STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 



The study area consists of five cutting units located on the Bitterroot National 

 Forest about 20 miles from Hamilton, Montana (fig. 1). A wel 1 -traveled road formed the 

 lower boundary of the cutting units. (This road is also the upper boundary of a 

 designated roadless area.) 



The study area was selected for uniformity of terrain and timber stand. Elevations 

 ranged from 6,700 to 7,040 feet above sea level. The logged slopes ranged between 20 

 and 45 percent. All five units were situated in a stagnant, overmature 120-year-old 

 lodgepole pine stand. (The cover photo of this report shows stand condition prior to 

 cutting.) The silvicultural prescription was to clearcut and burn the slash, if nec- 

 essary. Individual cutting units ranged from 1.13 to 1.65 acres. 



BLACK BEAR 

 POINT 



TWO BEAR 

 ^RD REDUCTION 

 AREA 



MPM 



N 



Not drawn to scale 



Figure 1 . — Study area location. 



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