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streams, wetlands, and other bodies of water from 

 detrimental changes in water temperatures, blockages of 

 water courses, and deposits of sediment, where harvests 

 are likely to seriously and adversely affect water 

 conditions or fish habitat. 



The applicable federal regulation, 36 C.F.R. 219.27, states: 



Special attention shall be given to land and vegetation 

 for approximately 100 feet from the edges of all 

 perennial streams. No management practices causing 

 detrimental changes in the water temperature or chemical 

 composition, blockage of water course, or deposits of 

 sediment shall be permitted. 



The Forest Service National Riparian Policy orders the Forest 



Service to: 



Manage riparian areas under the principles of multiple- 

 use and sustained-yield, while emphasizing protection and 

 improvement of soil, water, vegetation, and fish and 

 wildlife resources; give preferential consideration to 

 riparian-dependent resources when conflicts among land 

 use activities occur. 



In 1983 an Alaska Regional Guide was developed which es- 

 tablished AHMU to cover all fish habitat components. The guide 

 states: 



Within AHMU ' s timber harvest and other land-use acti- 

 vities are prescribed to meet management goals for fish 

 habitat . 



An AHMU Handbook was developed by an interdisciplinary team to give 



resource professionals site-specific direction for protection of 



fish habitat. Special consideration is given to the area at least 



100 feet on either side of streams. 



The Forest Service implements these laws, regulations, 



policies site-specifically in order to best manage habitat to meet 



fisheries goals. Following on-the-ground investigations and 



analyses, interdisciplinary teams select streamside prescriptions 



