Happy Valley Timber Sale 

 Appendix D: Vegetative Analysis 



b. Cumulative Effects: 



1. NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE: Without disturbance, the no action alternative would 

 continue to perpetuate a trend toward more DF and fewer WL, moving the stands to a DF 

 cover type. Because the potential for "old growth" stand development is low within the 

 project area no measurable increase in "old growth" is anticipated. 



2. ACTION ALTERNATIVE-^ Since the project area comprises less than 1% of the 

 Kalispell Unit landscape and since the current cover type, which is the appropriate cover 

 type, would be maintained, the magnitude of effects would be minimal. The action 

 alternative would increase the proportion of forested acres of single storied, open 

 canopied stands on state and surrounding lands. 



3. Effects on other forest stand characteristics, health and vigor 



a. Direct and Indirect Effects : 



1 . NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE: Forest stands would continue to grow and develop with 

 out disturbance. As tree size and height increases, upper canopy level densities would 

 close and competition between trees would increase. Growth rates and tree vigor are 

 likely to decline. As individual trees succumb to competition and die, forest fuels are 

 likely to increase. 



2. ACTION ALTERNATIVE: Stocking in the upper canopy level on 431 acres would 

 change from moderate stocking to poor stocking. Harvest units on 431 acres would 

 retain some larger diameter western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir distributed 

 across the stands for s^ed sources and snag recruits. After harvest, tree competition 

 would be reduced providing conditions for growth at site potential. Approximately 160 

 acres treated with machine piling and burning would promote regeneration of WL and PP 

 and, therefore, more historic stand conditions by ensuring a higher percentage of WL and 

 PP in species composition. Trees showing decline in growth and vigor would be 

 removed during harvest operations, reducing the occurrence of stem decays and other 

 pathogens. Overall stand vigor would be sustained or improved on 431 acres. 



b. Cumulative Effects: 



1. No Action Alternative: Stands within this parcel would continue to age, becoming 

 older and denser as time passes. As individual trees, both younger suppressed trees 

 and older trees, succumb to competition, the forest fuels will likely increase. 



2. Action Alternative: On 431 acres treatment would provide conditions promoting 

 development of future stands with more historic stand characteristics. Existing roads 

 would be used to harvest the parcel. After harvest, approximately 4.9 miles of road will 

 be closed or obliterated. Treatment of slash to high standards along the ownership lines 

 would maintain forest fuels (ladder and downed woody) at low to moderate levels for the 

 next several decades. 



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 11/25/2003 



