First is a comment upon a typographical error in land description. Table 4 in the Summary states under FWP Parcels 

 to be exchanged to DNRC, fourth description: Sec 32, portion NW of Woodworth Road, should read NE of 

 Woodworth Road. 



Primarily my concerns lie with the Dreyer Ranch parcel in the exchange. It must be assumed that DNRC will make a 

 concerted effort to open up access to this parcel for a variety of reasons: namely for fire protection access and also to 

 begin forest management operations such as thinning, planting, etc. Opening up the roads within this area will make 

 access easier for hunters in the fall, possibly inflicting greater than normal hunting success, and changing animal 

 dispersement patterns. 



This access and also possible management treatments may possibly have a minor adverse effect upon grizzly bear 

 habitat. This area currently is vegetatively excellent habitat with its serai but heavy forest growth, variety of open 

 serai stage communities, and scattering of meadows, ponds and streams. Opening the roads to public access and to 

 heavy management treatments might have adverse impacts upon those bears using this area to access the Bob 

 Marshall Wilderness. 



If the Dreyer Ranch unit is open to grazing, there may be additional adverse impacts upon the area. The open 

 forested area immediately east of the Woodworth Road in Section 32 was heavily logged in the 70's and has not 

 been effectively reforested. There may be a wide range of reasons for this, but a major concern for its not being 

 reforested is heavy grazing since the logging operations. This will be a continuous problem for reforestation should 

 grazing be allowed. Additionally, grazing in Section 33 and the southeast comer of Section 28 may adversely affect 

 the ponds, streams and wetlands in these areas. There are a few beaver ponds in Section 33, at least one of which 

 appears new (or at least newly renovated). Cattle movement across the dam and throughout the ponds may adversely 

 affect the beaver population. 



Because of the wet nature of much of the Dreyer Unit, road and skid trail construction and reconstruction must be 

 done carefully to avoid wetlands problems. Some of the existing roads already show wetness in them (small moist 

 areas). 



There are comments in the Summary referring to the Cooperative Management Agreement (CMA) between FWP 

 and DNRC. Especially intriguing is this comment under Old Growth Habitat, whereby "DNRC & FWP lands would 

 be managed under the CMA." Mike, since our "check cruise" day last year 1 have been putting a great deal of 

 thought into managing for old growth habitat - rather than just allowing it to exist. From what I learned from you 

 that day (and otherwise) I believe it is a doable management technique, but must be done carefully, thoughtfully and, 

 in a word, non-silviculturally. Also concerning the language under Timber Volumes (Summary of Environment 

 Effects ....) regarding "... DNRC timber may be retained ...'"; 1 am not clear what that means. But knowing the 

 importance of Section 10 in the exchange, I must assume that FWP timber rights are well and clearly protected. 



Don Wood 



RESPONSE #1: 



Thank you for your helpful comrrients, and your interest in the old Dreyer Ranch lands in particular Your 

 concerns and suggestions stand on their own merit, but we have also added information here, mostly in 

 response to questions you have raised. 



We will correct Table 4 in the Executive Summary to read "T16N-R13W Sec 32. portion NE of Woodworth 

 Road, " as you pointed out. We checked corresponding Table 2-4 in the DEIS and found it to be correct 

 as originally drafted. 



As you have suggested. DNRC would reserve the right to improve vehicular access for timber 

 management upon gaining ownership of the Dreyer Ranch parcels from FWP. However, we would 

 consider the potential impacts upon hunting success and elk movement patterns as minor, primarily 

 because hunter numbers in this area during the general elk hunting season are limited by the numbers of 

 A-7 licenses issued by FWP for Hunting District 282. So, we would clarify that physical access is not the 

 overriding limiting factor on hunting pressure on the Dreyer Ranch parcels, without discounting your 

 preference that excessive access enhancement should be avoided. 



Under the preferred alternative (Alternative D). the Dreyer Ranch lands would be included in the 

 Cooperative f\/!anagement Agreement (CMA). For the duration of the CMA, traditional land management 



BCWMA Land Exchanges Final Environmental Impact Statement 10 



