be directly affected from equip-
ment. The chance of negative effects to most
of these plant populations indirectly from
increased overland flow or water-table levels
in the areas where they exist is very remote, as
large vegetative filter strips would be retained
between these populations and the proposed
harvests. The one exception to this is a popu-
lation of spurred gentian in the northwest
quarter of Section 17. Some individual plants
in this population would be destroyed from
the proposed road construction. Given this
plant appears to increase with disturbance, it
is unlikely that widespread negative effects to
the population would occur; there may actu-
ally be an increase in plants over time.

Both action alternatives propose closing the
road along the north and east sides of Little
Beaver Lake and northeast comer of Beaver
Lake to motorized traffic. This should provide
some degree of protection to the 3 populations
of sensitive plants located in that area. If any
herbicide tieatment to control noxious weeds
is proposed in the future, it would not be
applied in or near these populations.

IV-6

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

NOXIOUS WEEDS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Weed seed is currently being dispersed in the
area primarily from motorized vehicle use.
There are probably some weeds being intro-
duced in the area from recreationists traveling
on horses. This activity would continue with
the No- Action Alternative and is likely to
increase with the continued population
growth in the Flathead Valley The surround-
ing ownership would probably receive more
traffic in the future, increasing the rate of seed
dispersal. Since this alternative would not
expose a great deal of mineral soil in the area
except in areas where road maintenance or
motorized recreation takes place, a slow
steady increase of weed populations in the
area would likely take place. With the adop-
tion of the SFLMP, more aggressive inventory
and treatment of noxious weeds on the
Stillwater State Forest would occur on a more
regular basis than has occurred in the past.
This ongoing treatment for noxious weeds
should help mitigate for increased use of the
area and may actually reduce the population
of weeds over the long term.

ALTERNATIVES A AND B - ACTION
ALTERNATIVES

Both action alternatives build roads, increase
the size of the existing parking area at the
entrance to State lands, and reconstruct exist-
ing roads, including the construction of turn-
outs and road widening. Both action alterna-
tives would also yard logs, creating skid trails
and landings. All of these activities would
expose some mineral soil, leaving an area
where weeds could become established. These
alternatives are very similar in the amount of
mineral soil that would be exposed, with
Alternative B possibly having slightiy less.
Both alternatives would increase both the
drivability of existing roads and recreational
use of the area, increasing a major source of
weed seed. Both action alternatives would
include the operation of heavy equipment and
log-ti-uck h-affic in the area, also sources of
weed introduction. Mitigation measures for
both alternatives would include contract

clauses that require the washing of any heavy
equipment before it enters the project area and
grass seeding of areas distijrbed during road-
building activities. The grass seeding is
required concurrently with construction
activities, as well as after the final blading.
This series of seeding is done to establish grass
before weeds are introduced and control
erosion.

An ongoing program of monitoring weed
populations and spot spraying would also
occur in the area in accordance with the
Flathead County Weed Management Plan.
Both action alternatives would close some
roads to motorized tiaffic and obliterate some
existing roads. This would decrease the total
area that is open to motorized traffic. While
the implementation of either of these alterna-
tives would risk increased weed populations
in the area, the combination of mitigation,
ongoing weed population monitoring, and
spot spraying of herbicides may reduce the
overall population of weeds in the area.

Additional information on proposed herbicide
treatments:

• Where noxious weeds occur along existing
access roads, an application of herbicide,
followed by grass seeding, would be used
to control established weeds and promote
desirable native plants and seed grasses
that would compete with the noxious
weeds and provide long-term soil stabili-
zation to control erosion.

• Open roads and some segments of closed
roads in the Beaver Lake area would be
sprayed for weeds using the herbicide
Transline once a year for 3 years. There
would also be some site-specific hand
pulling of weeds along open roads where
sensitive plants or stieams prohibit the
spraying of herbicides. Transline would be
used because it is more selective than other
herbicides used to control noxious weeds.
Transline is not lethal to conifer trees and
would not be used within 100 feet of
streams. Application would be done by a
licensed applicator and the Environmental
Protection Act rules would be followed.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

ilV-7)

The action alternatives would also collect
funds for the forest-improvement programs; a
portion of these funds would be used for weed
control in the future. Areas along open roads
where site improvements are proposed would
be seeded with a mixture of grass seed concur-
rently with construction. After final blading
has taken place, disturbed sites would be
seeded to prevent the establishment of noxious
weeds. Heavy equipment used for road
construction or timber harvesting would be
required to be washed clean of noxious weeds
before being moved into position for use.

WILDLIFE

COARSE-FILTER
ASSESSMENT ^

This section examines how project alternatives
may influence landscape patterns and pro-
cesses. Cumulative effects are considered in
this analysis by considering the overall situa-
tion in reference to the boundaries of the
landscape analysis and the attributes being
analyzed. This includes past management and
natural disturbances, as well as proposed
actions and known future actions. I

AVAILABILITY OF SNAGS AND
COARSE WOODY DEBRIS

t

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

If no action is taken, trees would eventually
decline in vigor and a more decadent forest
would provide more snags and coarse woody
debris in the next several decades.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Logging, while preserving marked snags,
would result in fewer snags in the decades to
come. Some snags would be harvested or
otherwise lost in the harvest operation, and
trees in the poorest health (most likely to
produce snags in the near term) would be
harvested. There would be fewer large trees

available for snag recruitment until the exist-
ing regeneration matures. Coarse woody
debris would increase for the near term where
logs are manufactured in the forest and not on
the landings. This would be assured in the
contract by specifying the amount of slash that
must be left. Coarse woody debris would
decrease slightly in the long-term, however,
because of the reduced availability of snags
and large trees that serve as a source for this
material.

The proposed new cabinsite leases would only
affect the coarse filter by changing habitat
available on the acreage the cabinsites occupy
and through changes in the forest structure
immediately adjacent. The adjacent forest
structure would be modified to minimize fire
hazards.

The influence of alternatives on cover type,
stand age, and patch dynamics in relation to
old-growth wildlife species and the influence
on special habitats is discussed below.

COVER-TYPE

CHARACTERISTICS: EFFECTS
ON WILDLIFE

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

If no action is taken, shade-tolerant tree spe-
cies would continue to grow and regenerate.
Stands would continue to be overwhelmed by
the ingrowth of these species. There would be
fewer stands dominated by the western larch/
Douglas fir cover type, so western larch/
Douglas-fir-associated wildlife would decline.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Modification of forest types in the direction of
historical would be positive. Removing most
of the tiees that are not western larch or
Douglas-fir tree species would modify forest
types. The desired tree species remaining
would then dominate the stand and provide
habitat for the associated species. In Stillwater
State Forest, western larch/Douglas-fir stands
are underrepresented, and the proposed
timber management would convert some

IV-8r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

stands to a western larch /Douglas-fir cover
type.

Cabinsites would not alter the cover types.

STAND-AGE

CHARACTERISTICS: EFFECTS
ON WILDLIFE

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

If there is no logging, the relatively healthy
overstory would continue to age and increase
in size, eventually showing signs of deca-
dence, which would benefit cavity nesters in
the distant future.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

If the harvest is undertaken, there would be
fewer old trees. Remaining trees would be
healthy and vigorous, and, with slightly
reduced competition, would grow larger faster
and probably live longer. Decadence would be
delayed. There would be somewhat fewer old
trees to provide live cavity trees, new large
snags, and new coarse woody debris.

Proposed cabinsite leases would have no
measurable effect on tree ages outside of the
small cabinsite acreage.

PATCH CHARACTERISTICS:
EFFECTS ON WILDLIFE

■ormi
NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE ''^"-"^

If there is no action, the patches would con-
tinue melding as younger trees become larger
and older. Distinct edges would lose their
distinction and the area would tend to func-
tion more as one large patch. Gradually, edge
wildlife species would decline and forest
interior species would increase. Wildlife
species that depend on mixes of older forests
with openings or young forests would decline.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Logging effects on patch characteristics would

vary by prescription. The seedtree cuts and
clearcuts would sharpen edges and reduce
old-growth attributes, benefiting edge species
and species requiring younger stands or a
mixture of stand ages. The selective cuts
would tend to homogenize the patches toward
similar ages, stocking, and species. The net
landscape effect on patch characteristics and
the response of wildlife to them would prob-
ably be close to neutral, except that some
sharp edges would be added and a mix of '
habitat types would be provided in some
areas. Interior forest species may increase
through time if the stocking levels of the new
forest are attractive to them. /> A II 11 J

Proposed cabinsite leases would have no ' '
measurable effect on overall patch characteris-
tics.

SPECIAL HABITATS ^

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Special habitats would probably remain
unaffected except where roads are currently
located near lakes. Disturbance and siltation
would remain high in those areas.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Both Alternatives A and B would improve lake
and lakeshore conditions by moving roads
away from them and obliterating segments of
roads along the lakeshores. Other wetlands
would remain unaffected since they vy^ould not
be encroached upon.

FINE-FILTER
ASSESSMENT

While the coarse-filter assessment focused on
an examination of how project alternatives
may influence landscape patterns and pro-
cesses, this assessment is devoted to influences
on individual species of special interest.

Some degree of cumulative impacts are sus-
pected on some of the species examined in this
fine-filter assessment because of the likelihood
of development on adjacent private lands and

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

iIV-9

use of access routes to those lands across
DNRC lands. Since no plans for these private
Icinds have been made public, however, it is
difficult to be specific, except to note an antici-
pated general trend of increased traffic across
DNRC and loss of habitat on adjacent lands.
Loss of habitat may occur due to road and
house construction and logging on winter
range. DNRC is planning the Taylor South
Timber Sale north of the project area in the
near future, but plans are too preliminary to
address in this analysis.

THREATENED AND
ENDANGERED SPECIES

NORTHERN ROCKY MOUNTAIN WOLF

No- Action Alternative

The No-Action Alternative would see a con-
tinuation of high densities of open roads, but
thermal cover for big game would continue to
improve slowly.

Action Alternatives A and B

DNRC will manage its lands to maintain
habitat for viable populations of big game
(prey) and would temporarily curtail road
construchon and harvesting activities if active
den or rendezvous sites were discovered in the
project area. The Northern Rocky Mountain
Wolf Recovery Plan requires the protection of
den and rendezvous sites. If either were
discovered, a site-specific plan would be
formulated in consultation with a Department
biologist. The plan would prescribe when and
how the management activity could proceed
with minimal disturbance to wolves while
these sites are active.

The project alternatives would reduce the
miles of open road so that, with the possible
exception of the snowmobile season, security
would increase. There would be more miles of
road, but some reduction of snowmobiling
should be attained by sign closures. The
question of how effective the closures would
be remains. Closures work well in some areas.

Logging under the Action Alternatives would
slightly reduce hiding cover and the winter
range of prey.

Cabinsite leases would affect winter range on
the small acreage they occupy. Snowmobile
recreation originating from these leased sites
would displace big game prey and wolves to
an unknown degree.

GRIZZLY BEAR

All Alternatives

Because the area is outside a recovery zone
and it receives a high degree of public use, use
by the grizzly bear is not promoted. Any
grizzly bear that visits the area, however,
would receive some benefit from DNRC
management because DNRC will manage its
lands so as to furnish habitat for viable popu-
laHons of prey (big game and fish). As per
Appendix A, Stipulations and Specifications,
DNRC would also manage contractors so that
the chance of negative bear /human interac-
tions is minimized through restrictions on
firearms and the handling of food and gar-
bage, and may curtail operations if necessary
in order to avoid conflicts.

If grizzly bears begin to utilize the area, influ-
ences from all alternatives would be similar to
that of the wolf. The main difference is that
cabinsites can present a great temptation
through human and pet foods, garbage, and
hunter-killed game carcasses, leading to
human /bear conflicts.

BALD EAGLE

No-Action Alternative

All the management guidelines for bald eagles
within the home range would be met.

Action Alternatives A and B

All the management guidelines for bald eagles
within the home range would be met. Roads
located near or alongside Beaver, Little Beaver,
Woods, Dollar, and Murray lakes would be
obliterated. This would decrease disturbances

W-lOr

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

to eagles perching or foraging along the
shorelines near these roads, thereby improving
habitat quality. No substantial harvesting
activities are proposed near any of the lakes
and all perch trees and screening vegetation
would remain under all alternatives. Most of
the large trees in the old stands near lakes that
may provide potential nest sites in the future
would remain. In summary, the proposed
project should have no negative impacts to
bald eagles and should have net positive
impacts due to the obliteration of roads near
lakes.

PEREGRINE FALCONS

All Alternatives

No suitable nesting habitat exists within the
Beaver Lake project area, and the proposed
project would not negatively impact potential
nesting and foraging habitat. Peregrine falcons
would probably not find the existing condi-
tions suitable for nesting. Peregrine falcons do
not nest there now and do not readily colonize
new areas. Therefore, it is safe to assume that
peregrine falcons would not nest within the
project area any time during the activities of
this project. ,„„.....,.

SENSITIVE SPECIES
CONSIDERED THROUGHOUT
THE ANALYSIS

TOWNSEND'S BIG-EARED BAT

No-Action Alternative"?^'''*'""

Townsend's big-eared bats occasionally use
large snags for roosting. The fate of roosting
habitat would follow that of the potential for
large snags. The No-Action Alternative would
provide for a slow increase in roosting habitat.

Action Alternatives A and B -^•™-

The action alternatives call for the retention of
large snags; thus, long-term habitat capability
should be maintained to the degree that snags
are provided.

Identification of bat species in the field is
difficult; therefore, it is uncertain whether or
not Townsend's big-eared bats inhabit the
project area. Contracts written under any
action alternative would specify that if any
large aggregation of bats is discovered during
the preparation or administration of the sale, a
DNRC wildlife biologist would be informed as
soon as possible. Depending on the nature of
the report, the biologist would then coordinate
efforts to determine the species. If Townsend's
big-eared bats are determined to be present,
further mitigative measures would be devel-
oped as appropriate.

PILEATED WOODPECKER

No- Action Alternative

Habitat quality would remain low.

nun re Tiui, ;• iiu-:.t' i'-f itt,
Action Alternatives A and B

. a!:mi

Several harvest units (Units 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12,
13, 14 and 15) are all or partially in old-growth
stands of western larch /Douglas-fir. The
harvest prescription for most of these stands is
"group selection and improvement cut", i>
which would harvest approximately 90% of
the larger grand fir and subalpine fir, 50% of
the larger spruce, and 10% to 15% of the larger
Douglas-fir and western larch. The proposed
project would harvest from 25% to 33% of the
total volume.

-t,,i 'ith no JBlidb-ti ;
The removal of larger western larch, grand fir,
and Douglas-fir represents a loss of future
potential nesting and foraging opportunities.
Pileated woodpeckers prefer to nest in forests
with closed canopies, and the reduction in
stand density would also reduce habitat
quality in the short term. In the long term,
thinning the stand should reduce competition
and may result in the remaining trees attaining
larger sizes that are of higher value to cavity-
nesting species. If these trees are not har-
vested commercially or by firewood cutters,
they may become high-quality nest trees.

The following mitigations would be imple-
mented to minimize loss of pileated wood-
pecker nesting habitat:

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-ilV-lt)

all hazardous and nonhazardous (accord-
ing to OSHA guidelines) high-value
western larch snags would be retained and
protected during the logging operation;
clumps of larger grand fir would be re-
tained to provide nesting habitat;
large (over 18" dbh) western larch that
possess characteristics indicating they
would become high-value snags in the
future would be retained.

COMMON LOON

No-Action Alternative

Roads would not be obliterated and motorized
vehicle access along these lakes would remain.

Action Alternatives A and B "^ tRf -rdsli >

Segments of road near or alongside Beaver,
Little Beaver, Woods, Dollar, and Murray lakes
would be obliterated; therefore, motorized
vehicle traffic along these lakes would de-
crease. Obliterating the roads should decrease
disturbance to loons to some degree and may
result in long-term improved water quality
near the shoreline, which may improve feed-
ing habitat.

Four new cabinsite leases are proposed for the
north end of Murray Lake, furthest from the
area determined to provide the best loon
nesting habitat on the lake. Whether the
potential nesting habitat quality would de-
crease for loons is hard to predict. At present,
recreationists, who sometimes leave garbage,
create noise, and may harass or unintention-
ally disturb the loons, use the lake. The
cabinsite lessees may adopt a "caretaker"
attitude toward the loons and help decrease
disturbances. However, boating activity may
increase with the lessees' more frequent
occupation of the lake. Educational materials
would be distributed to cabinsite lessees in the
Beaver Lake area to encourage them to help
protect the loons and their habitat.

BIG GAME SPECIES

ELK

• Habitat

Calving grounds

No- Action Alternative

The No-Action Alternative would result in
existing small openings filling in with
natural regeneration, resulting in fewer
preferred open calving sites.

Action Alternatives A and B

Since calving is dispersed throughout the
area, operations from the action alterna-
tives would not disturb any concentrations
of animals. There is also abundant cover
in the area and it would continue to be
abundant after completion of the project.
There would be fewer miles of open roads
that displace elk and additional new, small
openings in selectively logged units that
elk would gravitate to for calving.
Postharvest calving habitat would be
improved.

The new cabinsite leases would be close to
Murray Lake, where recreational use
already displaces elk.

Winter range and thermal cover

No- Action Alternative

The project area has a great amount of
regeneration. The No-Action Alternative
would result in this suppressed, or soon-
to-be suppressed, regeneration slowly
forming improved snow interception and
thermal capabilities.

Action Alternatives A and B

Logging would reduce winter thermal
cover on elk winter range by only 13 acres,
reducing thermal cover from the current
38% to 35% of the 472-acre winter range.
The sale units generally avoid elk winter

W-12r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

range. This is within DNRC's suggested,
but not mandated, goal of providing
thermal cover on 25% of the winter range.

All of the existing thermal cover occurs in
blocks of 20 acres or larger. This cover
would continue to be well connected and
well distributed on the winter range.

The proposed cabinsites are not on elk
winter range. However, the cabins may
become bases for family snowmobile
recreation; therefore, and snowmobiling on
the nearby elk winter range could increase.
Since there would be additional lessees at
the new cabinsites, another anticipated
impact would be from the potential in-
crease of dogs. It is fairly likely that one or
more lessees would have unrestrained
dog(s). Big game are displaced from
habitat and physically stressed by snow-
mobiles and dogs, and if snow conditions
are favorable for it, some dogs may kill
wintering big game. DNRC would at-
tempt to rrunimize the use of snowmobiles
on closed roads by posting road closures
and planting trees on obliterated roads,
and minimize damage to the winter range
by free-ranging dogs by posting informa-
tive signs.

Habitat effectiveness

No- Action Alternative

The No- Action Alternative would result in
continued high densities of open roads and
large amounts of hiding cover. Only 6% of
the area currently has road densities less
than 1 mile per square mile, and 97.5% of
the nonlake area provides hiding cover.
The current open-road density of 2.88
miles per square mile results in an elk
habitat effectiveness of 39% of its potential
(Lyon 1983). bam la

Action Alternatives A and B

Hiding cover would still be ample after
logging, when it is reduced to 87% of the ;
nonlake area in the project area. There
would be more miles of road after both
alternatives, but fewer miles of open road,
and more of the area (11%) with low open-
road densities (less than 1 mile per square
mile).

Alternative A would have 5.5 miles more
in total roads, but 4.0 miles less in open
roads, and an average open-road density
of 2.30 miles per square mile. Open-road
densities would change elk habitat effec-
tiveness from the current 39% to 46% of its
potential.

TABLE IV-2 - SUMMARY OF ROAD DENSITIES AND RESULTING ELK HABITAT
EFFECTIVENESS

r/i-

ALTERNATIVES

Action A

Action B

No-Action ^

Miles of open road (open to public travel)

15.7

14.6

19.7

Total road miles

25.2

23.9

19.7

Average density of open roads (miles per square
mile)

2.30

2.13

2.88

; Average density of total roads (miles per square
i mile)

3.68 .

3.49

2.88

Proportion of project area exceeding 1 mile per
square mile of open-road density

89%

89%

!

94% 1

Proportion of project area exceeding 2 mile per
square mUe of open-road density

91%

91%

80%

! Elk habitat effectiveness

46%

47%

39%

! Acreage meeting Hillis Paradigm

0

0

0

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

llV-13)

Alternative B will result in 4.2 nules more
of total roads, but 5.1 miles less of open
roads, and an average open-road density
of 2.13 miles per square mile. These open-
road densities would result in elk habitat
effectiveness changing from the current
' 39% of potential to 47%.

Although there is some improvement in
■« habitat effectiveness for much of the year
with both action altemahves, including
hunting season, it is likely that snowmo-
i bile use would occur on the slight increase

of roads within the winter range thermal
'■■: cover.

The proposed cabinsites are near current
centers of recreational activity and should
not appreciably affect habitat effectiveness
as measured by open roads or loss of
hiding cover.

• Hunting Objectives

No-AcnoN Alternative

The No- Action Alternative would allow
open-road densities to continue at a high
level and hiding cover to cover most of the
landscape. The elk populahon would
remain fairly vulnerable to exploitation
* because of the amount of access.

Action Alternatives A and B

The proposed project is probably slightly
beneficial for DFWP's elk goals. Open-road
density would be reduced slightly, while
hiding cover would continue to dominate
the project area. This would be favorable
for the population. To some degree,
closures for snowmobiles would probably
offset the increase in total roads on the
winter range.

Cabinsites may affect elk populations
indirectiy by serving as originating points
for snowmobile recreation on their winter
range. - ^---

nm

'^'>i

• Bull Elk Vulnerability

No-AcnoN Alternative

The No- Action Alternative would result in
a continuation of high vulnerability
because of the amount of access to hunters
and the high density of open road.

Action Alternatives A and B

An analysis of security cover fitting the
Hillis Paradigm (forest cover blocks .5
miles or farther from roads and 250 acres
or larger in size) indicates that after road
cor\struction and logging, the area would
continue to fail to provide areas fitting the
criteria for blocks of cover that can provide
quality security areas during hunting
season. The existing 80-acre amount that
has cover that is beyond the .5 mile
distance from roads would be expanded to
83 acres for Alternative A and 2 areas
totaling 218 acres for Alternative B. The
potential for elk security would continue
to be reduced by the large amount of road
access in the area.

Patches of cover in the project area would
still be continuous, except for the open
roads causing their subdivision.

Cabinsite leases would not affect bull elk
vulnerability except indirectly by
potentially serving as hunting camps that
may attract more hunters to the area.

MULE DEER

No- Action Alternative

The No- Action Alternative would allow
thermal cover to continue at current levels.
Currently, winter thermal cover is 34% or 291
acres of mule deer winter range.

Action Alternatives A and B

Winter range is the primary concern for
managing mule deer habitat. Mule deer
would be affected in similar ways to that of
elk, including the extra energy drain from
snowmobile-induced movement in snow.

W^ir

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

They are not so easily displaced by traffic on
open roads as elk. The mule deer winter range
is restricted to 591 acres south of Beaver Lake
and overlaps the elk w^inter range. The current
winter thermal cover existing on 34% (291
acres) of the winter range would be reduced to
31% (183 acres) under Alternatives A and B,
the action alternatives. This cover is well
cormected and well distributed on the winter
range. {See Figure III-IO, Mule Deer Winter
Range Map).

The new cabinsite leases would have a similar
effect on mule deer as on elk.

WHITE-TAILED DEER

No-AcnoN Alternative

The No-Action Alternative would allow
thermal cover to continue at current levels.
Thermal cover would improve slowly in the
future.

iBriiiqr.

Action Alternatives A and B

Since winter range for white-tailed deer is the
most critical element for maintaining healthy
populations and thermal cover is reduced by
the action alternatives, some effect on the
population in the short term is likely. Thermal
cover of the 3,076-acre winter range would be
reduced under both action alternatives to 35%
from the current 44%; 1,221 acres would be in
patches 40 acres or larger, a loss of 51 acres in
such patches. Usable winter range would
continue to be well distributed and well
connected under both alternatives. Hiding
cover would still be ample after logging, when
it is reduced to 87% of the nonlake area in the
project area. Increased tree vigor would allow
new thermal cover to develop at a fast pace
after the initial setback. {See Figure III-ll,
White-tailed Deer Winter Range Map).

Alternative B was designed to accommodate a
concern by one or more residents that white-
tailed deer breeding habitat might be impacted
by a segment of road planned through thick
cover near Woods Lake. Although white-
tailed deer are known to frequent heavy cover
for bedding (Peek 1984), there is no known

body of scientific work correlating
reproductive rates with quantity of thick,
breeding-season cover is known. Diversity of
cover, however, has been proposed as an
important component of white-tailed deer
habitat in northwest Montana (Mundinger
1981).

As with elk and mule deer, more cabinsites
may affect white-tailed deer populations ^^
slightly through indirect means.

OTHER
OSPREY

All Alternatives

No DNRC harvest activities are proposed near
the 2 occupied osprey nests located southeast
of Beaver Lake; these nests should not be jry
affected by the proposed project. No other
occupied osprey nests have been observed
within the project area in 1998. Because ''^'"^
osprey use a wide variety of structures for
nesting, and tree species and surrounding tree
density do not affect nest site selection, future
nesting opportunities would not be
compromised by the proposed project.

WATER QUALITY AND
FISHERIES

This section discloses the anticipated effects to
water resources within the affected environ-
ment from proposed activities. Table IV-3
displays road and harvesting information by
alternative. i

Primary concerns related to aquatic resources
within the affected environment:

potential cumulative impacts to water
quality and fisheries from past and pro-
posed activities; K-^ i
effects to SMZs, including coarse woody
debris recruitment; and,
indirectly, impacts to fishing from changes
in the transportation plan (resfrictions,
obliteration).

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

iiy-15

Table IV-3 - Proposed Activities by Alternative

ALTERNATIVE

M4BF

TREATED
AC3<ES

NEW ROAD

CONSTRUCTION

(MILES)

ROAD

OBLITERATION

(MILES)

ROAD

RECONSTRUCTION

(MILES)

ROAD
CONSTRUCTION
R/W ACCESS*

1 A -Action

4.5

1,130

8.3

5.6

11.8

1.5

B - Action

4.5

1,130

7.9

5.7

9.8

1.5

No Action

0

0

0

0

0

0

* Potential new road construction m miles

In order to address these issues, the following
parameters are analyzed by alternative:

coarse woody debris recruitment
water yield increases __li''-7

fine sediment production

COARSE WOODY DEBRIS
RECRUITMENT

BACKGROUND

■■&J T9'v«5>*: to

Coarse woody debris is an important physical
and biological component of forested streams
. and lakes. Numerous studies have docu-
mented coarse woody debris as an important
source of habitat for salmonid fish populations
in forested streams (Sedell et al., 1984; Bisson
et al., 1987). One of the key functions of coarse
woody debris with regard to fish production
in streams and lakes is to increase habitat
complexity. In stream systems, this helps
ensure that cover and suitable habitat can be
found over a wide range of flows and climatic
conditions.

Decreased levels of instream and recruitable
coarse woody debris can result in a reduction
in both the number and area of pools, which,
in turn, may affect juvenile salmonid abun-
dance and /or species age-class distribution
(Beechie and Sibley, 1977). Typically, logging
of riparian forest corridors reduces the rate of
coarse woody debris recruitment in a stream
for several decades. Depletion of instream
coarse woody debris continues during the
period of little or no recruitment, resulting in a
net decline in coarse woody debris abundance
for several decades (Grette 1985) and sus-
; tained low amounts of coarse woody debris
between 50 and 100 years after logging f i

(Murphy and Koski 1989).

Coarse woody debris also serves very similar
functions in lakes. Over time, standing dead
snags and live trees are recruited to the littoral
(nearshore environment) zone and begin to
create cover, habitat, and areas of refugia for
competing fish species.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

No timber harvesting and related activities
would be conducted under this alternative.
Recreational activities would continue along
road segments located adjacent to sensitive
lakeshore riparian areas. Indirectly, this would
have a continued effect on riparian vegetation
and, potentially, levels of recruitable coarse
woody debris to lakes within the affected
environment. In addition, access to these areas
would promote more intensive firewood
cutting and gathering. This would most likely
have a long-term effect on recruitable levels by
reducing available standing snags and down
woody debris.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The anticipated effects of the proposed activi-
ties are not expected to reduce current and
future levels of recruitable coarse woody
debris to lakes within the affected environ-
ment. Due to wildhfe and aquatic values
associated with riparian corridors within the
analysis area, timber harvesting would be
deferred in riparian corridors under both
action alternatives, with the following excep-
tions:

• As disclosed in Chapter II, analysis of the
effects of creating additional cabinsites on
Murray Lake was suggested by the Beaver
Lake Collaborative. Implementation of

* this portion of the proposal would result in
some timber harvesting along the north

'mi6r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

shoreline of Murray Lake. In order to
reduce impacts to woody debris recruit-
ment, deferring harvesting within one site-
potential tree distance of the lakeshore
(recruitable zone) is recommended. How-
ever, if trees were to be removed from this
zone, the consequence would be a minor
departure from natural levels of woody
debris recruitment. The cumulative effects
of this action would be insignificant due to
the undeveloped nature of Murray Lake.

• Several Beaver Lake cabinsite leaseholders
requested that DRNC analyze the effects of
removing hazard trees and reducing
ladder fuels within the vicinity of the
cabinsites. This would result in the selec-
tion of subdominant tree species (under-
story component) and have no effect on
the larger trees that are most likely to be
recruited to the Beaver Lake nearshore
zone. As a result, the cumulative effects of
this action would be very minor.

As disclosed in Chapter III, Beaver Creek is the
only perennial stream within the analysis area.
Beaver Creek flows through private land. As a
result, implementation of either action alterna-
tive would not affect existing or future levels
of coarse woody debris recruitment to Beaver
Creek.

WATER YIELD

POTENTIAL ISSUES

The effects of forest management activities on
water yield have been extensively studied in a
number of experimental watersheds. These

studies have demonstrated that removing
forest cover increases water yield and that the
magnitude of this increase is proportional to
the amount of vegetation removed and also on
water availability (Rothacher 1970, Reinhard et
al., 1963). Water yield increases have the
potential to affect downstream beneficial uses
by increasing the magnitude, frequency, and
timing of channel-altering discharges (peak
flow). The watershed response to increased
water yields may potentially include channel
destabilization, decreased instieam habitat
and cover, and loss of dynamic equilibrium.
Djmamic equilibrium is considered a balance
achieved when a stream's energy is at a level
that allows sediment loads entering it to equal
those leaving it.

"^CS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

-toig oJ

No timber harvesting, road construction, or
road improvement activity would be con-
ducted under this alternative. Existing forest
crown levels would continue to increase. The
No-Action Alternative would not directly
affect water yield.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The potential for increasing water yield is not
considered a hydrologic concern based on
existing levels of forest crown cover, lack of
defined surface drainage throughout the entire
project area, and the low annual basin precipi-
tation. Although both action alternatives
would result in a detectable increase in annual
water yield, values for anticipated water yield
increase (WYI) and equivalent clearcut acres
(ECA) are well below their recommended
ranges (see Table IV-4).

Table IV-4 -

Anticipated Increases In Annual Water Yield*

WATERSHED

EXISTING

wyi

(%)

EXISTING
ECA

ACTION

ALTERNATIVES

WYI (%)

ACTION

ALTERNATIVES

ECA

ADDITIONAL

ALLOWABLE

ECA

PERCENT OF

WATERSHED ECA

CONDITION

Murray
Lake

3.7

235

5.5

346
(+111 acres)

7V>

3.7

Boyle
Lake

0.8

41.0

6.4

326
(+285 acres)

41.0

0.8

Beaver
Lake

4.4

285

6.6

494
(+209 acres)

285

4.4

Thomberg
Lake

1.6

32.0

2.0

42.0
(+10 acres)

32.0

1.6

'Implementation of the Action Alternatives would result in approximately 16 equivalent clearcut
(-1% of the total watershed area). As a result, the proposed activities would not result in detectal
there would be no cumulative effects to water resources.

acres (ECA) in the
lie increases in annu

Sh/les Lake watershed
al water yield and

^Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

nv-m

The hydrologic characteristics of the Beaver
Lake analysis area mitigates the effects of
ir\creased water yield resulting from both
^ natural and human-caused changes in the
* forest crown cover. As described in Chapter
III, the numerous pothole lakes are recharged
through groundwater inflow and outflow;
surface contribution from perennial and
intermittent streams is negligible. Field
review of these drainages revealed that these
features are nonscoured and ephemeral.
Consequently, they experience surface runoff
very infrequently and are not capable of
transporting upland-produced sediment to the
lake basins. To ensure protection of these
' features, SMZs and equipment restriction
zones would be applied in areas most sensitive
to ground-disturbing activities.

FINE-SEDIMENT
PRODUCTION

BACKGROUND

Land management activities, such as road
construction, livestock grazing, and timber
harvesting, can potentially increase levels of
fine-sediment delivery to streams and lakes if
not properly designed and mitigated. Numer-
ous studies have documented the effects of
suspended sediments on beneficial uses and
s salmonid fishes (MacDonald 1991, Cordone
and Kelly 1961, Sorensen et al., 1977). The

primary effects are:

i>

iihf\ acting directly on free-living fish, either by
killing them, by reducing their growth rate
or resistance to disease, or both;
^^r '' interfering with the development of eggs
and larvae; <^* ' '

modifying natural movements and migra-
tions of fish; and

reducing the abundance of food organisms
available to the fish, such as aquatic inver-
tebrates and periphyton (Newcombe et al.
1991).

Increased levels of fine-sediment deposition
have also been correlated with survival-to-
^ emergence success of developing salmonid fry
(Stowell et al. 1983, Young et al. 1990). Fry

survival-to-emergence rates is 80-90% when
fine sediments constitute less than 10% of a
redd; the rate drops to 15-55% when fines
exceed 30% (Rhinne and Neary, 1991).

TIMBER HARVEST UNITS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

No timber-harvesting activities would occur,
therefore, no fine-sediment production would
occur.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Soil erosion from timber harvest units and
exposed soils occurs where the organic litter
layers have been removed and water accumu-
lates and flows. The areas most prone to
erosion include skid trails, landings, firelines,
and roads; however, off-site sediment delivery
can occur from harvest units as well. As water
concentrates and flows, energy is generated to
detach soil particles, initiating the erosion
process. Removal of duff and litter layers
increases erosion potential in the presence of
increased water and overland flow. Forest
organic matters, both living and dead, are
important in controlling soil erosion. Exces-
sive removal of vegetation, especially on steep
sideslopes with erodible soil types, has the
potential to increase erosion.

The type of harvest method utilized can
mitigate erosion from timber harvest units. In
general, ground-based operations have the
potential to cause more localized impacts to
soils within harvest units and skid trails than
cable and helicopter yarding methods. Com-
paction and displacement are most likely to
occur on landings, temporary roads, and skid
trails. Designation of skid trails and imple-
mentation of appropriate BMPs through
enactment of the Timber Sale Contract clauses
can be used to reduce the occurrence and
severity of soil compaction and displacement
in both action alternatives. In addition, imple-
mentation of SMZs and equipment restriction
zones would be used in sensitive areas to filter
sediment derived from harvesting activities in
the units. Nonchannelized flow from units
would be controlled through the application of

^^■{IV-18'r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

specific BMPs aimed at reducing excessive
runoff (see Soils analysis).

ROADS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Road improvements would be contingent
upon the availability of Forest Improvement
(FI) road maintenance funds. Segments of
some roads may be brushed and /or graded to
improve sight distances and road surfaces; on
a short-term basis, the driveability of these
road segments would be improved. However,
those road segments deemed high risk to
water quality would not be obliterated and
existing roads would not be upgraded to meet
minimum BMP standards. As a result, exist-
ing sources of sediment to sensitive lakeshore
riparian areas and isolated wetlands would
continue to impair water quality and aquatic-
dependent resources in the analysis area.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A

Implementation of Alternative A would result
in the construction of approximately 8.3 miles
of new road. An additional 1.5 miles of con-
struction would be necessary to provide for
right-of-way access (see Table IV-5). New road
construction would incorporate BMPs aimed
at reducing off-site sediment delivery. Sensi-
tive wetland areas, draws, and isolated wet-
lands would be avoided where possible.
Approximately 4 to 6 acres of riparian corridor
would be disturbed and /or displaced to
accommodate new road construction in Sec-
tions 7 and 8 (continuation of North Beaver
Road). A year-round use restriction would be
applied to limit use through this area. Alterna-
tive A would reduce current open-road density
from 2.9 miles per square mile to 2.30 miles
per square mile.

The new road construction along the west
shoreline of Woods Lake would require blast-
ing and ripping. Approximately 1.0 acre of
riparian habitat would be displaced through j
construction. Recreational use may increase
due to an increase in vehicular traffic and
access. In order to reduce this potential, a
seasonal restriction would be implemented at
the southern access point and a permanent,
year-round restriction at the northern access
area.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

Approximately 7.9 miles of new road would
be constructed and an additional 9.8 miles
reconstructed to improve drainage and meet
other resource concerns. New road
construction would incorporate BMPs aimed
at reducing off-site sediment delivery.
Sensitive wetland areas, draws, and isolated
wetlands would be avoided where possible.
Approximately 4 to 6 acres of riparian corridor
would be disturbed and/or displaced to
accommodate new road construction in
Sections 7 and 8 (continuation of North Beaver
Lake Road). A year-round-use restriction
would be applied to limit use through this
area. Alternative B would reduce the current
open-road density from 2.9 miles per square
mile to 2.13 miles per square mile.

The road located adjacent to the east shore of
Woods Lake (identified for obliteration) would
remain open for the harvesting activities • •
scheduled in Sections 16 and 17 (Unit 14).
During hauling periods, a temporary erosion-
contiol fence would be installed to limit off-
site sediment delivery and side-casting into
Woods Lake. Depending on hauling condi-
tions, fence installation, and maintenance
quality, a slight increase in sediment delivery
may occur for a short period of time during

TABLE IV-5 - PROPOSED TRANSPORTATION ACTIVITIES BY ALTERNATIVE

ALTERNATIVE

NEW ROAD

CONSTRUCTION

(miles)

ROAD
OBLITERATION

(miles)

rUaS

RECONSTRUCTION
(miles)

ROAD

CONSTRUCTION RAV

ACCESS^

A - Action

8.3

5.6

11.8

1.5

B - Action

7.9

5.7

9.8

1.5

No Action

0

0

0

0

'Potential new road constTntction in miles.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-iN-19)

f :

hauling. Following harvesting, site-prepara-
tion, and hazard-reduction activities, this
segment would be obliterated using methods
described in Table IV-7 - Road Obliterations
(under Transportation System).

EFFECTS COMMON TO BOTH ACTION
ALTERNATIVES

• Road obliteration

Road segments considered to be a high
'" risk to water quality (as identified in
Chapter III) would be obliterated vmder
Alternatives A and B and greatly reduce
recreational use and lakeshore disturbance
*'>' in the analysis area. Based on the severity
of existing disturbance and desired future
use and condition of these areas, various
methods for obliteration would be applied
(see Table IV-7 - Road Obliterations under
Transportation System). Methods of closure
and obliteration include:

installation of barriers at road access
points,

placement of slash, rootwads, and
debris to discourage vehicular traffic,
ripping and seeding of road surface,
installation of surface drainage
(ditches, slash water bars), and
recontouring unstable cutslopes and
fillslopes.

While foot traffic and walk-in access may
be maintained in these areas, the expected
long-term benefits would be the reclama-
tion of approximately 4.0 miles of
lakeshore riparian habitat. This would
improve lake water quality through a long-
term reduction in sedimentation and
enhance nearshore habitat critical to many
aquatic-dependent wildlife species.

• Road reconstruction

Approximately 11.8 and 9.8 miles of road,
respectively, would be reconstructed to
improve drainage and meet other resource
requirements, such as safety and wildlife.
Reconstruction activities would incorpo-
rate improvements to ditch relief and

installation of drainage features, including
drive-through drain dips, relief culverts,
and flappers on grades in excess of 8%.
Roads with steeper grades and /or low
strength-bearing soils would be gravel
surfaced. The consequences of these
improvements would be to protect the
long-term integrity of isolated wetlands
and riparian corridors in the analysis area.
In addition, the removal of loop roads
would likely reduce recreational use in the
vicinity of the lakeshores.

• Equipment restriction zones/SMZs

Designation of 20 to 25 acres of SMZs and
equipment restriction zones is consistent
with both action alternatives. These areas
were identified based on their high sensi-
tivity to ground-disturbing activities. In
general, these areas represent zones of high
soil moisture, low rock content, and are
likely to support riparian vegetation and
sensitive plant species.

FISHERIES

The anticipated effect to the existing lake
fishery through implementation of an action
alternative is a general decrease in fishing
pressure due to changes in access. As noted,
several miles (-4.0) of existing lakeshore roads
would be obliterated and vehicle access would
be limited to numerous lake access points in
the analysis area. However, popular access
points would be maintained to provide for
public recreational and sport fishing opportu-
nities.

As described above, woody-debris-recruit-
ment levels would remain unchanged, with
the exception of areas that require thinning for
fire hazard reduction (existing Beaver Lake
lease sites) and potential cabin development
sites (Murray Lake). Due to the undeveloped
nature of these lakes, the anticipated effects
would be insignificant and have no effect on
fish populations and habitat.

iW-lOV

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

SOILS

DIRECT AND INDIRECT
EFFECTS ON SOIL
EROSION

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

No timber harvesting or road construction,
obliteration, or reconstruction activities would
be implemented in the Beaver Lake analysis
area. As a result, existing sediment sources
that are contributing to lake sedimentation
would continue to impair lake water quality
and reduce overall site productivity.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Ground-based equipment used for timber

harvesting and hazard reduction would cause

localized compaction to soils on skid trails

within harvest units. Severe compaction

would lower site productivity on landings,

main skid trails, and temporary roads. Soils in

these areas would most likely experience a

reduction in root penetration and water

infiltration.

I

BMPs would be implemented through enact-
ment of timber sale contract clauses. These
practices would be used to reduce the occur-
rence and severity of soil compaction in all
altemahves. Specific acres of various compac-
tion intensities are quantified in Table IV-6 by
displaying direct effects on soil productivity.

Erosion would most likely occur in areas
where water has the tendency to flow and
detach soil particles, such as skid trails,
landings, firelines, and roads. Removal of duff
layers through equipment operation would
accelerate erosion processes. The
implementation of appropriate, site-specific
BMPs would ensure adherence to soil-erosion
mitigation techniques aimed at reducing on-
site erosion. Specific measures include
scarification and revegetation of disturbed

areas.

'iuniii

Both action alternatives, through implementa-
tion of site-specific BMPs, are not expected to
produce or transport high levels of sediment
downslope. Riparian buffers around lakes and
sensitive wetland areas would be delineated to
provide for sediment filtration.
Nonchannelized flow from imits would be
controlled through the application of specific
BMPs aimed at reducing excessive runoff.

DIRECT AND INDIRECT
EFFECTS TO SOIL
COMPACTION AND
DISPLACEMENT

A comparison of potential direct effects (com-
paction and displacement) from proposed
management activities by alternative is dis-
played in Table IV-6.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

No measurable direct or indirect effects on soil
displacement and compaction would occur
within the analysis area. ... , , „

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Soil surface layers would be displaced during
excavator piling and skidding on landings,
firelines, new temporary roads, and skid trails.
The total area affected by surface disturbance
is quantified in Table IV-6.

Monitoring on the adjacent Flathead and
Idaho Panhandle National Forests indicates
the following assumptions can be reasonably
made when predicting the extent of s

detrimental effects from timber harvesting on
soil productivity in the analysis area:

• In road construction, an average of 3.5
acres per mile would be disturbed and
have greatly reduced site productivity.
The specific acreage varies based on slope
steepness. Due to new road construction.
Alternatives A and B would permanently

i reduce site quality on approximately 24
acres.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

iN-2D

• Logging with ground-based equipment
would have low to moderate impact on
soil productivity from compacting and
displacing soils. Approximately 220 acres
(20%) within the treated area would
receive moderate to high compaction
resulting from ground-based skidding
operations, landings, and temporary skid
trails.

• Hazard reduction with excavators would
have a moderate impact through
displacement on 15% of the area
(approximately 147 acres).

The assumptions listed above, used to calcu-
late impacts to soil productivity, are based on

the Kootenai National Forest's soil scientists'
personal experiences and relevant research
articles (Dryness, 1965; Froehlich, 1973;
Hatchell et al., 1970; Klock, 1975; Nielsen-
Gerhard t, 1986; Steinbrenner and Gessel,
1955). A comparison of potential direct effects
from management activities is displayed in
Table IV-6.

Due to Unit 10 being located in a wet, low-
lying area, winter logging is recommended,
order to reduce soil disturbance, activities
would occur when soils within the unit are
frozen or covered with a deep snowpack
(more than 12 inches).

In

TABLE IV-6 - DIRECT EFFECTS ON SOIL PRODUCTIVITY BY ALTERNATIVE

TYPE OF
EFFECT*

NO-ACTION

ACTION

ACTION

ALTERNATIVE

ALTERNATIVE

ALTERNATIVE

A

B

L ROADS

a) Acres lost to production by road construction

0.0

24.9

23.5

n. TRACTOR HARVESTING

a) Acres affected by ground-based machinery
(summer only). Regeneration units.

Total Acreage Managed by Tractor

1. Multiply by .175 =(acres with low impact)

2. Multiply by .10 ={acres with moderate
impact)

3. Multiply by .075 =(acres with high impact)

610

61.0

610

61.0

b) Acres affected by ground-based machinery.
Intermediate/thinrung units.

1. Multiply by .035 = (acres with low impact)

2. Multiply by .020 = (acres with moderate
impact)

3. Multiply by .015 = (acres with high impact)

0.0

496

9.92

496

9.92

c) Acres affected by over-snow operations (winter
tractor - all activities)

1. Multiply by .10 = (acres with moderate
impact)

0.0

24

2.4

24

2.4

III. HAZARD REDUCTION/SITE PREPARATION

a) Total acreage affected by ground-based equipment
(dozer/excavator)

b) Acres moderately affected by excavator /dozer

(multiply by .15)

0.0

981
147.2

981

147.2

IV. TOTALS

a) Acres with greatly reduced site quality (sum of la,
Iia3, IIb3)

b) Acres with some reduction in site quality (sum of
IIa2, IIb2, IIcl, Illb)

0.0

24.9
220.6

23.5
220.6

* Includes compaction and displacement

IV-22r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

NUTRIENT CYCLING

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Nitrogen levels, soil erosion, structure, and
absorption rates on uplands and timber har-
vest units would continue to exist at current
levels as surface organic matter is continu-
ously deposited and allowed to decay. Over
time, due to the suppression of wildfires
within the analysis area, soil nutrient levels
would slightly decrease when compared to
natural levels.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Disturbance to surface soil layers would
reduce the amount of nutrients available on
treated acres. The prescribed retention of 10 to
15 tons per acre of down coarse woody mate-
rial following logging would ensure an ad-
equate supply of organic matter for replenish-
ment of lost nutrients.

TRANSPORTATION

SAFETY

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Safety on existing roads may be improved
depending upon funding with the Forest
Improvement (FI) road maintenance funds.
Segments of some roads may be brushed and/
or graded to improve sight distances and road
surfaces; on a short-term basis, the driveability
of these road segments would be improved.

The vertical and horizontal alignment of the
roads would not change; therefore, sight
distance over hills and around curves would
still be limited. A few additional turnouts may
be incorporated during maintenance activities,
but overall safety would be minimally im-
proved.

\fW6doicf bluer/

COMMON TO ACTION
ALTERNTIVES A AND B

-"t«>Jd5^i*j 9/!* 9V6ii biur»w bfeoH "KrvsoQ rfttoM
Sight distances would be increased on existing
and proposed roads by brushing and clearing
the right-of-way along the sides of the roads.
Brushing and clearing would be increased to
an average of 8' from the edge of the roads.
Sight distances would also be improved
through the final road design and location by
increasing the curve radius to eliminate sharp
curves and reducing road grades to eliminate
blind spots over the rises in the road.

The number of turnouts and their sizes would
be increased on existing roads; an adequate
amount of turnouts would be incorporated
into the design of the new roads. Both action
alternatives would help facilitate the safe
meeting and passing of vehicles on the road
system. e \. cv^U ^et-tion (&i

The road surface on open roads would be
improved by removing large rocks and chuck
holes, applying a gravel surface in selected
areas, and installing surface-drainage features.
These improvements would improve both the
safety and provide for maintainability.

Additional safety-related matters common to
Alternatives A and B include the design of
several intersections. Those intersections at
the North Beaver /South Beaver roads and the
North Beaver /North Murray roads would
have better visibility for oncoming traffic. The
intersections would be signed to give motor-
ists clear direction on who has right-of-way.

The existing cul-de-sac where the Beaver Lake
Road (county) enters State ownership would
be enlarged and improved to allow snow-
plows and other road-maintenance machinery
to turn around. Additional parking area
would be created at the cul-de-sac for
recreationists; a new information sign at the
entrance could be erected if funding was J,^
available.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A

In addition to the common mitigations and
effects of the action alternatives. Alternative A

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-{iy-23)

would design an intersection where the "lease
road" junctions with North Beaver Road.
North Beaver Road would have the right-of-
way, and the sight distance would be adequate
for safe turning.

The sight distance on open roads tends to be
more critical than on closed-road systems. It is
anticipated that approximately 4 sites on the
open roads would have a curve radius of less
than 65 feet. Rainbow Spur would have 2
curves. North Beaver would have 1 curve just
south of Woods Lake, and the road into Dollar
Lake would have 1.

Winter driving on snow and ice would make
negotiating long, extended 6% road grades
slightly difficult. Short pitches of road at 7%
would minimally increase driving difficulty
under winter conditions.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

The sight distance on open roads tends to be
more critical than on closed system roads.
Approximately 4 sites on the open roads
would have a curve radius of less than 65'.
The proposed new construction on North
Murray Road would have two of these curves,
as would an existing road segment of North
Murray Road.

Winter driving on snow and ice would make
negotiating long, extended 6% road grades
slightly difficult. Segments of road steeper
than 7% would increase driving difficulty
under winter conditions. During log-hauling
operations, the steeper segments of road may
need to be temporarily closed to the public to
prevent conflicts.

ACCESS

Both action alternatives contain a transporta-
tion system plan designed to incorporate the
items and philosophies listed in Chapter II,
under Transportation.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Under the No-Action Alternative, basic access
to State ownership would still be in place.

Additional access points to adjacent owner-
ships would not occur under this alternative.
Individual requests for permanent or tempo-
rary access could be analyzed under separate
environmental documents in the future.

COMMON TO ACTION
ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The State would still have one access point to
all State lands within the project area.

Feasible access points would be available to
private and corporate landowners through
Section 28 to the south and to private lands in
Sections 7 and 8 to the north. These access
points would be the same take-off points in
both alternatives. Private landowners would
need to build segments of road to cormect
their property to the State's trar\sportation
system.

Private landowner costs to access their prop-
erty would not only include the cost of road
construction, but also various rights-of-way
charges and road maintenance fees. The State
has done preliminary cost estimates on these
road segments, which are available at the
Stillwater Unit headquarters at Olney.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A

Access routes to adjacent landowners in
Sections 7 and 8 can be seen on the Beaver Lake
Proposed Road Plan Map for Alternative A in
Chapter II.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

Access routes to adjacent landowners in
Sections 7 and 8 can be seen on the Beaver Lake
Proposed Road Plan Map for Alternative B,
Chapter IL

COSTS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Roads would continue to depreciate in value.
Maintenance and eniergency-repair costs
would probably increase in order to keep the

IV-24r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

main road system functional. Maintenance
costs of deteriorating spur roads could become
prohibitive, which would result in roads being
closed or being allowed to naturally brush in
and wash out.

COMMON TO ACTION
ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The value of roads in either of the transporta-
tion plans would increase through design,
location, and standards proposed for the
reconstruction or new road construction of
roads. The maintainability of roads would
increase, reducing the cost of future road
maintenance. Managing the use of roads by
implementing seasonal and permanent road
restrictions would reduce the maintenance
frequency on the road system.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A

The estimated cost to build and reconstruct the
20.05 miles of road proposed is $281,100. The
estimated costs for obliteration of approxi-
mately 5.6 miles of road is $26,274.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

rr-^n-:

The estimated cost of building and recon-
structing 17.6 miles of roads proposed is
$227,600. The estimated costs for obliteration
of approximately 5.7 miles of road is $26,370.

ROAD USES

NO- ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Although some restrictions on roads may be
implemented by installing gates or other
barriers if FI road maintenance funds are
available, the current types and amounts of
road uses would probably remain the same.
At this time, the miles of road open to motor-
ized vehicle traffic, approximately 19.7 miles,
would remain the same. The types of vehicles
using the various standards of existing roads
would remain the same. (Under the SFLMP's
Record of Decision, the State has authorization
to install temporary or permanent road clo-
sures.)

COMMON TO ACTION
ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Uses of roads would be managed through
seasonal and permanent road restrictions and
the obliteration of certain road segments. All
roads would be closed by gates during spring
breakup when roads are soft or excessively
wet. Permanent gates or barricades would be
installed on portions of the road system to
restrict year-round motorized use, except for
administrative purposes.

The road development maps in Chapter II
display the road segments proposed for
obliteration and reclamation. A general de-
scription of 4 levels of obliteration and the
locations of those segments may be found in
Table IV-7 - Road Obliterations. The approxi-
mate miles of road that would be affected can
be found in the Costs section (above) for each
alternative.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A ' I

The Road Development Map for Alternative A
(Chapter II) displays locations of seasonal and
permanent road-restriction gates or barriers;
also displayed are segments of road with
restricted use. Approximately 9.5 miles of
road would have year-round restricted use,
and an additional 15.7 miles would be season-
ally restricted.

ALTERNATIVE B

r

The Road Development Map for Alternative B
(Chapter II) displays the locations of seasonal
and permanent road-restriction gates or
barriers; also displayed are the segments of
road with restricted use. Approximately 9.3
miles of road would have restricted use year-
round, and an additional 14.6 miles would be
seasonally restricted.

An additional .1 mile of existing road would
be obliterated at the Level I specifications.
This would occur within Unit 6 of the harvest
area on the Rainbow Spur Road to eliminate a
potential loop road.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-ijy-25]

Temporary erosion-control measures would be
applied to the road along the east shoreline of
Woods Lake to perform harvesting activities in
Unit 14. Following harvesting, site prepara-

tion, and hazard reduction, this road segment
would be obliterated as described in Table IV-7
- Road Obliterations.

TABLE IV-7 - ROAD OBLITERATIONS

METHODS OF

EXPECTED/PLANNED 11

PURPOSE

CLOSURE/OBLITERATION

EXCLUSION OF USES i

1 OBUTERATION LEVEL I

1 • East of Murray

Eliminate use of old skid

Irwtall water bars.

This would not be accessible to

Lake

trails with grades in
excess of 25%.

Place slash/debris on old road

motorized use.

• Northwest of

Woods Lake

lol-ymt' :Os<ni S:

surfaces.

Sow grass seed.

Some skid trails/roads could be
reused as skid trails in the
future.

• Various places over
the entire project

area (most not

i

shown on map)

1

ll OBLITERATION LEVEL II

1

• Loop road aroimd

Close loop road.

Install barriers.

Provide walk-in access on .25 11

Murray Lake

mile from end of lease road to 1

Provide only walk-in

Rip road surfaces.

Little Beaver. H

access to lakeshore.

'AB'

1

except for road to new

Sow grass seed.

Provide walk-in only on north

cabii\site leases.

Place scattered slash/stumps

shore of Woods Lake.

• First .25 mile of

Provide only walk-in

road from leases to

access to some

on old road surfaces.

Little Beaver Lake

lakeshores.

Provide for surface drainage.

• North shore of

Woods Lake

OBLITERATION LEVEL III ll

• West shoreline of

Protect water quality

Install barriers.

Access would not be available

Little Beaver Lake

and lakeshore riparian
areas.

Rip road surfaces.

to motorized vehicles and may
be difficult for foot traffic

North shoreline of

Beaver Lake

''.! if,nmi->i>

In places, pull back road edges

along these segments.

• East shoreline of

Woods Lake "

¥fTT

and imstable cutbanks.

Sow grass seed.

Place heavy slash/stumps on
old road surfaces.

• North shoreline of
Dollar Lake

• Road segment in
Section 29

Provide for surface drainage.

OBLITERATION LEVEL IV

• Steep section north

Management of loop

InstaU rock barriers.

Access would not be available

of Little Beaver

roads, protect water
quality, and meet BMPs.

Recontour road surface by

to motorized vehicles and
would be very difficult for foot 11

1 • Short section south

of Dollar Lake

pulling back road edges and
unstable banks.

traffic.

• Loop road in the

north half of

Section 18

■ ji'U ")pt

Sow with grass seed.

Place heavy slash and stumps
on old road siufaces.

ifirtnsS'

Provide for siuiace drainage.

**See effects of Alternative B.

W-26r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Mitigation measures to be applied:

• All harvesting activities, including site
preparation and hazard reduction, would
be accomplished in one season.

• A sediment-control fence v^^ould be in-
stalled and maintained along the shoreline
of Woods Lake.

LOCATION AND
STANDARDS OF ROADS

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

• All existing roads would remain in their
current location.

• The standards would remain the same or
continue to deteriorate.

• Roads would continue to be a potential
source of sediment delivery to lakes.

• The existing level of maintenance and
emergency repairs would not be sufficient
to meet minimum BMPs.

COMMON TO ACTION
ALTERNATIVES A AND B

All roads remaining in use after the timber sale
would be part of a long-term transportation
plan. Loop roads on State ownership would
be eliminated. Most roads in draw bottoms
would be relocated or improved to meet BMP
standards. Most roads having steep grades
would be eliminated from the transportation
plan.

All roads would be constructed to meet at
least minimum BMPs. Generally, this would
be accomplished by:

• improving surface drainage through the
installation of more:

ditched road segments,
cross drain culverts, and
drive-through dips, and

• graveling road segments that have steeper
grades and /or low-bearing-strength soils.

Management of road use would be accom-
plished by installing gates on the main road
systems and rock, berm, and debris closures
on the side roads. Turnarounds with parking
sites available would be designed into the road
system at most closures (see Beaver Lake Pro-
posed Road Plan Maps, Chapter 11). »•' t

The road's improved driving surface would
result in more of the open road system being
accessible to cars and pickups. ■•ai

It?;t;.
Although the standards of the main roads ^**
would be improved, none of the roads would
be designed to meet the minimum standards
required by Flathead Coimty under their
subdivision rules. As an example, minimum
subdivision rules require a 20-foot road with 2-
foot shoulders and a surface for use in all
seasons (personal communication with Tom Jentz,
Flathead County Planner). B.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE A o i sriT

The road location and design would result in a
maintainable road system that could be up-
graded to higher standards. Approximately
7.2 miles of road could be upgraded to a i«;
primary or secondary road to improve safe,
year-round access to all comers of the project
area. These roads include South Beaver Road,
North Beaver Road to the north end of Woods
Lake, and North Murray Road to the center of
Section 18. The location, design, and up-
graded standards of roads could accommodate
year-round uses, such as recreational, private
land access, and commercial timber-product
hauling, and may possibly meet the minimum
subdivision requirements for limited subdivi-
sions.

The road standards would generally have
grades 6% or less, with a few pitches of 7%. x
With 4 exceptions, the curve radius would
generally be 65' or more. These curves would
accommodate lowboy tiailers hauling road-
building, logging, and fire equipment to the '|
south end of Beaver Lake, north of Woods
Lake, and to the center of Section 18.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-^-n)

Road locations for the proposed transportation
plan needs to be analyzed for long-term and
future timber management of the Beaver Lake
area. The locations of the proposed roads in
Alternative A provides for 95% to 97% of the
Beaver Lake Project area to be logged with
conventional groimd-based harvest systems,
and 3% to 5% of the area could be harvested
only with helicopters. Helicopter yarding
distances to log deck landings would be less
than .25 mile and would not cross any lakes.

In the future, there is a potential need for
temporary roads; these would be built to
minimal standards and would generally be
less than .25 mile long. These temporary
roads, if needed, would access landings off of
the main road and, when possible, use older
existing roads. Approximately 1 mile of
temporary road could be built in the future for
harvesting activities west of Little Beaver Lake
and around Dollar Lake.

ACTION ALTERNATIVE B

The road location and design would result in a
maintainable road system that could be up-
graded to higher standards. Approximately
4.2 miles of road could be upgraded to a
primary or secondary road to improve safe,
year-round access to the southern and western
portions of the project area. These roads
include South Beaver Road, North Beaver
Road to the junction with North Murray Road,
and North Murray Road through the first
segment of new construction. Location,
design, and the potential upgraded standards
of roads could accommodate year-round uses,
such as recreation, private land access, and
commercial timber-product hauling, and may
meet the minimum subdivision requirements
for hmited subdivisions. oQi/«

The road standards would generally have
grades 8% or less, with a few pitches of 9% to
10%. With some exceptions, the curve radius
would generally be 65' or larger. These curves
would acconimodate lowboy trailers hauling
road building, logging, and fire equipment to
the south end of Beaver Lake and north into
Section 18 on North Murray Road.

Road locations for the proposed ti'ansportation
plan need to be analyzed for long-term and
future timber management of the Beaver Lake
area. The locations of the proposed roads in
Alternative A provides for 90% to 95% of the
Beaver Lake Project area to be logged with
conventional ground-based harvest systems,
and 5% to 10% of the area could be harvested
only with helicopters. Helicopter yarding
distances to log deck landings on available
Spur 16 and North Beaver Road, west of the
lease lots on Beaver Lake, would be up to 1
mile. Aerial yarding operations could require
flights over portions of Little Beaver Lake.

In the future, there is a potential need for
temporary roads; these would be built to
minimal standards. Approximately 1.3 miles
of road would need to be built for future
harvesting activities to access timber stands
west and north of Little Beaver.

ECONOMICS

The basic method for the economic analysis is
the nondiscounted cash flow. The cash-flow
analysis tries to estimate the flow of revenues
and costs from the different treatments that are
related only to this project. No future
activities are included because projecting
treatments into the future is uncertain due to
changes in policies, markets, personnel, and
random natural events. The analysis estimates
the cash flow from timber harvesting and
nonadministrative costs for the alternatives
considered. DNRC does not have a formal
accounting system to track costs for individual
projects from start to finish. An annual cash-
flow analysis is conducted of DNRC's forest-
product sales program. The revenue-to-cost
ratios are measure of the program's
economical efficiency. For the last 2 years
(fiscal years 1996 and 1997) for every $1.00
DNRC spent on costs, the Northwestern Land
Office has generated $1.51 in revenue.

The results of this analysis appear in Table IV-8
through Table IV-12.

{1V-28r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

t ^

ASSUMPTIONS - ALL
ALTERNATIVES

The following assumptions were used to
estimate the revenue and nonadministrative
costs for each alternative:

• Costs, revenues, and returns are estimates
intended for relative comparison of
alternatives. They are not to be used as
absolute estimates of return.

• The harvested volumes for the alternatives
and treatments are based on estimates
made by Stillwater Unit personnel.

• The estimated stumpage price (winning
bid for a timber sale) was estimated using
the Transaction Evidence equation
developed in 1998 and is an average for
the 2 sales that DNRC is planning to offer
from this project. The estimated values
and costs related to timber management
for this project are the total for these 2
proposed timber sales. The estimated
stumpage price was reduced 25% to reflect
the current market (10/98).

Stillwater Unit and Northwestern Land
Office personnel estimated development
costs for each alternative. Estimated
development costs for this project are
Alternative A = $307,374 and Alternative B
= $253,970; this includes the road
obliteration cost of approximately $26,300
for both alternatives. Development costs
for this proposal are the estimated costs of
road reconstruction, new road
construction, road obliteration, and
watershed improvements that would
provide access to the State trust lands
involved and improve water quality on

State land. The purchaser would pay for
these costs. If South Beaver Road were
constructed to County standards, total
costs would increase by a minimum of,
approximately, $22,500. An adjacent
property owner requesting this higher f *^i|
standard of road would pay this amount. '

The FI cost is based on programwide costs and
the cost to maintain the ongoing staffing, treat
stands, maintain roads for the current year,
and acquisition rights-of-way. Money
collected under FI from a purchaser provides
the funding for the State to accomplish ,j

projects such as tree planting, site preparation,
slash treatment, thinning, road maintenance,
rights-of-away acquisitions, and some timber-
sale-related activities. Thus, DNRC is able to
improve the long-term productivity of timber
stands on State trust lands and maintain or
acquire access for future revenue-producing
projects.

The sale-specific foreSt-improvement (SSFI)
costs are the current cost estimates for the
amount and types of treatments (site
preparation, hazard reduction, planting, etc.)
planned for each of the alternatives being r "i
considered. Funding to complete these |

projects would be collected from current or |
future timber sales, depending on the timing t
of the treatments.

The estimated total timber dollar return to the
trust is the estimated stumpage price (winning
bid price $/MBF) multiplied by the estimated
harvest volume.

The estimated total timber dollar amount
collected by the State (total revenue) is FI costs
plus the estimated stumpage price multiplied
by the estiniated harvest volume. f

TABLE IV-8 - SALE-SPECIFIC FOREST-IMPROVEMENT COST BY ALTERNATIVE AND
METHOD

ALTERNATIVE

TREATMENT METHOD

BROADCAST/
JACKPOT
BURNING

BROADCAST
BURNING

EXCAVATOR

SITE

PREPARATION

DOZER

SITE

PREPARATION

PURCHASER-
DO
SLASHING

FULL
PLANTING

INTER-
PLANTING

TOTALS

No Action

0

0

0

0

0

AandB

$4,560

$27,000

$11,875

$11,375

$3,000

$10,437

$5,658

$73,905

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

ilV-29)

Stillwater Unit personnel estimated the SSFI
costs based on the following costs: ^st^^l x ic

broadcast bum - jackpot burning = $15.2

per acre;
'* broadcast bum - broadcast burning = $135

per acre;

excavator site preparation = $95 per acre;
r;n»u dozer site preparation = $65 per acre;
- - full planting = $93.19 per acre (221.9 trees

per acre (TPA) * .$0.42 per h-ee);

- interplanting = $69.00 per acre (150 TPA *
^^ $0.46 per tree); and ^a^m.-

- purchaser-do slashing = $125 per man day.

The costs related to the administration of the
timber sale program are tracked only at the
Land Office and Statewide level. We do not
have a formal accounting system to keep track
of costs for individual timber sales.

DNRC has a sustained-yield harvest-volume
level of 42.164 MMBF per year Statewide. If
timber is not sold and harvested relating to the
highest volume alternative in this project,
timber would be sold and harvested some-
where else.

Limitations of the economic analysis:

• Only known costs and benefits that are
associated with the activities listed below
are considered.

• None of the potential benefits associated
with leaving tiees (i.e. snag recruitment,
structural diversity, aesthetics, wildlife
habitat, nutrient recycling, etc.) are consid-
ered.

TABLE IV-9 - COSTS AND BENEFITS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT BY ALTERNATIVE

ALTERNATIVES 1

A

B

NO ACTION

1. Estimated total harvest volume (MBF)

4,518

4,518

0

2. Development cost ($/MBF)

$68.15

$56.31

0

3. Estimated stumpage value ($/MBF)

$180.00

$190.00

0

!^

4. Forest improvement ($/MBF)

$46.41

$46.41

0

5. Estimated stumpage value, FI, and development
cost ($/MBF) (Line 2 + line 3 + line 4 )

$294.41

$292.72

0

6. Total timber dollar value based on estimated

stumpage value, FI cost, and development cost
times estimated harvest volucne (line 5 * line 1)

$1,330,144

$1,322,509

$0

"! *

7. Estimated stumpage value and FI ($/MBF) (line 3
+ Line 4)

$226.41

$236.41

$0

8. Total timber dollar revenue to the State (estimated
stumpage value + FI cost times estimated harvest

$1,022,920

$1,068,100

$0

volume) (line 7 * line 1)

9. Total timber dollar return to the trust (line 1 * line
3, does not include administration costs)

$813,240

$858,420

$0

1.

10. Total dollar gross revenue from current cabinsite

$15,591

$15,591

$15,591

leases per year

1

11. DFWP lease on the south side of Beaver lake

$760

$760

$760

1

12. The range of total dollar gross revenue from

$4,200 to

$4,200 to
$19,000

SO

proposed cabinsite leases per year

$19,000

1

13. SSFI costs ($/MBF) Gine 14/line 1)

$16.36

$16.36

$0

14. Total dollar SSR costs (Table IV-8 total of costs)

CTI Qr\K

C71 one

$0

IV-30r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

The following table estimates the amount of volume and dollars that a specific grant would receive
from timber harvesting.

TABLE IV-10 - ESTIMATED TIMBER VOLUME AND TIMBER VALUE BY GRANT AND
ALTERNATIVE « ..^r«^

GRANT

TOTAL ACRES

TREATMENT

ALTERNATIVES

A & B

VOLUME

(MBF)

ALTERNATIVES

A & B

ESTIMATE

VALUE -

ALTERNATIVE

A

ESTIMATE

VALUE -

ALTERNATIVE

B

ESTIMATE

VALUE -

NO-ACTION

ALTERNATIVE

A.C.B.

319

1,460

$206,280

$217,740

0

c.s.

124

352

$63,360

$66,880

0

P.B.

435

1,490

$268,200

$283,100

0

5.M.

32

70

$12,600

$13,300

0

3.N.S.

220

1,460

$262,800

$277,400

0

All Acres

1,130

4,518

$813,240

$858,420

0

(Excel spreadsheet volvalup.xls)

TABLE VI-11 - ESTIMATED VALUE FOR THE STANDING TIMBER INVENTORY IN THE
BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA BASED ON NET ACRES FROM SLI AFTER ACTION
ALTERNATIVES A AND B (POST HARVEST)

GRANT

AVERAGE
STUMPAGE*

($/MBF)

NET VOLUME

PER ACRE

(MBF)

TOTAL
VOLUME

(MBF)

TOTAL 1
VALUE^

A.C.B.

$185

9.7

9,156

$1,693,860

C.S.

$188

13.1

6,282

$1,181,016

P.B.

$194

8.9

7,314

$1,418,916

5.M.

$195

11.9

3,918

$764,010

3.N.S.

$195

11.9

4,630

$902,850

All Acres

$191

11.9

31,299

$5,960,652

'Average Stumpage was based on a weighted average volume using $146.09 per MBF for slope class >4 and $194.66 per
MBF for slope classes <4. The slope was taken from the Standard Level Inventory (SLI). Volume is based on the net MBF
rrom the SLI times net acres minus the harvested volume,
fjhis value assumes that DNRC would cut it all. This is a questionable assumption.

TABLE VI-12

Tyr A'irm tat.

- ESTIMATED VA

lLue for the

A ry A crrk r^Tk.T \.

STANDING TIMBl

ER INVENTORY IN THE

BEAVER LAKE PROJECT AREA BASED ON NET ACRES FROM SLI AFTER NO-ACTION
ALTERNATIVE

GRANT

AVERAGE

STUMPAGE*

($/MBF)

NET VOLUME

PER ACRE

(MBF)

TOTAL
VOLUME

(MBF)

TOTAL
VALUE^

A.C.B.

$185

9.7

10,301

$1,908,260

C.S.

$188

13.1

6,634

$1,248,851

P.B.

$194

8.9

8,804

$1,710,177

3.M.

$195

11.9

3,988

$777,660

3.N.S.

$195

11.9

6,090

$1,187,550

All Acres

$191

11.9

35,817

$6,832,498

'Average Stumpage was based on a weightea
oer MBF for slope classes <4. The slope was
MBF from the SLI times net acres.
'This value assumes that DNRC would cut ii

average volume using $146.09 per MBF for slope class >4 and $194.66
taken from the Standard Level Inventory (SLI). Volume is based on the net

all. This is a questionable assumption. 1

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

-av-31)

f

HARVEST-VOLUME
EFFECTS RELATED TO
FUTURE GROWTH AND
YIELD

;i NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

til. Given the current estimated standing volume
L of 35.8 MMBF, an assumed estimated net
ii board feet growth rate of 1.3575% (assuming
no catastrophic events), and the current har-
vest level of zero, the standing timber volume
wrould be in the 41 MMBF range within 10
years. The No- Action Alternative would
result in the continuation of an increase in
volume in the Beaver Lake area. The defect in
.^ grand fir and some Douglas-fir would increase
over time, thus reducing the future value. The
trust has already lost value in some of the
stands by not harvesting lodgepole pine that

rwas killed by mountain pine beetles in the late
1980s and early 1990s. ,

I ^

L ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Using the most current stand-level inventory,
the net area available for timber management
in the project area is 3,405 acres. If we assume
a 10-year reentry period, this yields a harvest

,j of 4,518 MBF per decade. Given the estimated
current standing volume of 35.8 MMBF, an
assumed estimated net board-feet growth rate
of 1.3575% (assuming no catastrophic events),

^' and the current harvest level of 4,518 MBF per

"^ decade, the standing timber volume would
once again be in the 35.8 MMBF range within
10 years. This calculation is based on the
following: the residual inventory (after har-

I vesting) equals the current estimated inven-
tory (based on the current SLI) minus the
estimated harvest volume (35.8 MMBF - 4.518
MMBF = 31.282 MMBF); the resulting inven-
tory is projected into the future 10 years based
on the estimated growth rate of 1.3575%
(31.282 * 1.01375^ 10 = 35.798 MMBF).

The average growth rate from State lands,
based on Forest Statistics for the Land Outside
National Forests in Northwest Montana. 1989

publication (Collins and Cormer 1989) is
1.72%. The 1.36% is in the range of what
would be expected from State lands in north-
western Montana. There is a net annual
growth of total softwood sawtimber (Scribner
rule) of 38,245 MBF (Collins and Conner 1989,
Table 28 - State column) and a growing stock
net volume of sawtimber (Scribner rule) of
2,215,703 MBF (CoUins and Conner 1989, Table
18 - State Column). The % net growth in board
feet is equal to 100 times the net growth in
board feet divided by the total inventory in
board feet or (100*38,245/2,215,703).

EFFECTS OF ROAD PLAN
ON TIMBER
MANAGEMENT

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

The road would remain in its current condi-
tion and would need to be upgraded before it
could be used for any extensive timber-har-
vesting proposal.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Either of the alternative road networks would
meet timber management needs of the pro-
posed Beaver Lake timber sales. For future
timber-management implications, see the
Transportation section in Chapter IV.

POTENTIAL EASEMENT
REVENUE

The estimated total revenue from easements is
found in the following table. These estimates
are based on the current method for estimating
the easement value, which are derived from
the percentage of ownership by tributary,
value of the road (existing, plus improvement
from this proposed project), and the value of
land that is under the road. Figure IV-1 -
Tributary Areas for Transportation displays the 2
main tributary areas, colored blue and or-
ange/pink. The traffic flow in the blue tiibu-
tary area would be on South Beaver Road;
most of the traffic flow in the orange/pink

n-\]V-32r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

would be on North Beaver Road and /or North
Murray Road. The easement revenue would

FIGURE IV-TRIBUTARY AREA MAP

help compensate the trust for road-related
development costs.

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

^jy-3i')

TABLE IV-13 - ESTIMATED EASEMENT REVENUE BY ALTERNATIVE AND TRIBUTARY

t i*

ROAD

COST

SHARE

EASEMENT

COST

SHARE

ESTIM
FOR
EASE

[ATED TOTAL
ROAD AND
MENTCOST
SHARE

ADDITIONAL

PRIVATE

LANDOWNER COST

FOR EASEMENT

ACROSS STATE

LAND

ESTIMATED

TOTAL
EASEMENT
REVENUE

Alternative A -
Tributary Area -
Blue

$27,341

$21,727

$49,067

$7,500

$56,567 1

Alternative A -
Tributary Area -
pink & orange

$28,474

$9,213

$37,687

$9,330

$47,017

Totals Alternative
A

$55,815

$30,940

$86,754

$16,830

$103,584

Alternative B -
Tributary Area -
Blue

$27,341

$21,727

$49,067

$7,500

$56,567

Alternative B -
Tributary Area -
pink & orange

$27,826

$10,503

$38,329

$9,930

$48,259

Totals Alternative
B

$55,167

$32,230

$87,396

$17,430

$104,526

The costs for future road maintenance and
possible future road-related costs would
increase if these easements were granted.
Private actions on their land would increase
the wear and tear on the road. Without the
requirement for future road-related mainte-
nance and road upgrading costs to be shared
by all road users, the net return to the trust
would be reduced. The trust could end up
subsidizing development on these private
lands.

Estimates for easements for any of the
cabinsites that DNRC is considering to sell
were not included because it would be in-
cluded as part of the sale agreements. If the
easements were not included in the sale
agreements, the value for the land would
probably be discounted more than we would
receive for the value of easements.

THE DIRECT EFFECT OF
CABINSITE LEASES ON
THE ASSET VALUE
RELATING TO TIMBER
MANAGEMENT

The direct effect of cabinsite or homesite
leasing is deferring the leased acres from the
net acres in the sustainable timber-manage-
ment base. The cabinsite leases do not include
the rights to the timber resource that is within
their boundaries. The impact of deferring
land for the creation of a lease would be
estimated by using the average information
from the Montana State Lands Sustained Yield
Study 1996 for the Northwestern Land Office
and the estimated number of acres affected.
The net affected acres are the estimated total
lease acres minus the number of acres in the
SMZ or other deferred acres in the lease. The
SMZ and other deferred land were subtracted
from the net land base for the sustained-yield
calculation; thus, we are assuming very-
limited to no-future harvest options from these
areas. Deferring the timber and land from the
net acres of the timber base and the sustained-

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake timber Sale Project

yield estimate does not mean that timber
would never be harvested from these acres.
Timber removed from deferred areas should
not be counted in the annual sustained-yield
amount.

MURRAY LAKE CABIN LEASE
SITE:

• Estimated total acres - 8

• Estimated SMZ acres - 2

• Net-acre reduction from the timber-man-
agement land base - 6

• Yearly reduction in Statewide sustained-
yield estimate - 696 BF per year (116 BF per
acre * 6 acres) or an adjusted Statewide
sustained-yield estimate of 42.163 million
board feet.

• Estimated total gross value - $22 * 8 = $176

• Estimated total net value - $11 ♦ 8 = $88

GENERAL
RECREATIONALIST

ALL ALTERNATIVES

In the future, the number of recreationists
would increase in this area for any of the
alternatives considered. This is due to the
amenities found in the project area, the loca-
tion of the area, and the projected increase in
the regional population.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

This area is prime for development as a comer
piece of a Statewide general recreation pro-
gram, but due to:

poor road condition,
lack of basic recreational facilities (boat
ramp, toilet facilitates, designated camping
areas, mapped trails, etc.),
poor enforcement of the general Recre-
ational Use License,

the current level of programmatic market-
ing, and

lack of both positive and negative regula-
tions (where and what people can do or
can't do).

the prospect of this area generating more
income to the trust from the general
Recreation Use License is poor. ,#>

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Due to improving the road system and adding
a parking lot at the end of the County road,
both of the action alternatives would probably
increase the amount of general recreational use
of the area. Segments of some trails that exist
may be destroyed during harvesting or road
building activities. Selected trails that were
identified during the project development
process would be avoided, if possible, with
main skid tiails and landings. Motorized
access to Little Beaver and Dollar lakes would
be eliminated through road obliteration. This
would impact recreationists that are used to
accessing these lakes by vehicle for launching
boats. If a sign was placed in the parking area
indicating that this is trust land and a general
Recreational Use License is required, this
should have a positive impact on the amount
of permits sold each year. With proper sign-
ing, enforcement work should be easier. There
are no plans to plow the parking lot in the
winter; winter parking in the lot may be li
possible from the normal plowing of the
County road. By not plowing the parking lot
during the winter months, the potential in-
crease in the number of people using this area
in the winter would be reduced, therefore,
reducing the potential money-making oppor-
tunity from creating the parking lot. The
overall potential for generating more money
from recreationists related to the action alter-
natives is low, given the: |

limited recreational facilities in the project
area,

lack of Statewide advertising program,
current level of enforcement program, and
public attitude towards the general Recre-
ational Use License fee.

The effect of this timber sale in relation to the "*
funds generated from the general Recreation
Use License fee is minimal. This is based on
the:

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

<iy-35)

proposed location,

treatments of the proposed timber man-
agement activities,

assumption that the income generated
from recreational use is very low, and
availability of land surrovmding the pro-
posed harvest treatment area that could be
used by recreationists.

The potential improvements to the infrastruc-
ture (road improvements and parking lot) that
would result from either action alternative
(fimded by a timber sale) would probably
increase general recreational use. The long-
term assumption for planning harvest treat-
ments for the Beaver Lake area is to use un-
even-aged management. As long as harvest
activities are done with aesthetically accept-
able and environmentally sound methods, the
long-term outlook for continued timber pro-
duction, as related to general recreation, is fair.
Maintaining the landscape in a naturally
complex state should be aesthetically pleasing
to a majority of the public. A naturally com-
plex landscape contains a mix of uniformly
and diverse interims of age, structure, and
species mix. The goal is to paint a landscape
that can blend elements of uniformity and
variety.

INDIRECT EFFECTS
FROM OTHER USES
(CABINSITE LEASES, DAY
USE, CAMPING, ETC.)
AND ADJACENT
LANDOWNERS ON THE
ASSET VALUE RELATED
TO MANAGEMENT

ALL ALTERNATIVES

People living and owning land in this land-
scape and recreating on this tract of land have
indirect effects on current and future proposed
timber sales in this project area. There is
potential for lower returns from the timber
management program due to the increasing
number of people recreating, living on
cabinsite leases in the project area, and living

on the surrounding private ownership. These
impacts are indirect and hard to measure or
quantify. The amount of people using the
project area for recreation would increase:

with all alternatives due to the increasing

regional population,

with the action alternatives because the

improved transportation system would

afford better access, and

in the number of cabin site leases if this

element of an action alternative is chosen.

People would find and use places in the
project area that would become important to
them because of their beliefs. When DNRC
proposes its next proposal, the number of
issues and level of public involvement in our
planning and decision-making process for the
proposed timber-management activity would
increase because more would find this area
important. This level of interest would impact
the process, decision, and proposed activities.

DEVELOPMENT OF
CABINSITES

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

The Trust would not receive income from the
lease of additional cabinsites. The potential
for development in the future is maintained.
By not improving the road system, not adding
a parking lot, and not developing more
cabinsites, people would use the area less and
the potential social /political impacts would be
less when DNRC and the Land Board consider
any development proposal in the future. More
lakefront camping sites around Murray Lake
would be available. The potential cabinsite
development area (see Figure IV-14) would be
negatively impacted from the increased num-
ber of general recreationists due to the grow-
ing population in the area. With more people,
problems or conflicts (trash, traffic, people
using the lakes, etc.), resulting from more
competition for the special areas, would have
a negative impact on people who remembered
a quieter time.

IV-36r

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The following is an estimated value for the
Murray Lake cabinsites. The value is not
discounted; it is assumed that we would
develop them today. The 4 lots could range in
, value from $30,000 to $47,500 per lot. The lots
would be competitively bid. The bids could
return 3.5% to 10% of the value of the lot. The
estimated annual lease payment would be
from $1,050 to $3,000 (low range) to $1,662 to
$4,750 (high range) per lot per year. The
estimated total value for the 4 lots is in the
range of $4,200 to $19,000 per year.

Due the uncertainty from a court ruling re-
lated to the cabirisite rates, there may be little
opportunity in the next 5 years to market and
develop the Murray Lake site. Thus, the value
estimates should be discounted.

The proposed cabinsites on Murray Lake
reduce the number of high-quality (lakefront)
recreational acres in the Beaver Lake area. The
area included in a cabinsite lease is excluded
from the area covered by the general
Recreation Use License. Basically, a cabinsite
lease transfers the use of the land from the
general recreating public to the exclusive use
of the cabinsite lessee. West of the proposed
cabinsites is an area that has been used heavily
in the past by the general recreationist; this
area would remain unleased. Adding these
cabinsites on Murray Lake could help
moderate the amount of human impacts from
the general recreationist in the Murray Lake
area. The assumption is that cabinsite lessees
are better behaved and would influence the

behavior of the general recreationist by direct
communication, involving the local law
enforcement, or clearung up after them. .8

SELLING CABINSITES

ANALYSIS OF SELL VERSUS "I
KEEP ■

The following is an analysis done using cur-
rent Land Board policy regarding the sale of a
typical cabin lease site on Beaver Lake. A
similar analysis would be completed for
proposed cabinsite sales following an applica-
tion to purchase. This analysis would be
completed prior to consideration of the pur-
chase request by the Land Board.

EXAMPLE:

Legal Description: Lot X Beaver Lake f\

The appraised value determined by the
Department of Revenue (DOR) based on
the 1982 market is $9,180. The 1996 .il
value is $29,800. According to Depart-
ment of Revenue appraisals, this prop-
erty has appreciated 8.7% annually from
1982-1996.

Given the assumptions listed below and
in Chapter IH, the value of the land, plus ''"
cabinsite lease revenues if the land were
not sold, exceeds the income generated
from selling the land at Year 1. At Year
60 the value of retaining the site is
$6,277,639 to the trust, versus $190,951 if '
the site were sold.

TABLE IV-14 - ESTIMATED REVENUE AND COST FROM THE PROPOSED MURRAY LAKE
CABINSITES

LOW

HIGH

1. Annual gross revenue

$4,200

$19,000

2. Present total gross value of an annual perpetual series of
payments
(line 1/.04)

$105,000

$475,000

3. Annual gross revenue per acre

(line 1/ Beaver Lake Project Area)

$1

$4.8

4. Total development costs

$8,000

$8,000

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

ilV-37)

TABLE IV-15 - ASSUMPTIONS AND VALUE RELATED TO SELLTNG A CABIN LEASE SITE

1 ASSUMPTIONS

SELL

KEEP

Asset value

$29,800

$29,800

Maximum period of years

60 Years

60 Years

Long-term bond rate

8.0%

8.0%

% annual increase of asset value

8.7%

Break-even value at Year 1

$32,065

$32,393

Value at Year 60

$190,951

$6,277,639

See the project file for a detailed descrip-
tion of the analysis methods and sensi-
tivity of the input variables. The foUow^-
ing table breaks out the different compo-
nents of the cash flow of the keep and
sell options. Also, included is the
present value for the cash flov^s dis-
counted at 8.0%.

OTHER
CONSIDERATIONS

This analysis doesn't include the administra-
tion cost for either of these options. If all the
lots are sold, the administration costs for the
sell option should be minimal. Until all the
lots are sold, there could be more administra-
tion costs due to conflicts in managing the

mix of leased lots and privately ov^ned lots.
If the Department offers a large number of
cabinsite/homesite properties on the market
at once, the market value (selling price)
would drop due to a shift in supply /demand
relationship in the market place. Another
consideration is, if the property were to be
sold, taxes would be collected based on the
appraised lot value. If the lot was worth
$30,000, the amount of taxes generated on the
lot would be approximately $425 per year or
1.4% of the lot value (personal communica-
tion with Flathead County Assessor's Office).
Local schools receive approximately 75% of
these taxes.

Disposal of the above lease sites would
impact the future development or manage-
ment of the surrounding State land. Frac-

TABLE IV-16 - VALUE COMPONENTS OF THE SELL VERSUS KEEP NON-DISCOUNTED AND
DISCOUNTED

SELL

FUTURE VALUE IN

YEAR 60
NONDISCOUNTED

PRESENT VALUE -
DISCOUNTED AT 8.0%

Interest distributed 95%

$153,237

$29,426

Interest invested and
original selling value

$37,714

$372

Total Cash

$190,951

$29,798

KEEP

Asset value increased at

8.7% yearly

FUTURE VALUE

IN YEAR 60-

NONDISCOUNTED

PRESENT VALUE -

DISCOUNIED

AT 8.0%

95% of rental value

$1,560,666

$61,677

5% of rent rate and %5
of interest

$267,042

$2,767

Total Cash

$1,827,768

$64,444

Asset value

$4,446,199

$43,910

W'Sfr

CflllTAT.^I'AV- Q4-.«f/% PrkVAcf • i

3eaver Lake Timber Sale Project

aiiiiwater otate roresi • j

tionalized ownership patterns can limit and
have limited the State's management oppor-
timities. Additionally, it is reasonable to
assume that the highest and best use of land
would change over time. For example, the
State lease sites developed as cabinsites may
be best suited for the location of a golf
course, shopping mail, bed and breakfast, or
some other commercial development in the
future. Disposing of scattered sites within
and near subdivisions would limit future
developments.

JOBS AND INCOME

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

There wotild be no jobs related to harvesting
timber from this project, but there may be
related timber jobs due to harvesting because
of the natural events (fire, blowdown, etc.) that
could occur after the No- Action Alternative is
selected.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

The impacts on local communities are esti-
mated by quantifying the jobs aiid income
associated with harvesting and processing the
timber into final products. Regional response
coefficients estimated for northwestern Mon-
tana indicate that timber harvesting provides
10.58 direct jobs per MMBF; a total direct
income of $337,146 (Keegan et al.) for an
average amiual income of $31,866.35 per job.

It is important to note that the response coeffi-
cients are an accounting of what has
happened historically. These response
coefficients are average values, not
marginal values. To say the consequence
of not selling this sale would result in
the loss of XX amount of jobs and YYY
amount of income may not be correct. A
marginal analysis would have to be
done in order to be more certain that
there would be a reduction in income
and employment. Lack of a marginal
analysis and the use of average numbers
commonly result in overestimation of
the total economic effects (Godfrey and
Beutler 1993).

VISUALS

Visual effects from the proposed timber-harvest-
ing and road-building activities are character-
ized from the viewpoints described in Chapter
III for both action alternatives. Computer
simulations of the effects will be presented as a
visual aid in Figures IV-2 and IV-3.

NO-ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Views from the scenic viewpoints would not
change on State ownership in the near future,
excluding natural events such as wildfire, blown
down timber, insect outbreaks, and disease-
related mortality.

Some segments of existing roads may receive
maintenance brushing, which would increase
visibility around curves aiid into forested
stands; other segments may not. As trees
continue to grow along the unmaintained
roadside segments, views into the adjacent
forest stands would be more limited.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Areas with potential views of the proposal area
were evaluated based upon the expected results
of the harvest prescription and final road loca-
tions in relation to the topography, aspect, slope
position, and existing vegetation.

With the aid of computerized simulations, the
view from the north shoreline of Beaver Lake
would look similar to Figure IV-2. The topogra-
phy and tree heights on the south shore of the

Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

lake reduce the amount of visible area that
would be harvested in Uruts 16 and 17.

The proposed activities would cause very little
or no change to the views seen from East
Lakeshore E>rive and the DFWP fishing access
on Beaver Lake. Again, the computer exercise
allowed simulated Adrive-by@ views into the
project area along both East Lakeshore Drive
and the east shoreline of Whitefish Lake.

The "cul-de-sac" location is proposed to be
increased in size to provide an additional 6
parking spots for vehicles with trailers. Trees,
brush, and slash would be removed for the
parking expansion. If adequate funding is
available, the placement of a large sign is also
proposed. The sign would likely display:

road maps,

lake locations,

authorized trail systems,

information regarding State land uses,

such as Recreation Use Licenses, firewood

cutting, road closures, hunting regulations

(no-shooting within .25 mile of residences),

and

information on resource-protection issues

in the Beaver Lake complex.

The effects of the harvest treatments would be
most notable to visitors along the open roads.
The Description of Silvicultural Treatments in
Chapter II provides graphic effects of the
proposed treatments. The visualizations
portray the geographical distribution of

Units N^ "VH.Sl

.. .<" 1-^, Unit7-C -; J^UnltlO ^

Unlt4-7 -|!-« ^^X '^""""

Unlt2v*^ V ;

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.UnlMB - *

treatment effects across a harvest unit. The
combination of the Harvest Treatment Map
(Figure 11-2), graphical effects of the silvicul-
tural treatments, and postharvest, computer-
generated views in Figure lV-3 provides a
qualitative review of visual effects.

Most segments of existing and proposed roads
that would be used for log hauling would
receive maintenance brushing and /or clearing
up to 35 feet wide, (approximately 8 feet either
side) to increase visibility around curves and
into forested stands. As trees continue to grow
along the roadside, views into the adjacent
forested stands would be more limited.

AIR QUALITY

NO- ACTION ALTERNATIVE

The No-Action Alternative would not create
impacts beyond existing levels to air quality.
Over the long term, road dust during summer
months would increase as recreational traffic
increases and, eventucilly, would need to be
addressed with a form of dust abatement over
sections of the main access roads.

ACTION ALTERNATIVES A AND B

Log hauling and related traffic on dry roads
may increase the amount of road dust. The
most severe effect from additional road dust
may occur along Beaver Lake County Road
from Highway 93 northeast to the parking

area where State lands are entered.

This section of road is located near

private residences.

Burning logging residue would
produce particulate matter. The
smoke column generated by
burning may reach populated
areas in Flathead County. The
stipulations and specifications
listed for air quality in Appendix A
should prevent road dust from
impacting populated areas and
limit the impacts from burning to
levels not exceeding EPA /State/
County/Local standards. Cumula-

Still water State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

tive effects to air quality would not exceed the
levels defined by the State of Montana Coop-
erative Smoke Management Plan (1988) and
managed by the Montana Airshed Group.

IRRETRIEVABLE AND
IRREVERSIBLE
COMMITMENTS OF
NATURAL
RESOURCES

IRRETRIEVABLE

According to Shipley (1995), irretrievable
commitments of resources are lost for a period
of time. Some stands in the project area are
mature with individual trees more than 150
years old. Any of the timber-harvesting
alternatives would cause some of these large,
old, live trees to be irretrievably lost; they
would no longer contribute to future snag
recruitment, stand structure and composi-
tional diversity, aesthetics, wildlife habitat,
nutrient recycling processes, or any other
important ecosystem functions.

Areas that will be converted from timber
production to permanent roads would be lost
for a period of time from timber production
and would not function as forested lands.

IRREVERSIBLE

According to Shipley (1995), irreversible
commitments of resources are commitments
that cannot be reversed or replaced. The initial
loss of trees due to timber harvesting would
not be irreversible. Natural regeneration
combined with site preparation and artificial
regeneration would promote the establishment
of new trees. If management decisions allow
for the continued growth of established trees,
they would ultimately become equivalent in
size to the irretrievably harvested trees.

Areas that are initially lost to timber produc-
tion through road construction could over
time be reclaimed and once again produce

timber and function as forested land.

SUMMARY OF
RELATIONSHIP
BETWEEN SHORT-
TERM USES AND
LONG-TERM
PRODUCTIVITY

,„LHJ

Generally, short-term uses are those that occur
annually. Long-term productivity refers to the
ability of the land to produce a continuous
supply of a resource.

All harvest alternatives are designed to protect
the long-term productivity of the sites. It is
anticipated that the stocking reduction that
would occur under each alternative would ■
increase the health and growth of residual
stands resulting in an increase in long-term
productivity. The post-harvest stands would
more closely resemble stands that existed
historically and would provide a variety of
opportunities for use in the long term.

A P(.

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Chapter IV: Environmental Consequences

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ID TEAM MEMBERS

Adams, Jane
Billheimer, Stan
Fairbanks, Jeanne
Fairchild, Michael
Hadlock, Gary
Manning, Brian

ij ' V R(

Biologist, DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250 Highway 93 N., Kalispell,
MT 59904-0098 r.ir'

Real Estate Specialist (retired), DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250
Highway 93 N., Kalispell, MT 59904-0098

Property Management Supervisor, DNRC, Special Use Management Bureau,
2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59801

Wildlife biologist (deceased), DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250 High-
way 93 N., Kalispell, MT 59904-0098

Forest Engineering Specialist, DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250 High-
way 93 N., Kalispell, MT 59904-0098

Timber Sale Specialist, DNRC, Stillwater State Forest, RO. Box 164, Olney MT
59927
McMahon, Michael Management Forester, DNRC, Stillwater State Forest, P.O. Box 164, Olney, MT
59927

Hydrologist, DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250 Highway 93 N.,
Kalispell, MT 59904-0098 Hydrologist, Land and Water Consulting, RO. Box
8027, Kalispell, MT 59904

Adjunct Professor of Biology and Consultant Wildlife Biologist, Western
Montana College, Campus Box 93, Dillon, MT 59725-3598
Forest Economist, DNRC, Forest Management Bureau, 2705 Spurgin Road,
Missoula, MT 59801

Muhlfeld, John

Pilcher, Brian
Wood, Will

TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE:

Beck, Margaret

Campbell, Ross
Clark, Michael

Collins, Jeff

Daly, Carol

Halford, Craig

Leeper, Donna

Norris, Marylee

Schultz, Bill

Schultz, Tom

Editor/Office Manager, DNRC, Stillwater State Forest, PO. Box 164, Olney
MT 59927

Graphic Design Specialist, DNRC, 1625 11* Avenue, Helena, MT 59620-1601
Unit Fire Supervisor, DNRC, Stillwater State Forest, PO. Box 164, Olney MT
59927

Soil Scientist, DNRC, Forest Management Bureau, 2705 Spurgin Road,
Missoula, MT 59801

Beaver Lake Collaborative Facilitator, Flathead Economic Policy Center, 15
Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901

Technical Services Specialist, DNRC, Northwestern Land Office, 2250 High-
way 93 N., Kalispell, MT 59904-0098

GIS - Information System Support, DNRC, Forest Management Bureau, 2705
Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59801 ;_

Real Estate Service Supervisor, DNRC, Special Use Management Bureau, 1625
11* Avenue, Helena, MT 59620

State Land Management Supervisor, DNRC, Forest Management Bureau,
2705 Spurgin Road, Missoula, MT 59801

Forest Planner, DNRC, Forest Management Bureau, 2705 Spurgin Road,
Missoula, MT 59801

List of Preparers

.i::itH <icii .■.j>:iK) bmJ m-rt

8\^K>f'!

qu8 irs';

n/ . r>n K> >r< - *c,H .O.T .Jf»ioT sl6JB i

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if/aiVi

meii£NC£$

Annual Report. Montana Department of
Natural Resource and Conservation, July 1,
1996 to June 30, 1997, DNRC, 1997.

Arney, Jim. Montana State Lands Sustained
Yield Study 1996

Beckley, Paul. 1994. The Role of the Wood
Products Industry in the Economy of Flathead
County. Montana, An Estimate of the Effects
on Total Employment Using Input-Out Analy-
sis. Flathead National Forest, USPS.

Blaustein et al. 1995 (CDA salamander)

Blaustein, A.R., J.J. Beatty, D.H. Olson, and
R.M. Storm. 1995. The biology of amphibians
and repHles in old-growth forests in the pacific
Northwest. U.S. forest Service General Techni-
cal Report PNW-GTR-337. 98 pp.

!-I .ACJ

Brittell, J.D. 1990. Managing spruce-fir habitat
for lynx and snowshoe hares. Journal of
Forestry 88(10):10-14.

Bull, E.L., Jackson, J.A. 1995. Pileated Wood-
pecker: Dryocopus pileatus. Washington,
D.C.: American Ornithologists Union: 24 p.
(The Birds of North America; no. 148).

Christensen, A.G., L.J. Lyon, and J.W. '"^-*
Unsworth. 1993. Elk management in the
Northern Region: considerations in forest plan
updates or revisions. GTR-INT-303. USDA
Forest Service Intermountain Research Station.

Collins, Dennis and Roger Conner, 1989,
Statistics for the Land Outside National For-
ests in Northwest Montana. Intermountain
Research Station, Ogden, UT, .

DNRC. 1996. Montana Department of Naha-
ral Resources and Conservation. Record of
Decision. State Forest Land Management Plan

References

~>1 ifrsrir{oiqm;j bfiB 'smat/SU n^
DNRC. 1996. State forest land management
an. final environmental impact statement.

Pl

record of decision. Montana Department of
Natural Resources and Conservation. 42pp.

Dolan, Patricia M. 1994. The common loon
(Gavia Immer) in the Northern Region: Biol-
ogy and Management Recommendations.
USDA Forest Service Region 1, Lolo National
Forest.

Fischer, W.C, A.F. Bradley. 1987. Fire Ecology
of Western Montana Forest Habitat Types.
USES Gen. Tech. Rept INT-223. >?

Godfrey, Bruce, E. And Beutler, Martin, K.,
Economic Multipliers: A Comment. Rangeland
15(3), June 1993). ' ^ .v/ien^-.j

Hagener, Jeff, 1998. Administrator, Trust Land
Management Division, Personal communica-
tion with Will Wood, DNRC.

Harlequin Duck Working Group. 1993. Status
of harlequin ducks (Histrionicus histrionicus')
in North America.

Hayward, G.D. 1994. A review of technical
knowledge: Boreal Owls. In Hayward, G.D.
and J. Verner, tech editors. 1994.
Flammulated. Boreal, and Great Grey Owls in
the United States: A technical Conservation
Assessment. GTRRM-253. Fort Collins, CO:
USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest
and Range Experiment Station. 214 p.

Hilhs, J.M., M.J. Thompson, J.E. Canfield, L.J.
Lyon, C.L. Marcum, P.M. Dolan, and D.W.
McCleerey. 1991. Defining elk security: the
Hillis Paradigm. Pages 38-43 in Christensen,
A.G., L.J. Lyon, and T.N. Lonner, eds. Pro-
ceedings of the Elk Vulnerability Symposium,
Montana State University, Bozeman. 330pp.

R-1

Ibbotson Associates, Stocks Bonds Bills and
Inflation 1998 Yearbook

Keegan III, Charles E. And Daniel Wichman,
1996, Bureau of Business and Economic Re-
search, University of Montana , Missoula, Mt.
Letter on Income and Employment to Will
Wood,DNRC. ,...., J

Keegan, Chuck, 1998, New Release - Mild
Winter Boosts Montana's Lumber Production.
Bureau of Business and Economic Research
Director of Forest Industry Research

Koehler, G.M., and K.B. Aubry 1994. Lynx.
Pages 38-73 in Ruggiero, L.F., K.B. Aubry, S.W.
Buskirk, L.J. Lyon, and W.J. Zielinski (eds.).
The scientific basis for conserving forest
carnivores: American marten, fisher, lynx and
wolverine in the Western United States. GTR-
RM-254. USDA Forest Service Rocky Moun-
tain Forest and Range Experiment Station.
184pp.
i(

Losensky, B.J. 1993. Historical Vegetation in
Region One by Climatic Section - Draft Report.
Revision Three. USDA Forest Service, North-
ern Region, Missoula, MT.

Losensky, B.J. 1997. Historical Vegetation of
Montana. Unpublished report done under
contract for Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation, Missoula, MT.

Marcum, C.L. 1975. Summer-fall habitat
selection and use by a western Montana elk
herd. Ph.D. Thesis., University of Montana,
Missoula. 188pp. -I.- ', -,!M.rT.-R.-n

McCallum, D.M. 1994. Review of Technical
Knowledge: Flammulated Owls. In Hayward,
G.D. and J. Vemer, tech editors. 1994.
Flammulated, Boreal, and Great Grey Owls in
the United States: A Technical Conservation
Assessment. GTR RM-253. Fort Collins, CO:
USDA, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest
and Range Experiment Station. 214 p.

Montana Bald Eagle Working Group. 1994^
Montana Bald Eagle Management Plan. USDI,
Bureau of Land Management, Billings, MT. 61
pp.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and
Parks. 1992. Statewide elk management plan.
Helena. 170pp.

Montana Department of Natural Resources
and Conservation. 1996. State Forest Land
Management Plan.

Montana Board of Investments Fiscal Year
1997 Annual Report. Montana Department of
Commerce, Montana Board of Investments,
Helena, Montana

Nyberg, Harvey, MDFWP, personal communi-
cation, September 1, 1998.

Paige, Christine. 1991. Report on Whitefish
Lake Bald Eagle Territory. Tally Lake Ranger
District, Flathead National Forest.

Peek, J.M. 1984 Northern Rocky Mountains.
Pages 497-504 in L.K. Halls (ed.). White-tailed
deer: ecology and management. Stackpole
Books, Harrisburg, PA. 870 pp.

Pfister, R.D., B.L. Kovalchik, S.F. Arno, and
R.C. Presby. 1977. Forest habitat Types of
Montana. USDA, Forest Service Gen. Tech.
Rept. INT-34.

Powell, R.A., and W.J. Zielinski. 1994. Fisher.
Pages 38-73 in Ruggiero, L.F., K.B. Aubry, S.W.
Buskirk, L.J. Lyon, and W.J. Zielinski (eds.).
The scientific basis for conserving forest
carnivores: American marten, fisher, lynx and
wolverine in the Western United States. GTR-
RM-254. USDA Forest Service Rocky Moun-
tain Forest and Range Experiment Station.
184pp,

Reichel, J., and D. Flath. 1995. Identification
of Montana's amphibians and reptiles. Mon-
tana Outdoors: May/June.

Reichel, James, D and David L. Center. 1995.
Harlequin duck surveys in Western Montana:
1994. A report to: USDA Forest Service.
Kootenai National Forest, Libby MT.

R-2 -

-Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Reynolds, R.T. and B.D. Linkhart. 1992.
Flammulated Owls in ponderosa pine: evi-
dence of preference for old growth. Pages 166-
169 in Old-growth forests in the Southwest
and Rocky Mountain regions: proceedings of a
workshop. USDA Forest Service GTR RM-213.

Skaar, Don. 1989. Montana Common Loon
Management Plan. U.S. Forest Service and the
Montana Loon Society.

Sneck, K.M. 1977. The Fire History of Coram
Experimental forest. M.S. thesis. University of
Montana, Missoula, MT.

Thier, Tim, district wildlife biologist, MDFWP,
personal communication, July 8, 1998.

Thompson, L.S. 1982. Distribution of Mon-
tana amphibians, reptiles and mammals. The
Montana Audubon Council, Helena. 27pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1984. Ameri-
can Peregrine Falcon Recovery Plan (Rocky
MountainX Southwest Population). USFWS,
Region 6, Denver, CO. 105 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1986. Recovery
Plan for the Pacific Bald Eagle. USFWS,
Region 1, Portland OR. 160 pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1993. Grizzly
bear recovery plan. Missoula, MT. 181pp.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1987. A sum-
mary of the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf
recovery plan. Missoula, MT. 7pp.

User's Guide for Timber Accounting Summary
(TAS), Montana Department of Natural
Resources and Conservation, Trust Land
Management Division, Forest Management
Bureau, Missoula, Montana

Vana-Miller, S.L. 1987. Habitat suitability
index models: Osprey U.S. Fish and Wildlife
service biological report 82 (10.154). 46 p.

Mes.
."Cifr!''. 'JabtD! lf^xij.?Av -led"::)

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References

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Access points

Points along the State transportation systenn
where private roads he into the State road
system.

Administrative road use

Road use that is restricted to DNRC personnel
and contractors or for purposes such as moni-
toring, forest improvement, fire control,
hazard reduction, etc. tian ttttnijt^x^^

Airshed

An area defined by a certain set of air condi-
tions; typically a mountain valley in which air
movement is constrained by natural condi-
tions such as topography.

Appropriate conditions

Describes the set of forest conditions deter-
mined by DNRC to best meet the State Forest
Land Management Plan (SFLMP) objectives.
The four main components useful for describ-
ing an appropriate mix of conditions are cover
type proportions, age class distributions, stand
structural characteristics, and the spatial
relationships of stands (size, shape, location,
etc.), all assessed across the landscape.

Basal area

A measure of the number of square feet of
space occupied by the stem of a tree.

Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Guidelines to direct forest activities, such as
logging and road construction, for the protec-
tion of soils and water quality.

Biodiversity I

The variety of life and its processes, including
the variety of living organisms, the genetic
differences among them, and the conununities
and ecosystems in which 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.

Boreal forest

The type of forest found in the Northern
Temperate Zones and Arctic region.

Canopy -pl»ii;iiri

The upper level of a forest, consisting of i

branches and leaves of taller trees.

Cavity > fTVid

A hollow excavated in trees by birds or other
animals. Cavities are used for roosting and
reproduction by many birds and mammals.

Compaction

Increase in soil density caused by force exerted
at the soil surface, modifying aerahon and
nutrient availability.

Connectivity jG

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.

Co-dominant tree .U

A tree which extends its crown into the
canopy, receiving direct sunlight from above
and limited sunlight on its sides. One or more
sides are crowded by the crowns of other trees.

Coarse down woody material

Dead trees within a forest stand that have
fallen and begun decomposing on the forest
floor.

Glossary

-G-1)

Crown cover or crown closure

The percentage of a given area covered by the
crowns of trees. '« '^

Cutting units

Areas of timber proposed for harvest.

Cull S '

A tree of such poor quality that it has no
merchantable value in terms of the product
being cut. .•.■■iH -o ,i.-,> vc ,

Discounting ■ ■• - -.".

In economics, a method of accounting for the
value of money over time, its ability to earn
interest, so that costs and benefits occurring at
different points in time are brought to a com-
mon date for comparison, -^i

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.

!> JflillJiJ'l

■>"\

Drain dip '•*'

A graded depression built into a road to divert

water and prevent soil erosion. -' >.- —

Ecosystem fi^ifi -J*^*^

An interacting system of living organisms and
the land and water that make up their environ-
ment; the home place of all living things,
including humans. >"/■ < ' ..'/l'

Environmental effects

The impacts or effects of a project on the O
natural and human environment. - A

Equivalent clearcut area (EC A) "^'■

The total area within a watershed where
timber has been harvested, including clearcuts,
parHal cuts, roads, and bums.

Alloivable ECA - The estimated num- -f^i
ber of acres that can be clearcut before
stream channel stability is affected.

Existing ECA - The number of acres
that have been previously harvested
^ \ .5 taking into account the degree of

hydrologic recovery that has occurred
due to revegetation.

Remaining ECA -The calculated
amount of harvest that may occur
" ' without substantially increasing the
risk of causing detrimental effects to
stream-channel stability. .m^i^x,^

Excavator piling "" ..,u-..*^?»;^s.»

The piling of logging residue using an excava-

tor.

ji/ " i^j ■

Fire regimes

Describes the frequency, type, and severity of
wildfires. Examples include: frequent, nonle-
thal underburns; mixed-severity fires; and
stand-replacement or lethal bums. i»J^

Forage ' "

All browse and nonwoody plants available to
wildlife for grazing.

Forest improvement

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 monitor-
ing; noxious weed management; and right of
way acquisition on a State Forest.

Fragmentation (forest)

A reduction of connectivity and increase in
sharp stand edges resulting when large con-
tiguous areas of forest with similar age and
structural character are interrupted through
disturbance (e.g., stand-replacement fire, timber
harvesting).

Habitat

The place where a plant or animal naturally or
normally lives and grows.

Habitat effectiveness for ungulates

The percentage of available habitat that is
useable by ungulates during the nonhunting
season (in comparison to potential ungulates
use).

0-1

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Habitat type

The place or type of site where a plant or
animal naturally or normally lives and grows.

Hazard reduction

The abatement of a fire hazard by processing
logging residue with methods such as separa-
hon, removal, scattering, lopping, crushing,
piling and burning, broadcast burning, bury-
ing, and chipping.

Hiding cover

Elk - Vegetation capable of hiding 90% of a
standing adult elk from human view at a
distance of 200 feet.

Historical forest condition

The condition of the forest prior to settlement
by Europeans.

Intermediate trees

A characteristics of certain tree species which
allows them to survive in relatively low light
conditions, although they may not thrive.

Interdisciplinary team

A team of resource specialists brought together
to analyze the effects of a project on the envi-
ronment.

Irretrievable commitment of resources

Resources, such as harvested timber or other
renewable natural resources, that are lost for a
period of time. A stand of trees that is cut has
been irretrievably lost (as opposed to irrevers-
ibly lost) because the stand can regenerate.

Irreversible commitment of resources f

Loss of resources that cannot be reversed
except perhaps in the extreme long term, such
as minerals, historical or archaeological re-
sources; or vegetation and habitat lost to
permanent roads. Irreversible also refers to
the loss of future options.

Landscape

An area of land with interacting ecosystems.

Latilong

A roughly rectangular area defined by one
degree of latitude and one degree of longitude.
Locations for species occurrences are often

recorded and mapped by this system of rows
and columns of latilong "boxes".

Mitigation measure /^

An action or policy designed to reduce or
prevent detrimental effects. '"•

Moving-window analysis

A computer-based method that, in this EIS, is
used to quantify the area influenced by roads
in a study area. Starting with the pixel in the
upper left comer of the computerized subunit
map, the computer calculates how many nailes
of road exist within a 1-square-mile "window"
around that pixel. It moves to the next pixel
and repeats the process until the road density
is calculated in a 1-square-mile area around
every pixel in the study area. The number and
percentage of pixels in the study area that fall
into different road density classes are then
calculated by the computer. Based on research
studying the effects of roads on grizzly bears,
the effects of open roads are measured by the
percentage of the pixels in the study area that
have at least LO mile of open road in the
surrounding 1-square-mile window. The
effects of total roads (open, gated, barricaded,
bermed but not brushed, etc.) are measured by
the percentage of pixels in the study area that
have at least 2 miles of open or restricted roads
in the surrounding 1-square-mile window.

Multistoried stands .

Timber stands with two or more distinct
stories. r^i:

Nest site area (bald eagle)

The area in which human activity or develop-
ment may stimulate 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 _-mile radius of all nest sites
in the breeding area that have been active
within 5 years.

No-action alternative

The option of maintaining the status quo and
continuing present management activities
and/or not implementing the proposed
project.

Glossary

G-3

Nonforested area

A naturally occurring area where trees do not
establish over the long term, such as a bog or
avalanche chute.

Old growth

Old growth is defined by DNRC as stands that
are 150 years and older (140 for lodgepole
pine) and that exhibit a range of structviral
attributes associated with old age. b«i&!

»i

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, containing a wide
variation in tree sizes, exhibiting some degree
of a multi-storied structure, having signs of
decadence, such as rot and spike-topped
structure, and containing standing large snags
and large down logs.

Overstory

The level of the forest canopy including the
crowns of dominant, codominant and interme-
diate trees.

Patch ^wr^ilf

A discrete area of forest connected to other
discrete forest areas by relatively narrow
corridors; an ecosystem element (such as i
vegetation) that is relatively homogeneous
internally, but differs from what surrounds it.

Patch shape index ';-:

A system for assessing patch shape, or a
number indicating this shape. The system
used in this EIS was developed by McGarigal
and Marks (1994). Under this system, a per-
fectly square patch is represented by the
number 1. Circular patches are indicated with
numbers less than one. The higher the number,
the more complex the shape.

j
Potential nesting habitat (bald eagle) i
Somehmes referred to as 'suitable nesting /
habitat', areas that have no history of occu-
pancy by breeding bald eagles, but contain
potential to do so.

Project file

A public record of the analysis process, includ-
ing all documents that form the basis for the
project analysis. The project file for the Beaver
Lake Timber Sale Project EIS is located at the
Stillwater State Forest office near Olney,
Montana.

Redds

The spawning ground or nest of various fish.

Regeneration

The replacement of one forest stand by an-
other as a result of natural seeding, sprouting,
planting, or other methods.

Residual stand irjiiihnm i^^inf le.'ntni^'
Trees that remain standing following any
cutting operation.

Road construction activities

In general, "road construction activities" refers
to all the activities conducted while building
new roads, reconstructing existing roads, and
obliterating roads. These acHvities may
include any or all of the following:

road construction

right-of-way clearing

excavation of cut/ fill material

installation of road surface and ditch

drainage features

installation of culverts at stream crossings

burning right-of-way slash

hauling and installation of borrow material

blading and shaping road surfaces

Road Improvements -n'

Construction projects on an existing road to
improve ease of travel, safety, drainage, and
water quality.

Saplings

Trees 1.0 inches to 4.0 inches in diameter at
breast height.

Sawtimber trees

Trees with a minimum dbh of 9 inches.

Scarification

The mechanized gouging and ripping of
surface vegetation and litter to expose mineral

G-4

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

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 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 likeli-
hood 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 motor-
ized travel and high-intensity, nonmotorized
use during the nondenning period.

Seedlings

Live trees less than 1.0 inch dbh.

Sediment

In bodies of water, solid material, mineral or
organic, that is suspended and transported or
deposited.

Sediment yield

The amount of sediment that is carried to

streams.

Jiiitifm

Serai "^ -^^'-^ j'yjb bs'mi

Refers to a biotic community that is in a
developmental, transitional stage in ecological
succession.

ji) 'jyil f. to fi1 • tiMsiffi li ' 'j^ig^D Sii !

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
Stillwater State 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 ■'^■■
Stillwater State Forest, shade-tolerant species
generally include subalpine fir, grand fir,
Douglas-fir, Engelmann spruce, and western
red cedar.

Sight distance '^^^

In the case of grizzly bears, sight distance ''■'-'■ *''^''
refers to the distance at which 90 percent of a
bear is hidden from view.

Silviculture ri\(^i v,n<Yyih h,

The art and science of managing the establish-
ment, composition, and growth of forests to
accomplish specific objectives.

n i

Site Preparation

A hand or mechanized manipulation of a
harvested site to enhance the success of regen-
eration. Treatments are intended to modify
the soil, litter, and vegetation to create micro-
climate conditions conducive to the establish-
ment and growth of desired species.

Slash -^ ^'f'^^ "^

Branches, tops, and cull trees left on the
ground following a harvest.

Snag !ti!yj^ .oiDrin

A standing dead tree or the portion of a bro-
ken off tree. Snags may provide feeding and/
or nesting sites for wildlife.

Snow intercept

The action of trees and other plants in catching
falling snow and preventing it from reaching
the ground.

Spur roads >u^ '•)'*; i:;7<v, ■i.-.r^fn -, .

Low standard roads, constructed to meet
minimum requirements for harvest-related
traffic.

Stand

An aggregation of trees occupying a specific
area and sufficiently uniform in composition.

Glossary

G-5

age arrangement, and condition so to be
distinguishable from the adjoining forest.

Stand density

Number of trees per acre.

Stocking

The degree of occupancy of land by trees as
measured by basal area or number of trees and
as compared to a stocking standard, which is
an estimate of either the basal area or number
of trees per acre required to fully use the
growth potential of the land. .liftio

Stream gradient

The slope of a stream along its course, usually
expressed in percentage indicating the amount
of drop per 100 feet. , e

T :
Stumpage i-

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 :V)Ti;bn=;. jVi^msh

The natural series of replacement of one plant
(and animal) community by another over time
in the absence of disturbance. )l«fcj«':

Suppressed

The condition of a tree characterized by a low-
growth rate and low vigor due to competition
with overtopping trees.

Texture t^!

A term used in visual assessments indicating
distinctive or identifying features of the land-
scape depending on distance.

Thermal cover

For white-tailed deer, thermal cover has 70%
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%
or more coniferous canopy closure at least 20
feet above the ground, generally requiring
trees to be 40 feet or taller.

Timber-harvesting activities

In general, timber-harvesting activities refers
to all the activities conducted to facilitate
timber removal before, during, and after the
timber is removed. These activities may
include any or all of the following:

felling standing trees and bucking 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

scarification, site preparation ft, \o hrn,\

planting trees

Transportation tributary area

An area where the traffic patterns converge to
a common point, as defined by appropriate
logging systems and traffic patterns.

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.

11 r tl'litiU'lJ.

Uneven-aged stand

Various ages and sizes of trees growing to-
gether on a uniform site.

Ungulates

Hoofed mammals, such as mule deer, white-
tailed deer, elk, moose, which are mostly
herbivorous and many are horned or antlered.

Vigor

The degree of health and growth of a tree or
stand.

Vigor Class

The following vigor classes are based on the
Stillwater State Forest Stand Level Inventory.

Full vigor - The full vigor class is
represented by open-grown trees.
Crown closure has not occurred, and
growth is optimal.

G-6

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

I

Good-to-fair vigor - Crowns are closed
at least in clumps; crown lengths are
greater than 50 percent in young
stands and greater than 33 percent in
older stands. Growth has not yet
slowed greatly.

Fair-to-poor vigor - Crown ratios are
poor. Growth and mortality are
nearly balanced.

Very poor vigor - Stands having very
poor vigor are generally in a decadent
condition due to insects, disease,
stagnation, suppression or old age.
Mortality is likely to exceed growth.

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.

Water yield increase

An increase in average annual runoff over
natural conditions due to forest canopy re-
moval.

Windthrow

A tree pushed over by wind. Windthrows
(blowdowns) are common among shallow
rooted species and in areas where cutting or
natural disturbances have reduced the density
of a stand so individual trees remain unpro-
tected from the force of the wind.

•nsi . 'K

;s -i; i '■ -.-•M

(!h ri- .in

Glossary

G-7

''■■i"'\--y,:M^ ni Jjiy^^ iiq/'* b^rm^'hW

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:i-; ,-■ i..iinnf.

v..

^U//

•nriJb.tfW

ru c s!/.::;:-

j> t.V'^-';!' : .'!u e

■.i*rf-!.r».

■A bs.r;,ri-3 ,

■Mi V:

Vig*>T

. C, •/<.?

STtPULAWNS m spectftmoNS

um^ MB i\me^ sals —

The stipulations and specifications for the action alternatives were identified or designed to prevent
or reduce potential effects to resources considered in this analysis. In part, stipulations and specifi-
cations are a direct result of issue identification and resource concerns. This section is organized by
resource.

Stipulations and specifications that apply to operations required by and occurring during the
contract period will be contained within the Timber Sale Contract. As such, they are binding and
enforceable. Stipulations and specifications relating to activities, such as hazard reduction, site
preparation, and planting, that may occur during or after the contract period will be enforced by
project administrators.

The following stipulations and specifications are incorporated to mitigate effects on resources
involved with the action alternatives considered in this proposal. 5«

WATERSHED AND FISHERIES t>n .

• Planned erosion-control measures include graveling portions of roads, constructing slash-filter
windrows, planting grass seed, and closing and obliterating roads. Details for these control
measures will be included in Appendix B of the Timber Sale Agreement.

• Streamside Management Zones (SMZs) will be delineated where they occur within or adjacent
to harvest areas to protect areas adjacent to streams or lakes to maintain water quality.

• Culvert sizing for all road projects will be as recommended by the DNRC hydrologist. ^ ^

• Stream crossings, where culvert installations are planned, will have the following requirements,
as needed, to meet Best Management Practices (BMPs) and protect water quality:

Slash-filter windrows will be constructed on the approach fills.

Filter-fabric fences will be in place downstream prior to and during culvert installation.

Erosion-control fences will be installed on fill slopes at crossing sites and remain in place
until the slopes stabilize and revegetate.

Diversion channels will be constructed and lined with plastic to divert streamflow prior to
any in-channel operations.

Except for the equipment used to construct the crossing, stream crossing with any equip-
ment is prohibited. The equipment used for the crossing construction will be limited to no
more than 2 crossings.

Appendix A A-1

• Brush will be removed from existing road prisms to allow effective road maintenarice. Im-
proved road mair\tenance will reduce sediment delivery.

• The contractor will be responsible for the immediate cleanup of any spills (fuel, oil, dirt, etc.)
that will affect water quality. i .. ^

• Fuel-leaking equipment 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.

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 of the proposed project.

2) Riparian indicators will be considered in the harvest unit layout.

3) Management standards of the Streamside Management Zone Law (75-5-301 MCA) are
used in conjunction with the recommendations of the study.

4) The BMP audit process will continue. This sale will likely be reviewed in an internal
audit and may be picked at random as a Statewide audit site.

7) SMZs will be evaluated as a part of the audit process.

12) Watershed-level planning and analysis are complete. Logging plans of USPS, as re-
ported to the Cumulative Watershed Effects Cooperative, are used.

.,. 15) DNRC will use the best methods available for logging and road building for this'pro-
.^ Posal. , ...;,:.. . ,.^n_:

17) DNRC requested inventory information from DFWP. DNRC^^s mitigation plan for roads
fits all recommendations for "impaired streams". Using "worst-case-scenario" criteria

in-jiit'ciuf provides for conservative operations in this proposal.

18) Provisions in the Timber Sale Agreement address BMPs that are rigidly enforced.

29-34) DNRC has cooperated with DFWP for continuing fisheries work. DNRC will continue
to monitor fisheries in the future as funding allows.

GRIZZLY BEARS ^

The following items are incorporated into this proposal:

iHW 'jU

• Contractors will be required to haul or store garbage in a safe place so bears will not be attracted
to the area.

Of'

A-2 Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

• The Forest Officer will immediately suspend any or all activities directly related to the proposed
action, if necessary, to prevent imminent confrontation or conflict between grizzly bears and
humans or other threatened or endangered species and humans.

• Contractors will be prohibited, while working under contract, from carrying firearms onto
closed roads. '

WOLVES ^-- • - ' ^- :^"- _/;:.\.^

A contract provision will be included to protect any wolf den or rendezvous site within the gross
sale area that may be discovered during implementation of this proposal.

fi. ,. ,,,, , ;,: .•

LOONS

Educational material about loon habitat requirements and suggestions about activities on lakes
where loons nest will be distributed to cabinsite leaseholders and the general public through mail-
ing and information boxes at the entrance to the area and public access sites on Beaver Lake. Signs
informing the public that loons are nesting on Beaver Lake will be posted at both aforementioned
locations. The sign will also request that pets be kept leashed or in direct control, so pets do not
harass loons during the critical nesting season. . .,.;>,

BIG GAME '^ V

• Signs will be placed at the entrance of the Beaver Lake area to: - CI •

inform users that the area is big game winter range, I '..f ; •■

request they not harass game animals with snowmobiles, and

request that pets are kept leashed or in direct control, so pets do not harass big game during
the critical winter months.

'I *

• Additional retention of existing vegetation will be done to provide security for big game in
harvest units along open roads.

WILDLIFE TREES AND SNAG RETENTION AND
RECRUITMENT ...

• High-quality wildlife trees /snags, such as large, broken-topped western larch, will be desig-
nated for retention and given special consideration during yarding operations to prevent loss.

• Some large western larch (greater than 18" dbh) with characteristics that indicate they could
become high-value snags (stem rot or physical defects) will be retained.

• Clumps of larger grand fir that have stem rot will be retained to provide nesting habitat.

Appendix A — A-3

TQWNSEND^S BIG-EARED BAT

If any larch aggregation of bats is discovered during the preparation or administration of this sale,
the DNRC wildlife biologist will be informed immediately. Depending upon the nature of the
report, the biologist will then coordinate efforts to determine the species. If Townsend's big-eared
bats were determined to be present, further mitigative measures will be developed.

ROADS

:.r.r<.ciM

• Information on road-construction activities and road use associated with road-construction
activities will be relayed to the general public.

• BMPs will be incorporated in all planned road construction.

• Signs will be placed at some critical intersections.

• See EROSION section ioii'Jt.> o.i ;

b» Under the action alternatives, many miles of existing roads will be closed by sign or physically
' closed; signs will also close some proposed roads. There will be a special emphasis on closing
spur roads to snowmobiles by posting signs on the big game winter range:

VISUALS

t: V-. .J..i.^(.e\.! 'is

• Damaged residual vegetation will be slashed. lU*^' *

• Thelocation, size, and number of landings will be limited.' t^iJ'^^f^^fi'^ls''^*-'"^"

• Disturbed sites along road right-of-ways will be grass seeded.

• Pockets or strips of the residual stands along topographic breaks and roadsides will be retained
to limit views into harvest units.

archaeology:

i'-TT..'

/ ^j.:\ r.

• A contract clause provides for suspending operations if cultural resources are discovered;
operations may only resume as directed by the Forest Officer.

• A review of the project area was conducted by a DNRC archaeologist.

A4 Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

SOILS
COMPACTION

• Logging equipment will not operate off forest roads unless soil moisture is less than 20%, frozen
to a depth that will support machine operations, or snow covered to a depth that will prevent
compaction, rutting, or displacement.

• Existing skid trails and landings will be used where their design is consistent with prescribed
treatments and meets current BMP guidelines.

• Designated skid trails will be required where moist soils or short steep pitches (less than 300
feet) will not be accessed by other logging systems. This will reduce the number of skid trails
and the potential for erosion.

• Where designated skid trails are required, timber on the trails will be felled and skidded before
the remaining timber in a harvest unit is felled. This will define felling patterns, facilitate skid-
ding on designated trails, and reduce the harvest unit area impacted by skidding equipment.
Skidding plans are required to be in place prior to the start of logging operations.

• Skid trail density in a harvest area will not exceed 15% of the total area.

SOIL DISPLACEMENT „„^„ ,,,„,. ,,„^,n

• To prevent displacement and erosion of topsoil, hard-track, ground-based skidding equipment
will not be operated on steep slopes (greater than 40% sustained over 300 feet). iS •

• Brush piling with dozers requires use of an approved brush rake. . , ..v^ ».. .r.-.^ 'i

• Designated skid trails will be required in all areas where tractor yarding is proposed. Existing
skid trails will be used when possible.

• Lopping and scattering will be used for hazard reduction to retain woody debris onsite for
nutrient cycling.

■■«

EROSION

•It

Ground-skidding machinery will be equipped with a winchline to limit the equipment-opera-
tion areas.

! l.'Vf

• Roads used by the purchaser will be reshaped and the ditches redefined following use to reduce
surface erosion. --^^ ^.^^ ^^^^ ^^^ , ^,^^..

• Drain dips and gravel will be installed on roads, as needed, to improve road drainage and ,
reduce maintenance needs and erosion.

Appendix A "— -~"^>A-5

L

Some road sections will be repaired to upgrade the roads to design standards to reduce erosion
potential and maintenance needs.

Applications of certified weed-free grass seed and fertilizer will be applied in a timely manner
to all newly-constructed road surfaces and cut-and-fill slopes. Applicafions will also be applied
to any existing disturbed cut-and-fill slopes and landings immediately adjacent to open roads.
This will be done to stabilize soils and reduce or prevent noxious-weed establishment. This will
include: ^, . ^ -• ■ ,. . , .

Seeding all road cuts and fills concurrent with construcfion.

^ - Apply "quick-cover" seed mix within 1 day of work completion at wet-culvert installafion

sites.
■ upoi ^d Ui.v aiifcii ;

£iir.v<f Seeding all road surfaces and reseeding culvert installation sites when the final blading is

completed for each specified road segment.

• As directed by the Forest Officer, water bars, logging-slash barriers, and, in some cases, tempo-
rary culverts will be installed on skid trails where erosion is anticipated based on ground and
weather conditions. These erosion-control features will be maintained and periodically in-

„ spected throughout the contract period or extensions thereof.

AIR QUALITY

The first item is designed to prevent individual or cumulative effects during burning operations.
The next 2 items are designed to reduce effects from burning operations.

• Burning operation will be in compliance with the Montana Airshed Group reporting regulations
and any burning restrictions imposed in Airshed 2. This will provide for burning during ac-
ceptable ventilation and dispersion conditions. - - -, ;

• Dozer, landing, and roadwork debris piles will be covered to allow ignition to occur during

^ spring when ventilation is good and surrounding fuels are wet. Covered piles are drier, ignite
easier, burn hotter, and extinguish sooner due to higher relative humidity during spring. This
will reduce dispersed (unentrained) smoke.

•

•

Maximize the amount of woody debris left on site. Fuels not burned do not produce smoke. If
possible, larger fuels should be left and smaller fuels should be piled.

Consider other debris disposal methods for road construction and road-improvement projects,
including lopping and scattering, trampling, hand piling, chipping, etc. Road right-of-way piles
tend to be shaded by surrounding timber stands and do not dry out as well as piles in harvest
units.

Dust abatement will be applied on the segments of roads in the Beaver Lake Project area that are
used during hauling and will benefit most from dust abatement.

An alternative disposal method for slash produced oy road right-of-way work, otner than piling
and burning, will be encouraged.

A-6 Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

NOXIOUS WEED MANAGEMENT

• Surface blading to remove weeds before the seed-set stage may be required on roads affected by
the proposal.

• All tracked and wheeled equipment will be cleaned of noxious weeds prior to beginning project
operations. The contract-administrating officer will inspect equipment periodically during
project implementation.

• Prompt vegetation seeding of disturbed roadside sites will be required. Roads used and closed
as part of this proposal will be reshaped and seeded.

HERBICIDES

To further limit the possible spread of weeds, the following integrated weed-management mitiga-
tion measures of prevention and control will be implemented:

• Road-construction and skidding equipment will be cleaned of mud and weed plant parts prior
to entering the site. "^ "*

• Disturbed roadsides and landings will be seeded with site-adapted grasses. So grass seeding
will be effective, seeding will be completed concurrently with road construction.

Herbicide Application .^ i

To reduce risk to aquatic and terrestrial resources, the following will be required: t

• All herbicides will be applied by licensed applicators in accordance with laws, rules, and
regulation of the State of Montana and Flathead County Weed District.

• All applications will adhere to Montana's Best Management Practices and the herbicide's
specific label guidelines.

• Herbicide application will not be general, but site specific, to areas along roads where
noxious weeds are occurring. All no-spray areas will be designated on the ground before
applications begin.

• Herbicides will be applied to areas where relief may contribute runoff directly into surface
water.

• Application will applied on calm, dry days to limit drift and possible surface movement off
road prisms.

Appendix A — A-7

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msNoty 5

* REFERENCE CHAPTER III TRANSPORTATION SECTION

DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION

MARC RAaCOT, GOVERNOR

STATE OF MONTANA-

NORTHWESTERM LAND OFRCI
2250 HIGHWAY W NORTH
KAUSrELl. MONTANA S9W1-2S37

Telephone; U06) 752-7994
FAXi (40«l 752-7993

TO:

FROM:

MEMORANDUM

Jeff Hagener, Administrator, Trust Land Management Division, Depanment of
Natural Resources and Conservation

H*;

William E. O'Brien, Area ManageiO^^brthwestem Land Office, Department of 3-
Natural Resources & Conservation^ A

DATE: October 26, 1995

SUBJECT: NWLO Response to Petition to Open a County Road

You have requested my recommendation regarding a road petition being circulated by William and
Candy Richter.

The petition to be presented to Flathead County covers three parts of a road from U.S. Highway 93
to the South Beaver Lake road. The southern portion joins Highway U.S. 93 in the NEWSW'4 of
Section 33, T31N, R22W. The northern portion ties into the South Beaver Lake road in the
SE'/iSEVi of Section 20, T31N, R22VV. The proposed route is about 2.3 miles in length. It is our
understanding that the petition would ask the county to obtain right-of-way and build the road at
county expense. The attached map shows the location we believe to be described in the petition.

The idea of Flathead County declaring this road a county road and building it to county standards is
a positive thought. It would benefit both the general public and the Depanment of Natural
Resources cind Conservation (DNRC) to some degree. The proposed route would reduce the trip for
recreationists from the Whitefish area by about five miles. The petitioned route would provide
DNRC with legal access to ownership in Section 33, T31N, R22W. At the present time DNRC
does not have legal access to this trust land. However, several aspects of this proposal are . • :.:
problematic.

The petition has not been presented to Flathead County officials, however Sta^n Billheimer of this
office has been in contact with the Commissioner's Office concerning the Skyles Lake road. The
Commissioner's Office maintains that this has never been a county road. It is our understanding
that the County, as a matter of policy, will not accept responsibility for any new roads requiring any
construction or funding by the county.

KAUSrCLL L7.rr
nSO H;jSw«v 93 North
laidpcU. MT S990;-2557
T«i»7hon» (■40«] 7S:-:99<

F-« («« n2.7993

Appendix B

SnUWATEX ST>T1 FOREST

roeoiiM

01.TCV. M7 S99r<l«
T«(c7him> !«tl H'..2jn
Fh(4C«IUI-:37? ,

UBBYUNIT

i-um us Hi(h»)' r

Libby. WT 399U.9M7

Tdcphar« (406) :9>zm

F« (■i06» 293.9307

■AN C3!M1 nppOflTUvnv gLiPi nvcar

PLAINS UNIT
PO Bo« :»

Pl-ifn. SIT 39859.0:19

Tcieph^fv (4041826-3851

Fix (406) a:6-37BS

JWA.S STATE FOREST

SwutLi^tf.MT S»a

Trlcphcnc (406) 754-1301

F4> (406) 734-3384

B-1

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The first part of the road is from Highway U.S. 93 North to trust land and is about one-quarter of a
mile in length. It is located in the NE!(4SW14 of Section 33 on private land owned by Roger and
Ida Nielsen. This is a single lane road constructed of native material with a gravel surface. The
Skyles Lake Home Owners Association has a right-of-way easement from the Nielsens for ingress
and egress to access private residences. A sign has been placed at the junction with U.S. 93
indicating it is a private road and may be closed at any time. The Nielsens allow other private
landowners in the area to use the road for access to their undeveloped properties. They also allow
recreationists to use the road for access to the Beaver Lake area. DNRC is allowed use of the road
for administration. They have indicated that DNRC could obtain an easement for that use in the
future. However, we believe the Nielsons are not in favor of a county road through their property
to Beaver Lake because they have expressed opposition to increased access to the area.

The junction of the petitioned road and U.S. 93 is at a location where the highway has both
horizontal and vertical curves in a 55 mile per hour speed zone. MDT requires a sight distance of
980 feet each way for a loaded logging truck to pull onto the highway. The required sight distance
does not exist in either direction. Recently Stan talked to Ross Gammon, Montana Department of
Transportation office in Kalispell. Mr Gammon stated that for county roads, a sight distance of 980
feet must be available each direction. Since the existing private road does not have the required
sight distance, it appears that designation as a county road would be contrary to VIDT policy
regarding access to a state highway. rr. :,.;<. *...n«j m-M ^^-,-«u^ |

The second part of the road shown in the petition is located in the trust ow.nership in the SE'4NV."i
of Section 33. There are no records indicating that this was ever a public or county road in either
DNRC or county records. The Board has granted permarient easements to the various landowners
in the Skyles Lake area for this section of road. There is an existing cabin site lease in this trust
land tract which is accessed by the road through the Nielsons' property.

The third part of the road in the petition begins at the east boundary of the trust ownership in the
SE'/iNWVi of Section 33. The road follows an easterly and northerly route through the SWUN'EW
of Section 33. This area consists of residential lots and acreages. DNRC has verbal permission
from the President of the Skyles Lake Home Owners Association to use this portion of private road
for administrative access to the eastern portion of the trust land in section 33.

The road enters trust land via the southern boundary of the NWUNEU of Section 33. The road
proceeds northerly through this parcel for 0.3 mile. This road is now grassed in and seldom used.
The road has been in place since the 1920's according to DNRC records. Road grades vary from
about 6 to 18 percent. The northern portion of the road is located in a Class Three stream bed. If
this segment of road were to be improved, our direction is that it would have to be relocated with
new construction to meet Best Management Practices (BMPs)..

The road then enters private ownerships for about 0.6 mile. Most of the road is located in a Class
Three stream bed. About half of the road has not been used for years and is grown-in with trees up
to five inches in diameter.

s:'rj!."a5'! ;

M

Stillwater State Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

The road re-enters trust land at the divide between Skyles Lake and Beaver Lake in the S'ANWVi of
Section 28. The road runs northwesterly through the eighty acre parcel. This parcel is part of the
320 acres in Section 28 and 29 received from Plum Creek Timber Company (PCTC) in a land
exchange in December 1987.

The road passes through trust land for about 0.6 mile, with about half of that length being located in
the land received from PCTC. The company has checked their records for this ownership and did
not find any record of a cited public or county road in this eighty acre parcel. The remaining 0.3
mile of road is located in the original grant to the State. Again no record of public or county road
in this portion of the ownership.

The 0.6 miles of road is located beside a Class Three stream or on a side slope, until the junction
with the South Beaver Lake Road. At this road junction, the road becomes very steep approaching
a 40 percent grade. The entire 0.6 mile of road is grown-in vegetation and trees up to 5-6 inches in
diameter and it is difficult to discern the location of the road on the ground as little soil was
displaced in the original construction. Portions of this road would have to be relocated and
reconstructed to meet BMPs. The location of the 0.6 mile of road does not fit the preliminary
transportation plan done during the summer of 1995 by DNRC. Several new roads will be needed
across ridges and draws to access DNRC and private holdings in this area.

Conclusion

While increased access to the trust lands in this area is generally desirable, there are several factors
which lead me to the recommendation that D.NRC should not join this petition. - -

First, it is highly unlikely that MDT will allow trucks to legally enter US 93 at this location
which would limit the value of the road to DNRC, since we need a road that will accommodate
legal transport of logs from trust lands in the area. Also, we should not join a petition calling,
for a road that will not meet basic safety standards. •:'»!

Second, it will not be possible to reconstruct the road on trust land to meet BMP's on the
current "road" location. The petitioned road does not conform very well to our conceptual
transportation plan for the area.

Third, there is no reason to believe that the county will agree to fund construction of this road.
We should not join the petition unless we have indications from the county that the petition is

welcome.

/'

Finally, the Nielsons hold a key position to access in this area. We should not take a position
that could jeopardize our current working relationship with them and our ability to get
permanent right of way from them in the future for our lessee and administrative use.

cc: Tom Vars, Stillwater Unit
BUI Wright, Kalispell Unit
Stan Billheimer, NWXO (file)
Dan Vincent, FWT KalispeO

Appendix B

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Stillwater Stale Forest • Beaver Lake Timber Sale Project

Department of Natural Resources and Conservation

Stillwater Unit Office • Stillwater State Forest

P.O. Box 164

Olney, MT 59927

406 881-2371

iWo^G^m

-Dirm

Versans \JOixh disabilities who need an alternative, accessible format of this
document should contact DNRC at the address or phone number shoum above.

85 copies of this document were published at an estimated cost of $11. S per copy.
The total cost of $1140 includes $980 for printinjj, and $160for distribution.