would disturb the soil create conditions that would be conducive to possible new 

 infestations or spread of current populations. The current miles of open road within the 

 project area would not change under the no action alternative and would be the likely 

 areas to see increases in noxious weeds and invasions of new species. Reductions in 

 noxious weed infestations would most likely occur with cooperation and joint control 

 efforts with the private landowners within and adjacent to the project area. 



Action Alternative : The spread of weed seed and increases in weed populations would 

 continue to occur with implementation of the action alternative. Road construction and 

 maintenance activities that would disturb the soil create conditions that would be 

 conducive to possible new infestations or spread of current populations. Reductions in 

 noxious weed infestations would most likely occur with cooperation and joint control 

 efforts with the private landowners within and adjacent to the project area. 



III. SOIL EFFECTS 



1. Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative : No timber harvesting and associated activities would take place 

 except for road maintenance and spot repairs. Effects from skid trails, landings, hazard 

 reduction and site preparation would not occur under the no action alternative. 



Action Alternative : Timber harvesting would occur on 408 acres of the project area. 

 Effects from skid trails, landings, hazard reduction and site preparation would occur 

 under the action alternative. Hazard reduction and site preparation activities would 

 include approximately 176 acres of prescribed burning. 



Table 4-1 : Estimated maximum acres of soil impacts from harvest methods 



Due to the compaction and displacement impacts to the soil as shown in Table 4-1, 

 reductions in soil productivity are expected on up to 49.6 acres. To control the area and 

 degree of detrimental soil effects to less than 15% of the area, the following mitigation 

 measures were developed to reduce the potential impacts to the soil resource: 



Lopping slash in main skid trails to reduce bare soil exposure 



Grass seed road cuts and fill slopes shortly after construction and the road prism 



after final blading. 



Skidding will only be allowed when soil is dry, frozen, or snow covered. 



A plan for felling, skidding and landing will be required prior to the start of 



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