4.3 Predicted Effects on Relevant Resources of all 

 Alternatives 



4.3.1 Soil Resources (Issue #1) 



4.3.1.1 Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) - Direct and 

 Indirect Effects 



Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action) would have minimal effects on 

 soil resources. Existing roads would require routine maintenance to help 

 reduce potential future impacts. 



4.3.1.2 Alternative B: Harvest - Direct and Indirect Effects 



Soils within the proposal area are fairly resilient and rocky, but skidding 

 activities, slash disposal and site preparation can cause rutting, erosion, soil 

 compaction and displacement. Potential for soil impacts are greater on tractor 

 units on slopes over 40%. Within tractor units, the area of detrimental 

 impacts would be limited to 15% or less of the overall harvest area. These 

 impacts would be minimized by the implementation of mitigation measures to 

 include season of use restrictions. Cable yarded units would have negligible 

 effects on soils because logs would be partially suspended while yarded to the 

 landing. Jackpot pile burning would have a short-term beneficial effect on 

 soil nutrient cycling. Burning would reduce duff and expose mineral soil. 

 Natural regeneration of western larch and ponderosa pine would be expected. 

 Retention of coarse woody debris on site would have a long-term beneficial 

 effect on soil nutrient cycling. 



4.3.1.3 Cumulative Effects of Alternative B: Harvest 



Following levels of disturbance such as ground skidding; coarse woody debris 

 such as logs, branches and twigs all act to slow expected surface water runoff, 

 intercept and trap soil particles and slow erosion. The closer and more even 

 the distribution of woody debris, the more effective the reduction of erosion. 

 Coarse woody debris also provides many physical, chemical and biological 

 properties that are vital to soil properties and forest growth. In conjunction 

 with the proposed project, mitigation measures aimed at retaining coarse 

 woody debris on site would be implemented. This is expected to maintain 

 long-term soil productivity and reduce on-site erosion. 



Cumulative effects to soils can occur from repeated ground skidding entries 

 into the harvest area and additional road construction. Implementation of skid- 

 ding and slash disposal mitigation measures would limit the area impacted and 

 therefore presents low risk of cumulative effects. Future stand entries would 

 likely use existing trails and landings. Slash disposal operations are planned to 

 retain organic matter for nutrient cycling to maintain long-term soil productiv- 

 ity. 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 4-3 



