^) 



d. Forest Management Rules : By definition in ARM 36. 1 1 .403 (95), the NW'/4 of 

 the SE'/4 of Section 36 of the proposed project area contains a wetland of 

 approximately 15 acres. As required in ARM 36.1 1.426, this wetland should have 

 a 50-foot Wetland Management Zone (WMZ) delineated around its perimeter. 



2. Water Quality 



The existing road system in the proposed project area is moderate to low standard. 

 Most of this system meets applicable Best Management Practices for surface 

 drainage or erosion control. Portions of the existing road system have erosion 

 control and surface drainage that requires minor improvement, but road grades are 

 moderate and the road system is located away from draws and streams except at 

 crossings. No other sources of erosion or deposition were identified through field 

 review. The intermittent tributary to Ashley Lake becomes subsurface below the 

 proposed project area. All evidence of a chaimel disappears, and no surface water 

 is delivered to Ashley Lake except during extreme runoff events. None of the 

 other draws in the proposed project area delivers to another body of water, so no 

 sediment has been delivered to any downstream waters outside of the project area. 



3. Water Yield 



Past activities in and around the proposed project area include timber 

 management, agriculture, and home site development. These activities have led 

 to reductions in forest canopy cover, and construction of roads. 



Following field reconnaissance of the proposed project area, it was determined 

 that a detailed water yield analysis would not be necessary for the proposed 

 project area. None of the broad ephemeral draws within the proposed project area 

 have any evidence of overland flow (channel scour, re-alignment of litter, 

 definable banks). The defined stream chaimel in the southeast comer of the 

 project area has a stable, intermittent channel with no evidence of instability from 

 water yield increases, and very little scouring effect from annual runoff events. 

 All evidence of this channel disappears below the project area and before reaching 

 Ashley Lake. As a result, water yield increases resulting fi^om past activities have 

 not been sufficient to create overland flow or a defined stream channel below the 

 proposed project area, or in any of the broad draws throughout the project area. 



V. AIR QUALITY 



This area is currently managed under the Montana Airshed Group and lies within Airshed 

 2. The Airshed Group monitors weather conditions and manages open burning 

 restrictions in the airshed to prevent or limit burning operations during poor dispersion 

 and ventilation conditions. Overall air quality in this area is good; with temporary 

 periods of lower quality air during the spring and fall open burning seasons. 



29 



