densities ranging from 410 to 768 stems/acre. More mesic types (Abi 

 las/Vac sco and Abi las/Cal can) are overstocked with densities of 

 1,054 to 1,197 stems/acre. Densities of merchantable trees (six-inch 

 dbh or greater) ranged from 205 to 316 stems/acre, except in the Abi 

 las/Cal can habitat type (507 stems/acre). Sawyer (1984) found 

 densities of trees over four-inch dbh to be 363 to 426 stems/acre in 

 the proposed waste dump area. This site was dominated by lodgepole 

 pine end subalpine fir, with fewer spruce. 



Table 7 presents mean basal area and 50-year site indexes (Pfister et 

 al., 1977) for forested habitat types occurring on the permit area. 

 Mean basal area is fairly consistent, ranging from 175 square feet/acre 

 for the Abi las/Vac sco type to 247 square feet/acre for the Abi 

 las/Cal can type. Sawyer (1984) calculated basal areas of 121 to 195 

 square feet/acre for several sites within and adjacent to the permit 

 area. OEA Research (1981) measured height, diameter and age of trees 

 on forested transects in the permit area (Table 8). 



Commercial volume was estimated at 5,000-6,000 board feet/acre in the 

 more dense forest stands end 2,000-3,000 board feet/acre in more open 

 stands (Davis, pers. comm.). 



Noxious Weeds 



Two weed species listed by the state as noxious in Montana were 

 identified in the permit area. Canada Thistle ( Ci rsiu m ervense ) and 

 spotted knapweed ( Centaurea maculosa ) were recorded on areas disturbed 



36 



