RESEARCH SUMMARY 



Experience has shown that road networks needed for conventional 

 logging can lead to severe erosion in the Idaho Batholith, In an attempt 

 to develop an environmentally acceptable logging system, in 1971 the 

 Forest Service, USDA, in cooperation with Boise Cascade Corporation, 

 began an experiment with balloon logging in Anderson Creek near Garden 

 Valley, Idaho, on the Boise National Forest. 



The balloon logging system resulted in far less envirohmental impact 

 on the land as compared to conventional logging methods. This conclusion 

 is based on observations both shortly after the area was logged and after 

 several years had passed. 



This sale proved the physical capabilities of logging with the balloon 

 system in the Idaho Batholith area; however, the conditions are not ideal, 

 with the steep, broken terrain and low timber volumes. A description of 

 the equipment, the methods of operation, and problems with the system 

 are included in the report. 



An economic analysis of the logging is presented in the form of re- 

 gression equations. Factors within the analysis include thousand 

 board feet logged per acre, board feet per piece, pieces per productive 

 hour, turns per productive hour, percent productive hours, and costs per 

 thousand board feet. 



