may result in increased erosion until they are vegetated. Water bars, slash 

 placement and seeding on these areas, is expected to help reduce erosion 

 rates. 



4.3.1.4.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: No Harvest (No 

 Action) 



Under the Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action), cumulative impacts to 

 soils have occurred. Erosion, compaction and displacement have occurred 

 as a result of wildfire and fire suppression activities as well as past harvest 

 activities, existing roads and residential development. 



4.3.1.4.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



Ground based and cable harvest activities could increase soil disturbance, 

 resulting in increased erosion. However, implementation of recommended 

 mitigation measures should maintain erosion rates similar to those 

 resulting from the wildfires and expected under No Action. Sale design 

 mitigations do incorporate those concerns associated with loss of 

 vegetation and canopy cover, and soil impacts as a result of the fire. 



To minimize soil effects associated with the proposed activities, BMP's 

 season of use and slope restrictions will be implemented. The most 

 sensitive soils are found in Section 6, Tevis Gravelly Loams on 8-30% 

 slopes. These soils have a shorter season of use and are susceptible to 

 compaction and displacement when wet. Ground based harvest on these 

 soils will only occur during frozen and snow covered winter conditions on 

 slopes less than 40%. Evaro Gravelly Loams, which comprise a majority 

 of the proposed activity area have an average season of use, but are 

 sensitive to higher moisture levels. Ground based harvest on these soils 

 will occur during frozen and snow covered winter conditions on slopes 

 less than 40%. Slopes 30-40% will be predominantly winter harvested and 

 therefore should have minimal effects on soils (KJock 1975 and Williams 

 1993). 



Cable harvest activities during the summer have a higher potential to 

 cause soil disturbance than winter cable harvest operations Slash and tops 

 will be retained within the cable corridors to mitigate these potential 

 impacts. Corridor spacing and layout will also be designed to best fit the 

 terrain. 



Recommended mitigations for course woody debris would be 

 implemented. Fallen logs and other course woody debris provide habitat 

 for a large number of species that are important in decay nutrient cycling. 

 5-10 tons per acre of course woody debris will be retained on the ground 

 for nutrient cycling and erosion control. Approximately 15-20 sub 

 merchantable trees per acre will be contour felled in high severity bum 



Dirty Dee Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-5 



