As part of rehabilitation efforts, an Environment Assessment Checklist 

 was completed for reclamation of 0.2 miles of old road and replacement of 

 three culverts at risk of flood and about 1.5 miles of low standard single 

 lane road is being constructed on stable terrain and crosses no surface 

 water features. 



4.3.1.1.2 Cumulative Watershed Effects of Alternative A: No 

 Harvest (No Action) 



Cumulative impacts to water quality are those impacts caused by the 

 combined effect of past, present, and proposed activities within the 

 watershed. These impacts include effects of increased channel instability, 

 increases in water yield, and increased sediment yield. 



Water yields are expected to increase as a result of the recent fire. 

 Anticipated water yield increases are expected to cause increased erosion 

 on steep slopes and existing roads with inadequate drainage in the burned 

 area. The cumulative effects of Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 

 would be similar to those described in the Existing Conditions portion of 

 this document which discusses water yield and sediment delivery. 



BAER treatments on federal lands in Deer Creek have reclaimed extensive 

 jammer roads and reduced cumulative effects. Cumulative effects are 

 expected to decline as hydrologic recovery continues to occur. 



4.3.1.1.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



The proposed salvage harvest could occur in stands of dead timber on up 

 to 2,679 acre. These trees are no longer capable of removing water from 

 the soil profile through the evapo-transpiration process and they no longer 

 provide substantial green canopy critical for snow and rainfall 

 interception. The proposed salvage harvest of dead trees is not expected to 

 increase water yield, surface runoff, or magnitude and duration of peak 

 flows above existing post-fire conditions. 



Harvest units and roads can directly impact water quality if not properly 

 located or buffered. The primary risk of impacts is greatest along streams 

 and wetlands. The SMZ Law and Administrative Forest Management 

 Rules regulate forest management activities that occur adjacent to streams, 

 lakes, or other bodies of water. All proposed activities would be 

 conducted in accordance with the SMZ Law and Administrative Forest 

 Management Rules to reduce impacts. All areas requiring SMZ and RMZ 

 delineation have been field reviewed by a DNRC resource specialist to 

 determine their adequacy in meeting the requirements of the law and 

 satisfying the Administrative Forest Management Rules to protect water 

 quality and aquatic resources. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-3 



