Water Quality 



The primary risks to water quality that are associated with the proposed timber sale are 

 roads, especially roads located along or crossing streams. Risk of erosion and sediment 

 delivery are highest when roads are located in areas with inadequate buffering between 

 streams and other drainage features, on erosive soils, or on steep and/or unstable slopes. A 

 lack of periodic maintenance and lack of adequate surface drainage features, and use during 

 wet periods or conditions may also contribute to higher risk. 



All existing roads and proposed road locations within and accessing the timber sale area 

 have been reviewed and inventoried by a DNRC hydrologist and soil scientist. The existing 

 roads and proposed road locations were evaluated to determine both existing and potential 

 risk of erosion and sources of sediment delivery to streams. Many of the existing roads 

 within the proposed sale area do not fully comply with BMPs. Several segments of existing 

 road are eroding and were determined to be contributing direct sediment delivery to streams 

 or at risk of contributing to direct delivery. Full details of the sediment source inventory are 

 contained in the hydrology project file. 



Timber harvest units can also directly impact water quality. Risk of erosion and subsequent 

 sediment delivery are highest at landing areas and where ground based skidding occurs on 

 steep slopes, in close proximity to streams and within ephemeral drainage features. Erosion 

 within harvest units can be mitigated by selection of appropriate harvest and yarding 



75 



