Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 151

3.9 Fisheries 

Anadromous fish, such as salmon, spend part of their life in fresh 

water and part of their life in saltwater and use a variety of different 

stream habitats throughout their life (Sullivan et al. 1987). Limitations 

in habitat availability at any stage of development within a species’ 

life cycle can potentially limit overall production. Forest harvest 

activities can potentially affect fish habitat by altering the amount and 

timing of runoff and altering sediment transport and deposition 

regimes (Sullivan et al. 1987), and by altering stream temperature 

(Beschta et al. 1987). 

Spawning requires the availability of clean gravels of appropriate size 

with intragravel flows sufficient to deliver dissolved oxygen to buried 

eggs (Sullivan et al. 1987). Management activities, such as removal of 

vegetation, management-caused landslides, or poorly designed or 

maintained roads, may affect salmon spawning success if an excess of 

fine sediments is introduced. 

The suitability of salmon spawning habitat is related to the capacity of 

stream flows to mobilize and scour bed substrates. Bed load movement 

can bury eggs to great depths, prohibiting fry emergence, or, 

alternatively, scour can remove or rework redds and crush incubating 

eggs or fry (Sullivan et al. 1987). 

The Project Area includes approximately 33.7 miles of shoreline 

which contains diverse estuarine and tidal ecosystems that is habitat 

for shrimp, flatfish, marine worms, starfish, sponges, anemones, sea 

cucumbers, urchins, shellfish, plankton, marine algae, and other 

organisms. The shallow marine waters are vital habitat for some 

commercially important species, such as Dungeness crab and juvenile 

salmon. 

3.9.1.1 Stream Value Classes 

Stream value classes are mapping units that indicate levels of habitat 

use by fish populations. Boundaries were delineated according to the 

following criteria, described in the Aquatic Habitat Management 

Handbook (FSH 2090.21). 

Class I - Streams and lakes with anadromous or adfluvial fish or fish 

habitat, or high quality resident fish waters, or habitat above fish 

migration barriers known to be reasonable enhancement opportunities 

for anadromous fish. 

Class II - Streams and lakes with resident fish or fish habitat and 

generally steep (6-25 percent or higher) gradient (can also include 

3.9.1 

Introduction 
3 Environment and Effects

152 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

streams with a 0-6 percent gradient) where no anadromous fish occur, 

and otherwise do not meet Class I criteria. 

Class III – Streams which are both perennial and intermittent that 

have no fish populations or fish habitat, but have sufficient flow or 

sediment and debris transport to directly influence downstream water 

quality or fish habitat capability. For streams less than 30 percent 

gradient, special care is needed to determine if resident fish are 

present. 

Class IV - Other intermittent, ephemeral, and small perennial channels 

with insufficient flow or sediment transport capabilities to have 

immediate influence on downstream water quality or fish habitat 

capability. Class IV streams do not have the characteristics of Class I, 

II, or III streams, and have a bankfull width of at least 0.3 meters (one 

foot). 

The Class IV designation was created under the 1997 Forest Plan and 

was identified and mapped for each unit, and when possible, outside 

the units. 

Non-streams - Rills and other watercourses, generally intermittent and 

less than one-foot in bankfull width, little or no incision into the 

surrounding hillslope, and with little or no evidence of scour. 

During the summer of 2003 and 2004, field surveys were conducted to 

verify fish presence or absence, fish species, channel type, and stream 

value class. This information was incorporated into a GIS based 

inventory (see the Kuiu Fisheries Resource Report available in the 

Kuiu Timber Sale planning record). 

The analysis area for direct and indirect effects to fisheries includes 

the following watersheds: Dean Creek (#109-50-10070), Saginaw 

Creek (#109-44-10390), Rowan Creek (#109-52-10060), Kadake 

Creek (#109-42-10300), Security Creek (#109-45-10100), and two 

unnamed watersheds (#109-44-10370 and #109-45-10090). In addition 

to these watersheds, there are several other watersheds and portions of 

watersheds within the Project Area. These watersheds are not analyzed 

because this project does not propose any harvest. However, one 

unnamed unnumbered watershed in the northern portion of the Project 

Area will be discussed in the fisheries cumulative effects section. 

Each watershed is a topographically delineated catchment in which all 

surface water drains to a single stream. The downstream boundary for 

the watersheds is sea level. The watershed boundaries are large enough 

to allow a comprehensive accounting of all activities that may affect 

them. At the same time, the watershed boundaries are small enough to 

allow the analysis to be sensitive to the potential effects of the 

proposed activities. 

3.9.2 

Resource 

Inventory 

3.9.3 

Area of 

Analysis 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 153

3.9.3.1 Watersheds 

The north and east sides of Kuiu Island have had the most harvest. The 

Project Area is in northern Kuiu and encompasses seven watersheds. 

Table 3-28 in the Cumulative Effects of Logging and Road 

Construction on Watersheds section shows the acres harvested within 

each of these watersheds. The watersheds contain important fish 

habitat and is discussed in the following paragraphs. More detailed 

discussions on watersheds can be found in Section 3.5 this chapter. 

Kadake Creek Watershed 

Kadake Creek watershed (ADF&G # 109-42-10300) is the largest 

producer of steelhead and salmon on Kuiu Island and is used by sport 

fishermen more than any other stream on Kuiu Island. It has 

approximately 71 miles of Class I and 18 miles of Class II stream. The 

lower portion of the stream is a Recreational River LUD due to its 

high fish values for steelhead, coho salmon, and cutthroat trout. Few 

other streams receive much angling pressure. Kadake Creek also has 

high wildlife, historic, scenic, and recreation values and extends 

beyond the project boundary. 

The number of steelhead redds and adults has been counted in Kadake 

Creek for 10 of the last 12 years (1993-2004). Statistical analysis is 

incomplete and no obvious trends are evident. 

Dean Creek Watershed 

The Dean Creek watershed (ADF&G # 109-50-10070) contains two 

small lakes with a total of 6.6 acres and approximately 10 miles of 

Class I and four miles of Class II stream habitat. 

The Dean Creek fish pass was built in 1984 to provide coho salmon 

passage over a 13-foot waterfall. Coho fry were transplanted from 

three adjacent drainages (Rowan Creek, Security Creek, and Saginaw 

Creek) over a seven year period (1983-1989). The fish pass was 

modified in 1994 for pink salmon. In addition to coho and pink 

salmon, Dean Creek also has chum salmon, steelhead, and Dolly 

Varden (Johnson et al. 2004). 

Security Creek Watershed 

The Security Creek watershed (ADF&G # 109-45-10100) does not 

contain any lakes. There are approximately ten miles of Class I and 

five miles of Class II stream habitat. Security Creek has populations of 

coho, pink, chum, and Dolly Varden (Johnson et al. 2004). 
3 Environment and Effects

154 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

Saginaw Creek Watershed 

The Saginaw Creek watershed (ADF&G # 109-44-10390) contains 

one small lake and approximately 14 miles of Class I and six miles of 

Class II stream habitat. Saginaw has coho, chum, pink, steelhead, 

Dolly Varden, and cutthroat trout (Johnson et al. 2004). 

Rowan Creek Watershed 

The Rowan Creek watershed (ADF&G # 109-52-10060) has one large 

19-acre lake and four smaller lakes which total one acre. There are 22 

miles of Class I and 15 miles of Class II stream habitat. Rowan Creek 

has populations of coho, pink, sockeye, Dolly Varden, and cutthroat 

trout (Johnson et al. 2004). 

Watershed #109-44-10370 

This unnamed stream system drains into Saginaw Bay. It does not 

have any lakes but does have approximately three miles of Class I 

stream and six miles of Class II stream habitat. This stream has 

populations of coho, pink, and chum salmon as well as Dolly Varden, 

and steelhead (Johnson et al. 2004). 

Watershed #109-45-10090 

This unnamed stream system drains into Security Bay. It does not 

contain any lakes but it does have approximately one mile of Class I 

and three miles of Class II stream habitat. The fish species present are 

coho and pink salmon, and Dolly Varden (Johnson et al. 2004). 

3.9.3.2. Units of Measure 

The affects of the proposed Kuiu Timber Sale activities would be 

measured by the amount and duration of the fine sediment that may be 

introduced to the stream by logging activities, including road 

construction and reconstruction; the number of red culverts replaced; 

and the effects to the marine environment from the transporting of logs 

at the LTFs. 

Fine Sediment 

Fine sediment can enter streams from log yarding and road 

construction activities; however, this effect is expected to be shortterm (48 hours after construction). Hicks et al. (1991b) found that in 

some cases in Alaska, salmonid survival was apparently affected over 

the short-term when timber harvest activities increased the amount of 

fine sediment in spawning habitat. However, the amount of sediment 

in gravels returned to pre-logging conditions within five years. 

Because sedimentation may reduce oxygen levels to developing eggs 

in spawning gravel and/or trap emerging fry in the gravel, construction 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 155

timing windows for stream crossings on roads proposed for 

reconditioning or storage would be implemented. While individual fish 

may be impacted, the population as a whole is not expected to be 

affected. The placement of buffers and implementation of BMPs and 

standards and guidelines would reduce the amount of fine sediment 

entering the streams. 

Roads and Stream Crossings 

Guidelines for fish passage through culverts are specified in the 

Aquatic Habitat Management Handbook (FSH 2090.21). The guiding 

criteria for culvert design is to allow natural migration by adult and 

juvenile fish through the culvert during flows equal to or less than the 

discharge predicted to occur two days before or after the mean annual 

flood levels. 

The miles of proposed NFS and temporary road construction vary 

between 3.3 and 10.4 miles, depending on the action alternative (see 

the Transportation section this chapter). Between 3.0 and 6.8 miles of 

existing NFS closed roads would be reopened (reconditioned) to 

access timber, depending on the selected alternative. When these roads 

were closed, the structures were removed; therefore reconditioning 

would include the installation of stream crossing structures (stringer 

bridges or culverts). Table 3-57 shows the existing and proposed 

stream crossings needing structures by stream class and alternative for 

the Kuiu Timber Sale Area. 

Table 3-57. Existing and proposed stream crossings needing 

structures by stream class and alternative 

Stream 

Class Alt 1 Alt 2 Alt 3 Alt 4 Alt 5 

I 0 3 2 3 3 

II 0 3 4 5 5 

III 0 1 8 14 15 

IV 0 5 19 19 19 

Road condition surveys assess the condition of existing roads, culverts, 

and drainage features. As part of this road survey, the fish crossings 

were analyzed to determine if juvenile fish can pass through the 

culvert at different flows. The fish crossings are categorized red, gray, 

or green. A red fish crossing is one that cannot pass juvenile fish at 

some or all flows, a green fish crossing is one that can pass juvenile 

fish at all flows up to the Q2 2-day flow (a two day delay from the 
3 Environment and Effects

156 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

mean annual flood), and a gray fish crossing needs additional analysis 

to determine if it is red or green. Within the Project Area, there are six 

gray culverts and 44 red culverts. Of the 44 red culverts, 11 are on 

Class I streams. One Class I stream and three Class II streams need 

upstream habitat analysis. Those culverts that have had upstream 

habitat analysis block, or partially block, approximately 2.4 miles of 

Class I habitat and 5.2 miles of Class II habitat. 

An interagency group is currently working on a model that would help 

make management recommendations for the red culverts. The model 

was tested in 2006 and the preliminary findings are available. The 

model requires refinement and additional data needs to be collected 

before it can be used for all culverts on the forest. 

There is an opportunity to remove red culverts on roads that would be 

closed after timber harvest is complete. Table 3-58 shows the NFS 

road, class of stream on which structures occur, and tells if the 

structure currently meets fish passage standards. 

Table 3-58. Proposed fish stream structure removal 

Alt Road # 

Class I Stream 

Structures 

Removed 

Meets Current 

Fish Passage 

Standards 

Class II 

Stream 

Structures 

Removed 

Meets Current 

Fish Passage 

Standards 

6413 1 Yes 1 No 

2 46096 1 Yes 0 

6417 3 Yes 3 1 No 

6413 1 Yes 1 No 

46096 1 Yes 0 

6418 2 Yes 0 

3 

6417 3 Yes 3 1 No 

6413 1 Yes 1 1 No 

46096 1 Yes 0 

6418 2 Yes 0 

4 and 5 

6417 3 Yes 3 1 No 

Marine Environment 

Log transfer facilities (LTFs) and log transport are the points of 

concentrated activity in the marine environment. The rest of the 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 157

shoreline is protected by a 1,000-foot buffer (Forest Plan). There are 

two existing LTFs in north Kuiu that could be used for the action 

alternatives (see the Timber Economics and Transportation sections of 

this chapter for further details). The Rowan Bay LTF and sort yard is 

approximately six miles south of the Project Area, and the Saginaw 

Bay LTF and sort yard is in the Project Area. The action alternatives 

would most likely use the existing administrative site at Rowan Bay or 

a floating camp to house the timber operators. 

Rowan Bay LTF 

There are six anadromous fish streams that drain into Rowan Bay. 

Rowan Creek and Browns Creek are the largest producers. Rowan 

Creek has populations of coho and pink salmon, sockeye, Dolly 

Varden, and cutthroat. Browns Creek has populations of pink salmon, 

coho salmon, cutthroat trout, steelhead, Dolly Varden, and chum 

salmon. Average annual pink salmon escapement from 1993 to 2002 

was 29,000. Dungeness crab is harvested from Rowan Bay and the 

surrounding area. 

In 1996 Rowan Bay was placed on the Section 303(d)1

 list for bark 

debris accumulation from the LTF. The Alaska Department of 

Environmental Conservation (ADEC) database shows that a dive on 

July 15, 2002 to monitor the bark deposit had an area with continuous 

bark coverage of 0.81 acres which is compliant with water quality 

standards, resulting in its removal from the Section 303(d) list in 2003 

(Foley 2006). 

Saginaw Bay LTF 

This LTF would require reconstruction, but the “footprint” of the LTF 

would not change. An existing storage yard located near the LTF 

would be used if necessary. In addition to the storage area, a sort yard 

at the end of Road 6448, approximately one mile from the LTF site, is 

proposed for log sorting prior to storage at the LTF site. 

There are five cataloged anadromous fish streams entering Saginaw 

Bay with Saginaw Creek and Straight Creek being the largest 

producers. Saginaw Creek and Straight Creek have populations of 

coho salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, steelhead, Dolly Varden, and 

cutthroat trout (Johnson et al. 2004). Dungeness crab is harvested in 

Saginaw Bay. The close proximity to the community of Kake makes 

Saginaw Bay an important fishing area. 

In 1998 Saginaw Bay was placed on the Section 303(d) list for bark 

debris accumulation from the LTF. Two dives were completed in 

2002. The dive on May 30, 2002 was based on previous dives’ layouts. 

 

1

 The 303(d) list identifies impaired waterbodies which require water quality 

assessments to verify the extent of pollution and what controls are in place or 

needed. 
3 Environment and Effects

158 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

The ADEC analyzed the dive and found the continuous bark 

accumulation to be 0.74 acres which is compliant with water quality 

standards, resulting in its removal from the Section 303(d) list in 2003 

(Foley 2006). 

3.9.4.1 Direct and Indirect Effects 

Effects Common to all Action Alternatives 

Harvest units are designed so that all Class I and Class II streams that 

flow directly into Class I streams receive a minimum 100-foot buffer. 

Many stream channel types extend this buffer beyond the 100-foot 

minimum. Class III streams have no harvest buffer within the v-notch 

or to the break in side slopes (see unit cards for site-specific buffers). 

All NFS roads that are reopened for this timber sale would be put back 

into storage after timber harvest is completed. NFS roads would be 

stored using any combination of tank traps, pulling culverts on the first 

part of the road, and blocking or gating the road. NFS roads in storage 

are system roads and may be reopened for future use. New NFS roads 

would be placed in storage after timber harvest is complete. All 

temporary roads would be decommissioned. 

NFS Road 6417 is currently in storage and would have to be reopened 

in all action alternatives; this would require replacing the culverts on 

three Class I and three Class II stream crossings. All the streams are 

tributaries of Security Creek. Placement of the structures would cause 

a short-term (48 hours or less) increase in sedimentation from road 

construction and reconditioning. Increased sedimentation may affect 

individual fish by reducing oxygen levels to developing eggs in 

spawning gravel and/or trapping of emerging fry in the gravel. The 

effect is expected to be short-term and the placement of timing 

restrictions would minimize impacts to fish (see the Road Cards in 

Appendix B). While individual fish may be impacted, the population 

as a whole is not expected to be affected. 

The following actions would restore approximately 636 feet of fish 

habitat in all action alternatives: 

• Storage of Road 6413 would remove a culvert that does not meet 

current fish passage standards. 

• Excess fill left on site from a prior culvert removal on Road 6417 

would be removed restoring fish passage. 

In all action alternatives the logs would be hauled to either the Rowan 

Bay or Saginaw Bay LTF where the contractor may either barge or raft 

the logs for transportation to the mill. Barging the logs would not 

affect marine species. If logs are rafted one potential effect of the LTF 

3.9.4 

Environmental 

Consequences

 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 159

on marine species may be diminished habitat for managed species and 

their prey due to bark accumulation. Another potential effect of log 

rafting is reduced rearing capability for juvenile salmon due to 

potentially reduced water quality from bark leachates and shading 

beneath log rafts and equipment floats. 

3.9.5.1 Alternative 1 (No-Action Alternative) 

In this alternative, there would be no timber harvest, no roads would 

be built, and no additional roads would be put into storage. No changes 

in water yield, sediment delivery to streams, or fish passage are 

expected to occur except for naturally occurring events. This does not 

preclude regular maintenance of roads and the removal or replacement 

of culverts that do not allow fish passage. 

The removal of culverts on road 6413 would not occur with this 

alternative and the red culvert would not be removed, restoring 

juvenile fish passage. On road 6417, the road fill would be left at the 

site and it would continue to cause fish passage problems. 

3.9.5.2 Alternative 2 

This alternative proposes the harvest of 9.6 mmbf of timber from 478 

acres. Timber harvest in this alternative would require the construction 

of 1.5 miles of temporary road and 1.8 miles of new NFS road. There 

are 4.5 miles of NFS roads currently in storage that would have to be 

reopened, which would require replacing the culverts or bridges on 

three Class I streams and three Class II streams (Table 3-57). 

This alternative would close an additional 7.8miles of NFS roads after 

timber harvest is complete. The harvest would occur in six watersheds: 

Security Creek, Saginaw Creek, Rowan Creek, Kadake Creek, 

Watershed 109-45-10090, and Watershed 109-44-10070. 

Effects 

Of all the action alternatives, fewer effects to fisheries are expected 

from this alternative. 

This alternative has the fewest new stream crossings due to road 

construction, opens the second fewest miles of currently closed NFS 

roads, removes the same number of red culverts as the other action 

alternatives, and would transport the least volume of wood through the 

LTF. Road construction, installation of culverts and bridges, and the 

removal of culverts are expected to temporarily increase sediment 

delivery but are not expected to degrade fish habitat. Increased 

sediment may affect individual fish by reducing oxygen levels to 

developing eggs in spawning gravels and/or trapping emerging fry in 

the gravel, but the effect is expected to be short-term (48 hours or less) 

and the placement of timing restrictions would minimize impacts to 

fish (see the Road Cards in Appendix B). Alaska’s Water Quality 

3.9.5 

Comparison 

by Alternative 
3 Environment and Effects

160 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

Standards require that waters which support the propagation of fish, 

shellfish and wildlife, and recreation in and on the water must be 

protected and maintained. BMP implementation will achieve state 

water quality standards. 

3.9.5.3 Alternative 3 

This alternative proposes the harvest of 15.9 mmbf of timber and the 

construction of 2.1 miles of temporary road and 5.4 miles of new NFS 

road. Road construction would require a log stringer bridge across a 

Class II stream to access Units 402, 403, 409, and 410 (Table 3-57). 

There are 3.2 miles of NFS roads that are currently in storage that 

would be reopened. Reopening NFS Road 6417 would require 

replacing two Class I and three Class II culverts or bridge crossings 

(Table 3-57). 

With this alternative, an additional 8.0 miles of currently open road 

would be put into storage at the end of this project. The harvest would 

occur in five watersheds: Security Creek, Saginaw Creek, Rowan 

Creek, Kadake Creek, and Watershed 109-44-10370. 

Effects 

This alternative has the second lowest total number of new stream 

crossings due to road construction. Because this is the only action 

alternative which does not harvest Units 111 or 401, it would have the 

fewest Class I stream crossings replaced. This alternative also opens 

the fewest miles of currently closed NFS roads, and has the second 

lowest volume of timber to be transported through the LTFs. 

Road construction, installation of culverts and bridges, and the 

removal of culverts are expected to temporarily increase sediment 

delivery but are not expected to degrade fish habitat. Increased 

sediment may affect individual fish by reducing oxygen levels to 

developing eggs in the spawning gravels and/or trapping emerging fry 

in the gravel, but the effect is expect to be short-term (48 hours or less) 

and the placement of timing restrictions would minimize impacts to 

fish (see the Road Cards in Appendix B). Alaska’s Water Quality 

Standards require that waters which support the propagation of fish, 

shellfish and wildlife, and recreation in and on the water must be 

protected and maintained. BMP implementation will achieve state 

water quality standards. 

3.9.5.4 Alternative 4 

This alternative proposes the harvest of 33.3 mmbf of timber and 

construction of 3.9 miles of temporary road and 6.5 miles of new NFS 

road. There are 6.1 miles of NFS road that are currently in storage that 

would be reopened. Road construction would require two new Class II 

stream crossings, and road reconditioning would require replacing 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 161

three Class I and three Class II stream crossings on Road 6417 (Table 

3-57). After timber harvest is completed, an additional 10.5 miles of 

currently open road would be put into storage with all structures 

pulled. The harvest would occur in six watersheds: Security Creek, 

Saginaw Creek, Rowan Creek, Kadake Creek, Watershed 109-44-

10370, and Watershed 109-45-10090. 

Effects 

This alternative, along with Alternative 5, would have the greatest 

potential for increased sedimentation into streams. These alternatives 

are the only ones that would construct a road to Unit 412, which would 

cross a Class I stream and a road to Units 402, 403, 409, and 410, 

which would cross a Class II stream. These alternatives would 

construct the most miles of road for the most total stream crossings 

(Table 3-57). 

Although these alternatives would have the greatest potential for 

increased sediment delivery into the streams due to road construction, 

culvert and bridge installation, and culvert removal, the increased 

sediment delivery is expected to be temporary and is not expected to 

degrade fish habitat. Increased sediment may affect individual fish by 

reducing oxygen levels to developing eggs in spawning gravels and/or 

trapping emerging fry in the gravel, but the effect is expected to be 

short-term (48 hours or less). In addition, the placement of timing 

restrictions would minimize impacts to fish (see the Road Cards in 

Appendix B). Alaska’s Water Quality Standards require that waters 

which support the propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife, and 

recreation in and on the water must be protected and maintained. BMP 

implementation will achieve state water quality standards. 

3.9.5.5 Alternative 5 

This alternative proposes the harvest of 31.4 mmbf of timber and the 

construction of 3.5 miles of temporary road and 6.5 miles of new NFS 

road. There are 6.9 miles of road that are currently in storage that 

would have to be reopened. Road construction would require two new 

Class II stream crossings, and road reconditioning would require 

replacing three Class I and three Class II stream crossings on Road 

6417 (Table 3-57). After timber harvest is completed, an additional 

10.5 miles of currently open road would be put into storage with all 

structures pulled. The harvest would occur in six watersheds; Security 

Creek, Saginaw Creek, Rowan Creek, Kadake Creek, Watershed 109-

44-10370, and Watershed 109-45-10090. 

Effects 

As discussed in Alternative 4, Alternatives 4 and 5 have the greatest 

potential for increased sedimentation into streams. 
3 Environment and Effects

162 • Chapter 3 Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS 

Although these alternatives would have the greatest potential for 

increased sediment delivery into the streams due to road construction, 

culvert and bridge installation, and culvert removal, the increased 

sediment delivery is expected to be temporary and is not expected to 

degrade fish habitat. Increased sediment may affect individual fish by 

reducing oxygen levels to developing eggs in spawning gravels and/or 

trapping emerging fry in the gravel, but the effect is expected to be 

short-term (48 hours or less). In addition, the placement of timing 

restrictions would minimize impacts to fish (see the Road Cards in 

Appendix B). Alaska’s Water Quality Standards require that waters 

which support the propagation of fish, shellfish and wildlife, and 

recreation in and on the water must be protected and maintained. BMP 

implementation will achieve state water quality standards. 

Cumulative effects are analyzed on a watershed basis and include all 

watersheds contained or partially contained within the Project Area. 

The Catalog of Events for Kuiu Island was referenced in determining 

cumulative effects to fish and all past, present, and reasonably 

foreseeable future management activities. 

Past activities considered include the Dean Creek fish pass, which 

opened approximately 6.5 miles of stream for coho, pink, and chum 

salmon, steelhead and Dolly Varden. The Dean Creek fish pass 

increased fish populations within the Project Area. Past activities 

considered also include road construction and timber harvest (see the 

Catalog of Events for a complete list). 

Cumulative effects for this project include the possible harvest of the 

remaining units from the Crane and Rowan Mountain Timber Sales 

EIS and road maintenance. Within the Project Area, the harvest units 

from the Crane and Rowan Mountain Timber Sales EIS are located in 

the Security Creek and Dean Creek watersheds, and an unnamed 

unnumbered watershed in the north portion of the Project Area. All but 

one of the units are helicopter units. Approximately 0.5 miles of new 

NFS road and 0.45 miles of road would be reconditioned to access 

Crane and Rowan Mountain Timber Sales Unit 399-13 which would 

require three Class III crossings. 

The Crane and Rowan Mountain Timber Sales EIS states that the 

existing Rowan Bay LTF would be used to transport logs by barge. 

With this project either the Rowan Bay or Saginaw Bay LTF could be 

used. Logs could be barged or logs would be placed into the water and 

rafted for towing from the bays. Barging logs would not increase bark 

accumulation at either site. Log rafting would cause newly dislodged 

bark to accumulate at the sites. Annual monitoring would determine 

the amount of accumulation. If accumulation exceeds Environmental 

Protection Agency’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

3.9.6 

Cumulative 

Effects 
Fisheries3

Kuiu Timber Sale FEIS Chapter 3 • 163

(NPDES) permit standards, logs will no longer be placed in the water 

until monitoring determines that bark is no longer an issue. 

According to the five-year timber sale schedule, there is no additional 

harvest scheduled in the Project Area. 

The input of sediment to streams from the above-described activities 

would not be expected to effect fish populations or habitat. While there 

may be incidental death of fish due to this project, cumulatively 

considering all the timber and non-timber projects, the fish populations 

in the Project Area are well above naturally occurring levels. 

Section 305(b)(2) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and 

Management Act (the Act) states that all federal agencies must consult 

the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for actions or proposed 

actions that may adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). In 

accordance with the August 25, 2000 agreement between the Forest 

Service, Alaska Region and the NMFS, consultation started when 

NMFS received a copy of the draft environmental impact statement 

(DEIS) which contained the EFH Assessment. 

In the EFH assessment, the Forest Service determined that the Kuiu 

Timber sale may adversely affect EFH; however, this risk would be 

minimized or avoided through implementation of the Forest Plan 

standards and guidelines and best management practices (BMPs). The 

complete EFH can be found in the Fisheries Resource Report in the 

Kuiu Timber Sale planning record. NMFS concurred with our findings 

and made conservation recommendations. The Forest Service 

responded to their comments and consultation was completed. See 

Appendix C for the letter from the NMFS and the Forest Service’s 

response. 

3.9.7 

Essential Fish 

Habitat 

Assessment