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 C. Missouri River Basin 



In order to effectively identify and evaluate water quality problems of 

 the Missouri River Basin, the following stream basin groupings were 

 utilized: 



Upper Missouri River Basin Headwaters to Three Forks 



Middle Missouri River Basin Three Forks to mouth of 



Marias River 



Lower Missouri River Basin Marias River to North Dakota 



border 



The Blue Ribbon Designated 208 Study Unit is within the Upper Missouri 

 River Basin and was not considered in this report. 



Upper Missouri River Basin 



Trends in timber harvesting within the Upper Missouri River basin have 

 gradually changed. Until recently, most harvest activities occurred 

 on USFS lands. At present, private timber resources are supplying up 

 to 75 percent of mill production (Stoltze Land and Lumber - Dillon, 

 pers. comm. ). As demand for private timber increases and stumpage prices 

 increase, costly BMP's are more likely to be disregarded; this is 

 particularly true due to the lack of guidelines in effect on private 

 lands. However, there is a growing awareness amongst landowners of the 

 advantages in seeking professional assistance for the design and con- 

 tracting of a timber sale (B. Hand, pers. comm.). 



Dyrness (1967) and Swanston (1970) identified the Upper Missouri River 

 drainage as an area where risk of mass movement is high. Timber harvesting 

 in such environments may seriously affect water quality if adequate 

 site planning is not employed. 



