Five well-defined drainages within the sale area were further studied 

 as a means to determine possible increases in maximum peak flow below 

 the sale area. Increases in maximum peak flows from these selected 

 drainages will range from 2.5 to 8.5 percent the first year following 

 cutting. These peak flows are anticipated to decrease each successive 

 year until evapotranspirative recovery from regeneration is complete, 

 probably in 25 to 30 years. 



E. Fish and Wildlife 



A detailed wildlife and fisheries inventory within the proposed sale area 

 was not undertaken in connection with the sale preparation. However, 

 the potential impacts of the proposed sale upon wildlife and fisheries 

 were reviewed on the ground with a representative of the Montana Depart- 

 ment of Fish and Came. 



The area is the summer range of deer, elk and black bear with an occa- 

 sional sighting of a Grizzly bear. Deep winter snows, heavy concentra- 

 tions of understory trees and shrubs and large amounts of forest debris 

 limit the suitability of the proposed sale area for winter big game range; 

 the possible exception is the small Douglas-fir/pinegrass habitat type 

 area located in the SWi,SE5 of Section 21. 



The small intermittent streams in the sale area drain into Antice and Dog 

 Creeks which support native cutthroat trout fisheries. The small, scattered 

 harvesting units and road systems are expected to have very little effect 

 upon the fisheries of these areas. 



Human Use of the Area 



The earliest recorded timber harvesting on the area occurred during 

 1922 and 1923, when 527 cedar poles were harvested. Since that time, 

 a total volume of approximately 3.463 million board feet of timber has 

 been harvested from within the general sale area boundary through a 

 few large sales and numerous timber permits. This harvesting has 

 occurred almost entirely in that portion of the area drained by Antice 

 Creek. 



Recreational use by the general public is limited by the dense forest 

 stands which preclude easy access to all portions of the area. Driving 

 for pleasure along the upper Stryker road, hunting, and berry pick- 

 ing are considered the primary forms of recreational use at the present 

 time. 



Crazing by livestock is not now permitted on the area. 



Commercially valuable mineral deposits have not been located or developed 



