Western larch, also a major component of the overstory, has recently been undergoing attacks by 

 flatheaded fir borers. All of the attacked western larch appear to be, or had been, severely infected with 

 western larch dwarf mistletoe. The flatheaded fir borer attacks appear to have started 2 to 3 years ago, 

 and, along with dwarf mistletoe, has resulted in extensive western larch mortality; approximately 50 

 percent of the mature western larch have been killed. Numerous other western larch are alive, but in a 

 debilitated condition, with dead tops and dwarf mistletoe infection throughout the crown. As a result, 

 and in combination with the prolonged drought, these trees are vulnerable to attack by the flatheaded fir 

 borer. However, severe drought stress and heavy dwarf mistletoe infection may act in concert to kill 

 trees; therefore, it should not be assumed that the flatheaded fir borer is involved in the death of every 

 large western larch within the project area. 



Mountain pine beetles are killing mature western white pine and lodgepole pine in this area. Western 

 white pine is a minor component of the overstory, comprising less than 2 percent of the stand; mountain 

 pine beetles have attacked approximately half of the western white pine. Lodgepole pine is a very small 

 component, approximately 1 percent of these stands; mountain pine beetles have attacked over half of 

 the observed lodgepole pine trees. 



Pathogens identified in these stands include red brown butt rot, white pine blister rust, and Indian paint 

 fungus. White pine blister rust has heavily infected 50 to 75 percent of the western white pine in the 

 project area. Other western white pine appear to be resistant or have not yet been infected. Under this 

 salvage proposal, western white pine infected with blister rust (identified with 2 or more indicators) would 

 be harvested. 



Statutory Authority 



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

 specific beneficiary institutions. These include 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 11). The Montana State Board of Land Commissioners 

 (Land Board) and DNRC 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, Montana Codes Annotated [MCA]). 



The State is required by law to establish a salvage timber program that provides for the timely harvest of 

 dead and dying timber that is threatened by insects, diseases, wildfires, or wind on State forests. Under 

 this requirement, DNRC shall, to the extent practicable, harvest dead and dying timber before there is 

 substantial wood decay and value loss {Section 77-5-207, MCA). 



On March 12, 2003, DNRC adopted Administrative Rules for Forest Management (Administrative Rules 

 of Montana [ARM] 36. 1 1.401 through 450). DNRC will manage the lands involved in this project in 

 accordance with these Rules. 



Analysis Area 



The analysis area is the project area. Due to the relatively small size of the project and the fact that only 

 salvage harvesting would take place under this proposal, wide analysis for comparison is not necessary. 



The project area consists of flat ground on the western boundary that transitions into mountain slopes as 

 you move east. Scattered small streams, springs, or wetlands are in or near the lower elevations of the 

 project area. Elevations range between 3,600 and 4,400 feet above sea level. The primary access 

 point to the project area is Cilly Creek Road via Soup Creek Road. Upper and Lower Cilly Ridge Roads, 

 which have restricted access, are located near mileposts 1.00 and 1.88, respectively, on the Cilly Creek 

 Road, and access all salvage units for this project. The roads and salvage units are all within Swan 

 River State Forest's blocked lands; therefore, no adjacent landowners are involved with this project. 



Page CEA-2 Checklist Environmental Assessment 



