)'^ 



C. Age Class Distribution 



1. Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative ; No timber harvesting or related activities would occur. 

 The current age class distribution on the project area would remain the same 

 without natural disturbances or stand treatments that would convert stands to 

 younger age classes. 



Action Alternative; Timber harvesting would occur on 628 acres using seed tree 

 harvest methods to promote the development and establishment of younger age 

 classes. Retention of serai species would be promoted in the harvest and planting 

 of western larch would occur in larger openings. 



2. Cumulative Effects 



No Action Alternative; No change in age class distribution would occur. Stands 

 would continue to age and result in older age classes in the project area without 

 natural disturbances or stand treatments that would convert stands to younger age 

 classes. 



Action Alternative; 628 acres would be harvested using seed tree harvest 

 methods. This would promote the development of younger age classes over the 

 project area. The conversion to younger age classes would result in increased 

 timber productivity for the treated stands. 



D. Old Growth 



1. Direct and Indirect Effects 



No Action Alternative; Under the no action alternative, there would be no 

 change in the amount of old growth in the project area. Some stands in the 

 project area may develop the characteristics that would enable them to meet the 

 criteria necessary to be classified as old growth over time. This would depend 

 upon growth rates and the development of large diameter trees. 



Action Alternative; There are 23 acres of "Type 5" old growth in the project 

 area that would be silviculturally treated under the action alternative. The old 

 growth definition for this type requires 10 trees per acre greater than 17 inches in 

 diameter. The silvicultural treatment prescribed in the old growth stand would 

 focus on removing the shade tolerant species and retaining the healthiest 15-30 

 large diameter trees in the stand. With the retention of the best 1 5-30 trees per 

 acre, the stand will still be classified as old growth after harvest (only 10 required 

 for leave). 



33 



