to Deadman Gulch, a tributary to the Bitterroot River, drain the proposed project 

 areas. 



The watershed analysis area (see Figure 3-1) addresses all watercourses draining 

 the sale area to facilitate hydrologic analysis and cumulative watershed effects 

 assessment. A description of those drainage's follows: 



Deadman Gulch: 



This 1517-acre watershed receives an average of 25 inches of annual precipitation 

 and 683 acre-feet of natural runoff. This 2" order tributary to the Bitterroot River 

 is intermittent in nature. 



Regulatory Framework: 



This portion of the Clark Fork River basin, including the Bitterroot River, is 

 classified B-i in the Montana Water Quality Standards. Waters classified B-1 are 

 suitable for drinking, culinary and food processing purposes after conventional 

 treatment; bathing, swimming and recreation; growth and propagation of 

 salmonid fishes and associated aquatic wildlife, waterfowl and furbearers; and 

 agricultural and industrial water supply. State water quality regulations prohibit 

 any increase in sediment above naturally occurring concentrations in waters 

 classified B-1 (ARM 16.20.618 2(f)). 



Naturally occurring means conditions or materials present from runoff or 

 percolation over which man has no control or from developed land where all 

 reasonable land, soil and water conservation practices have been applied. 

 Reasonable land, soil and water conservation practices include methods, measures 

 or practices that protect present and reasonably anticipated beneficial uses. The 

 state of Montana has adopted Forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) 

 through its Non-point Source Management Plan as the principal means of meeting 

 Water Quality Standards. 



Existing beneficial uses in the analysis area include water rights for groundwater 

 sources to include stock, irrigation, lawn & garden, recreation, commercial and 

 domestic uses. Surface water sources include irrigation, stock, and recreation 

 uses. There are no sensitive beneficial uses in the sale area, however; 

 downstream sensitive beneficial uses include aquatic life support and cold-water 

 fisheries. 



The Clean Water Act and EPA Water Quality Planning and Management 

 Regulations require the determination of allowable pollutant levels in 303(d)- 

 listed streams through the development of Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) 

 limits. The TMDL process is used to determine the total allowable amount of 

 pollutants in a water body of watershed. Each contributing source is allocated a 

 portion of the allowable limit. These allocations are designed to achieve water 

 quality standards. 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 3-3 



