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 silvicultural activities may complicate existing impacts. 



The DF&G has listed the Bitterroot River and the West Fork Bitterroot 

 River as experiencing habitat deterioration due to logging practices. 

 Local Conservation Districts have estimated that approximately 36 percent 

 of the comnercial forest acreage within the watershed (USGS basin 17010205) 

 contribute to non-point source sediment pollution. It is not defined 

 how non-USFS silvicultural activities are reflected in above statistics. 



An EPA study (July, 1975) reports that cumulative timber harvests within 

 the Bitterroot River drainage have led to increased stream flows and 

 timing alteration of peak flows. (This assessment includes both USFS and 

 non-USFS harvest activities). Extensive clearcut areas (USFS) are probably 

 the major cause of increased peak flows (EPA, 1975), however, private and 

 state timber harvests have also contributed to this change in the hydrologic 

 regime. A lack of timber harvest regulation on private lands was noted 

 as a determining factor in the employment of poor management practices 

 on these lands. 



The Sleeping Child burn (1961) along with timber harvest activities 

 (primarily USFS and Burlington Northern) have resulted in streamflow 

 increases and altered timing of peak flows in several drainages. Presently, 

 these changes continue to cause stream degradation in the lower reaches 

 of the Sleeping Child drainage, complicated by erosive materials and 

 streambank abuse from grazing practices. Other impacts to water quality 

 (temperature increases, sediment load) undoubtedly occurred 5-10 years 

 after the fire, but baseline data was not available for comparison. 



Lolo Creek enters the Bitterroot River at the town of Lolo (approximately 

 six miles south of Missoula). A checkerboard pattern of ownership 



