convex slopes to disperse water and avoid log skidding up draws. The 

 direct effect of cable corridors could disturb 5% or less of the ground. 

 Erosion may occur in segments of cable corridors and skid trails. Erosion 

 control measures would be implemented where needed to control erosion 

 and prevent sedimentation. Measures would include: installation of 

 waterbars, slashing or mulching, and if disturbance was approaching 

 excessive, operations would be modified or suspended and erosion 

 remedies implemented. 



All tree tops and portions of small diameter trees would be left on the 

 ground to meet coarse woody debris requirements of 5-10 tons/acre for 

 nutrient cycling and to contribute to erosion control. Approximately 10 to 

 20 submerchantable trees per acre laid predominately perpendicular to the 

 slope would be maintained throughout the harvest units. On a landscape 

 level, retaining coarse woody debris on the ground, a portion of which is 

 perpendicular to the slope, is expected to help slow runoff and trap 

 sediment on high intensity bum areas devoid of vegetation and duff. The 

 stabilizing effect of woody mulch should help reduce erosion, speed 

 revegetation of sites, and provide some moderating effects on temperature 

 and moisture at the soil surface at a greater level than Alternative A: No 

 Harvest (No Action). The effectiveness of this treatment is not quantified 

 in research but contour felling logs is prescribed by NRCS as a 

 conservation measure to reduce erosion. 



No harvest is planned within the SMZ's on the severly burned sites in 

 Deer Creek and Thompson Creek State parcels. RMZ's would be marked 

 adjacent to streamside zones to delineate and provide protection of erosive 

 soil areas from ground disturbance pursuant to ARM 36. 11. 425. There 

 would be no road construction or timber harvest in the two small areas of 

 slope instability. 



DNRC's sale plan design incorporates overlapping mitigation measures to 

 minimize disturbance, frequent project monitoring to keep erosion control 

 measures current with harvest operations, and adaptive management to 

 revise operations if needed or defer harvest as appropriate based on site 

 specific review. 



The table below summarizes the comparison of harvest acres and road 

 work in the project area. Note the net miles of roads in the Deer Creek 

 drainage would be reduced by 31 miles following road reclaimation by 

 USPS and permanent road construction by DNRC. 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-9 



