continue to develop without density or stocking control resulting in increasing amounts of Douglas-fir 

 and decreasing amounts of western larch in the species composition. 



2) ACTION ALTERNATIVE: This alternative includes actions associated with logging and harvesting 

 approximately 3 MMBF of wood products from 433 acres. 160 acres would be treated with a modified 

 seedtree cut, and 283 acres would be treated with a selection (individual and group) cut. Logging slash 

 would be piled or trampled, with dozers or similar equipment. Piles would be burned. Special operating 

 areas (SOA) would include the 43 acres within 200 feet of residential property. This area would have 

 sub-merchantable trees removed at the time of logging to reduce the fire hazard associated with ladder 

 fuels. Slash disposal would remove 90% or more of the slash in the SOA. Spot planting of western 

 larch and ponderosa pine would occur within larger openings on 100 acres or less. Existing roads and 

 skid trails would be used for ground based skidding and hauling activities. Approximately 2 miles of 

 existing road would be abandoned and rehabilitated after harvest activities are completed. Motorized 

 use would be restricted on all remaining roads after sale completion. 



III. IMPACTS ON THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 



• RESOURCES potentially Impacted are listed on the form, followed by common issues that would be considered. 



• Explain POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND MITIGATIONS following each resource heading. 



• Enter "NONE" If no impacts are identified or the resource is not present. 



4. GEOLOGY AND SOIL QUALITY, STABILITY AND MOISTURE: 



Consider the presence of fragile, compactable or unstable soils. Identify unusual geologic features. Specify any special 

 reclamation considerations. Identify any cumulative impacts to soils. 



Soils in the project area are classified in the Whitefish Series. These consist of glacial till with a volcanic ash- 

 influenced loess surface soil. These soils can be compacted when wet and displacement of surface soil can 

 reduce soil productivity. No fragile, high risk soils are present. Terrain is gently sloped and no slope failure 

 areas were identified. Effects from the action alternative would be minimized by restricting ground based 

 equipment activity to times when soil is dry, frozen, or snow covered; reuse of existing skid trails and roads; and 

 closure or rehabilitation of excess roads. Refer to topographic map in Appendix A and Soils report in Appendix 

 B for more detail. 



5. WATER QUALITY, QUANTITY AND DISTRIBUTION: 



Identify important surface or groundwater resources. Consider the potential for violation of ambient water quality 

 standards, drinking water maximum contaminant levels, or degradation of water quality. Identify cumulative effects to 

 water resources. 



There are no beneficial surface water uses in the area. The class 3 stream on site becomes sub-surface and 

 does not contribute flow to another body of water. The stream channel is stable and well vegetated. There is 

 some sediment delivery to this stream from the existing road and trail system. Under the action alternative, 

 effects from increased water yield following timber harvest would be minimal due to the discontinuous, stable 

 stream channel and well drained soils in the area. The 50 feet Streamside Management Zone would further 

 protect the stream bank and filtering capacity of adjacent vegetation. The action alternative would improve 

 erosion control and surface drainage on existing roads, and result in closure or rehabilitation of excess roads 

 reducing the current levels of erosion and sediment delivery. Refer to Hydrology report in Appendix C for more 

 detail. 



6. AIR QUALITY: 



What pollutants or particulate would be produced? Identify air quality regulations or zones (e.g. Class I air shed) the 

 project would influence. Identify cumulative effects to air quality. 



The project area is within a Class II air shed and the Kalispell Impact Zone. The action alternative would 

 increase the amount of road dust from logging traffic and smoke from prescribed burning of logging slash. 

 Increases in smoke and dust would be short term and intermittent. Road dust abatement may be required to 



