United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

LEWIS AND CLARK 

NATIONAL FOREST PLAN 

Fiscal Year 1994 

‘3-538 b 

Lewis and Clark 

National Forest 

Great Falls, MT. 

P.O. Box 8W Monitoring and €valuation Report 

59403 

Belt Creek Canyon below Monarch in the Little Belt Mountains. 
Agriculture 

Forest 

Service 

Lewis & Clark NF P.O. Box 869 

Great Falls, MT 59403 

406 791-7700 

FAX 406 761 -1 972 

File Code:l920 

0ate:April 1995 

Dear Forest User: 

Enclosed for your review is the "FY 1994 Lewis and Clark National Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation 

Report". This report records our progress and accomplishments for our eighth year of Forest Plan implementation. 

Since our last Monitoring and Evaluation report, the following personnel changes have occurred: 

Forest Supervisor Dale Gorman retired in early January after 15 years on the Lewis Clark. John 

Greer, Staff Officer for the Forest Plan/lmplementation Group is acting Forest Supervisor. 

Glenda Scott joined the Forest early last summer as our Forest Silviculturist. Glenda came to us from 

the Phillipsburg District of the Deerlodge National Forest. 

Thank you for your interest in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and please contact me if you have any 

questions. 

Sincerely, 

(,,#orest Supervisor 
Lewis & Clark National Forest 

Forest Plan Monitoring Report 

Fiscal Year 1994 

SUMMARY 

This'summary capsulizes the full report of the Forest 

Plan Monitoring and Evaluation for the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest during Fiscal Year 1994 (October 1993 through September 1994). Our monitoring 

items are listed in Chapter 5 of the 1986 Lewls and 

Clark National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). Forest specialists 

monitor and report on 77 individual monitoring 

items. They evaluate their findings and make recommendations to the Forest Leadership Team. 

Detailed information for each of the 77 items is disclosed in the full report. 

In the full report, you will find three main sections. 

The Introduction includes a general discussion of 

the purpose of monitoring and the amendments 

that have been made to the 1986 Forest Plan. The 

second section outlines, in general terms, the decisions made in the Forest Plan. And the third section 

details each monitoring item, including the methods 

used in our monitoring, the findings from our monitoring efforts, and any recommendations for improving implementation of the Forest Plan direction. 

MONITORING RESULTS 

Recreation: Developed recreation use continues to 

exceed expectations in the Forest Plan. Dispersed 

recreation use seems to be leveling out with use 

less than predicted during the planning process. 

The more normal summer of 1994 saw an increase 

in developed, dispersed, and wilderness recreation 

on the Forest this year. In FY 1994, a new inventory 

of the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum was completed. It will be used in future Forest Plan updates. 

Decreased funding in FY 1994 forced the Forest to 

again prioritize maintenance at developed recreation sites. Primary, heavy use campgrounds are 

being maintained more often than those less used. 

Recreation Capital Investment funding was received for the construction of trailheads along Divide Road. Two toilets at Crystal Lake Campground 

were replaced with modern accessible vault toilets 

and a group user area was developed. The Recreation Opportunrty Guide for the Musselshell District 

has yet to be completed. Travel Plan violations have 

increased slightly, but Districts report increase is 

due to improved reporting rather than increased 

violations. Installation of new signing continues 

across the Forest. 

Cultural Resources: The Forest continues to concentrate its efforts on inventorying and assessing 

potential impacts to cultural resources on sitespecific project proposals. During FY 1994 no 

projects were initiated without consideration of cultural resources. Two Passport-ln-Time projects 

were completed on the Forest. Passport-ln-Time is 

a National Forest Service program which encourages public education through participation. A professionally produced video was completed to inform 

the public on the importance of heritage resource 

management and the Passport-ln-Time program. A 

C. M. Russell auto tour was completed for the Judith 

Basin area. 

Wilderness: Most prominent threats to preservation of the Wilderness resource include; spread of 

noxious weeds, degradation and overuse of popular trails and lakeside campsites, low numbers of 

naturally occurring fires, enforcement of grizzly bear 

sanitation regulations, use allocation, and increasing need for wilderness education. 

Wildlife: In FY 1994 four of the six Bear Management Units (BMUs) were occupied by grizzly bear 

family units. Over the last three years, all six BMUs 

had females with cubs. The breeding pair of wolves 

continue to use the lands east of the Forest boundary in the Sun River area. Two yearlings were removed this spring, another shed it's radio collar and 

has not been located. The pair raised six pups during the summer of 1994. Sightings indicate that a 

Summary - 1 
lone wolf is still utilizing the upper Sun River drainage. 

During FY 1994, effects analysis for elk and other 

wildlife was completed for the Castle Mountains 

Range EIS. 

Bighorn sheep and mountain goat populations 

were not monitored by the MDFWP on the Rocky 

Mountain Front in FY 1993 and 1994. Sighting of 

mountain goats in the Highwood Mountains continue. Sightings of lynx and wolverine are occurring on 

the Rocky Mountain Division. Wolverines have been 

detected at one general location on the Jefferson 

Division as well. 

The Forest continued surveys for old growth. So far, 

over 25,000 acres of old growth has been designated mostly in timber management areas. 

One pileated woodpecker was again sighted on the 

Jefferson Division of the Forest. The Forest continued issuing the Animal Inn brochure, Be An Innkeeper in their firewood permit packages. This is an 

effort being made to educate and inform the public 

on the value of dead and down materials within the 

forest. 

Five streams on the Rocky Mountain Division were 

inventoried in 1994 to determine the presence of 

pure strain westslope cutthroat trout. Cutthroat trout 

samples were taken from six streams in the Judith 

River drainage, two streams in the Belt Creek drainage, two streams in the Smith River drainage, and 

one stream in the Musselshell River drainage. Results will be available in I 995. Cursory surveys indicated that several other streams may contain westslope cutthroat trout, and these will be scheduled for 

sampling in 1995 and 1996. 

On the Rocky Mountain Division harlequin ducks 

continued to be monitored. The population is estimated at 40 breeding pairs, producing 7-1 8 broods 

annually. The harlequin duck population on the 

Rocky Mountain Front is approximately 35% of Montana's total population. 

Sensitive plant species are known to occur in four of 

the seven mountain ranges on the Forest. Twelve 

sensitive plant species are known from the Rockies, 

five from the Little Belt Mountains, and one each 

from the Big Snowy Mountains and Castle Mountains. There are no sensitive plant species known 

from the Crazy Mountains, Highwood Mountains or 

Little Snowy Mountains. In FY 1994, over 2,600 

acres were surveyed for sensitive plants. 

Range: Grazing levels are within 1% of Forest Plan 

projections. Nonstructural range improvements are 

onty 31 % of those projected in the Forest Plan. This 

under accomplishment of range nonstructural improvements (prescribed burning) is causing a decline in forage production. Structural Range Improvements are 75% of the Forest Plan projection. 

The Forest has over achieved its noxious weed 

control projections again, some 1305 acres. This 

over achievement represents a higher commitment 

to noxious weed control resulting from the noxious 

weed analysis after the Forest Plan was approved. 

No allotment management plan (AMP) was completed in FY 1994. Progress on management plans 

continues; the Draft EIS for the Castle Mountains is 

scheduled to be released in the spring of 1995 and 

the North Little Belts NEPA analysis was started. 

Timber: In FY 1994, an interdisciplinary presale review was conducted on the Smokey B and Corridor 

Timber Sales on the Kings Hill District. No timber 

activities exceeded the 40-acre clearcut standard. 

The review group felt that the prescriptions meet 

and usually exceed short term management area 

goals. Units have been located to minimize fragmentation and disturbance to elk security areas. 

Prescriptions have been chosen to be consistent 

with visual management objectives. Best management practices are being used for activities done in 

conjunction with the timber sale. However, in some 

cases, the proposed treatments are not adequately 

considering the biology of tree species, physical 

factors and damaging agents. This will affect our 

ability to meet long term desired conditions for 

those stands. The amount of timber offered for sale 

in FY 1994 declined due to the Smokey-Corridor law 

suite. Restocking of previously harvested areas are 

generally progressing well. The Forest continues to 

harvest less acres than projected in the Forest Plan. 

Thinning accomplishments continue to exceed our 

projections. The trend in both commercial and personal firewood removal seems to have leveled off. 

Water and Soil: Monitoring results indicate that 

projects with a potential for impact on soil or water 

quality are being successfully reviewed assuring 

adequate protection of soil productivity and useability. A cumulative effects analysis was completed for 

the Running Wolf Timber Sales. Soil inventory collection and analysis was completed on 30,000 acres 

in FY 1994. 

Summary - 2 
Of the projects reviewed for revegetation, most can 

be described as successful and complete. In the 

spring of 1992 a water quality monitoring station 

was established in O'Brien Creek above the municipal water reservoir. Analysis of the data collected 

from this station will be done after all proposed timber activity is completed in this watershed. Of the 

projects reviewed occurring in riparian areas, flood 

plains, and wetlands, results indicate that activities 

within these zones are being mitigated successfully 

to prevent impacts to soil and water resources. Of 

the 373 acres requiring restoration identified in the 

Forest Plan, all acres plus an additional 173 acres 

have been accomplished. 

Analysis indicated that again some of the special 

use sites failed to meet the established public health 

testing requirements. This matter will be discussed 

with Forest managers and special use permittees in 

an effort to redeem this management and public 

safety responsibility. 

Minerals: The FY 1994 target for minerals management was 31 cases. A total of 38 cases were processed. No Forest Service projects were determined to have an adverse effect on mineral 

operations. Three new Plans of Operation were reviewed for mineral activities in FY 1994. 

During FY 1994, work continued on a Forest-wide oil 

and, gas leasing analysis which will evaluate lands 

available for leasing and lease stipulations. 

Lands: The condition of facilities authorized 

through special use permits is generally satisfactory. Ski area permits are regularly inspected before 

and during the ski season. In FY 1994, the Lewis 

and Clark Forest issued or reissued 66 special use 

permits for a variety of activities. In FY 1994, the 

Forest secured three road rights-of-way. The Forest 

Plan target for landline location is 26 miles per year. 

In FY 1994, the Forest was funded for and accomplished 21 miles or about 80% of the Forest Plan 

target. 

Facilities: During FY 1994, 1.5 miles of road constructed and 14.1 miles of road reconstructed was 

completed in both programs (Capital Investment 

Program and Purchaser Credit Program). It is estimated that there are 1,365 miles of roads open 

yearlong to motorized vehicles and 447 miles 

closed or restricted seasonally. The Forest Plan 

does not establish any target miles to be open to 

public motorized traffic. 

The Forest Plan, as amended, programs an average 

of 14.0 miles of trail construction and reconstruction 

annually. In FY 1994, 13.1 miles of reconstruction 

work occurred. 

Protection: In FY 1994, 84% of the sawtimber sold 

on the Forest was lodgepole pine. The Forest is 

continuing to break up large concentrations of natural fuels. Insect and disease surveys indicate that 

the Western spruce budworm continues to build on 

the Forest. About 99,000 acres of visible Western 

spruce budworm defoliation was reported on Forest 

lands. Post timber sale reviews showed that the 

Forest is meeting regional standards for slash disposal. There were no known complaints about any 

prescribed burning project affecting air quality, 

however there were complaints about wildfires. The 

under accomplishment in treating activity fuels is 

related to the timber harvest schedule. In 1994, the 

Forest had 25 wildfires which burned 3,918 acres. 

The total cost of fire suppression and protection in 

1994 was $773,000. This figure is above the 1 O-year 

average of $590,000. During the first eight years of 

the Forest Plan, acreage lost to wildfires and fire 

suppression and protection costs were substantially above those projected by the Forest Plan. 

Wild and Scenic Rivers: No project-level activities 

occurred along any of the nine eligible rivers or river 

segments which adversely impacted or degraded a 

river's qualifications and/or potential classification. 

Additional fisheries surveys and genetic analyses in 

1994 expanded our knowledge of the fisheries values of Forest streams, another important criteria for 

determining eligibility for Wild and Scenic River status. Cutthroat trout were collected from fourteen 

sites across the Forest but the results of genetic 

analysis are not yet available for these samples. 

Based on current data, the streams with the most 

substantial values for native westslope cutthroat 

trout fisheries appear to be the upper South Fork 

Two Medicine River drainage, North and South Badger creeks, South Fork Birch Creek, South Fork Dupuyer Creek, North Fork Deep Creek, and upper 

Judith River drainage. 

Summary - 3 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I . INTRODUCTION .......................................................... 1 

II . FORESTPUN DECISIONS .................................................. 2 

Ill . INDIVIDUAL MONITORING ITEMS 

A . RECREATION 

A-1 ROS Setting ....................... ............................. 3 . 

A-2 Recreation Direction Meets Visitor Expectation ............................ 3 

A-3 

A-4 

A-5 

A-6 

A-7 

A-8 

A-9 

A-1 0 

A-1 1 

A-I2 

Recreationuse ................................................. 4 

Condition of Developed Sites ....................................... 5 

Recreation Opportunity Guide ....................................... 5 

ORV Damage and Travel Plan ....................................... 6 

Condition of Visual Resources ....................................... 7 

Cultural Resource Management (Identification & Protection) .................. 7 

Cultural Resource Management (Effectiveness) ........................... 8 

Cultural Resource Management (Interpretation) ........................... 8 

Cultural Resource Management (Inspection) ............................. 9 

Cultural Resource Management (Program Effectiveness) ..................... 9 

B . WILDERNESS 

B-1 Quality of the Ecosystem ......................................... 10 

Bob Marshall-Great Bear-Scapegoat Management ........................ 10 

Change in Roadless Inventory ...................................... 10 

8-2 

8-3 

C . WILDLIFE 

C-1 T&E Species: Grizzlv Bear Habitat ...................... ........... 11 

C-1 a 

c-2 

c-3 

c -4 

C-4a 

C-4b 

c-5 

C-6 

c-7 

C-7a 

C-7b 

C-8 

C-8a 

C-8b 

C-8c 

c-9 

C-9a 

C-9b ' 

c-9c 

C-9d 

(2-10 

C-1 Oa 

c-11 

c-12 

C-12a 

C-12b 

Trend info . for Grizzly Bear Management Units .......................... 12 

Gray Wolf. Bald Eagle. Peregrine Falcon Habitat ......................... 13 

Elk Winter Range Capacity ........................................ 16 

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat .................................... 18 

Bighorn Sheep Population ........................................ 19 

Mountain Goat Population ......................................... 19 

Other Big Game Species ......................................... 20 

SmallGame .................................................. 20 

Furbearers ................................................... 20 

Rocky Mountain Division Sightings ................................... 21 

Jefferson Division Sightings ........................................ 21 

Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk .................................... 22 

Acres Designated as Old Growth 1988-1 993 ............................ 23 

Goshawk (Nesting Territories-Rocky Mountain Division) .................... 23 

Goshawk (Nesting Territories-Jeff erson Division) ......................... 24 

Special Interest Species .......................................... 24 

Golden Eagle (Nesting Territories-Rocky Mountain) ....................... 25 

Golden Eagle (Nesting TerritoriesJefferson) ............................ 25 

Prairie Falcon (Nesting Territories-Rocky Mountain) ....................... 25 

Prairie Falcon (Nesting TerritoriesJefferson) ............................ 25 

Cavity Nesting Habitat ........................................... 26 

Aquatic Habitat ................................................ 28 

Habitat Improvement Outputs ...................................... 29 

FY93 Targets & Accomplishments Compared to Forest Plan ................. 30 

Wildlife Habitat Improvement ....................................... 31 

Monitoring Results for Snag Management on Kings Hill .................... 27 
C-13 Oil 81 Gas Activity ............................................... 30 

C-13a 

C-14 Sensitive Wildlife and Fish ......................................... 33 

Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines Applied .............................. 32 

C-14a Harlequin Duck (Minimum Brood Numbers on Rocky Mountain) ............... 33 

C-14b Electrophloretic Testing Results for Cutthroat Trout ....................... 34 

Sensitive Plants Known to Occur on the Forest .......................... 38 

Sensitive Plant Field Survey Accomplishments ........................... 39 

C-15 Sensitive Plant Program .......................................... 36 

C-15a 

C-15b 

RANGE 

D-1 Range Outputs -40 

D-1 a 

D-2 

D-2a 

D-3 Supply ...................................................... 42 

D-3a 

D-4 

D-4a 

D-4b 

D . ____ ............................................... 

Range Accomplishments ......................................... 40 

Range Condition & Trend ......................................... 41 

Range Condition and Trend (Each) .................................. 42 

Suitable Range (Thousand Acres) .................................... 42 

Allotment Management Plan Status .................................. 43 

Status of Allotment Management Plans ................................ 43 

Allotment Management Plans (Each) ................................. 44 

E . TIMBER 

E-1 

E-3 Timber Openings 46 

E-4 

E-4b 

E-5 Restocking 48 

E-6a 

E-7 . 

E-7a 

E-8 Even-Age Harvest .............................................. 51 

E-9 Firewood Removal .............................................. 51 

E-9a 

E-1 0 

E-1 la 

Silvicultural Prescriptions Meet MA Goals .............................. 45 

E-2 Prescription Selections ........................................... 45 

Timber Offered/ASQ for a Decade ................................... 47 

E-4a ASQ (Million Board Feet) ......................................... 47 

Timber Program (Million Board Feet) ................................. 48 

E-6 Acres Harvested ............................................... 49 

Timber Under Contract and Volume & Acres Harvested .................... 49 

Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments .............................. 49 

Timber Stand Improvement ........................................ 50 

Commercial and Personal Use Firewood Removal ........................ 52 

Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands ........................................ 52 

Growth Plots (Numbers) .......................................... 53 

............................................... 

................................................... 

E-11 Projected Yields ................................................ 53 

F . WATER & SOIL 

F-1 

F-2a 

F-3 

F-4 

F-5 Other Effects 57 

F-6 58 

F-6a 

Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs .............................. 54 

F-2 Revegetation .................................................. 54 

FY94 Project List for Revegetation ................................... 55 

Water Quality in Municipal Watersheds ................................ 56 

Riparian Areas. Flood Plains and Wetlands ............................. 57 

Water & Soil Backlog ............................................ Restoration Projects Accomplished in FY94 .............................. 58 

F-6b Soil & Water Restoration Accomplishments (acres) ....................... 59 

F-7 Water & Stream Quality .......................................... 

Water Quality Monitoring FY94 ...................................... 60 

Stream Cover & Pools ........................................... 61 

.................................................. 

60 

F-7a 

F-8 

F-9 Public Health 61 .................................................. 
G . MINERALS 

G-1 

G-la 

G-3 Drilling Effects 65 

G-4 Rehabilitation 66 

G-4a 

G-5 Mineral Availability 67 

Effect of Mining Activities ......................................... 62 

FY94 Project List for Mining Activities ................................. 63 

G-2 Geophysical Prospecting ......................................... 64 

FY94 Project List for Rehabilitation of Disturbed Areas ..................... 66 

................................................. 

................................................. 

.............................................. 

LANDS 

J-1 

J . ___ 

Compliance With Use Permits ................. ..................... 68 

J-la Special Use Permits ............................................. J-2 Right-of-way Easements ......................................... 70 

J-2a Easement Acquisitions ........................................... 71 

Land Ownership Adjustment ....................................... 71 

J-3a Land Exchange (Acres) .......................................... 71 

Landline Location Accomplishment (miles) ............................. 72 

68 

J-3 

J-4 Landline Location ............................................... 72 

J-4a 

L . FACILITIES 

L-1 Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction .................. ..... ..... 73 

L-1 a 

L-1 b 

L-1 c 

L-2 

Miles of Road Constructed/Reconstructed .............................. 73 

Trail Accomplishments for FY94 ..................................... 74 

Total Trail Reconstruction/Construction (Miles) ........................... 74 

Miles of Road Open ............................................. 74 

P . PROTECTION 

P-1 

P-2 

P-4 

P-5 

P-5a 

P-6 Wildfire 78 

P-6a 

P-7 

P-7a 

High Risk Stands. .............................................. 76 

P-la Removal of High Risk Lodgepole Pine (percent) ......................... 76 

AcresNolume of Insect ti Disease ................................... 76 

P-3 Management Practices ........................................... 77 

Prescribed Fire & Air Quality ....................................... 77 

Fuel Treatment Outputs .......................................... 78 

Activity & Natural Fuel Accomplishment (Acres) .......................... 78 

Wildfire Area Burned (acres) ....................................... 79 

Suppression & Protection Costs .................................... 79 

Suppression & Protection Costs .......................... , ......... 79 

...................................................... 

W . WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

W-1 Effects on Eligible Rivers .......................................... 80 

I . GENERAL 

1-1 Costs&Values ................................................ 82 

1-2 Emerging Issues ............................................... 82 

1-3 Land Allocations ............................................... 85 

I-3a Allocation of Management Areas and Acres ............................ 85 

1-4 Employment/lncome Projections .................................... 86 

I-4a Employment & Income Comparisons ................................. 86 
IV . COMPARISON OF OUTPUTS. ACTIVITIES. AND BUDGETS 

TABLE I . Comparison of Projected OutputslActivities by Time Period .................... 87 

TABLE I1 . Comparison of FY 1994 Expenditures/Accomplishments vs FP Projections vs ~~~ ~ 

OutyearRequests ....................................................... 88 

V . LISTOFPREPARERS ..................................................... 90 

VI . APPROVAL ............... .I .......................................... 91 

APPENDIXA ........................................................... 93 
lntroductlon/FP Decisions 

I. INTRODUCTION 

The Lewis and Clark National Forest Land and 

Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) was approved in June 1986. Each year we monitor management decisions that have been implemented on 

the ground and report our findings. This report summarizes the monitoring and evaluation findings for 

Fiscal Year 1994 (from October 1993 through September 1994). 

The purpose of forest plan monitoring and evaluation is to determine how well we have met our Forest 

Plan objectives and how we have applied the management standards and guidelines in the Plan. Our 

monitoring and evaluation process is outlined in 

Chapter V of the 1986 Forest Plan. Using this process, resource specialists have reported on 71 individual monitoring items. 

Within the last eight years, seventeen amendments 

have been made to the 1986 Forest Plan. These 

changes have resulted from findings from our previous monitoring/evaluation reports and from several 

environmental analyses on site-specific projects. 

These seventeen amendments include: 

0 Amendment 1 : Incorporated recreation management for the Bob Marshall/Great Bear/ 

Scapegoat Wilderness Management Complex. This 

amendment was implemented in 1987 by the adjoining Lewis and Clark, Lolo, Flathead, and Helena 

National Forests. 

0 Amendment 2: Verified those rivers meeting 

the two eligibility qualifications (free-flowing and 

containing at least one 'outstandingly remarkable" 

resource value) under the Section 1 (b) and 2(b) of 

the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act; assigned a potential 

classification to each eligible river as directed under 

Section 2(b) of the Act; and applied the appropriate 

standards to manage and protect each river. This 

amendment was implemented in 1989. Under this 

amendment, the following rivers met eligibility qualifications: 

Smith River - 11.8 miles scenic 

North Badger Creek - 7.3 miles scenic 

Dearborn River - 18.1 miles wild 

North Fork Sun River - 25.4 miles wild, 1.3 miles 

recreational 

South Fork Sun River - 25.5 miles wild 

North Fork Birch Creek - 6.6 miles wild 

Tenderfoot Creek - 4.6 miles scenic 

Green Fork of Straight Creek - 4.5 miles wild 

Middle Fork Judith River - 4.8 miles recreational 

0 Amendment 3: Made changes, adjustments 

and corrected typographical errors and omissions 

identified during the preparation and review of the 

FY 87 and FY 88 Monitoring and Evaluation Reports. 

This amendment was implemented in 1989. 

0 Amendment 4: Changed the Forest-wide 

Management Standard dealing with Reforestation 

(E-3) to comply with the Northern Region requirement for certification of regenerated timber stands. 

This amendment was implemented in 1991. 

0 Amendment 5: Changed the management area designation on 685 acres in the South Fork 

project area from Management Area B to Management Area C. This amendment was implemented in 

1991. 

0 Amendment 6: Changed all eleven Region 

One Forest Plans to partition Allowable Sale Quantity (ASQ) into two non-interchangeable components 

- from inventoried roadless areas and from existing 

roaded areas. This amendment was vacated by the 

Secretary of Agriculture. He found that the Regional 

Forester had sufficient discretion to assure that Forest Plan direction is implemented in accordance 

with the standards and guidelines without resorting 

to the amendment process. 

0 Amendment 7: Changed the management area designation on 22,930 acres in the Spring Creek 

project area. Management Areas B, C, E, and G 

were affected. This amendment was implemented in 

1991. 

0 Amendment 8: Recomputed the small business share governing the timber sale set-aside program in the Lewis and Clark Market area to 70% 

from 80%. This amendment was implemented in 

1991. 

0 Amendment 9: Changed the management area designation on 13,310 acres in the Little Snowies 

project area by creating a new management area 

(Management Area T). Redefined Management Area M (Paine Gulch Research Natural Area) to include all nominated Research Natural Areas including the new Minerva RNA in the Little Snowies. 

1 
Introductlon/FP Declslons 

Acres assigned to Management Area M will 

increase as areas are added. The amendment also 

removed the prohibition of boundary fencing on 

RNAs. This amendment was implemented in 1993. 

0 Amendment 10: Added monitoring items for 

Cultural Resources. This amendment will be implemented in 1994. 

0 Amendment 11 : Introduced Weed Seed Free 

Feed policy for the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. This amendment will be implemented in July 

1994. 

0 Amendment 12: Added a goal, objective, 

standards, and monitoring items to add emphasis 

to the Sensitive Species program. This amendment 

was implemented in 1991. 

0 Amendment 13: Added a more specific 

Forest-wide objective, glossary item and Forestwide Standards for cave management. These additions will ensure the Forest is in compliance with the 

1988 Federal Cave Resources Protection Act. This 

amendment was implemented in 1993. 

0 Amendment 14: Corrects an error in the Forest Plan that showed an area stratified for Grizzly 

Bear management on the Rocky Mountain Front as 

Management Situation 2. The stratification has been 

corrected to show as Management Situation 1. 

0 Amendment 15: Changed the management 

area designation on 4,970 acres in the Spring Creek 

project area to more effectively proteGt elk habitat. 

Management Areas B, C, and G were affected. This 

amendment was implemented in 1993. 

0 Amendment 16: Changed the management 

area designation on 27,909 acres in the SmokeyCorridor project area and 1,957 acres in the Rocky 

Mountain High Ski Area. This change required the 

creation of a new management area (Management 

Area S). This amendment was implemented in 1994. 

Although the Forest Plans include management decisions that project well beyond the first decade of 

implementation, each Forest Plan will be thoroughly 

reviewed after 10 years. In preparation for this 

1 O-year review and revision, we analyzed our progress at the midway point of five years. Through the 

Five-Year Review, we have determined whether additional changes are needed now, before the end of 

the first decade. The Five-Year Review was completed in December 1992. 

11. FOREST PLAN DECISIONS 

The Forest Plan is a compilation of decisions that 

guide our management of the Forest. In general 

terms, it contains three types of decisions: 

Goals, Objectives, and Desired Future Conditions (pages 2-2 through 2-22 of the Plan) provide 

general direction for managing Forest resources. 

Standards (pages 2-23 through 2-73) and 

Management Direction (Chapter 111 of the Plan) tell 

us how to put the plan into practice or what conditions we must meet while we implement the Plan. 

Management Areas (described in Chapter 111 of 

the Plan) basically delineate the Forest into areas 

that are suitable and available for different types of 

management and resource production. 

Given these major decisions, the Plan also includes 

a prediction of the average annual "outputsn produced by the Forest. These predictions are outlined 

in Table 2.1 (Plan page 2-1 0 and 1 1) and discussed 

'in the Record of Decision. 

The following pages contain reports for each monitoring item listed in the Lewis and Clark Forest Plan. 

The items are reported sequentially, as they appear 

in Chapter V of the Forest Plan. 

0 Amendment 17: This amendment designated 

five additional Research Natural Areas on the Forest: Bartleson Peak, O'Brien Creek, Onion Park, 

Wagner Basin, and Walling Reef. Along with Pain 

Gulch, the RNAs total 7,230 acres. This amendment 

was implemented in 1994. 

2 
Recreatlon 

r 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

R EC RE AT1 0 N 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting 

being implemented 

Annually +/- 10% of projected ROS setting 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

FINDINGS 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATJON 

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum settings by management area were established in the Forest Plan. 

The Plan projects an increase by 73,000 acres of 

‘Roaded Natural” lands, with a decrease by the 

same amount of “Semi-primitive” lands over the next 

50 years. This projection would average about 

1,500 acres annually. These changes in ROS setting would occur because of road building in certain 

roadless areas. In FY 1994 there were no projects 

that involved road construction in roadless areas. 

Thus, there was no change in ROS settings. 

Other ROS setting factors include visitor management; social encounters: remoteness; visitor impacts; site and facility management; and access. 

These factors have either not changed from 

previous years (visitor management, site and facility 

management, remoteness, and access) or have 

changed insignificantly (social encounters, and visitor impacts). None of these factors have changed 

enough to result in change in existing ROS settings. 

In FY 1994, a new inventory of ROS classes was 

completed for the Forest. It will be used in the future 

revision of the Forest Plan. 

A-2 Recreation Direction Meets Visitor Expectation 

I I Direction meets expectation of visitor I Annually I Adverse comments or correspondence 

FINDINGS 

The public appears to be generally satisfied with the 

recreation direction on the Forest. The following reflect recent input from Forest personnel. 

1. An outfitter on one district was given a special 

use permit to use an existing dispersed camping site, causing a member of the public to 

complain to the Forest and the congressional 

delegation. 

Volunteers continue to be very interested in 

helping the Forest Service emphasize its recreation attractions. Examples include trail con3. 

4. 

2. 

struction of the Hidden Basin Wildflower trail, 

development of a mountain biking brochure, 

and assistance with the C.M. Russell autotour. 

We continue to receive complaints about road 

closures during hunting season, although 

there is no trend suggesting increased public 

concern in this area. 

’ 

People have been happy with trail information 

brochures developed by the Judith District for 

mountain bikers and those using Crystal Lake 

interpretive trails. A Forest effort to update trail 

3 
Recreation 

Actual use of developed & dispersed recreation compared with projected use levels 

5. 

6. 

Annually +/- 25% variance yearly or +/- 10% over 

a 5-year period 

brochures for the east half of the Forest has 

helped fill a need for better trails information, 

and more work in this area is planned in order 

to provide mountain range-specific trail information. 

There are frequent requests for ATV (AllTerrain Vehicle) trail information, but we have 

no brochure specifically on the subject. 

There has been a positive response to the 

South Fork Trail Challenge Cost Share Turnpike Project with the Professional Wilderness 

Outfitter Association on the Rocky Mountain 

District. A 3/4 mile turnpike was constructed 

by falling trees and installing curbs along the 

trail. Horses and mules hales hauled nearly 

200 cubic yards of gravel to prevent the trail 

from being water logged. Users no longer 

have to slog through foot-deep mud. The public has commented favorably on the same district about recent capital investment projects 

7. 

a. 

at Beaver and Little Willow Trailheads and at 

South Fork Trailhead and Campground. 

The Highwood Access Management Plan was 

implemented and generally well received by 

the public. New trails were constructed, trailheads were improved, area closures were imposed, unnecessary 4-wheel drive roads were 

closed, and a riparian pasture was constructed in the North Fork of Highwood Creek. 

Heavy smoke in mid-September from wildfires 

in the Flathead National Forest prompted 

comments from residents and users in the 

North Fork of the Sun River drainage. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Forest will continue work to improve trail and 

other recreation information. A new revision of the 

Forest Travel Plan map for the Jefferson Division 

may be available this year which will reduce questions and complaints about road closures. 

A-3 Recreation Use 

~ ~~ ~ 

(MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I REPORT~NG 1 VARIABILITY (+I-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

This year’s use was as follows: 

Developed Recreation: 301,000 

Dispersed Recreation: 584,000 

Wilderness Recreation: 64.000 

4 
Recreation 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Developed recreation increased about 13% from 

last year, reflecting a more normal year after a very 

wet 1993 summer recreation use season. Recreation associated with camping and picnicking increased 10% from last year. 

REPORTING ' VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

For dispersed recreation, there was a 17% increase 

from last year, also reflecting the wet weather of 

1993 and the more normal 1994. This year road use 

figures on certain Forest roads was not collected 

Recreation condition of developed sites 

A-4 Condition of 

Annually 

because of a personnel change on the Forest. This 

information will be collected next year, as it provides 

one of the more accurate means of estimating 

trends in dispersed recreation. Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks figures were again 

used to reflect hunting use, and are considered very 

reliable. 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

FY 1994 wilderness use increased 10% from last 

year, reflecting; again, the wet weather of 1993. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Developed Sites 

Recreation Opportunity Guide Annually Failure to complete by 1986 

~ ______~~ 

Less than acceptable standards, public 

safety hazards not corrected by 1990, 

poor conditions not corrected by 2005 

FINDINGS 

The physical condition of developed sites is largely 

a reflection of funding available in Recreation Operation and Maintenance and in Recreation Capital 

Investment. The Forest Recreation Operation and 

Maintenance budget for FY 94 was 5% greater than 

the previous year, but that year was 23% less than 

the previous year. We are not holding even in maintaining the quality of our developed sites, but continue to fall behind because of the lack of funds 

available for heavy maintenance. Primary, heavy 

use campgrounds are being maintained more often 

than those with less use. Service levels reflect both 

the amount of public use and whether or not the 

facility is a fee site. Safety hazards at developed 

sites are being taken care of immediately when noted. Campground hosts can not be fully funded on 

all districts. Volunteers continue to provide valuable 

maintenance at our sites. 

Recreation Capital Investment funding was received for the construction of trailheads along Divide Road. Two toilets at Crystal Lake Campground 

were replaced with modern accessible vault toilets 

and a group user area was developed. 

A-5 Recreation Opportunity Guide 

FINDINGS 

Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROGs) were completed on the Judith District. Only the Musselshell 

District ROG remains uncompleted. Emphasis is 

now being shifted to the completion of trail and 

other recreation information for each mountain 

range. 

5 
Recreatlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

A prototype for the Highwood Mountains will be the 

first brochure developed. The Forest is responding 

to an interagency effort to provide recreation for the 

State of Montana for tourist information interactive 

kiosks at state portal information centers. This information will also become available for local use on 

personal computers. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

A-6 Off-road Vehicle 

Off-road vehicle damage & Travel Plan effectiveness 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Annually 

The Forest will complete its ROG information on the 

Musselshell District this year but will converl the 

information in stages into media that is more readily 

useable for the public. 

Damage & Travel Plan 

Conflicts with Forest Management Area 

goals. Increase of 20 or more situations 

or variances 

FINDINGS 

This element is monitored by two items. The first 

item is the status of the Forest Travel Plan as it 

relates to Forest Plan goals. The Forest presently 

utilizes the Forest Travel Plan that was revised in FY 

1988 specifically to implement the recreation settings in the Forest Plan. We anticipated the Forest 

Travel Plan would be updated and reprinted in FY 

1994, but this has been deferred to FY 1995 The 

update will reflect on one map the project-level 

changes that have occurred since 1988 on the Jefferson Division. These changes reflect and are in 

accordance with Forest Plan. The Rocky Mountain 

Division updates will not occur until after 1998, when 

the Forest Visitors Map is updated and reprinted. 

The second item is the number of Forest Travel Plan 

citations issued or the number of variances granted 

annually. The Forest had 72 violations reported. 11 

were for road violations; 46 were trails violations; 

and 15 were for vehicles off roads in area closures. 

The number of violations reported is not necessarily 

a reflection of the problem, but often of the presence 

or absence of agency personnel in an area and 

changing law enforcement personnel. There were 

less violations reported for the Forest this year than 

last, and the number of citation notices given was 

less than last year. Ranger districts felt that there 

was good acceptance of the Forest Travel Plan, but 

did note below specific problem areas on there districts where more violations were being reported. Of 

the violations, 7 violators were identified and all were 

cited. Specific ranger districts information is as follows: 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District - District reported 

16 violations and no citations issued. Off road vehicle damage was less during the 1994 season compared with the rainy 1993 season. Off road vehicle 

trespass in roaded areas is occurring across the 

district, particularly in the Badger-Two Medicine area. No trends in increased violations have been 

noted. 

Judith Ranger District - District reported 10 violations and issued 3 violation notices. ORV users are 

largely adhering to the Travel Plan and remaining on 

designated roads and trails. There is no new significant resource damage such as new ruts and increased soil erosion in areas closed to ORVs. Three 

areas, including Woodchopper Ridge, Ettien Ridge, 

and Hoover Mountain, have more frequent violations of the Travel Plan because of open, level terrain. Work in 1995 will focus in these areas to better 

control off-road use. Completion of the Highwood 

Mountains Access Plan and implementation of the 

Area Closure there have helped significantly reduce 

ORV problems. 

6 
Recreation 

~ OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I 

Comparison between Forest projects Annually More than 10% of the project out of 

which need cultural resource consideration 

and Forest projects which received considcompliance. 

~ eration of the cultural resources 

Musselshell Ranqer District - District reported 7 vio- RECOMMENDATIONS 

lations and issued no violation notices. No trend in 

violations was noted. Continued emphasis on Travel Plan signing, and 

the updating of the Travel Plan in FY 1995 will proKings Hill Ranger District - District reported 39 viola- vide the public with adequate information to comply 

tions and issued 4 citation notices. OHV damage with the Plan. Districts continue to work in those 

and violations are occurring in the Jefferson Creek, areas where there are more violations as noted 

Dry Fork, and Deep Creekflenderfoot areas. above. No trends indicating significant noncompliance were noted. No significant resource 

damage was noted. No corrective action is needed. 

A-7 Condition of Visual Resources 

FINDINGS 

The Smokey B Timber Sale was reviewed in the field 

for compliance with Visual Quality Objectives 

(VQOs). It was designed to meet VQOs and the 

review showed that it will accomplish this. Reviewed 

in the office was Leftover Turkey Salvage, Lynx 

Roundwood Resale, and West Hopley Sale. These 

sales will meet Forest Plan VQOs. 

A-8 Cultural Resource Management (Identification and Protection) 

FINDINGS 

During FY 1994 no projects were initiated without 

consideration of cultural resources. Consideration 

included survey for cultural resources, input into the 

NEPA process on identified projects, and 36 CFR 

800 compliance procedures. Twenty-four cultural 

resource sites were identified, inventoried, and evaluated during the fiscal year. During FY 1994 no 

eligible properties were nominated to the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

Monitoring item A-8 requires a comparison between 

identified undertakings and the number of surveys 

conducted on an annual basis. During FY 1994,44 

projects were identified which required cultural resource consideration. These projects included ac7 
Recreation 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Interpreting, nominating, or protecting cultural resource sites 

Annually If no sites have been interpreted, nominated, or protected during the FY 

tivities which required survey and planning activities 

which required analysis of cultural resources across 

a broad area. During the fiscal year, 37 surveys for 

cultural resources were conducted in specific 

project areas and 3 cultural analyses for planning 

documents were completed. Several identified 

projects, and associated cultural work, are ongoing 

and the results will not be documented until FY 

1995. Differences between the number of identified 

projects (undertakings) and the number of surveys 

is a result of unreported, ongoing projects (results 

not documented until FY 1995), changing project 

priorities or proposed project implementation dates, 

and deleted projects from the schedule for the year. 

, 

A review of the completed surveys and data input 

indicate that monitoring item A-8 was met during FY 

1994. 

Two Passport-ln-Time projects on the Forest. 

Passport-ln-Time is a National Forest Service program which encourages public education through 

participation. For two weeks during the summer of 

1994, volunteers working under the national program helped to excavate a prehisitoric encampment 

located on the Kings Hill District. Working with Forest Service Archeologists, twelve individuals from 

around the country participated in site mapping, 

excavation, and artifact analysis. Ten volunteers also worked with Forest Archeologists conducting 

cultural resource survey and test excavations at a 

site on the Rocky Mountain District. The project was 

co-sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between 

the Bureau of Reclamation and the Forest Service. 

In conjunction with the project, and following the 

planning standard for public education, a professionally produced video was completed to inform 

the public on the importance of heritage resource 

management and the Passport-ln-Time program. 

Information relating to the program and plains prehistory is currently on display at the Rocky Mountain 

District off ice. 

A-9 Cultural Resource Management (Effectiveness) 

R EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

Several previously identified sites (24lT228, 

Inspection of identified sites in project areas is re- 24lT229, 24lT230, 24JT1001, 24JT072, 24ME290, 

quired in monitoring item A-9. This requirement was 24ME1002, 24ME094, and 24ME095), however, 

not met during FY 1994 because the majority of were inspected during the field season. None of 

identified projects had not been initiated or complet- these sites have been impacted by past projects but 

ed by the end of the field season. Monitoring of sites a few have been impacted by natural erosional proidentified in FY 1994 will take place during the FY cesses. 

1995 field season or upon completion of the associated projects. 

A-1 0 Cultural Resource Management (Interpretation) 

a 
Recreation 

FINDINGS 

Currently there are 21 9 sites recorded on the Forest. Of these sites, two have been interpreted, one 

has been listed on the National Register, and one is 

currently being stabilized (Judith Guard Station) for 

future preservation and interpretation. Because of 

the ongoing preservation project, the requirements 

of monitoring item A-IO have been met. 

An auto tour which interprets the history of Charles 

M. Russell in the Judith Basin area was completed. 

A-I 1 Cultural Resource Management (Inspection) 

y increased public awareness and result of interpretation 

FINDINGS 

Monitoring item A-11 requires inspection of sites 

which have been interpreted. Both of the interpreted 

sites (24lT006 and 24l-I-228) were inspected during FY 94. Neither of these resources has been 

impacted by visitors. The requirements of monitoring item A-11 have been met. 

A-12 Cultural Resource Management (Program Effectiveness) 

sources are discovered in surveyed arFINDINGS 

During FY 1994, four inspections of previously surveyed areas were conducted. Two of these inspections were conducted on projects implemented in 

FY 1994 and two were conducted on projects completed prior to FY 1994. During these inspections 

one new cultural resource site was identified in a 

previously surveyed area. During the initial survey 

(prior to FY 1994), a few artifacts were discovered 

and recorded along the location of a proposed road 

alignment. After road construction several new artifacts were exposed and subsequent reinspection 

indicated the presence of a cultural resource site. 

Evidently the new construction had exposed artifacts previously obscured by ground vegetation. 

The discovery of a site in a previously surveyed area 

will initiate closer inspection, and in some instances 

sub-surface testing, of areas which contain visible 

surface artifacts. These inspections meet the requirements of monitoring item A-12. 

9 
Wilderness 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

WILDERNESS 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

B-l Wilderness - Quality of Ecosystem 

Wilderness - maintenance of existing quality of ecosystem 

Annually Degradation of environment 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

This monitoring item was deleted from the Forest 

Plan under Amendment No. 3 because wilderness 

monitoring has been outlined in detail in the Bob 

Marshall, Great Bear, Scapegoat Wilderness Recreation Management Direction (Forest Plan Amendment No. 1). 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

B-2 Bob Marshall-Great Bear-Scapegoat Management 

Bob Marshall-Great Bear-Scapegoat Management Direction 

Annually 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Failure to meet time table established in 

Appendix U of the Plan 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

The monitoring results are presented in the annual 

Wilderness Reports in Appendix A of this Monitoring 

Report. 

8-3 Change in Roadless Inventory 

~ ~~ ~ 1 Annually 

Change in Roadless Inventory + or - 10% projected change in roadless inventory 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1994, there were no projects that effected any 

inventoried roadless area on the Forest. The net 

roadless acres on the Forest are 1,009,838. 

10 
W i Id1 if e 

WILDLIFE 

C-1 T&E Species: Grizzly Bear Habitat 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

OBJECTIVES 

Monitor the maintenance of suitable and occupied 

grizzly bear habitat to detect any indication of a 

downward trend in population. 

Follow the goals and objectives set forth in the 

Wildlife/Fisheries Program Document for the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest. 

METHODS 

Biological evaluations were developed based on 

the goals, standards, and guidelines contained in 

the Forest Plan (pages 2-32 to 234 and Appendix 

H, I, J, K, and L). 

Monitoring is conducted as recommended in the 

revised grizzly bear recovery plan. Population data 

collected includes females with young (2 or 3 year 

olds) and females with cubs of the year. 

FINDINGS 

Grizzly Bear Recovery Efforts 

Monitoring efforts in accordance with the Grizzly 

Bear Recovery Plan continue to record sows with 

young (2 or 3 year olds) and cubs of the year. ,Results from 1987 to 1994 have demonstrated occupancy by sows with cubs in all six Bear Management Units (BMU) on the Rocky Mountain Front. 

In FY 1994, monitoring efforts produced sightings of 

5 sows with 6 cubs within four of the six BMUs, and 

4 sows with 7 young within three of the six BMUs. 

For FY 1994 (see Table C-1 a) four of six BMUs have 

been occupied by grizzly bear family units (females 

with young and females with cubs of the year). All 

six of the BMUs during the last 3 year period 

(1 992-1 994) have had sightings of females with 

cubs. 

The Teton-Sun (TETSU) BMU and the Badger-Two 

Medicine (BADTW) BMU are the most consistent 

producers of sows with cub sightings. The BirchTeton (BIRTE) BMU and the Badger-Two Medicine 

(BADTW) BMU produces the most cubs. These findings may be a reflection of monitoring intensity, not 

bear use. The TETSU BMU is approximately 66% 

private land. MDFWP's problem grizzly bear specialist's work on these lands may account for the high 

number of sightings within the TETSU BMU. The 

BMU that produces the least grizzly bear sightings 

is the Dearborn-Elk Creek (DEAEL). During the 

Rocky Mountain Front Studies, grizzly bears were 

most difficult to trap within this BMU. Reasons for 

these difficulties are unknown. The effects the Canyon Creek fire is having on bear use in this BMU is 

undetermined. There were three family units (either 

female with cubs or female with young) seen in the 

DEAEL BMU in 1993 which is the most for any year 

since the monitoring began. However, there were 

no grizzly family units observed in that BMU in 1994. 

Table C-la displays the trend information that has 

been gathered to date. 

11 
Wlldllfe 

Table C-1 a TREND MONITORING INFORMATION FOR SOWS WITH CUBS OR YOUNG 

GRIZZLY BEAR MANAGEMENT UNITS (BMUs) 

Fm=female grizzly 

Cb=cub grizzly 

f/y=female with young 

BADTW = Badger Two Medicine 

BlRTE = Birchneton 

Law enforcement efforts were continued to deter 

the illegal take of grizzly bears on the Rocky Mountain District and reduce the potential for foodconditioned and habituated bears. The District's 

Law Enforcement Officer, wilderness and campground guards, and others completed approximately 200 patrol days that included grizzly protection goals as a major focus. 

A special order signed by the Lewis and Clark National Forest Supervisor during August of 1992, defined food and garbage handling requirements on 

the Rocky Mountain District. This order was modified to clarify compliance requirements and improve 

enforcement during September of 1994. The District 

staff made a concerted effort to explain effective 

food and garbage handling methods to the public. 

Enforcement of the special order included issuance 

of 5 violation notices, 17 warning notices and over 

100 verbal warnings. Compliance levels increased 

significantly over 1992 and 1993. 

Nuisance Bear Actions - In 1994, there were 5 

problem bear incidents handled under the Rocky 

TETSU = Teton/Sun 

NORFO = North Fork 

SOUFO = South Fork/Beaver Willow 

DEAEL = Dearborn/Elk Creek 

Mountain District's "Problem Bear Policy.' Two of 

these incidents involved grizzly bears. Warning 

signs were posted. There were less nuisance bear 

incidents in 1993 and 1994 than any year since 

monitoring began (1988). The reason for the decline 

is unknown, but enforcement of the special order on 

food handling, ongoing efforts to inform and educate forest users and a good buffaloberry crop certainly contributed to this outcome. 

Grizzly Bear Conservation Efforts 

Biological evaluations were completed in response to 3 Forest management activities within 

grizzly bear habitat (Management Situation 1). The 

activities were: 1) An interpretive trail oriented toward grizzly bear management; 2) a prescribed fire 

to enhance winter range in Lime Gulch, and 3) a 

prescribed fire to improve winter range on McCarty 

Hill. The biological evaluations for winter range enhancement resulted in a not likely to adversely affect 

determination for the grizzly bear, and the biological 

evaluation for the interpretive trail resulted in not 

effects or the grizzly bear. 

12 
Wildlife 

Project Monitoring: To evaluate the effectiveness 

of buff aloberry shrubfield restoration projects a vegetation monitoring strategy has been implemented. 

Transects are used to measure buff aloberry 'production and ecodata plots are used to determine 

changes in vegetation. Whitebark pine plantings are 

also monitored to determine future production of 

cones. 

The 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993 shrubfield restoration projects each contain four berry production 

transects, two transects inside and two outside the 

treated units. There is also 1 ecodata plot inside 

each harvest unit making a total of nine plots and a 

total of seven ecodata plots outside the units. This 

is a total of 16 ecodata plots to monitor vegetation 

changes and buffaloberry production over time. 

Outside the harvest units, buffaloberry production 

has fluctuated markedly the past 4 years. Both 1990 

and 1992 were poor berry production years. In 

1991, there was a moderately high berry crop. 1993 

and 1994 were excellent berry crop years. There is 

some buffaloberry shrub resprouting in the 1991 

and 1992 harvest units, though berry production 

has not yet begun. 

Whitebark pine seedlings were planted in 1989, 

1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994 to produce stands for 

future production of cones which will provide high 

energy pine nuts, a preferred grizzly bear food. In 

1989 there were 396 seedlings planted and when 

monitored in 1994 there was 79% survival. In 1991 

there were 765 seedlings planted and when monitored in 1994 there was 93% survival. In 1992 there 

were 400 seedlings planted and when monitored in 

1994 there was 89% survival. In 1993 there were 888 

seedlings planted and when monitored in 1994 

there was 99% survival. In 1994 there were 661 

seedlings planted. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Based on the lack of sightings of grizzly bears with 

cubs in DEAEL and NORFO BMUs, more effort 

needs to be directed at these BMUs during FY 1995 

to document occupancy and/or breeding within 

these BMUs. 

C-2 Gray Wolf, Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon Habitat 

METHODS WOLF FINDINGS 

Evaluate Forest compliance with the gray wolf recovery plan (USFWS 1987). Monitor suitable bald 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

eagle nesting habitat for re-occupancy according to 

methods described in Montana Bald Eagle Working 

Group (1986); monitor the distribution of wintering 

bald eagles. Survey historic and potential peregrine 

eyries for occupancy. 

In 1989, the Lewis and Clark National Forest began 

a long-term study of wolf recolonization along the 

Rocky Mountain Front. The goal of this study is to 

reduce opportunities for wolf-livestock conflicts by 

gathering and sharing information on wolf activ-q. 

The study's basic premise is that ranchers have a 

right and a need to know how wolves are using their 

lands and adjacent federal lands and that the federal government has a responsibility to provide this 

information. By providing information on wolf movements, private ranchers and National Forest grazing 

administrators can devise grazing strategies that 

minimize opportunities for wolf depredations. 

13 
Wildlife 

The following objectives were developed to achieve 

the study's goal of reducing opportunities for wolflivestock conflicts: 

1) Determine seasonal movement patterns 

2) Identify den and rendezvous sites 

3) Describe seasonal diets 

4) Evaluate interactions with livestock and 

people 

5) Maintain strong working relationship with 

private ranches 

6) Distribute findings to general public and 

scientific community 

Between 1989 and 1992, the project focused on 

establishing the level of wolf activity on the Rocky 

Mountain Front and developing an open and constructive dialogue between ranchers and federal 

agencies involved with wolf recovery. During this 

period, the only resident wolves were a lone male 

and a pack in Dupuyer Creek that disappeared in 

March 1990. Numerous transient wolves were also 

confirmed. 

In 1993, a breeding pair was discovered using lands 

between Sun River and Elk Creek, primarily east of 

the Forest Boundary. The male was radiocollared in 

February. This pair produced four pups in April; two 

of these pups were radiocollared in September. 

During the spring of 1994, a confirmed depredation 

on a young calf occurred. This was followed by a 

probable depredation and 2 calves suffering broken 

legs due to cattle that were stampeded by the 

wolves. This prompted the US Fish and Wildlife 

Service to remove and relocate two yearling wolves 

that had not been radiocollared. The alpha pair 

raised a litter of 6 pups during the summer of 1994, 

bringing the pack size to 10 wolves. The alpha male 

wolf shed his radiocollar during late June or early 

July. Attempts to locate 1 of the radiocollared yearlings have been unsuccessful since October of 

1994. The wolf may have dispersed from the area or 

may have a malfunctioning radiocollar. 

The Forest Service regularly monitors this pack using radiotelemetry. Local ranchers are routinely 

posted on the movements and activity of these 

wolves. A detailed report documenting wolf movements, food habits, and interactions with humans 

and livestock was published and is available to the 

public. 

14 

A lone male wolf may continue to occupy its established territory in the upper Sun Rier drainage on 

National Forest System lands. Intermittent wolf activii was also detected in the Teton and Dupuyer 

Creek drainages. However, there was no evidence 

of resident wolves. 

Biological evaluations were completed for the gray 

wolf in conjunction with the same three projects 

discussed for the grizzly bear. Determinations of "no 

effect" or "not likely to adversely affect' on the wolf 

and its habitat were made for all three projects. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

There were no wolf sightings recorded on the Jefferson Division for Fiscal Year 1994. 

BALD EAGLE FINDINGS 

USFS biologists cooperatively assisted USFWS and 

MDFWP biologists in completing bald eagle surveys 

during the month of January 1994. Participating in 

the National Bald Eagle Survey, Forest Service biologists reported a total of 47 eagles observed on 

January 8, 1993 (Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey): 

25 Bald Eagle (Adults 18, Immature 7) 

3 Golden Eagle (Adult 3, Immature 0) 

3 unknown bald or golden eagles were observed along the Missouri River (National 

Transect #4). 

A large nest on private land within the Missouri River 

corridor by Stickney Creek was sighted in October 

of 1992. This nest area was flown several times 

during the spring-summer season in 1993 by the 

MDFWP, but they did not find the nest or see any 

active bald eagles in the area. This nest site was 

observed three times during the breeding season 

(April-July) in 1994 from the recreation road with 

binoculars and spotting scope. There was no activity evident in the vicinity of the nest by eagles, osprey 

or other raptors during any of these visits. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

MDFWP discovered an active bald eagle territory on 

private land 6-8 miles east of the Forest boundary 

on Cuniff Creek in 1993. This is the first nest that has 

been-found near the Lewis and Clark National Forest not associated with the Missouri River corridor. 

This territory was not monitored in 1994. 
Wildlife 

There were four observations of bald eagles on the 

Rocky Mountain District and two observations on 

nearby private and State lands. On National Forest 

System lands, observations were in the North Fork 

Sun River, West Fork Teton River, Smith Creek and 

Willow Creek drainages. The West Fork Teton observation was in July, suggesting the possibility of a 

nesting pair. The other three National Forest observations were in March, May and November. East of 

the Forest boundary, bald eagles were observed in 

the Smith Creek drainage in January and February. 

Observations of bald eagles were recorded and 

added to the Forest data base. Management activities that could potentially affect wintering bald eagles were reviewed in accordance with Forest Plan 

direction. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

A Forest transect was completed on January 13, 

1994 along the Musselshell River and Cottonwood 

Creek. This transect yielded 23 eagle sightings: 

6 Bald Eagles (Adults 5, Immature 1) 

12 Golden Eagles (Adults 11, Immature 1) 

5 Unknown Eagles 

The only bald eagle sighting on the Jefferson Division of the Forest was near Kings Hill in October 

1994. A single adult eagle was feeding on a roadkilled deer carcass along with two ravens on the 

edge of U.S. Highway 89. 

PEREGRINE FALCON FINDINGS 

There are currently no known active nest sites of 

peregrine falcons on the Lewis and Clark National 

Forest. There were no peregrine falcon sightings 

reported in 1994. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Conduct a survey to determine if Haymaker Narrows (Musselshell District) is being used as a bald 

eagle winter roost site or nesting area. Survey the 

North Fork of the Sun River (Rocky Mountain District) to determine if a nesting pair is using the area. 

Survey the Smith River for peregrines and potential 

nest sites. 

Observations of bald eagles on and near the Forest 

continue to be entered into the electronic data base. 

15 
Wlldlife 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

C-3 Elk Winter Range Capacity 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

Elk: winter range capacity (population level), sex and age ratios 

Elk: habitat effectiveness 

Annually 

Annually 

METHODS 

Information on elk population levels and sex age 

ratios were obtained from MDFWP progress reports, personal communications with MDFWP biologists, and research reports. 

Elk habitat effectiveness ratings were calculated by 

the percent of the sub-compartment in cover and 

the road density (miles of open road per square 

mile). 

FINDINGS FOR ELK POPULATION LEVEL 

During FY 1992 the Lewis and Clark and MDFWP 

wildlife biologists developed a procedure to evaluate the effects of timber and road management on 

elk security areas. The basic format followed the 

Hillis Paradigm that was developed on the Lolo and 

Deerlodge National Forests. During FY 1993 and 

1994 the procedure to determine security levels for 

elk was used on two major EISs; Smokey-Corridor 

and Running Wolf. The Smokey-Corridor Draft EIS 

was published in August 1993 and the Final EIS in 

January 1994. The Draft EIS for the Running Wolf 

Timber Sales was published in August 1994 and the 

Final will be completed and released in the spring of 

1995. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 0 N 

Decrease of 5% or more in winter range 

capacity as measured by a 3 year running mean of elk population level, sex, 

and age ratios. 

Decrease of 10% or more in habitat effectiveness in any timber compartment 

1 on the basis of a 100% annual sample. 

I The goal is to complete habitat effec1 tiveness calculations for all compartments prior to the Forest Plan Revision. 

The results of the elk security area analysis for the 

Smokey-Corridor project area showed that within 

the 89,000 acre analysis area only 14.6% met the 

criteria necessary to provide security areas for elk. 

This figure was for National Forest lands within the 

project area (77,000 acres) and was used in the 

Draft €IS. The private land in the analysis area was 

not included in this analysis in the DElS because it 

is largely in a block of agricultural land in the lower 

portion of Sheep Creek which lacks adequate cover 

to provide elk security areas. Based on comments 

received on the DEE from the MDFWP and others, 

the elk security area figures documented in the Final 

EIS were for the entire project area (including private land) and amounted to 12.7% of the acreage. 

Vehicle closures and travel restrictions on several 

existing roads were included in the decision on the 

preferred alternative, and they would increase the 

elk security areas from 1 1,270 acres to 12,725 acres 

or 14.3% of the total analysis area. This is about 

one-half of the 30% that is recommended as desirable under the analysis process used. The low level 

of elk security is mainly due to a high road denslty 

resulting from timber management activities which 

have occurred in the project area over the past 40 

years. 

16 
Wildlife 

The evaluation of existing elk security areas for the 

Running Wolf project area (47,000 acres) documented 1 1,890 acres or about 25% of the total area 

meets the criteria as discussed in the Draft EIS. A 

larger cumulative effects analysis area (85,800 

acres) was also evaluated, and it has 26,570 acres 

of elk security areas or 31% of the total area analyzed. Under the preferred alternative in the DEIS all 

new roads that improve access to existing elk security areas would be closed yearlong and one existing road would also be gated and closed to public 

use. This would result in a total of 13,175 acres 

(27.5%) and 27,655 acres (32%+) of elk security 

areas in the Running Wolf project area and cumulative effects analysis area respectively. 

During 1994, effects analysis for elk and other wildlife species was completed for the Castle Mountains 

Range €IS. The Castle Mountains area supports 

500 to 700 elk on about 218,000 acres of elk habitat 

(70,000 acres of National Forest lands). Analysis 

revealed that the health and viability of the area’s elk 

population is virtually unaffected by livestock grazing on National Forest lands in the Castles. In fact, 

State wildlife officials have initiated big game hunting regulations designed to reduce the antlerless 

elk population in the Castle Mountains. 

FINDINGS FOR ELK HABITAT EFFECTIVENESS 

Forest personnel continue to use a model to electronically compute elk effective cover based on data 

contained in the Timber Stand Management Record 

System (TSMRS). This model was used in FY 1994 

to compute elk effective cover for the Running Wolf 

project area (47,000 acres) on the Judith District. 

The results of the model were carried forth into the 

Draft EIS for Running Wolf. Road densities still continue to be computed within any of the analysis 

areas that are done. The total road density for the 

Running Wolf project area was 1.12 miles per 

square mile and the open road density was 0.82 

miles per square mile. Under the preferred alternative in the DEIS, the open road density would be 

reduced to 0.76 miles per square mile. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue coordination with the MDFWP on the development and implementation of the elk vulnerability process that was developed in FY 1992. 

Coordinate with the MDFWP to divide the Jefferson 

Division into Elk Analysis Units. These units will be 

used to evaluate effects of timber sales on the elk 

resource. This will also aid in determining if the 

goals and objectives of the MDMP’s Elk Management Plan are being met. 

Continue to coordinate with MDFWP on the Castle 

Mountains Range EIS, the North Little Belts Range 

project and other Forest activities requiring coordination in 1995. 

17 
Wildlife 

C-4 Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat 

Decrease of 5% or more in winter range 

capacity as measured by a 3 year running 

mean of bighorn sheep and mountain goat 

population level, sex, and age ratios 

range capacity (population level), sex and 

METHODS 

Data was obtained from MDFWP progress reports, 

research summaries, and contacts with knowledgeable individuals. 

FINDINGS 

Table C-4a displays the population trends of bighorn sheep on the Rocky Mountain Division for the 

area south of the Teton River and north of the Teton 

River. Information was not collected by the MDFWP 

for the bighorn sheep herds north of the Teton River 

in 1994. Therefore the table shows ‘no data” collected. 

Table C-4b displays the population trends for the 

Rocky Mountain goat. Due to lack of funds, MDFWP 

did not monitor mountain goat populations on the 

Rocky Mountain Front in FY 1994. This is unfortunate, because of the sharp decline recorded in FY 

1992 for Hunting District 414. Without the 1993 and 

1994 data it is impossible to determine if the population declined or if there were some animals that 

were not counted during the 1992 survey. In Hunting District 41 5, the total population appeared relatively stable in 1992. Without the survey data for 

1993 and 1994, no new conclusions can be made 

on population trends within Hunting District 41 5. 

A box with visitor monitoring cards was installed 

along the trail to Headquarters Pass and Our Lake 

to determine recreational use in occupied summer 

mountain goat habitat. Our Lake has been identified 

as a mountain goat viewing area in the Montana 

Wildlife Viewing Guide (Falcon Press) and a Forest 

Service brochure. Interpretive signs have been installed 3 miles below the lake. In 1994, 258 parties 

totaling 874 visitors filled out monitoring cards on 

the way to Our Lake. The number of parties visiting 

Our Lake and not filling out cards was not determined. The average party size was 3.4 people. Visitors originated from Great Falls (32%), out-of-state 

(27%), local Montana communities (1 2%), distant 

(> 100 miles) Montana communities (17%), and 

Choteau (10%). Most (70%) parties stayed for only 

1 day. Hiking (76%) was the predominant travel 

method recorded. 

The dominant activities for visitors were hiking, wildlife viewing, and photography. Fishing and mountain climbing were also important. Most people 

learned of Our Lake from friends or relatives (25%). 

Publications also attracted visitors such as: Montana Hiking Guide, maps, RMF Wildlife Viewing brochure, Montana Wildlife Viewing Guide, and other 

miscellaneous publications. The Pine Butte Guest 

Ranch oriented visitors to Our Lake. Less than a 

fourth (12%) of parties visiting Our Lake observed 

mountain goats. 

The interpretive signs below Our Lake contained 

strong recommendations to avoid camping at Our 

Lake to minimize disturbance to mountain goats 

and alpine plants. Monitoring cards revealed that 

visitors disregarded this message and continued to 

camp at the lake. More than half the parties that 

camped, stayed at the lake. These findings led the 

Forest to sign a Special Order that prohibits camping in the Our Lake basin, effective May 1, 1994. 

18 
Wildlife 

1994 

630 

168 

On the Jefferson Division of the Forest, sightings of 

mountain goats in the Highwood Mountains have 

become more common the past few years. The 

goats are apparently moving into the area from the 

established population on Square Butte which is 

located about 10 miles east of the Forest boundary 

in the Highwoods. An engineering crew surveying 

land lines observed six mountain goats near the 

Forest boundary in the western portion of the Highwood Mountains in September 1994. Since there 

were several immature goats in this group, it appears that breeding and reproduction are becoming established in this area. 

1995 1996 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

RANGE' HUNT"G 1987 1988 1989 

DISTRICT 

Continue to document individual sightings of mountain goats in the mountain ranges in the Jefferson 

Division. 

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

Assess the appropriateness of further introductions 

of mountain goats or bighorn sheep in the Jefferson 

Division. 

Rocky Mtn HD 414 

Nannies 

Kids 

Continue visitor use monitoring at mountain goat 

viewing site on Rocky Mountain District. 

33 28 46 43 32 18 

11 7 17 27 13 5 

7 2 6 5 3 2 

Recommend to MDFWP to reduce number of goat 

permits from 3 to 0 in Hunting District 414 due to 

lack of 1993 and 1994 population data and a population decline in 1992. 

Rocky Mtn HD 415 

Table C-4a BIGHORN SHEEP POPULATION - Rocky Mountain Division. 

56 52 73 58 90 77 No Data No Data 

MOUNTAIN RANGE 1987 1988 

Nannies 

Kids 

Total Rocky Mtn Division 

Rocky Mtn South of Teton 908 582 

Ewes 392 260 

Lambs 133 134 

Rocky Mtn North of Teton 127 73 

Ewes 34 25 

Lambs 23 5 

Total Rocky Mtn Division 1035 655 

23 18 31 44 48 34 

13 19 11 7 17 22 

89 80' 119 101 122 95 No Data No Data 

I - 32 sheep were added to the population north of the 

7 1 :o 1 ;: 

1079 1015 

eton River during Febru 

I 

1992 

, 659 

335 

I 176 

104 

45 

23 

763 

- 

c-- 

Iry of 1s 

1993 

No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

31. 

"'ti__l No Data 

No Data 

No Data 

Table C-4b MOUNTAIN GOAT POPULATION - Rocky Mountain Division. 

No Data No Data ---Hi 

19 
Wlldlife 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

C-5 Other Big Game Species 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

JNlTlATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

r 

Other Big Game Species: Mule Deer population trend, sex and age ratios Annually Decrease of 10% or more in habitat capacity as measured by a 3 year running 

mean of mule deer harvest data and 

hunting success 

- 

METHODS 

Data were obtained from MDFWP progress reports, 

research summaries, and contacts with knowledgeable individuals. 

FINDINGS 

During the past six hunting seasons, MDFWP restricted hunting seasons for mule deer in Hunting 

District 441 (north part of Rocky Mountain Front) to 

increase the percentage of bucks in this herd. On 

private and State lands, the first three weeks allow 

for antlered buck harvest only (no permit required). 

Permits are issued the last two weeks of hunting 

season: antlered (75) and antlerless (150). On National Forest lands, five weeks of antlered harvest is 

The Hunting District 441 restrictions have been successful in gradually reversing the downward trend 

of mule deer buck numbers. The present buck to 

doe ratio is 30:lOO. During the past 3 years, there 

have been approximately 69 fawns/l 00 does. In 

1994, the winter mule deer count declined from 

3,326 in 1993 to 2,217 between the Teton River and 

Birch Creek. Factors that may have been responsible for this decline were poor winter weather in 1993 

and an increasing mountain lion population (Gary 

Olsen, MDFWP, personal communication). 

During FY 1994, no new developments (eg. roads or 

timber harvest) or habitat improvement projects 

have been initiated on National Forest lands within 

permitted. Hunting District 441 

C-6 Small Game 

This monitoring item was deleted from the Forest Plan by Amendment No. 3, dated 1989. 

C-7 Furbearers 

No sightings reported for three years. 

METHODS 

Data was obtained from reported sightings of these 

species by individuals (both private and employees). Sightings are recorded in an electronic data 

base and used in analyzing effects of proposed 

projects on their distribution, concentrations and 

use. 

20 
Wilditfe 

FINDINGS 

Yea! 

FY 88 

FY 89 

FY 90 

FY 91 

FY 92 

FY 93 

FY 94 

Table C-7a ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION SlGHTlNGS 

Furbearer Data 

1 wolverine trapped 

1 wolverine sighted and 1 track observed 

8 wolverines and 1 lynx were observed 

9 wolverines were observed (3 animal sightings, 6 track observations). 11 lynx (2 animal sightings, 9 track observations). 

13 wolverine observations were recorded, (2 animal sightings, 11 track sightings). 11 lynx track observations were 

recorded, and 1 animal was trapped in Red Poacher Creek in the Badger-Two Medicine area. 5 bobcat track observations 

were recorded. 

3 wolverine observations: Live adult in Cave Creek, 2 track observations near Elk Calf Mtn. 11 lynx Observations: Live 

observations of adults in Smith Ck and Ford Creek. Track observations in N. Fork Waldron Creek, Furman Creek, Wrong 

Creek, Waidron Creek, and South Fork Two Medicine River. 2 bobcat track observations: Jones Creek and Gibson Lake. 

5 wolverine observations: 1 live observation in the West fork Sun River, 2 track observations in the south Fork Teton River, 

1 track observation in the West Fork Sun River and 1 track observation in Olney Creek. 1 live river otter observation in the 

North Fork Sun River. 4 lynx observations: track observations in the North Fork Waldron Creek, the West Fork Sun River, 

Blindhorse Creek and Gates Creek. 6 bobcat observations: 1 trapped in the North Fork Teton River, 2 track observations 

in the North Fork Teton River, 1 track observation in Jones Creek and 2 track observations in Beaver Creek. 1 live mink 

observation in the South Fork Sun River. 1 pine marten track in the North Fork of the Sun River. 

Furbearer observations increased after 1989 due to 

furbearer surveys and incidental observations during wolf activity surveys. Based on location of observations, a minimum of 4 lynx and 3 wolverine were 

detected during survey work for 1994. 

Table C-7b JEFFERSON DIVISION SlGHTlNGS 

Year Furbearer Data 

I 6 wolverine sightings 

I No wolverines sighted 

I Fy90 I November 14, 1989 one wolverine observed crossing road in front of pickup truck near O'Brien Park and July 24, 1990 

one wolverine observed running down a rock slide near Lucy Park. 

I Fy91 

2 wolverines detected on the Kings Hill District. Tracks were sighted again in O'Brien Creek and a live animal was sighted 

in Adams Creek. 

One set of lynx tracks were seen in the snow on the Jefferson Division in the headwaters of Lion Creek in November 1990. 

One wolverine sighted between Many Pines CG and Snowmobile Parking Lot on US 89. 

One set of wolverine tracks was sighted in Tenderfoot drainage. One wolverine was sighted in Belt Park during March 

1993. No lynx sightings were recorded for 1993. 

FY 94 One set of wolverine tracks was observed on an old logging road between Adams Creek and Jumping Creek on the Kings 

Hill District during October 1993. Some of these tracks were very clear in frozen slush aiding in a positive identification. 

No lynx tracks or sightings were recorded for FY 1994. 

21 
W lldllf e 

~ 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Wolverines have been detected at one general location On the Jefferson Division and the low number Of 

ative’effort by the MDFWP and the Forest Service. 

These su~eys will be run on selected routes when 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

animals detected appears to indicate a limited distribution of adults despite suitable habitat. 

conditions are suitable to identify furbearer 

and predator tracks. This should provide better inGoshawk active nesting territories 

Furbearer surveys will be conducted in the Little Belt 

Mountains during the winter of 1994-95 as a cooperformation Ofl the preSeflCe and distribution Of WOlverine, lynx and other furbearer species. 

Annually Decrease of 5% or more in active nest 

territories as measured by a 100% annual sample of known goshawk nest territories. 

C-8 Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk 

METHODS 

The goal is to monitor all of the known territories 

each year to establish occupancy and production; 

and compare the results of undisturbed territories 

(no high levels of activity, Le., logging, or oil and gas 

development) to territories with disturbance. 

A computer program has been developed to track 

all nest territories as to their occupancy, production, 

and nest site characteristics. 

A computer program has been developed to interact with the Timber Stand Data Base and identify 

timber stands that correlate to specified aerial photo 

interpretation types. The timber stands identified 

electronically and timber stands identified by standard aerial photo reconnaissance are mapped and 

ground truthed to determine whether they meet the 

definition of old growth forest, as defined in the 

Forest Plan (Glossary, page 14). As a result of this 

process, more acres are examined per project area 

than are designated for retention as old growth 

stands. 

Old growth stands are selected to provide distribution across different habitat types and to maintain a 

minimum of 5% within a timber compartment. Using 

the parameters defined in the draft R-1 Goshawk 

Habitat Suitability, lower elevation Douglas-fir 

stands are prioritized and selected. Higher elevation 

timber stands are generally dominated by lodgepole pine with mixtures of alpine fir or spruce. These 

mixed stands are prioritized on the basis of their 

proximity to meadows, seeps, springs, streams, or 

other environmental factors which contribute to the 

diversity of plant and animal life beyond that visible 

in surrounding stands. 

FINDINGS 

Old Growth Inventory and Designation 

Old growth habitat field validation was completed 

for the Ettien Ridge project area within the South 

Fork Judith River drainage. The project area is presently about 23,700 acres. By querying the TSMRS 

data base, more than 200 forest stands were identified as potential old growth. Over 9,000 forested 

acres were inventoried in 1993 and 1994 with 4,829 

acres meeting Forest old growth criteria. 

Preliminary data base queries and field inventories 

were conducted on old growth forest stands in the 

Belt Creek drainage in 1994. The area surveyed is 

a portion of a drainage-wide ecosystem assessment that will be a major project on the Forest in 

1995. 

22 
Wildlife 

District Project 

Table C-8a is a compilation of all the old growth 

forest acres that have been allocated since surveys 

have been completed, and displays the progress 

the Forest has made in achieving a Forest wide old 

growth forest inventory. 

Acres in Project Area Acres of Old Growth' Acres Allocatedz 

I Judith1 I I 208 I I Rocky Mtn 1 S.Fork-Two-Med 

South Fork Complex 23,300 2,422 1,891 I 

Running Wolf 45,800 3,580 3,505 

Ettien Ridge 23,700 4,829 

6,200 

36,400 

13,000 

Musselshell 1,027 1,027 

4.41 5 4,415 

1,900 1,900 

Kings Hill 

Mill-Lion 

Spring Creek 

Little Snowies 

Small Sales(772-776) 

Moose Creek 

Smokey-Corridor 

TOTAL 

53,200 

20,800 

77,000 

4,653 

1,697 

6,900 

4,653 

1,697 

6,256 

299,400 I 31,631 I 25,344 

'These are the acres of forest that meet the criteria for old growth. 

'Acres of old growth forest allocated for retention to meet Forest Plan Standards via a decision document (ROD, DN). 

Goshawk Nest Territories 

Two new territories were detected in FY 1993 for a 

Forest total of 28 known territories; 6 in the Rocky 

Mountain Division and 22 in the Jefferson Division. 

The result of the goshawk monitoring completed 

from FY 1987 through 1994 is summarized in the 

following tables: 

Table C-86 GOSHAWK (Nesting Territories - Rocky Mountain Division) 

I Description 1987 1988 

Nesting Territories 0 

Territories Monitored 0 

0 

0 

Territories Active 0 

Fledglings Produced 0 

0 

0 

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

0 0 3 4 6 6 

0 0 1 1 0 6 

0 0 1 1 Unkn 4 

0 0 Unkn Unkn Unkn 1 

23 
Wildlife 

Description 1987 1988 1 989 1990 1991 1992 1 993 1994 

Nesting Territories 8 9 11 14 17 22 22 22 

Territories Moni- 3 7 7 9 10 16 10 13 

tored 

Territories Active 4 6 8 3 3 

Fledglings Pro- * 7 3 4 

duced 

1995 1996 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Continue using the Lewis and Clark Old Growth 

Inventory and Allocation Process to survey old 

growth habitat on the Forest. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

C-9 Special Interest Species 

- ~~ ~ 

Special Interest Species: Golden Eagle & 

Prairie Falcon nesting territories 

3 Years Decrease of 10% or more in active nest 

territories as measured by a 100% annual sample of selected nest territories. 

M ETH 0 DS 

The goal is to inventory and annually monitor a 

minimum number of nest territories each year so 

that in a three year period all nests of each species 

have been monitored. By completing this monitoring the Forest can obtain occupancy and nest production of all known nests. 

Biologists recorded and mapped the location and 

date of sightings of golden eagle and prairie falcon 

in order to identify activity centers for suspected 

nest sites. Knowledgeable individuals were contacted for information on known nest sites. Surveys 

were conducted in suitable nest habitat and around 

existing nest sites to determine whether new nest 

sites had been developed. Nest territories were visited during the nesting season to determine the 

number of active nest sites and nest production. 

On the Rocky Mountain Division, 37 golden eagle 

and 54 prairie falcon territories have been identified. 

All of these known territories were active at the time 

they were originally surveyed and recorded. No new 

nests were recorded during 1994. 

On the Jefferson Division, a total of 6 golden eagle 

and 20 prairie falcon territories have been located in 

past years. Of this total, all of the. known golden 

eagle territories and 17 of the known prairie falcon 

territories were located and inventoried prior to the 

development of the Forest Plan. Three additional 

prairie falcon territories have been located since 

1988 in association with other work. All of these 

known territories were active at the time they were 

originally surveyed and recorded. No new nests 

were recorded during 1994. 

FINDINGS 

Limited monitoring of territories for golden eagle 

and prairie falcon took place in FY 1994. 

24 
Wildlife 

Territories Monitored 

The known nest territories for these two species on 

the Jefferson Division are located in cliffs, primarily 

in limestone formations. Foraging occurs on nearby 

grasslands or other open vegetative types on the 

National Forest and adjacent private land. Very few 

of these territories are located in the vicinity of areas 

where recent timber harvest, road construction or 

other development activities have taken place or are 

planned in the near future. As a result, monitoring 

these territories has received low priority; and few of 

the territories have been checked during the last five 

years. 

. 

6 0 0 0 0 I 

Summary of golden eagle nesting territories is as 

follows: 

Table C-9a GOLDEN EAGLE (Nesting Territories on Rocky Mt. Division) 

Territories Monitored 

Includes territories on adjacent State and ELM Lands. 

Table C-9b GOLDEN EAGLE (Nesting Territories on Jefferson) 

' Data is incomplete prior to 1991 

Summary of prairie falcon nesting territories is as follows: 

Table C-9c PRAIRIE FALCON (Nesting Territories on Rocky Mt. Division) 

Description I I 1989 I 1991 I 1992 I 1993 I 1994 I 

I Nesting Territories 

Table C-9d PRAIRIE FALCON (Nesting Territories on Jefferson) 

Description 1991 I 1992 1993 1994 1995 

Table C-9d PRAIRIE FALCON (Nesting Territories on Jefferson) 

- Data is incomplete prior to 1991 

Nesting Territories 1 20 20 20 20 

Territories Monitored 3 2 0 2 

- Data is incomplete prior to 1991 

25 
Wildlife 

C-IO Cavity Nesting Habitat 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Cavty Nesting Habitat for Northern 3-Toed 

Woodpecker - percent optimum habitat 

5 Years 

METHODS 

An annual Forest review of selected timber sales is 

conducted to determine effectiveness of snag management guidelines and timber sale administrative 

guidelines. Monitoring efforts focus on stands 

where snag densities may change due to management activities. 

Cavity dependent species habitat was measured by 

examining the gain, loss, or no change status of 

National Forest System acres of mature conifer 

stands. 

Snag and nest surveys were conducted using the 

methods described in Morrison, et al. (1986) as 

modified to use monumented section corners as 

permanent reference points. Breeding bird plots 

were used to determine the presence or absence of 

avian species. 

FINDINGS 

Biologists have been recording pileated sightings 

for the past several years. They were not known to 

exist on the Forest at the time of Forest Plan preparation. The following are the observations of pileated woodpeckers in FY 1994: 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

No observations of pileated woodpeckers were recorded. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Reduction in snags to below numbers 

needed to maintain a viable population 

level of woodpeckers in any timber compartment as measured by a three year running mean compared to the existing percent optimum habitat 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

An old pileated woodpecker territory just off of Road 

No. 487 on the South Fork of the Judith River at the 

lower edge of Smith Flats was checked on June 29, 

1994. The area checked contained the ponderosa 

pine snag where pileated woodpeckers were observed in the Fall of 1991 and again in the Spring of 

1992. No pileated woodpeckers were seen or heard 

calling in that area on the day that it was checked. 

All of the bark has slipped from the large ponderosa 

snag. Northern flickers were quite numerous in the 

general area. 

In May 1994, a pileated woodpecker was heard on 

the Checkerboard Transect of the Castle Mountains 

neotropical bird survey. The woodpecker was heard 

from Road No. 581 in the vicinity of Thorsens Pond. 

Pileated woodpeckers have been sighted in 1992 

and 1993 in the same general area near the West 

Fork of Flagstaff Creek. 

Snag Management 

The retention of snags is affected by the firewood 

cutting policy and the timber harvesting activities on 

the Forest. Section E-9 of this report displays the 

annual sale of firewood on the Lewis and Clark National Forest and discusses the general trends in 

the firewood harvest activities on the Forest. 

During FY 1994 the Forest continued issuing the 

Animal Inn brochure, Be An Innkeeper, in their firewood permit packages. This is an effort being made 

to educate and inform the public on the value of 

dead and down materials within the forest. 

26 
Wildlife 

Snag Management Monitoring 

Snags were marked with wildlife tree signs in eight 

cutting units in the Central Park Timber Sale following clearcut harvest. This completes snag marking 

scheduled for this sale area on the Kings Hill District. 

Monitoring is scheduled to check the retention of 

snags following a period of permitted firewood cutting. Snag marking was completed during sale layout on the Clyde Park Sale, Judith District. Snags 

were marked (painted) as reserve trees in eight 

clearcut units and as leave trees in three seed tree 

harvest units. 

Snags were marked in four units following timber 

harvest on the Tillinghast Creek Sale area. A total of 

50 large snags that were in areas accessible to 

wood cutters were marked with wildlife tree signs 

and yellow paint. Some of these trees had been 

painted as reserve trees prior to cutting. Most of the 

trees marked were lodgepole pine with DBH of 12 

inches or greater and several of them had broken, 

spike or split tops. 

Table C-1 Oa displays the information gathered to 

date for snag monitoring on the Kings Hill District. 

There was no additional monitoring of the snags 

that were marked in FY 1992. Therefore, no additional results can be drawn from the monitoring that 

was completed and reported in the 1992 monitoring 

report. 

Table C-loa MONITORING RESULTS FOR SNAG MANAGEMENT ON KINGS HILL RD 

# Snag #Snag #Snag 

Logging Logging Firewd 

Meets FP Sale Area 1 Stand # 1 Unit Size 1 Pre 1 Post 1 Post 1 Std, 

I I Wet Park PosVpole I 71105028 I 13A I 

Quartzite-Moose 71 108031 24A 9 N 

Central Park 781 02045 34 A 47 Y 

78102013 26 A 31 Y 

70102010 32 A 111 Y 

Crossroads 77501 01 7 36 A 196 145 YN 

70207069 

’ Sale areas art3 within lodgepole and subalpine fir zones which the Standard requires .7-1 .O snagdacre. 

% Use by 

Wildlife 

89% 

45% 

17% 

11% 

34% 

19% 

31 % 

41 % 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Kings Hill District needs to follow up snag monitoring on the sales in Table C-loa to measure the 

effect of firewood gathering in these units. 

Emphasize the maintenance of large dbh snags 

which are likely to stand longer than small diameter 

snags (Raphael and Morrison 1987). Consider a 

maximum allowable dbh for cutting standing dead 

trees for woodcutting in selected areas. 

Continue to mark (sign or paint) and inventory the 

live or dead trees required to meet long term snag 

management objectives as part of the timber sale 

layout and specify the protection of snags/trees in 

the sale contract. Conduct a post-hawest inventory 

to quantify the proportion of marked trees retained 

and to monitor future woodcutting activity. 

27 
Wildlife 

C-I 1 Aquatic Habitat 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Aquatic Habitat Condition/Quality (Cut- 3 years Decrease of 5% or more in fish habitat 

throat Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout) capability based on predicted or actual 

changes in water quality or fish habitat 

parameters in any stream or lake 

METHODS 

Monitor impacts from management actions that 

take place on the Forest, such as timber sales, wildfire, prescribed fire, and grazing. 

FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

During 1994, 15 streams (26 miles) on the Rocky 

Mountain District were surveyed for hydrologic and 

fisheries habitat conditions. Stream components 

most likely to be affected by managed activities, 

primarily livestock grazing, were evaluated in the 

surveys. These include bank vegetation, bank condition, substrate composition, and pool depth. 

Bank alteration from grazing in excess of 10% is 

considered to be a moderate effect; when more 

than 20% of the bank is disturbed, the effect on fish 

habitat is considered high. Estimates of bank alteration by grazing were 10% or less for all 15 streams 

surveyed. Effects on fish habitat from other humanrelated activities were not observed. 

Several actions were taken recently to address negative grazing effects which had been noted in the 

1993 Monitoring Report. Riparian exclosure fences 

were built in two areas of Willow Creek where grazing had been affecting aquatic habitat. In Beaver 

Creek, fences and a spring-fed water development 

were reconstructed to improve livestock management. Off-stream watering tanks and additional improvements are being considered for other streams 

where negative effects from grazing have been 

identified. Also, the entire Sun Canyon allotment 

group will be analyzed in an upcoming EIS which 

will address riparian issues. 

Inventory and monitoring of westslope cutthroat 

trout populations also continued in five streams. 

Samples of cutthroat trout for genetic testing were 

collected from four of these streams (see section 

C-14). There is evidence of continued encroachment of non-native rainbow and brook trout populations into accessible native westslope cutthroat 

trout habitat. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

Hydrologic and fish habitat conditions were evaluated on 30 streams (90 miles) in the Jefferson Division 

during 1994. In 22 of these streams, bank alteration 

by grazing (where the streambank is laid back or 

collapsed) was estimated at 10% or less, which is 

considered a minor effect. However, eight of the 

streams had higher estimates of grazing impacts: 

Whitetail Cr (Musselshell R. basin): 1535% 

bank alteration, 75% bank alteration in lower 

mile (stocking levels recently reduced) 

Spring Cr (Musselshell R. basin): 10-20% bank 

alteration 

Loco Cr (Musselshell R. basin): 30% bank 

alteration 

Bluff Mountain Cr (Judith R. basin): 80% bank 

alteration in one-third mile section. 

Smith Cr (Judith R. basin): 50-90% bank 

alteration (grazing system recently revised) 

S.Fk. Judith R: 1525% bank alteration in 4 of 

19 miles surveyed (grazing system recently 

revised) 

Highwood Cr: 40% bank alteration in 1-1/2 mile 

section 

Little Moose Cr. (Sheep Cr. basin): 20% bank 

alteration. 

28 
Wildlife 

These estimates generally reflect long-term effects 

rather than single year influences. Likewise, recovery of streambanks is a slow process and will require long-term commitments. Efforts to reduce impacts through grazing plan revisions, exclosures, 

and improved permit administration are ongoing. 

For example, about one mile of North Fork 

Highwood Creek was protected with riparian exclosure fencing in 1994. The North Little Belts allofment 

group is currently being analyzed and revisions to 

address aquatic habitat needs are expected. 

Evidence of riparian tree harvest was observed 

along less than 5% of the streambanks in all streams 

except Cabin Creek (tributary to S.Fk. Judith R.) 

where the estimate was 10%. For most streams, 

riparian logging was estimated as having occurred 

along 0-1% of the streambank. 

Inventory and monitoring of westslope cutthroat 

trout populations was expanded in the Jefferson 

Division in 1994. Eleven streams were sampled and 

the cutthroat trout have been submitted for genetic 

analysis (see section C-14). Non-native rainbow 

and brook trout populations continue to encroach 

upon accessible native westslope cutthroat trout 

habitat on this part of the Forest too. 

Fish habitat improvement structures in Cottonwood 

Creek (Musselshell R.) were evaluated for continued function. The pool and cover structures were 

subsequently enhanced to increase their effectiveness. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue collection of data on the condition of fish 

habitat, especially within grazing allotments. Improve grazing management on affected fishery 

streams. Increase quantitative data collection for 

westslope cutthroat trout streams and investigate 

opportunities to exclude non-native trout from headwater refuge areas. 

C-12 Habitat lmprovement Outputs 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

MEASURED FURTHER EVALUATION PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

T & E Habitat Improvement Outputs Annually Identify a 10% decline in accomplishments in T&E 

habitat improvement outputs as measured over a 

5-year average and compared with the level specified in the Forest Plan (p 5-11) 

Wildlife & Fish Habitat Improvement 

outputs 

Annually Identify a 20% decline in accomplishments in wildlife & fish habitat improvement outputs as measured over a 5-year average and compared with 

the level specified in the Forest Plan (p 5-11) 

METHODS 

Analysis of data provided in the Management Attainment Report (MAR) which included: MAR 37.1, 

37.2, 38.1, 38.2, 39.1 and 39.2. 

FINDINGS 

All targets assigned to the Forest for FY 1994 were 

not accomplished. The burning acres that were 

planned were not able to be completed because 

part of the area did not reach prescription. See Table C-12a for values discussed in the following Management Attainment Report (MAR) items. 

37.1 Wildlife Habitat Improvement (Acres): A total of 

1 185 acres of wildlife habitat improvement was accomplished. Of this total, 430 acres were completed 

by the Partnership program, and 225 acres were 

accomplished with KV funds. 

37.2 Wildlife Habitat Improvement (Structures): 20 

structures were accomplished. Of this total, 8 strut--- 

tures were contributed via the engineering program 

(gates with timber sales), and 12 structures were 

accomplished with KV funds. 

-- 

29 
Wildlife 

38.1 Fish Habitat Improvement (Acres): 20 acres 

were accomplished. All of this was accomplished 

using regular appropriated funds. 

38.2 Fish Habitat Improvement (Structures): 6 structures were accomplished all with appropriated 

funds. 

39.7 Habitat Improvement Threatened 13 Endangered (Acres): 239 acres were accomplished; 139 

acres with appropriated funds, 100 acres by the 

Partnership program. 

39.2 Habitat Improvement Threatened & Endangered (Structures): 5 structures were accomplished 

with appropriated funds. 

Table C-12b displays the accomplishment for wildlife habRat improvement for the past seven years. 

The past trend is continuing and the Forest has 

exceeded the Forest Plan level in all MAR items 

except 37.2 (Structural improvement for wildlife) 

and 38.2 (Structural improvement for fisheries). A 

wildlife/fisheries program document has been developed that provides for a more detailed account of 

the potential for habitat improvement on the Forest. 

The program document displays that there is an 

increase in potential habitat improvement targets 

over the original Forest Plan and with a different 

mixture of projects. Currently, the program document is what the Forest is working from when assigning targets to individual Districts. 

Table C-12a FY 1993 TARGETS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMPARED TO FOREST PLAN 

Code MAR I Description Unit of 

Measure 

37.1 

37.1 

37.1 

37.1 

37.1 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 01 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 02 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 03 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 04 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 00 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

37.2 

37.2 

37.2 

37.2 

37.2 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 01 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 02 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 03 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 04 

WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 00 

38.1 

38.1 

38.1 

38.1 

38.1 

38.2 

38.2 

38.2 

38.2 

38.2 

- 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 01 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 02 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 03 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 04 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 00 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 01 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 02 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 03 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 04 

FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 00 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

39.1 

39.1 

39.1 

39.1 

39.1 

39.2 

39.2 

39.2 

39.2 

39.2 

)O = 

T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 01 

ThE HAB. IMPROV. APP 02 

T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 03 

TBE HAB. IMPROV. APP 04 

TBE HAB. IMPROV. APP 00 

T8E HAB. IMPROV. APP 01 

T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 02 

TBE HAB. IMPROV. APP 03 

TBE HAB. IMPROV. APP 04 

T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 00 

AR Code total 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Struc 

Forest Plan 1994 Target Accomplishment 

600 

600 

61 0 

391 

1001 

530 

430 

225 

1185 

8 

12 

20 

:1 :I i 

03 = KVfunds 

01 = FS funds (non-Challenge Cost-Share) 

02 = Contributed (HRP programs) fund accomplishments for Partnership projects 

04 = Carryover Dollars 

30 
Wildlife 

Table C-12b WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT 

7 

Year 

Average 

1988 1989 1993 1994 Forest 

Plan Description 1 1990 1991 1992 

Non-Structural (Wildlife Acres) 1 1 ; I ; 

Non-Structural (Fish Acres) 

Non-Structural (T&E Acres) 100 

1117 450 555 

16 0 40 

500 634 620 210 239 315 

Wildlife Structures 2 7 8 3 8 4 

Fish Structures 

TBE Structures 

- Figures do not include KV accomplishments 

19 23 30 

2 0 0 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue updating the habitat improvement portion 

of the Wildlife/Fisheries program document so that 

it will become at least a 10 year habitat improvement 

program. 

C-13 Oil & Gas Activity 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Oil & Gas Activity/Wildlife Monitoring - 

Rocky Mountain Front 

Annually Display the number of guidelines applied or not applied to projects that were 

accomplished for the fiscal year. This 

data can then be used to determine the 

cause of any decreases in populations 

that the RMF Guidelines were developed to protect. 

METHODS 

Examine major permitted activities in relation to the 

application of the Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines 

[ (BLM, 1987) eg. gas/oil development, timber harvest, seismic operations, new road construction]. 

FINDINGS 

No new oil and gas development projects were approved during the past year on National Forest System lands. Resource projects accomplished during 

the year were trail reconstruction, and two prescribed burns. Table C-13a summarizes how the 

Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines have been applied during the past 2 years. 

-- 

31 
Wildlife 

In 1994, strict adherence to the Rocky Mountain 

Front Guidelines was not warranted for all projects. 

Coordination with MDFWP led to less stringent timing restrictions for lambing bighorn sheep and nesting raptors during the Gibson Lake Trail 

Reconstruction project. The revised restrictions enabled lambing bighorn sheep to move before any 

threats to lamb survival occurred. The reproductive 

success of nesting raptors was not jeopardized because nests near trail construction activity were not 

occupied before or after trail construction began. 

The analysis for this deviation from the Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines was documented in the environmental assessment for the Gibson Lake Trail 

project. 

Rocky Mountain Front activity guidelinesfor elk, bighorn sheep and raptors were not followed for the 

McCarty Hill and Lime Gulch burns because the 

short duration of the disturbance (1 day) precluded 

any adverse effects. The analysis for this deviation 

from the Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines was documented in the environmental assessments for the 

McCarty Hill and Lime Gulch burns. 

Table C-13a ROCKY MOUNTAIN FRONT GUIDELINES APPLIED 

1992 Ford Basin Burn 

1993 Gibson Trail Reconstruction 

1 

Beartree Timber Harvest 

1993 Little Badger Grazing Allotment 

I 1994 I McCarty Hill Burn 

1994 Lime Gulch burn 

Species Affected Guidelines Applied Operation Window 

grizzly 

Bighorn/Elk 

All guidelines followed July 1 -0Ct 15 

All guidelines followed except for a 1 

day period affecting prairie falcon i nesting habitat and elk and bighorn 

sheep calvingllambing areas. 

grizzly, bighorn sheep, 

elk, raptors 

Guidelines followed for grizzly. Not 

followed for wintering elk. Adjusted 

for lambing bighorns. Adjusted for 

nesting raptors. 

Timing Window varies 

by year 

grizzly I All guidelines followed I July 1-Oct 15 I 

elk, bighorn sheep, raptors 

Guidelines not followed for 1 day. 

grizzly bear, mountain 

goat, elk 

All guidelines followed except prohibition on sheep grazing in mountain 

goat habitat. 

grizzly, bighorn 

elk, raptors 

sheep, 

elk, bighorn sheep 

Guidelines followed for grizzly. Not 

followed for wintering elk. Adjusted 

for lambing bighorns. Adjusted for 

nesting raptors. 

Guidelines not followed for 1 day. 

elk, bighorn sheep Guidelines not followed for 1 day. 

32 
W i Id life 

t 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

C-14 Sensitive Wildlife 8p Fish 

Determine distribution of sensitive wildlife & 

fish species on the Forest. Monitor annual 

trends in wildlife & fish habitat and species 

populations. 

~ 

Annually Failure to record any information within 

a two year period. 

METHODS 

This monitoring item, along with C-15, was added to 

the Forest Plan by Amendment No. 12. Surveys of 

the habitat are conducted to acquire population data on the species that are on the Lewis and Clark 

National Forest’s sensitive species list. 

FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

Sensitive Fish 

Five streams on the Rocky Mountain Division were 

inventoried in 1994 to determine the presence of 

purestrain westslope cutthroat trout. Cutthroat trout 

were found and collected from 4 of these streams 

and sent to the University of Montana for genetic 

analysis. Results have not yet been received. Available electrophoretic testing results, including the 

latest received in 1994 for the 1993 samples, are 

displayed in Table C-l4b. 

Sensitive Animal 

Following completion of a 4-year study on harlequin 

ducks, the Rocky Mountain District initiated an annual monitoring program. All streams with breeding 

harlequins will be monitored every other year to 

determine any changes in population size and annual productivity. 

The Rocky Mountain Front population is estimated 

at 40 breeding pairs, producing 7-1 8 broods annually. Poor reproduction years (1991) appear to be a 

product of heavy spring floods. The harlequin duck 

population on the Rocky Mountain Front is approximately 35% of Montana’s total population. 

In 1994, streams in the Sun River drainages were 

systematically monitored. In May, 2 harlequin duck 

pairs were observed in the South Fork Sun River, 7 

pairs were observed in the West Fork Sun River, 2 

pairs were observed in Ahorn Creek and 1 pair was 

observed in the North Fork Sun River. In August, 

three broods were observed on the South Fork Sun 

River. No broods were observed on the North Fork 

Sun River, West Fork Sun River or Straight Creek. A 

single brood was observed on Straight Creek by a 

FS trail crew during late June. 

Although spring pair counts were high, 1994 was a 

poor year for harlequin duck productivity. Between 

1990 and 1992, there was an average minimum 

brood count of 6/year (range=4-8) in Sun River 

Drainages. The 1994 minimum brood count of 3 is 

below average. Mean brood size was 5 ducklings. 

This is above the district mean late summer brood 

size of 3.5 ducklings. 

Table C-14a HARLEQUIN DUCK (Minimum Brood numbers on Rocky Mt. 

Division) 

Incidental sightings; no systematic monitoring 

33 
Wildlife 

Sample 

Size 

In 1994, an amphibian and reptile inventory survey 

was started with the Montana Natural Heritage Program along the Rocky Mountain Front. Twenty sites 

were surveyed. The species that were identified on 

the Rocky Mountain Front include: tailed frog, western toad, spotted frog, long-toed salamander, chorus frog, western garter snake and common garter 

snake. These species will be surveyed and inventoried more closely in the future. 

Results' 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

Sensitive Fish 

Cutthroat trout samples were taken from six streams 

in the Judith River drainage, two streams in the Belt 

Creek drainage, two streams in the Smith River 

drainage, and one stream in the Musselshell River 

drainage. These fish were sent to the University of 

Montana for genetic analysis. Results will be available in 1995. Cursory surveys indicated that several 

other streams may contain westslope cutthroat 

trout, and these will be scheduled for sampling in 

1995 and 1996. 

A current summary of cutthroat trout testing completed on the Forest over the last 10+ years is displayed in Table C-l4b; results received in 1994 for 

the 1993 samples are included. 

Table C-14b ELECTROPHLORETIC TESTING RESULTS FOR CUTTHROAT TROUT 

k Birch 

Dupuyer 

Sampled I Year 

Stream 

E.Fk Woods Cr 

Whiterock Cr 

Lost Shirt Cr 

Rowe Cr 

unnamed creek 

Sydney Cr 

Summit Cr 

N.Fk Little Badger Cr 

S.Fk Two-Med R 

Woods Cr 

94 

92/94/94 

92/93 

93 

93 

92/93 

92 

91 

84 

84 

Badger Cabin Cr 

Badger Cr 

Red Poacher Cr 

Limestone Cr 

Lonesome Cr 

South Badger Cr 

North Badger Cr 

Lee Cr 

Hungry Man Cr 

~~ ~ ~ 

92/93 

91/92 

92 

91 

91 

90191 

85 

84 

92 

S.Fk Dupuyer Cr 

N.Fk Dupuyer Cr 

Location 

T29N R12W S5 

T29N R12W 5311 011 6 

T29N R12W S7 

T30N R13W S1,2 

T30N R13W S2 

T29N R12W S17 

taken by State 

T30N R12W 525 

T29N R12W S7 

T29N R12W S7 

T29N R12W 523 

see district file 

T29N R12W 523 

T29N R11 W S29 

T29N R11 W S30 

T29N R12W S25 

T29N R12W 527134 

T29N R12W 527 

T28N RlOW S19 

T27N R9W S35 

T27N R9W S22 

10 

71614 

311 1 

9 

12 

716 

17 

15 

10 

1011 0 

3 

10 

4 

3 

13 

30 

15 

pending 

Plpendinglpending 

P/WsckRb 

WsctxRb 

WsckRb 

WsckRb/WsctxRb 

WsckRb 

WsctxYctxRb 

WsckRb 

WsckRb 

PIP 

WsctxRb 

P 

W sctxY ck R b 

WsctxRb 

PIP 

P 

P 

WsckRb 

WSCtxYCt 

WsckRb 

34 
Wildlife 

Table C-14b ELECTRQPHLORETIC TESTING RESULTS FOR CUTTHROAT TROUT (contlnued) 

Drainage Stream Year 

Sampled 

Location Sample 

Size 

Results* 

Teton Green Gu (Low) 

Green Gu (Up) 

Mid. Fk Teton R 

Waldron Cr 

S.Fk Waldron Cr 

Rierdon Gu 

N.Fk Waldron Cr 

N.Fk Willow Cr . 

E.Fk Willow Cr 

Cow Cr 

92/94 

93 

92 

92 

92 

92 

90 

90 

90 

90 

T24N R9W S9/9 

T24N R9W S15,16 

T25N R9W S26 

taken by State 

taken by State 

T24N R9W S3 

T25N R9W S17 

T24N R8W S9 

taken by State 

TXN Raw s5 

619 

8 

11 

15 

23 

22 

10 

15 

WsctxRbIpending 

P 

WsctxRb 

P 

WsctxRb 

WsctxRb 

P 

P 

P 

P 

Sun River Lime Gu 

N.Fk Ford Cr 

Little Willow Cr 

94 

93 

92 

T20N R9W S24 

T19N R9W S11 

taken by State 

10 

10 

pending 

WsctxRbxYct 

WsctxYct 

Smith 93/94 

90194 

92 

90 

89 

88 

88 

80/85 

85 

T9N R8E S21/27 

T12N R7E S11/14 

T8N R7E S23 

T12N R7E S24 

T12N R8E S14 

T14N R6E 530 

T14N R6E S20 

T15N R5E S20/19 

T15N R5E 531 

1011 2 

218 

10 

10 

10 

5 

36 

29/30 

15 

Plpending 

Plpending 

P 

WsctxRb 

P 

WsctxRb 

WsctxYctxRb 

PIP 

WsckRb 

Fourmile Cr 

Daniels Cr 

W.Fk Cottonwood Cr 

Adam Cr 

N.Fk Deadman Cr 

Tenderfoot Cr 

Balsinger Cr 

N.Fk Deep Cr 

S.Fk Deep Cr 

Upper Belt Cr 

Upper Belt trib 

Pilgrim Cr 

Jefferson Cr 

Chamberlain Cr 

Logging Cr 

Dry Fk/Oti Cr 

N.Fk Little Bell Cr 

Placer Cr 

Lyon Gu 

Snow Cr 

Dry Wolf Cr 

Elk Cr 

Yogo Cr 

S.Fk Judith R 

T13N R8E S22 

T13N R8E S22 

T15N R6E S3 

T13N R8E S2 

T13N R8E 52 

T15N R5E 526 

T15N R9E S29 

taken by State 

21 

7 

7 

10 

10 

5 

5 

10 

pending 

pending 

WsctxRb 

P 

P 

P 

P 

P 

Belt 94 

94 

90 

90 

90 

89 

89 

80 

94 

94 

94 

90194 

94 

88/94 

84 

T14N R9E S1 

T14N RlOE S18 

T14N R9E 523 

T14N R9E 513123 

T13N RlOE 55 

T13N RlOE S3/5 

T11 N R1 OE S9 

6 

4 

3 

411 2 

3 

518 

30 

pending 

pending 

pending 

Plpending 

pending 

WsctxRbIpending 

WsctxYctxRb 

Judith 

Musselshell Half Moon Cr 

E.Fk Haymaker Cr 

Forest Lake 

94 

94 

83 

taken by State 

T11 N R12E S35 

T6N RlOE S26 

25 

15 

26 

pending 

pending 

WsctxYctxRb 

P = pure. sample contained no qenetic matt al from rainbow or Yellowstone cutthro; trout: WsckRb = rainbow trout hybridism; 

WsctxYct = Yellowstone cutthroat trout hybridism; WsctxYckRb = rainbow and Yellowstone cutthroat trout hybridism. 

35 
Wildlife 

Sensitive Animal 

In FY 1993 a partnership was entered with the Montana Heritage Program to determine the species 

and type of use that Lick Creek Cave was receiving 

from bats. A spring survey was completed and a late 

fall survey was completed. The Forest did not received the report from the Heritage Program in 1994 

documenting the results of these surveys. 

The amphibian and reptile inventory survey which 

was discussed under the section for the Rocky 

Mountain Division was also conducted on portions 

of the-Jefferson Division of the Forest in 1994. Results of these surveys have not yet been completed 

by the Heritage Program. 

Preliminary field inventories of suitable habitat for 

boreal owl, lynx and wolverine were done in portions 

of the Belt Creek drainage east of U.S. Highway 89 

in the Little Belt Mountains in 1994. The entire Belt 

Creek drainage will be evaluated in an ecosystem 

assessment which will be started in 1995. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue testing cutthroat trout for genetic purity in 

streams throughout the Forest. Continue with cursory initial sampling to define distribution of cutthroat trout throughout the Forest. 

Continue survey work for all of the sensitive animal 

species for which little information exists. 

C-I 5 Sensitive Plant Program 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Determine distribution of sensitive plants 

on the Forest. Conduct demographic monitoring & taxonomic studies to assess population viability. 

Failure to record any information in a 

two year period. T 

METHODS 

Conduct surveys of the habitat to acquire population data on the species that are on the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest’s sensitive species list. 

FINDINGS 

Sensitive plants are those species for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by a significant current or predicted downward trend in population or habitat capability. In 1988 the Regional 

Forester approved the Region’s first sensitive plant 

list, which was updated in 1991 and 1994. The Regional Forester’s 1994 sensitive plant list includes 

seventeen sensitive plant species known to occur 

on the Lewis and Clark National Forest and eleven 

additional sensitive species that botanists suspect 

may occur on the Forest. 

Peculiar moonwort is the highest priority sensitive 

plant species on the Forest, based on the ranking 

system of the Montana Natural Heritage Program. 

Peculiar moonwort is ranked G1 S1, critically imperiled both globally and statewide, and is being considered by the US. Fish and Wildlife Service for 

listing under the Endangered Species Act. Also of 

special importance are the sensitive plants known in 

Montana exclusively, or largely, from the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest. The Forest has all of the 

known occurrences in Montana of ascending 

moonwort, leadville milkvetch, short-styled columbine, and dwart saw-wort. Most of the Montana occurrences of the following species are also from the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest: fuzzyspike wildrye, 

stalked-pod crazyweed, and northern rattlesnakeplantain. A complete list of the sensitive plants 

known to occur on the Forest are listed in Table 

C-l5a. 

36 
Wildlife 

Sensitive plant species are known to occur in four of 

the seven mountain ranges on the Forest. Thirteen 

sensitive plant species are known from the Rockies, 

six from the Little Belt Mountains, and one each from 

the Big Snowy Mountains and Castle Mountains. 

There are no sensitive plant species known from the 

Crazy Mountains, Highwood Mountains or Little 

Snowy Mountains. 

The information on sensitive plants is based on field 

inventories conducted under contract with the Montana Natural Heritage Program, and by Forest Service employees and volunteers. National Forest sensitive plant survey data is stored in National Forest 

files and summarized in a Forest Service survey 

database. Information on the occurrence of sensitive plant species has been acquired both from field 

surveys and from the database maintained by the 

Montana Natural Heritage Program. This occurrence database is accessible to the Forest Service 

through its computer system and/or through contact with the Botanist or Database Manager of the 

Montana Natural Heritage Program. 

National Forest sensitive plant inventories on the 

Forest began in 1988 when the Regional Forester 

approved the first sensitive plant list. The first surveys focused on relocating reported occurrences of 

sensitive species and searches of suitable habitat in 

the vicinity of known occurrences. Later, the focus 

of surveys shifted to suitable habitat in areas where 

planned activities could potentially disturb sensitive 

plants. The majority of sensitive plant surveys have 

been conducted in the Rocky Mountain Division and 

the Little Belt Mountains of the Jefferson Division. A 

few sensitive plant surveys have been conducted in 

the Castle Mountains, the Big Snowy Mountains, 

and the Little Snowy Mountains, but little botanical 

investigation has occurred in the Crazy Mountains 

or Highwood Mountains. 

Sensitive plants generally have very specific habitat 

requirements, having rather narrow ecological amplitudes. Habitats supporting the sensitive plant 

species, known or suspected to occur on the Forest, have been classified into four broad categories: 

alpine, meadow, moist forest, and riparian. Sensitive plant species often occur within a narrow 

geographic range and/or special micro-habitats 

within these broad habitat categories. The 28 species of sensitive plants known or suspected on the 

Forest occur primarily in the habitats as follows: 

riparian (18), alpine (lo), meadow (7), and moist 

forest (2). (Note: numbers exceed 28 because some 

species occur in more than one habitat). 

37 
Wildlife 

2 occurrences on LCC, 1 on RMD, 12 in MT. 

1 occurrence on L&C (very small), 2nd pop 

possibly extirpated, 7 in MT. 

Table Gl5a SENSITIVE PLANTS KNOWN TO OCCUR ON THE LEWIS AND CLARK NF 

none 

1 study, tracked since 

1989 . 

~ 

6 occurrences on LCC (1 partly vandalized), 

43 in MT. 

none 

4 occurrences on LCC, 5 in MT. none 

2 occurrences on L&C (1 on Jefferson), 3 in 

MT. small pops. 

none 

5 occurrences on LBC, 13 in MT, pops appear 

stable, taxonomic questions 

none 

34 occurrences on L&C. 35 in MT, may have 

been reduced by past logging & wildfire. 

1 permanent plot 

tracked 1988-89. Studies initiated: 1991-2, 

1992-2, 1993-2. 

11 occurrences on L&C. 11 in MT. narrow distribution. 

1 demographic and 1 

genetic study 

Population Status I Monitoring Studies I Reports Prepared I Species Name 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

Ascending moonwort 1 occurrence on LCC and MT. none none 

Austin's knotweed 2 occurrences on LCC. 10 in MT. none 

8 occurrences on L&C, 8 in MT, pops are 

small. 

2 occurrences on L&C (1 on D-l), 3 in MT, 

small populations. 

none 

none 

none 

Dwarf saw-wort none 

Fuzzyspike wildlye none 

Giant helleborine 1 occurrence on L&C. 18 in MT, pop. appears none 

stable I none 

Green-keeled cottonsedge 3 occurrences on L&C (very small), 30 in MT. I none none 

Leadville milkvetch 8 occurrences on Lac, 8 in MT, sparse distri- Status Review 1990 

bution, pops appear stable 

none 

Mingan Island moonwart 

Peculiar moonwort 

none 

none 

Round-leaved orchis 13 occurrences on L&C, 25 in MT I 1 study initiated 1989 Status Review 1988 ~ ~ 

Small yellow lady's slipper none 

Sparrow's egg lady's slipper 7 occurrences on L&C (all small), 23 in MT. 1 study 1988. fenced 1 1989 

none 

Stalked-pod crazyweed none 

Fuzzyspike wild rye none 

Mingan Island moonwart 2 occurrences on LBC, 1 on Jeff., 12 in MT. I none none 

Missoula phlox 

~~ 

Status Review 1991 

Northern rattlesnake-plantain Status Review 1991, demographic monitoring in 

progress 

Pink agoseris 26 occurrences on LBC, 62 in MT. I none Status Review 1991 

Short-styled columbine none 

38 
Wildlife 

TOTAL 

Timber projects 

Range projects 

Sensitive plant proj 

Research Natural Area 

Wildlife 

Special Uses 

Minerals 

TOTAL 

Projects on the Forest that involve ground disturbance are evaluated for potential effects on sensitive 

plants. Projects which occur in areas that have a low 

probability of sensitive plant occurrence, as determined by pre-field habitat assessments, may not receive field surveys. Field survey accomplishments on 

the Forest are reported in Table C-15b. 

6078 14 

2664 11 revised, 9 new 

285 8 revised, 6 new 

49 0 revised, 1 new 

270 2 revised, 0 new 

2 1 revised, 1 new 

5 0 

2 0 

3277 22 revised, 17 new 

Table C-15b SENSITIVE PLANT FIELD SURVEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Year 

1991 

1992 

1993 

1994 

Project Areas Surveyed I Acreage Surveyed I New Populations Located 

Timber projects 

Range projects 

Sensitive plant projects 

Miscellaneous 

1842 

5 

1288 

185 

20 

2 

14 

4 

3320 I 40 I TOTAL I I 

I I 

Timber projects 

Range Projects 

Sensitive plant 

Research Natural Area 

Recreation 

Land exchange 

Miscellaneous 

1120 

590 

783 

3161 

103 

300 

21 

Timber projects 

Range projects 

Sensitive plant proj 

Wildlife 

Special Uses 

Minerals, oil 8 gas 

Recreation, Fire 

TOTAL 

1591 

560 

185 

25 

43 

100 

128 

2632 

17 revised 

2 revised 

2 revised, 2 new 

0 

0 

0 

0 

21 revised, 2 new 

39 
Range 

Range Outputs 

RANGE 

Annually +/- 10% of target 

D-1 Range Outputs 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 Forest 

Plan Description 

Permitted Grazing Use 71.1 70.5 72.3 72.4 71.9 71.2 70.3 69.5 

(M AUM) 

Improvement Nonstruc- 1329 1999 2433 1607 562 402 550 110 

tural (Acres) 

Improvement Structural 40 30 18 26 35 28 37 31 

(Structures') 

Range Plans (Plans) 10 5 4 4 0 2 1 1 

Noxious Weed Chemical/ 600 772 616 636 472 1062 1108 1067 

Manual (Acrcs) 

Noxious Weed Biological 370 150 222 40 146 153 198 

(Acres) 

'Unit is 'Structures'. Fence and water system miles are doubled (1/2 mi.=l structure). 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 1 EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I RTgzr I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

1994 1995 1996 

72.7 

453 

32 

0 

1305 

210 

FINDINGS 

Summary of Forest Plan 1 O-year average Range 

Management targets and actual accomplishment 

for FY 1987 through FY 1994 is as follows: 

Table D-1 a RANGE ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

M AUM = Thousand Animal Unit Month. 

Permitted grazing use, Thousand Animal Unit 

Month (M AUM), in FY 1994 is within 1 % of the Forest 

Plan projection and therefore requires no further 

evaluation. Permitted use is based on the grazing 

permits issued and estimates of recreation pack 

stock use before the grazing season begins. At the 

end of the grazing season the actual grazing use is 

gathered and reported. Actual grazing use in FY 

1994 was 62.2 M AUM. The eight-year average actual use (1987 through 1994) is 61.5 M AUM. 

Nonstructural Range Improvements in FY 1994 are 

34% of the Forest Plan projected output of 1329 

acres per year for the first decade. There has been 

a decline in non-structural improvement on the Forest since 1989. The five year average accomplishment in non-structural range improvement 

(1 990-1 994) is 41 5 acres per year, which is only 31 % 

of the projected Forest Plan output in the first decade. Most non-structural improvement is prescribed burning to control trees and sagebrush that 

are invading or increasing on traditional grazing 

lands, thus reducing forage production for livestock. Under the present trend in under accomplishment of this activity, the Forest is rapidly falling behind and can expect declining forage production. 

Problems with overstocked range, as the forage 

base for permitted livestock declines, will inevitably 

result. 

40 
Structural Range Improvements in FY 1994 (32) is 

80% of the Forest Plan projection and is below the 

10% variability that would require further evaluation. 

The eight year average (30 structures) is 75% of the 

projected Forest Plan output. The eight year average for funding ($45.8 M) has been 70% of the 

projected Forest Plan budget at the fully funded 

level. Continued funding at this level will result in 

under accomplishment in structural range improvement during the first decade of Forest Plan implementation. Future permitted grazing use at current, 

increased, and/or sustainable levels with other 

resource uses in the second decade of the Forest 

Plan, will not be possible. 

No new allotment management plans (AMP) were 

completed in FY 1994. In FY 1994, the Forest has 

again under accomplished its projected goal. HowOUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS 

TO BE MEASURED 

Range Condition 

Range Trend 

FINDINGS 

ever, the Forest made significant progress toward 

correcting the problem with the initiation of the 

North Little Belts EIS process and the ongoing work 

with the Castle Mountains EIS. See monitoring item 

0-4 for further evaluation and discussion of the new 

Forest schedule for range allotment planning. 

Noxious weed control by chemical and manual 

methods in FY 1994 is 1305 acres, or 217% of the 

Forest Plan projection of 600 acres per year. The 

eight year average (880 acres) is 147% of the Forest 

Plan projection. This over achievement represents a 

higher commitment to noxious weed control resulting from the noxious weed analysis after the Forest 

Plan was approved, and subsequent Noxious Weed 

Control Final EIS of 1987 and Supplemental EIS of 

May 1994. 

0-2 Range Condition & Trend 

I 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

VARlABlLlN (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

Annually 

I 

Acres of range in fair or less condition that have not 

shown any improvement in condition score during 

the monitoring interval (1 0 years). 

Annually Any acres in downward trend which were previously 

(at the last reading) stable or in an upward trend. 

Any acres in downward trend which still show a downward trend after another monitoring interval (10 

years). 

There are 277 condition and trend studies on 239 

range allotments on the Forest. Summary of FY 

1987 through FY 1994 range condition and trend 

studies are as follows: 

41 
Range 

Description 

Conditionnrend Studies 

Allotments Monitored 

Existing 1987 1980 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

277 0 28 8 4 0 0 2 0 

239 0 12 4 2 0 0 1 0 

There are 37 permanent vegetation trend studies on 

25 allotments, established in FY 1991, to monitor 

results of noxious weed treatment. Two of these 

studies, density transects, were monitored in FY 

1994. 

Description 

Suitable Range 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

249.2 249.2 249.3 242.2 220.9 220.9 210.8 210.8 

The level of range condition and trend monitoring in 

FY 1994 is not adequate to evaluate current condition and trend. These studies are site-specific and 

are only indicators of what condition and trend may 

be over a broader area. To determine acres that are 

in condition or trend classes, an inventory of all 

suitable acres is required. Inventories are conductcess. Current conditions cannot be adequately 

evaluated until the allotment planning process is 

completed on schedule (refer to D-4). The Forest is 

converting to an ecosystem analysis methodology 

for inventory and monitoring, based upon similarii 

to the potential natural community. This conversion 

will be done over a period of years as new allotment 

management plans are completed. As new and revised plans are completed, monitoring locations 

and methods will be re-evaluated in order to provide 

the most effective monitoring. A method of comparing the new ecosystem methodology to the former 

condition and trend methodology should be developed. The change in inventory and monitoring 

methodology should be addressed in the 10-year 

ed during the allotment management planning pro- revision of the Forest Plan. 

D-3 Supply 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Annually More than 1% reduction in suitable 

range acres from previous year. Cumulatively, any reduction of 3% or more in 

suitable range acres over a 5-year period. 

FINDINGS 

Suitable range on National Forest land within allot- Succession from forage producing plant communities to tree dominated plant communities. 

Summary of ~y 1987 through ~y 1994 suitable 

range acres reported is as follows: 

ments in FY 1994 is 210,800 acres. Reductions in 

reported suitable range since FY 1987 has been a 

result of more precise range analysis and natural 

42 
Range 

Total allotments outdated by the end of the decade (1996) 

D-4 Allotment Management Plan Status 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED R EVALUATION 

proved more than 15 years ago (before 

1980) are considered to be outdated. 

145 61 

FINDINGS 

All 239 range allotments were considered in the FY 

1994 report, including cattle, sheep, and horse allotments, administrative pastures, special use pastures, and commercial packer grazing areas. A 

summary of the number of allotments and allotment 

management plans follows (end of fiscal year): 

Although 19 new or revised AMPs were scheduled 

for completion, no AMPs were completed in FY 

1 994. The Environmental Impact Statement process 

is several months behind schedule. In addition, the 

permittees requested a review of the technical information, pursuant to Section 8 of the Public Rangelands Improvement Act, which will delay the Final 

Environmental Impact Statement until the end of FY 

1995 or beyond. 

.. . . 

The data in the summary table shows a major departure from the Forest Plan standard of ‘less than 

10 percent of AMPs outdated.” To resolve this problem in future decades, and bring grazing management and planning into compliance with the Forest 

Plan, a new allotment management planning process and organization was implemented in FY 1991 

(revised October 1993). The revised schedule provides for completion of revised or new AMPs for all 

239 allotments over a 12-year period (by 2005). Processes need to become more efficient and effective 

in order to complete the AMPs on schedule. - 

43 
Range 

+ 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Forest 

Plan Description 

I 

New Plans 10' 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4. 0* 

Revision of Existing 3 4 4 0 2 1 1 0 15* 21" 

Plans 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1994 range allotment management plan accomplishment and AMPs 

scheduled for completion (*) are as follows: 

__ 

Table D-4b ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (Each) 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Develop a schedule for integrated landscape assessments which would provide for accomplishing 

inventories for all resources on the same landscape 

area in the same year. The range analysis and planning schedule would then be coordinated with the 

broader assessments. This would increase the efficiency and effectiveness by resource specialists 

and accelerate the range analysis and planning 

process. 

44 
Timber 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

1 I I I I 4 

Assure silvicultural management prescriptions are best suited to management area 

goals with all resources considered 

Annually A departure from management prescription 

METHODS 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually 

by an interdisciplinary team. 

FINDINGS 

An interdisciplinary sale review was conducted on 

portions of the Smokey B and Corridor Timber Sales 

on Ihe Kings Hill District as part of the Regional 

Off ice sale preparation review. The Environmental 

Impact Statement for the sales was completed in 

January 1994. The Forest Supervisor's decision 

was appealed but sustained by the Regional Forester. In July 1994, a lawsuit was filed against the Forest Service in regard to the decision. Three of the 

sales have been prepared, but no contracts have 

been awarded. 

Urlits of the five timber sales proposed within the 

project area are located in Management Areas A 

(1 11 9 acres), B (1 777 acres) and C (103 acres). The 

proposal involves 71 8 acres of clearcutting, 502 

acres of seed tree cuts, 209 acres of shelterwood 

seed cuts, 592 acres of removal cuts from regenerated seed tree or shelterwood units, 549 acres of 

selection cutting, 80 acres of salvage, 201 acres of 

commercial thinning, and 148 acres of post and 

pole harvest. The proposed road system involves 

2.2 miles of construction and 18.6 miles of reconstruction. Prescribed fire and mechanical treatments will also be used to rejuvenate aspen and 

grasslands. 

The review group felt that the prescriptions meet 

and usually exceed short term management area 

goals. Units have been located to minimize fragmentation and disturbance to elk security areas. 

Prescriptions have been chosen to be consistent 

with visual management objectives. Best management practices are being used for activities done in 

conjunction with the timber sale. However, in some 

cases, the proposed treatments are not adequately 

considering the biology of tree species, physical 

factors and damaging agents. This will affect our 

ability to meet long term desired conditions for 

those stands. 

E-2 Prescription Selections 

45 
Timber 

METHODS 

- 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Review of a large tirr,-er sale sold during the fiscal 

year. 

Assure openings comply with size limits 

and are periodically evaluated for appropriateness 

FINDINGS 

Annually 

As stated above, the silvicultural prescriptions for 

these sales calls for selection, overstory removal, 

seedtree, salvage, and clearcutting. Trees will be 

retained in all units to meet diversity, aesthetic and 

wildlife objectives. Most of the units will be tractor 

logged, although cable logging will occur on steeper slopes and in areas of sensitive soils. Most slash 

reduction and site preparation for natural regeneration will be accomplished by mechanical treatments. The prescription chosen for each stand was 

based on the type and condition of the timber 

stands and the objectives for the management area. 

Economics and volume realized were not the principle reasons for selecting the silvicultural method. 

The seed tree and shehewood methods were chosen to provide benefits to the wildlife and visual 

resources as well as providing additional assurance 

of reforestation success. Marking of leave trees resulted in a direct cost to the government and reduction in immediate volume obtained from the stands. 

Some of the residual trees will be left on site 

indefinitely which will result in a loss of existing and 

future volume. The removal of the remaining trees 

will result in the costs of preparing and administering another sale. 

One major sale was actual sold in FY 1994. The 

predicted high bids for the Polecat Timber Sales 

was $184.79 MBF. The advertised rates was 

$149.57 MBF and the actual bid was $170.00 MBF. 

The predicted acres and volume for the Polecat 

timber sales were 353 acres/l.6 MMBF. The actual 

acres and volume sold were 340 acredl .6 MMBF. 

E-3 Timber Openings 

1 Unacceptable results of an ID Team Review 

METHODS 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually 

by an interdisciplinary team. 

FINDINGS 

The 112 units in the selected alternative varied in 

size from 4 to 123 acres. None of the even-aged 

treatment units are larger than 40 acres. Ten units 

involving selection cuts, commercial thinnings and 

final removal of overstory from regenerated units are 

larger than 40 acres. The small units are responsive 

to visual and wildlife values and fit the ground. From 

a landscape standpoint, they are much smaller than 

the patches that were created by historic processes. 

A review of Forest Supervisor authority timber sales 

sold during FY 1994 shows that no cutting units 

exceeded the 40 acre limitation. 

46 
Timber 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

E-4 Timber Offered/ASQ for Decade 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

+/- 20% annually or +/- 10% over a five 

allowable sale quantity (ASQ) for 1 O-year I Assure timber offered does not differ from I year period 

Annually 

I period 

during a ten-year period. It is usually expressed on 

an average annual basis. The ASQ can not be exceeded on a decade basis. it should be noted that 

the Clyde Park Timber Sale was included in FY 1993 

volumes and is not in this figure for FY 1994. 

The ASQ is compiled in an annual Regional Report. 

The Volume figures are obtained from the Timber 

Cut and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

The allowable sale quantity (ASQ) is the amount of 

timber that may be sold from suitable forest lands 

A summary of the ASQ sold for FYs 1987-FY 1994 is 

as follows: 

Table E-4a ASQ (Million Board Feet) 

During the first eight years of the Forest Pian, the 

F~est has sold about 81% of the average annual 

than 20%, we are within the five year variability of 

10% for the last 5 years. 

volume delayed because of appeals. During FY 

1994, the Forest sold or offered for sale 14.7 million 

current year sell, and 3.0 MMBF was offered in Fy 

1993 but actually sold in FY 1994, 6.6 MMBF was 

ASQ. Although annual variation has been greater board feet (MMBF). Of this amount, 4.9 MMBF was 

In addition to the ASQ, the Forest monitors its yearly 

timber program. The yearly timber program is an 

agreement between the Forest Supervisor and the 

Regional Forester based on yearly Congressional 

targets and appropriations. The total timber program for the Forest includes all timber products 

such as sawlogs, poles, posts, houselogs, and firewood. 

Credit for meeting the yearly timber program in-. 

cludes the volume sold, volume offered for sale, and 

offered but had no bids and was held up by lawsuit 

and .2 MMBF was offered but not sold. The 6.6 

MMBF not offered due to lawsuit is the same 6.0 

MMBF that was appealed in FY 1993 and the Forest 

Supervisor’s decision was sustained by the Regional Forester. The bid was opened on September 29, 

1994 for Polecat (1.6 MMBF) and it was not awarded 

until October. Therefore, it is not included in volume 

sold figures. It is shown in volume offered but not 

sold. 

47 
Timber 

A summary of FYs 1987-1 994 timber program is as 

follows: 

Table E-4b TIMBER PROGRAM (Million Board Feet) 

1/ FY92 target includes planned carry-over volume of 10.5 MMBF. 

I/ FY94 target includes carry-over volume of 6.0 MMBF for Smokey B. 

niffcrcnccs in total volume figures are due to rounding. 

E-5 Restocking 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

Assure restocking is in progress within 5 

years 

Annually Unacceptable results of an ID Team Review 

METHODS 

Stocking surveys are conducted on each District. 

FINDINGS 

Stands receiving a final harvest cut from 1976 through 

1989 (those stands harvested five or more years ago 

and since the adoption of the National Forest Management Act) have 92% of the acres satisfactorily stocked 

within five years. When only the stands from 1980 to 

1989 are considered, the success rate is 97%. Downfall in the earlier years is primarily due to waiting for 

seedlings to reach a minimum height standard. Currently, 98% of all stands with final harvest from 1976 

through 1989 are satisfactorily stocked. The remaining 

stands were either planted last fall or are scheduled for 

planting in FY 1995. 

The survey results indicate that a few of the stands 

planned for natural regeneration are not on trajectory. 

In most cases this is because first year exams sometimes don’t have inadequate number of seedlings or 

the site condition is questionable for plantation success. Those stands will be reevaluated at the time of 

the third year exam and a decision made then on 

whether or not additional treatment is needed. 

In general, reforestation success on harvested lands 

on the Lewis and Clark National Forest has a high ratio 

of successful seedling establishment. 

48 
Tlmber 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

E-6 Acres Harvested 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

Assure timber acres harvested are as projected 

5 years +/- 10% deviation over a five year period 

Acres Harvested 

Volume Harvested 

(MMBF) (21 

METHODS 

1,800 1,144 775 786 1051 914 2890 401 1538 

- 168 11.1 11.7 10.5 10.3 23.3 5.6 14.5 

Data on acres harvested are excerpted from the Timber Stand Management Record System and from the 

Timber Cut and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

Harvested acres in 1994 is 1538 acres and the harvested volume is 14.5 MMBF. 

area treated is 11 87 acres annually. Silvicultural methods are 53% clearcut, 28% shelterwood, 2% selection 

and 17% intermediate. Volumes per acre realized are 

10.9 MBF/Acre vs 7.0 MBF/Acre that was expected in 

the Forest Plan. Even with the emphasis on using 

methods other than clearcutting, it is expected that the 

, acreage harvested will be less than predicted in the 

Forest Plan. 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Assure accomplishment of -thinning and 

other silvicultural treatments as projected in 

I 

The Forest Plan projected that annual harvest would 

average about 1,800 acres of regeneration harvest 

arid 21 0 acres of intermediate harvest. So far, average 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1994 timber volume 

under contract, acres, and volume harvested is as 

follows: 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

.. - -.. 5 years +/- 10% "deviation over a five year period 

(2) Does not include personal firewood volume. 

E-7 Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments 

I I I 1 

plan I 

49 
Timber 

METHODS 

FINDINGS 

The following table indicates accomplishment of 

timber stand improvement (TSI) and other silviculData for this monitoring item is obtained from the 

Regional Report from the Timber Stand Management Record System. tural treatments: 

Table E-7aTIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT 

'The Forest in FY 1988, in conjunction with Regional Objectives and Forest Plan Amendment Number 3. accelerated the stand 

examination program from 15.5 thousand acres to 28.0 thousand acres in order to complete the timber data base for use in Forest 

planning. 

Most reforestation on the Forest is accomplished by 

natural regeneration. Assumptions in the Forest 

Plan were that about 1420 acres would be regenerated naturally and 324 acres annually would be 

planted. The experienced average for the past eight 

years has been 849 acres of natural and 136 acres 

of planting. The percentage reduction of natural regeneration acres is about in proportion to the reduction in expected harvest levels. The reduction in 

planted acres is greater than the harvest reduction 

and is a reflection of the high natural regeneration 

success rates usually encountered on the Forest. 

Total reforested acres should match the predicted 

acres as the backlog of sales is offered and harvested. Planted acreage will probably increase slightly 

above the recently experienced levels due to regeneration problems where only young ponderosa pine 

50 
Timber 

were left and to areas of Douglas-fir where western 

spruce budworm is likely to impact seed production. 

Thinning accomplishment has substantially exceeded Forest Plan outputs. The Cross Creek burn 

(1970) and many of the young stands created by 

harvest in the late 1960s and early 1970s are showing evidence of reduced growth and thus are being 

thinned. Evidence from unthinned fire originated 

stands indicates that they do become suppressed 

and will require an extended period of time to prosome harvest initiated stands will also become suppressed. Thinning of these stands will incur additional expense (proportional to the acreage previously planned), but will produce merchantable 

products and stand conditions that better meet other resource objectives in a shorter period of time. 

Fuel treatments with brush disposal funds are tied 

closely to the acreage harvested in the past two 

years. Although there will be large fluctuations in 

individual years, average acreages should be 

achieved over the five year period (Refer to P-5 Fuel 

duce merchantable products. It is anticipated that Treatment Outputs). 

E-8 Ewen-Age Harvest 

M ETH ODs 

One timber sale is reviewed each year by an interdisciplinary team. 

FINDINGS 

The Interdisciplinary Review Team on the sale preparation review agrees that even-aged silvicultural 

systems are appropriate to meet Forest Plan Management Area objectives and the needs of these 

particular sites. 

About 48% Of the proposed will be new evenaged regeneration treatments. In all stands, reserve Even-aged silvicultural systems will provide greater 

forage production than uneven-aged systems and will be retained. About 18% of the Proposed 

acres to be treated Will be by uneven-aged management. This is significantly above the level projected 

in the Forest Plan. 

will provide more volume per acre and at less cost. 

The standards for visual management, wildlife cover 

and water quality are still being met or exceeded in 

the area. 

E-9 Firewood Removal 

51 

\ 
Timber 

METHODS 

Data is compiled annually from the Timber Sale Cut 

and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1994, 1.5 million board feet of personal use 

firewood was removed from the Forest. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1994 personal use 

firewood removal is as follows: 

Table E-9A COMMERCIAL AND PERSONAL USE FIREWOOD REMOVAL 

Since FY 1991 there has been a leveling-off in the 

demand for firewood from the Forest. It is expected 

that the use will probably continue at or near the 

current amount. 

E-I 0 Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I PERIOD I IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Evaluate availability of lands classified as 5 years 

suitable/unsuitable 

+/- 5% change in acreage 

METHODS 

The evaluation of land suitability for tentatively suitable lands and the further division of these lands 

into suitable forest land available for timber harvest 

is ongoing through project analysis and timber 

stand examinations. 

FINDINGS 

Project analysis has resulted in the reduction of in 

the suitable timber lands by 9,874 acres. This is 

about a 3% reduction in the total suitable forest land 

identified in the Forest Plan (282,307 acres). 

The timber stand examination process on suitable 

forest land provides an updating process for timber 

inventory as more and more timber stands are examined we are better able to evaluate the status of 

the tentatively suitable lands. During the last six 

years 1989-1 994 134,035 acres of stand exam have 

been completed averaging 22,339 acres per year. 

This data is entered into the Timber Stand Management Record System (TSMRS) to provide information for forest analysis. 

52 
Timber 

PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

E-1 1 Projected Yields 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Projected yields 

-% 

\ 

Annually Standard error of 10% at 1 standard deviation 

The Forest remeasured three existing plots during 

FY 1994. 

FINDINGS 

Efforts during the planning period (10-15 years) will 

be to continue the installation and remeasurement 

of permanent growth plots. Each growth plot is be 

remeasured on a 5-year interval to monitor growth 

and yield for treatments and/or conditions that exist 

on the forest. 

The Forest established no new permanent growth 

plots but remeasured three existing plots during FY 

1994. 

Summary of growth plot establishment and remeasurement is as follows: 

Growth Plots Remeasured 

Table E-1 1 a GROWTH PLOTS (Numbers) 

7 2 2 0 4 6 3 7 4 3 

When these growth plots were established, they 

were to be installed in stands that were scheduled 

for a timber activity within the next five years. Therefore, growth plots that have had their plannqd timber activity accomplished and remeasurement 

completed have data only from one remeasurement. 

Evaluation was done in FY 1994. 

53 
Water and Soil 

~ ~ r- OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

F-I Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Adequacy and Cumulative Effects of 

Project BMPs . Annually - 100% 

Sample ity or water useability 

Projected deterioration of soil productivMETHODS 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

All proposed projects which have potential for impact on soil or water quality are monitored through 

review of the project environmental documentation. 

This review ensures that adequate BMPs have been 

prescribed to maintain and protect existing soil productivity and water quality conditions. In the case of 

significant vegetation removal, a cumulative effects 

analysis is also evaluated to predict increases in 

water and sediment yield as a result of the project. 

, 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

Revegetation of temporarily disturbed areas & roads within five years 

The Running Wolf Timber Sale was the only project 

in which a cumulative effects analysis was completed during FY 1994. This analysis indicated that reasonable soil and water conservation practices, as 

required by the State, would prevent deterioration of 

these resources. This project is currently in the Draft 

EIS stage. 

Annually - 75% Unacceptable results of an ID Team Resample 2 years view 

after termination 

F-2 Revegetation 

METHODS 

Revegetation efforts on temporarily disturbed areas 

and roads are monitored through Interdisciplinary 

Team reviews. These reviews are to be carhed out 

on 75% of the revegetation projects for the purpose 

of evaluating revegetation success and the need for 

additional revegetation efforts. The reviews occur 

within two years after project termination. 

FINDINGS 

Table F-2a delineates the projects on .each district 

which were reviewed during FY 1994 or require a 

future review for revegetation efforts. A majority of 

these reviews were made by individuals from the 

Interdisciplinary Team who conducted the NEPA 

analysis for the project, or by the Timber Sale Administrator responsible for implementation of the . 

project. Of the projects reviewed, revegetation efforts were for the most part successful and complete. i 

, 

54 
Water and Soil 

Musselshell District 

1. Loco Creek T.S. 

Table F-2a FY 1994 PROJECT LIST FOR REVEGETATION 

1994 YES Logged and closed in '94' 

Scheduled Date Review Project Title Comments of compietion Completed 

I 

, Completed and closed. 4 , 

Rocky Mtn District 

4. Beartree 93 1993 NO Review in 1995. 

6. Eagle Cr P & P 

Judith District , 

1. Turkey Salvage T S Seeded '91 &92' YES Some seeding still needs review. 

1995 NO 

2. Mixes Baldy T.S 

7. Upper Whitetail T.S. 

8. Polecat T.S. 

I Seeded '92' I NO I Needs final review in 1995 

1996 NO 

1997 NO 

3. Bcnr Park T.S. 

9. Mill-Lion T.S. 

10. Johnson Park P&P 

Logging completed. Minor contract 

work to be finished by 7130195. 

1995 NO 

1994 YES 

4. Smith Flat T.S. Seeded '92' YES Vegetation well established,Closed. 

5. South Fork T.S. Seeded '92' YES Vegetation well established,Closed. 

11. Near Cross II P&P 

Kings Hill District 

6. South Burley T.S. 1995 NO 45% complete. 

7. Clyde Park T.S. 1995 NO Road work complete, To be logged in 95 

1994 YES 

8 Deadhorse-Bluff T S 1995 NO 90% complete. 

9 Plantation T S 1995 YES Sale closed, To be piled and burned in 

'95' Temp Rd. to be closed by Dist 

1. Adams Cr. Drilling Seeded '92' YES Completed and Closed. 

2. Whitetail Salvage T.S. I 1994 I NO I Closed in 1994, Burning complete 

3. Whitetail OSR T.S. I 1994 I NO I Closed in 1994, Burning in 1995 

4. West Hopley T.S 

5. Bcar Springs T.S 

Sold in 1994, Will begin harvest 

in 1995. 

Closed in 1994, Slash burning and 

road closure in 1995. 

25% cut and removed 

Roads completed, no logging to date. 

Roads to be build in 95, no activity 

to date. 

95% Complete. 

Completed and closed. 

55 
Water and Soil 

9. Quartzite Ridge T.S. ~ 

10. Slide Rock T.S. 

11. Wolverine Firewood. 

12. Johnston Cr. T.S. 

13. Shorty Cr. T.S. 

14. Lynx Roundwood Resale 

15. Cabin Cr. Resale 

16. Tillinghast T.S. 

17 Coyote Cr. T S. 

18. Moose Park T.S. 

19. Little Moose T.S. 

23. DAV S.U. Waterline 

1995 NO See #6. 

1995 No 75% Complete. 

1995 NO Logging complete, Some rehab work to 

be completed in 1995. 

1995 NO Completed, Closed 1/95. 

1995 NO 25% Complete. 

1995 NO 66% Complete. 

1995 NO Logging complete, Sale Closed. Slash 

disposal and rd closure after firewood 

removal. 

1997 NO 60% Complete. 

1996 NO 50% Complete. 

1996 NO 60% Complete. 

9/92 NO At this time it is not known if any of the rehab requirements 

were accomplished. 

F-3 Water Quality in Municipal Watersheds 

Water quality effects of activities in rnunicipal watersheds 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 1 RTfJbNG 1 INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION ri 

Annually - all Adverse water quality affects or violates 

projects water quality standards 

. .. 

56 
Water and Soil 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

Activities which take place in municipal watersheds 

are monitored through water quality predictions, administrative reviews, and water quality sampling. 

The purpose of these monitoring efforts is to assure 

that reasonable land, soil, and water conservation 

practices were prescribed, the Best Management 

Practices (BMPs) were implemented and effective, 

and that no water quality impacts were incurred as 

a result of these activities. 

,. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

Activities in riparian areas, flood plains, and 

wetlands 

O'Brien Creek and Willow Creek are the two municipal drainages within the Forest. O'Brien Creek supplies drinking water to the town of Neihart. Portions 

Annually - 50% of 

all projects view 

Unacceptable results of an ID Team reof several small timber sales were sold within the 

boundaries of the O'Brien Creek watershed in 1992. 

These sales included Shorty Creek, Pickett, Lonesome, Graveyard, and Wolverine Firewood Sale. 

These are located high on the slopes and are not 

anticipated to have detrimental impacts to municipal water resources. Please refer to Table F-2a for 

more information on the monitoring reviews. 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Because of concern over impacts from timber harvest activities within the O'Brien Creek Watershed, 

a water quality monitoring station was established in 

O'Brien Creek above the municipal water reservoir 

in the spring of 1992. Analysis of the data collected 

from this station is currently in the preliminary stages. 

REPORTING VARlABlLllY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Effects of other activities on watershed conditions 

Annually - 20% of Unacceptable management practices 

all projects or land productivity i .-, 

METHODS 

Activities in riparian areas, flood plains, and wetlands are monitored through administrative reviews. 

The purpose of these reviews is to verify that the 

contract and Best Management Practices are implemented as prescribed, and that BMPs are effective. 

' FINDING 

Please refer to Monitoring Item F-2, Revegetation, 

for further information on projects that have the potential to impact riparian areas, floodplains or wetlands. 

F-5 Other Effects 

METHODS 

Projects which are not located in a riparian zone or 

municipal watershed, or do not require revegetation, but still have potential to impact soil and water 

resources, are monitored through administrafie reviews. The purpose of these reviews is to verify that 

the contract and BMPs are being implemented as 

specified, and that BMPs are effective. 

57 
Water and Soil 

Five Years 

FINDINGS 

Less than 50% by 1990; less than 100% 

by 1995 

No projects were identified under this monitoring 

item for FY 1994. 

Mt. Baldy Rehab. I 

F-6 Water & Soil Backlog 

14 Acres 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

N Fk Teton Rd Rehab 

Elimination of soil and water restoration r backlog 

6 Acres 

I 1 

Judith District 

N Fk Highwood Ck. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

36 Acres Fenced Riparian Area. 

Fenced Riparian Area. 

Closed jeep trail. 

4 

Closed old jeep trails, seeded. 

installed Waterbars, Reseeded. 

METHODS 

Progress in reducing the soil and.water restoration 

backlog is monitored by tracking the number of 

acres restored by each District at the end of each 

fiscal year. 

FINDINGS 

Table F-6a delineates the restoration projects that 

were accomplished on each District during FY 1994. 

Total acreage restored totals 129 acres for FY 1994 

and 536 acres over the past 9 years. This accomplishment represents over 100% of the total 373 

acres requiring restoration identified in the Forest 

Plan. This level of accomplishment indicates that 

the Forest Plan goal of 100% accomplishment by 

1995 has been met. 

e-, 

Table F-6a RESTORATION PROJECTS ACCOMPLISHED IN FY94 

S Fk LtI 8elt Ck 

Shonkin Cr. Jeep Trail. 

~ ~~ ~~ ~ 

Project Title -1 # of Acres I 

2 Acres 

2 Acres 

I I Rocky Mtn District 

Suicide Flats Jeep 

trail. 

3 Acres 

t I I Circle Park Jeep Trait I 2 Acres 

~ - ~~ 

Comments 

. 

I Drainage dips installed; road and well site contoured,seeded, and fettilized. 

Recontoured drillpad and planted shrubs on site. 

Drainage dips installed; road surface seeded and fertilized; physical barrier 

installed. 
Water and Soil 

Project Title # of Acres Comments 

Big Hill Jeep Trail 2 Acres Installed Waterbars, reseeded 

Yogo Creek Ford 2 Acres Closed old jeep trail 

Thain Cr. Jeep Trail. Closed old jeep trail. 

S Fk Judith Jeep Trail. 

2 Acres 

2 Ayes 

\ 

Closed old jeep trail, installed waterbars, 

seed e d . Musselshell Dlstrict 

Crazy Mtn. Rehab. 25 Acres Water barring, Road closures, Ripping &seeding and stream bank stabilization of logging roads acquired thru Galt Land Purchase. 

Ecosystem Restoration NFSl funding. 

Contract awarded late FY94 and work held over to FY95 to accomplish. 

Rehab & closure of trespass ATV and 4x4 routes thru water barring, brushing in, closure, grass seeding & drainage restoration. 

Ecosystem Restoration NFSl funding; accomplished FY94. 

7 acres actual accomplishment (3 acre extra). 

Contract awarded & completed FY94 mechanical water bar rehab & drainage restoration of unmaintained logging roads and 2-tracks. 

Roads included Lucky Boy rds/Pasture Gulch. 

Funding combination regular program NFSl and Ecosystem Management 

Fisheries. 

S Little Belts Rehab 6 Acres 

Basin Cr. Rehab 7 Acres 

~~ ~~~ 

Kings Hill District 

Onion Park Road Rehab. 8 Acres Reconstruct existing road crossing Onion Park providing better road drainage & stabilization. 

Deadman Rehab 10 Acres Remove washed out and existing culverts, 

contour drainage banks and seed, permanently 

close road. 

Table F-6b SOIL & WATER RESTORATION ACCOMPLISHMENTS (acres) 

Description I I I 

Soil/Water Restoration 21 26 I I I 

c 

59 
Water and Soil 

OUTPUT' MANAGEMENT 

SCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

F-7 Water & Stream Quality 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

Water and stream quality as affecting' 

fish habitat and other uses: validation 

of estimations of sediment 

% 

Annually Not meeting State or Federal water quality standards or significant (90% confidence) deterioration, by best available indexes 

METHODS 

Water qualRy as affecting fish habitat and other uses is to be monitored through water quality Sampling of representative streams and intra-gravel 

sediment. This monitoring allows identification of 

deterioration in water quality, assurance of effectiveness of BMPs, as well as validation of estimates on 

sediment and water yield. 

FINDINGS 

Water Quallty Sampling 

Table F-7a lists the stations that were monitored 

during FY 1994, the period of record, and the variables sampled. 

The upper and lower monitoring stations on the 

South Fork of the Two Medicine River and Hall 

Creek were not operated this field season for a variety of reasons, including litigation and higher priorities on other areas of the Forest. These stations 

were established to acquire pre-project data in anticipation of Findchevron Oil Exploration activities. 

These activities have been suspended by the Secretary of the Interior. Until such time as suspension 

has been lifted these stations will remain inactive. 

An automatic sediment sampler and recorder were 

established in the spring of 1992 in the O'Brien 

Creek drainage above the municipal water reservoir 

in order to assess impacts from harvest activities 

watershed. No harvest activity took place in 1992, 

providing an opportunity for collecting initial baseline data. Harvest activity did begin during the 1993 

field season and is ongoing. Water quality data was 

collected during the runoff season of 1994, but due 

to equipment malfunction, data sample collection 

was not continuous. We are currently in the preliminary stages of data analysis. 

The Whitetail Creek and South Fork Judith River 

Stations were both established in 1992 in conjunction with timber activities. The activities and data 

collection is ongoing. The data will be analyzed in 

the future as more data is collected. 

Table F-7a WATER QUALITY MONITORING FY 1994 

South Fork Judith River 

O'Brien Creek 

Whitetail Creek 

I Yrs of Variables Sampled I Station 1 Inyzd 1 Record I 

1992 3 Sediment and Discharge. Station active, data needs analysis. 

1992 3 Sediment and Discharge. Station active, data needs analysis. 

1992 3 Sediment and Discharge. Station active, data needs analysis. . .., 

Comments 

60 
Water and Soil 

F-8 Stream Cover 8r Pools 

METHODS/FINDINGS/RECOMMENDATlONS 

Relevant monitoring activities for this item are included in the discussions of fish habitat in section C-11 

Aquatic Habitat. 

F-9 Public Health 

Public Health - Water Systems 

METHODS 

During FY 1994, 38 Forest systems and 7 Special 

Use systems were opened for use. All of the Forest 

Service systems and 2 of the special use systems 

were tested and operated in accordance with State 

and Federal Safe Drinking Water Acts. For the remaining systems, required bacteriogical tests were 

occasionally not accomplished. 

FINDINGS 

Analysis indicated that most of the Special Use sites 

failed to meet the established testing requirements. 

The matter will be discussed with Forest managers 

and Special Use permittees in an effort to redeem 

this management and public safety responsibility. 

Failure to conduct the testing as prescribed by Federal and State regulations could result in serious 

illnesses and/or closure of the systems. 

- 

61 
Minerals 

Effect of Mining Activity 

MINERALS .. 

Annually - 100% of active 

operations on a monthly 

basis operating plan 

Adverse effect of Forest Service project on mineral 

activities or revision or departure from approved 

The FY 1994 target for minerals management was 

31 cases. A total of 38 cases were accomplished. 

Cases include Notices of Intent and Plans of Operations processed for hard-rock mineral ac2ivity and 

administration of those Notices and Pia&; sales of 

mineral materials; geophysical prospecting permits 

processed and administered; inventory, evaluation 

and reporting on geologic or mineral resources for 

The Forest Plan outlines monitoring requirements 

for minerals management. It addresses minerals related items to be monitored, the frequency at which 

such monitoring should occur, and the type of variance which would initiate further evaluation. Deviations from Forest Plan goals and standards may 

result in either referring problems to the appropriate 

line officer for improvement of management practice application; modifying a management practice 

as an amendment to the Plan; revising the schedule 

of outputs, or the costhnit of outputs; or initiating 

revision of the Plan. 

Program Planning, land withdrawah exchanges, 

and acquisitions; as well as technical evaluations 

and on-the-ground administration of mineral material (i.e. sand and gravel or stone) permits and plans. 

For Minerals, five items have been identified for 

monitoring. These and the results of monitoring for 

FY 1994 (October 1, 1993 - September 30, 1994) are 

provided below: 

G-1 Effect of Mining Activities 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIP- VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION * REPORTING PERIOD TION, EFFECTS TO 

BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

This item includes monitoring effects of minerals 

activities resulting from the approval of Notices of 

Intent or Operating Plans for mineral activities that 

were conducted during FY 1994. It also includes 

monitoring the effects other Forest Serviceapproved projects may have on mineral ope-rations. 

According to the Forest plan monitoring requirements, 100% of all active operations are to 

monitored on a monthly basis for either adverse 

effects of Forest Service projects on mineral activities or revisions or departures from an approved 

operating plan. 

FINDINGS 

No Forest Service projects were determined to have 

an adverse effect on mineral operations. Mineral 

reports were completed in FY 1994 for three proposed Research Natural Areas: O'Brien Creek and 

Onion Park on the Kings Hill District, and Bartleson 

Peak on the Musselshell District. The Lewis and 

Clark Forest Plan requires that areassonsidered for 

Research Natural Areas (RNA) should not contain 

known valuable mineral deposits. A mineral investigation is conducted to determine whether establishing a RNA would conflict with mineral resources and 

if withdrawal of the area from entry under the mining 

laws is appropriate. 

Investigation conducted for the proposed RNAs re'- 

vealed a low potential for locatable mineral values 

and that there were no mining claims nor historic 

mineral interest in the candidate areas. Recommendations were made for withdrawal of those areas 

from mineral entry should the candidate areas be 

approved for establishment as RNAs. 

' 

62 
Minerals 

Prior to initiating ground disturbing activities, a mining proponent is required to submit a Notice of Intent, or in some cases, a Plan of Operation (POO). 

These instruments specify the nature of the 

proposed activities, the location and timing of any 

surface disturbing activities, and any necessary reclamation measures. During FY 1994, three new 

Plans of Operation were reviewed for mheral activities. Environmental analyses were cbnducted for 

each proposal. All proposals were analyzed for 

compliance and consistency with Forest Plan goals, 

objectives, and management standards. Modifications or additions were made, if necessary, to ensure compliance with Forest Plan standards and to 

mitigate issues and concerns. In addition, some activities took place under Plans of Operation that 

were approved in a previous year during which the 

proposal was not completed. 

A Plan of Operations was submitted for 6 exploratory drillholes in the Hensley Creek area in the Castle 

Mountains, Musselshell District. This was a slight 

revision and continuation of drilling operations approved in 1993, not all of which were completed at 

that time. All drillsites are located adjacent to existing roads. Two sites were drilled in 1994, prior to 

being shut down by mid-October snowstorms. 

A Pian of Operations was submitted for mineral exploration, including the construction of 5 trenches in 

a one-acre area in the Yogo Creek area on the 

Judith District. The trenching was conducted and 

completed in October. No new road construction 

was required. 

A Plan of Operations was submitted for small-scale 

placer exploration. in the Meadow Creek are of the 

Kings Hill District. Operations included handdigging and the use of washing with a sluice box 

and rocker. No new road construction was proposed. 

Table G-1 a - FY94 Project List for Mining Activities 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn District D-1 

No Mining Activities 

Judith District D-4 

1. Vortex Mining-Yogo Cr. 

2. Gamble claims-Placer Creek 

3. Bliss claims-Snow Cr. 

4. Davis claims-Yogo Cr. 

5. Vortex Mining-Ogg Placer 

6. Woodward claims 

7. Canoy claims 

8. Whitaker claims 

9. Kunisaki Mine 

Status 

Active under approved PO05 

Approved PO0 

Approved PO0 

Active under approved PO0 

Approved PO0 in FY94 

App7oved PO0 

Approved PO0 

Mining on patented lands; 

operator refuses to submit 

NO1 or PO0 on Federal lands 

Mining on patented lands; 

road use permit for use of 

Forest Service development 

road 

Comments 

Underground operations reviewed monthly 

during summer operations. Development work 

in compliance with POO. 

Visited once-minimal activity in FY 94 

Visited once-minimal activity in PI 94 

Used front end leader to move ore; in compliance 

with POO. Reviewed monthly during summer 

operations. 

Surface trenching conducted in-October 1994; 

operations were reviewed once and determined 

in compliance with approved POO. 

Hand pick 8 shovel work 

Hand pick 8 shovel work 

Hand pick & shovel work on unpatented claims 

No use of road in -94 

63 
Minerals 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REP ORTl N G 

EFFECTS TO BE PERIOD 

MEASURED 

8. Table G-la - FY94 Project List for Mining Activities (continued) 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

Project Title 

Effect of Prospecting 

~~ 

Musselshell District 0-6 

1. D&B claim 

2. Carl Berg 

Annually - 100 % of Adverse effect upon surface resources or departure 

active operations on from conditions of the approved permit - 

a biweekly basis 

3. Frank Frankovich 

Kings Hlil District D-7 

1. Corninco drilling 

2. Kennecott drilling 

3. Konesky 

Q PO0 = Plan of Operation 

Status 

No request submitted in 1994 

PO0 approved in 1993 

,Agproved PO0 

PO0 approved in 1992 

PO0 approved in 1993 

Approved PO0 

Comments 

Approval given to re-open existing caved adit; 

no actual work occurred in 1993/94. 

1994 request to drill 6 exploratory drillholes 

previously approved in 1993. Two sites actually 

drilled; inspection determined drilling in cornpliance with POO. 

Not all drilling approved in 1992 was conducted. 

No activity took place in 1993 or 1994. 

No activity in 1994. 

Small-scale hand placer operations. No inspections made. 

Inspections were made on 6 of 10 active mineral 

operations. All of these were found to be in compliance with approved plans of operations or notices 

ally entailed minimal hand-work and have not always been active year-to-year. Inspections should 

be made of these 

erations. 

to that 

of intent. The other four active operations have usu- tions are in compliance with approved plans Of OPG-2 Geophysical Prospecting 

I I 

I I 

* This monitoring item includes effects from the issuance of prospecting permits (geophysical exploration). There were no geophysical prospecting permits requested or issued for oil and gas exploration 

during FY 1994. 

i ., 

#- 

64 
-. 

Effect of Drilling 

Minerals 

Annually - 100% of active 

operations on a weekly basis 

G-3 Drilling Effects 

OUTPUT, MANAGE- I 

MEASURED ., I 

FINDINGS 

This monitoring item focuses primarily on oil and 

gas drilling proposals. 

The Final EIS on two exploratory drilling proposals 

(by Chevron USA and Fina Oil and Chemical Company) on the Rocky Mountain District was completed in December, 1990. Following a public review 

period, a Record of Decision was jointly signed by 

the Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor and the Bureau of Land Management, Great Falls Resource 

Area Manager approving, with conditions, Fina's 

Application for Permit to Drill (APD). 

Fifty-three appeals were received on the decision to 

approve Fina's APD. The Regional Forester upheld 

the decision to allow drilling on Fina's lease. Appeals filed with the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) prompted them to vacate their decision to 

allow the drilling until a review of effects. of drilling 

was conducted. This review was completed and a 

Record of Decision (ROD) approving the APD was 

issued January 14, 1993 by the BLM. The ROD received concurrence by the Assistant Secretary of 

Interior. - 

A complaint was filed in U.S. District Court - Great 

Falls Division by a coalition of interest groups; in 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

Adverse effect upon surface resources or departure from conditions of the approved permit 

addition, the Secretary of Interior issued a one-year 

stay on all developmental activities, effective July 1, 

1993. This stay has been extended until July 1, 

1995. The Forest Service requested that the lawsuit 

be vacated as a result of the Secretary's decision. 

The District Court Judge denied the motion to dismiss but stayed proceedings on the case until May 

1,1994. This stay has also been extended until May 

1, 1995. 

A separate decision on Chevron's application will 

not be issued until evaluations and consultations 

necessary to fulfill our responsibilities under the 

American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act 

have been completed. An ethnographic study has 

been completed which evaluated traditional cultural 

uses of the Badger-Two Medicine area by Native 

Americans. As a result of that study, the Forest is 

evaluating the boundaries of a possible traditional 

cultural district in the Badger-Two Medicine. The 

next step in completing the Section 106 process will 

be to determine possible effects of the drilling proposal on the district. 

No other drilling proposals were received by the 

Forest in 1994. 

65 
Minerals 

G-4 Rehabilitation 

.. 

' OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO REPORTING PERIOD WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

BE MEASURED EVALUATION 

Rehabilitation of Disturbed Areas Annually - 100% of activity on a 

weekly basis during rehabilitation. A 

fidal inspections will be made within 

5 years after rehabilitation has been 

completed 

Rehabilitation less than 90% 

of disturbed areas 

posed activity. These bond amounts were collected 

prior to allowing any activity to take place, and retained until final reclamation standards are met. 

Mineral operations inspected for rehabilitation are 

listed in the table below. 

Requirements for reclamation were established for 

each mining proposal and made part of the approved operating plan. Reclamation bonds were established for proposal, based on the costs which 

would be incurred to rehabilitate the area of proTable G-4a- FY94 Project List for Rehabilitation of Disturbed Areas 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn District D-1 

1. Kiyo drillpads .I .. 

Judith District 0-4 

1. Vortex Mine 

Musselshell District D-6 

1. Frank Frankovich 

2. Frankovich 1994 Hensley project 

3. Rio Algom 

Kings Hill District D-7 

1. Kennecott Core Drilling 

2. Konesky placer operations 

Year 

Completed 

In progress 

10194 

1993 

1994 

- 

1993 

1993 

1994 

Dates 

Reviewed 

Sept, 1994 

10194 

6/94 

10194 

8/94 

6/94 

. Comments 

Removal of debris, recontour, seeding and shrub 

planting at old drillpad locations in fall of 1994. 

Additional seeding and rehab work to take place 

in FY95, with inspection to monitor progress. 

Initial replacement of topsoil was completed 

following trenching. Seeding was not yet in 

place. Review in 1995 required. 

Four drillsites from 1993 operations determined 

to be restored and holes sealed according to 

plan, including follow-up requirements on mud 

pit at Site 3. Case closed. 

Site 5 8 9 drilled in 1994. Inspection determined 

site 9 rehab complete; site 5 rehab to be 

completed in 1995. 

Inspection determined all rehab very successful; 

project closed out and entire bond released 

back to operator. 

Road constructed for prior year's operations 

required inspection. Inspection in 1994 showed 

road was reclaimed according to approved plan. 

Follow-up inspection to be done in 1995. 

Reclamation specified in PO0 includes handbackfilling of small test pits. Site not inspected 

in 1994. 

66 
Minerals 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO B'E MEASURED 

Final reclamation inspections and close-outs were 

completed on three of the seven projects requiring 

reclamation. On those projects, rehabilitation of at 

least 90% of the disturbed area was accomplished. 

Other small-scale active operations listed in Table 

G-1 are on-going; reclamation may not yet have 

been completed. Rehabilitation performed for other 

operations conducted this year was deermined to 

be in compliance with approved operating plans; a 

determination of reclamation success will need to 

be evaluated in following years. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

G-5 Mineral Availability 

Annually - 100% 

sample 

Denial of more than 10% of proposed 

projects 

Mineral Availability 

METHODS 

This item addresses the effect of renewable resource prescriptions and management direction on 

mineral resources and activities, including exploration and development. Denials of more than 10% of 

proposed mineral activities are to be reported. 

FINDINGS 

Statutory rights conferred with the General Mining 

Laws provide for access to mining claims for exploration and development. In some cases, proposals 

were modified to provide for better protection of 

Forest surface resources. All mineral proposals 

(some with operator-approved modificatioqs) complied with established Forest Plan standards and 

guidelines; therefore, none were denied. 

During FY 1994, work continued on a Forest-wide oil 

and gas leasing analysis which will evaluate the 

impacts of leasing and post-leasing activities. Decisions to be made following the analysis include determining those lands available for oil and gas leasing, and of those available lands, which specific 

lands should be offered for lease (by the Bureau of 

Land Management) and under what conditions (in 

the form of stipulations to be put on a particular 

lease). In FY 1994, public scoping and public open 

houses were conducted to solicit input to the proposal and identify issues to be addressed in the 

analysis. Draft alternatives were developed and 

were being reviewed. A draft Environmental Impact 

Statement is anticipated to be released in the spring 

of 1995. No new leases will be issued until completion of this analysis, anticipated in eary 1996. 

A Free-Use Mineral Material request was received 

and processed on the Musselshell District for 100 

yards of shale material, for use in road surfacing on 

private in-holding and on access road to authorized 

summer home special-use permit site. 

4 

67 
Lands 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ‘ PERIOD 

LANDS 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER NALUATION 

J-1 Compliance With Use Permits 

Compliance with use permits Annually Unacceptable results or deviation from 

permits 

METHODS 

’ The computerized Forest Land Use Report (FLUR) 

is used to prepare billin.gs and gather information 

about the Forest’s special use permits. Inspections 

of the recreation residences, ski areas, outfiier 

camps, special events, and resorts are conducted 

to ensure compliance. 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Supervisor has delegated authority for 

issuance and administration of special use permits 

to the District Rangers to the extent allowed in the 

Forest Service Manual. 

The condition of facilities authorized through special use permits is generally satisfactory. Annually, 

the Rocky Mountain District inspects 25% of its rec- 

# - 

1 

1 

168 

5 

1 

54 

2 

1 

3 

30 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

reation residences. .Ski area permits are regularly 

inspected before and during the ski season. For 

other special use permits, on-the-ground inspections are done primarily for health and safety issues 

and whenever specific problems arise. 

Special use permits are generally current and in 

conformance with federal policy. The automated 

Forest Land Use Report (FLUR) program is maintained and updated by the districts with instruction 

and assistance from the Resource Section. Most of 

the bills are prepared in the Supervisor’s Office using the FLUR program, then electronically mailed to 

the districts for review and issuance. 

The Lewis and Clark National Forest administers the 

following special use permits: 

Table J-la SPECIAL USE PERMITS 

Typo of Permit 

Organization Camp 

Isolated cabin 

Recreation Residences 

Resorts 

Target Range 

Odier Guides 

Ski Areas 

Ski Activity 

Cultivation 

Livestock Area (Pastures) 

Corrals 

Sign 

Solid Waste Disposal Sie 

Research Study 

Weather Stations 

Military Training Areas 

68 
Lands 

Table J-1 a SPECIAL USE PERMITS (continued) 

- 

# 

5 

1 

1 

1 

3 

3 

1 

4 

2 

16 

3 

1 

2 

17 

1 

1 

~4 

2 

14 

16 

- 

Type of Permit 

Cultural Resources 

Construction Camp/Residence 

Mineral Material Sales 

Oil and Gas Pipeline 

REA Powerlines 

Powerlines 

Railroad Ri(ght-of-Way 

Department of Transportation 

Highway Easements 

Road Easement 

Road Permits 

Amateur Radio 

Common Carrier Microwave Relay 

Industrial Microwave 

Mobile Radio 

Broadcast Translator 

Resource Monitoring Site 

Commercial Communications 

Telephone Lines 

Irrigation Ditches 

Water Transmission Lines 

The Forest administers five Master Permits (one permit issued to one holder authorizing similar uses 

forest-wide) for telephone and powerlines. Permit 

holders are Fergus Electric, Sun River Electric, US 

West, 3-Rivers Telephone and Montana Power 

Company. The Forest also has a master permit to 

the Soil Conservation Service for their 29 snow survey sites Forest-wide. 

During this fiscal year the following new permits 

were issued (or reissued): 

27 outfitter guide permits of which: 

16 for hunting/fishing 

9 for river rafting 

2 for hikingkamping on Forest land 

14 recreation residences 

1 livestock use area c 

1 ski activity 

3 cultural resource 

2 REA powerlines 

1 FLPMA easement 

3 FLPMA permits 

7 

2 telephone lines 

4 irrigation ditch 

2 water pipelines 

mobile radio - internal communications 

The Forest has prepared a 2-year permit for Rocky 

Mountain Hi ski area to allow time for preparation of 

a Master Plan and review of the Plan before considering a longer term permit. The permit is currently 

being reviewed by the Regional Office. 

The Musselshell District has prepared an agricultural easement pursuant to the Act of October 27, 

1986, which amended FLPMA to allow free permanent easements for some water conveyance 

systems used for irrigation or livestock watering. 

This permit is also being reviewed by the Regional 

Off ice. 

This year the final decision concerning appeals of 

recreation residence policy was implemented. 

Three permits in Arsenic Creek of the Rocky Mountain District earlier were scheduled for removal; 

however, these permits were extended until the final 

decision was reached. The permits are now terminating and improvements will be removed after cuitural resource concerns are addressed. i .\ 

69 
Lands 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Regional Off ice auditors reviewed outfittedguide 

permits on the Forest and have concerns about 

issuance and administration of the permits. This 

region-wide concern is being addressed. A regional 

task force has drafted a permit for use in Region 

One, and plans are to have training sessions on the 

Forests when the new permit is completed. Interforest permits in the Bob Marshall Wilderness-Complex 

are terminating and will be extended until spring of 

1996. At that time new permits will be issued using 

the new Region One permit. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Triangle Telephone Co-op, Inc. and 3 Rivers Telephone Co-op, Inc. (purchasers of these lines) and 

for the remaining US West telephone line. 

Right-of-way Easements Accomplishment 

AT&T was granted a permit across four forests for a 

fiber-optic line from Thompson Falls, Montana to 

Cardston, Alberta. On the Lewis and Clark the line 

is along US. Highway 2 on the Rocky Mountain 

District. Installation is almost complete, and the permit was amended to allow AT&T until June 30,1995, 

Annually - 100% Less than 75% accomplishment of 

Sample 5-Year Program 

J-2 Right-of-way Easements 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Plan does not specify a level of accomplishment for the acquisition of rights-of-way easements. However, the Monitoring Section does refer 

to the Forest’s 5-year program. The program for FY 

1994 contained four road easements and two trail 

easements. Two of the road easements were to 

The three road ROW’S were acquired in Highwood 

Baldy area of the Highwood Mountains. 

A trail ROW acquisition was planned for the North 

Fork of Birch Creek near Swift Reservoir on the 

Rocky Mountain Front. Although negotiations were 

initiated with the Blackfeet Tribe, a busy fire Season 

interrupted the process in FY 1994. We Will reSUme 

*perfect‘ title of existing easements. Neither of these 

were acquired. However, three road ROW’S were 

acquired. this effort this year. 

L 

70 
Lands 

Table J-2a EASEMENT ACQUISITIONS 

1987 88 89 

FsEation Easement ~ T r-i 

Road R-0-W Program 4 7 4 _I 

I3 1.1 12 

1 ;oad R-0-W Acquisition 

Trail R-0-W Program 1 1 0 

Trail R-0-W Acquisition 1 0 1 

0 12 3 2 

0 00 11 0 

J-3 Land Ownership Adjustment 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Plan does not specify a rate of accomplishment for this item except in the Monitoring Section where a reference is made to the Forest's 

5-year Program. However, the Forest does not have 

an established Land Exchange Program but rather 

relies on opportunities that are forwarded by proponents. Other opportunities to acquire tracts which 

are desirable for National Forest System ownership 

are pursued as they develop. 

The Forest Plan specifically states that "----it is not 

the intent of the Forest Service to pursue this direction (land exchange) except on a willing grantor 

basis." For this reason, it would be very difficult to 

'lock-inn on targets for accomplishments. The Forest 

had no annual target with the Region in FY 1994. No 

exchange was attempted or accomplished in FY 

1994. However, the Forest did complete a Small 

Tracts case in the town of Neiheart disposing of 0.2 

acres of a mineral remnant. 

Table J-3a LAND EXCHANGE (Acres) 

Lands Disposed 

\ 

' - Corrects an omission in previous Monitoring and Evaluation Reports - Cady Land Exchange in the Little Betl Mountains 

rr 

71 
Lands 

Description Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

r I 

Landline Loca- 26 14 18' 25 21 23 24 17 21 

tion 

J-4 Landline Location 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Plan target for landline location is 26 

mileslyear. In FY 1994 the Forest was funded for 21 

miles and accomplished 21 miles, about 81% of the 

Forest Plan target. For the first seven years of the 

Forest Plan's first decade, the Forest accomplished 

an average of 79% of its annual target. 

The Forest has a total of 1636 miles of property 

boundary. Of this, 326 miles have been posted to 

standard leaving 1310 miles not posted. If 26 miles 

per year were to be achieved until the entire boundary was posted, it would take 50 years to complete 

the job. In the interim many miles would need maintenance. 

The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resource 

Planning Act of 1974 (RPA) set the year 201 0 as a 

goal for completing the posting of all National Forest 

boundaries. For this to be achieved on the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest an annual average of 

about 70 miles of accomplishment would be needed in the period 1995 - 201 0. . 

Consequences of failing to achieve Property 

Boundary targets create trespass problems for the 

recreating public and the abutting landowners. In 

addition, management decisions may at times be 

compromised for lack of a posted National Forest 

boundary. Also, by deferring the property boundary 

job, valuable physical evidence attesting to the original corner location is being obliterated or lost to the 

forces of man and nature. 

72 
Facilities 

\ 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

FACI LIT1 ES 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

L-I Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction 

~~~ 

Road and Trail Construction; local roads; 

trails; arterial/collector roads 

Annually - 100% 

Sample reconstruction accomplished 

+/- 20% of programmed construction/ 

FINDINGS - Roads 

The Forest Plan (Table 2.1) indicates that the Forest 

would accomplish 3.6 mites of arterial road and 13.0 

miles of local road in the first decade. This was a 

typographical error. These figures were intended to 

be annual, rather than decade accomplishment. An 

additional error was also introduced in that the programmed miles were only those miles in support of 

the Timber Management Program. 

The Forest Plan budget and projected targets were 

amended in November, 1987, to include all miles, 

both construction and reconstruction in support of 

all resources. The amended numbers are 20.0 miles 

for Capital Investment Program and 13 miles for the 

Timber Management Program. 

In FY 1994 the Forest constructed 0.5 miles and 

reconstructed 7.5 miles for a total of 8.0 miles under 

the Capital Investment Program. Under the Purchaser Credit Program l .O miles were constructed 

and 6.6 miles were reconstructed for a total of 15.6 

miles of construction and reconstruction under all 

programs. - 

When considering the total miles constructed and 

reconstructed in both programs durlng FY 1994, the 

output was 47% of that projected by the updated 

Plan. This is outside of the variability tolerance. 

When considering the average accomplishment for 

the eight year period (87 - 94) the Forest accomplishment in the Capital Investment Program is 

57.7%; the accomplishment for the Purchaser Credit Program is 90% and the combined programs accomplishment is 70%. The reason for the under accomplishment in the Timber Purchaser Program is 

essentially tied to sales that fell behind schedule 

due to litigation. These sales will be backlogged into 

the FY 1995 program. 

Shortfalls in the Capital Investment Program are the 

result of Regional prioritization and reduced road 

construction budgets at the National level. Consequences of not meeting Forest Plan targets in this 

program primarily result in our inability to improve 

inadequate roads through relocation Dr reconstruction. Inadequacies include segments of roads that 

are difficult to maintain, road segments that contribute to water quality problems, and roads that provide a service level inconsistent with planned or 

existing use. 

. .. Table L-1 a MILES OF ROAD CONSTRUCTED/RECONSTRUCTE.D 

73 
Facllltles 

struction 

Timber Purchaser Reconstruction 

Table L-1 a MILES OF ROAD CONSTRUCTEDIRECONSTRUCTED (continued) 

9.0 0 4.2 4.3 0 8.3 22.6 1.3 6.6 

Rocky Mountain District 

S.Fk.Sun 

Bear Creek 

N.Fk.Birch 

Windfall Cr. 

S.Fk.Trail Turnpike 

FINDINGS - Trails 

2.5 miles 

2.0 miles 

0.3 miles 

1.5 miles 

0.4 miles 

The Forest Plan, as amended, projects an average 

of 14.0 miles of trail construction and reconstruction 

annually. In FY 1995, 13.1 miles of reconstruction 

work occurred using appropriated funds. Mileages 

by district, and projects accomplished, are: 

Table L-1 b TRAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FY 1994 

Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 

- 

14.0 8.5 13.3 12.8 14.1 12.0 19.5 9.5 

Description I Miles I 

1994 1995 1996 

13.1 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERlOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Annually - 100% 

Sample public 

Miles of Roads Open to Public Use +/- 20% of target miles to be opea to 

Judith District 

Morris Creek 

Center RidgelHidden 

Highwood Interp. 

Other 

.', 

2.0 miles 

2.4 miles 

1.6 miles 

0.4 miles 

L-2 Miles of Open Roads 

74 
Facilities 

FINDINGS 

The Foiest has 1753 miles of system road. The total 

mileage has been declining as a result of road obliterations and a continuing review of the road inventory. The Forest Travel Pian resulted in the following 

summation of road restrictions and closures: 

,. 

1. Total miles of roads open, with pcclosures 

or restrictions. 1305 

2. Total miles of roads under a current travel 

plan order. 447 

a. Miles of road with some motorized use 

restrictions (Le., closed to motorized use, 

administrative use only, etc.) 

1. Yearlong 129 

2. Seasonal .59 

b. Miles of road with all motorized use 

restricted (including administrative 

use). 

1. Yearlong 25 

2. Seasonal 210 

c. Miles of road closed to all traffic, including foot traffic. 

1. Yearlong 3 

2. Seasonal 21.0 

75 
Protection 

- 

Forest Pian 1987 1988 1989 1 990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

I 

70 90 + 80 90 67 64 89 70 04 

PROTECT10 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

P-I High Risk Stands 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED , -r PERIOD 

Acres and volume of insect and disease 

infestations 

Assure harvest emphasizes the removal of 

high risk stands for mountain pine beetle 

attack and that timber sales are located to 

break-up continuous natural fuel accumulations 

5 Years Introduction of new insect or disease or 

spread of an existing insect or disease 

5 Years 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Unacceptable results of an ID Team review, or if less than 70% of timber volume is programmed from high risk 

mountain pine beetle stands 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1994,84% of the sawtimber sold on the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest was lodgepole pine. Reviews of timber sale locations showed the Forest is 

continuing to break up large concentrations of natural fuels. Future planning is also emphasizing reSummary of FY 1987 through FY 1994 removal of 

lodgepole pine stands is as follows: 

' moval of lodgepole pine. 

Over the first eight years of the Forest Plan, lodgesold on the Forest. This is above the 70% level 

envisioned in the Forest Plan. While the conversion 

of high risk lodgepole pine stands to seedlings on 

suitable forest land is at a pace set by the Forest 

old, decadent lodgepole stands to younger, more 

productive stands. 

pole pine has made 78% of the Plan, there remains a high need to convert the very 

I I 

76 
Protection 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

FINDINGS 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Insect and disease surveys conducted during the 

Sumner Of 1994 showed that: 1) Dougias-fir beetle, 

acres of visible Western spruce budworm defoliation was reported on Forest lands (Montana Forest 

Management practices to ensure activities 

do not promote an increase in insect or 

disease organisms 

spruce beetle, Western balsam bark beetle, and Pest Condition and Program Highlights, Report pine engraver beetle declined, and 2) pine engraver 

beetle and mountain pine beetle increased. These 

insects are at endemic levels. Western smuce bud93-2). Other losses includes over 3,500 acres of 

winter damage and 21500 Of root rot. The 

Annually 

worm continued to build on the Forest, bbt they had 

not reached their pre-1989 levels. About 99,000 

Planned Yearly surveys are adequate to fnonitor insect and disease conditions on the Forest. 

Assure prescribed fire meets air quality 

standards 

P-3 Management Practices 

Annually +/- 10% beyond standard guidelines 

I Significant increase, in insect and dis- I 

I 

FINDINGS 

No significant increase in insect and disease organisms has been observed. Post timber sale reviews 

showed that the Forest is meeting regional standards for slash disposal and that trees damaged or 

blown down by wind are being removed in a timely 

fashion. 

P-4 Prescribed Fire & Air Quality 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 1 REPORTING 1 VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS - 

In FY 1994, the Forest burned 1,450 acres for slash 

disposal, natural fuel treatment, wildlife habitat immeet prescribed fire parameters, some of the slash 

disposal was done in the winter outside of the fall 

burning There were no known complaints 

about any prescribed burning project affecting air 

quality. However, several complaints were received 

during the summer from residents along the east 

slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The main Source of 

head National Forest, in the Bob Marshall Wilder- . ... 

ness. Burning conditions and coordination, under a 

State Of hbntana Permit, Play a major role in meeting air quality standards. 

provement, and rangeland improvement- In Order to this smoke were wildfires that burned on the Flat- 

& 

77 
Protection 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION; REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

P-5 Fuel Treatment Outputs 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVAWATION 

Fuel Treatment Outputs 

~ ~ 

Wildfire Acres Burned 100% Sample 

Annually 

FINDINGS 

+/- 25% above projected average annual wildfire burned acres 

In FY 1994, the Forest treated 385 acres of activity 

fuels (slash from timber harvest and road building) 

and 1,215 acres of natural fuels. The Forest Plan 

shows a target of 1,470 acres of activity fuels and 

700 acres of natural fuels per year. Summary of FY 

1987 through FY 1994 activity and natural fuels reduction is as follows: 

Table P-5a ACTIVITY & NATURAL FUEL ACCOMPLISHMENT (acres) 

During the first eight years of the Forest Plan, about 

6,800 acres of activity fuels were treated. This is 

about 620 acres less per year than projected by the 

Plan. The under accomplishment in treating activity 

fuels is related to the timber harvest schedule, and 

the lag between selling a sale and harvesting it (see 

item E-6). One of the most important factors in managing activity fuels is that treatment be timely (allowing in most cases 1-2 years for firewood removal). If 

harvested areas are treated in a timely fashion, 

there is less risk of a catastrophic wildfire. In this 

regard, the Forest is treating activity fuels on a timely basis. Because of the high harvest level on the 

Forest, it is anticipated that during the next two 

years, the acres of activity fuels treated will be near 

the Forest Plan level. 

During this time, the Forest treated about 7,400 

acres of natural fuels. This is about 230 acres above 

the 700 acre yearly level envisioned in the Forest 

Plan. With the change to ecosystem management 

and the need to reintroduce fire into the ecosystem, 

we see the program expanding to 1,500-2,000 acres 

yearly. . 

P-6 Wildfire 

After nearly record precip in 1993, 1994 started off 

with near normal snowpack. However, spring rains 

never developed and by July there was a significant 

shortfall in precipitation which continued into late 

October. The Forest spent nearly two months $der 

some level of fire restrictions. This resulted in one of 

the busiest fire seasons on record. 
Protectlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

In 1994, the Forest had 23 fires which burned 14 

acres. While the Forest was able to hold all of its fires 

with aggressive initial attack and some help from 

Mother Nature (there was no significant wind on 

days we got new fires), our neighbors were not so 

fortunate. Both the BLM, which protects the Snowy 

Mountains, and the Gallatin, which borders the 

Lewis and Clark in the Crazy Mountains, had major 

fires which burned Lewis and Clark National Forest 

lands. The Windy Point Fire in the Big Snowy Mountains burned 4,217 acres (3,184 acres on the Lewis 

and Clark), and the Smith Creek Fire in the Crazies 

burned 1,440 acres (720 acres on the Lewis and 

Clark). The 1 0-year average for the Forest is 35 fires 

and 497 acres. Five of the fires were person caused 

and the others were caused by lightning. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

The Forest dispatched 243 line crews, 39 camp 

crews, 150 overhead, and 40 engines, throughout 

the west. Our two contract helicopters flew over 300 

hours on fires. There were many times when there . 

were no resources to dispatch. This was an all time 

high for crew dispatches. Included in this record 

were 101 line crews from the Blackfeet Reservation. 

Cost of Suppression and Protection Organization 

Summary of 1987 through 1993 total wildfire acres 

burned is as follows: 

5 Years 

Table P-6a WILDFIRE AREA BURNED (acres) 

1987 1988 1989 1 990 1991 1992 1993 10-year 

average 

$590 $379 $6,361 $273 $1,~ $2,648 $484 5520 

P-7 Suppression & Protection Costs 

1994 1995 1996 

... $773 

+/- 5% increase in real costs 

FINDINGS 

79 
Wild & Scenic Rivers 

Project-level effects on eligible rivers quahfications (free-flowing and 'outstandingl) remarkable' resource values) and assigned 

potential classification (wild, scenic, recreational) 

WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

100% Sample Any action that would adversely impact 

Annually or degrade an eligible river's qualification and/or potential classification 

W-1 Effects on Eligible Rivers 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 1 EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 1 ATgt:G 1 INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

No project-level activities occurred along any of the 

nine eligible rivers or river segments which adversely impacted or degraded a river's qualifications and/ 

or potential classification. This determination was 

made by comparing activities that were implemented in or along eligible rivers with Forest Plan goal 

#I 1 and Forest Plan Management Standards W-1 

(wild potential classification), W-2 (scenic potential 

classification), and W-3 (recreational classification). 

The rivers monitored for project-level activities were: 

Smith River, North Badger Creek, North and South 

Forks Sun River, Dearborn River, North Fork Birch 

Creek, Green Fork of Straight Creek, Tenderfoot 

Creek, and Middle Fork Judith River. 

New information gathered since 1991 affects some 

of the nine eligible rivers and could result in the 

addition of other Forest rivers meeting the eligibility 

requirements under &he Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

One activity involved a field inventory of harlequin 

ducks on the Rocky Mountain District (see C-14). 

Existing eligible rivers which may be determined to 

contain an 'outstandingly remarkable' wildlife value 

include the North Fork Sun River, North Badger 

Creek, North Fork Birch Creek, and South Fork Sun 

River. Adding this resource value to existing eligible 

rivers would not change their potential classification 

but recognize another value of the river emphasized 

under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Other rivers 

which contain harlequin ducks and need to be analyzed under the Wild and Scenic River's Act eligibility requirements are: South Fork Two Medicine River, Badger Creek, South Badger Creek, West Fork 

Sun River, Middle Fork Birch Creek, and South Fork 

Birch Creek. 

Additional fisheries surveys and genetic analyses in 

1994 expanded our knowledge of the fisheries values of Forest streams, another important criteria for 

determining eligibility for Wild and Scenic River status. Cutthroat trout were collected from fourteen 

sites across the Forest (see C-14) but the results of 

genetic analysis are not yet available for these samples. However, results from fish samples taken in 

1993 became available in 1994, and the number of 

streams supporting known populations of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout has grown to 

22; additional streams have been found to contain 

slightly hybridized but 'genetically recoverable' 

populations of westslope cutthroat trout (see Table 

C-l4b). Most of the newly-documented cutthroat 

streams are small headwater tributaries. Based on 

current data, the streams with the most substantial 

values for native westslope cutthroat trout fisheries 

appear to be the upper South Fork Two Medicine 

River drainage, North and South Badger creeks, 

South Fork Birch Creek, South Fork Dupuyer Creek, 

North Fork Deep Creek, and upper Judith River 

drainage. 

80 
Wild & Scenic Rivers 

Sampling and genetic testing for the presence of 

shorthead sculpins has been discontinued until 

basic taxonomic questions about the status of this 

species are resolved. The most recent genetic analysis suggested that fish from the Lewis and Clark 

National Forest streams may be part of the mottled 

sculpin complex, which has a wide but non-uniform 

distribution in the Intermountain West. 

The Forest's Wild and Scenic Rivers Intcrdisciplinary team has reconvened to analyze ,the above 

resource data in relationship to the eligibility requirements specified under the Wild and Scenic 

Rivers Act. The analysis necessary was not conducted during FY 1994 and most likely will not be 

performed in FY 1995 either. The analysis, when 

completed, may result in a decision that adds additional 'outstandingly remarkable' resource values to 

existing eligible rivers and/or identifies new eligible 

rivers and their assigned potential classification. 

L 

81 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURE0 I 

E 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Validation of costs and values used in Forest Plan * 

5 Years - 100% 

Annual Sample 

In general, +/- 25%; however, very large 

cost items such as stump-truck costs 

would have a smaller degree of acceptable variability. 

FINDINGS 

As part of the Five-Year Review Process, the timber 

values and costs were reviewed. This review was in 

response to Forest Plan appeals submitted by the 

Montana Wilderness Association and National Wildlife Federation. 

Timber values -The results of the review reveal that 

the average actual stumpage price earned on the 

Forest over the last six years ($104/MBF) was less 

than half that used in the forest planning process 

($233/MBF). In 1992, the average stumpage prices 

for sawtimber on the Lewis and Clark rose 

dramatically--$l75/MBF. In 1993, it dropped 

slightly--$l41/MBF. In 1994 it climbed to $267/MBF. 

During the next two years (1 995-1 996) of the Forest 

Plan, with the declining availability of sawlogs and 

the increasing demand in central Montana, we see 

a continuation of escalating sawlog prices. 

Timber costs are very close to those used in forest 

planning and therefore no further analysis or adjustments need to be made. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Forest recommends deleting this monitoring 

item, since the only available tracking system for 

validating costs/values is designed solely for the 

timber resource. 

1-2 Emerging Issues 

Forest Communications Plan 

FINDINGS 

Public interest in the management of the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest continues to play a major role 

in the implementation of the Forest Plan. In addition 

to new projects and issues, several ongoing 

projects carried into FY 1994. While each District 

was involved with several smaller scale projects requiring public involvement, the key projects necessitating more extensive efforts because of the sensitivity of the issues involved were: Forest-wide 

Analysis for Oil and Gas Releasing, Chevron/Fina 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Exploratory Oil and Gas Wells, Forest-wide Range Inventory and Analysis and as always, the Timber Sale- \, 

Program. 

ChevrodFina EIS: See item G-3. x. 

Lewis and Clark National Forest Oil and Gas Releasing EIS: See item G-5 

82 
General 

Forest-wide Range Inventory and Analysis: 

.. In January, 1991, the concept of "block" or "ecosystem' range inventory and analysis for updating or revising Allotment Management Plans 

was approved by the Lewis and Clark Forest 

leadership team. Allotments were combined into study areas and prioritized for action. 

A team of range conservationists began the 

analysis process in the Castle MountAins during 

the '91 field season. They completed field studies in the north Little Belt Mountains in 1992 and 

then moved to the Sun Canyon area in 1993. 

After data compilation on the Castle Mountains, 

a scoping letter and news releases describing 

preliminary issues went to the public with a 

comment period closing September 8, 1993. 

Open houses were held in Harlowton and White 

Sulphur Springs on August 25 & 26, 1993. 

Throughout the early phases of this study, 

members of the local grazing association attended ID team meetings and participated in 

the alternative development. In October, a field 

trip was held for Congressional staffers, permittees and other special interest groups. 

Some members of the Castle Mountains Livestock Association instituted a Section 8 process 

under the Public Range Improvement Act, 

which has a target group of specialists representing the University of Montana, the State of 

Montana, and Montana Heritage Association reviewing Forest Service information on the proposed action and associated issues. 

The Draft EIS is scheduled to be released this 

spring. 

- 

Timber Sale Program: 

Little Snowies Vegetative Management & Public 

Access - Environmental Impact Statement - A 

Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental 

Impact Statement was published in the Federal 

Register on proposals to implement fire and timber management practices in the Little Snowy 

Mountains on the Musselshell District, and the 

public was asked to comment on the proposals. 

This study was expanded to include public access issues. Nineteen comments were received 

during the comment period. 

The Little Snowies Vegetative Management and 

Public Access Draft Environmental Impact 

Statement (Draft EIS) was released in January, 

1993. The public comment period was advertised and lasted until March 19. Public meetings 

were held in Harlowton, Biliings, Roundup and 

Lewistown. Sixty-five individual letters and two 

petitions were received by the close of the comment period. Public comment and additional research resulted in the discovery of a county 

road on the north side of the Little Snowies that 

can be used for public access. 

The Final EIS was released to the public September 10, 1993. One appeal was filed on the 

project. The decision was .upheld by the Regional Forester. Projects identified in the EIS are 

being implemented. 

Smokv-Corridor Timber Sales - Environmental 

Impact Statement -A Notice of Intent to prepare 

an Environmental Impact Statement was published in the Federal Register on a proposal for 

four larger timber sales and several smaller 

sales in the area known as Smoky-Corridor on 

the Kings Hill District. The public was asked to 

comment on the project proposals by March 20, 

1992. Eight comments were received by the 

closing date of the comment period. 

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Smoky-Corridor Timber Sales was available 

for public review and comment in July, 1993. 

Public meetings were held in White Sulphur 

Springs and Great Falls in mid-August with the 

public comment period closing September 15. 

Seventy-seven comments were received and 

analyzed. 

The Final EIS was released in Jandary, 1994. 

Twenty appeals were received on the final decision, of which, two were dismissed. The Appeals Deciding Officer, reviewed the appeal 

record and affirmed the Forest Supervisor's de- .. ., 

cision. 

On May 12,1994, the Forest Service receive? a 

Notice of Intent to sue from several of the appellants. The complaint was filed July 18, 1994. A 

hearing is scheduled for January 12, 1995. 

83 
General 

Running Wolf Timber Sales - Draft Environmental Impact Statement - A Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 

'R'unning Wolf Timber Sales on the Judith District, Judith Basin County, was published in the 

Federal Register May 5, 1992. The public was 

asked to comment on the project proposals by 

June 4, 1992. Twelve comments were received 

by the closing date of the comment period. 

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement for 

the Running Wolf Timber Sales was available for 

public review and comment in September, 

1994. The DElS described five alternatives for 

management of the project area in the north 

central Little Belt Mountains. In a departure from 

traditional public meetings, a field trip was held 

for the public on October 1, 1994. Approximately 25 individuals attended the tour. The public 

comment period closed November 15. The Final EIS is scheduled to be released this spring. 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center: 

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center was established by Public Law 

100-552 on October 28, 1988. Congress specifically determined that the 'historic significance 

of the travels of Lewis and Clark on. the high 

plains and their portage around the Great Falls 

of the Missouri requires .... recognition and interpretation." 

All environmental analyses were completed and 

decisions were signed by the Regional Director 

of Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and 

Parks and the Forest Supervisor in December, 

1990. 

The Conceptual Design was presented for congressional review in February, 1991. Cqngress 

did not fund the project for Fiscal Years 

1991 -93; but $300,000 in planning funding was 

passed by Congress in the FY94 Budget Bill. 

Along with this funding, an additional $2.7 million was authorized if local matching funds can 

be obtained. 

The community of Great Falls has established a 

nonprofit organization to raise local funding for 

the Interpretive Center. With former Governors 

Ted Schwinden and Tim Babcock as honorary 

co-chairmen of the fund raising effort, the Lewis 

and Clark Interpretive Fund, Inc., has organized 

into a three-prong approach (grants, corporate 

support and special projects) to collect funds. 

Over $1.9 miliion of matching funds have been 

raised. 

Other Issues: 

A. The Forest is in the center of a regional (eastern Montana) issue which revolves around increased public awareness and demand for access to public lands. In 1987, a Goal Statement 

was developed by the staff of the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest to promote public access 

to public lands. "It is the goal of the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest to provide equal access 

opportunities to all National Forest System 

lands except where the impact of public access 

to the unique resources of the area would be 

unacceptable. Where the cost of providing public access is greater than the anticipated public 

benefit, the lands will be scheduled for disposal 

by exchange or other land ownership adjustment process. The number and location of access points and type of access facility will be 

determined through analysis of the expressed 

public demand, environmental impacts, and 

cost of access for each individual situation.' 

Public meetings were held in Lewistown and 

Billings to discuss the appropriate level of public access to and within the Big Snowy Mountains. A total of 85 people attended the two 

meetings. 

B. As a result of the November 23-24, 1990, 

Turkey Fire where private property was destroyed, the Lewis and Clark National Forest 

was involved in litigation. An investigation into 

the cause and origin of the Turkey Fire was 

conducted by fire investigators- of the Forest 

Service, California Department of Forestry and 

Montana State Fire Marshal Bureau. All investigators concurred that the fire originated from 

slash piles which appeared purposely set, by 

person or persons unknown. 

In a bifurcated trial on liability and damages, the 

Forest Service received an adverse ruling con; \, 

cerning liability. Forest personnel spent much of 

the summer preparing for the damage assessment phase of the trial which began October 5, 

1993. As a result of the trial, the bulk of the 

damage claims have been settled, with a few 

remaining claims in appeal. No settlements 

have been made for personal injury claims. 

84 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

1-3 Land Allocations 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Evaluate lands identified as not meeting 

physical or biological characteristics used 

in initial allocations \ 

.L 

Continuous All changes will be evaluated annually 

Ground truthing and site-specific analyses conducted during implementation Of the Forest Plan examines the findings of consistency for timber management and other decisions made in the Plan. This 

analysis has resulted in management area adjustments totalling 70,032 acres. In FY 1994, five new 

Research Natural Areas were approved on the Forest (Forest Plan Amendment 17) totaling 4,490 analysis. 

acres. These figures represents a 4% change in 

land allocations and are considered a minor modification. 

The table shows the management area 

changes made as a result of Project implementation 

Table I-3a ALLOCATIONS OF MANAGEMENT AREAS AND ACRES 

(Forest Plan, page 3-2) 

Management Area 

~~ ~ 

1987 Acres 

Management Area A 

Management Area B 

Management Area C 

Management Area D 

Management Area E 

Management Area F 

Management Area G 

Management Area H 

Management Area I 

Management Area J 

Management Area K 

Management Area n 

Management Area M 

Management Area N 

Management Area 0 

Management Area P 

Management Area Q 

Management Area R 

Management Area S 

Management Area T 

16,261 

330,838 

111,664 

24,456 

116,519 

352,746 

247,644 

31,778 

37,867 

11,100 

9,125 

16,112 

3,281 

' 41,838 

22,702 

304,407 

51,834 

33,225 

0 

0 

Total Acres Modified 

1,843,397 

Change 1994 Acres 

+ 13,582 

-25,966 

-24,554 

No .change 

+8,051 

+2,591 

+11,534 

-2,053 

-89 

-71 5 

-1,209 

No change 

+3,394 

-580 

No change 

No change 

No change 

+ 96 

+ 2,600 

+ 12,980 

29,843 

304,872 

87,110 

24,456 

124,570 

355,337 

259,178 

29,146 

37,788 

10,385 

7,916 

16,112 

7,225 

41,258 

22,702 

384,407 

51,834 

33,321 

2,600 

12,980 

74,522 I 

85 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Validation of employment and income projections 

The changes in management areas have reduced 

the’ suitable forest acres (those acres managed for 

scheduled timber harvest) by 13,574 (from 282,307 

to 268,733). This is about a 5% reduction. This small 

change has not affected the annual allowable sale 

quantity (12.1 MMBF), nor has it had much effect on 

the long-term sustained yield of the Forest (23.8 

MMBF). -% 

, 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

5 Years +/- 20% of predicted changes 

1-4 Em ploy me nt/l nco me Project ions 

Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 

JOBS - 192 367 150 200 110 170 580 31 0 650 

INCOME ’ - 7.060 15,305 6,691 7,316 4,101 6,165 19,486 10,330 9,913 

&Year 

Average 

31 7 

26,130 

14.1 77 

FINDINGS 

Currently, the Forest only has the ability to validate 

employment and income projections for the timber 

resource. The following table shows the employment and income projections used in the Forest 

Plan and the actual jobs and income from the timber 

program (Table 3, TSPIRS). 

The 8-year average job .(317) and income 

($26,130,000) projections are above the variability 

predicted in the Forest Plan. The 8-year averages 

are somewhat skewed due to the higher volume of 

timber harvested on the Forest (22.0 MMBF) in FY 

1992 (22.0 MMBF) and in 1994 (15.9 MMBF). It is 

anticipated that the harvest level during the next two 

years will be above what was projected in the Forest 

Plan (1 4.0 MMBF/year) because of the large volume 

under contract and the high demand for sawlogs. 

Therefore, the income and jobs from timber harvest 

will continue to be above what was projected in the 

Forest Plan. 

NOTE: For 1992 and earlier, the IMPLAN model 

used 1985 county level data, with employment measured in terms of full-time equivalents. The IMPLAN 

model was updated with the more current mill survey information in 1992. At the same time, the model 

was also made more comprehensive in’terms of the 

definition of the timber industry, with the inclusion of 

woods workers that were not identified in the earlier 

model, and the inclusion of county roads and 

schools that receive funds from the 25% Fund pay- ., 

ments to counties. These adjustments increased 

the employment and income figures per million 

board feet of timber harvest when compared tg the 

information reported in TSPIRS in years prior to 

1992. 

86 
Comparison of Outputs, Activities, and Budgets 

IV. COMPARISON OF OUTPUTS, ACTIVITIES, AND BUDGETS 

The following two tables compare the outputs, activities, and budgets with those projected in the Forest Plan. 

Table I - COMPARISON OF PROJECTED OUTPUTS/ACTIVITIES BY TIME PERIOD 

Output or Activity I Unit of 

Measure 

FP 1st 

- Decade 

169 

86 

61 4 

1990 1991 

Developed Use 

Dispersed Use 

Wilderness 

Non-wilderness 

M RVD 

M RVD 

M RVD 

241 

64 

416 

271 

63 

535 

145 

54 

Wildlife Habitat Imp 

Fish Habitat Imp 

TBE Habitat Imp 

Wildlife Structures 

Fish Structures 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Structures 

Structures 

600 

5 

100 

10 

25 

1262' 

16 

500 

4' 

34' 

450 

0 

634 

7 

33' 

M AUM 

Acres 

Structures 

Plans 

Acres 

71.1 

1329 

40 

10 

600 

71.9 

562 

35 

0 

472 

71.2 

402 

28 

2 

1062 

Permit Grazing Use 

Range Improvement 

Nonstructural 

Structural 

AMPs 

Nox. Weed Control 

Total Vol. Sold 

Silvicultural Exams 

Reforest-Appropz 

Reforost-Other' 

TSI-Appropriated' 

TSI-KVS 

MMBF 

M Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

14 

28.0 

54 

270 

200 

0 

7.9 

45.3 

21 7 

1108 

563 

125 

10.5 

37.3 

117 

603 

340 

0 

17.9 

35.4 

38 

487 

334 

0 

25000 

50 

829 927 

568 502 

10 109 

Soil Inventory 

Soil 8 Water Imprv. 

Acres 

Acres 

2000 

45 

0 

29 

0 

71 I I 

I Minerals Mgmt Cases 1 54 134 250 108 94 

Acres 

Miles 

60 

26 

0 

21 

150 

23 

Land Exchange 

Landline Location 

Road Construction 

Road Reconstruction 

Total Road 

Trail Construction/ 

Reconstruction 

Miles 

Miles 

Miles 

Miles 

9.0 

24.0 

33.0 

14.0 

3.1 

9.8 

12.9 

14.1 

17.4 

13.4 

30.8 

12.0 

3.7 2.9 0 

29.7 20.3 17.9 

33.4 23.2 17.9 

8.5 13.3 12.8 

Fuels Mgmt-BD 

Fuels Mgmt-FFP 

1470 

700 

1713 I E21. I 1053 

665 1025 

737 

675 

Acres 

Acres 

533 

860 

'-Numbers difler from Table C-12b because KV accomplishments included in this table's total 

.'-Total of Reforestation and Site Prep. Natural Appropriated, see Table E-7a 

'-Reforest-Other is the sum of Reforestation and Site Prep. from KV. Trust Funds, and Purchaser Work, see Table E-7a 

*-Total of Release Acres and Thinning TSI Appropriated, see Table E-7a 

S-Total of Release Acres and Thinning TSI KV. see Table E-7a 

87 
Comparison of Outputs, Activities, and Budgets 

Table II - COMPARISON OF FY 1994 EXPENDITURESIACCOMPLISHMENTS vs FOREST PIAN 

PROJECTIONS vs REQUESTED OUWEAR BUDGET 

Activity 

General Administration 

Fire and Fuels 

limber 

Fuels Mgt-FFP 

Tot Vol Offered 

Silv Exams 

Permitted Graz Use 

Range Imp Non-Struc 

Range Imp Structure 

Range Res Plans 

Noxious Weed Control 

Minerals Mgt 

Rec Developed Use 

Rec Disp Use Wilderness 

Rec Disp Use Non-Wild 

Wildlife Hab Imp 

Fish Hab Imp 

TBE Hab Imp 

Wildlife Hab Struc 

Fish Hab Struc 

T8E Hab Struc 

Soil Inventory 

Soils Improvement 

Facility Maintenance 

LandsILand Management 

Land Exchange 

Land StatusIAcq Admin 

Landline Location 

Landline Location 

Road Maintenance 

Trail Malntenance 

Co-op Law Enforcement 

Reforestation-Approp 

Reforest-Approp 

TSI-Appropriated 

Tbr Std Imp-Approp 

Tree Improvement 

KV (Trust Fund) 

Reforest-KV 

Tbr Std Imp-KV 

Range 

Minerals 

Recreation 

Wildlife and Fish 

Soil, Air, Water 

CWFS-Other (Trust Fund) 

Timber Salv.Sale (Perm) 

Brush Disposal (Perm) 

Fuols Mgt-8D 

Unit of 

Measure 

SSS . SSS * 

Acres 

sss 

MMBF 

M Acres 

sss 

M AUM 

Acres 

Styctures 

Plans 

Acres 

sss 

Cases 

sss 

M RVD 

M RVD 

M RVD 

sss 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Structures 

Structures 

Structures 

sss 

Acres 

Acres 

sss 

sss 

Acres 

SSf 

sss 

Miles 

sss 

sss 

$$E 

sss 

Acres r 

sss 

Acres 

ESE 

sss 

Acres 

Acres 

$$S 

sss 

sss 

Acres 

'Budget in 

Forest Plan 

1327 

454 

700 

805 

14 

28 

554 

71.1 

1329 

40 

10 

600 

609 

160 

71 5 

169 

86 

61 4 

645 

600 

5 

100 

10 

25 

21 9 

2000 

45 

154 

150 

60 

21 3 

124 

26 

526 

389 

56 

78 

54 

40 

200 

10 

138 

270 

0 

32 

44 

32 

1470 

20utyear 

Request 

FP Level 

1460 

481 

700 

1069 

21 

18.4 

71 0 

71 

300 

0 

15 

585 

300 

24 

582 

N/A * 

N/A* 

N/A* 

600 

450 

10 

500 

3 

25 

4 

285 

35000 

45 

800 

95 

0 

30 

1 30 

30 

380 

288 

45 

46 

82 

15 

230 

10 

88 

55 

24 

24 

128 

53 

1100 

goutyear 

Request 

Constrained 

1410 

481 

700 

855 

14 

12.6 

570 

71 

200 

0 

15 

510 

2257 

' 24 

525 

N/A* 

N/A* 

N/A* 

575 

300 

10 

400 

1 

25 

4 

265 

30000 

45 

72 

75 

0 

20 

100 

19 

340 

260 

40 

32 

57 

10 

180 

10 

88 

55 

24 

24 

109 

53 

1100 

4Actuai 

Allocation 

1230 

534 

1300 

631 

13 

7 

526 

71.1 

375 

40 

19 

600 

375 

31 

571 

N/A* 

N/A* 

N/A* 

446 

650 

20 

165 

7 

16 

5 

295 

30000 

30 

52 

37 

0 

15 

110 

21 

300 

265 

22 

110 

290 

- 50 

191 

18 

131 

142 

140 

100 

343 

20 

600> 

88 
Comparison of Outputs, Actlvitles, and Budgets 

Table I1 - COMPARISON OF FY 1994 EXPENDITURES/ACCOMPLlSHMENTS vs FOREST PLAN 

PROJECTIONS vs REQUESTED OUTYEAR BUDGET (continued) 

All dollar figures are expressed in 1994 doilars (thousands). 

'Outyear targets for Recreationme requested using a different unit of measure (MPAOTs). 

'Requests for these items are not made in the Outyear Program. 

The budget in the Lewis and Clark National Forest 

Plan' (June, 1986) was an estimate of the funds 

needed to implement the activities proposed in the 

Plan. Since that time many of the costs used in the 

Plan have changed. New activities and/or emphasis 

items, although authorized by the Plan, have 

changed or expanded. Since the development of 

the Forest Plan we have additional and more accurate information on the real costs of resource support to timber, for example. 

Each fall the Forest submits two outyear program 

requests (dollars and outputs) for the fiscal year two 

years in advance. One program outlines our budget 

needs to implement the Forest Plan', and the other 

requests a program for the forest within an assigned 

budget constraint3. The constraint is assigned by a 

higher organizational level and forces the Forest to 

prioritize work within a limited budget. These program requests are combined with other forests in 

the country and are eventually submitted to Congress as part of the President's Budget. 

When Congress passes the Appropriation Bill, the 

dollars and targets are disaggregated to the forest 

level and the forest is left with a budget allocation4 

and targets to execute. In all cases this "Actual' 

allocation may or may not resemble our outyear 

request. There are several reasons why the budget 

allocation we receive differs from the program we 

requested in the outyear process. The main reason 

for the difference is that Congress' decision on budgets and targets is influenced by more than just the 

President's budget submission. The following are 

examples of influences on Congress; committee 

members' interests, successful lobbying efforts, the 

overall size of the budget (and deficit),and the popularity or unpopularity of certain items in the budget. 

When this budget comes to us in the form of an 

Appropriation Act (a law) we are required to execute 

it as Congress has specified. 

89 
List of Preparers/Approval 

V., .LIST OF PREPARERS 

The following individuals contributed to the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Report for the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest for Fiscal Year 1994. 

NAME 

Bonner Armstrong 

Bonnie Dearing 

William Duryee 

Mike Enk 

Sam Gilbert 

Donald Godtel 

Arlyss Hagen 

Ron Meyers 

Richard Newton 

Mark Nienow 

Wayne Phillips 

Eldon Rash 

Dick Smith 

Robin Strathy 

Ronald Yates 

FY 1934 Monitoring 8L Evaluation Team . 

* FUNCTIONAL RESOURCE AREA 

Zone Timber (Contract Officer) 

Public Information Officer 

Staff Officer - Engineering/Lands 

Fisheries Biologist 

Zone Timber (Silviculturist) 

Wildlife Biologist 

Resource Specialist 

Civil Engineer (Roads & Facilities) 

Archaeologist 

Hydrologist 

Ecologist 

Range Conservationist 

Staff Officer - Land Management Planning/Fire 

Geologist 

Landscape Architect/Recreation 

In addition, the report was reviewed by the following individuals: 

I TITLE 1 NAME I 

John Greer 

Jerry Dombrovske 

Larry Timchak 

Bill Fortune 

Terry Knupp 

Forest Supervisor 

District Ranger, Rocky Mountain District 

District Ranger, Judith District 

District Ranger, Musselshell District 

District Ranger, Kings Hill District 

90 

P 
List of PreparerdApproval 

Vi. APPROVAL 

I have reviewed the annual Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 1994 for the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest that was prepared by the Forest Interdisciplinary Team. I am satisfied that the 

Monitoring and Evaluation effort meets the intent of the Forest Plan (Chapter V), Forest Service Handbook 

1909.12. and 36 CFR 219. 

This report is approved: 1 

L 

91 
Llst of Preparers/Approval 

92 
APPENDIX A 

ANNUAL WILDERNESS REPORT TO CONGRESS 

BOB MARSHALL WlbDERNESS COMPLEX 

Year 1994 

Name of Wilderness UnitlComp1ex:BOB MARSHALL WlLDERNESS RMRD 

I. Conditions and Trends < 

% 

A. Current Condition and Trend of the Wilderness Resources 

1. List the three most prominent threats to preservation of the Wilderness resource. 

* Overuse of Nationally known areas (Chinese Wall) 

* Campsite degradation along popular routes to scenic attractions. 

* Lack of funding for adequate LAC monitoring. 

2. Acreage adjustment (if any) due to boundary changes, or reassessment of the actual acreage 

total. 

Acreage change (+ or -) NONE 

3. Management Issues (Describe) 

Resource - Overuse of popular areas. 

Social - Campsite degradation. Exceeding LAC guidelines trail encounters, campsite 

densities. 

Other - Lack of funding for LAC monitoring. Aftermath and damage to trails, 1988 fires. 

Educationallinstitutional outfitting. 

4. Social Trends (Describe) 

Users - Gradual increase in livestock use. Hiker use remained the same. 

Type - Hikers and recreation livestock. 

Other - Resolve use allocation. 

11. Organization and Training 

A. Personnel - 

1. Number of Employees (Wilderness Management Positions) 

PFT WAE Seasonal 

Previous year 7.5 7 3 

Current year 1.5 0 3 

2. Number of Person Years (Include All Resources) 

Previous Year 4.5 

Current Year 4.0 

Appendix A - 1 
B. Budget - Actual dollars that reached the National Forest ($M Dollars) 

Total (include all resources) 

1. Previous Fiscal Year $41.8M 

2. Current Fiscal Year $81.OM 1. 

NFWM 

$72.2M 

W.OM 

C. Management Method 

1. Single Unit No 

2. Multi-Unit Yes 

3. Other (Describe) COORDINATED MANAGEMENT WITH FORMAL CHARTER 

.& 

D. Training - What Training Has Been Provided (Describe) 

Seasonal ranger orientation. 

One ranger attended the Rendezvous. 

Ill. Management 

A. Plans - Status 

1. Approved Fire Management Plan 

2. Allotment Management 

Total Number of Allotments within Boundaries 

Total Number of Approved and Current AMPs 

3. Forest Plan Direction. Adequate? 

4. Wilderness Implementation Schedule. Complete? 

B. Air Quality and Monitoring 

1. Air Quality Monitoring Plan in effect 

2. Identified Problems with Air Quality (Describe) 

C. Fire 

1. Acres Burned 

Natural Ignition 

Planned Ignition 

Wildfire 

2. Trends 

Number of Natural Ignitions 

Number of Fires Suppressed - 

D. Mining 

1. Active Mining Operating Plans 

2. Number of Patented Mining Operations 

E. Grazing 

1. Livestock Grazing Use in Wilderness (AUM’s) 

Cattle/Sheep 

Recreational Stock - Commercial 

Recreational Stock - Private 

Yes 

6 

0 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

None 

1.5 

0 

0 

5 

2 

0 

0 

50 

438 

4800 

Appendix A - 2 
2. Acres Grazed in Wilderness 

3. Condition of Range Resource (P/F/G/E) 

4. Trend of Resource(Up/Static/Down) 

F. ' Wildlife 

18118 

G 

UP 

1. Identified Vertebrate T&E Species Present (List) 

Wolf pack (7 0) established in BMWC. Using both Bob Marshall and Scapegoat. 

2. Identified Vertebrate Sensitiv? Species Present (List) 

7 994 Harlequin duck broods recorded. 

3. Identified Plant T&E Species Present (List) 

None identified in the Wilderness 

4. Identified Sensitive Plant Species Present (List) 

No new species found. 

G. Visitor Use 

1. Wilderness 'Recreational Use Statistics 

RVD's 

Visits . 

H. Outfitter/Guide 

1. Number of Special Use Permits 

49. I M 

53.6M 

10 

2. Type of Service Provided (List By Type) 

Day Use - Pack trips, Fishinglhunting, backpacking, drop camps, 

3. Percent of Total Use Served By Permitted Outfitters 

1. Use of Motorized/Mechanical Equipment 

1. Administrative Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) 

Number of Approvals 

20% 

None 

None 

2. Other Approved Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) 

Search and Rescue Helicopter 1 individual flown out for serious illness. - 

Number of Approvals 1 

J. Violation Notices 

1. Most Common Type including warning notices) 

2. Number Written 

K. Visitor Education (Describe) 

None 

0 

1. Amount 3 Wilderness Guards, I REO enrollee, 1 Volunteer 

1 Wilderness Information Specialist 

Appendix A - 3 
2. Type South fork Trailhead Wilderness Information 

Specialist, Traveling in Bear Country Demo Camp 

.. (Look at accomplishment report). 

3. Successes and Limitations 

Umlted budget 

Large number of people contacted at Fair 

30th. Anniversary Display. 

L. Administrative Site Structures--(Guard Stations, Lookouts, Other, Etc) < 

1. Total Number of Structures 

2. Needs Evaluation (Number Completed to Date) 

M. lnholdings 

1. Number of lnholdings 

2. Total Acres of lnholdings 

3. Key Issues (Describe) 

75 

None 

0 

0 

None 

IV. Research 

A. Current Research 

1. Current Projects and Monitoring Efforts (Describe) 

Visitor choices in the Gates Park fire area in the Bob Marshall. 

2. Completed Projects (Describe) 

Fish shocking survey 

Harlequin duck survey 

B. Future Research Needs (Describe) 

Visitor use study to follow up prior 7972 and 7983 studies 

V. Other 

A. Issues (Describe) 

1. Other Issues Needing National Attention 

Noxious weeds. 

8. Accomplishments (Describe) ' 

1. Of Interest Nationally 

Reconstructed 5 miles of trail within 

Wilderness, 2 miles wilderness access trail 

Challenge cost share project 314 mi. trail 

turnpike, Wilderness access trail. 

Appendix A - 4 
SCAPEGOAT WILDERNESS 

Year 1994 

Name of Wilderness Un1tlComplex:Scapegoat Wilderness RMRD 

I. Conditions and Trends 

A. Current Condition and Trend of the Wilderness Resources 

1. List the three most prominent threats to preservation of the Wilderness resource. 

* Lack of funding fqf adequate LAC monitoring & inventory 

* Lack of fundingin aftermath of 7988 fires 

* Illegal outfitting 

2. Acreage adjustment (if any) due to boundary changes, or reassessment of the actual acreage 

total. 

Acreage change (+ or -) None 

3. Management Issues (Describe) 

Resource - Trail & site repair of damage by 7988 fire. 

Social - Campsite density in popular areas 

Other - Lack of funding prevented regular patrol of area 

4. Social Trends (Describe) 

Users - Increase in recreation livestock use 

Type - Hikers along CDNST & livestock use in alpine camps 

Other - Lack of funding for seasonal rangers 

II. Organization and Training 

A. Personnel 

1. Number of Employees (Wilderness Management Positions) 

PFT WAE Seasonal 

Previous year 0.5 0 7 

Current year 0.5 0 0 

2. Number of Person Years (Include All Resources) 

Previous Year 

Current Year 

B. Budget - Actual dollars that reached the National Forest($M Dollars) 

Total (include all resources) 

1. Previous Fiscal Year $9.2M 

2. Current Fiscal Year $78.OM 

2.3 

.2 

NFWM 

$2.7M 

$1 1.OM 

C. Management Method 

P 

1. Single Unit 

2. Multi-Unit 

3. Other (Describe) 

No 

Yes 

None 

Appendix A - 5 
D. Training - What Training Has Been Provided (Describe) 

Ill. Management 

A. Plans - Status 

1. Approved Fire Management Plan 

2. Allotment Management 

Total Number of Allotments Within Boundaries 

Total Number of Approved and Current AMP’s 

, 

3. Forest Plan Direction. Adequate? 

4. Wilderness Implementation Schedule. Complete? 

8. Air Quality and Monitoring. 

1. Air Quality Monitoring Plan in effect? 

2. Identified Problems with Air Quality (Describe) 

C. Fire 

1. Acres Burned 

Natural Ignition 

Planned Ignition 

Wildfire 

2. Trends 

Number of Natural Ignitions 

Number of Fires Suppressed 

D. Mining 

1. Active Mining Operating Plans 

2. Number of Patented Mining Operations 

E. Grazing 

1. Livestock Grazing Use in Wilderness (AUM’s) 

Cattle/Sheep 

Recreational Stock - Commercial 

Recreational Stock - Private 

c 

2. Acres Grazed in Wilderness 

3. Condition of Range Resource (P/F/G/E) 

4. Trend of Resource(Up/Static/Down) 

Yes 

3 

0 

Yes 

No 

No 

None 

.7 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

95 

1200 

9342 

G 

UP 

i ., F. Wildlife 

1. Identified Vertebrate T&E Species Present (List) 

Wolf pack (70) established in BMWC. Using both Bob Marshall and Scapegoat lands. 

2. identified Vertebrate Sensitive Species Present (List) 7 994 

Harlequin duck and grizzly bear increased populations. 

Appendix A - 6 
,. 

G. 

H. 

I. 

J. 

K. 

3. Identified Plant T&E Species Present (List) 

None identified in the Wilderness 

4. Identified Sensitive Plant Species Present (List) 

No new species found 

Visitor Use 

1. Wilderness Recreational Use Statistics 

RVD's 

Visits % 

75.1M 

7 7.8M \ 

OutfitterIGuide 

1. Number of Special Use Permits 3 

2. Type of Service Provided (List By Type) 

Day UselHorse Rental Fishinglhunting, photography, pack trips 

3. Percent of Total Use Served By Permitted Outfitters 20% 

Use of Motorized/Mechanical Equipment 

1. Administrative Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) 

Number of Approvals 

2. Other Approved Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) 

Number of Approvals 

Violation Notices 

1. Most Common Type 

2. Number Written 

Visitor Education (Describe) 

1. Amount-(See Education Report) 

2. Type 

3. Successes and Limitations 

L. Administrative Site Structures (Guard Stations, Lookouts, Other, Etc) 

1 Total Number of Structures 

2. Needs Evaluation (Number Completed to Date) 

M. lnholdings 

1. Number of Inholdings * 

2. Total Acres of Inholdings 

3. Key Issues (Describe) 

none 

none 

none 

0 

None 

0 

5 

None 

0 

0 

None 

P 

Appendix A - 7 
Appendix A - 8