Chapter 1: Purpose of Project 



I. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION 



Introduction: 



The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Plains Unit, 

 proposes the Richards Peak Timber Sale. The proposed action would harvest approximately 2-3 

 million board feet (MMBF) of timber and construct 2.2 miles of new road. The project 

 encompasses one full section and part of another section totaling 840 acres and is located 

 approximately 25 air miles north of Plains, Montana in Sanders County. Timber sale activities 

 would likely begin in the summer/fall of 2003 and conclude in the year 2006. 



Table 1-1: State Lands involved in the Richards Peak Timber Sale: 



C.S.= Common Schools 



Statement of Need: 



The lands involved in this proposed project are held by the State of Montana in trust for the 

 support of specific beneficiary institutions such as public schools, state colleges and universities, 

 and other specific state institutions such as the School for the Deaf and Blind (Enabling Act of 

 February 22, 1889; 1972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 1 1). The Board of Land 

 Commissioners and the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation are required by law 

 to administer these trust lands to produce the largest measure of reasonable and legitimate return 

 over the long run for these beneficiary institutions (Section 77-1-202, MCA). On May 30, 1996, 

 the Department released the Record of Decision on the State Forest Land Management Plan (the 

 Plan). The Land Board approved the Plan's implementation on June 17, 1996. The Plan outlines 

 the management philosophy of DNRC in the management of state forested trust lands, as well as 

 sets out specific Resource Management Standards for ten resource categories. 



