1.4 Objectives of the Action (desired outcomes and 

 conditions) 



In order to meet the goals of the management philosophy adopted through 

 programmatic review in the SFLMP, the Department has set the following specific 

 project objectives: 



1.4.1 Objective #1: To manage the forest for appropriate desired future 

 conditions, characterized by the proportion and distribution of forest types and 

 structures typical of those represented under average historic conditions. 



1.4.2 Objective #2: Harvest between 1.5 and 2.5 million board feet (MMBF) of 

 sawtimber to generate revenue for the Common School (CS) trust grant. 



1.5 Decisions to be Made 



• Determine if alternatives meet the project objectives. 



• Determine which alternative should be selected. 



• Determine if the selected alternative would cause significant effect(s) to the 

 human environment, requiring the preparation of an Environmental Impact 

 Statement (EIS). 



1.6 Relationship to the State Forest Land Management 

 Plan 



In June 1996, DNRC began a phased-in implementation of the SFLMP. The SFLMP 

 established the agency's philosophy for the management of forested Trust Lands. 

 The management direction provided in the SFLMP comprises the framework within 

 which specific project planning and activities take place. 



The plan philosophy and appropriate resource management standards have been 

 incorporated into the design of the proposed action. 



The proposed action is limited to specific management activities that are needed to 

 implement the timber sale and provide resource protection. This assessment 

 documents site-specific analysis and is not a general management plan or a 

 programmatic analysis of the area. The scope of this environmental analysis (EA) 

 was determined through DNRC interdisciplinary analysis and public involvement. 



1.7 History of the Planning and Scoping Process 

 Public Involvement - Agencies, Individuals or Groups 

 Contacted 



Comments from the general public, interest groups, and agency specialists were 

 solicited in the fall of 2001. A newspaper article was published in the Missoulian, on 

 October 24, 2001. Public notices regarding the proposed sale were posted along 



Deadman Gulch Timber Sale Environmental Assessment 1-2 



