The amount of forest improvement collection from this sale would be 

 $6.81 per ton. This would be applied to the sawlog volume harvested. The 

 forest improvement collection would be approximately $354,120. This 

 money would be deposited in the forest improvement fund to be used for 

 thinning, prescribed burning, planting, weed management, etc. on Trust 

 Lands. 



If this proposed project was implemented, it would provide work for a 

 road building contractor, a logging contractor, their subcontractors, and 

 their employees. The forest products would most likely be processed in 

 local mills providing further job opportunities. 



4.3.3 Wildlife 



4.3.3.1 Endangered Species 



4.3.3.1.1 Grizzly Bears 



4.3.3.1.1.1 Alternative A: No Harvest (No Action) 



Over the short term, no change from the current condition would be 

 expected for the grizzly bear. However, over time shrubs and trees 

 would begin to recolonize the project area, providing food and hiding 

 cover over the next 20 to 30 years. Thus, there would be low risk of 

 direct or indirect effects to grizzly bears as a result of this alternative. 



4.3.3.1.1.2 Cumulative Effects of Alternative A: No Harvest 

 (No Action) 



The Fish Creek drainage, and its tributaries, has been extensively 

 harvested on private industrial lands through a seed tree/shelterwood 

 silvicultural system. Additionally, the Fish Creek Complex fire of 

 2003 burned 36,683 acres, of which 1/3 were stand replacing. Thus, as 

 the drainage gradually becomes re-vegetated through natural 

 succession over the next 20 to 30 years there will be increases in forbs 

 and shrubs that would provide future food sources for grizzly bears. 

 Thus, there would be low risk of cumulative effects to grizzly bears as 

 a result of this alternative. 



4.3.3.1.1.3 Alternative B: Harvest 



Over the next 2 years, the proposed action would harvest 

 approximately 1,314 acres of School Trust land burned by the Fish 

 Creek Complex fires of 2003. An additional 1,365 acres (for a total of 

 2,679 acres) may be entered for potential salvage of future insect- 

 damaged timber associated with the fires. Since 1999, mountain pine 

 beetles, Douglas-fir beetles, and western balsam bark beetles have had 

 a substantial presence within a 5-mile radius of the Fish Creek 



Fish Creek Salvage Environmental Assessment 4-15 



