1. Bark Beetles 



Mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae ) and the Douglas-fir beetle 

 ( Dendroctonus pseudotsugae ) are the two most common bark beetles found in the project 

 area. The mountain pine beetle was most active in the 1980's and resulted in widespread 

 mortality in the lodgepole pine. Mountain pine beetle populations are currently at 

 endemic levels in the project area with small pockets and individual tree mortaUty 

 occurring. There is increasing evidence that mountain pine beetle populations are on the 

 sharp increase. More and more pockets of mortality by bark beetle are appearing on the 

 landscape. The Douglas-fir bark beetle population has been increasing in the project area 

 for the last couple of years. This is due to a widespread increase in populations in the 

 mid 1990's across the entire northwest, where beetles have found large areas of suitable 

 habitat. Populations are still at endemic levels, with most mortality occurring in small 

 pockets and individual trees. The trees killed are mostly over-mature Douglas-fir. It 

 appears the number of Douglas-fir beetle killed mortality has decreased as populations 

 start a cyclical decline across the northwest. 



2. Dwarf Mistletoe 



Western larch dwarf mistletoe ( Arceuthobium laricis ) is the most common dwarf 

 mistletoe in the project area. The mistletoe is mainly affecting the larch overstory in 

 Section 16. 



3. Root Diseases 



Armillaria root rot ( Armillaria mellea ) and brown cubical butt rot (Phaeolus 

 schweinitzii ) are the root diseases found in the project area. Small Armillaria pockets can 

 be found along the existing road in Section 16 (proposed harvest unit 3). The brown 

 cubical butt rot is mainly affecting older Douglas-fir trees that are scattered throughout 

 Section 16. 



F. Sensitive, Threatened, and Endangered Plants 



A review of the records fi-om the Montana Natural Heritage Program indicated no plant species 

 of special concern were identified within the project area. 



G. Noxious Weeds 



Noxious weed species identified through reconnaissance of the project area include spotted 

 knapweed and orange hawkweed. The majority of the noxious weed populafions were found 

 along both State and private road systems throughout the project area. 



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