Cumulative Effects 



Dead or dying trees would not be harvested. These stands would continue to significantly 

 decline with loss of growth and volume per acre due to insect and disease mortality. Fuel 

 loading would continue to increase. Current forest conditions would continue throughout Swan 

 River State Forest. Nearby timber sales are harvesting insect-infested and disease-infected 

 wood. In the immediate project area control of these insect and disease outbreaks would be 

 through natural means only. 



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Harvesting infected trees on this project, in combination with harvesting efforts on the Big 

 Slowdown and Goat Squeezer and Goat Squeezer II timber sales, would reduce the overall 

 threat of Douglas-fir bark beetle attacks in the area. The risk of increasing attacks on western 

 larch from flatheaded fir borers would also decrease. The risk of further attacks in the project 

 area could be reduced significantly in the short term. 



SNAGS 

 Existing Condition 



The project area contains a large number of snags in all diameter classes. Snags in larger diameter 

 classes (over 21 inches) are common throughout the project area and are heaviest to the south and 

 west. Predominant species of large snags are western larch and Douglas-fir. Western white pine 

 and grand fir occur in this size class incidentally. Sample snag surveys show the north end of the 

 project area averages 6.8 snags per acre 21 inches dbh and greater and 15.3 snags per acre 15 

 inches dbh and greater. The south end of the project area averages 9.3 snags per acre 21 inches 

 dbh and greater and 13.3 snags per acre 15 inches dbh and greater. 



There are numerous snags per acre between 8 and 15 inches. All tree species common to the area 

 are represented. 



Direct and Indirect Effects 



Snag numbers in all of the stands would continue to increase. Due to restricted access, 

 firewood losses would be minimal or not occur. Short-term snag recruitment would be 

 accelerated due to the number of trees under attack from insects and diseases. 



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In Stands 8, 10, 16, 19, and 24, snags per acre that are 15 inches dbh in diameter and larger 

 would be reduced to a minimum of 4 to 7 per acre. Snags 21 inches dbh and larger would be 

 reduced to 2 to 4 per acre (see APPENDIX A - WILDLIFE ANAYSIS). Snag density after 

 harvesting on any given acre of land would vary based on the original snag numbers. A large 

 portion of the merchantable snags would be harvested. Residual snags would be well scattered 

 throughout the portion of the stand that would be salvaged, although some snags in Stands 16 

 and 10 may be clumped together in small groups as well as scattered. All snags that have 

 nesting-cavity openings would be reserved from cutting. 



Snags that are considered merchantable, but are reserved for wildlife, would be marked on the 

 uphill and downhill sides with a blue "W". A total count of reserve snags would be kept for each 

 harvest unit. 



Page CEA-16 Checklist Environmental Assessment 



