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 Harvesting operations vary from individual tree selection to clearcutting. 

 Two recent BLM Environmental Assessments (BLM, 1976 and BLM, 1977) state 

 that over 90 percent of harvesting on the Missoula and Dillon sustained 

 yield units will be by partial cutting (which results in harvesting 

 in stages, with at least 10 years between stages). These two sustained 

 yield units contain most of the BLM's comnercial forest land. 



Road construction is often necessary to gain access to BLM timber. Road 

 design varies with amount and type of use, topography, and other variables, 

 Roads range from 10-14 feet in width with road clearing from 25-50 feet. 

 Design criteria are part of the timber sale contract. 



Slash treatment is also a part of timber sale contracts. In Montana, 

 burning, mechanical treatment, and lop and scatter are principal slash 

 treatment methods. Burning has been the principal treatment; however, 

 the BLM (1976) considers lopping and scattering of slash to be a feasible 

 treatment in stands harvested by partial cutting. 



Use of pesticides has been limited on BLM lands in Montana and current 

 plans do not call for largescale applications (BLM, 1975,1976,1977). 



