4.3.1.2 Geology and Soil Resources 



4.3.1.2.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



For Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) the potential effects of the fire 

 and those of on-going planned and implemented restoration and 

 emergency rehabilitation measures for erosion and sediment control were 

 evaluated. Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) would have some 

 direct and indirect effects on soil resources. Direct effects of the fire are 

 varying levels of loss of vegetative cover, surface duff in severe bum, 

 coarse woody debris on the soil surface, and heat altered soils. The 

 indirect effect is potential increased soil erosion related to bum severity 

 and increased mnoff. Soil erosion would be lower in areas of moderate 

 bum. Heat effects to soils were estimated as low to moderate and of 

 minimal hydrophobicity as observed by the BAER team and State 

 personnel following the fire. The effects of Alternative A: No Harvest 

 (No Action) would be similar to the description described in the Existing 

 Conditions portion of this document. 



The two small areas of slope instability (about one and five acres) in 

 section 16 will likely expand slightly and deepen as dead surrounding 

 trees are overtumed by wind. These are natural slumps associated with a 

 geologic contact and there is a possibility of debris flows in the existing 

 stream is evidenced to have happened in the past. No previous 

 management has occurred in this area. No new road constmction or 

 harvest is proposed in these small areas of slope instability. The stream 

 does not deliver to Deer Creek but sediment could enter the existing 

 culvert in the SW comer of section 16. The culvert will be replaced with a 

 larger culvert to improve capacity and a spillway installed to prevent loss 

 of road fill as part of rehabilitation efforts. 



Roads 



There is an extensive road system with secondary and spur roads 

 throughout the Fish Creek drainage on State lands and adjacent 

 ownerships that provide access to most areas. Existing roads on State 

 lands are generally in good condition but require some periodic 

 maintenance and additional drainage, mainly on short steep road pitches. 



Roads built over 20 years ago, prior to BMP implementation, were not 

 always planned with environmental concerns and some excessive roads 

 and road segments are poorly located on steep roads grades and in some 

 draw bottom locations (refer to hydrology section). The Lolo NF closed 

 and stabilized roads at risk of erosion in the Deer and Thompson Creek 

 drainages. It was not feasible to treat all roads in the area so landowners 

 prioritized their road repairs and road reclamation efforts. Some unneeded 

 roads remain in severe bum areas in the Fish Creek Complex fire area that 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-7 



