Soil types in the project area are primarily gentle (0-40%) glacial till deposits on hilly 

 terrain. Portions of the upper slopes are glaciated mountain slopes on 40-60% gradient, 

 and the southeast comer of the proposed project area contains steep stream breaklands 

 leading to a stream bottom. The Flathead National Forest Soil Survey identified no areas 

 of soils at high risk for mass movements in the project area. No slope failures were 

 identified during reconnaissance in the project area. A list of soil types found in the 

 Ashley Lake project area and their associated management implications is found in Table 

 3-5. 



Table 3-5: Soil Map Unit Descriptions 



III. WILDLIFE 



Introduction 



DNRC attempts to promote biodiversity by taking a 'coarse-filter approach', which 

 favors an appropriate mix of stand structures and compositions on State lands (ARM 

 36. 1 1 .404). Appropriate stand structures are based on ecological characteristics (e.g., 

 land type, habitat type, disturbance regime, unique characteristics). A coarse-filter 

 approach assumes that if landscape patterns and processes are maintained similar to those 

 with which the species evolved, then the full complement of species will persist and 

 biodiversity will be maintained. This coarse-filter approach supports diverse wildlife 

 populations by managing for a variety of forest structures and compositions that 

 approximate historic conditions across the landscape. DNRC cannot assure that the 

 coarse-filter approach will adequately address the full range of biodiversity; therefore, 

 DNRC also employs a "fine filter" approach for threatened, endangered, and sensitive 

 species (ARM 36. 11. 406). The fine-filter approach focuses on a single species' habitat 

 requirements. 



17 



