CHAPTER 1: PURPOSE OF PROJECT 



I. PURPOSE AND NEED FOR ACTION 



Introduction: 



The Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC), Kalispell 

 Unit, proposes the Ashley Lake Timber Sale. The proposed action would harvest 

 approximately 4-8 million board feet (MMBF) of timber and includes maintenance on 9 

 miles of existing road. The project encompasses one full section and is located 13 air 

 miles west of Kalispell, Montana in Flathead County. Timber sale activities would likely 

 begin in the summer/fall of 2004 and conclude in the year 2006. 



Table 1-1 : State Land involved in the Ashley Lake Timber Sale: 



C.S.= Common Schools 



Statement of Need: 



The lands involved in this proposed project are held by the State of Montana in trust for 

 the support of specific beneficiary institutions such as public schools, state colleges, and 

 universities, and other specific state institutions such as the School for the Deaf and Blind 

 (Enabling Act of February 22, 1889; 1972 Montana Constitution, Article X, Section 11). 

 The board of Land Commissioners and the Department of Natural Resources and 

 Conservation are required by law to administer these trust lands to produce the largest 

 measure of reasonable and legitimate return over the long run for these beneficiary 

 institutions (Section 77-1-202, MCA). 



Project Objectives: 



In order to meet the goals of the management philosophy adopted through programmatic 

 review in the State Forest Land Management Plan, the Department has set forth the 

 following specific project objectives: 



*^ Harvest 4 to 8 million board feet of sawtimber to generate revenue for the 

 appropriate school grants. 



^ Improve the long term productivity of the timber stands by increasing vigor, 

 reducing the susceptibility of stands to insect and disease infestations, and 

 regenerating the stands to promote appropriate species mixes. 



