Agencies with Jurisdiction 



The proposals include various access options. The different routes 

 would require different combinations of culvert and bridge 

 installation or re-installations. For agency sponsored activities, 

 these stream crossings would fall under the "124" permit authority 

 of the Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. If crossings are 

 required in the selected alternative, then the DNRC will apply to 

 the DFWP for the required permits. Installations would be made in 

 compliance with the conditions listed in any permit granted. 



The proposed timber harvest also would fall under the local Sediment 

 and Erosion Control Ordinance administered by the Lewis & Clark 

 County Conservation District. The DNRC already contacted the CD. 

 as part of this assessments public scoping process. If an action 

 alternative is selected, then the DNRC would make an official 

 notification to the CD. on the forms they specify. 



Any activity which disturbs the naturally occurring surface 

 vegetation falls under the jurisdiction of the local County 

 Weed Board. The DNRC has a Revegetation and Weed Management Plan on 

 file with the County Weed Board. As there are existing noxious 

 weeds on some of these areas, the Weed Board was contacted during 

 the public scoping process. If an action alternative is selected, 

 then the DNRC would file a site specific Weed Management Plan with 

 the Weed Board. 



Slash burning involves two agencies. Lewis & Clark County usually 

 requires parties to have a burning permit prior to igniting fuels. 

 The Department of Environmental Quality regulates air quality. 



The action alternatives would all generate some slash burning. If 

 slash piles are to be burned, the DNRC would obtain the burning 

 permit from the County (issued by the Helena Fire Dispatch Office) . 

 The DNRC is part of the Montana Air Shed Coordinating Group. Our 

 burns are planned by that group to limit particulate production to 

 acceptable levels. 



The Decision To Be Made 



There are two (2) decisions to be made regarding these alternative 

 proposals. The first is to decide which management alternative 

 would best meet the management objectives and the objectives of the 

 SFLMP. The second decision is whether this EA adequately identifies 

 the potential impacts of the selected alternative and the 

 significance of those impacts. 



Public Involvement and Issue Determination 



Numerous private persons, agencies, companies operating in the area 

 and special interest groups were contacted by mail starting in the 

 summer of 1997 for comments. The general public was asked to reply 

 through a legal ad published in the Helena Independent Record on 



