forming specific management objectives into a sound, workable plan of action 

 for an area. This involves a consideration not only of the present biological, 

 social, economic and technological situations, but also of foreseeable future 

 management activities and conditions in the area. 



For example, given the existing biological condition of the forest stands 

 on most of this area, a strong case can be made for a greater harvest area, 

 larger individual units and more extensive road systems. From the standpoint 

 of initiating healthy growing stands for future use, this is most desirable, but 

 to do this forecloses the option of similar size periodic harvest and increases 

 the magnitude of aesthetic, hydrologic and wildlife impacts. 



2. Road Construction and Improvements 



Alternatives considered, but rejected as acceptable, were the use of har- 

 vest systems requiring less road development, building both higher and lower 

 standard road systems, and alternative locations to serve this area. 



Alternative road improvement measures which were considered involved 

 either no improvement to the existing system or that improvement which is 

 necessary to mitigate the effects of the log hauling activity. The proposed Upper 

 Stryker Ridge timber sale embodies the latter alternative. Photo 3 shows an 

 existing road within the general sale area boundary which typifies those to be 

 constructed. (See Appendix B) 



3. Silvicultural Systems 



The selection method, an uneven-aged reproduction method, involves the 

 removal of the mature timber, usually the oldest or largest trees either as single 

 scattered individuals or in small groups and repeated indefinitely at relatively 

 short intervals. The selection method was judged unsuitable primarily because 

 of the amount of forest debris already present and the higher proportion of the 

 more shade tolerant tree species (which are lower in quality) that would result. 



With respect to the number, size, shape and placement of specific unit 

 boundaries, a variety of alternatives exist. Prime considerations in the deter- 

 mination of these units were the desire to mitigate the adverse visual impacts 

 that often result from timber management activities, while at the same time to 

 facilitate the harvesting and slash disposal operations. 



4. The Harvesting Operation 



The harvesting operation proposed for the Upper Stryker Ridge sale 

 utilizes conventional crawler tractor and rubber-tired skidder logging systems. 

 Various cable logging systems were considered as alternatives but, on the basis 



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