3.0 Affected Environment 



3.1 Introduction 



Chapter 3: Affected Environment succinctly describes the relevant resources that 

 would affect or that would be affected by the alternatives if they were implemented. 

 This chapter also describes relevant factors of the existing environment and includes 

 effects of past and ongoing management activities within the analysis area that might 

 affect project implementation and operation. 



From the description of Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) and Alternative B: 

 Harvest in Chapter 2 in conjunction with the predicted effects a comparison can be 

 made of the effects of both alternatives. 



3.2 Description of Relevant Affected Resources: Existing 

 Conditions 



3.2.1 Water Quality, Soils, Fisheries, and Weeds 

 Analysis Methods 



A watershed analysis was completed by a DNRC hydrologist for the proposed 

 sale area to determine the existing direct, indirect and cumulative effects to water 

 quality, soils, fisheries and noxious weeds. 



The existing cumulative effects of past timber harvest activity on water yield and 

 watershed conditions were analyzed using the Equivalent Clearcut Area (ECA) 

 methodology. This methodology estimates existing water yield increases (WYI) 

 and predicts water yield increases of proposed harvest activities. The ECA model 

 calculates WYI using total treated acres, percent crown cover removal, 

 precipitation, hydrologic recovery, habitat type and road miles. The 15% WYI 

 threshold was developed for all four watersheds by assessing acceptable risk 

 levels, watershed sensitivity, resource value, stream channel conditions and 

 riparian habitat conditions. 



For this project, the ECA model was used to predict post-fire water yield 

 increases. The total number of burned acres in the watershed was entered into the 

 calculation as a clearcut, because no known hydrophobicity was observed. The 

 delay time was increased to 2 years to account for a two-year period of minimal 

 ground cover until vegetation has established. 



Channel and riparian habitat conditions were evaluated by completing channel 

 inventories and Pfankuck stability ratings for all streams within the project area 

 and downstream of the project area to analyze for potential impacts downstream. 

 These methods are outlined in the Forest Hydrology Part II (USES 1974). 

 Reconnaissance level surveys were used to observe existing conditions of soils, 

 noxious weeds and water quality. Existing conditions of fisheries habitat was 



Dirty Ike Salvage Environmental Assessment 3-1 



