Montana Streamside Management 2^ne (SMZ) Law 



By the definition in ARM 36.11.312(3), the majority of the mainstem Fish 



Creek stream channel including the South Fork Fish Creek, Deer Creek and 



Thompson Creek are class 1 streams that support fish. Some of the smaller 



first order tributaries may be classified as class 2 or 3 based on site-specific 



conditions. 



3.2.1.1.4 Water Quality 



The majority of the proposed fire salvage is located in Deer Creek secdons 

 8 and 16, and parts of sections 12 and 18 on Fish Creek and section 14 on 

 Thompson Creek. For this project we consider the effects of the fire, 

 effects of rehabilitation measures implemented to control sediment, and 

 the ongoing project of culvert replacement and road construction 

 following the wildfire and suppression activities. 



The greatest pollutant of concern within the proposed project area is 

 sediment. Increased sediment delivery and deposition can affect water 

 quality both physically and biologically as well as affecting channel 

 stability and geomorphology. Increased and accelerated sediment delivery 

 and deposition have impacted the streams within the analysis area. The 

 primary sources of chronic sediment delivery are roads, particularly at 

 stream crossings, and road segments located adjacent to stream channels. 



Fish Creek, Deer Creek and Thompson Creek 



Initial fire suppression related rehabilitation included site assessments, 

 reshaping equipment fire lines, extensive grading of system roads, 

 reshaping road surface drainage, grass seeding disturbed soils, and 

 herbicide treatment of main system roads by the Lolo N.F. These activities 

 resulted in an improvement of main system roads when compared over the 

 recent past. 



Post fire surveys and field reconnaissance by the BAER Team identified 

 flood risks to stream crossing structures that are under-capacity as one of 

 the greatest risks for increasing sediment in the fire area. An extensive 

 survey was completed to idenfify exisfing and potential sources of 

 sediment in the analysis area following the Fish Creek Complex fires. The 

 Deer Creek drainage was identified as the highest risk area for potential 

 storm damage to existing roads and culverts. There was an extensive 

 network of old closely spaced jammer roads (recently reclaimed) in the 

 headwaters of Deer Creek that had inadequate surface drainage and culvert 

 capacities. 



Sediment delivery from existing open roads on other ownerships within 

 the drainage are expected to be greater following the recent wildfires than 

 in the recent past. This is due to increased road surface runoff and loss of 

 stabilizing vegetation on road surfaces, cuts, and fills. These road 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 3-6 



