FINDING 



LOST BEAR TIMBER SALE 



An Environmental Assessment (EA) has been completed for the proposed Department of 

 Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Lost Bear Timber Sale. After a thorough 

 review of the EA, project file, public correspondence. Department Policies, standards and 

 guidelines, and the State Forest Land Management Plan (SFLMP), I have made the 

 following 3 decisions: 



1. ALTERNATIVE SELECTED 



Two alternatives are presented and were fully analyzed in the EA: The No-Action 

 Alternative, which includes existing activities, but does not include a timber sale (EA, 

 page 3); and the proposed action which proposes harvesting an estimated 3 million board 

 feet (MMBF) of timber from approximately 677 acres and construction of about 2.6 miles 

 of new road. Additionally, approximately 7.1 miles of existing road would be improved 

 to BMP standards. Area roads would be treated with herbicide to control weeds. 

 Logging slash would be treated through such means as prescribed burning. Western larch 

 and ponderosa pine tree seedlings would be planted in suitable areas within section 36. 

 (EA, page J, Type and Purpose of Action and, Pages, 3-4, #3, Alternatives Considered, 

 Action Alternative). 



For the following reasons, I have selected the proposed action without additional 

 modifications: 



a. In my opinion, the proposed action best meets the purpose and need for action 

 and the specific project objectives listed in the EA on pages 1-2. The 

 proposed action generates more return to the school trust than the no action 

 alternative. The environmental effects of the proposed action are acceptable 

 as compared to the no-action alternative. No major losses in habitat, or 

 unacceptable effects to water or soil would occur under the proposed action. 



b. The analysis of identified issues did not reveal infonnation compelling the 

 DNRC not to implement the proposed action. 



c. The proposed action includes activities to address environmental concerns 

 expressed by DNRC staff and the public. For example, it includes 

 improvements to the roads in the project area to meet Best Management 

 Practices (BMPs) (EA, Page 5, Water Quality Existing Conditions and 

 Beneficial Uses, and Effects on Water Quality). 



2. SIGNIFICANCE IMPACTS 



