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Table of Contents 

Summary ........................................................................................................................................................ i

Development of the Proposed Action ........................................................................................................ i

Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................... ii

Issues ........................................................................................................................................................ ii

Formulate Alternatives ......................................................................................................................... iii

Addressed by Design Features or Evaluated for Comparison.............................................................. iii

Alternatives Considered in Detail ............................................................................................................ iv

Decision Framework ................................................................................................................................ vi

Comparison of Alternative Effects ......................................................................................................... vii

Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................... vii

Transportation ...................................................................................................................................... ix

Fire and Fuels ....................................................................................................................................... ix

Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................ x

Habitats of Special Concern ................................................................................................................. xi

Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................... xii

Plants ................................................................................................................................................. xxii

Noxious Weeds ................................................................................................................................. xxii

Soil ................................................................................................................................................... xxiii

Watershed Resources ....................................................................................................................... xxiii

Fish Habitat ...................................................................................................................................... xxiv

Recreation ......................................................................................................................................... xxv

Inventoried Roadless Areas .............................................................................................................. xxv

Visual ............................................................................................................................................... xxvi

Cultural ............................................................................................................................................ xxvi

Economic Financial Efficiency ........................................................................................................ xxvi

Economic Impact ............................................................................................................................ xxvii

Environmental Justice ..................................................................................................................... xxvii

Acronyms ............................................................................................................................................... xxviii

Chapter 1. Purpose of and Need for Action .................................................................................................. 1

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 1

Project Area .......................................................................................................................................... 2

Regulatory Framework ............................................................................................................................. 4

Helena National Forest, Forest Plan of 1986, as amended; Forest Plan Management Direction.......... 8

Purpose and Need for Action .................................................................................................................... 9

Desired Condition ............................................................................................................................... 12

Vegetation-Fuel Classes ...................................................................................................................... 16

Existing Condition .............................................................................................................................. 18

Proposed Action ..................................................................................................................................... 25

Development of the Proposed Action ................................................................................................. 25

Decision Framework ............................................................................................................................... 28

Public Involvement ................................................................................................................................. 28

Issues ...................................................................................................................................................... 29

Formulate Alternatives ........................................................................................................................ 29

Addressed by Design Features or Evaluated for Comparison............................................................. 29

Other Issues ......................................................................................................................................... 31

Chapter 2. Alternatives, Including the Proposed Action............................................................................. 33

Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 33

Alternatives Considered in Detail ........................................................................................................... 33
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Alternatives at a Glance .......................................................................................................................33

Alternative 1 – No Action ...................................................................................................................35

Alternative 2 – The Proposed Action ..................................................................................................35

Alternative 3 – Preferred .....................................................................................................................41

Project Design Features, Best Management Practices and Mitigation for the Action Alternatives ....44

Monitoring ...........................................................................................................................................60

Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Detailed Study ................................................................61

Comparison of Alternative Effects..........................................................................................................64

Vegetation ...........................................................................................................................................64

Transportation .....................................................................................................................................66

Fire and Fuels ......................................................................................................................................66

Air Quality ...........................................................................................................................................67

Habitats of Special Concern ................................................................................................................68

Wildlife ................................................................................................................................................69

Plants ...................................................................................................................................................80

Noxious Weeds ....................................................................................................................................80

Soil.......................................................................................................................................................81

Watershed resources ............................................................................................................................81

Fish habitat ..........................................................................................................................................82

Recreation ............................................................................................................................................83

Inventoried Roadless Areas .................................................................................................................83

Visual ...................................................................................................................................................84

Cultural ................................................................................................................................................84

Economic Financial Efficiency ...........................................................................................................84

Economic Impact .................................................................................................................................85

Environmental Justice .........................................................................................................................85

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences ........................................................87

Introduction .............................................................................................................................................87

Analyzing Environmental Consequences ............................................................................................87

Direct, Indirect, and Cumulative Effects .............................................................................................87

Vegetation ...............................................................................................................................................89

Introduction .........................................................................................................................................89

Methodology .......................................................................................................................................89

Overview of Issues Addressed ............................................................................................................91

Affected Environment .........................................................................................................................92

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................119

Effects Common to All Alternatives .................................................................................................120

Effects Common to All Action Alternatives .....................................................................................121

Alternative 1 – No-Action .................................................................................................................130

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action .......................................................................................................132

Alternative 3 ......................................................................................................................................143

Alternative Comparison .....................................................................................................................156

Transportation .......................................................................................................................................162

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................162

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................162

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................163

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................163

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................163

Alternative 1 – No Action .................................................................................................................164

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action .......................................................................................................165

Alternative 3 ......................................................................................................................................168
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Compliance with Forest Plan and Other Relevant Laws, Regulations, Policies and Plans .............. 171

Other Relevant Mandatory Disclosures ............................................................................................ 171

Summary of Effects .......................................................................................................................... 171

Fire and Fuels ....................................................................................................................................... 172

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 172

Methodology and Limitations ........................................................................................................... 172

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................ 173

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 174

Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................................... 188

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 189

Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 ......................................................................................................... 190

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 196

Alternative 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 200

How the Alternatives Meet the Identified Issues .............................................................................. 203

Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 203

Air Quality ............................................................................................................................................ 204

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 204

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 204

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................ 205

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 205

Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................................... 209

Effects Common to All Action Alternatives ..................................................................................... 209

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 209

Alternative 2 and 3 ............................................................................................................................ 211

Habitats of Special Concern ................................................................................................................. 215

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 215

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 215

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 220

Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................................... 228

Effects Common to All Alternatives ................................................................................................. 229

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 230

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 231

Alternative 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 236

Wildlife ................................................................................................................................................. 240

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 240

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 241

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................ 246

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 248

Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................................. 261

Sensitive and Federal Candidate Species .......................................................................................... 277

Management Indicator Species ......................................................................................................... 287

Commonly Hunted Species ............................................................................................................... 302

Migratory Birds ................................................................................................................................. 315

Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................................... 318

Cumulative Effects for All Alternatives ........................................................................................... 339

Habitat Effects .................................................................................................................................. 343

Species Effects .................................................................................................................................. 367

Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................................. 367

Sensitive and Federal Candidate Species .......................................................................................... 410

Management Indicator Species ......................................................................................................... 428

Commonly Hunted Species ............................................................................................................... 449
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Migratory Birds .................................................................................................................................474

Plants .....................................................................................................................................................475

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................475

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................477

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................479

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................479

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................480

Alternative 1– No Action ..................................................................................................................482

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action .......................................................................................................484

Alternative 3 ......................................................................................................................................485

Summary of Effects ...........................................................................................................................486

Noxious Weeds .....................................................................................................................................493

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................493

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................494

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................495

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................496

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................498

Soil ........................................................................................................................................................502

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................502

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................502

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................504

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................504

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................511

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action .......................................................................................................518

Alternative 3 ......................................................................................................................................524

Hydrology .............................................................................................................................................529

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................529

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................529

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................535

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................535

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................541

Fisheries ................................................................................................................................................552

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................552

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................552

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................553

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................553

Analysis Area ....................................................................................................................................553

Existing Condition .............................................................................................................................553

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................561

Species Determinations .....................................................................................................................565

Recreation .............................................................................................................................................567

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................567

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................567

Methodology .....................................................................................................................................568

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................568

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................572

Inventoried Roadless Areas...................................................................................................................580

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................580

Overview of Issues Addressed ..........................................................................................................580

Affected Environment .......................................................................................................................586

Environmental Consequences ...........................................................................................................596
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Scenery ................................................................................................................................................. 603

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 603

Overview of Issues Addressed .......................................................................................................... 603

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 605

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 609

Environmental Consequences ........................................................................................................... 614

Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................................ 626

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 626

Overview of Issues ............................................................................................................................ 627

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 627

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 628

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 629

Alternative 2 – Proposed Action ....................................................................................................... 630

Alternative 3 ...................................................................................................................................... 630

Alternatives 2 and 3 .......................................................................................................................... 631

Economics ............................................................................................................................................ 632

Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 632

Methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 632

Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 635

Alternative 1 – No Action ................................................................................................................. 638

Alternatives 2 and 3 .......................................................................................................................... 638

Environmental Justice ....................................................................................................................... 643

Other Disclosures .............................................................................................................................. 644

Chapter 4. Consultation and Coordination ................................................................................................ 649

Preparers and Contributors ................................................................................................................... 649

Interdisciplinary Team Members ...................................................................................................... 649

Reviewers and Specialists Consulted ................................................................................................ 650

Federal, State, and Local Agencies ................................................................................................... 650

Distribution of the Environmental Impact Statement ........................................................................... 658

References ............................................................................................................................................ 659

Glossary ................................................................................................................................................ 725

Index ..................................................................................................................................................... 729

List of Tables

Table S- 1. Acres of proposed harvest and fuels treatments by alternative _________________________________ v

Table 1. Crosswalk of MFRC Principles with Forest Service direction ______________________________________ 2

Table 2. Management Areas ______________________________________________________________________ 9

Table 3. Biophysical setting acres and percent of project area __________________________________________ 12

Table 4. Desired vegetation-fuel classes for each Biophysical Setting ____________________________________ 17

Table 5. Current and desired vegetation-fuel classes by BpS____________________________________________ 19

Table 6. Aerial Detection acres of mortality (M) and defoliation (D) in project area by year __________________ 20

Table 7. Accumulated TPA mortality from ADS 2001-2010 _____________________________________________ 22

Table 8. Treatment Summary by Alternative ________________________________________________________ 33

Table 9. Project design features, best management practices and mitigation______________________________ 45

Table 10. Existing condition data for proposed treatment units _________________________________________ 93

Table 11. Habitat types for each prescription group and treatment unit _________________________________ 100

Table 12. Unit biophysical setting acreages________________________________________________________ 104

Table 13. Treatment group biophysical settings ____________________________________________________ 109

Table 14. Alternative 1 BpS and vegetation-fuel class current and future direction of change ________________ 130

Table 15. Alternative 2 proposed treatments by prescription group and unit _____________________________ 133
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Table 16. Alternative 2 total treatment acres by prescription group_____________________________________136

Table 17. Alternative 2 post-treatment, current and desired vegetation-fuel classes by BpS _________________138

Table 18. Alternative 2 effects of treatment groups on ponderosa pine __________________________________139

Table 19. Alternative 2 effects of treatment groups on quaking aspen___________________________________140

Table 20. Alternative 2 effects of treatment groups on western larch ___________________________________140

Table 21. Alternative 2 effects of treatment groups on whitebark pine __________________________________141

Table 22. Alternative 3 proposed treatments by group and unit ________________________________________144

Table 23. Alternative 3 total treatment acres by prescription group_____________________________________147

Table 24. Alternative 3 post-treatment, current and desired vegetation-fuel classes by BpS _________________151

Table 25. Alternative 3 effects of treatment groups on ponderosa pine __________________________________152

Table 26. Alternative 3 effects of treatment groups on quaking aspen___________________________________153

Table 27. Alternative 3 effects of treatment groups on western larch ___________________________________154

Table 28. Alternative 3 effects of treatment groups on whitebark pine __________________________________154

Table 29. Alternative comparison for ponderosa pine, western larch, whitebark pine, and aspen _____________157

Table 30. Alternative comparison for stand structures _______________________________________________159

Table 31. Alternative comparison for landscape-level stand structures __________________________________160

Table 32. Alternative comparison for insects and diseases ____________________________________________161

Table 33. Stonewall project area roads summary by jurisdiction _______________________________________163

Table 34. Summary of proposed action haul route miles by Forest Plan Management Area__________________168

Table 35. Summary of Alternative 3 haul route miles by Forest Plan Management Area ____________________171

Table 36. The three condition classes as described in FRCC ____________________________________________175

Table 37. Current FRCC Rating for Biophysical Settings in Stonewall Project Area __________________________176

Table 38. Fire frequency and severity by biophysical settings in the Stonewall Project area __________________178

Table 39. Number of fires in the Stonewall Project area per decade by size class __________________________180

Table 40 Current distribution of fire behavior fuel models in the project area._____________________________183

Table 41. Fireline intensity interpretations _________________________________________________________184

Table 42. Potential fire behavior characteristics modeled with 25 mph upslope 20-foot winds. _______________184

Table 43. Wildland Urban Interface classifications within Stonewall Project area __________________________187

Table 44. Prescription group acres by alternative ___________________________________________________193

Table 45 Proposed burning treatments and approximate acres of prescription group for alternative 2_________198

Table 46 Fire behavior potential under alternative 2 _________________________________________________198

Table 47. Proposed burning treatment and total acres of prescription groups under alternative 3 ____________201

Table 48. Fire behavior potential under alternative 3 ________________________________________________201

Table 49. Summary of sensitive receptors adjacent to or near the project area____________________________209

Table 50. PM2.5 concentrations from wildfire burning under no action alternative _________________________210

Table 51. Acre comparison by treatment for each alternative__________________________________________211

Table 52. Alternatives 2 and 3 prescribed burning concentrations ______________________________________211

Table 53. Alternative 2 and 3 pile burn concentrations _______________________________________________212

Table 54. Snags per acre by d.b.h. class from 2008 FIA intensification plot data ___________________________220

Table 55. 3rd-order drainage designated old growth data _____________________________________________222

Table 56. Third-order drainage designated old growth type and acres___________________________________223

Table 57. Outside 3rd-order drainage verified old growth data _________________________________________224

Table 58. Verified and potential old growth not within the 3rd-order drainages ___________________________225

Table 59. Acres and percent of area within 3rd-order drainage and project area by treatment classes _________231

Table 60. Alternative 3, acres and percent of area within 3rd-order drainage and project area by treatment classes

___________________________________________________________________________________________237

Table 61. Wildlife issue indicators ________________________________________________________________246

Table 62. Wildlife species considered _____________________________________________________________248

Table 63. Wildlife species eliminated from detailed analysis___________________________________________249

Table 64. Wildlife species evaluated in detail _______________________________________________________249

Table 65. Snag distribution data by size class from 2008 FIA plots ______________________________________ 258

Table 66. Lynx analysis unit ownership and habitat__________________________________________________266

Table 67. Mapped lynx habitat __________________________________________________________________266
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Table 68. Project area bear management units_____________________________________________________ 272

Table 69. Grizzly core and den habitat within the project area_________________________________________ 273

Table 70. Arrastra and Red Mountain bear subunit road density and core _______________________________ 273

Table 71. Existing project area old growth_________________________________________________________ 288

Table 72. Existing goshawk nesting and foraging habitat (Samson 2006a) _______________________________ 294

Table 73. Percent of goshawk nesting and foraging habitat recommendations3___________________________ 296

Table 74. Post-fledgling habitat Summary_________________________________________________________ 296

Table 75. Existing pileated woodpecker habitat ____________________________________________________ 299

Table 76. Snag distribution data by size class from 2008 FIA plots______________________________________ 300

Table 77. Forest Plan hiding cover on elk summer range _____________________________________________ 305

Table 78. Elk herd unit summer open road density __________________________________________________ 306

Table 79. Forest Plan thermal cover on elk winter ranges1 ____________________________________________ 307

Table 80. Forest thresholds for hunting season elk security ___________________________________________ 309

Table 81. Elk herd unit data comparing hiding cover and open road density______________________________ 309

Table 82. Existing elk security by herd unit ________________________________________________________ 310

Table 83. Project area migratory birds____________________________________________________________ 316

Table 84. Project area birds of conservation concern ________________________________________________ 317

Table 85. Wildlife effects summary by alternative___________________________________________________ 319

Table 86. Alternative treatment acres by biophysical setting __________________________________________ 343

Table 87. Dry forest wildlife habitat summary by alternative __________________________________________ 344

Table 88. Wildlife species associated with closed-canopy forests_______________________________________ 348

Table 89. Snag and DWD effect and treatment summary_____________________________________________ 361

Table 90. Forested size and age class diversity by alternative _________________________________________ 363

Table 91. Blackfoot 07 alternative lynx habitat _____________________________________________________ 371

Table 92. Blackfoot 08 alternative lynx habitat _____________________________________________________ 372

Table 93. Lynx amendment alternative comparison of objectives, standards and guidelines _________________ 382

Table 94. Action alternative cumulative effects summary_____________________________________________ 391

Table 95. Grizzly habitat treated1________________________________________________________________ 398

Table 96. Alternative grizzly bear access/core habitat summary _______________________________________ 399

Table 97. Grizzly bear habitat changes____________________________________________________________ 401

Table 98. Action area cumulative effects __________________________________________________________ 404

Table 99. Past, ongoing and future activities within the wolverine cumulative effect area___________________ 406

Table 100. Fisher cumulative effect summary ______________________________________________________ 413

Table 101. Fisher habitat proposed for treatment___________________________________________________ 414

Table 102. Alternative Treatment of Flammulated Owl Habitat________________________________________ 423

Table 103. Goshawk habitat proposed for treatment ________________________________________________ 430

Table 104. Project area foraging diversity by alternative _____________________________________________ 432

Table 105. Active nest PFA habitat treated ________________________________________________________ 432

Table 106. Stonewall east PFA conditions by alternative _____________________________________________ 433

Table 107. Stonewall west PFA conditions by alternative _____________________________________________ 433

Table 108. Alternative treatments within pileated and hairy woodpecker habitat1 ________________________ 439

Table 109. Alternative treatments in American marten habitat ________________________________________ 446

Table 110. Post-treatment effects to marten habitat by alternative ____________________________________ 446

Table 111. Alternative Elk herd unit summary and Forest Plan compliance_______________________________ 450

Table 112. Alternative elk herd unit summary of habitat effectiveness and elk security _____________________ 450

Table 113. Alternative 1 elk cumulative effects _____________________________________________________ 452

Table 114. Proposed treatments within project elk hiding cover _______________________________________ 454

Table 115. Alternative 1 mule deer cumulative effects _______________________________________________ 469

Table 116. Treatments within deer hiding cover by alternative ________________________________________ 470

Table 117. Region 1 sensitive plant species that occur or may occur on the Helena National Forest ___________ 475

Table 118 Treatment units with whitebark pine present – Alternative 2 _________________________________ 484

Table 119 Comparison of potential weed infestation due to proposed activities___________________________ 485

Table 120. Summary of determination of effects____________________________________________________ 492
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Table 121. Mapped noxious weed infestation in the analysis areas _____________________________________497

Table 122. Treatment type and cost to treat one-third of the currently infested acres - all alternatives_________499

Table 123. Annual weather data for the project area ________________________________________________504

Table 124. Soil characteristics and limitations for the Stonewall Vegetation project units ___________________506

Table 125. Current conditions by unit in the Stonewall Vegetation Project _______________________________509

Table 126. Acres of treatment and road miles for each action alternative ________________________________511

Table 127. WEPP modeling results for the Stonewall Project, erosion and sedimentation____________________515

Table 128. Expected recovery rates for proposed activities in the action alternatives _______________________516

Table 129. Projected detrimental soil disturbance for the proposed action in the Stonewall Project ___________520

Table 130. Projected detrimental soil disturbance for alternative 3 in the Stonewall Project _________________525

Table 131. Watersheds, stream miles, and acres of watershed area ____________________________________535

Table 132. Summary of water quality impairments in project area 303(d)-listed streams____________________537

Table 133. Road information for the project area by 6th-HUC watershed ________________________________538

Table 134. Summary of mean percent fines (less than 0.25 inches diameter) in select streams as an indicator of 

cumulative effects from past and ongoing activities by 6th-field HUC ____________________________________539

Table 135. Riparian condition and bank alteration information for the project area, by 6th-HUC watershed _____540

Table 136. Estimated average annual sediment delivery from roads to stream channels for existing condition __541

Table 137. Existing condition equivalent clearcut area (ECA) due to past alterations in vegetation cover in the 

project area _________________________________________________________________________________542

Table 138. Road obliteration and maintenance for project ____________________________________________547

Table 139. Estimated average annual sediment delivery from roads to stream channels by sub-drainage for existing 

conditions and alternatives 2 and 3 ______________________________________________________________547

Table 140. Equivalent clearcut area (ECA) by alternative _____________________________________________548

Table 141. Estimated percent water yield increase by action alternatives ________________________________549

Table 142. Percent estimated cumulative water yield increase over baseline conditions (%) _________________549

Table 143. WEPP W3 module predicted flow increases for the project area_______________________________550

Table 144. Analysis area species _________________________________________________________________ 552

Table 145. Fish species by stream in the Stonewall Project area ________________________________________554

Table 146. Summary of mean percent fines (<1/4 inch dia.) in spawning habitat of select streams as an indicator of 

cumulative effects from past and ongoing cumulative effects by 6th-field HUC ____________________________560

Table 147. WCT habitat variables from Overton and Region 1 guidance that may be influenced by proposed 

management in the Stonewall Project area ________________________________________________________566

Table 148. Stonewall Project area trails ___________________________________________________________570

Table 149. Alternative 2 – proposed treatments and potentially impacted recreation resources ______________575

Table 150. Alternative 3 – proposed treatment and potentially impacted recreation resources _______________578

Table 151. Wilderness attributes and roadless area characteristics crosswalk_____________________________585

Table 152. Inventoried Roadless Area Acreage______________________________________________________587

Table 153. Past harvest and fuel activities since 1986 in the portion of the Bear-Marshall-Scapegoat-Swan IRA

managed by the Helena National Forest __________________________________________________________592

Table 154. Alternative 2 - Proposed treatment within inventoried roadless areas __________________________597

Table 155. Alternative 3 - proposed treatment within inventoried roadless areas __________________________600

Table 156. Distance zones viewed into the project area from travel routes, use areas, and water bodies from 

sensitive areas _______________________________________________________________________________613

Table 157. Proposed action viewed units and their VQO from travel routes, use areas, and water bodies_______614

Table 158. Viewed treatment units with proposed vegetation treatment, prescriptions, logging systems, distance 

zone, and VQO for the alternatives 2 and 3 ________________________________________________________618

Table 159. Distance zone viewed VQO acres for alternatives 2 and 3 ____________________________________619

Table 160. Cultural resources within the Stonewall Vegetation project boundary __________________________629

Table 161. Estimated Population Change 1990 to 2009 ______________________________________________635

Table 162. Racial Composition of 2000 Population __________________________________________________635

Table 163. Project Feasibility and Financial Efficiency Summary (2011 dollars) ____________________________639

Table 164. Activity Expenditures by Alternative (not included in appraisal) _______________________________641

Table 165. Proportion of Timber Harvest by Product Type_____________________________________________642
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Table 166. Economic Impacts (Employment and Labor Income), Total and Annual ($2011) __________________ 642

List of Figures

Figure 1. Stonewall Vegetation Project Area Vicinity Map ______________________________________________ 3

Figure 2. Stonewall Project management areas _____________________________________________________ 11

Figure 3. Biophysical settings within the Stonewall Project area ________________________________________ 13

Figure 4. Ponderosa pine - Douglas-fir (unit 48) existing condition_______________________________________ 14

Figure 5. Douglas-fir interior dry (unit 35) existing condition ___________________________________________ 15

Figure 6. Desired condition ponderosa pine - Douglas-fir after regeneration ______________________________ 15

Figure 7. Desired condition Douglas-fir interior ______________________________________________________ 16

Figure 8. Aerial Damage Survey tree mortality estimates summed from 2001 to 2010_______________________ 21

Figure 9. Percent of project area in tree canopy-cover classes __________________________________________ 22

Figure 10. VMAP tree canopy-cover classes_________________________________________________________ 24

Figure 11. Alternative 2 – proposed action, treatment unit development map _____________________________ 26

Figure 12. View looking towards units 88 and 84 proposed for group 8 treatment__________________________ 37

Figure 13. Alternative 2 – proposed action treatments ________________________________________________ 39

Figure 14. Alternative 3 treatments _______________________________________________________________ 43

Figure 15. Proposed Action treatments with INFISH buffers ____________________________________________ 58

Figure 16. Alternative 3 treatments with INFISH buffers_______________________________________________ 59

Figure 17. Stonewall project area habitat types and units _____________________________________________ 99

Figure 18. Stand 42303130 current condition diameter distributions____________________________________ 114

Figure 19. Plantation current condition diameter distributions ________________________________________ 115

Figure 20. Stand 41502088 current condition diameter distributions____________________________________ 115

Figure 21. Stand 41502089 current condition diameter distributions all d.b.h. classes ______________________ 116

Figure 22. Stand 41502089 current condition diameter distribution without 1-inch d.b.h. class ______________ 116

Figure 23. Stand 415020066 current condition diameter distributions___________________________________ 117

Figure 24. Stand 41502043 current condition diameter distribution ____________________________________ 117

Figure 25. Stand 41501056 current condition diameter distributions____________________________________ 118

Figure 26. Stand 42303130 post thin and burn treatment ____________________________________________ 123

Figure 27. Stand 42303130 post thin and burn treatment ____________________________________________ 123

Figure 28. Plantation post-thinning diameter distribution ____________________________________________ 124

Figure 29. Stand 41502088 post-shelterwood ______________________________________________________ 126

Figure 30. Stand 41020066 post-treatment ________________________________________________________ 127

Figure 31. Stand 41502089 post-underburn treatment_______________________________________________ 128

Figure 32. Alternative 2 (proposed action) harvest and fuels treatments_________________________________ 137

Figure 33. Alternative 3 harvest and fuels treatments _______________________________________________ 148

Figure 34. Stand 41502043 post underburn________________________________________________________ 149

Figure 35. Stand 41501056 post underburn________________________________________________________ 150

Figure 36. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46a) post-treatment in alternative 3 __________________________________ 150

Figure 37. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46a) post-treatment in alternative 3 __________________________________ 151

Figure 38. Transportation system for alternative 2-proposed action ____________________________________ 166

Figure 39. Transportation system for alternative 3 __________________________________________________ 169

Figure 40. Fire History Map of the Stonewall Project Area ____________________________________________ 181

Figure 41. Photo showing understory ladder fuel component combined with overstory conifers ______________ 183

Figure 42. Existing condition fire behavior potential displayed as flame length____________________________ 185

Figure 43. Existing condition fire behavior potential displayed by fire type _______________________________ 186

Figure 44. Fire risk ratings for Wildland Urban Interface within the Stonewall Project boundary______________ 188

Figure 45. Alternative 2 – proposed action fire behavior potential displayed as flame length ________________ 199

Figure 46. Alternative 2 – proposed action fire behavior potential displayed by fire type____________________ 199

Figure 47. Alternative 3 fire behavior potential displayed as flame length _______________________________ 202

Figure 48. Alternative 3 fire behavior potential displayed by fire type ___________________________________ 202
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Figure 49. Montana Class 1 Area Map ____________________________________________________________207

Figure 50. Stonewall Project potential smoke impact map ____________________________________________213

Figure 51. Aerial damage survey estimated mortality for 2009 and 2010 ________________________________221

Figure 52. Stand 42201139 (Unit 81) current condition _______________________________________________226

Figure 53. Stand 42201147 (Unit 81) current condition _______________________________________________226

Figure 54. Stand 42201152 (Unit 81) current condition _______________________________________________227

Figure 55. Stand 42201089 (Unit 2) current condition ________________________________________________227

Figure 56. Stand 423031130 (Unit 46) current condition ______________________________________________228

Figure 57. Alternative 2 (proposed action) Units and old growth stands _________________________________ 232

Figure 58. Stand 42201139 (Unit 81) post-underburn condition ________________________________________233

Figure 59. Stand 42201147 (Unit 81) post-underburn ________________________________________________233

Figure 60. Stand 42201152 (Unit 81) post-underburn ________________________________________________234

Figure 61. Stand 41502089 (Unit 2) post-underburn _________________________________________________234

Figure 62. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46) post-treatment ________________________________________________235

Figure 63. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46) post-treatment ________________________________________________235

Figure 64. Alternative 3 Units and old growth stands ________________________________________________238

Figure 65. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46) post-treatment in alternative 3____________________________________239

Figure 66. Stand 42303130 (Unit 46) post-treatment in alternative 3____________________________________239

Figure 67. Project area snag distribution __________________________________________________________259

Figure 68. Description of different structural stages and their contribution to lynx forage and den habitat conditions

___________________________________________________________________________________________265

Figure 69. Existing project area lynx habitat by LAU _________________________________________________267

Figure 70. Stonewall Lynx LAU – Tri-County WUI ____________________________________________________269

Figure 71. Project and Combined Boundary Old Growth ______________________________________________289

Figure 72. Project area goshawk habitat and nest sites_______________________________________________295

Figure 73. Existing pileated woodpecker habitat ____________________________________________________299

Figure 74. Percent Elk habitat effectiveness curve (Lyon 1983) _________________________________________306

Figure 75. Existing hiding cover in Beaver Creek and Keep Cool herd unit ________________________________306

Figure 76. Elk winter range, thermal cover and security habitat ________________________________________308

Figure 77. Mule Deer Fluctuations in Montana from 1970 to 2011 (Montana Field Guide)___________________313

Figure 78. Mule deer range and cover within the project area _________________________________________314

Figure 79. Elk cover and forage within elk winter range and associated treatment areas____________________461

Figure 80. Elk thermal and hiding cover and proposed treatments in management area T-1 _________________463

Figure 81. Elk thermal cover, hiding cover and proposed treatments in MA T-3 ___________________________465

Figure 82. Elk cover and proposed treatments in management area W-1 ________________________________467

Figure 82. General location of noxious weeds in the Stonewall Vegetation Project area_____________________494

Figure 83. Sediment source areas and proposed road treatments for alternative 2- project watersheds ________546

Figure 84. Summer Recreation Opportunity Spectrum________________________________________________571

Figure 85. Winter Recreation Opportunity Spectrum _________________________________________________572

Figure 86. Associated inventoried roadless areas____________________________________________________588

Figure 87. Management areas in the inventoried roadless areas _______________________________________590

Figure 88. Stonewall Project visual resource________________________________________________________604

Figure 89. Stonewall Visual Resource Photo Points Map ______________________________________________610

Figure 90. Photo Point 1-View looking northwest from Forest Route 1040 towards the project area (Approximately 5 

miles east of Lincoln, near the Aspen Grove Campground. This is approximately 4 miles southeast of the project 

area, not displayed in figure 56) _________________________________________________________________ 611

Figure 91. Photo Point 2-View looking north from State Highway 200 into unit 2 __________________________611

Figure 92. Photo Point 3-View north down Forest Route 626 __________________________________________611

Figure 93. Photo Point 4-View northeast into the project area from Lincoln Gulch cemetery _________________611

Figure 94. Photo Point 5-View North from the Lincoln District Office. Due to topography, distance, and vegetative 

screening, the project area is not seen from the Lincoln District Office. __________________________________612

Figure 95. Photo Point 6-View northwest on County Route 433 into the project area _______________________612

Figure 96. Photo Point 7-View west down State Highway 200 with the project area in the middleground_______612
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Figure 97. Photo Point 10-View south from Forest Route 330 towards Bear-Marshall-Scapegoat-Swan IRA. Due to 

topography, the project area is not seen from Forest Route 330._______________________________________ 612

Figure 98. Photo Point 8-View looking southwest from Forest road 330 of Snowbank Lake __________________ 613

Figure 99. Photo Point 9-View within Pine Grove campground_________________________________________ 613

Figure 100. Stonewall visual resource proposed action viewed units ____________________________________ 617

Figure 101. Stonewall visual resource alternative 3 viewed units_______________________________________ 623

Figure 102. Economic impact area _______________________________________________________________ 634

Figure 103. Volume display for R1, Montana, Idaho and HNF from 1980-2010____________________________ 638