United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

Lewis and Clark 

National @rest 

P.O. Box 869 

Great Falls, MT. 

59403 

I 

Fiscal Year 1993 

LEWIS AND CLARK 

NATIONAL FOREST PLAN 

Monitoring and Evaluation Report 

Belt Creek Canyon below Monarch in the Little Belt Mountains. 
United States Forest Lewis & Clark NF P.O. Box 869 

Department of Service Great Falls, MT 59403 

Agriculture 406 791-7700 

FAX 406-761-1972 

Reply to: 1920 

Date: May 1994 

Dear Forest User: 

Enclosed for your review istthe "FY 1993 

Plan Monitoring.-and Evaluation Report". 

and accomplishments for our seventh year 

\ 

since our last Monitoring and Evaluaffon 

changes have occurred: 

Lewis and Clark National Forest 

This report records our progress 

of Forest Plan implementation. 

report, the- following personnel 

Terry Knupp has joined the Forest Leadership Team as District Ranger 

of the Kings Hill Ranger District. Terry came to us from the Hungry 

Horse Ranger District of the Flathead NS'. where she was the Assistant 

Ranger. 

Mike Enk is our new Fisheries Biologist, stationed in the Supervisor's 

Office in Great Falls. Mike transferred to the Lewis and Clark from 

the Flathead N.F. 

Dana Field, our Forest Botanist, resigned and is now working for the 

Oregon Department of State Lands. We have not filled the Botanist 

posit ion. 

Jim Hertel, our Forest Silviculturist, retired this May. We are in 

the process of filling this position. 

Also retiring in May, is Ron Wollan, Civil Engineering Technician in 

Great Falls. 

George Panek, Forester at the Belt Creek Information Station, 

transferred to the Lincoln District of the Helena N.F. We have not 

filled the position George vacated. 

Delores Heinen, Forest Purchasing Agent, retired this winter after 40 

years of service on the Leyis and Clark. 

Thank you for your interest in the Lewis and Clark National Forest and 

please contact me if you have any questions. 

JOHN D. GORMAN 

Forest Supervisor 
Lewis & Clark National Forest 

Forest Plan Monitoring Report 

Fiscal Year 1993 

SUMMARY 

-r 

\ 

This summary capsulizes the full report of the Forest 

Plan Monitoring and Evaluation for the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest during Fiscal Year 1993 (October 

1992 through September 1993). Our monitoring items 

are listed in Chapter 5 of the 1986 Lewis and Clark 

National Forest Land and Resource Management 

Pian (Forest Plan), Forest specialists monitor and 

report on 71 individual monitoring items. They evaluate 

their findings and make recommendations to the Forest 

Leadership Team. 

Detailed information for each of the 71 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. 

M ON ITORl N G 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 wet 

summer of 1993 most likely was the cause of the 

small decline in developed and dispersed recreation 

on the Forest this year. Decreased funding in FY 

1993 forced the Forest to again prioritize maintenance 

at developed recreation sites. Primary, heavy use 

campgrounds are being maintained more ofren than 

those less used. Recreation capital investment funds 

accomplished rehabilitation of South Fork Camp 

ground, as well as the construction of two trailheads 

at Beaver and Willow Creeks. Recreation Opportunity 

Guides for the Musselshell and Judith Ranger Districts 

have yet to be completed. Travel Plan violations have 

increase slightly, but Districts report increase is due 

to improved reporting rather than increased violations. 

Public information and improved signing have been 

noted as needs on the Forest. Installation of such 

new signing has been taking place across the Forest. 

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

impacts to cultural resources on site-specific project 

proposals. During FY 1993 no projects were initiated 

without consideration of culteral resources. Also, 

informational signs were installed to interpret a 

pictograph site on the Forest and the planning stage 

of interpreting an historic trail was completed. As part 

of the America’s Great Outdoor Program, a Passport-lnTime project was completed as well. Also in FY 1993 

a study to assess traditional cultural use of the RM-1 

Unit was completed to supplement the EIS for oil and 

gas exploration. 

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 occuring 

fires, enforcement of Grizzly sanitation regulations, 

use allocation, and increasing need for wilderness 

education. 

Wildlife: Emphasis on improved mapping and use of 

landsat technology is improving our data base on the 

Forest. Grizzly bear populations appear stable; all six 

BMUs are showing females with cubs. Sightings 

indicate that a lone wolf is utilizing the Sun River 

drainage on the Rocky Mountain Division, and a 

breeding pair of wolves are using lands east of the 

Forest boundary in the Sun River area. This pair 

produced four pups in April. 

During FY 1993, the procedure to determine security 

levels for elk, developed jointly by the Lewis and Clark 

and MDFWP, was used on two major EISs; SmokeyCorridor and Running Wolf. d 

Bighorn sheep and mountain goat populations were 

not monitored by the MDFWP on the Rocky Mountain 

Front in N 1993. No sheep were transplanted on the 

Forest in 1993. Sightings of lynx and wolverine are 

occurring on the Rocky Mountain Division. Wolverines 

Summary - 1 
have been detected at one general location on the 

Jefferson Division as well. 

The Forest completed a document that outlines the 

process and approach for inventorying and allocating 

old growth. This process will be used to complete the 

Forest wide inventory. 

One pileated woodpecker was sighted on the Jefferson 

Division of the Forest. The Forest continued issuing 

the Animal Inn brochure, Be An Innkeeper itatheir 

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. 

The overall condition of fish habitat and the condition 

of streamside shrub communities was evaluated on 

40 miles of streams in the Sun River drainage to furnish 

baseline data for the Sun Canyon Range analysis. Six 

streams in the Little Belt and Castle Mountains were 

evaluated as well. Road construction, livestock grazing, 

and inherent natural erosiveness contribute to the 

levels of fine sediment present on these streams. 

Non-structural habitat improvements are meeting or 

exceeding Forest Plan projections. Programs for 

sensitive wildlife, fish and plants have been initiated 

on the Forest. 

Range: Grazing levels are within 2% of Forest Plan 

projections. Nonstructural range improvements are 

only 8% 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 77% of the Forest Plan projection. The Forest has 

over achieved its noxious weed control projections 

again. This over achievement represents a higher 

commitment to noxious weed control resulting from 

the noxious weed analysis after the Forest Plan was 

approved. One allotment management plan (AMP) 

was completed in FY 1993. Progress on management 

plans has improved with the continuation of ttke Range 

Task Force. In FY 1993 analysis work was completed 

in the Rocky Mountain Front area of the Forest. 

Timber: In FY 1993, an interdisciplinary sale review 

was conducted on the Mixes-Baldy Timber Sale on 

the Judith Ranger District. Review of this sale and 

other ongoing sales, indicate that the Forest’s objectives for silvicultural management prescriptions are 

appropriate. No timber activiiies exceeded the 40-acre 

clearcut standard. The review group did feel that 

arranging snags and reserve trees into a group or 

patch configuration would have better met wildlife 

objectives. 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 useabilrty. Soil 

inventory collection and analysis was completed on 

49,000 acres in FY 1993. Also in 1993, stream channel 

condition assessments were conducted on 18 streams 

in the Sun River drainage and 6 streams in the Little 

Beh and Castle Mountains. The resuhs showed that 

several of the streams showed some sensitivity to 

grazing impacts. This information will be used to 

develop strategies for allotment management planning. 

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, over 

100% have been accomplished. 

Analysis indicated that 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 1993 target for minerals management 

was 37 cases. A total of 37 cases were processed. 

No Forest Service projects were determined to have 

an adverse effect on mineral operations. Five new 

Plans of Operation were reviewed for mineral activities 

in FY 1993. Eight drilling programs were conducted in 

the Jefferson Division of the Forest. 

During FY 1993, work began 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. The Lewis and Clark Forest issued several 

special use permits for a variety of activities. The FY 

1993 Right-of-way program contained fwe road 

easements, three trail easements, nine road ROW 

acquisitions and eleven trail ROW acquisitions. The 

Summary - 2 
Forest Plan target for landline location is 26 miles per 

year. In FY 1993, the Forest was funded for and 

accomplished 17 miles or about 65% of the Forest 

Plan target. 

Facilities: When considering the total miles of road 

constructed and reconstructed in both programs 

(Capital Investment Program and Purchaser Credit 

Program) during FY 1993, the output was 14% of that 

projected by the Forest Plan. This is outside the 

variability tolerance. It is estimated that the& are 

approximately 1,843 miles of roads open to use by 

some form of motorized vehicle on either a seasonal 

or yearlong basis. 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 1993, 9.5 miles of reconstruction work 

occurred. 

Protection: In FY 1993, 70% of the sawtimber sold on 

the Forest was lodgepole pine. The Forest is continuing 

to breakup large concentrations of natural fuels. Insect 

and disease surveys indicate that the Western spruce 

budworm continues to build on the Forest. About 

99,OOO 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 qualtty. The under accomplishment in 

treating activity fuels is related to the timber harvest 

schedule. Because the backlog of timber to be sold 

on the Forest has been largely eliminated, it is 

anticipated that during the next three years of the 

Plan, the acres of activity fuels treated will be near the 

Forest Plan level. In 1993, the Forest had 2 wildfires 

which burned 1 tree and a 1O’xlO’ spot. The total 

cost of fire suppression and protection in 1993 was 

$520,000. This figure is below the 10-year average of 

$590,000. During the first seven 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. 

Only two activities (restoration of Judith Guard Station, 

and maintenance and improvements of Smith River 

boat camps) changed the existing condition along 

two eligible rivers this past year. The boat camp 

improvements had a positive effect on the river’s 

’outstandingly remarkable’ recreation resource value 

(Smith River). The restoration of the historic Judith 

Guard Station had a positive effect on the Middle 

Fork of the Judith River’s ‘outstandingly remarkable’ 

cultural resource value. Fish population estimates 

collected by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, 

and Parks tentatively indicate that two eligible rivers, 

the North and South Forks of the Sun River, meet the 

’outstandingly remarkable’ fish criteria. 

Summary - 3 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1 . INTRODUCTION .......................................................... 1 

II . FORESTPLANDECISIONS .................................................. 2 

111 . INDIVIDUAL MONITORING ITEMS 

A . RECREATION \ 

A-1 ROSSetting ................................................... 3 

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

A3 Recreation Use ... ............................................... 4 

A4 Condition of Developed Sites ....................................... 5 

A-5 Recreation Opportunity Guide ....................................... 5 

A-6 ORV Damage and Travel Plan ....................................... 6 

A-7 Condition of Visual Resources ....................................... 7 

A-8 Cultural Resources Protection ....................................... 7 

-% 

B . WILDERNESS 

B-1 

8-2 

83 

Quality of the Ecosystem .......................................... 9 

Bob Marshall-Great Bearscapegoat Management ................. : ......... 9 

Change in Roadless Inventory ....................................... 9 

C . WILDLIFE 

C-1 

C-2 

C3 

C-4 

C-6 SmallGame .................................................. 18 

C-7 Furbearers ................................................... 18 

C-8 Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk .................................... 20 

C-9 Special Interest Species .......................................... 22 

C-10 Cavity Nesting Habitat ........................................... 23 

C-11 Aquatic Habitat ................................................ 25 

C-12 Habitat Improvement Outputs ...................................... 26 

C-13 Oil & Gas Activity ............................................... 28 

C-14 Sensitive Wildlife and Fish ......................................... 29 

C-15 Sensitive Plant Program .......................................... 33 

T&E Species: Grizzly Bear Habitat ................................... 10 

Gray Wolf. Bald Eagle. Peregrine Falcon Habitat ......................... 12 

Elk Winter Range Capacity ........................................ 14 

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat ..................................... 16 

C-5 Other Big Game Species ......................................... 18 

D . RANGE 

D-2 Range Condition & Trend ......................................... 37 

03 Supply ...................................................... 38 

0-4 Allotment Management Plan Status .................................. 39 

D-1 Range Outputs ................................................ 36 

E . TIMBER 

.............................. :\ 

E-1 Silvicultural Prescriptions Meet MA Goals 41 

E-2 Prescription Selections ........................................... 41' 

E3 Timber Openings ............................................... 42 

E-4 Timber Offered/ASQ for a Decade .................................... 42 

E-5 Restocking .................................................. + . 44 

E-6 AcresHarvested ............................................... 44 

E-7 Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments .............................. 45 

E-8 Even-Age Harvest .............................................. 46 

E-9 Firewood Removal .............................................. 47 

E-1 0 Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands ........................................ 48 

E-11 Projected Yields ................................................ 48 
F . WATER & SOIL 

F-1 Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs .............................. 50 

. F-2 

. F-3 

F-4 

F-5 

F -6 

F-7 

F-8 

F-9 

.. Revegetation .................................................. 51 

Water Quality in Municipal Watersheds ................................ 53 

Riparian Areas, Flood Plains and Wetlands ............................. 54 

Water & Soil Backlog ............................................ 56 

Water & Stream Qualrty .......................................... 57 

OtherEffects .................................................. 55 

Stream Cover & Pools ........................................... 59 

PublicHealth .................................................. 60 .. 

\ 

G . MINERALS 

G-1 

G3 DrillingEffects .................................................. 63 

Effect of Mining Activities ......................................... 61 

G-2 Geophysical Prospecting ......................................... 63 

G4 Rehabilitation ................................................. 64 

G-5 Mineral Availability .............................................. 66 

1 . GENERAL 

1-1 Costs.& Values ................................................. 67 

1-2 Emerging Issues ............................................... 67 

13 Land Allocations ............................................... 70 

14 Employment/lncome Projections .................................... 71 

LANDS 

J-1 

J- . 

Compliance With Use Permits ... , ...... , . , ......................... 73 

J-2 Right-of-way Easements ......................................... 75 

Land Ownership Adjustment ....................................... 75 

J4 Landline Location ............................................... 76 

J3 

L . FACILITIES 

L-1 Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction .............................. 77 

1-2 Miles of Road Open ............................................. 78 

P . PROTECTION 

P-1 

P-2 

P4 

P-5 

P-6 Wildfire ...................................................... 81 

P-7 

WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

W-1 

High Risk Stands ............................................... 79 

Acres/Volume of Insect & Disease ................................... 79 

P-3 Management Practices ........................................... 80 

Prescribed Fire & Air Quality ........................................ 80 

Fuel Treatment Outputs ................................. r ........ 80 

Suppression & Protection Costs ............................. : ...... 82 

Effects on Eligible Rivers .......................................... 83 

W . 

IV . COMPARISON OF OUTPUTS. ACTIVITIES. AND BUDGETS 

TABLE II . Comparison of FY 1991 Expenditures/Accomplishments vs FP Projections vs 

OutvearRequests ....................................................... 86 

V . USTOFPREPARERS ..................................................... 88 

TABLE I . Comparison of Projected Outputs/Activities by Time Period .................... 85 \. 

ri 

VI . APPROVAL .......................................................... 89 

APPENDIXA ........................................................... 91 
Introductlon/FP Declslons 

1. 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 1993 (from October 1992 tdrough September 1993). 

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 seven years, sixteen 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 sixteen amendments include: 

0 Amendment 1 : incorporated recreation management for the Bob MarshaWGreat 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 eligibillty qualifications (free-flowing and 

containing at least one 'outstandingly remqrkable' 

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 qualifi cat i o n s : 

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 

(Ea) to compty 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: Redefined Management Area 

M (Paine Gulch Research Natural Area) to inaude 

all nominated Research Natural Areas. 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. 

1 
Introductlon/FP Declslons 

e Amendment 10: Added monitoring items for 

Cultural Resources. This amendment will be implemented in 1994. 

e Amendment 11 : Introduced Weed Seed Free 

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

1994. L 

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 

Forestwide objective, glossary item and Forest-wide 

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. 

e 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. 

e Amendment 15: Changed the management 

area designation on 4,970 acres in the Spring Creek 

project area to more effectively protect elk habitat. 

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

amendment was implemented in 1993. 

e 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 will be 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. 

II. FOREST PUN 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. 

ManagementAreas (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 'outputs' 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 reportsfor 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. 

2 
Recreation 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED , 

RECREATION 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I- Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting Annually being implemented I +/- 10% of projected ROS setting 

FINDINGS 

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 1993 a small portion (40 acres) 

of the TollgateSheep Roadless Area was accessed 

for the Lower Dry Wolf Timber Sale and another 60 

acres of the TollgateSheep was affected by a thinning project. With approximately 3,300 acres of roadless areas affected by timber and road projects 

since 1987, there are substantially less than projected in the Forest Plan. Also in FY 1993 the Gatt land 

purchase was completed (see section 1-2). Nearly 

one-third of the acres added to the Forest were 

roadless and increased the roadless inventory on 

the Lewis and Clark by 10,860 acres. 

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 resutt in change in existing ROS settings. 

A-2 Recreation Direction Meets Visitor Expectation 

I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I REPORTING 1 VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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

FINDINGS 

The following are concerns heard expressed by 

members of the public. 

General Correspondence: 

1. Road closures associated with timber sale activity have generated a lot of public interest. A 

copy of a fSO-signature petition stating that no 

more roads should be closed to motorized vehicles was given to the Forest as a public comment for the Smokey-Corridor Timber Sales. 

This petition was not specific to the 

Smokey-Corridor Timber Sales, but had been. , circulated when the Forest Service began implementing road closures on the Kings Hill District in 1992 under the Moose Creek Tiqber 

Sales Final EIS. lp 

Receptionist comments: 

1. Closure of significant amounts of private land 

to hunting this year caused many requests for 

3 
Recreatlon 

information on how to access various parts of 

the Forest. 

People often asked for trail information brochures that we were unable to provide. A 

handout exists for the Rocky Mountain Ranger 

District, but nothing covers the Jefferson Division. Two trail handouts were recently created 

for the Crystal Lake and Thain Creek areas, 

but the remainder of the Division is not described. 

2 

1 

A-3 Recreation Use 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I R?$z:G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

~ 

Actual use of developed & r ation compared with projected use levels a 5-year period 

FINDINGS 

This year's use was as follows: 

Developed Recreation: 266,000 

Dispersed Recreation: 497,400 

Wilderness Recreation: 58,000 

Developed recreation decreased about 10% from 

last year. Recreation associated with camping and 

picnicking declined 9% from last year, mirroring one 

of the wettest summer seasons ever. 

920 1 

For dispersed recreation, there was a 12% decrease 

from last year, also reflecting the wet weather. This 

year State road use figures, as well as road us8 

figures on certain forest roads were used to develop 

more reliable use figures for road-associated recreation. State Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks 

figures were again used to reflect hunting figures, 

and are considered very reliable. 

This year's Wilderness use declined 2% from last 

year, reflecting, again, the wet weather. 

" BM 

_.. 

87 88 89 90 91 92 93 

Developed Use .. 5oa 

P 

Dispersed Use Non- Wilderness 

4 
Recreatlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Recreation condition of developed sites Annually 

80 

!2 

a: 40 

30 

20 

10 

0 

2 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Less than acceptable standards, public 

safety hazards not corrected by 1990, 

poor conditions not corrected by 2005 L 

87 ,E& 89 90 91 92 93 

Recreation Opportunity Guide Annually 

Dispersed Use Wilderness 

Failure to complete by 1986 . .\ 

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 1993 was 23% less than 

the previous year. Primary, heavy use campgrounds are being maintained more often than 

those less used. Service levels reflect the amount of 

public use, and determinations were made across 

the Forest as to which facilities would receive what 

level of maintenance. Safety hazards at developed 

sites were being taken care of immediately when 

noted. 

Recreation Capital Investment funding was received for the rehabilitation of South Fork Campground on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District, as 

well as for the construction of two trailheads at Beaver and Willow Creeks. Holiday Camp Trailhead, the 

primary portal into the Lost Fork of the Judith, was 

improved in cooperation with Charlie Russell Backcountry Horsemen, using Challenge Cost Share 

funding. 

A-5 Recreation c Opportunity Guide 

~- 

VARlABlLrrY (+/-) WHICH 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

PERIOD I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

FINDINGS 

Recreation Opportunity Guides (ROG) completion 

status has not changed since last year. However, 

trail brochures for the Snowy and Highwood Mountains, and an interpretive trail brochure for Crystal 

Lake were completed by the Judith Ranger District. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Forest will make a determination on whether 

ROG information is the best way to inform the public 

about recreation opportunities or if trail and other 

brochures might meet this need. 

Ir 

5 
Recreation 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTlNG 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Off-road vehicle damage & Travel Plan e- Annually Conflicts with Forest Management Area 

or variances 

fectiveness < goals. Increase of 20 or more situations 

i 

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 anticipate the Forest 

Travel Plan will be updated and reprinted in FY 

1994. 

The second item is the number of Forest Travel Plan 

citations issued or the number of variances granted 

annually. Situations on the districts are as follows: 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District - This year the district reported 57 violations to the Travel Plan, issuing 

5 violation notices across the district. There was no 

trend suggesting problems with the Travel Plan. Increased reporting of violations reflected more aggressive reporting than the previous year coupled 

with District crews working in the field (able to observe violations and then report them), rather than 

an increase in violations, according to law enforcement personnel. 

Judith Ranger District - District reported 28 violations to the Travel Plan, issuing 9 violation notices. 

The increase in violations reflected one loud party in 

the Highwoods where 9 violations were issued, and 

does not reflect a change in public support for the 

Travel Plan. Public support in helping catch violators continued to be good, suggesting Travel Plan 

support. The District has replaced or repaired its 

existing Travel Plan signing. There have been incidents where these have been removed, especially 

in the Middle and Lost Fork Judith areas. Motorcyclists violating the Travel Plan continue to be a problem in the Big Snowy Mountains and in the Middle 

and Lost Fork Judith River area A lack of adequate 

law enforcement personnel to cover large areas was 

reported. 

Musselshell Ranger District -The District reported 4 

violations with no citations issued. The District reports continued compliance with the Travel Plan in 

1993 and no trends suggesting otherwise. They report the same problem with motorcycle/AlV use on 

trails on the west end of the Big Snowy Mountains 

as was reported last year, despite existing signing. 

The District made a concentrated effort to update 

and improve the clarii of Travel Plan signing in FY 

1993 and will continue that effort into FY 1994. 

Kings Hill Ranger District - The District reported 12 

violations and issued 4 citations. Violations issued 

were less than the previous year and incidents reported were down. No problem areas were noted 

nor significant resource damage reported. There 

continues to be general acceptance of the Travel 

Plan by the public. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continued emphasis on Travel Plan signing, and 

the updating of the Travel Plan in FY 1994 will provide the public with adequate information to comply 

with the Plan. No trends indicating significant nonr ., 

compliance were noted. No significant resource 

damage was noted. No corrective action is needed. 

' 

6 
Recreatlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

.. A-7 Condition of Visual Resources 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

I NIT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Condition of the visual resource meetqobjectives in Forest Plan \ 

Annually Deviation from approved VQOs, ID 

Team review of environmental analyses 

FINDINGS 

Mixes Baldy Timber Sale was monitored for compliance with Visual Quality Objectives (VQOS). Not visible from any viewpoints identified as visually sensitive in the Forest Plan, nearly all harvest units met 

the VQO of Modification, but lacked adequate deRoad 262. The Forest Plan does not adequately 

address what VQO to meet from roads and other 

viewpoints not identified as visually sensitive. It only 

addresses the visually sensitive viewpoints. As a 

result, less sensitive viewpoints do not receive aderected. 

sign concern for their appearance as viewed from quate visual consideration. This needs to be corCultural Resource Protection - selected r sites once/5 years 

A-8 Cultural Resource Protection 

Annually 

)OUTPUT.~~T~ON, I REPORTING I VARIABILITY (+/-I WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

Less than 10% accomplishment/year 

FINDINGS 

The objectives for the management of cultural resources were partially met during Fiscal Year 1 993. 

Several cultural resource sites were inventoried, 

evaluated, and protected during the survey of an 

estimated 1,566 acres of Forest land. The interpretation of one site was completed, and the planning 

and design stage for an additional interpretive site 

was also accomplished during this time period. An 

overview of the prehistory and history of the Forest 

has not been completed to date. 

During FY 1993 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-eight cultural 

resource sites were identified, inventoried, and evaluated during the year. 

Management standard A-7 specifies the nomination 

of eligible properties to the National Register of Historic Places. During FY 1993 no eligible properties 

were nominated to the National Register of Historic 

Places. 

A study to assess traditional cultural use of the 

Badger-Two Medicine area (RM-1 Unit) was completed during FY 1993 to supplement the environmental impact statement for oil and gas exploration. 

This study may result in the nomination of a national 

register district in the RM-1 Unit. 

Management standard A-7 also specifies interpreta- , 

tion and public education as necessary aspects of 

the cultural resource program; this standard was 

met during FY 1993. During FY 1993, informational 

signs were installed to interpret a pictograph &e on 

the Forest and the planning stage of interpreting an 

historic trail was completed. As part of the America’s 

Great Outdoor Program a Passport-ln-Time (PIT) 

project was completed on the Forest during FY 

1993. Passport-ln-Time is a National Forest Service 

7 
Recreatlon 

program which encourages public education 

through participation. Nine volunteers worked with 

Archeologists on the Forest conducting cultural resource survey and test excavations at a site on the 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The PIT project 

was co-sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation 

pursuant to the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bureau of Reclamation and,tk Forest 

Service. In conjunction with the PIT project, and 

following the planning standard for public education, a wooden case (for both permanent and travelling displays) was constructed. Information relating 

to PIT and Plains Prehistory is currently on display 

at the Rocky Mountain Ranger District office. Restoration of the Judith Guard Station continued in FY 

1993 with the help of a $6,000 contribution. When 

completed the Guard Station will be used as a museum of early Forest Service history. 

The monitoring requirements for cultural resources 

were partially met during FY 1993. While monitoring 

of cultural resources was not undertaken as a specific task, several sites were reinspected during cultural resource field work’. Monitoring requirements 

were re-evaluated during the five year review of the 

Forest Plan and more rigorous monitoring stipulations were proposed to improve future management 

of cultural resources on the Forest. These new rnonitoring items have been approved and will be implemented beginning in FY 1994. 

Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses 

(MANAGEMENT AREA P) 

To date, no comprehensive cultural resource assessment on the evidence of man3 activities and 

structures within the wilderness has been completed. One study, completed in 1990, documents the 

majority of the Forest Service administrative sites 

within the wilderness areas on the Forest. 

c 

8 
Wilder ness 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTtON, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ' 

Wilderness - maintenance of existing quali- Annually 

ty of ecosystem 

PERIOD 

1 

WILDERNESS 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INmATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Degradation of environment 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Bob Marshall-Great BearScapegoat Management Direction 

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 

Annually Failure to meet time table established in 

Appendix U of the Plan 

B-2 Bob Marshall-Great Bear-Scapegoat Management 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

+ or - 10% projected change in roadless inventory 

Change in Roadless Inventory Annually 

i 

FINDINGS 

The monitoring results are presented in the annual 

Wilderness Report in Appendix A of this Monitoring 

Report. 

A small timber sale, the Lower Dry Wolf Timber Sale, 

affected 40 acres of the TollgateSheep Roadless 

Area. The TollgateSheep was also affected (60 

acres) by a thinning project. In addition, 1,770 acres 

have been added to the Box Canyon and 9,090 

acres to the Crazy Mountains Roadless Areas as a 

result of the Galt land purchase. From 1987 toy 993, 

the Forest's Roadless Areas have seen a net increase of 7,605 acres. The new net Roadless acres 

are 1,009,838 on the Forest. 

9 
Wlldllfe 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ‘ PERIOD 

WILDLIFE 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

C-1 T&E Species: Grizzly Bear Habitat 

Grizzty Bear - maintain occupied habitat caPacity Annually Any indication of downward trend in 

grizzly bear population 

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 2-34 and Appendix 

HI I, J, K, and L). The grizzly bear cumulative effects 

model as described in the Forest Plan (Appendix 1) 

was implemented. 

Monitoring is conducted as recommended in the 

revised griuty bear recovery plan. Population data 

collected includes females with young (2 or 3 year 

olds) and females with cubs of the year. 

FINDINGS 

Grlaly 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 1993 have demonstrated occupancy by sows with cubs in all six Bear Management Units (EMU) on the Rocky Mountain Front. 

In FY 1993, monitoring efforts produced sightings of 

5 sows with 9 cubs within three of the six BMUs, and 

5 sows with 1 1 young within five of the six BMUs. For 

FY 1993 (see Table C-1 a) six of six BMUs have been 

occupied by grizzly bear family units (females with 

young and females with cubs of the year). Five of six 

BMUs during a 3 year period (1 991 -1 993) have had 

sightings of females with cubs. This year’s sightings 

of two sows with cubs of the year in the DearbornElk BMU, is the first time sows with cubs have been 

recorded in the BMU since 1988. 

The TetonSun WSU) BMU and the Badger-Two 

Medicine (BADTW) BMU are the most consistent 

producers of sows with cub sightings. The BirchTeton (BIRTE) 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 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 (DUEL). 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 this past year. That was the most family xunits seen in any one BMU on the Ranger District for 

Fiscal Year 1993. 

Table C-la displays the trend information that has 

been gathered to date. 

* 

10 
W I I d I Me 

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 1'992, defined food and garbage handling requirements on 

the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. The District 

staff made a concerted effort to explain effective 

food and garbage handling methods to the public. 

A model food storage camp was erected and occupied on weekends from midaugust through September 30 by FS personnel at a major Wilderness 

portal to demonstrate food and garbage storage 

systems. More than 200 stock-users and hikers visited the camp. 

Enforcement of the special order included issuance 

of 6 violation notices, 14 warning notices and over 

TETSU = Teton/Sun 

NORFO = North Fork 

SOUFO = South ForWBeaver Willow 

DEAEL = Dearborn/Elk Creek 

100 verbal warnings. Compliance levels increased 

significantly over 1992. 

Nuisance Bear Actlons - In 1993, there were 5 

problem bear incidents handled under the Rocky 

Mountain District's 'Problem Bear Policy.' At least 2 

of these incidents, both close proximity sightings, 

involved grizzly bears. Warning signs were posted. 

There were less nuisance bear incidents in 1993 

than any year since monitoring began (1 988). The 

reason for the decline is unknown but two things 

that have contributed to the low number of incidents 

are a bumper buffaloberry crop and enforcement of 

the special order on food handling. 

Two grizzly bears were killed by hunters in selfdefense on the District in 1993. Both bears were '-'- 

large adult males with no history of problems with 

people. 

r; 

Grizzly Bear Conservation Efforts 

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

11 
Wildlife 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

grizily mar habitat (Management Situation 1). The 

activities were: 1) Revising the grazing plan for the 

Little Badger Sheep Allotment; 2) a prescribed fire to 

enhance winter range near Sawtooth Ridge, and 3) 

a timber harvest to restore berry shrubfields for grizzlies near Sawmill Flats. All three biological evaluations resulted in a beneficial effect or ne likely to 

adversely affect determination for the grizzly bear. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN Ill ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

Project Monitoring: To evaluate the effectiveness 

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

Transects are used to measure buffaloberry production and ecodata plots are used to determine 

changes in vegetation. 

Gray Wolf, Bald Eagle, Peregrine habitat 

capacrty 

For the 1990 shrubfield restoration, 2 buffaloberry 

production transects were established outside harvest units and 1 transect was established in each of 

the 4 units. Outside the harvest units, buffaloberry 

production has fluctuated markedly the past 4 

years. Both 1990 and 1992 were poor production 

years. In 1991, there was a moderately high berry 

crop. 1993 was a bumper crop year with some referAnnually 

ence shrubs producing over 20,000 berries. Resprout shrubs inside harvest units began producing 

berries for the first time in 1993. Berry production 

was higher inside harvest units than surrounding 

forest. Four ecodata plots have been established for 

this project. Two plots are inside harvest units and 

2 plots are outside units. 

The 1991, 1992 and 1993 shrubfield restoration 

projects contain 1 berry production transect and 1 

ecodata plot in each of the 8 harvest units and 5 

transects and 7 ecodata plots outside the units. 

There is extremely vigorous buffaloberry resprouting in the 1991 harvest units, though berry production has not begun yet. 

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 1994 

to document occupancy and/or breeding within 

these BMUs. 

Deterioration or continuing disturbance 

on more than 5% of suitable unoccupied habitat 

METHODS 

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

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. 

WOLF FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

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 activity. 

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 depredationd 

' 

The following objectives were developed to achieve 

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

' 

12 
Wlldllfe 

3. 1) Determine seasonal movement patterns 

2) ldentrfy den and rendezvous sites 

3) Describe seasonal diets 

4) Evaluate interactions with livestock and 

5) Maintain strong working relationship with 

6) Distribute findings to general public and 

scientific community 

people 

private ranches .& 

Between 1989 and 1992, the project focused on 

establishing the level of wolf activi 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 Rivet‘ 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. All 

six wolves survived the hunting season. 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. 

A lone male wolf also continues to occupy its established territory in the upper Sun River drainage on 

National Forest System lands. 

Intermittent wolf activity 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 (grazing plan, timber 

harvest for grizzlies, and prescribed burn for elk). 

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 1993. 

BALD EAGLE FINDINGS 

USFS biologists cooperatively assisted USFWS and 

MDFWP biologists in completing bald eagle surveys 

during the month of January 1993. 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): 

43 Bald Eagle (Adults 25, Immature 18) 

2 Golden Eagle (Adult 1, Immature 1) 

2 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 by the MDFWP 

but did not find the nest or see any active bald 

eagles in the area. This nest needs to be surveyed 

during FY 1994 to determine what is using the nest 

site and reported to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the MDFWP. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

MDFWP discovered an active bald eagle territory on 

private land 6-8 miles east of the Forest boundary 

on Cuniff Creek. This is the first nest that has been 

found near the Lewis and Clark National Forest not 

associated with the Missouri River corridor. 

There were four observations of bald eagles on the 

Rocky Mountain District and three observations on 

nearby private and State lands. On National Forest 

System lands, observations were in the North and 

South Fork Sun River, North Fork Teton River, and 

Willow Creek drainages. The North Fork observation was in July, suggesting the possibility of a nesting pair. The other two National Forest observations 

were in October. East of the Forest boundary, bald 

eagles were observed in the Willow and Smith 

Creek drainages between February and June. Observations of bald eagles were recorded and added 

to the Forest data base. Management activiiegthat 

could potentially affect wintering bald eagles 

(shrubfield restoration for grizzly bear, Sawtooth 

Ridge Burn, and grazing plan for Little Badger Allotment) were reviewed in accordance with Forest Plan 

direction. 

13 
Wlldllfe 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

REPORTING VARlABlLliY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

A .Forest transect was completed on January 7, 

1993 along the Musselshell River and Cottonwood 

Creek. This transect yielded 38 eagle sightings: 

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

21 Bald Eagle (Adults 16, Immature 5) 

11 Golden Eagles (Adults 6, Immature 5) 

6 Unknown Eagles 

Annually 

PEREGRINE FALCON FINDINGS 

There are currently no known active nest sites of 

peregrine falcons on the Lewis and Clark National 

Forest. Surveying responsibility of the historic peregrine falcon nest sites east of Great Falls was shifted 

to the BLM in FY 1993.. 

An observation of a single peregrine falcon above 

Whiterock Pass was reported in June. In 1991, a 

peregrine falcon was observed several miles southeast of this site. There was also an observation of a 

single adult peregrine falcon on private land east of 

Augusta in February. This sighting was in a grassland setting along small drainage ways. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

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

a bald eagle winter roost site or nesting area. Survey 

the North Fork of the Sun River (Rocky Mountain 

Ranger District) to determine if a nesting pair is 

using the area 

Survey the Smith River for peregrines and potential 

nest sites. 

Survey Haymaker Canyon and adjacent canyon 

habitat for potential peregrine hack sights (Musselshell Ranger District). 

C-3 Elk Winter Range Capacity 

Elk: habitat effectiveness Annually 

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 

on the basis of a 100% ahnual sample. 

The goal is to complete habitat effectiveness calculations for all compartments prior to the Forest Plan Revision. ~~~ 

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 subcompartment in cover and 

the road densrty (miles of open road per square 

mile). 

FINDINGS FOR ELK POPULATION LEVEL , 

During N 1992 the Lewis and Clark and MDFWP 

wildlife biologists developed a procedure to @valuate 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 the 

procedure to determine security levels for elk was 

14 
Wildlife 

used'ov two major EISs; Smokey-Corridor and Running Wolf. Smokey-Corridor DElS was published 

during the Fiscal Year. The results of the analysis 

showed that within the 89,000 acre analysis area 

only 12.7% was qualified to provide securhy areas 

for elk. This is far below the recommended level of 

30% by the Hillis Paradigm procedure. 4fter comments were received on the DElS some additional 

evaluation was done, and a road management 

package was proposed to reduce the effects on 

fish, water qualtty, and wildlife. With these recommendations imposed, the security level would be 

increased to 14.3%, which is still far below the recommended level of 30%. The low levels of security 

cover within this area is because of all the past 

cutting practices. The preferred alternative did very 

little to reduce it below the existing level. 

Some initial work has been completed to describe 

the existing condition for the Running Wolf EIS area. 

This area has had very little timber harvest in the 

past when compared to the Smokey-Corridor area. 

Analysis has not been completed for this area but 

preliminary data are showing that this area has an 

existing condition of about 25% using the same 

criteria that was applied to the Smokey-Corridor area. The Running Wolf project area presently is 

about 47,000 acres. 

As the Forest continues to complete analyses for 

determining security levels for elk, it will be able to 

further refine the elk vulnerability model and establish some further long terms goals, objectives, and 

standards for elk management. 

During 1993, existing condition information concerning elk was compiled for the Castle Mountains 

Grazing EIS analysis area. The Castle Mountains 

area supports about 218,000 acres of elk'habtat 

(70,000 acres of Forest System Lands). Elk seasonal ranges, roads, streams, cattle forage use, and 

other applicable attributes were mapped for the area using a Geographic Information System. Effects 

analysis will be completed during 1994. 

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 1992 

to compute elk effective cover for the SmokeyCorridor project (77,000 acres) on the Kings Hill 

Ranger District. The results of the model were carried forth into the. Final EIS for Smokey-Corridor. 

Road densities still continue to be computed within 

any of the analysis areas that are done. Road densities for the Smokey-Corridor project area were 2.5 

miles per square mile. With the road closure package this density was reduced to 2.0 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 MDFWP's Elk Management Plan are being met. 

Continue to coordinate with MDFWP on the Castle 

Mountains EIS project and other Forest activities 

requiring coordination in 1994. .. 

15 
Wildlife 

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat: Wiqer 

range capacity (population level), sex and 

age ratios 

C-4 Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat 

Annually 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 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I Ry$l:G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

METHODS 

Data was obtained from MDFWP progress reports, 

research summaries, and contacts with knowledgeable individuals. 

FINDINGS 

Table C4a 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. Therefore the table 

shows 'no data' collected. The area north of the 

Teton is scheduled to have another transplant during the winter of 1993-1 994 from the excess sheep 

on Wildhorse Island in Flathead Lake. 

Table C4b 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 1993. This is unfortunate, because of the sharp decline recorded in FY 

1992 for Hunting District 41 4. Without the 1993 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 HuntingDistrict 

41 5, the total population appeared relatively stable 

in 1992. Without the survey data for 1993 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 1993, 194 parties 

totaling 623 visitors filled out monitoring cards on 

the way to Our Lake. Cards were not in the box for 

a 10-day period in August. The number of parties 

visiting Our Lake and not filling out cards was not 

determined. The average pafly size was 3.2 people. 

Visitors originated from Great Falls (35%), out-ofstate (33%), local Montana communities (15%), distant (> 100 miles) Montana communities (9%), and 

Choteau (7%). Most (76%) parties stayed for only 1 

day. Hiking (97%) 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 (52%). 

Publications also attracted visitors: Montana Hiking 

Guide (16%), maps (9%), RMF Wildlife Viewing brochure (2%), Montana Wildlife Viewing Guide (l%), 

and miscellaneous publications (7%). The Pine 

Butte Guest Ranch oriented 8% of recorded visitors 

to Our Lake. More than hatf (53%) of parties visiting 

Our Lake observed mountain goats. Nearly 1/3 of 

visiting parties saw 5 or more 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 camp 

ing in the Our Lake basin, effective May 1, 1994. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

rc 

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

Division. 

16 
Wildllfe 

Ewes 

Lambs 

Total Rocky Mtn Division 

34 25 29 37 601 45 No Data 

23 5 7 12 29 23 No Data 

1035 655 1079 890 1015 763 UNKNOWN 

Table C9b MOUNTAIN GOAT POPULATION - Rocky Mountain Division. 

1994 MOUNTAIN RANGE I HUNTING 

DISTRICT I 1995 1996 

Rocky Mtn HD 414 33 28 46 

Nannies 11 7 17 I Kids I I 

Rocky Mtn HD 415 56 52 73 

Nannies I Kids I :x I :t I 7: 

Total Rocky Mtn Division 

- Incomplete survey resulted from equipment faiiure.;Data incc 

101 I 122 

nplete to detern 

18 I No Data 

2 51 

22 

95 I UNKNOWN 

ne population trend. 

17 
Wildlife 

- 

Other Big Game Species: Mule Deer p$~- Annually 

lation trend, sex and age ratios 

Decrease of 10% or more in habitat capacity as measured by a 3 year running 

mean of mule deer harvest data and 

hunting success i 

C-5 Other Big Game Species 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARlABlLlN (+/-) WHICH WOULD I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I Rygz:G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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 

permitted. 

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 2530:l 00. During the past 2 years, there 

have been approximately 60 fawns/l00 does. In 

1993, the winter mule deer count declined from 

3,300 in 1992 to 2,300 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 1993, no new developments (eg. roads or 

timber harvest) or habitat improvement projects 

have been initiated on National Forest lands within 

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 

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

No sightings reported for three years. . , I annual sightings I I I Distribution of lynx and wolverine based on Annually 

METHODS Ir 

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. 

18 
Wlldlife 

F~NDI NGS 

Table C-7a ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION SlGHTlNGS 

Year Furbearer Data 

FY 88 1 wolverine trapped 

PI 89 1 wolverine sighted and 1 track observed 

FY 91 

FY92 

FY93 

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 wolverines obselvations 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 bobcattrack bbservationa 

were recorded. 

3 wolverine observations: Live adult in Cave Creek, 2 track observations near Elk Calf Mtn. 1-1 lynx observations: Live 

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

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

Furbearer observations increased after 1989 due to 

furbearer surveys and wolf monitoring. Based on 

track size and location, a minimum of 7 lynx and 2 

wolverine were detected during survey work for 

1993. 

Table C-7b JEFFERSON DIVISION SlGHTlNGS 

Year Furbearer Data I 

6 wolverine sightings 

0 wolverines sighted 

N90 

FY 91 

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. 

2 wolverine detected on the Kings Hill Ranger 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. 

FY 92 

FY 93 

One wolverine sighted between Many fines 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. 

. .\ 

Wolverines have been detected at one general location on the Jefferson Division and the low number of 

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

' 

e 

19 
Wlldllfe 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

C-8 Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 ON 

~ 

Goshawk -- active nesting territories 

, 

Annually Decrease of 5% or more in active nest 

nual sample of known goshawk nest territories. 

territories as measured by a 100% anMETHODS 

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 activii, 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 identrfy 

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 Suitabilrty, 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 Deslgnatlon 

The Forest completed a document that outlines the 

process and approach for inventorying and allocating old growth. This process will be used to complete the Forest wide inventory. Training sessions 

on completion of inventory forms were held for timber stand exam crews. 

During the 1993 silvicultural inventory in the South 

Fork Two Medicine River drainage on the Rocky 

Mountain District, 208 acres of potential old-growth 

forest was identified using the Lewis and Clark’s 

old-growth rating form. These lands represent 9% of 

the acreage inventoried in this drainage during FY 

1993. The old growth type for almost all of these 

stands was cool, moist and wet habitat groups for 

subalpine fir-spruce forest cover types (8SAF). The 

largest patch was 90 acres. 

Old growth habitat field validation was begun for the 

Ettien Ridge area within the South Fork Judith River. 

The Ettien Ridge project area is pcresently about 

23,700 acres. By querying the TSMRS database, 

more than 200 forest stands were identified as potential old growth . Over 2,000 forested acres were 

inventoried in 1993 with 585 acres meeting Forest 

old-growth criteria. Old-growth analysis for the Ettien Ridge project will be completed in Spring 1994. 

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. 

20 
Wildlife 

South Fork Complex 

Running Wolf 

Ettien Ridge \ 

Mill-lion 

Spring Creek 

Little Snowles 

Small Sales(772-776) 

Smokey-Corridor 

Moose Creek 

TOTAL 

Table C-8a ACRES DESIGNATED AS OLD GROVVTH 1988-1 993 

23,300 

45,m 

23,700 

6,200 

36,400 

13,000 

53,200, 

20,800 

n,000 

299,400 

Ranger District 

2,422 

3,580 

585 

1,027 

4,415 

1,900 

4,653 

1,697 

6,755 

27,242 

Rocky Mtn 

2,422 

3,580 

1,027 

4,415 

1,900 

4,653 

1,697 

6,533 

26,227 

Musselshell 

Description 

I 

Neathg Territories 

Kings Hill 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

I 

0 0 0 0 3 4 6 

'These are the ac 

Territories Monitored 

Territories Active 

:r 

0 0 0 0 1 1 0 

0 0 0 0 1 1 Unkn 

Project Acres in Project Area 

Fledglings Produced 

I S.Fork-TweMed 

0 0 0 0 I I 

Description 

I 

Nesting Territories 

Territories Monitored 

Territories Active 

Fledglings Produced 

Acres of Old Growth' I Acres Allocated I 

1987 1- 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

8 9 11 14 17 22 22 

3 7 7 9 10 16 10 

4 6 8 3 \ 

7 3 

208 

*Acres of old growth foresl 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 1993 is summarized in the 

following tables: 

Table C-8b GOSHAWK (Nesting Territories - Rocky Mountain Division) 

Amend the Forest Plan to include the Regional Old 

Growth Forests Definitions. These definitions will 

then be used to determine the amount of old growth 

forest within the Lewis and Clark National Forest. 

21 
Wlldllfe 

-- 

Nesting Territories' 37 37 

Territories Monitored 11 

C-9 Special Interest Species 

37 37 37 

0 3 2 

.& 

METHODS 

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. 

FINDINGS 

Limited monitoring of territories for golden eagle 

and prairie falcon took place in FY 1993. 

On the Rocky Mountain Division, 37 golden eagle 

and 54 prairie falcon territories have been identified. 

In 1993, 2 golden eagle nest sites were monitored, 

neither were active. Monitoring of these nest sites 

was a required mitigation item for the Gibson Lake 

Trail Reconstruction project. 

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 1993. 

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 duhg the last five 

years. 

Summary of golden eagle nesting tediories is as 

follows: 

Table C-9a GOLDEN EAGLE (Nesting Territories on Rocky Mt. Division) . .., I Description I Pre1987 I 1989 I 1991 I 1992 I 1993 I 

22 
Wlldllfe 

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

1 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) 

I Description I Pre1987 I 1989 I 1991 I 1992 I 1993 I 

I Nesting Territories 1~1=l~l~1

I I I I 0 J Territories Monitored 6 0 0- 

1 Data Is incomplete prior to 1989 

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

I I Nesting Terriiories 

Terriiories Monitored 3 2 0 I I I I 1 - Data is incomplete prior to 1991 

C-10 Cavity Nesting Habitat 

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

' Cavity Nesting Habiat for Northern 3-Toed 

Woodpecker - percent optimum habitat 

5 Years 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 

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 usipig the 

methods described in Morrison, et ai. (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. 

23 
Wlldllfe 

FINDINGS Snag Management 

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 1993: -. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

No observations of pileated woodpeckers were recorded. Four wood duck boxes installed in the 

Teton River drainage in 1989 were used by an unidentified duck species. 

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 18, 

1993. 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. 

Northern flickers were quite numerous in the general area. 

On August 5, 1993 a pileated was sighted in the 

West Fork of Flagstaff Creek. This appears to be the 

same bird that was sighted in 1992 in the same 

general area. 

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 1993 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. 

Snag Management Monltorlng 

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 Ranger 

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 Ranger 

District. Snags were marked (painted) as resewe 

trees in eight clearcut units and as leave trees in 

three seed tree harvest units. 

Table C-1 Oa displays the information gathered to 

date for snag monitoring on the Kings Hill Ranger 

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 

Sale Area Meets FP 

Last Chance Sale 7730601 4 25 A 9 N 

7730801 4 33A 11 N 

Wet Park Postlpole 71105028 13 A 6 N 

Quartzite-Moose 71 108031 24A 9 N 

Central Park 781 02045 34A 47 Y 

78102013 26A 31 Y 

781 0201 0 32A 111 Y 

% Use by 

Wildlife 

24 
Wlldllfe 

#Snag #Snag 

Logging Logging 

Sale Area Stand # Unit Size Pre POSt 

Crossroads 77501 01 7 36A 196 145 

78207069 

MeetsFP %Use by 

Std' Wildlife 

#Snag 

Post 

Firewd 

YN 41% 

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 dt3h 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-harvest inventory 

to quantify the proportion of marked trees retained 

and to monitor future woodcutting activity. 

Aquatic Habitat Condition/Quality (Cutthroat Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout) 

C-I 1 Aquatic Habitat 

3 years 

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

Decrease of 5% or more in fish habitat 

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. 

contributing to adverse impacts. Five streams were 

negatively affected by cattle grazing: Cutreef Creek, 

Middle Fork Beaver Creek, Mortimer Gulch, West 

Fork Beaver Creek, and Willow Creek. 

FINDINGS - 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

During 1993, 18 streams in the Sun River drainage 

were inventoried to furnish baseline data for the Sun 

Canyon Range analysis. Data collected included: 

species composition, riparian condition, channel 

type, substrate condition, size, velocity, unit types, 

bank damage, etc. 

Of the 40 miles of stream inventoried, 2 miles were 

in poor condition with cattle contributing to adverse 

impacts: and 7 miles in fair condition with cattle 

The overall condition of fish habitat and the condition of streamside shrub communities were evaluated on six streams in the Little Belt and Castle Moun- -., 

tains on the Kings Hill and Judith Districts. 

Quantitative evaluations of spawning gravel 

conditions were not completed on any streaps on 

the Forest in 1993. 

The fish habitat and shrub communities that help 

form fish habitat evaluated in 1993 were all found to 

be in at least fair condition. One stream reach, which 

25 
Wlldltfe 

was not found to support fish (due to naturally inadequate &ream flows), was found to be in poor condition. 

The effects of road building and culvert installations 

were evaluated on the South Fork of the Judith River 

and Cross Creek on the Judith District. Evaluations 

of road building and culvert installation$ aksociated 

with timber harvest in the South Fork of the Judith 

drainage indicated that best management practices 

were very successful at preventing sediment due to 

road construction from reaching streams. Evaluation of sediment delivery associated with the harvest 

units could not be completed as the units have not 

yet been harvested. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue collection of data on the condition of fish 

habitat within grazing allotments. Improve grazing 

management on fishery streams in poor condition. 

Continue evaluation of stream gravel quality within 

various landtypes and disturbance levels throughout the Forest. 

C-I 2 Habitat Improvement Outputs 

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

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED FURTHER EVALUATION 

T & E Habitat Improvement Outputs 

Wildlife & Fish Habitat Improvement 

outputs 

Annually ldentlfy 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 5-1 1) 

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 5-1 1) 

Annually 

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 1993 were 

not accomplished. The burning acres that were 

planned were not able to be completed because of 

the unusual wet summer and the burn 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 

779 acres of wildlife habitat improvement was accomplished. Of this total, 382 acres were completed 

by the Partnership program, and 14 acres were accomplished with KV funds. 

37.2 Wildlife Habitat Improvement (Structures): 9 

structures were accomplished. Of this total, 2 structures were contributed via the engineering program 

(gates with timber sales), and 6 structures were 

accomplished with KV funds. 

38.1 Fish Habitat lmprovement (Acres): 71 acres 

were accomplished. Of this total, 21 acres were accomplished by the Partnership program. 

38.2 Fish Habitat Improvement (Structures): 20 

structures were accomplished. Of this total, 2 structures were accomplished with KV funds. 

39.1 Habitat Improvement Threatened & Endangered (Acres): 210 acres were accomplished; 105 

acres with appropriated funds, 105 acres by the 

Partnership program. 

' 

& 

26 
.. 

Table C-12a FY 1993 TARGETS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS COMPARED TO F( 

Forest Plan 1993 Target Unit of Description MAR 

Code Measure 

37.1 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 01 Acres 600 900 

37.1 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 02 Acres 

37.1 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 03 Acres 

37.1 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 04 Acres 

37.1 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 00 Acres 600 900 

37.2 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 01 Struc 10 3 

37.2 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 02 Struc 

37.2 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 03 Struc 

37.2 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 04 Struc 

37.2 WLDL HAB. IMPROV APP 00 Struc 10 3 

38.1 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 01 Acres 5 16 

38.1 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 02 Acres 

38.1 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 03 Acres 

38.1 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 04 Acres 

38.1 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 00 Acres 5 16 

38.2 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 01 Struc 25 16 

38.2 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 02 Struc 

38.2 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 03 Struc 

38.2 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 04 Struc 

38.2 FISH HAB. IMPROV APP 00 Struc 25 16 

39.1 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 01 Acres 100 200 

39.1 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 02 Acres 

39.1 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 03 Acres 

39.1 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 04 Acres 

39.1 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 00 Acres 100 600 

39.2 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 01 Struc 0 0 

39.2 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 02 StrUC 

39.2 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 03 Struc 

39.2 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 04 Struc 

39.2 T&E HAB. IMPROV. APP 00 Struc 0 0 

04: 

I 

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

WildlHe 

39.2 Habitat hprovernent Threatened & Endangered ‘(afuctures): 1 structure was accomplished 

with KV funds. 

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

The past trend is continuing and the Forest has 

exceeded the Forest Plan level in all IdAR 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. Currentlyl the Program document is what the Forest is working from when assigning targets to individual Districts. 

REST PLAN 

Accomplishment 

383 

382 

14 

0 

779 

1 

2 

6 

9 

50 

21 

71 

18 

2 

20 

1 05 

105 

21 0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

Carryover Dollars 

MARCode total * 

.\ 

27 
Wildlife 

I. 

I 

Table C-12b WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT 

1987 1988 1989 Forest 

Plan Description 

~~ 

Non-Structural (Wildlife Acres) I 600 7 309 ~ 1 1400 I 900 

Non-Structural (Fish Acres) 5 2 0 10 

Nort-Structural (T&E Acres) 100 0 0 0 

Wildlife Structures 10 0 0 3 

Fish Structures 25 16 19 11 

T&E Structures 0 2 0 0 

* - Figures do not include KV accomplishments 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

1990 

1117 

16 

500 

2 

19 

2 

1991 

450 

0 

634 

7 

23 

0 

1992 

- 

555 

40 

620 

8 

30 

0 

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 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

~~ 

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 L 

Examine major permitted activities in relation to the 

application of the Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines 

[(BLM, 1987) eg. gadoil 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 a shrubfield restoration timber harvest, trail reconstruction, and a prescribed burn. 

Table C-13a summarizes how the Rocky Mountain 

Front Guidelines have been applied during the past 

2 years. 

In 1993, 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 

28 
Wildllfe 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I 

okcupied 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. 

Determine distribution of sensitive wildlife & Annually 

fish species on the Forest. Monitor annual 

trends in wildlife & fish habtat and species 

populations. 

Rocky Mountain Front activii guidelines pr elk, bighorn sheep and raptors were not follOwed for the 

Sawtooth Ridge Burn 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 assessment for the Sawtooth Ridge 

Burn. 

Failure to record any information within. 

a two year period. 

.r 

Year 

1992 

1992 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

Table C-13a ROCKY MOUNTAH 

Project Name Species Affected 

Gibson Trail Reconstruc- grizzly, bighorn sheep, 

tion elk, raptors 

Beartree Timber Harvest grizzly 

Sawtooth Ridge Burn elk, bighorn sheep, rap 

goat, elk 

On the Little Badger Allotment domestic sheep 

grazing occurs within designated mountain goat 

habitat. Rocky Mountain Front guidelines recommend removing sheep from mountain goat habitat. 

During the Little Badger Allotment analysis, it became clear that sheep did not use portions of the 

allotment that were critical for mountain goats. Lack 

of competition between these two species led to a 

decision to not follow the Rocky Mountain Front 

Guideline’s sheep grazing recommendation. The 

analysis for this deviation from the Rocky Mountain 

Front Guidelines was documented in the environmental assessment for the Little Badger Allotment. 

FRONT GUIDELINES APPLIED ~ 

Quldellnes Applied 

All guidellnee followed 

All guidelines followed except for a 1 

day period affecting prairie falcon 

nesting habitat and elk and bighorn 

sheep calving/lambing areas. 

Guidelines followed for grizzly. Not 

followed for wintering elk. Adjusted 

for lambing bighorns. Adjusted for 

nesting raptors. 

All guidelines followed 

Guidelines not followed for 1 day. 

All guidelines foliowed except prohlbition on sheep grazing in mountain 

goat habitat. 

~~ ~ 

Operatlon Window 

July 1 -0ct 15 

Timing Window varies 

by Year 

July l-oct 15 

C-14 Sensitive Wildlife & Fish 

METHODS 

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

the Forest Plan by Amendment No. 12. Surveys of 

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

National Forest’s sensitive species list. 

29 
Wlldlife 

FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

Sensltlve Fish 

Nine streams on the Rocky Mountain Division were 

inventoried to evaluate the presence o! Durestrain 

westslope cutthroat trout. Cutthroat trout were collected from seven streams and sent to the University 

of Montana for genetic analysis. Results revealed 

that purestrain westslope cutthroat were present in 

two of these streams. In Green Gulch, there appears 

to be a population of hybrids in the lower reach and 

purestrain westslope cutthroat in upper reaches. 

Cutthroat in Badger Cabin Creek were previously 

classified as hybrids. However, 1993 genetic analyses revealed that fish in this stream are a genetically 

unique population of purestrain westslope cutthroat. Cutthroat in Lost Shirt Creek were previously 

classified as purestrain westslope cutthroat. However, the sample size used to make this determination was extremely small (3). Additional fish collected and analyzed in 1993 revealed that this 

population is hybridized. All the data collected to 

date is displayed in Table C-l4b. 

Sensltlve Anlmal 

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. 

ly monitored. In May, four harlequin duck pairs were 

observed in North Badger and Badger Creek. South 

Badger was not surveyed due to high water conditions. No pairs were observed on the South Fork 

Two Medicine River. In August, three broods were 

observed on North Badger and one brood was observed on South Badger. The lower reach of South 

Badger was not surveyed. No broods were observed on Badger Creek. 

The Birch Creek drainage was not monitored during 

spring. In August, two broods were observed on 

South Fork Birch Creek. No broods were observed 

on other streams in this drainage. 

Atthough not systematically monitored, harlequin 

observations were obtained from the Sun River 

drainage. During early June, four pairs and six unpaired males were observed on the South Fork Sun 

suggesting at least eight pairs were present in May. 

In August, a minimum of three broods were observed on this stream. On the North Fork Sun, a 

minimum of three pairs and one unpaired male were 

observed in May and at least one brood was observed in August. 

1993 was an excellent year for harlequin duck productivii. Between 1990 and 1992, there was an 

average minimum brood count of 3/year 

(range=O-6) in the Badger Creek drainage. The 

1993 minimum brood count of four is above average. In the Birch Creek drainage, only one brood 

was observed annually between 1990 and 1992; in 

1993 two broods were observed (Table C-l4a). 

The Rocky Mountain Front population is estimated 

ally. Poor reproduction years (1991) appearto 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 1993, streams in the Badger Creek, Two Medicine 

River and Birch Creek drainages were systematicalat 40 breeding pairs, producing 7-1 8 broods annu- Although the Sun River draillage was not systematically monitored, Chance observations indicate excellent reproduction. W-~en this drainage Was SYStematically surveyed the average annual minimum 

brood count was 5.7 (range=4-8). Observing four 

broods while not looking for harlequin ducks suggests that a systematic survey would have produced a higher minimum brood count. 

30 
Wlldlife 

R o* 

I I 1992 Drainage 1990 1991 

rSun River 181415 

Drainage 1990 1991 1992 

Sun River 8 4 5 

Birch Creek * 1 1 1 5 

Badger Creek 3 0 6 

Teton 0 0 1 

. 1993 

4* 

2 

4 

o* 

Badger Creek 3 0 6 

I 

I I 5 

Birch Creek * 1 1 1 

I Teton 

I 

1 

0 

L 

Drainage Stream Year Location 

Sampled 

Two Medicine Lost Shirt Cr 93 T29N R12W S7 

Row8 Cr 93 T30N R13W S182 

unnamed cr 93 T30N R13W S2 

Sydney Cr 93 T29N R12W S17 

Sydney Cr 92 T29N R12W S17 

Lost Shirt Cr 92 T29N R12W S7 

Whiterock Cr 92 T29N R12W S3 

Summff Cr 92 Taken by State 

N.Fk Little Badger Cr 91 T30N R12W $25 

South Fk Two-Med 84 T29N R12W S7 

Woods Cr 84 T29N R12W S7 

0 

Sample Re_sults+ 

Size 

11 WsckRb 

93 WsctxRb 

12 WscaRB 

6 WsctxRb 

7 WscbtRb 

3 P 

7 P 

WsckRb 

17 WsctxYckRb 

15 WsctxRb 

rc 

10 WscbtAb 

1 

Rocky Mt. 

Incidental sightings; no systematic monitoring 

31 
91 

90 

93 

92 

92 

92 

92 

92 

90 

90 

90 

90 

93 

92 

T27N R9W 535 

T27N R9W 522 

T24NFBW S15&16 

T25N R9W S26 

Taken by State 

Taken by State 

Taken by State 

Taken by State 

T25N R9W S17 

T24N FBW S9 

State Collected 

T26N FBW S5 

T19N R9W Sll 

Sampled by State 

93 

92 

90 

90 

89 

88 

88 

85 

85 

80 

-90 

90 

89 

89 

90 

88 

84 

a3 

T9N FBE S21 

T8N R7E S23 

T12N R7E S24 

T12N R7E S11 

Tl2N ME S14 

T14N R6E S30 

M4N R6E SM 

T15N WE 19,20 

T15N R5E S31 

T15N WE S20 

T15N WE S3 

T13N WE 52 

T15N WE S26 

T5N R9E S29 

T14N R9E S13 

T13N R1 OE S3 

T11 N RlOE S9 

T6N RlOE S26 

10 

10 

10 

2 

10 

5 

36 

30 

15 

29 

7 

10 

5 

5 

Not yet analyzed 

P 

WsckRb 

P 

P 

WsckRb 

WsckYcbcRb 

P 

Hybriq 

P 

WsckRb 

P 

P 

P 

‘Table C-14b ELECTROPHLORETIC TESTING RESULTS FOR CUTIHROAT TROUT (contlnued) 

Results. I Sample 

Size 

Drainage Stream Location 

Sampled 

10 

3 

10 

10 

4 

3 

13 

30 

15 

P 

WsckRb 

P 

P 

WsctxYckRb 

WsckRb 

P 

P 

P 

Badger Badger Cabin Cr 

Badger Cr 

Badger Cabin Cr 

Red Poacher 

Limestone Cr 

Lonesome Cr 

South Badger Cr 

North Badger 

Lee Cr 

93 

91/92 

92 

91 

91 

90191 

85 

84 

L.92 

T29N Rl2W S23 

See district file 

T29N R12W S23 

T29N R12W S23 

T29N RllW S29 

T29N R11 W S30 

T29N R12W S25 

T29N Rl2W S27134 

T29N R12W S27 

7- ~ 

Birch Hungry Man Cr 92 T28N RlOW S19 10 WsckRb ~~ ~ 

Dupuyer S.Fk Dupuyer Cr 

N.Fk Dupuyer 

14 

14 

WrckYct 

. WdRb 

Teton Green Gulch 

Middle Fk Teton 

Waldron Cr 

S.Fk Waldron 

Green Gulch 

Rierdon Gulch 

N.Fk Waldron Cr 

N.Fk Willow Cr 

E.Fk Willow Cr . 

Cow Cr 

8 

11 

23 

22 

10 

15 

P 

WsckRb 

P 

WsckRb 

WsckRb 

WsckRb 

P 

P 

P 

P 

WsctxRbxYct 

lo I WsctxRBxYct 

Sun River North Fk Ford 

Liile Willow 

Smlth Fourmile Cr 

W.Fk Cottonwood Cr 

Adams Cr 

Daniels Cr 

N.Fk Deadman Cr 

Tenderfoot Cr 

Balsinger Cr 

N.Fk Deep Cr 

S.Fk Deep Cr 

N.Fk Deep Cr 

Belt Cr Pilgrim Cr 

Jefferson Cr 

Logging Cr 

Oti Cr 

Judith R Dry Wolf Cr 

Yogo Cr 

South Fk Judith 

WectxRb 

WsckYcbcRb 

Musselshell Forest Lake WsctxYcbcRb 

Note: P= SamD 

I 

WsckYct= Yellowstone cutthroat trout hybridism, WsckYctxRb= Rainbow and yellowstone hybridism 

32 
Wlldltfe 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Sensitive Animal RECOMMENDATIONS 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Continue testing cutthroat trout for genetic purity in 

streams throughout the Forest. Continue with curthroat trout throughout the F~~~~. 

In FY 1993 a partnership was entered with the Monand type of use that Lick Creek Cave was receiving 

tans Heritage t' determine the 'pecies sory initial sampling to define distribution of cutDetermine distribution of sensitive plants 

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

- from bats. A spring survey was completed and a late 

fall survey was completed. The Foreq k awaiting 

the report from the Heritage Program. 

Continue survey work for all of the sensitive animal 

species for which little information exists. 

Annually Failure to record any information in a 

two year period. 

C-I 5 Sensitive Plant Program 

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 viabilrty 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, and in 1991 the list was updated. The updated 

list includes eighteen sensitive plant species known 

or reported to occur on the Lewis and Clark National 

Forest, eleven additional sensitive species {hat botanists suspect may occur on the Forest, and five 

'watch' species suspected to occur on the Forest. 

Watch plants are species which have similar viability 

concerns as designated sensitive species, but are 

not known to occur on National Forest lands anywhere in Montana. 

Sensitive plants generally have very specific habitat 

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

watch species known or suspected to occur on the 

Forest have been classified into six categories: alpine, grassland, meadow, moist forest, riparian, and 

scree. Sensitive plant species often occur within a 

narrow geographic range and/or special microhabitats within these broad habitat categories. The 

34 species of sensitive and watch plants known or 

suspected on the Forest occur primarily in these 

habitats as follows: 18 species (53%) riparian, 5 

species (15%) meadows, 4 species (12%) alpine, 3 

species (9%) scree, 2 species (6%) each in grassland and moist forest. 

Based on a ranking system assigned by the Montana Natural Heritage Program, peculiar moonwort 

is the highest priority sensitive plant species on the 

Forest. This species is considered critically imperiled both globally and statewide, and is being considered for listing under the Endangered Species 

Act. Also of special importance are the sensitive 

plants known in the state exclusively, or mostly, from 

the Lewis and Clark National Forest. The Forest has 

all or most of the known occurrences in Montana for 

the following six sensitive plant species: dwarf saw- . wort, leadville milkvetch, short-styled columbine, 

fuzzyspike wildrye, stalked-pod crazyweed, and 

northern rattlesnake-plantain . .c 

A summary of the number of sensitive plant occurrences known or reported from the Forest and the 

status, monitoring studies and reports to date are 

listed in Table C-15a. 

33 
Wlldlife 

. Species Name Population Status Monitoring Studies Reports Prepared I I 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DNlSlON 

Blunt-leaved pondweed 

Dwarf saw-wort 

Fringed onion * 

Fuzzysplke wildrye ** 

Giant helleborine 

Austin's knotweed 2 occurrences on L&C, 8 In MT. 

1 occurrence reported on L&C based on old 

collection, needyfield SUNey. 5 in MT. 

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

small. 

1 occurrence reported on L&C based on old 

collection, needs field survey. 4 in MT. 

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

small populations. 

1 occurrence on LBC, 17 in MT, pop. appears 

stable 

tnone 

none 

none 

none 

none 

none 

Green-keeled cottonsedge 

Leadville miikvetch 

Peculiar moonwort 

I JEFFERSON DlVlSiON 

3 occurrences on L&C (very small), 19 in MT. 

8 occurrences on L&C, 8 in MT, sparse distribution, pops appear stable 

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

possibly extirpated, 7 in MT. 

none 

none 

1 study, tracked since 

1989 

~ 

none 

none 

Status Review 1990 

none 

Round-leaved orchis 

Small yellow lady's slipper 

Sparrow's egg lady's slipper 

Stal ked-pod crazyweed 

14 occurrences on L&C, 26 in MT. 

6 occurrences on L&C (1 partly vandalized), 

37 in MT. 

7 occurrences on L&C (all small), 22 In MT. 

4 occurrences on L&C, 5 in MT. 

1 study initiated 1989 

none 

1 study 1988, fenced 

1989 

none 

34 

Status Review 1988 

none 

none 

none 

Funyspike wild rye** 

Missoula phlox 

Northern rattlesnake-plantain 

Pink agoseris 

Short-styled columbine 

Yellow springbeauty 

2 occurrences on LLC (1 on Jefferson), 3 in 

MT, small pops. 

5 occurrences on LLC, 12 in MT, pops appear 

stable, taxonomic qyestions 

35 occurrences on L&C, 36 in MT, may have 1 permanent plot Status Review 1991, 

been reduced by past logging & wildfire. tracked 198889. Stud- demographic monitories initiated: 1991-2, ing in progress 

1992-2, 1993-2. 

none 

none none 

none Status Review 1991 

28 occurrences on L&C, 41 in MT. 

11 occurrences on LBC, 11 In MT, narrow die 1 demographic and 1 none 

tribution. genetic etudy 

6 occurrences on LBC, 38 In MT. May be removed from sensitive list at next revision. 

Status Review 1991 

rr 

none Status revlew 1989 
Wildlife 

Project Areas Surveyed Acreage Surveyed 

1 

Timber projects \ 1842 

Range projects 5 

Sensitive plant projects 1288 

Miscellaneous 185 

TOTAL 3320 

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

plhs. 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-1 5b. 

New Populations Located 

20 

2 

14 

4 

40 

Table C-15b SENSITIVE PLANT FIELD SURVf3 ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

Timber projects 

Range Projects 

Sensitive plant 

Research Natural Area 

Recreation 

Land exchange 

Miscellaneous 

TOTAL 

1991 

1120 6 

590 1 

783 7 

3161 0 

103 0 

300 0 

21 0 

6078 14 

1992 

TOTAL 

1993 

3277 22 revised, 17 new I 

Tlmber projects 

Range projects 

Sensitive plant proj 

Research Natural Area 

Wildlife 

Special Uses 

Minerals 

2664 

285 

49 

270 

2 

5 

2 

11 revised, 9 new 

8 revised, 6 new 

0 revised, 1 new 

2 revised, 0 new 

1 revised, 1 new 

0 

0 

35 
Range 

r 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

PERIOD .% EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED , 

RANGE 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

1 Rangeoutputs JAnnually ~ ~~ I +/- 10% of target 

FINDINGS 

Summary of Forest Plan 10-year average Range 

Management targets and actual accomplishment 

for FY 1987 through FY 1993 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 1993 is within 2% 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 

1993 was 63.8 M AUM. The seven-year average 

actual use (1987 through 1993) is 61.4 M AUM. 

Nonstructural Range Improvements in FY 1993 are 

less than 10% of the Forest Plan projected output of 

1,329 acres per year for the first decade. There has 

been a steady decline in non-structural improvement on the Forest since 1989. The four year average accomplishment in non-structural range improvement (I 990-1 993) is 406 acres per year, which 

is only 30% 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 

'. 

36 
Range 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS 

TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

base for permitted livestock declines, will inevitably 

result. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

Structural Range Improvements in FY 1993 (31) is 

77% of the Forest Plan projection and is below the 

10% variabilty that would require further evaluation. 

The seven year average (29 structuresus 72% of 

the projected Forest Plan output. Again, funding 

below the projected Forest Plan budget, has not 

allowed the Forest to accomplish the projected outputs. Continued funding at this level will result in 

under accomplishment in structural range improvement. Without these investments in range improvement during the first decade of Forest Plan implementation, the increase in permitted grazing use, 

that is scheduled in the second decade of the 

Forest Plan, will not be possible. 

Description 

I 

Conditioflrend Studies 

Allotments Monitored 

One allotment management plan (AMP) was completed in FY 1993. In FY 1993, the Forest has again 

under accomplished its projected goal. However, 

7 

Existing 1987 1988 I989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

277 0 28 8 4 0 0 2 

239 0 12 4 2 0 0 1 

A 

the Forest made significant progress toward correcting the problem by completing field range analysis in the Rocky Mountain Front area of the Forest. 

See monitoring item 04 for further evaluation and 

discussion of the new Forest schedule for range 

allotment planning. 

Noxious weed control by chemical and manual 

methods in FY 1993 is 1067 acres, or 178% of the 

Forest Plan projection of 600 acres per year. The 

seven year average (819 acres) is 136% 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 Draft Supplement of November 1993. The Forest Plan did not 

specify a program of work using biological methods 

for noxious weed control. However, the Forest performed biological control on 198 acres in FY 1993. 

D-2 Range Condition & Trend 

Range Condition 

Range Trend 

Annually 

Annually 

r 

Acres of range in fair or less condition that have not 

shown any improvement in condition score during 

the monitoring interval (IO years). 

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). 

FINDINGS 

There are 277 condition and trend studies on 239 

range allotments on the Forest. Two of the 277 studies were established in 1993, but no other study 

locations were monitored. Summary of FY 1987 

through FY 1993 range condition and trend studies 

are as follows: ., 

Table D-2a RANGE CONDITION AND TREND (Each) 

37 
Range 

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. J 

supply Annually 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The level of range condition and trend monitoring in 

FY 1993 is outside the Forest Plan Standard for this 

activi and further evaluation is required. Monitoring of range condition and trend is needed to determine whether vegetation impacted by livestock 

grazing is improving or deteriorating and fo’evaluate 

the effectiveness of range management practices. A 

much higher level of condition and trend monitoring 

is needed to meet the Forest Plan objectives and to 

enable range managers to evaluate their programs. 

Several years of subsequent re-readings of these 

studies is required to determine trend. 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 ?, 

Description 

I 

Suitable Range 249.2 249.2 249.3 242.2 220.9 220.9 210.8 

The Forest is converting to an ecosystem analysis 

methodology for monitoring, based upon similarity 

to the potential natural community. This conversion 

I\ 

will be done over a period of years as new allotment 

management plans are completed. A method of 

comparing the new ecosystem methodology to the 

former condition and trend methodology should be 

developed. The change in monitoring methodology 

should be addressed in the 10-year revision of the 

Forest Plan. 

There are 37 permanent vegetation trend studies on 

25 allotments, established in FY 1991, to monitor 

results of noxious weed treatment. Five of these 

studies, density transects, were monitored in FY 

1993. It is recommended that noxious weed monitoring be established as a separate Forest Plan 

monitoring item. 

D-3 Supply 

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

FINDINGS 

Suitable range on National Forest land within allotderived from the Forest Service Range Management Information System (FSRAMIS) data base. Reductions in reported suitable range has been a reSUR of more precise range analysis and natural 

succession from forage producing plant communimentS in FY 1993 is 210,800 acres. The data was ties to tree dominated plant communities. 

Summafy of FY 1987 through FY 1993 suitable 

range acres reported is as follows: - 

38 
Range 

D-4 Allotment Management Plan Status 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 1 EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I Rygl:G I INmATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

5-years I I Allotment Management Plan Status -3. 

'I 

More than 10% of the allotment plans 

are outdated. On the average, plans approved more than 15 years ago (before 

1978) are considered to be outdated. 

FINDINGS 

All 239 range allotments were considered in the FY 

1993 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: 

Table D-4a STATUS OF ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS 

Plans that will become outdated during this de 

cade (1996) I I I 

In FY 1993, the Forest accomplished one AMP for 

the Little Bett Creek Allotment on the Judith Ranger 

District. 

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

10 percent of AMPs outdated.' Projected outputs for 

AMPs in the Forest Plan are only 10 AMPs per year, 

' compared to the 16 plans per year (239 plans in 15 

years) that would be required even if there was no 

backlog of outdated plans. Neither the current level 

nor the projected level of planning can meet 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). A 20 year 

schedule was implemented to complete new allotment management plans on all 239 allotments by 

the year 201 0. Because of the time required to complete the process from resource inventory to allotment management plan, the first group of 19 plans 

from the revised process will be completed in FY 

1994, with subsequent groups being completed an- - 

nually thereafter. The new planning schedule, as 

revised in October 1993, should be addressed in 

the 10-year revision of the Forest Plan. r; 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1993 range allotment management plan accomplishment and AMPs 

scheduled for completion (*) are as follows: 

39 
Range 

Table D-4b ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (Each) 

3 - Includes both new and revision of existing Allotment Management Plans. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Continue the schedule for range analysis and revision of the Allotment Management Plans with the 

use of the Forest Range Analysis team. 

40 

3 
Timber 

Assure silvicultural management prescriptions are best suited to management area 

goals with all resources considered 

TIMBER 

E-1 Silvicultural Prescriptions Meet MA Goals 

Annually 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 1 REPORTING I VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASUREQ .- PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 0 N 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

A departure from management prescription 

Assure prescription not primarily chosen on 

basis of greatest dollar return or greateh 

timber output 

M ETH 0 DS 

~~ 

5-years Test management area outputs against 

those predicted 

- 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually 

by an interdisciplinary, team. 

FINDINGS 

An interdisciplinary sale review was conducted on 

the Mixes-Baldy Timber Sale on the Judith Ranger 

District in September 1993. The Environmental Assessment for the sale was completed in August 

1988. After the appeal was resolved, the sale was 

offered for bids on March 30, 1990. Logging occurred during the Fall of 1991 and Winter and 

Spring of 1992. Blowdown trees from Units 4 and 6 

were sold and logged in the summer of 1993. 

Units of the Mixes-Baldy Timber Sale are located in 

Management Area B. Silvicultural prescriptions 

called for one clearcut unit, two overstory removal 

units, nine seed tree units and four shettennrood 

units. 

The review group felt that the prescriptions were 

appropriate to meet Management Area B goals, although the arrangement of snags and reserve trees 

into a group or patch configuration would have better met wildlife objectives and probably provided 

better windthrow resistance. Best management 

practices were used for activities done in conjunction with the timber sale. 

E-2 Prescription Selections 

METHODS 

Review of a large timber sale sold during the fiscal 

year. 

FINDINGS 

The only large sale sold on the Forest in FY 1993 

was the Clyde Timber Sale on the Judith Ranger 

District. Originally this sale was combined with the 

Hoover Creek Timber Sale and was scheduled to be 

41 

sold as one sale (South Fork EIS). However, in developing the Spring Creek Timber Sales on the adjacent lands on the Musselshell District, it was fpnd 

that having the Clyde Sale activity at the same time 

as Upper Whitetail, would provide additional displacement area for elk. Therefore, the sale was split. 

The actual data in Table E-2a only reflects the Clyde 

Sale. The Hoover Timber Sale will not be sold until 

FY 1996. 
Tlmber 

Clyde $96.31 I 

Table E-2a Predicted vs. Actual Timber Value 

$306.00 5.1 and 573 3.0 and 234 I I I 

I Predicted Volume Actual' Volume and 

and Harvest Acres Harvest Acres I I Actual Bid I Predicted Bid I Timber Sale I 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

E-3 Timber Openings . 

Assure openings comply with size limits 

and are periodically evaluated for appropriateness 

Annually 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I 

Assure timber offered does not differ from 

allowable sale quantity (ASQ) for 10-year 

period 

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

year period 

I Unacceptable resutts of an ID Team Re- I 

view I 

METHODS 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually 

by an interdisciplinary team. 

FINDINGS 

values and ft the ground. From a landscape standpoint, they are much smaller than the patches that 

were created by historic processes. Consideration 

should be given so that future sales in the area will 

be arranged to expand these units to more closely 

resemble the historic patterns of the area. 

The 16 units in the Mixes-Baldy Timber Sale varied 

in size from 3 to 39 acres (average size of 16 acres). 

The small units are sensitive to visual and wildlife 

A review of Forest Supervisor authority timber sales 

sold during FY 1993 shows that no cutting units 

exceeded the 40 acre limitation. 

E-4 Timber Offered/ASQ for Decade 

The ASQ is compiled in an annual Regional Report. 

The volume figures are obtained from the Timber 

Cut and Sold Reports. 

The allowable sale quantity (ASQ) is the amount of 

timber that may be sold from suitable forest lands 

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

42 
Timber 

1987, 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Plan Description 

I 

Allowable Sale Quantity 12.1 7.2 9.1 6.3 8.3 15.7 22.9 7.3 

an average annual basis. The ASQ cannot be exceeded on a decadal basis. A summary of the ASQ 

sold for FYs 1987-1993 is as follows: 

Table'E4a ASQ (Million Board Feet) 

During the first seven years of the Forest Plan, the 

hest has sold about 91% Of the average xn~al 

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

10%. 

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 

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

such as sawlogs, poles, posts, house logs, and 

firewood. gram is as follows: 

Credit for meeting the yearly timber program includes the volume sold and the volume offered for 

sale 9.9 million board feet (MMBF). Of this amount, 

6.7 MMBF was current year sell, and 3.1 MMBF was 

offered in FY 1992 but actually sold in FY 1993. 

Tombstone Firewood was advertised in September 

1992 and the bid opening was October 1992 and no 

EIS was appealed for a planned volume of 6.0 

MMBF. A SummaW Of FYS 1987-1993 tbnber ProASQ. Athough annual variation has been greater sale. During N 1993, the Forest sold or offered for 

Regional Forester based On yearly Congressional bids were received on 60 MBF. Smokey-Corridor 

Table E4b TIMBER PROGRAM (Million Board Feet) 

Differences in-total volume figures are due to rounding. 

43 
Tlmber 

Assure timber acres harvested are as pro- 5 years 

jected I 

E-5 Restocking 

+/- 10% deviation over a fwe year period 

METHODS 

Stocking surveys are conducted on each Ranger 

District. 

FINDINGS 

Stands receiving a final harvest cut from 1976 

through 1988 (those stands harvested five or more 

years ago and since the adoption of the National 

Forest Management Act) have 91% of the acres 

satisfactorily stocked within five years. When only 

the stands from 1980 to 1988 are considered, the 

success rate is 99%. 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 1988 

are satisfactorily stocked. The remaining stands 

were either planted last Fall or are scheduled for 

planting in FY 1994. 

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 

have an 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 & Clark National Forest has a 

high ratio of successful seedling establishment. 

E-6 Acres Harvested 

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

METHODS 

Data on acres harvested are excerpted from the 

Timber Stand Management Record System and 

from the Timber Cut and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

Acres harvested in 1993 were 401 acres and the 

harvested volume was 5.6 MMBF. These numbers 

are below average due to the very wet summer that 

we experienced. 

The Forest Plan projected that annual harvest would 

average about 1,800 acres of regeneration harvest 

and 21 0 acres of intermediate harvest. So far, average area treated is 1 , 137 acres annually. Silvicultur- '-' 

al methods are 51% clearcut, 29% shelterwood, 2% 

selection and 18% intermediate. Volumes per acre 

realized are 11.2 MBF/Acre vs 7.0 MBF/Acr@ 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. 

44 
Timber 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1993 timber volume under contract, acres, and volume harvested is 

as follows: 

REPORTING VARlABlLliY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 ON 

Table E-6a TIMBER UNDER CONTRACT AND VOLUME & ACRES HARVESTED 

Assure accomplishment of thinning and 

other sitvicultural treatments as projected in 

plan 

~ 

1 Data for Volume Under Contract for 1987 through 1992 has been adjusted to include estimates for per acre material (PAM). 

2 Data for Acrea Harvested for 1987 and 1988 have been adjusted based on updated Timber Stand Managem&nt Record System output. 

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

E-7 Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments 

METHODS FINDINGS 

Data for this monitoring item is obtained from the 

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

The following table illustrates the accomplishment 

of timber stand improvement VSl) and other silviTable E-7a TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT 

45 
Timber 

Table E-7a TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT (continued) 

Ensure harvest by even-age management 

is compatible with resource values 

Thinning (TS9 (K-V) Acres 0 .I 40 0 0 0 0 24 111 

Release Acres (Appropria- - 120 127 195 72 5 0 0 

Release Acres (KV) a5 12 0 0 0 0 0 

tion) 

1 - The Forest in PI 1988. in coniundion with Reaional Obiectives and Forest Plan Amendment Number 3, accelerated the stan1 

Annually Unacceptable results of an ID Team review A 

- 

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. 

2 - Figures revised from previous M&E Reports from the R1 Silvicultural Accomplishments - TSI 8 Exams - 5Year Average, 11/25/91 

Most reforestation on the Forest is accomplished by 

natural regeneration. Assumptions in the Forest 

Plan were that about 1,420 acres would be regenerated naturally and 324 acres annually would be 

planted. The experienced average for the past seven years has been 854 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 

were left and to areas of Douglas-fir where western 

spruce budworm is currently impacting 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 produce merchantable products. It is anticipated that 

some 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 

Treatment Outputs). 

E-% Even-Age Harvest 

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

46 
Timber 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER WALUATION 

Firewood Removal Annually Use increase exceeds 10% per year 

I 

r 

MEMODS 

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

and patches can better achieve resource values 

and help maintain biodiversity. 

FINDINGS Even-aged silvicultural systems will provide greater 

forage production than uneven-aged systems and 

will provide more volume per acre and at less cost. 

The standards for wildlife cover and water quality 

are still being met in the area. The gentle terrain and 

past havest Patterns Permit openings to still meet 

the visual management objectives of modification. 

The Interdisciplinary Review Team on thbpost-sale 

review agrees that even-aged silvicultbral systems 

were to meet F~~~~ plan Management 

Area B objectives and the needs of these particular 

sites. They also agreed that in a number of cases, 

retention of reserve trees, individually and in groups 

E-9 Firewood Removal 

METHODS FINDINGS 

Data is compiled annually from the Timber Sale Cut 

and Sold Reports. 

In FY 1993, 1.7 million board feet of personal use 

firewood was removed from the Forest. Summary of 

FY 1987 through FY 1993 commercial and personal 

use firewood removal is as follows: 

Table E-9a COMMERCIAL & 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. 

47 
TImber 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

E40 Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Evaluate availability of lands classified as 5 years suitable/unsuitable L 

+/- 5% change in acreage 

. < 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

The evaluation of land suitability for tentatively suit- reduction. These changes were made through Forable lands and the further division of these lands est Plan amendments. 

into suitable forest land available for timber harvest 

is ongoing through project analysis and timber The timber stand examination process on suitable 

stand examinations. This data is entered into the forest land provides an updating process for timber 

Timber Stand Management Record System inventory. As more and more timber stands are exFINDINGS 

vSMRS) to provide information for forest anabsis' amin& we are better able to evaluate the status of 

the tentatively suitable lands. 

Project analysis has resulted in a cha.nge in suitable 

forest acres (those available for scheduled timber 

harvest) from 282,307 to 268,733 acres, about a 5% 

During the last five years, 1989-1 993, 124,680 acres 

of stand exam have been completed averaging 

24,936 acres per year. 

E41 Projected Yields 

Projected yields Annually Standard error of 10% at 1 standard deviation 

METHODS 

The Forest established one new permanent growth 

plot and remeasured four existing plots during FY 

1993. 

FINDINGS 

of permanent growth plots. Each Growth Plot is to 

be remeasured on a 5-year interval to monitor 

growth and yield for treatments and/or conditions 

that exist on the forest. Summary of growth plot 

establishment and remeasurement is as follows: 

Efforts during the planning period (10-1 5 years) will ., 

be to continue the installation and remeasurement 

48 
Timber 

Table E-11 a GROWTH PLOTS (Number) 

When these Growth Plots were established, they 

were to be installed in stands that were scheduled 

for a timber activity within the next fiveyears. Therefore, Growth Plots that have had their planned timber activtty accomplished and remeasurement Evaluation was done in FY 1993. 

completed have data only from one remeasuremerit, 

49 
Water 81 Sol1 

Adequacy and Cumulative Effects of 

Project BMPs 

WATER & SOIL 

Annually - 100% 

Sample rty or water useability 

Projected deterioration of soil productivThe Forest manages watersheds and soil resources 

to maintain and/or improve water quality to meet 

State water qual-lty standards. The Forest's goal is 

to manage both sediment and water yield to allow 

less than 1 % over current levels as a re&R of Forest 

management activities. 

The goals set forth by the Lewis and Clark National 

Forest Plan for soil and water are accomplished 

through several avenues. Watershed analysis and 

direction is included during the planning and implementation of management activities. Soil and water 

conservation practices are prescribed as necessary 

to protect soil productivity and control non-point 

source water pollution. Best Management Practices 

(BMPs) are monitored to assure their application 

and effectiveness during and after project implementation. Restoration efforts work towards eliminating a backlog of soil and water restoration 

needs. Water quallty sampling is used to monitor 

stream quality for comparisbn to State water quality 

standards as well as to assess the effectiveness of 

BMPs on Forest management activities. 

F-1 Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs 

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

METHODS 

proposed projects which have potential for impact on soil or water quallty are mon&,red through 

review of the project environmental documentation. 

This review ensures that adequate BMPs have been 

prescribed to maintain and protect existing soil productivlty 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. 

FINDINGS 

Table ~-1 a delineates the proposed projects which 

required review for adequate BMPs and possibly a 

cumulative effects analysis during FY 1993. 

50 
Water & Sol1 

Kings Hili Dlstrid 

1. Smokey Corridor Timber Sales 

Table F-la FY 93 PROJECT LIST REQUIRING REVIEW OF BMPs I. 

1992 YES 

Project Title 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

I Review Completed I Scheduled I Project Date 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Rocky Mtn District 

1. Gibson Lake Trail 

Revegetation of temporarily disturbed areas & roads within five years - 

L 

Judith District \ 

1. Harrison Crk Salvage Sale 

2. South Burley Timber Sale 

3. Highwood Access 

4. Yogo Crossing 

5. Running Wotf EIS 

6. Ettien Ridge EIS 

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

after termination 

*/ 

1992 

1992 

1994 

1994 

1994 

1994 

YES 

YES 

NO 

NO 

NO 

NO 

I 1. Little Snowies Fuel Treatment I 1992 I YES I 3.Muoseisheii District 

In each project reviewed, adequate BMPs were prescribed to meet water qualrty goals and State water 

qualrty standards. A cumulative effects analysis was 

conducted on two of the large timber sale projects. 

This analysis indicated, in each case, that reasonable land, soil, and water conservation practices, as 

required by the State, would prevent deterioration of 

the soil and water. 

These 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 beneficial water 

uses. 

F-2 Revegetation 

METHODS FINDINGS 

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

which were reviewed during FY 1993 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. 

Revegetation efforts on temporarily disturbed areas 

and roads are monitored through Interdisciplinary 

Team reviews. These reviews are to be carried out 

on 7596 ofthe 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. 

51 
Water & Soil 

Table F-2a FY 93 PROJECT LIST FOR REVEGETATION 

Project Title 

ROC@ Mtn District 

1 13-Mile T.S. 

2. N.F. Ford Rehab 

3. Old Beaver Ck Road 

4. Red Lake Rd Clos. 

5. Green Gulch TS 

6. Beartree Challenge 

7. Beartree Knockout 

8. Beartree 93 

Judith Dlstricl 

1. Harrison Ck Fire Rehab 

2. Turkey Salvage TS 

3. Mixes Baldy TS 

4. Placer Snow TS 

5. Bear Park TS 

6. Smith Flat TS 

7. AMAX Drill Sites 

8. South Fork TS 

Musselshell District 

1. Galloway Blowdown TS 

2. Neil Creek TS 

3. Crazies Sec. 12 Road 

4. L.Park Road Clos. 

5. High Park Road Clos. 

6. Lion/Corral TS 

7. Loco Creek T.S. 

8. Whitetail Salvage T.S. 

9. Whitetail OSR T.S. 

10. West Hopley T.S. 

7.Kings Hili District 

1. Geis Ck Core Drill 

2. Adams Ck Core Drill 

3. Newlan Ck Core Drill 

5. Central Park TS 

6. Junction Salv TS 

8. Crossroads TS 

9. Corral TS 

10. Holzheimer SU Rd 

11. Powerline TS 

12. Tree Cache TS 

13. Divide Road 

14. Adams Ck Drilling 

Year Completed 

Seeded '91 

Seeded'91 - 

-a 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 and 

'92 

Seeded '92 

Seeded '92 

Seeded '92 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '92 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

1991 

Seeded '90 

Seeded '90 

Seeded '92 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '90 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '91 

Seeded '92 

Review 

I 

Date 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1995 

1993 

1995 

1994 

' 1993 

1994 

1993 

1993 

1994 

1992 

1992 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1992 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1993 

1994 

Comments 

Reviewed 8/19/93, Grasses well established, debrls and 

waterbars effective. 

Reviewed 8/19/93,Recomrnend placing debris in key areas 

to divert and impede cattle movement. 

Road effectively closed. Seeding successful. 

Road effectively closed. Seeding successful, Reviewed 

8/19/93 

Needs final review. 

Needs Review in 1994. 

Cut but not treated. Needs review in 1994. 

Cut but not treated. 

Reviewed 8/13/93-Roads effectively closed. Culvert on lower 

road needs to be cleaned. Seeding sporadic. 

Needs second review in PI 94 Needs spot reseeding 

Needs final review in 1995 

Vegetation well established. 

Water bars need maintenance; will require seeding/reveg 

after 94 sale completion. 

Seeded by contractor-needs review 

Vegetation well established. 

Needs review FY94. 

Vegetation well established. 

Vegetation well established. 

Road stable. 

Reconst segment done-New const segment to be used in 

93 to complete slash burning. 

Monitor in FY 94. 

Vegetation well established. 

Vegetation well established. 

Anticipate 94 logging. 

Anticipate 94 Harvest. . 

NEPA decision appealed, anticipate 94 Harvest. 

Anticipate 94 logging. 

Completed. 

Completed. 

Completed. 

No evidence of seeding success. 

If seeded, no evidence of success. 

Waterbars only partially effective. 

Firewood Cutting ongoing, Review W94. 

Completed. 

Completed. 

Waterbars only partially effective. 

Vegetation well established. # 

52 
Water & Soil 

i 9/92 

1992 

Table F-2a FY 93 PROJECT LIST FOR REVEGETATION (continued) 

Water quality effects of activities in munici- Annually - all Adverse water quality affects or violates 

pal watersheds projects water quality standards 

- 

Project Title Review I Date Year Completed I 

15. 

16. 

17. 

18. 

19. 

20. 

21. 

22. 

23. 

24. 

Black Butte Drilling 

Moose Ck Rd Oblit. 

Allen Park PAP Sale 

Piegan PBP Sale 

Picket T.S. 

Lone Tree T.S. 

Wolverine T.S. 

Graveyard T.S. 

DAV S.U. Waterline 

Kennecott trenching 

Seeded ’92 

Seeded ‘92 

Seeded ‘92 ’ 

Seeded ’92 

1994 

1994 

1994 

1994 

1994 

1994 

Comments 

Sold in 1992, No activity as of yet. 

Sold in 1992, No activity as of yet. 

Sold in 1992, No activity as of yet. 

Sold in 1992, No activity as of yet. 

Trench to be backfilled and seeded; needs review 

Trenches in old gravel pit, backfilled 8 seeded 

At least 75% of the revegetation projects scheduled 

for review in 1993 were evaluated. Of the projects 

reviewed, revegetation efforts were for the most part 

successful and complete. In a few cases, seeding 

germination was either poor or not successful. 

These areas will be reviewed again for revegetation 

success. 

F-3 Water Quality in Municipal Watersheds 

1 OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I REPORTING I VARIABILIJY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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 qualtty impacts were incurred as 

a result of these activities. 

FINDINGS 

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 

of several small timber sales were sold within the 

boundaries of the O’Brien Creek watershed. These 

are located high on the slopes and are not anticipated to have detrimental impacts to municipal water 

resources, however, effects will be monitored. No 

harvest activity took place in any of these sale areas 

during 1993, except the Powerline T.S. 

Because of concern with regard to activities within 

the O’Brien Creek watershed, a water quallty 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: ., 

will be done after all proposed timber activity is completed in this watershed. 

53 
Water & Sol1 

1. Powerline TS 

2. Pickett TS 

3. Lone Tree TS 

4. Wolverine TS 

5. Graveyard TS 

Table F-3a WATER QUALITY IN MUNICIPAL WATERSHEDS 

O'Brien Ck Completed in FY91 1993 Completed. 

O'Brien Ck Sold in '92 See table F-2a 

O'Brien Ck Sold in '92 See table F-2a 

O'Briyn ?k Sold in '92 See table F-2a 

O'Brien Ck Sold in '92 See table F-2a 

Project Tile Scheduled Review 

Activities in riparian areas, flood plains, and 

wetlands 

Annually - 50% of 

all projects view 

Unacceptable results of an ID Team reF-4 Riparian Areas, Flood Plains, and Wetlands 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I REPORTING 1 VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

METHODS FINDING 

Table F-4a delineates projects or activities implemented in riparian areas, flood plains, and/or wetlands. Reviews of these activities were conducted 

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

The Purpose Of these ~eviews is to verify that the 

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

by ID Team members who had prepared the NEPA 

analysis, or by the Contracting Officer Representative responsible for the project's implementation. 

r Table F-4a FY 93 ACTIVITIES IN RIPARIAN AREAS, FLOOD PLAINS, AND WETLANDS Project Title 

Rocky Mtn District 

Beartree Knockout 

13 Mile TS Road 

Judlth Dlstrlct . Bear Park TS 

South Burley 

DeadhorssBluff TS 

Harrison Ck. Sabg 

Musselshell District 

Crazies Sec. 12 Road 

Date 

Started 

sold 

6/92 

sold '92 

1990 

Date 

Com- 

- pleted 

1992 

1991 

roads 

done 92 

spec. 

rds 

done 

1992 

1991 

Scheduled 

- Review 

1993 

1993 

c 

1995 

1993 

1993 

1993 

Reviewed 

1992 

Project Status 

Cut but not treated. 

Completed 

Hawest & erosion 

control to be completed by N 95 

No harvest in 1993 

Harvest 112 done 

Harvest completed 

Project completed 

54 

Monitoring Comments 

Needs review in 1994. 

See comments under F-2 for 1993 review. 

Road drainage moderately effective;-'project will require 

seeding upon completion. 

Reviewed roads 10/6/93. See table F-la. 

Reviewed roads 10/6/93. Same as South Burley T.S: , , 

Temp. roads obliterated and seeded. Reviewed 10/13/93. 

Seeding sporadic. .L 

Reconst. segment near stream involved minor grading, 

minimal disturbance; rehab complete 
Water t Sol1 

Seeded’9 

1992 

’ Table F-4a FY 93 ACTIVITIES IN RIPARIAN AREAS, FLOOD PLAINS, AND WETLANDS (contlnued) 

ly 

1,994 

Date SchedStarted pleted Review 

Project Title I Date 1 Com- I uled 

Tillinghast TS 

Klngs Hill Dlstrlcl 

Central Park TS 

MooseMtn. . 

1992 NO 

activity 

in 93 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 0 N 

Project Status 

Effects of other activities on watershed conditions 

Completed 

Completed 

Annually - 20% of 

all projects or land productivity 

Unacceptable management practices 

Monitoring Comments 

Judith Dlstrld 

Plantation TS 1994 

South Fork TS End 1992 

see comments under F-2 

Culverts and water dips installed In accordance with contract; review in 94 for effectiveness 

1996 

1993 

To be logged in FY 94. 

Reviewed under the FY 93 Integrated Management Resource 

Review. 

A 

I 

Road drainage near riparian areas in one case above activities list indicates at least 50% of Ripariprevent impacts to soil.and water resources. The Item F4. 

F-5 Other Effects 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

Projects which are not located in a riparian zone or 

located within a municipal watershed, but still have 

potential to impact soil and water resources, are 

monitored through administrative reviews. The purpose of these reviews is to veri that the contract 

and BMPs are being implemented as specified, and 

that BMPs are effective. 

FINDINGS 

Table F-5a delineates projects which required an 

administrative review. - 

Table F-5a FY 93 PROJECT LIST FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES REQUIRING REVIEW - 

Project Title Proj. Beg I 8EndDate I ~~ 

Review 

Date I Comments 

55 
Water & SoJJ 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

. ' Table F-5a FY 93 PROJECT LIST FOR OTHER ACTIVITIES REQUIRING REVIEW (continued) 

Musselshell Dlstrlcl 

L. Park Mineral Exploration Drill sites need additional rehab work 

1992 are completed. IDT review of several harvest 

No activity in 1993 

Lonesome TS 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Results from the projects reviewed indicated that 

the contract and BMPs were implemented as lems noted. 

planned, and potential impacts to soil and water 

resources were being successfully mitigated. 

Several harvest units and roads in the Mixes Baldy 

Timber Sale on the Judith Ranger District were reviewed by an interdisciplinary team for contract 

compliance and BMP effectiveness, Salvage of 

blowdown in one unit during wet weather caused 

rutting and soil compaction and dozer operations 

on steep slopes in another unit were the only probThese monitoring results indicate that projects are 

being carried out with acceptable management 

practices. In some instances, additional measures 

have been recommended to address watershed 

concerns. Table F-5a also lists projects which have 

not yet been implemented, but will require monitoring when they do become active. 

F-6 Water & Soil Backlog 

Elimination of soil and water restoration 

backlog 

Less than 50% by 

by 1995 

METHODS 

Progress in reducing the soil and water restoration 

backlog is monitored by tracking the number of 

acres restored by each Ranger District at the end of 

each fiscal year. 

FINDINGS 

Table F-6a delineates the restoration projects that 

were accomplished on each Ranger District during 

FY 1993. Total acreage restored totals-79 acres for 

FY 1993 and 446 acres over the past 8 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. 

rr 

56 
Water & Soil 

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 

10 109 57 50 94 

Table F-6a RESTORATION PROJECTS ACCOMPLISHED IN FY 93 ,. 

1993 1994 1995 1996 

79 

I Project Title 

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 

10 109 57 50 94 

Rocky Mtn Dlstrlct 

Lubic Ridge road 

Pipeline road 

1993 1994 1995 1996 

79 

Judlth Dlstrlct 

Turkey Fire Rehabilitation 

Big Hill Exclosure 

Bear Park Jeep Trail 

Mowing Machine Jeep Trail 

Arrow Cr. Divide Jeep Trail 

Pohlod Cr. Jeep Trail 

N.R. Highwood Cr. Jeep Trail 

S.Fk. Highwood Cr. Jeep Trail 

N.Fk, Highwood Cr. Reroute 

OUTPUT’ MANAGEMENT 

SCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

Musselshell Dlstrld 

Crazy Mtn. Rehab. 

Klnge Hill Dlstrlct 

Higgins Park Drainage 

Corral Cr. T.S. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

# of Acres 

Water and stream quality as affecting 

fish habitat and other uses: validation 

of estimations of sediment 

6 Acres 

4 Acres 

- -, 

10 acres 

2 Acres 

1 Acre 

1 Acre 

2 Acres 

3 Acres 

2 Acres 

2 Acres 

2 Acres 

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

38 Acres 

4 Acres 

2 Acres 

Comments 

Drainage dips Installed; road surface seeded and fertilized. 

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

installed. 

Seeded areas affected by Turkey Fire 

Fence riparian area. 

Close old jeep trail, scatter debris on road, reseed. 

Close old jeep trail, reseed. 

Close old jeep trail, reseed. 

Close old jeep trail, reseed. 

Close old jeep trail, reseed. 

Close old jeep trail, reseed. 

Reroute water in boggy meadow back into creek. 

Water bars, Road closures,Ripping and seeding logging roads acquired 

with the Gait Land Purchase, also stream bank stabilization. 

Clean,repair,or replace existing drainage structures. 

Install drainage structures. 

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

Description Backlog I 

F-7 Water & Stream Quality 

METHODS 

Water quali 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 effedveness of BMPs, as well as validation of estimates on 

sediment yield. 

57 
Water & Sol1 

FINDINGS 

Water Quality Sampling 

Table F-7a lists the stations that were monitored 

during FY 1993, the period of record, and the variables sampled. 

Table F-7a WATER QUALITY MONITORING FY 1993 

Upper South Fork 1987 6 

Two Medicine River 

Lower South Fork 1993 7 

Two Medicine River 

South Fork Judith River 1993 2 

Lower Hall Cr. 1993 1 

Upper Hall Cr. 1993 1 

O'Brien Creek 1992 2 

, Whitetail Creek 1991 2 

I i N. Fk. Sun River 1989 4 

Sed, Flow, Temp 

Sed, Flow, Temp. 

Sed, Flow, Temp. 

Sed, Flow 

Sed, Flow 

Within municipal watershed for town of Neihart 

Sed, Flow Taken out in Spring 93 

The South Fork of the Two Medicine River, both 

upper and lower, South Fork Judith River, O'Brien 

Creek and Whitetail Creek stations were sampled 

with automatic ISCO suspended sediment samplers and flow level recorders. These stations were 

also sampled manually through width and depth 

integrated samples with a DH48 and discharge 

measurements with a vertical axis current meter. 

Hand-sampling was conducted at the Upper and 

Lower Hall Creek stations using a DH-48 and vertical axis current meters to gather depth and width 

integrated sediment and flow level values. 

The South Fork of the Two Medicine Creelcstation 

was established to acquire pre-project data in anticipation of Findchevron Oil Exploration activities. 

Data collected at this station may also reflect impacts to soil and water resources from past land 

management activities within this watershed. The 

sampling devices on the South Fork of the Two 

Medicine Creek were washed out by flood level 

flows resulting from a rain on snow event in the 

spring of 1991 and was re-established in 1992. Battery and equipment problems at this station have 

resulted in limited sampling data for 1992. Due to 

equipment loss in 1991, not enough data was collected at this station during the month of peak flow 

to make a valid comparison to the data from previous years. 

Another station was established on the South Fork 

of the Two Medicine River this spring just below a 

new proposed Fina Oil Exploration stream crossing. 

This station along with the upper station established 

in 1987 will allow more accurate monitoring of any 

activies which may occur in this watershed. 

The North Fork of the Sun River station was reactivated in FY 1989 to evaluate potehtial impacts to 

water quality resulting from the Gates Park fire. Operation of this station was a cooperative effort between the United States Forest Service (USFS), 

United States Geological Survey (USGS), 

Greenfield irrigation District, and Bureau of 

Reclamation. The USFS and Bureau of Reclamation 

financially supported the USGS to maintain the , . 

gauging station. The Greenfield Irrigation District 

serviced the automatic suspended sediment sampler. Also during the fall of 1988 an aerial photo flight 

was made over Gibson Reservoir to map the b6ttom 

of the. reservoir. A similiar flight was flown in the fall 

of 1993 and the results of this flight will be analyzed 

along with the flight of 1988 to determine the 

amount, if any, of increased sediment to the reser- 

' 

58 
Water 81 Soil 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

voir from the Gates Park Fire. The USFS is ultimately 

responsible for analyzing this data along with the 

data collected from the sampling station. This station was closed down in the spring of 1993 as it was 

felt adequate data had been collected. 

monitor timber sale activites in the drainages above 

these stations. 

Both Hall Creek Stations were hand sample stations, with no automatic equipment available. 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

An automatic sediment sampler and recwder were 

established in the spring of 1992 in the O’Brien 

Creek drainage above the municipal water reservoir 

in order to assess whether small timber harvest activities in the upper watershed impacts the municipal water source. No harvest activlty took place in 

1992, providing an opportunlty for collecting initial 

baseline data. 

Riparian areas and streams: stream cover 

and pools I 

Automatic samplers and recorders were also established on Whitetail Creek and South Fork Judith 

River in 1992. These stations were established to 

Annually 

Results from the Upper and Lower Hall Creek, 

O’Brien Creek, South Fork Judith, Lower Two Medicine River, and Whitetail Creek stations are too limited at this stage to draw any conclusions. Results 

from the Upper Two Medicine and North Fork of the 

Sun Rivers will be analyzed as time and personnel 

permit. 

Intra-gravel Sediment Sampling 

In FY 1993 no sampling was done due to a lack of 

funds and personnel. 

F-8 Stream Cover & Pools 

Significant (90% confidence) decline in 

condition 

METHODS 

Inventory of the condition of riparian areas and 

streams is presently conducted using the COWFISH model and shrub condition. Channel typing 

was carried out using the Rosgen Channel Classification System (Rosgen, 1985). Using topographic 

maps, aerial photos, and field observations, stream 

systems were broken down into reaches of similar 

characteristics. Quantitative measurements for 

stream typing were collected within selected representative subreaches. In addition, grazed riparian 

reaches were delineated and their condition assessed using comparisons with reference vegetation compositions for similar ecological conditions. 

FINDINGS 

Seventeen miles of fish habitat on the Rocky Mountain Front were evaluated in FY 1993 by the use of 

COWFISH methods. Approximately 40 miles of 

streams in the Rockies, 15 in the Little Belts, and 3 

in the Crazies, were inventoried during the 1993 

field season to assess stream channel conditions. 

Approximately 2 of the 40 miles of fish habitat evaluated on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District were 

found to be in poor condition. Streamside shrub 

communities were found to be in at least fair condition along all miles of fishery streams that were surveyed in the Jefferson Division (Little Belt and Crazy 

Mountains) during the 1993 field season. 

Streams were surveyed in two range analysis areas 

on the Forest; Sun Canyon Area and North Little 

Belts. Information that was collected will be analyzed in fical year 1994, and included in the EIS’s for 

these projects. .\ 

Work continued on a Forest-level classification 

project started in 1990. Information gathered in FY 

1993 on streams surveyed on both the Rocky Msuntain and Jefferson Divisions will be used to describe 

and classify the current and potential condition of 

riparian areas, in the context of the geology and 

geomorphology of the valley bottom. The classification will provide a means to compare existing and 

59 
Water & Sol1 

desired. condition in riparian areas, and prioritize 

areas for improvement. This classification will be 

used as a basis for riparian monitoring and in development of range allotment management plans. The 

riparian reach sampling also serves to document 

baseline conditions of riparian sites. Classification 

and mapping of potential riparian conditions will 

continue in FY 1994. 

E-9 Public Health % 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

During FY 1993, 37 Forest systems and 8 Special 

Use systems were open for use. 36 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 bacteriologic tests were 

occasionally not accomplished. 

FINDINGS 

An evaluation of the testing program revealed that 

the sampling and testing omissions for the Forest 

Service systems was confined to one District. Further 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. 

60 
Minerals 

MINERALS I. 

The FY 1993 target for minerals management was 

37 cases. A total of 37 cases were processed. Cases include Notices of Intent and Plans of Operations 

processed for hard-rock mineral activity gn'd administration of those Notices and Plans; geophysical 

prospecting permits processed and administered; 

inventory, evaluation and reporting on geologic or 

mineral resources for program planning, land withdrawals, 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. 

The Forest Plan outlines monitoring requirements 

lated 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 cost/unit of outputs; or initiating 

revision of the Plan. 

For Minerals, 5 items have been identified for monitoring. These and the results of monitoring for FY 

1993 (October 1, 1992 - September 30, 1993) are -. 

for minerals management. It addresses minerals re- provided below: 

G-I Effect of Mining Activities 

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

Annually - 100% Adverse effect of Forest Service project 

of active opera- on mineral activities or revision or detions on a month- parture from approved operating plan 

ly basis 

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 1993. According Ro the 

Forest plan monitoring requirements, 100% of all 

active operations are to be 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. 

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. 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 1993, five new Plans of Operation (POOs) were reviewed for mineral activities. Environmental analyses were conducted for each proposal. All proposals were analyzed for compliance 

and consistency with Forest Plan goals, objectives, 

and management standards. Modifications or addi- , 

tions 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%pproved in a previous year during which the proposal 

was not completed. 

, 

Rio Algom proposed to drill six exploratory holes in 

the Spring Creek area in the south Little Belts on the 

61 
Minerals 

Mu&ilshell Ranger District. Later in the season, the 

company decided to drill only one of the holes, 

although approval was given for all proposed drilling. The drill site was in an area previously logged 

and accessible by an existing road. 

Carl Berg proposed to open two caved, aaits in the 

Robinson Creek area, Castle Mountains, also on the 

Musselshell Ranger District. Approval was given to 

conduct operations at one of the caved sites; approval of proposed work at the second caved adit 

was awaiting State Historic Preservation Office response to National Historic eligibility of the adit and 

structures and received clearance late in the season. 

Frank Frankovich submitted a Plan of Operations for 

nine exploratory drill holes in the Hensley Creek 

area in the Castle Mountains, Musselshell Ranger 

Table G-1 FY 1993 Project List for Mining Activities 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn Dlstrlct D-1 

No Mining Activities 

JudHh Dlstrlcl D-4 

1. Vortex Mining -Yogo Crk. 

2. Gamble Claims-Placer Creek 

3. Bliss claims 

4. Davis claims 

Musselshell District D-6 

1. DLB claim 

2. Rio Algom 

3. Carl Berg 

4. Frank Frankovich 

District. All drill sites are located adjacent to existing 

roads, Only four of the sites were drilled in FY 1993. 

Kennecott submitted a Plan of Operations to drill up 

to eleven exploratory drill holes in the Lake Creek 

Charcoal Gulch area on the Kings Hill Ranger District. Only three of these holes were drilled in FY 

1993. One drill site required approximately 3400 feet 

of low standard road construction. In addition, Kennecott proposed to conduct geophysical resistivity 

surveys along three 1-2 mile survey lines in the Lion 

Creek area, also in the Little Belt Mountains. 

Cominoco American Resources, Inc. submitted a 

Plan of Operations for six exploratory drill holes, and 

to re-enter and deepen one hole drilled in 1992. 

Three of the sites are located off Highway 89 in the 

Sheep Creek area, and the other three sites are 

along the Ranch Creek road. No new road construction was proposed. None of these sites were drilled 

in 1993. 

Status 

Active under approved POOI 

Approved PO0 

Approved PO0 

Active under approved PO0 

Approved Notice of Intent 

Approved PO0 L 

Approved PO0 

Approved PO0 

Comments 

Reviewed monthly during summer operations. 

Operations are primarily underground develop 

ment work - in compliance with POO. 

No activity in FY 93 

No activity in FY 93 

Pick and shovel work in small area, all work 

done by hand 

No work done in N 93 

Single exploratory drill hole; site inspected during 

operations and operations in accordance with 

Plan. 

Approval given to re-open existing caved adit; 

no actual work taking place during inspections 

throughout season. 

4 exploratory drill holes in Castle Mountains; 

sites inspected throughout operations and 

determined to be in compliance with Plan. 

62 
Minerals 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

I. Table G-1 FY 1993 Project List for Mining Activities (continued) 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

Project Title 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

I L 

Effect of Drilling Annually - 100% Adverse effect upon surfaceiesources 

of active opera- or departure from conditions of the aptions on a weekly proved permit 

basis I 

Kings Hlll Distrlct D7 

1. Cominco Sheep Creek drilling 

2. Kennecott drilling 

3. Kennecott resistivity SUNey 

PO0 = Plan of Operation 

Status -1 Comments 

Approved PO0 

A$proved PO0 

Approved PO0 

A total of 6 new drill sites approved, as well as 

deepening of one drill hole started earlier in 

1992. No drilling done, however, in FY 93. 

Eleven drill holes proposed in the Lake CreeW 

Charcoal Gulch area, south Little Belts. Three of 

the holes were drilled. 

Passive operation consisting of electrical cable 

strung along surveyed line proposed in the Lion 

Creek area, south Little Belts. 

G-2 Geophysical Prospecting 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

~~~~~~~~ ~ 

Effect of Prospecting Annually - 100 % 

of active operations on a biweekly basis 

Adverse effect upon surface resources 

or departure from conditions of the approved permit 

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 1993. 

G-3 Drilling Effects 

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 Ranger District was 

completed in December, 1990. Following a psblic 

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). 

63 
Minerals 

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 complet_ed 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 

addition, Secretary of Interior Bruce Babbitt issued 

a one-year stay on all developmental activities, effective July 1, 1993. 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. 

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 effecis of the drilling proposal on the district. 

G-4 Rehabilitation 

weekly basis durin 5 years after rehabilitation has 

Requirements for reclamation were established for 

each mining proposal and made part of me approved operating plan. Reclamation bonds were established for proposals, based on the costs which 

would be incurred to rehabilitate the area of proposed activity. These bond amounts were collected 

prior to allowing any activlty to take place, and retained until final reclamation standards are met. 

Mineral operations inspected for rehabilitation are 

listed in the table that follows. 

i ., 

64 
Minerals 

Table G-4 FY 1993 Project List for Rehabilitation of Disturbed Areas 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn Dlotrlcl D-1 

No mineral-related reclamation 

Judith Dlstrlcl D4 

1. Vortex Mine 

Musselshell Dlstrld D-6 

1. Kennecott Checkerboard project 

2. Kennecott Checkerboard project 

3. Rio Algom 

4. Frank Frankovich 

Klnge HI11 Dlstrlct D-7 

1. Cominco American 

2. Kennecott Core Drilling 

3. Kennecott Resistivity Survey 

Year 

Completed 

1989 

1990 

1993 

1993 

1992 

r 

1993 

1993 

Dates Reviewed 

10193 

1993 

1993 

Sept, 1993 

1 0193 

1993 

9/93 

None 

DSUAbandoned Mine Reclamation Bureau 

conducted evaluation of mineral developmentrelated environmental concerns in Yogo Creek 

area surrounding Vortex operations. Samples 

taken from old settling pond area and tailing 

pile on claim, as well as stream sediment samples. 

Results of testing showed no detrimental environmental impacts occurring contributable to Vortex’s 

operations. 

.- 

Review of rehabilitation, including hole plugging, 

revealed all necessary rehab accomplished. 

Contouring, reseeding, and hole plugging 

accomplished at two drill sites; rehabilitation 

completed. Remaining $so0 of Kennecott bond 

held by DSL was released. 

Partial release of bond (held by Department of 

State Lands - DSL) granted for adequate regrading and drill hole plugging of single exploratory 

drill hole. $250 of bond remains with DSL until 

sites are stabilized with weed-free vegetation. 

Site to be inspected in 1994. 

4 drill sites determined to be restored and holes 

sealed with according to plan. The mud pit at 

one site will be reviewed in 1994 to determine if 

additional backfilling is necessary. $500 of 

reclamation bond is being held by DSL pending 

completion of grass seeding on access routes 

and pit rehab. 

Previous sites evaluated for rehabilitation effectiveness; all previously drilled sites determined 

to have satisfactorily met reclamation standards 

and DSL requested to release all previously-held 

bonds. 

Three holes drilled; initial rehabilitation completed. Kennecott may re-enter one hole next year, 

in area which required new road construction. 

Additional inspections required in 1994. 

Anticipated negligible impacts; no specific 

rehabilitation measures required. 

65 
Minerals 

- 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER WALU AT10 N 

G-5 Mineral Availability 

Annually - 100% Denial of more than 10% of proposed 

sample I projects 1 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 modifications) complied with established Forest Plan standards and 

guidelines; therefore, none were denied. 

During FY 1993, work began 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 

1ease):ln FY 1993, resource data information, such 

as wildlife habitat boundaries, landtype data, and 

Forest Plan information was collected and entered 

into the computerized Geographic Information Systems for use in the analysis. No new oil and gas 

leases are being offered until completion of this 

analysis, anticipated by October 1995. 

66 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

GENERAL 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

1-1 Costs & Values 

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. 

1 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING VARIABILITY (+I-) w H IC H wou LD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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 

availability of sawlogs and the increasing demand in 

central Montana, we see a continuation of the 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 Forest over the last six years ($104/mb9 was less 

than hatf that used in the forest planning process 

($2Wmbf). In 1992, the average stumpage prices 

for sawtimber on the Lewis and Clark rose The Forest recommends deleting this monitoring 

dramatically-$1 75/mbf. In 1993, it dropped item, since the only available tracking system for 

slightly-$14l/mbf. In the next three years validating costs/values is designed solely for the 

(1994-1996) of the Forest Plan, with the declining timber resource. 

I If issue cannot be dealt with-under the I cia1 values I I Forest Information and Involvement 

Effects of emerging issues or changing so- Continuous 

I Plan I 

? ,\ 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 Fiscal Year 1993. While each 

Ranger 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 ere: 

ChevrodFina Environmental impact Statement 

(EIS) on Exploratory Oil and Gas Wells, Galt Land 

Purchase, Forestwide Range Inventory and Analysis and as always, the Timber Sale Program. 

67 
General 

Chevron/Flna EIS: 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 

Fina (Hall Creek) and Chevron (Badger Creek) Exploratory Oil and Gas Wells was released in November, 1990. More than 1200 people were mailed summaries or complete Final Environmental Impact 

Statements. t 

.- 

The Record of Decision approving the Fina project 

was signed on February 19,1991, by the Lewis and 

Clark Forest Supervisor and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Great Falls Resource Area Manager. Access to the Fina site would be from U.S. Highway 2 beginning in the NW 1/4 of Section 15, T30N, 

R13W, proceeding through sections 14 and 23, 

then, joining an existing jeep road to the well site. 

The Forest Service received 53 appeals on the Fina 

decision. Two of the appeals were not timely, one 

was dismissed for lack of information, and the Regional Forester sustained the Forest decision to issue a drilling permit after review of the other 50 

appeals. 

The (BLM) also received several appeals of the decision. One of the issues raised with the BLM was their 

responsibility for evaluating impacts on surface resources associated with drilling on public lands, 

including National Forest system lands. The BLM 

asked the Interior Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) to 

delay their appeal process until the agency could 

review its responsibility for evaluating potential impacts of the drilling. As a result of the BLM request, 

the IBIA remanded the decision to the BLM to establish jurisdictional responsibilities. The BLM 

withdrew approval of the permit pending a review of 

surface environmental effects. Following the review, 

a BLM Record of Decision was issued Jaryary 14, 

1993, approving the APD. The ROD received concurrence by the Assistant Secretary of Interior. 

A complaint was filed with U.S. District Court-Great 

Falls Division by a coalition of interest groups with 

respect to the final administrative decisions approving the APD. The Department of Justice is representing the Forest Service and Department of Interior during this litigation. 

A one-year stay on all developmental activities was 

issued by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt and went 

into effect July 1,1993. The Forest Service requested that the lawsuit be vacated as a result of the 

Interior Secretary's decision. The District Court 

judge denied the motion to dismiss but stayed the 

proceedings on the case until May 1, 1994. 

A final decision on the Chevron application has not 

been made. An archival records search to determine whether the area has special religious significance for the Blackfeet Nation was completed and 

the Lewis and Clark National Forest commissioned 

a contract with Historical Research Associates of 

Missoula to conduct interviews with Native Americans to gather data on historical use of the RM-1 

Management Unit. 

The ethnographic study of the Badger-Two Medicine area has been completed by the contractor, 

and the Forest Service has eonsulted with Tribal 

officials and a boundary of a traditional cultural district has been determined. 

Galt Land Purchase: 

The purchase was divided into four phases with the 

first purchase being completed in FY 1991. The first 

purchase included 3,560 acres. The second purchase of 16,080 acres for $3.9 million was completed in late winter of 1992 and a third purchase for 

4,740 acres at $1.01 million was completed in June, 

1992. The last purchase of the remaining acres 

(14,531) occurred in February, 1993. District personnel are proceeding with watershed rehab work 

in previously logged areas. 

Forestwlde 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 

-P68 
General 

August 25 & 26,1993. Throughout the early phases 

of this study, members of the local grazing association attended ID team meetings and have participated in the alternative development. In October, a field 

trip was held for Congressional staffers, permittees 

and other special interest groups. 

Timber Sale Program: % 

\ 

Little Snowies Vegetative Management & Public Access - Draft 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 Ranger 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, Billings, 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 €IS was released to the public September 

10, 1993. One appeal was filed on the project. 

Smokey-Corridor Timber Sales - Draft 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 SmokeyCorridor on the Kings Hill Ranger 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 

Smokey-Corridor Timber Sales was available for 

public review and comment in July. 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 will be released in January, 1994. 

Lewis and Clark National Hlstorlc 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. Congress did not 

fund the project for Fiscal Years 1991 -93; so the two 

remaining design phases were postponed pending 

future financing. 

In an effort to elicit matching funds from governmental agencies, the communlty 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. 

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 p$blic 

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 pro69 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Evaluate lands identified as not meeting Continuous 

physical or biological characteristics used 

in initial allocations 

cess 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.' 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

All changes will be evaluated annually 

6. In the summer of 1989, an analysis of Area Access Needs for the Highwood Mountain? &as initiated. Individual contact was made with all landowners 

adjacent to National Forest System lands and public meetings were held in FY 1990 to determine the 

type and location of access needed as documented 

in the Forest Plan. After a delay, public involvement 

on access proposals commenced in February, 

1992. Public involvement activities resulted in 175 

letters from individuals, 17 letters from organizations 

or agencies and 979 petition signatures. 

A group of landowners on the west end of the Highwood Mountains petitioned Cascade County Commissioners to accept a restricted easement through 

their property to access the National Forest. The 

landowners are opposed to any change in the current primitive road. The Cascade County Commissioners postponed making a decision on the petition. 

The EA for the Highwoods access study was released in May, 1993. The Decision Notice was announced the first week of September with the appeal period ending October 21, 1993. Two appeals 

were received on the decision. 

C. As a result of the November 23-24, 1990, Turkey 

Fire where private property was destroyed, the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest was invoked 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 Marshall 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 concerning liability. Forest personnel spent much of the 

summer preparing for the damage assessment 

phase of the trial which began October 5, 1993. 

D. In March, 1991, a Notice of Intent to prepare a 

supplement to the 1986 Final Environmental Impact 

Statement for noxious weed control was published 

in the Federal Register. Also, letters were sent to 

323 agencies, organizations and individuals. The 

comment period for scoping ended on March 31, 

1991,. Four comments were received. The Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement was released in the late fall of 1993. 

1-3 Land Allocations 

FINDINGS 

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. This figure represents 

a 4% change in land allocations and is considered 

a minor modification. The numbers reflect the pro- 

.. 

posed changes in management areas as recommended in the Little Snowies and Smokey-Corridor 

' 

ElSs (FY 1993 projects). .r 

The following table shows the management area 

changes made as a result of project implementation 

analysis. 

70 
General 

Table I-3a ALLOCATIONS OF MANAGEMENT AREAS AND ACRES 

(Forest Plan, page 3-2) 

Management Area 

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 L 

Management Area M 

Management Area N 

Management Area 0 

Management Area P 

Management Area Q 

Management Area R 

Management Area S 

Management Area T 

Total Acres Modified 

Total Forest Acres 

1987 Acres 

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 

384,407 

51,834 

33,225 

0 

0 

5 

1,843,397 

Change 

+ 13,582 

-25,966 

-24,554 

No change 

+8,051 

+2,591 

+ 13,135 

-2,342 

+16 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

+ 96 

+ 2,600 

+ 12,980 

-546 

70,032 

1993 Acres 

29,843 

304,872 

87,110 

24,456 

124,570 

355,337 

260,779 

29,436 

37,883 

11,100 

9,125 

is,i 12 

2,735 

41,838 

22,702 

384,407 

51,834 

33,321 

2,600 

12,980 

1,843,040 

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). 

1-4 Employrpent/lncome Projections 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Validation of employment and income 

jections 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

+/- 20% of predicted changes 

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 situation in FY 1993 (Table 3, 

TSPIRS). 

71 
General 

Forest Plan 

JOBS - 192 

INCOME ' - 7,060 

Table I-4a EMPLOYMENT & INCOME COMPARISONS 

7-Year 

19!33 Average 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 

367 150 200 110 170 580 31 0 270 

15,305 6,691 7,316 4,101 6,165 19,486 10,330 9,913 

l - Income in thousands and in FY 1993 dollars 

The 7-year average job (270) and income 

($9,913,000) projections are above the variability 

predicted in the Forest Plan. The 7-year averages 

are somewhat skewed due to the higher volume of 

timber harvested on the Forest (22.0 MMBF) in FY 

1992. It is anticipated that the harvest level during 

the next three years will be above what was projected in the Forest Plan (14.0 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 IMPIAN 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 payments to counties. These adjustments increased 

the employment and income figures per million 

board feet of timber harvest when compared to the 

information reported in TSPIRS in years prior to 

1992. 

72 
Lands 

LANDS 

J-I Compliance With Use Permits 

OUTPUT MANAGEMENT PRE 

Compliance with use permits acceptable results or deviation from 

METHODS 

The computerized Forest Land Use Report (FLUR) 

is used to prepare billings and gather information 

about the Forest’s special use permits. Inspections 

of the recreation residences, ski areas, outfitter 

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 Ranger District inspects 25 percent of its recreation residences. Ski area permits 

are regularly inspected before and during the ski 

season. For other special use permits, on-theground 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 

# Type of Permit 

1 

1 

1 67 

5 

1 

56 

2 

1 

3 

30 

11 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Organization Camp 

Isolated cabin 

Recreation Residences 

Resorts 

Target Range 

Outfitter Guides 

Ski Areas 

Ski Activity 

Cultivation 

Livestock Area (Pastures) 

Corrals 

Sign 

Solid Waste Disposal Site 

Research Study 

Weather Stations 

Military Training Areas 

73 
Lands 

Table J-1 a SPECIAL USE PERMITS (continued) 

# Type of Permit 

4 

1 

1 

1 

3 

3 

1 

4 

1 

16 

29 

1 

2 

15 

15 

Cultural Resources 

Construction Camp/Residence 

Mineral Material Sales 

Oil and Gas P$eline 

REA Powervnes 

Powerlines 

Railroad Right-of-way 

Department of Transportation 

Highway Easements 

Road Easement 

Road Permits 

Communication Sites 

Resource Monitoring Site 

Telephone Lines 

Irrigation Ditches 

Water Transmission Lines 

The Forest administers four Master Permits (one 

permit issued to one holder authorizing similiar uses 

forest-wide) for telephone and powerlines. Permit 

holders are Fergus Electric, Sun River Electric, US 

West, and Montana Power Company. The Forest 

also has a master permit to the Soil Conservation 

Service for their 29 snow survey sites forestwide. 

During this fiscal year the following new permits 

were issued (or reissued): 

24 outfiier guide permits of which: 

11 for hunting 

4 for river rafting 

9 for hikinacamping on Forest land 

6 recreation residences 

3 communication sites 

6 water uses 

3 cultural resource 

4 private roads 

3 corral 

1 resort 

3 livestock use areas 

1 ski activity 

In 1992 the Rocky Mountain District Ranger’s decision not to reissue an outfitter-guide permit was 

appealed by the permit holder. The decision was 

upheld by both the Forest Supervisor and the Regional Forester. The permit holder took the case to 

court in 1993, and through settlement, the permit 

was reissued to a family member who bought the 

family outfiier/resort business. 

The Forest is continuing its cooperation with the 

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks in 

updating the Smith River Management Plan which 

was originally developed in 1988. Through a costshare agreement the Forest contributes money for 

maintenance of NFS lands along the river. 

The State accepts applications, issues permits and 

manages use on the Smith. In 1992 launches were 

regulated for commercial outfiiers. Beginning in 

1993, private floaters as well as commercial outfitters had to apply for permits to float the river. 

Launches were limited to nine per day (eight for 

private floaters and one for commercial outfitters). 

Starting this year, all parties had to declare their 

intended campsites at the put-in point as an effort to 

better distribute use on the Smith. This procedure 

seems to be generally acceptable Since the quality 

of floats has greatly improved. 

Ski Lift, Inc. requested an amendment to their permit 

to allow a concessionaire to rent snowmobiles at the 

ski area. This request was approved and there will 

snowmobiles for rent at the area during the 1993-94 

season. 

AT&T has applied for a permit across four forests for 

a fiber-optic line from Thompson Falls, MT to Cardston, Alberta. The proposed line would be3long 

Highway 2 on the Rocky Mountain District. The 

Lewis and Clark was the lead forest for the cuttural 

resource permit issued for this proposed project. 

74 
Lands 

Right-of-way Easements Accomplishment 

.- 

.. J-2 Right-of-way Easements 

Annually - 100% Less than 75% accomplishment of 

Sample 5-Year Program 

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

Road ROW Acquisition 

Trail R-0-W Program 

Trail R-OW Acquisition 

3 1 2 2 1 0 9 

1 1 0 0 1 2 3 

1 0 1 0 0 0 11 

FINDINGS 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Land Ownership Adjustment Accomplish- Annually - 100% Less than 75% accomplishment of ., 

ment Sample 5-Year Program 

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 

1993 contained five road easements and three trail 

easements. Two of the road easements were to 

'perfect' title of existing easements. Neither of these 

were acquired. The remaining three planned road 

ROWs were acquired and an additional six road 

ROWs were acquired via a land purchase and a 

Small Tracts Act Interchange. 

The three scheduled trail ROWs were acquired in 

Cottonwood Creek in the Big Snowy Mountains. 

Also, eight trail ROWs were acquired in conjunction 

with a land purchase in the Crazy Mountains. 

Essentially, the Rights-of-way program was accomplished. Case accomplishment tends to become 

more difficult as real estate prices rise and land is 

subdivided. In 1992 the General Accounting Office 

(GAO) issued a Briefing Report to a Congressional 

Subcommittee indicating that 14% of Federal lands 

have inadequate access. 

FINDINGS rr 

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 

75 
Lands 

Annually - 100% 

Sample 

are desirable for National Forest System ownership 

are pursued as they develop. 

basis.' For this reason, it would be very difficutt to 

'lock-in' on targets for accomplishments. The Forest 

Less than 75% of the Forest Plan Target 

had no annual target with the Region in FY 1993. No 

exchange Was attempted Or accomplished in FY 

me Forest Plan specifically states that '----it is not 

the intent of the Forest Service to pursue this direcDescription Forestplan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

1 

Landline Location 26 14 18* 25 21.5 23 24 17 

- 

tion (land exchange) except on a willing grantor 1993. 

Table 5-3a LAND EXCHANGE (Acres) 

1 - Corrects an omission in previous Monitoring and Evaluation Reports - Cady Land Exchange in the Little Be# Mountains 

J-4 Landline Location 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Landline Location Accomplishment 

FINOINGS 

The Forest Plan target for landline location is 26 

miledyear decadal average. In FY 1993 the Forest 

was funded for a target of 17 miles and accomplished 17 miles, about 65% of the Forest Plan target. For the first seven years of the Forest Plan's first 

decade, the Forest accomplished an average of 

78% of its projected annual program. 

The Forest has a total of 1,636 miles of property 

boundary. Of this, 305 miles have been ppsted to 

standard leaving 1,331 miles not posted. 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 

1994 - 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 forever to the forces of man and nature. 

Table J4a LANDLINE LOCATION ACCOMPLISHMENT (miles) . .., 

76 
Facllitles 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED .. I 

FACl LIT1 ES 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

L-1 Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction 

Road and Trail Construction; local roads; Annually - 100% 

arterial/collector roads Sample trails; I I I +/- 20% of programmed construction/ 

reconstruction accomplished 

FINDINGS - Roads 

The Forest Plan, as amended, projects 20 miles per 

year for the Capital Investment Program and 13 

miles annually for the Timber Management Program. This includes all miles, both construction and 

reconstruction in support of all resources. 

In FY 1993 the Forest constructed 0.1 miles and 

reconstructed no miles for a total of 0.1 miles under 

the Capital Investment Program. Three old existing 

bridges were replaced in 1993. Under the Purchaser Credit Program 3.1 miles were constructed and 

1.3 miles were reconstructed for a total of 4.4 miles 

of construction and reconstruction under all programs. 

When considering the total miles constructed and 

reconstructed in both programs during FY 1993, the 

output was 14% of that projected by the updated 

Plan. This is outside of the variability tolerance. 

When considering the average accomplishment for 

the seven year period (87 - 93) the Forest accomplishment in the Capital Investment Program is 

56.9%; the accomplishment for the Purchaser Credit Program is 95% and the combined programs accomplishment is 72%. The reason for the under accomplishment in the Timber Purchaser Program is 

essentially tied to sales that fell behind schedule in 

the NEPA process. These sales will be backlogged 

into the FY 1994 program. 

Shortfalls in the Capital Investment Program are the 

result of Regional prioritization and reduced road 

construction budgets at the National and Regional 

levels. Consequences of not meeting Forest Plan 

targets in this program primarily result in our inabilrty 

to improve inadequate roads through relocation or 

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/RECONSTRUCTED 

77 
Facllltles 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District 

Gibson Lake II 1.7 miles 

Upper W. Fk. Sun 3.0 miles 

Prairie Reef 2.0 miles 

Indian Creek 1.0 mile 

Judith Ranger Distrlct 

Dry Wolf 1.8 miles 

L 

FlNDtNGS - Tralls 

Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

I 

14.0 8.5 13.3 12.8 14.1 12.0 19.5 9.5 

The Forest Plan, as amended, projects an average 

of 14.0 miles of trail construction and reconstruction 

annually. In FY 1993, 13.1 miles of reconstruction 

work occurred using appropriated funds. Of these, 

Morrissey-Nevada trails (3.6 miles) were reported 

already for FY 1992. Mileages by district, and 

projects accomplished, are: 

Miles of Roads Open to Public Use 

Table L-1 b TRAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FY 1993 < 

I Description I Miles I 

Annually - 100% 

Sample public 

+/- 20% of target miles to be left open to 

It should be noted that Gibson Lake II trail construction is a major project costing substantially more per 

mile than average because of the rocky nature of 

the work and the width of the trail. Although trail 

mileage reported for FY 1993 is less than projected 

in the Forest Plan, funding levels this year were 

higher than ever before. 

L-2 Mile of Roads Open 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

PERIOD I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

FINDINGS 

The Forest has 1,871 miles of system road. This 

mileage has been declining as a result of some road 

obliterations and a continuing review of the road 

inventory. The Forest Travel Plan resulted in the 

following summation of road restrictions and closures. On the Jefferson Division, approximately 27 

miles are closed yearlong to all motorized use and 

another 260 miles are restricted seasonally for some 

or all forms of motorized use. On the Rocky Mountain Division one mile is closed yearlong to all motorized use and 28 miles are restricted seasonally for 

some or all types of motorized use. ... 

In summary, of the 1,871 miles of system roads on 

the Forest, 1,843 (98.5%) are open to some fym of 

motorized use for at least a portion of the year. The 

Forest Plan does not establish any target miles to be 

open or closed to public motorized traffic. 

78 
Protection 

Forest Plan 

70 

PROTECTION 

1987 1988 1909 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

90+ 80 90 67 64 89 70 

P-I High Risk Stands 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

5 Years 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ' 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Introduction of new insect or disease or 

spread of an existing insect or disease " 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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 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 ~y 1993,70% of the sawtimber on the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest was lodgepole pine. Reral fuels. Future planning is also emphasizing removal of lodgepole pine. 

views of timber Sale locations showed the Forest is 

continuing to break up large concentrations of natuSummary of FY 1987 through ~y 1993 removal of 

lodgepole pine stands is as follows: 

Table P-1 a REMOVAL OF HIGH RISK LODGEPOLE PINE (percent) 

Over the first seven years of the Forest Plan, lodgepole pine has made up about 79% Of the 

volume sold on the Forest. This is above the 70% 

version of high risk lodgepole pine stands to seedlings on suitable forest land is at a pace set by the 

Forest Plan, there remains a high need to convert 

er, more productive stands. 

level envisioned in the Forest Plan. While the con- the very Old, decadent lodgepole stands to youngP-2 Acres/Volume of Insect & Disease c 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Acres and volume of insect and disease 

infestations 

FINDINGS 4 

Insect and disease sutveys conducted during the 

summer of 1992 (Note: aerial surveys are conducted each summer, but the report is not available until 

the following May) showed that the Western spruce 

budworm continued to build on the Forest, but they 

had not reached their pre-1989 levels. About 99,000 

acres of visible Western spruce budworm defoliation was reported on Forest lands (Montana Forest 

79 
Protection 

Management practices to ensure activities 

do not promote an increase in insect or 

disease organisms c 

Pest ' Condition and Program Highlights, Report 

93-2). Other insects and diseases continue at endemic levels. This included 500 acres of mountain 

pine beetle infestation and 300 acres of Douglas-fir 

bark beetle infestation. The planned yearly surveys 

are adequate to monitor insect conditions on the 

Forest. 

Annually Significant increase in insect and disease 

P-3 Management 1 Practices 

Assure prescribed fire meets air quality 

standards 

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

Annually +/- 10% beyond standard guidelines 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Annually - 100% 

sample 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 0 N I _1 + 

Fuel Treatment Outputs +/- 25% of programmed targets 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1993, the Forest burned 1,805 acres for slash 

disposal, natural fuel treatment, wildlife habitat improvement, and rangeland improvement. In order to 

meet prescribed fire parameters, some of the slash 

disposal was done in the winter outside of the fall 

burning season. There were no known complaints 

about any prescribed burning project affecting air 

quality. Burning conditions and coordination, under 

a State of Montana permit, play a major role in meeting air quality standards. 

P-5 Fuel Treatment Outputs 
Protectlon 

100% Sample 

Annually 

FINDINGS 

+/- 25% above projected-average annual wildfire burned acres 

In FY 1993, the Forest treated 833 acres of activity 

fuels (slash from timber harvest and road building) 

and 972 acres of natural fuels. The Forest Plan duction is as follows: 

shows a target of 1,470 acres of activtty fuels and 

700 acres of natural fuels per year. Summary of FY 

1987 through FY 1993 activtty and natural fuels reTable P-5a ACTIVITY B NATURAL FUEL ACCOMPLISHMENT (acres) 

During the first seven years of the Forest Plan, about 

6,400 acres of activity fuels were treated. This is 

about 560 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 activrty 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 the backlog of timber to be sold 

on the Forest has been largely eliminated, it is anticipated that during the next three years of the Plan, 

the acres of activity fuels treated will be near the 

Forest Plan level. 

During this time, the Forest treated about 6,200 

acres of natural fuels. This is about 180 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 

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

Wildfire Acres Burned 

FINDINGS 

The 1993 fire season started off looking serious after 

a very dry winter. However, the jet stream turned 

south over Canada bringing with it over 10 inches of 

rain (over twice the normal amount of summer precipitation). The 1993 fire season never got off the 

ground. In 1993, the Forest had 2 wildfires which 

burned 1 tree and a 10' X 10 spot. This was considerably below the 10 year average of 35 wildfires with 

497 acres burned. The Forest dispatched the Chief 

Mountain Type I crew to the southwest in June, to 

southern California in September, to the State of 

Montana Central Lands Office in October, and back 

to southern California along with 7 Montana Indian 

Firefighting Crews in late October. This was an all-. +', 

time low for crew dispatches. Two fires in the Bob 

Marshall Wilderness were into prescription under 

the Revised Forest Fire Management Plan. However, the rains put them out. Collectively, they burned 

less than X acre. 

Summary of 1987 through 1993 total wildfire acres 

burned is as follows: 

81 
Protection 

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1 O-Y ear 1 987 

average 

497 37 174,162 13 32,013 795 25 1 

- 

Table P-6a WILDFIRE AREA BURNED (acres) 

1995 1996 

Cost of Suppression and Protection Organization 

P-7 Suppression & Protection Costs 

+/- 5% increase in real costs I 5 Years 

~~~ ~~ 

FLJTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 1 REPORTING I VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1 0-year 

average 

$sso $379 $6,361 $273 $1,684 $2,648 $484 $520 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED I PERIOD I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I I 

1 995 1996 

FINDINGS 

The total cost of fire suppression and protection in 

1993 was $520,000. This is below the 1 0-year average of $590,000. 

Summary of 1987 through 1993 suppression and 

protection costs is as follows: 

Table P-7a SUPPRESSION & PROTECTION COSTS (Thousand Dollars) 

During the first seven years of the Forest Plan, acretection costs were substantially above those projected by the F~~~~ plan. This situation resufted 

1991 , and 1992 and changing fuel conditions. 

costs come from fires which escaped initial attack 

age lost to wildfires, and fire suppression and pro- About 90% of the acres burned and 75% of the 

from very dry weather conditions in 1988, 1990, and required the commitment of project resources. 

82 
Wlld & Scenlc Rivers 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I 

Project-level effects on eligible rivers qualifi- 100% Sample Any action that would adversely impact 

cations (free-flowing and 'outstandingly re- Annually or degrade an eligible river's qualificamarkable' resource values) and assigned tion and/or potential classification 

potential classification (wild, scenic, recreational) 

WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

W-I Effects on Eligible Rivers 

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 

#11 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. 

. 

Restoration of the Judith Guard Station, located 

along the Middle Fork Judith River, continues during 1993. This activrty was consistent with Forest 

Plan management standards assigned under a recreational potential classification. This activity had a 

positive effect on the river's 'outstandingly emarkable' cultural resource value. 

Activities occurred in 1991 which would affect some 

of the nine eligible rivers and could result in the 

addition of other Forest rivers meeting the eligibilrty 

requirements under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. 

One activity involved a field inventory of harlequin 

ducks on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. This 

inventory gathered data related to harlequin duck 

habitat, population structure and numbers, and reproduction. Two years of inventory results indicate 

the presence of harlequin ducks, a Northern Region 

Sensitive Species, on some Forest rivers. This data 

would be used in conjunction with the wild and 

scenic river eligibility criteria for an 'outstandingly 

remarkable' wildlife resource value. 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. 

Fish population estimates collected by the Montana 

Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks tentatively 

indicate that two eligible rivers, the North and South 

Forks of the Sun River, meet the 'outstandingly remarkable' fish criteria. This resource data would be 

analyzed and could result in these two rivers being 

recognized for their fishery value. 

The presence of the Shorthead Sculpin and Wests- 'x 

lope Cutthroat Trout, both Northern Region Sensitive Species, in rivers on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District are being tested for genetic purity OR the 

South Fork Two Medicine River, Badger Creek, 

South Badger Creek, and South Fork Dupuyer. The 

results of this testing, along with habitat quality and 

fish population numbers, could result in these rivers 

83 
Wlld 81 Scenic Rivers 

being recognized and/or added as eligible for their 

fishery value. 

The Forest's Wild and Scenic Rivers Interdisciplinary 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 1993 and most likely will not be 

performed in FY 1994 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. -% 

< 

84 
Comparlson of Outputs, Actlvltles, 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 

I Output or Activity 

Developed Use 

Dispersed Use 

Wilderness 

Non-wilderness 

Wildlife Habitat Imp 

Fish Habitat Imp 

T8E Habitat Imp 

Wildlife Structures 

Fish Structures 

I Permit Grazing Use 

Range Improvement 

Nonstructural 

Structural 

1 Nox. Weed Control 

AMPs 

Total Vol. Sold 

~ 

Silvicuttural Exams 

1 Reforest-Approp 

Reforest-Other' 

TSI-Appropriated4 

TSI-KV' 

Soil Inventory 

Soil 8 Water Imprv. 

Land Exchange I Landline Location 

Road Construction 

Road Reconstruction 

Total Road 

Trail Construction/ 

Reconstruction 

Fuels Mgmt-BD 

Fuels Mgmt-FFP 

$-Numbers differ from Table C12b because KV accomplishments included in this table's total 

LTotal of Reforestation and Site Prep. Natural Appropriated, see Table E-7a 

4-Total of Release Acres and Thinning TSI Appropriated, see Table E-7a 

6-Total of Release Acres and Thinning TSI KV, see Table E-7a 

3-Reforest-Other is the sum of Reforestation and Site Prep. from KV, Trust Funds, and Purchaser Work, see Table E-7a c 

85 
Comparlson of Outputs, Actlvttles, and Budgets 

. Table II - COMPARISON OF FY 1993 EXPENDITURES/ACCOMPLlSHMENTS vs FOREST PLAN 

PROJECTIONS vs REQUESTED OUTYEAR BUDGET 

Unit of 

Measure 

Activity 'Budget in 

Forest Plan 

General Admlnlstratlon 

Fire and Fuels 

Timber 

Fuels Mgt-FFP 

Tot Vol Offered 

Sib 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 

Wlldllfe and Fish 

Wildlife Hab imp 

Fish Hab Imp 

T8E Hab Imp 

Wildlife Hab Struc 

Fish Hab Struc 

Soil Inventory 

Soils improvement 

Facility Maintenance 

LandsILand Management 

Land Exchange 

Land StatusIAcq Admin 

Landline Locatlon 

Landline Location 

Road Maintenance 

Trail Maintenance 

Coop Law Enforcement 

Reforestation- Approp 

Reforest-Approp 

TSI-Approprlaled 

Tbr Std ImpApprop 

Tree improvement 

KV (Trust Fund) 

Reforest-KV 

Tbr Std ImpKV 

Flange 

Minerals 

Recreation 

Soil, Air, Water 

CWFSOther (Trust Fund) 

Tlmber Salv.Sale (Perm) 

Brush Dlsposal (Perm) 

Fuels Mgt-BD 

$$$ .- 

$$$ 

Acres 

ss 

MMBF 

M Acres 

sss 

M AUM 

Acres 

Structures 

Plans 

Acres 

$ss 

Cases 

$$$ 

M RVD 

M RVD 

M RVD 

stt 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres . 

Structures 

Structures 

sss 

Acres 

Acres 

ss 

$$s 

Acres 

ss 

ss 

Miles 

sss 

ss 

SS 

ss 

Acres 

$$$ 

Acres 

ws 

$ss 

Acres 

Acres 

ss 

ss 

ss 

Acres 

1276 

437 

700 

774 

14 

28 

533 

71.1 

1329 

40 

10 

600 

586 

160 

678 

169 

86 

61 4 

61 3 

600 

5 

100 

10 

25 

21 1 

m 

4s 

149 

144 

60 

205 

119 

26 

506 

370 

54 

75 

54 

38 

200 

10 

133 

270 

0 

31 

42 

31 

1470 

*Outyear 

Request 

FP Level 

1460 

481 

700 

1118 

19.2 

19.2 

71 0 

71 

400 

0 

4 

920 

358 

41 

905 

MA* 

N/A* 

N/A* 

71 5 

640 

5 

41 3 

12 

33 

335 

40000 

74 

21 0 

1 95 

0 

20 

1 70 

30 

530 

400 

58 

46 

82 

58 

230 

10 

88 

55 

24 

24 

130 

53 

1100 

'Outyear 

Request 

Constrained 

1410 

481 

700 

681 

13.7 

8.3 

492 

71 

200 

0 

-4 

51 0 

21 5 

41 

500 

N/A* 

N/A* 

MA* 

500 

400 

5 

400 

1 

26 

285 

37000 

50 

72 

75 

0 

37 

100 

19 

330 

250 

39 

32 

57 

46 

180 

10 

88 

55 

24 

24 

97 

53 

1100 

.Actual 

Allocation 

1294 

502 

1300 

542 

13 

7 

533 

71.1 

145 

14 

4 

770 

202 

37 

445 

N/A* 

N/A* 

N/A* 

323 

900 

16 

200 

3 

16 

197 

49000 

50 

73 

61 

0 

22 

99 

17 

251 

250 

44 

65 

125 

50 

203 

7 

87 

76 

111 

24 

455 

35 

9 

86 
Comparison of Outputs, Actlvltles, and Budgets 

. Table II - COMPARISON OF FY 1993 WPENDITURES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS vs FOREST PLAN 

PROJECTIONS vs REQUESTED OUTYEAR BUDGET (continued) 

Activity Unit of 

Measure 

Range Improvement 

Recreatlon Construction 

Faclltty Conelrucllon 

Englneerlng Const Support 

Const-Capftal Inv Roads 

Road ConstlReconst 

Trall ConstIReconst 

Trail ConstlReconst 

Total Budget 

Miles 

sss 

’Budget in ZOutyear 

FP Level 

Forest Plan Request 

j! 

8597 

42 

N/A’ 

630 

N/A’ 

33.0 

N/A’ 

All dollar figures are expressed in 1993 dollars (thousands). 

‘Outyear targets for Recreation are 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 

SOutyear 

Constrained 

Request 

42 

N/A’ 

N/A’ 

450 

N/&‘ 

20.0 

N/A’ 

.Actual 

Allocation 

. Table II - COMPARISON OF FY 1993 WPENDITURES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS vs FOREST PLAN 

PROJECTIONS vs REQUESTED OUTYEAR BUDGET (continued) 

Faclltty Conelrucllon 

Englneerlng Const Support 

Const-Capftal Inv Roads 

Road ConstlReconst 

Trall ConstIReconst 

Trail ConstlReconst 

Total Budget 8597 6248 I I I I 

46 

74 

0 

240 

244 

4.5 

83 

11.0 

6248 

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 lobbyhg 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. 

87 
hlst of PreparerdApproval 

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 1993. 

FY 1993 Monitoring & Evaluation Team 

NAME 

Bonner Armstrong 

Bonnie Dearing 

William Duryee 

Dana Field 

Sam Gilbert 

Donald Godtel 

Arlyss Hagen 

Lynn Johnson 

Ron Meyers 

Richard Newton 

Mark Nienow 

Wayne Phillips 

Dick Smith 

Robin Strathy 

Len Walch 

Ronald Yates 

FUNCTIONAL RESOURCE AREA 

Zone Timber 

Public information Officer 

Staff Officer - EngineerindLands 

Botanist 

Zone Timber (Silviculturist) 

Wildlife Biologist 

Resource Specialist 

Program Analyst 

Civil Engineer (Roads & Facilities) 

Archaeologist 

Hydrologist 

Ecologist 

Staff Officer Land Management Planning 

Geologist 

Zone Fisheries Biologist 

Landscape ArchitedRecreation 

In addition, the report was reviewed by the following individuals: 

NAME 

John D. Gorman 

John Greer 

David Fischer 

Jerry Dombrovske 

Larry Timchak 

William Fortune 

Terry Knupp 

TITLE 

~~~ ~ 

Forest Supervisor 

Forest Plan Implementation Group Leader 

Zone Staff Officer (Timber) 

District Ranger, Rocky Mountain Ranger District 

Oistrict Ranger, Judith Ranger District 

District Ranger, 'Musselshell Ranger District 

District Ranger, Kings Hili Ranger District 

88 
List of Preparers/Approval 

VI.. . APPROVAL 

I have reviewed the annual Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 1993 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 21 9. 

This report is approved: 

---m 3 .. 

rB /&&-- DAf 9!!9/9d E 

JOHN D. GORMAN 

Forest Supervisor 

89 
APPENDIX A 

ANNUAL WILDERNESS REPORT TO CONGRESS 

BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS COMPLEX 

Year 1993 

1. 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. 

1) Spread of noxlous weeds beyond control 

2) Degradation and overuse of popular trails 

Overuse of lakeslde campsltes/repeated use of campsltes 

3) Low numbers of naturally occurlng flres 

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 See I.A.l. 

Social Enforcement of Grizzly sanltatlon regulations 

Other Outfitter camp and service day management 

Instltutlonal/educatlonal outfitting 

Increasing need for wilderness education 

4. Social Trends (Describe) 

Users Increase in overall use. Fall and livestock use up. Plus llama use Increase. 

Day use fishing on the Blackfoot River Increased dramatically. 

Other Increased use of low Impact techniques 

Heightened awareness of wilderness legislation by the public. 

Use allocation resolution 

II. ORGANIZATION AND TRAINING 

A. Personnel 

1. Number of Employees (Wilderness Management Positions) 

PfT WAE Seasonal 

Previous year 11.3 4 13 

Current year 10.1 4 22 

Appendix A - 1 
2. Number of Person Years (Include All Resources) 

Previous Year 34.6 

Current Year 34.8 

8. Budget - Actual dollars that reached the National Forest($M Dollars) 

1 Total NFWM 

(include all resources 

1. Previous Fiscal Year $898.2 $370.7 

2. Current Fiscal Year $806.5 $424.6 

C. Management Method 

1. Single Unit 

2. Muki-Unit Yes 

3. Other (Describe) Coordinated management with formal charter 

0. Training - What Training Has Been Provided (Describe): Wilderness Ranger education workshop, 

on job training for new employees, wilderness ed. for District employees. 

111. MANAGEMENT 

A. Plans - Status 

1. Approved Fire Management Plan? Yes 

2. Allotment Management 

Total Number of Allotments Within Boundaries 

Total Number of Approved and Current AMPs 

39 

11 from 1982,13 from 1967, No 

current plans 

3. Forest Plan Direction Adequate? Yes, Pian amendments are needed 

4. Wilderness Implementation Schedule Complete? Yes - 

B. Air Quality and Monitoring 

1. Air Quality Monitoring Plan in effect? Yes 

2. Identified Problems with Air Quallty (Describe) None ldentlfied at this time. Base data only has , 

been established for Air & Water 

r;. 

C. Fire 

1. Acres Burned 

Natural ignition 

Planned ignition 

0 

0 

Appendix A - 2 
Wildfire 

2. Trends 

I. 

0 

Number of Natural Ignitions 

Number of Fires Suppressed 

3 

0 

D. Mining \ 

< 

1. Active Mining Operating Plans 1 

2. Number of Patented Mining Operations 0 

E. Grazing 

1. Livestock Grazing Use in Wilderness (AUMs) 

Cattle/Sheep 0 

Recreational Stock - Commercial 1170 

Recreational Stock - Private 661 1 

2. Acres Grazed in Wilderness 50736 

3. Condition of Range Resource (P/F/G/E) 50% - E; 40% - G; 5% - F; 5% - P 

4. Trend of Resource (Up/Static/Down) 95% Static, 5% Down 

F. Wildlife 

1. Identified Vertebrate T&E Species Present (List) Grizzly Bear, Ursus Arctos Horrlbllls; Bald 

Eagle, Hallaeetus Leucocephalus; Gray Wolf, Canis Lupls Irremotus; Peregrine Falcon, 

Falco Peregrlnus 

2. Identified Vertebrate Sensitive Species Present (List) Bull Trout, Salvellnus Confluentus; 

Harlequin Duck, Histrlonlcus Hlstrlonlcus; Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Oncorhynchus Clarkl Lewis1 

3. Identified Plant T&E Species Present (List) None ldentlfled In the wilderness area 

4. Identified Sensitive Plant Species Present (List) Pale Sedge, Carex Llvlda; Small Yellow Lady’s 

Slipper, Cyprlpedlum Calceolus Var. Parvlflorum; Sparrow’s-egg Lady’s Slipper; Cyprlpedlum Passerinum; Linear-leaved Sundew, Drosera Llnearls; Green-kneeled Cottonsedge, 

Erlophorum Vlrldlcarlnatum; Round-leaved Orchid, Orchls Rotundlfolla 

G. Visitor Use 

1. Wilderness Recreational Use Statistics 

RVDs 168M 

Appendix A - 3 

P 
Visits 201M 

H. Outfitter/Guide 

1. Number of Special Use Permits 46 

2. Type of Service Provided (List By Type) Horse oriented Outfitter/Gulde operations and summer float trips < 

< 

3. Percent of Total Use Served By Permitted Outfiiers 40% 

I. Use of Motorized/Mechanical Equipment 

1. Administrative Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) Helicopter to deliver materials and tools needed to replace an 

existing pack bridge 

Number of Approvals 1 Approval, multiple flights over 3 consecutive days. 

2. Other Approved Use 

Type of Equipment (Describe) Search and rescue helicopter-3 Injured people flew out for 

medical care 

Number of Approvals 3 

J. Violation Notices 

1. Most Common Type including warning notices: Tree damage from tying stock to trees, use 

of wheeled cart, littering (food), human waste disposal 

2. Number Written 14 

K. Visitor Education (Describe) 

1. Schools 

Youth Groups 

Campgrounds 

in house 

OutfHter/Cilents 

Skills Trail 

Demo Camps 

Other 

Total 

900 

681 

460 

170 

35 

36250 

760 

1700 

40956 

3. Successes and Limitations: The large number of people reached and, the quality an$ contlnuity of the message. 

Appendix A - 4 
.L. Administrative Site Structures (Guard Stations, Lookouts, Other, Etc) *. 

1. Total Number of Structures 62 

2. Needs Evaluation (Number Completed to Date) 4 

M. Inholdings 

1 

1. Number of lnholdings 1, 640 acres had previously been owned by Plum Creek. Exchange 

completed in last month. 

2. Total Acres of lnholdings 0 

3. Key Issues (Describe) 

IV. RESEARCH 

A. Current Research 

1. Current Projects and Monitoring Efforts (Describe) Water quality/soll sedimentation study; 

Fire ecology after 1988 fire; wilderness resource and social encounters; Harlequin Duck 

and fish surveys; Whitebark Pine status; Air quailty; Forest inventory analysis 

2. Completed Projects (Describe) All projects ongoing 

B. Future Research Needs (Describe) Visftor use study to' followup prlor 1972 and 1983 studies, 

ecosystem analysis: Ponderosa Pine, Larch, Whitebark Pine; Exotic species; Threatened and 

Endangered species; Public involvement techniques; Baseline on plant and anlmal communlties. 

V. OTHER 

A. Issues (Describe) 

1. Other Issues Needing National Attention: Muiti-resource funding, noxious weeds, wilderness 

education, ecosystem stewardship . 

B. Accomplishments (Describe) 

1. Of Interest Nationally: Wilderness Education Program, a unified complex wide 

program that combines like messages, programs and materials 

Bob Marshall Wilderness complex noxious weed program. 

C. Other Comments: Grlnly Bear sanitation strategy. 

Appendix A - 5