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that will best protect fish habitat at that site. Many site- 

 specific factors, such as stream channel and bank condition, water 

 temperature, soils, fish passage (access), water quality, large 

 woody debris, timing of bridge and culvert installation, AHMU class 

 and stream gradients must be considered. Interdisciplinary teams 

 prescribe protection measures, including the width of the area in 

 which no trees are cut. This width may be more or less than 100 

 feet, depending on stream class, channel type and site-specific 

 conditions . 



The above Forest Service policies are described in "Fish 

 Habitat Management on the Tongass National Forest," attached as 

 Exhibit C. At page 13, Exhibit C demonstrates that the Forest 

 Service includes the NMFS LOD rationale in making timber harvesting 

 and road construction decisions: 



Many research studies have been, and are being, conducted 

 in Southeast Alaska on habitat requirements of anadromous 

 and resident fish, effects of land-use activities on fish 

 habitat, and fish habitat enhancement opportunities. 

 Results are incorporated into Forest Service policies and 

 prescriptions. Research has pointed out the substantial 

 variability in conditions, and the opportunities and need 

 for similarly variable prescriptions. An example is 

 large woody debris. Previously, biologists and others 

 believed all logging debris had to be removed from 

 streams to protect fish habitat. Forest Service policy 

 reflected that belief. Through research, it was 

 determined that some large woody debris in streams is 

 needed to protect fish and to increase salmon and trout 

 production. Current policy and management practice 

 provides for enough debris for fish habitat and retention 

 of standing trees nearby for future replacement. 



Research has identified other ways to protect and enhance 

 fish habitat. In some locations, increased light 

 reaching the stream is needed to increase fish produc- 

 tion, further pointing out the need for individual 

 prescriptions based on local conditions and characteris- 

 tics . 



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