342 



Yes. However, these are average values. Some LWD comes as 

 far away as 40 meters from the bank. In the valley bottom 

 streams, much of the LWD comes from the lower bank (46-64 %) 

 because these streams generally meander across their flood 

 plains, and their channels may change direction and follow 

 new courses. These streams will generally require zones 

 wider than 100 feet to allow for stream meandering and still 

 provide adequate recruitment over the long term of LWD 

 following logging. In some of the mid- and high-slope 

 streams, only 19-23 % of LWD comes from the lower bank. 

 Overall, in order to protect future sources of LWD for 

 streams important to fishery resources, 100 feet is a 

 minimum. Any less would cause a loss of fish habitat. As 

 stated earlier, buffers help protect stream banks from 

 erosion, maintain water quality, provide shade and cover for 

 the stream, and moderate stream temperature, etc. 



23. So streams are not necessarily going to be damaged if there 

 are buffer strips less than 100 feet — all it means is a 

 probability that such a stream will not naturally recruit 

 100% if the Large Woody Debris it would otherwise get, 

 right? 



As Dr. Brooks stated during the hearing, "we believe that 



long-term degradation of salmon habitat is certain" without 



minimum 100 foot buffers. 



24. Could the Forest Service make up for loss of Large Woody 

 Debris within 100 feet by artificially inducting it into 

 a stream? 



I understand that the ADF&G is having private (Native) 

 corporations put logs into the water for Large Woody Debris 

 purposes. 



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