TABLE 4-1: COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVE EFFECTS 



4.3.1.2.3 Cumulative Effects of Alternative B: Harvest 



Cumulative effects can occur from repeated disturbance in the harvest area 

 as an additive process with each entry. Alternative B: Harvest involves 

 ground skidding that could result in cumulative effects if disturbance is 

 excessive. Existing roads and trails would be used in the event of reentry 

 for the harvest of insect infested trees to minimize effects. The risk of 

 cumulative effects to soils from the implementation of the proposed 

 project is low based on implementation of the recommended mitigation 

 measures. Cumulative effects would be limited by limiting the area of 

 detrimental soil impacts, by using winter skidding, cable harvest on steep 

 slopes and installing adequate drainage where needed. 



Large woody debris will be retained on site to help reduce erosion, and 

 maintain nutrient cycling and long term productivity. 



Roads 



Alternative B: Harvest would provide considerable improvement to the 

 road systems through the installation of additional drainage in roads and 

 providing road maintenance following the fire. On access routes, existing 

 road conditions and drainage would be inventoried to prioritize site- 

 specific improvements that control erosion with Alternative B: Harvest. 

 Segments of old road within the bum that were poorly located have 

 limited vegetation or inadequate drainage are anticipated to erode at higher 

 rates without treatment. 



DNRC would improve road drainage on existing roads to meet expected 

 increased surface water runoff in burned areas. DNRC's road maintenance 

 and stabilization work includes 38 miles of drainage improvements, L5 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 



4-10 



