P5 



approximately 38-88% of the existing crown cover. Approximately 3.3 miles of existing low standard road 

 would be improved to meet minimum BMPs, 2.8 miles of newly constructed road and .3 miles obliterated 

 existing road. Alternative C would treat approximately 197 acres with similar prescriptions to Alternative B, 

 but with a total of 4.2 miles of new road construction, and .25 miles of temporary road. Alternative D would 

 treat the same units as alternative C, but would have a total of 4.5 miles of new road construction and .3 

 miles of existing road obliterated. 



Water Quality: 



Harvest units can directly impact water quality if not properly located or buffered. The risk of impacts is 

 greatest along streams, wetlands and lakes. The Streamside Management Zone Law (SMZ Law) regulates 

 forest management activities that occur adjacent to streams, lakes or other bodies of water. All proposed 

 activities will be conducted in accordance with the SMZ law and Rules. All areas requiring SMZ delineation 

 have been field reviewed by DNRC Hydrologist and Soil Scientist to determine their adequacy in meeting 

 the requirements of the law and satisfying tne SFLMP guidance to protect water quality and aquatic 

 resources. No long term impacts to dov/nstream water quality or beneficial uses are expected to result 

 from the proposed action alternatives. 



In addition to the watercourses assessed and evaluated, the rest of the proposed sale area is comprised of 

 ephemeral draws that lack discernable stream channels. Equipment operation restrictions and designated 

 crossings will be utilized to protect all ephemeral draw bottoms. 



The primary risk to water quality is associated with roads, especially roads constructed along or crossing 



streams. Alternatives B & C include 2.8 and 4.2 miles of proposed new road construction respectively, 



along v/ith a new bridge crossing for Gladstone Creek in section 27. The new bridge crossing along 



Gladstone Creek will replace the current drive-through crossing located at ttie' Baldwin homesite. 



Improvements v/ill be made to address a spring currently seeping out of the road fill and installing road 



surface drainage away from the crossing. Construction of this bridge site will also relocate a short segment 



of existing road v/ith a steep approach grade to the current crossing. This relocation v/ill eliminate the other 



two drive-through crossings along Gladstone Creek. There are a variety of bridge designs and mitigation f ,> ''l'^^ 



measures that may be used for this crossing site. A corrugated steeLopen-arch pipe may also be used to ' -' ' 



replace the current drive-thru crossing at Gladstone Creek. Utilization of a bottomless arch rather than a 



cylinder pipe provides similar benefits to that of a bridge crossing. The benefits to utilizing a bottomless 



arch pipe include: maintaining natural stream bed gradient, allowing the natural channel bed to remain 



undisturbed, less inlet control and constriction on velocity and stream energy, and providing for better fish 



passage. Site specific design standards will be fully addressed in the sale contract. DNRC will fully utilize 



all mitigation measures to ensure the fullest protection of soil and water resources. 



Action alternative D includes 4.5 miles of proposed new road construction and a permanent bridge crossing 

 for French Creek. The new bridge crossing proposed for French Creek will utilize similar design and 

 mitigation specifications as the Gladstone crossing. 



DNRC will utilize all reasonable mitigation and erosion control practices during the design, reconstruction 

 and construction of all roads, stream and draw crossings. Site specific design recommendations from 

 DNRC Hydrologist, Soil Scientist and MDFWP Fisheries Biologist will be fully implemented under each 

 action alternative. All stream crossing sites are subject to approval from MDFWP through the permitting 

 process required under the Montana Stream Protection Act. All provisions and mitigation measures 

 stipulated in the 124 permit will be fully implemented. 



Approximately 3.3 miles of existing low standard road will be improved under each proposed action to a 

 standard that meets minimum BMPs. These improvements include replacing a poorly designed bridge 

 crossing; replacing an undersized and poorly designed culvert crossing; and improving safety and mitigation 

 measures on several existing bridges. Mitigation measures will be implemented to insure appropriate road 



