otp '«r», 



MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL 

 RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION 



THOMAS L JUDGE, governor 



GARY WICKS, DIRECTOR 



MEMBERS OF THE BOARD 



JOSEPH W SABOL chairman 



OWEN E SOWERWINE 



OR WILSON F CLARK 



DEAN HANSON 



RILEY OSTBY 



CECIL WEEDING 



DAVID G DRUM 



449 3712 



32 SOUTH EWING 



NATURAL RESOURCES BUILDING 



HELENA. MONTANA 59601 



April 15, 1974 



Following is the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed 

 sale of commercial timber near Olney, Montana. This administrative action, 

 the Upper Stryker Ridge Timber Sale, has been proposed by the Department 

 of Natural Resources and Conservation, Division of Forestry. Preparation of 

 this Draft Environmental Impact Statement was done in compliance with the 

 Montana Environmental Policy Act, Section 69-6504 (b) (3) and was submitted 

 to the Environmental Quality Council on April 15, 1974. 



Forest resource management decisions often have extensive and signifi- 

 cant economic impacts and implications. Furthermore, economics can have 

 significant implications for forest management decisions. Traditional economic 

 values have always weighed heavily in forest management decisions, although 

 complete and formal analyses have generally not been made. Recognizing this 

 short-coming we have included the first formal economic analysis to be prepared 

 in conjunction with a Division of Forestry Environmental Impact Statement. 

 Constructive review comments on this section are requested as an aid to improv- 

 ing later analyses. 



I would encourage you to carefully review this statement and invite your 

 response. Any written comments that you might have should be submitted to 

 me by May 15, 1974. Upon request, a fifteen-day extension of this deadline will 

 be provided. If a final impact statement is prepared, your written comments 

 will be included. 



Sine 



GERHARD M. KNUDS 

 ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR 



® 



