18 

 may be magnified in these areas. Detrimental conditions in 

 headwaters will also affect downstream habitat (Bury et al. 

 1991a) . Watersheds already showing signs of stress (condition 

 yellow) as determined by an index such as the Riffle Armor 

 Stability Index (RASI) (Idaho Panhandle National Forests 1992) or 

 by professional judgement, should be managed so that increases in 

 normal peak runoff due to management activities will be no 

 greater than 5%. No increases in normal peak runoff as a result 

 of management activities should occur in watersheds out of 

 equilibrium (condition red) . 



Road and trail construction 



Forest Service roads will be routed around salamander sites. 

 To minimize sedimentation and disturbance, roads located above 

 salamander sites will be located no closer than 100 m (328 ft) 

 (Ketcheson and Megahan 1990) ; roads located below salamander 

 sites will be located no closer than 30 m (100 ft) . No road 

 widening will be undertaken that might impact current populations 

 or habitat. Talus rubble will be left at the base of road cuts 

 near salamander sites to provide cover and foraging habitat. 



State and federal agency biologists will work closely with 

 state highway departments to achieve similar management 

 objectives on non-Forest Service lands. 



Fire 

 Slash burns adjacent to salamander sites will be conducted in 

 July and August to minimize disturbance to habitat, movements, 

 and breeding activities in the spring and fall. Protection zones 



