The U.S. Forest Service has no currently proposed timber sales within this drainage. 

 Lx)gging truck traffic from this source is not expected in the near future. 



The State's proposed harvest of 1.5-3 MMBF would create approximately 650 truckloads 

 of logs. In addition to the logging trucks, there would be increased pickup truck traffic 

 from the loggers and foresters. Due to soil constraints, some of the units would be 

 harvested during the winter, which would further increase safety concerns. This road is a 

 county road under jurisdiction of the Granite County Commissioners. A representative 

 from the DNRC would meet with County Commissioners to encourage them to modify 

 the Upper Willow Creek road so it is safer for both logging trucks and the general public. 



To partially mitigate this concern the DNRC would include up to $5,000 of excavator 

 time and blasting to assist the county in correcting the highest priority curves if an action 

 alternative were selected. Expenditure of this money would be conditional on the county 

 obtaining proper easements. Curves selected for corrective work would be widened and 

 realigned to improve site radius and turn out space. By assisting Granite County with the 

 highest priority curves, it is anticipated that some safety hazards would be reduced. This 

 road is not under the Departments jurisdiction and mitigation's included in the action 

 alternatives would not be a final solution for this issue. In addition to the curve widening. 

 Temporary "Logging Trucks Hauling" signs would be posted with the "CB" channel 

 identified. No further analysis of this concern will be done. 



Vegetation 



> Timber harvest and associated road building can remove components of old growth, 

 reduce or eliminate the function of old growth habitat, and disrupt the processes 

 that produced and continue to maintain old growth over time. 



Habitats can be rendered unsuitable or less suitable for species that are associated with 

 old growth. Old growth ecosystems are complex and generally require the passage of 

 considerable time to be created. Fragmentation and loss of old growth habitat and its 

 attendant wildlife species is a concern. This issue will receive further analysis in chapters 

 3 and 4. 



> With No Action health of the existing stands would continue to decline with an 

 increased risk of insect outbreaks such as mountain pine beetle or the loss to a stand 

 replacing fire. 



Health of the existing stands could continue to decline with increased risk of insect 

 outbreaks such as mountain pine beetle or of loss to stand replacing fires. 



Age class distribution for the stands located within the project area are substantially 



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