4.3.2 Water Quality (Issue #2) 



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

 Indirect Effects 



Under Alternative A: Deferred Harvest (No Action), existing roads and 

 associated BMPs would continue to protect soil and water resources, provided 

 routine maintenance is upheld. 



4.3.2.2 Alternative B: Harvest - Direct and Indirect Effects 



Harvest units can directly impact water quality if not properly located or 

 buffered. The risk of impacts is greatest along streams, wetlands and lakes. 

 The SMZ Law regulates forest management activities that occur adjacent to 

 streams, lakes or other bodies of water. All proposed activities would be 

 conducted in accordance with the SMZ law and Rules. All areas requiring 

 SMZ delineation have been field reviewed by a DNRC Hydrologist to 

 determine their adequacy in meeting the requirements of the law and 

 satisfying the SFLMP guidance to protect water quality and aquatic resources. 



The sale area is also drained by ephemeral draws, swales and wet areas that 

 lack discemable stream channels. Equipment restriction zones or designated 

 crossings would be utilized to protect all wet areas and ephemeral draws. 



The primary risk to water quality is associated with roads, especially roads 

 constructed along or crossing draws or streams. DNRC would utilize all 

 reasonable mitigation and erosion control practices during any new 

 construction, reconditioning or reconstruction of all roads, stream and draw 

 crossings. Site-specific design recommendations from DNRC Hydrologist 

 and Soil Scientist would be fully implemented under Alternative B: Harvest. 



Under the DNRC proposal, up to 2.5 miles of new roads would be constructed 

 to access the sale area. These roads would be built with standard BMPs 

 incorporated into the design. Following the State's harvest activities, these 

 roads would be closed to public use and left in a condition that maintains 

 surface drainage. These measures are expected to reduse sediment erosion 

 and delivery potential to adjacent stream channels and draw bottoms. 



4.3.2.3 Cumulative Effects of Alternative B: Harvest 



Proper application of BMPs and site-specific designs and mitigation measures 

 would reduce erosion and potential water quality impacts to an acceptable 

 level as defined by the State of Montana water quality standards. Acceptable 

 levels are defined under the Montana Water Quality Standards as those 

 conditions occurring where all reasonable land, soil and water conservation 

 practices have been applied. 



The proposed harvest activities are not expected to increase sediment yield to 

 stream channels. This is largely due to the location of the proposed harvest 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 4-4 



