74 



In the lower reaches of the Rock Creek drainage a checkerboard pattern of 

 land ownership exists among the USPS, Champion International, Burlington 

 Northern, the State, and other private interests. Although these harvest 

 activities (some of which are large clear-cuts) have not caused significant 

 impact to date, there is a high potential for cumulative impacts in the 

 future. This is evident in the history of poor coordination of harvesting 

 activities (as they relate to water quality) among mixed ownerships. 



Until now, most timber harvests in the Rock Creek drainage have occurred 

 on tributary streams with little impact to the water quality of Rock 

 Creek proper (DF&G - Missoula, pers. comm.). The DF&6 is actively 

 advocating a watershed management policy that will continue to protect 

 the water quality of Rock Creek. 



The Granite Conservation District has indicated that no soil erosion 

 problems exist on commercial forestland within the drainage (1977). 



Areas of potential impact from silvicultural activities (ownership of 

 merchantable timber along perennial streams, checkerboard ownership 

 of timberlands, etc.) should be managed with particular regard to 

 protection of stream water quality. Table VI-B-5 outlines problem 

 areas within the Rock Creek drainage; these are located on Plate I . 



