Renee Hanna Lost Bear Timber Sale EA - Attachment C 



2/24/03 

 Page 2 of 6 



Bear Creek and Fish Creek are classified B-1 in the Montana Surface Water Quality 

 Standards. The B-I classification is for waters that are considered suitable for domestic 

 use after conventional treatment, as well as recreation, swimming and bathing. They are 

 also suitable for growth and propagation of salmonid fish and other associated aquatic 

 life, waterfowl, furbearers, agricultural and industrial water supplies. Another criteria for 

 a B-1 classification is; no mcreases are allowed above naturally occurring concentrations 

 of sediment, seUleable solids, oils or floating solids, which will or are likely to create a 

 nuisance or render the waters harmful, detrimental or injurious to public health, 

 recreation, safety, welfare, livestock, wild animals, birds, fish, or other wildlife. Bear 

 Creek and Fish Creek were not identified as a water quality limited water bodies by the 

 1996, 2000 or 2002 update to the Montana 303(d) list. Existing beneficial uses include 

 cold water fisheries, irrigation and livestock watering. 



Past management activities in the proposed project area include timber harvest, grazing, 

 road construction and recreation. Existing and potential impacts due to direct, indirect 

 and cumulative watershed effects were evaluated within the proposed project area. 

 Existing water yield was calculated using the ECA methodology. Existing water yield 

 increases in the unknown tributary to Bear Creek were found to be moderately high at 

 10.1%. However, channel inventories found stream channels in the project area to be in 

 good condition, relatively stable and functioning properly. Normal sediment loads are 

 being transported and the banks are well vegetated and stable. Fish Creek existing water 

 yield increases were found to be low at 5%. 



* Equivalent Clear Cut Area (ECA) is a function of total area roaded or harvested, 



% crown removal in harvest areas and the amount of vegetative recovery that has 

 occurred in the harvest areas. 



** % water yield Increase (%WYI) is the predicted increases in average annual water 

 yield due to timber harvest and road construction. 



Road densities within the proposed project area are moderate to high. Moderate to high 

 road densities indicate increased risk potential for sediment reaching the stream channel 

 and an overall increased sediment yield. Road densities were calculated in miles/section. 



Section 36 



3.4 miles 



Section 14 



4.4 miles 



Some roads in the project area do not fully comply with BMP standards. A detailed 

 evaluation of roads within the project area was conducted and it was determined that 

 there is some sediment delivery from roads to the stream channel occurring at this time 

 on specific sections of road, mainly those roads located immediately adjacent to streams 



