* Slash Disposal- Harvest and slash disposal treatments would retain 10-15 tons/acre 

 large woody debris and a majority of fine slash well distributed for nutrient cycling and 

 long-term productivity. This could be accomplished by in-woods processing or return 

 skidding slash concurrent with harvest operations. On areas of high slash concentration 

 the forest otTicer would approve the most appropriate treatment from the following 

 options. 1) Lop and scatter slash, 2) excavator pile and redistribute slash as needed on 

 slopes up to 50%. 3) Dozer pile with slash blade on slopes up to 30% using caution to 

 avoid excessive disturbance. On roadside edges (generally 100 feet) DNRC would crush 

 debris or reduce woody debris levels to meet fire safety requirements recognizing a short- 

 term effect on nutrients (See Attachment B, P. 1, Soil concerns and potential issues to be 

 considered and P. 2-3, Harvest Design Mitigation Measures). 



5. Water Quality, Quantity and Distribution 



Watershed - Existing Conditions 



The proposed timber sale is located on two different school trust sections in Bear Creek 

 and Fish Creek and several unnamed tributaries and discontinuous ephemeral draws. 

 There is no direct conveyance of concentrated surface flow from these discontinuous 

 ephemeral draws to the Blackfoot River. Fish creek and Bear Creek are both tributaries to 

 the Blackfoot River. Ownership in these watersheds is a mixture of State Trust Lands, 

 Plum Creek and private. 



Direct, indirect and cumulative effects as a result of past management activities are low 

 to moderate. Historic timber harvest has increased water yield. However, existing 

 channel conditions are good within the proposed project area. The stream channel is 

 functioning properly and the banks are well vegetated and stable. 



Cumulative Watershed Effects 



No cumulative watershed impacts due to watershed yield increase are anticipated in the 

 Fish Creek watershed. No cumulative watershed impacts are expected in the unnamed 

 tributary to Bear Creek despite a moderate high level of estimated existing water yield 

 increase. 



Water Quality Existing Conditions and Beneficial Uses 



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

 Standards. Neither of these streams has been identified as water quality limited water 

 bodies. Appropriate measures would be taken to mitigate potential, adverse affects of the 

 proposed action on water quality, quantity and distribution. 



Effects on Water Quality 



No Action Alternative 



