- 22 - 



the worst and some of the best silvicultural practices used in Montana. 

 Important factors in operation quality included (Many of these points 

 also apply to large private, state and BLM operations): 



1. Management objectives of the landowner 



Some landowners harvest to reduce the tax base, convert to another land 

 use or for quick income. Other landowners manage their timber for 

 long-term productive uses. 



2. Contractor 



As with any profession, there is a wide range in performance between 

 operators. Some loggers take no precautions to protect water quality. 

 Other operators are wery conscientious about doing a quality job. 

 Monitoring of the job by concerned landowners usually results in better 

 operations. 



3. Professional assistance available to the landowner 



4. Size of the operation 



5. Location of the operation 



This is an important factor as many private lands are located along 

 drainages (homestead lands). Proximity to public lands can be important 

 when both public and private lands in the same drainage are harvested 

 simultaneously because of the mutual aspect of access. 



6. Timing of the operation 



The time of the year (spring and early summer vs. fall or winter) 

 influences impacts on water quality. In addition, the timing of the 

 operation in relation to other silvicultural practices or other land 

 uses in the same drainage may influence water quality impacts. 



