• DNRC is required to salvage timber damaged by insects, diseases, fires, 

 or wind before it loses value to decay, provided such harvesting is 

 economically warranted (Montana Codes Annotated [MCA] 77-5-207) . 



• The analyses of identified issues did not reveal information to persuade 

 the Department to choose the No-Action Alternative prior to this 

 decision. 



• Action Alternative B includes activities to address concerns expressed 

 by the public and local government entities with jurisdiction, 

 including, but not limited to: 



1) The project is designed to not harvest within fisher buffers or 

 streams ide management zones (SMZs) . 



2) Adequate numbers of snags and snag recruits will remain in the area 

 to provide for important wildlife habitat and down woody debris. 



3) The value recovery of the salvaged timber for the associated trust 

 beneficiaries will occur before substantial value is lost. 



4) Haul routes will meet BMPs. 



5) The removal of insect-infested trees may reduce the risk of bark 

 beetle infestations in the remaining live trees. 



6) The risk of wildfire will be reduced on State land adjacent to 

 private landowners . 



7) Friends of the Wild Swan will be offered the option of purchasing the 

 logs in lieu of salvaging Area B of the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail 

 Land Use License. There are 150 tons of logs within Area B, valued 

 at $31.88/ton. If harvested; the logs will be skidded away from the 

 construced nature trail and not across the trail. 



8) Project activities will comply with the Swan Valley Grizzly Bear 

 Conservation Agreement, including a minor exception granted by the 

 United States Fish and Wildlife Service during the summer operating 

 season. 



2. SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS ' ' . -. 



For the following reasons, I find that Action Alternative B will not have 

 significant impacts on the human environment: 



• I find that none of the impacts are regarded as severe, enduring, 

 geographically widespread, or frequent. Further, I find that the 

 quantity and quality of various resources, including any that may be 

 considered unique or fragile, will not be adversely affected to a 

 significant degree. I find no precedent for future actions that would 

 cause significant impacts, and I find no conflict with local. State, or 

 Federal laws, requirements, or formal plans. In summary, I find that 

 the identified adverse impacts will be avoided, controlled, or mitigated 

 by the design of the project to the extent that they are not 

 significant. 



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