VII. AIR QUALITY EFFECTS 



Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative : Under the no action alternative, air quality would not change 

 from the existing condition. No slash or site prep burning would be done. Wildfires are 

 possible and would temporarily reduce air quality. 



Action Alternative : All slash burning will be done in cooperation with the Montana 

 Airshed Group. This will provide for burning when conditions are acceptable in terms of 

 ventilation and dispersion. No slash burning will be done when inversions or other stable 

 weather systems prevail. Site preparation burning under the Action Alternative would be 

 accomplished under a written bum plan that provides for burning when conditions are 

 acceptable in terms of ventilation, dispersion and consumption of fuels in meeting bum 

 objectives. Wildfires would still be possible under the action altemative. 



VIII. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS 



The economic analysis for the Richards Peak project estimates the revenue from timber 

 harvesting and non-administrative costs for the No Action and Action Altemative. The costs 

 related to the administration of the timber sale program are only tracked at the Land Office and 

 Statewide level. DNRC does not keep track of costs for individual timber sales. These figures 

 are only for relative comparison of the altematives and should not be used as absolute estimates 

 of return. 



The following assumptions were made: 



1 . The estimated harvest volume is 2,500 MBF 



2. The estimated stumpage value is SI 20 per MBF 



-The estimated stumpage value equals the delivered log prices minus costs and an 

 amount for profit and risk. Costs include logging costs, haul costs, forest 

 improvement fees, development costs, and other costs (e.g. Road maintenance). 

 Profit and risk is the return to timber buyer that accounts for acmal time and 

 effort, some profit for entrepreneurial spirit, and something to cover the expected 

 losses on an occasional sale that is not profitable. 



3. Development Costs for: 



a. No Action Altemative: 



- Reciprocal Access/ Purchase Access: $20,300 



b. Action Altemative: 



- Reciprocal Access/ Purchase Access: $20,300 



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