Under the No Action Alternative, existing substandard roads with inadequate 

 surface drainage would continue to impact water quality unless mitigations or 

 remedial actions are taken. 



Action Alternative 



The primars' risk to water quality is sediment delivery from roads, especially new 

 road construction or at stream crossings. Under the Action Alternative 

 appro.ximately 1 .9 miles of new road is to be constructed in section 36. Section 14 

 will have approximately 0.7 miles of new road construction. The DNRC would 

 implement reasonable mitigations and erosion control practices during the design 

 and construction of roads and stream crossings. 



(See attachment C, Watershed and Fisheries Report, Pages 1-5). 



6. Air Quality 



Federal, state and local agencies enforce rules for open, controlled burning. Air quality is 

 analyzed by estimating emissions from prescribed bums and detennining where project 

 related activities would create dust on roads. The air quality analysis area for the 

 proposed action includes all of Missoula County and is located in Montana Air shed 3B. 

 The Montana Air shed group is responsible for determining both air shed number and 

 impact zones. The project area is not located in any of the impact zones. 



No Action 



This alternative would not create impacts to air quality beyond existing levels. 



Action 



The post harvest burning of logging debris would produce particulate matter. All burning 

 would be conducted at times of adequate ventilation and within existmg rules and 

 regulations. 



Cumulative Effects 



Cumulative effects to air quality would not exceed the levels defined by State of Montana 

 Cooperative Smoke Management Plan (1988) and managed by the Montana Airshed 

 Group. Prescribed burning on Plum Creek Timber Company lands would have potential 

 to affect air quality. Plum Creek Timber Company currently operates under the same Air 

 shed Group guidelines, as the State would bum only on approved days. 



7. Vegetation Cover, Quantity and Quality 



No rare plants or cover types listed by the Montana Natural Heritage Program have been 

 identified within the project area. Timber harvesting under the proposed action 

 altemative would alter current stand structures and species composition. Silvicultural 



