United States 

Department of 

Agriculture 

f 

Lewis and Clark 

National Fsrest 

P.O. Box 869 

Great Falls, MT. 

59403 

Fiscal Year 1991 

LEWIS AND CLARK 

NATIONAL FOREST PLAN 

Monitoring and Evaluation Report 

'I 

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

Forest Lewis 81 Clark NF P.O. Box 869 

Service Great Falls, MT 59403 

406 791-7700 

FAX 406'761 -1 972 

Reply to: 1920 

Date: September 1992 

Dear Forest User: 

I appreciate your continued interest' in the management of your National Forest lands. As you recall, the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) was approved in 

June 1986. To keep you apprised of our accomplishments and progress in implementing the Forest Plan, 

we have completed the Fiscal Year 1991 Monitoring and Evaluation Report. This report marks our fifth year 

of Forest Plan implementation documentation. 

Within the last year, we have made some personnel adjustments and acquired several new faces on the 

Forest: 

Robin Strathy has returned to the Lewis and Clark replacing Keith Sandifer as the Forest Geologist 

on the Forest Plan Implementation group. Robin worked on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District from 

1984 to 1988; and most recently was employed as a Zone Mineral Examiner in Region 3, Arizona. 

Karen Hoffman has joined our Forest Plan Implementation group, replacing Valdon Hancock as our 

Forest Hydrologist. Karen came to us from the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit where she was 

also a hydrologist. 

Dana Field has been converted from a trainee to a career position as botanist. Dana is a member 

of the Forest Plan Implementation group. 

Richard Saunders has joined the Forest Plan Implementation group for a three year time period. 

Richard, most recently from the Havre Soil Conservation Service Office, is a soil scientist working 

under an interagency agreement between the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the SCS. 

Range conservationists, Tom Osen and Eldon Rash, most recently from the Judith Ranger District 

and Musselshell Ranger District, respectively, have formed a Forest Range AnalysiCTeam and are 

now headquartered in our Forest Supervisor's Off ice. 

Gary Allison, longtime engineering technician on the Forest, has shifted to the Hydrological Technician position on the Forest Plan Implementation group. 

- 

Kurt Teuber, most recently from the Beaverhead National Forest, replaced Butch Fitzpatrick as the 

Forest's Geographic Information System Coordinator. \ 

Terri Marceron, formerly the NEPA cooPdinator for the Forest, became the Assistant District Ranger 

on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. * 

I am pleased with my staffs commitment to implementing the direction in the Forest Plan. Despite my 

continued frustration with the lack of money to accomplish the level of activity I envisioned in the Forest 

Plan, we have made great strides in the qualrty of our analyses and decision-making. Three years ago, we 
reorganized our specialists' group to ensure an integrated team approach in our on-the-ground project 

implementation. Effective coordination between the implementation group and the Ranger District personnel has resulted in more indepth analyses that have led to better decisions. 

I A description of our implementation efforts and evaluation of our results has been compiled in the 

SUMMARY in an abbreviated format. More detailed information appears in the complete Monitoring and 

Evaluation Report. 

As part of the Forest Planning Process, we will conduct a five year review of the Forest Plan in 1992. We 

will be analyzing any shortcomings in our implementation of the Forest Plan, assessing new information 

and policies, and evaluating ways to improve our management of the Lewis and Clark National Forest. 

Again, I thank you for your interestqn the Forest and encourage you to contact me if you have any 

questions. < 

JOHN D. GORMAN 

Forest Supervisor 

c 
Lewis & Clark National Forest 

Forest Plan Monitoring Report 

Fiscal Year 1991 

SUMMARY 

.- 

This summary capsulizes the full report of the Forest 

Plan Monitoring and Evaluation for the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest during Fiscal Year 1991 (October 

1990 through September 1991). Our monitoring items 

are listed in Chapter 5 of the 1986 Lewis and Clark 

National Forest Land and Resource Management 

Plan (Forest Plan). Forest specialists monitor and 

report on 69 individual monitoring items. They evaluate 

their findings and make recommendations to the 

Forest's Management Team. 

Detailed information for each of the 69 items is disclosed 

in the 100-page 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. 

FIVE YEAR REVIEW 

Because 1991 was the fifth year that we have implemented the direction in the Forest Plan, we took this 

opportunity to analyze the monitoring information for 

our Five-Year Review of the plan. During the Review, 

we will be considering whether any additional changes 

to the Forest Plan or changes in our implementation 

methods are warranted. We will be examining in detail 

the information from five years of monitoring and 

evaluation and from other areas; for example, where 

new external factors affect our Forest Plan decisions, 

or where public demands have changed. We plan to 

complete the Five-Year Review sometime in fiscal 

year 1992. 

MONITORING RESULTS 

Recreation: Visitor expectations are generally being 

met. However, funding shortfalls in FY 1991 caused 

the closure of Cave Mountain Campground. The Forest 

is unable to respond to requests for some services, 

like improved toilet facilities and consideration for 

improved boat launching services due to our limited 

funding. Developed recreation use continues to rise, 

while Wilderness use appears to have stabilized. 

Limited recreation capital investment funds allowed 

several new trailhead facilities along Divide Road, but 

no other developments/improvements on the Forest. 

Recreation Opportunity Guides for the Musselshell 

and Judith Ranger Districts have yet to be completd. 

Travel Plan violations have not significantly increased. 

Several areas continue to experience repeat violations. 

Public information, improved signing, and increased 

patrolling would help if funding were available. 

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

impacts to cultural resources on site-specific project 

proposals. Archaeologists prepared input on 37% of 

the identified projects with potential cultural considerations. Interpretation of cultural resources has received 

very little emphasis. A comprehensive cultural resource 

assessment is still needed, as well as, clarification of 

some of the cultural standards in the Forest Plan. 

Wilderness: Wilderness use appears to have stabilized. 

The revised fire management plan went into effect in 

August 1991. Volunteer personnel on the fire patrol 

lookouts continue to provide effective fire coverage 

within the Wilderness. Illegal outfitting continues to ' 

cause degradation to the resource. 

Wlldllfe: Emphasis on improved mapping md use of 

landsat technology is improving our data base on the 

Forest. Grizzly bear populations appear stable; five of 

six BMUs are showing females with cubs. Sightings 

indicate that one wolf is utilizing the Sun River drainage 

on the Rocky Mountain Division. 

Summary - 1 
The MDFWP Statewide Elk Management Plan was 

released in FY 1991 and has some implications for 

our management of elk habitat. The Elk Plan highlights 

the question of elk vulnerability. We will be coordinating 

our management decisions with the MDFWP to maintain 

bul1:cow ratios and still provide certain levels of hunting 

opportunity. In addressing the potential impacts to 

elk, timber management decisions within MA-B are 

resulting in less open miles of road per square mile 

than projected in the Forest Plan. The Forest is 

implementing a plan to adapt procedures for defining 

elk security. * 

Bighorn sheep and mountain goat populations are 

stable or increasing. Increased sightiogs of lynx and 

wolverine are occurring on the Rocky Mountain Division. 

Inventories indicate that timber sale areas are meeting 

the 5% minimum old growth standard within compartments. Biologists feel the goshawk is a poor old growth 

management indicator species and that more suitable 

species should be identified. 

Pileated woodpeckers have been sighted on both 

Divisions of the Forest. The Forest has more effectively 

implemented the snag management standards in 

timber sale areas. Snag retention during the post sale 

firewood activities needs more management attention. 

Stream monitoring indicates no detectable differences 

between baseline data and 1990-1 991 data in the 

Canyon Creek and Gates Park fire areas. Streambank 

damage and fish habitat damage can be attributed to 

livestock trampling. 

Habitat improvements are meeting or exceeding Forest 

Plan projections. Programs for sensitive wildlife, fish 

and plants have been initiated on the Forest. Most 

surveys occur where known project proposals exist. 

More emphasis needs to be placed on management 

and protection of these species. Management guides 

need to be prepared on the most criitical s9ecies. 

Range: Grazing levels are within 1% of Forest Plan 

projections. Nonstructural range improvements are 

30% of projections. In recent years the program 

emphasis has shifted to monitoring the spread/control 

of noxious weeds. Condition and trend data has not 

received adequate attention. Progress on the goal to 

analyze and update allotment management plans has 

improved with the initiation of a Range Task Force. 

FY 1991 analysis work concentrated in the Castle 

Mountains. 

Timber: In FY 1991, the Forest Management team 

and timber staff jointly reviewed the Yogo Creek Timber 

sale. Review of this sale and other ongoing sales, 

indicates that the Forest’s objectives for silvicultural 

management prescriptions are appropriate. No timber 

activities exceeded the 40-acre clearcut standard. 

Restocking of previously harvested areas are 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 

appears to have stabilized. 

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 productivrty and useabillty . Overall 

the Districts are meeting Forest Plan requirements to 

monitor at least 75% of the revegetation projects. Of 

the projects reviewed, the revegetation was described 

as successful and complete. 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, 73% have 

been accomplished. This level of accomplishment 

indicates that the Forest Plan goal of 100% accomplished by 1995 should be met. 

The post-fire monitoring generally indicated that fish 

populations were not measurably affected by the 

1988 fires. Although monitoring of fish habitats 

throughout the Forest has not been extensive over 

the last five years, enough information has been 

collected to demonstrate a need to amend the Forest 

Plan to include more specific standards for fish habitat. 

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 responsibilw 

Minerals: The FY 1991 target for minerals management 

was 95 cases. A total of 94 cases were processed. 

No Forest Service projects were determined to have 

an adverse effect on mineral operations. There were 

no geophysical prospecting permits requested or 

issued during FY 1991. Statutory rights Gonferred with 

the General Mining Laws provide for access to mining 

claims for exploration and development. All mineral 

proposals complied with established Forest Plan 

standards and guidelines: therefore none were denied. 

Summary - 2 
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. In addition 

to programmed rights-of-way easements, considerable 

work was done on five trail easement cases that 

unexpectedly presented themselves. Three of these 

are expected to be completed in FY 1992. The Forest 

Plan target for landline location is 26 milesger year. 

In FY 1991, the Forest was funded for and accomplished 

23 miles or about 88% of the Forest Plan target. 

Facilities: When considering the total miles constructed 

and reconstructed in both programs (Capital Investment Program and Purchaser Credit Program) during 

FY 1991, the output was 93% of that projected by the 

Forest Plan. This is within the variability tolerance. 

The Forest Plan, as amended, programs an average 

of 14.0 miles of trail construction and reconstruction 

annually. In FY 1991, the Forest replaced one trail 

bridge and accomplished 12.0 miles of reconstruction/ 

Right-of-way work. It is estimated that there are 

approximately 2,029 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. 

Protectlon: Over the first five years of the Forest Plan, 

high risk lodgepole pine had made up about 75% of 

the volume sold on the Forest. This percentage is 

slightly above the 70% level envisioned in the Forest 

Plan.. Insect and disease surveys conducted during 

the summer of 1991 showed no significant change in 

insect and disease infestation on the Forest. Insects 

and diseases continue at endemic levels. 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 backlog of timber 

sales not being offered. The under treatment of natural 

fuels was due to dry fall and spring burning conditions. 

In 1991, the Forest had 41 wildfires which burned 795 

acres. The total cost of fire suppression and protection 

in 1991 was $2,648,000. This figure is well above the 

1 O-year average of $590,000. During the first five years 

of the Forest Plan, acreage lost to wildfires and fire 

suppression and protection cost were substantially 

above those project by the Forest Plan. 

Wlld and Scenlc. 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 (resident permit #295 removed, 

and Trail #151 reconstructed) changed the existing 

condition along two eligible rivers this past year. These 

activities had a positive effect on the river's "outstandingly remarkable' recreation resource value (North 

Fork Sun River). 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 
c 

Summary - 4 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

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

II . 

I_ 

FOREST PLAN DECISIONS ................................................... 2 

111 . INDIVIDUAL MONITORING ITEMS 

A . RECREATION 

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

A-2 

A3 

A4 

A-5 

A-6 

A-7 

A-8 

Recreation Direction Meets Visitor Expectation ............................ 3 

Recreation Use .. .,. ............................................. 4 

Condition of Developed Sites ................................... 1 ... 5 

Recreation Opportunity Guide ....................................... 6 

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

Condition of Visual Resources ....................................... 8 

Cultural Resources Protection ....................................... 9 

... 

B . WILDERNESS 

B-1 

8-2 

8-3 

Quality of the Ecosystem ........................................... 10 

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

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

C . WILDLIFE 

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

C-2 Gray Wolf. Bald Eagle. Peregrine Falcon ............................... 13 

C3 Elk Winter Range Capacity ........................................ 15 

C4 Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat .................................... 17 

C-5 Other Big Game Species ......................................... 19 

C-6 Small Game 20 

C-7 Furbearers 20 

C-8 Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk .................................... 21 

C-9 Special Interest Species .......................................... 24 

C-10 Cavity Nesting Species ........................................... 26 

C-1 1 Aquatic Habitat ................................................ 29 

C-12 Habitat Improvement Outputs ...................................... 30 

C-13 Oil & Gas Activity ............................................... 32 

C-14 Sensitive Wildlife ............................................... 33 

C-15 Sensitive Plant Program .......................................... 35 

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

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

- D - RANGE 

D-1 Rangeoutputs ................................................. 0-2 

D-3 Supply ...................................................... 40 

0-4 

Range Condition & Trend ......................................... 39 

Allotment Management Plan Status .................................. 41 

E . TIMBER 

E-1 

E-2 

Silvicultural Management Prescriptions Meet MA Goals ..................... 43 

Prescription Selections ........................................... 43 '- 

E3 

E-4 

E-5 

E-6 

E-7 

E-8 

E-9 

E-1 0 

E-1 1 

Timber Openings ................................................ 44 

Timber Offered/ASQ for a Decade ................................... 44 

Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments .............................. 48 

Even-Age Harvest .............................................. 

Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands ........................................ 51 

Restocking ................................................. ..47 

AcresHarvested ............................................... 47 

49 

Firewood Removal 50 

Projected Yields -51 

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

............................................... 
F . WATER & SOIL 

F-1 

F-2 Revegetation 54 

F-3 Water Quality in Municipal Watersheds ................................ 56 

F-5 OtherEffects .................................................. 58 

F-6 

F-7 Water & Stream Qualrty 61 

F-8 

F-9 Public Health 65 

Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs .............................. 53 

. F4 Riparian Areas. Flood Plains and Wetlands : 57 

Water & Soil Backlog ............................................. 59 

Stream Cover & Pools .......................................... '64 

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

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

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

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

' . G . MINERALS 

G-1 Effect of Mining Activities ......................................... 66 

G-2 Geophysical Prospecting ......................................... 67 

G-3 Drilling Effects ................................................. 68 

G-5 Mineral Availability ...... ........................ '. .............. 69 

G-4 Rehabilitation ................................................. 68 

LANDS 

J-1 

J-3 

J-4 Landline Location 74 

J . - 

Compliance With Use Permits ................ -; ...................... 71 

J-2 Right-of-way Easements ......................................... 73 

Land Ownership Adjustment ....................................... 73 ............................................... 

L . FACILITIES 

L-1 

L-2 

Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction .............................. 75 

Miles of Road Open ............................................. 77 

P . PROTECTION 

P-1 

P-2 

P-4 

P-5 

P-6 Wildfire 80 

P-7 

High Risk Stands ............................................... 78 

Acres/Volume of Insect & Disease ................................... 78 

P-3 Management Practices ........................................... 79 

Prescribed Fire & Air Quality ....................................... 79 

Fuel Treatment Outputs .......................................... 79 

Suppression & Protection Costs .................................... 81 

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

W . WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

W-1 Effects on Eligible Rivers .......................................... 82 

1-2 Emerging Issues ................................................ 84 

1-4 Employment/lncome Projections ..................................... 89 

.. 1 . GENERAL 

1-1 Costs&Values ................................................. 84 

1-3 Land Allocations ............................................... 88 

IV . COMPARISON OF OUTPUTS. ACTIVITIES. AND BUDGETS 

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

OutyearRequests ....................................................... 92 

V . LISTOFPREPARERS ..................................................... 94 

TABLE I . Comparison of Proiected Outputs/Activities by Time Period .................... 91 

lr 

VI . APPROVAL .......................................................... 95 

APPENDIXA ........................................................... 97 
Introduction/FP Decisions 

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 1991 (from 

October 1990 through September 1991). 

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 69 individual monitoring items. 

Within the last five years, eight 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 eight amendments include: 

0 Amendment 1 : Incorporated recreation management for the Bob MarshalVGreat Beadscapegoat 

Wlderness Management Complex. This amendment was implemented in 1987 by the adjoining Lewis and 

Clark, Lolo, Flathead, and Helena National Forests. 

0 Amendment 2: Verified those rivers meeting the two eligibility qualifications (free-flowing and containing at least one 'outstandingly remarkable' resource value) under the Section 1 (b) and 2(b) of the Wild and 

Scenic Rivers Act; assigned a potential classification to each eligible river as directed under Section 2(b) of 

the Act; and applied the appropriate standards to manage and protect each river. This amendment was 

implemented in 1989. Under this amendment, the following rivers met eligibility qualifications: 

Smith River - 11.8 miles scenic 

North Badger Creek - 7.3 miles scenic 

Dearborn River - 18.1 miles wild 

North Fork Sun River - 25.4 miles wild, 1.3 miles recreational 

South Fork Sun River - 25.5 miles wild 

North Fork Birch Creek - 6.6 miles wild 

Tenderfoot Creek - 4.6 miles scenic 

Green Fork of Straight Creek - 4.5 miles wild 

Middle Fork Judith River - 4.8 miles recreational 

L 

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 

comply with the Northern Region requirement for certification of regenerated timber stands. This amendment 

\ 

was implemented in 1991. * 

0 

area from MA-B to MA-C. This amendment was implemented in 1991. 

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

1 
Introductlon/fP Decisions 

o . . Amendment 6: Changed all eleven Region One Forest Plans to partition Allowable Sale Quantlty 

(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. 

e 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, 

e 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. 

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

implementation, each Forest Pian will be thoroughly reviewed after 10 years. In preparation for this 10-year 

review and revision, we are analyzing our progress at the midway point of five years. Because Fiscal Year 

1991 marks the fifth year of implementation of the Lewis and Clark National Forest Plan, we will use our five 

years of monitoring and evaluation findings as a starting point for our Five-Year Review process. Through the 

Five-Year Review, we will determine whether additional changes are needed now, before the end of the first 

decade. Completion of the Five-Year Review is anticipated by December 1992. 

< 

II. FOREST PLAN DECISIONS 

The Forest Plan is a compilation of decisions that guide our management of the Forest. In general terms, it 

contains three types of decisions: 

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

direction for managing Forest resources. 

Standards (pages 2-23 through 2-73) and Management Direction (Chapter 111 of the Plan) tell us bow 

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

Management Areas (described in Chapter Ill 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 2-10 and 11) and discussed in the 

Record of Decision. c 

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

items are reported sequentially, as they appear in Chapter V of the Forest Plan. 

2 
RECREATION 

A-1 Recreation Opportunity Spectrum Setting 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

WHICH WOULD 

Since 1987 when the Forest Plan was implemented, about 3,000 acres of the Forest's 1,002,232 acres of 

inventoried roadless area have been affected by timber harvest and road construction. These activities result 

in a change to the Recreation Opportunity Spectrum setting from 'semi-primitive' to 'roaded natural.' The 

Forest Plan projected that about 7,000 acres would be affected during the first decade of €he Plan. The current 

amount of change (3,000 acres) is less than projected in the Forest Plan. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

___~~ ~ ~~ 

Direction meets expectation of visitor 

___ ~ ~~~ ~ ~ 

Annually Adverse comments or correspondence 

In implementing our recreation programs and from public comments received, the following recreation items 

surfaced: 

1. Cave Mountain Campground was closed and lower levels of routine maintenance occurred across the 

Forest because of budget limitations. The campground closure generated numerous comments requesting 

reopening of the campground. The campground was closed because it was more physically Separated from 

other existing campgrounds, making it more costly to maintain. 

2. New campers continue to ask for garbage service but most become enthusiastic supporters once they 

understand the reasons for the pack-in/pack-out policy, namely grizzly bear concerns on the Rocky Mountain 

Ranger District and the lack of funding to provide garbage service. 

3. At Spring Creek Campground late season user conflicts are occurring between day-use visitors, horseusing hunters and overnight campers. To resolve the conflict, a new trailhead is needed in the area. \ 

4. Numerous favorable comments have been received about the evening program at Crystal Lake Campground. New signing on the highway has attracted more recreationists to the campground. IC 

3 
Recreatlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

5.. S.evera1 complaints have been received about the lack of adequate road signing. This situation results in 

travellers being misdirected onto low-standard roads or unable to find recreation facilities. Lack of adequate 

signing is also apparent on the Forest trail system. These complaints were verified during a field review of 

the Forest signing program during the summer of 1991. As a result, the Forest is updating Forest manual 

direction on signing to meet new Regional standards and create uniformity in recreation site signing across 

the Forest. The Forest will conduct a training session on signing roads and trails during the winter of 1992. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

6. Comments on foul-smelling toilets continue to be received. This problem will continue until we are funded 

to build new precast concrete toilets Mh the latest ventilation techniques. We anticipate funding within the 

next 5 years. We will continue to emphasize toilet pumping and cleaning procedures that will reduce odors 

in our existing toilets. 

7. A number of people commented that our campground fees are too high. The Forest raised fees this year 

to $6 for both Crystal Lake and Summit Campgrounds. The fees were also raised to $5 for Thain Creek, Dry 

Wolf, and the four campgrounds along Highway 89 in the Little Belt Mountains. All other campgrounds have 

had a fee of $5 since at least FY 1990. These fees are comparable to other fees charged within the Region 

and reflect charging a price that offsets some of the maintenance costs for the facility while not underpricing 

the'private campground sector. The majority of these fees are returned to the Forest for recreation use. 

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

8. A number of campers continue to ask that firewood be made available. This is especially a problem in the 

higher use campgrounds where wood is nonexistent or difficult to gather. The Forest needs to determine a 

means of providing firewood where economically possible and/or notifying the public, in advance, where this 

is not possible. 

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

a 5-year period 

A-3 Recreation Use 

This year past figures for FYs 1988 and 1990 have been changed to more accurately reflect actual campground use. Use at private facilities, like cabins and ski areas, had previously been reported in this monitoring 

item and artificially inflated the data. In this Monitoring Report the use data no longer includes recreation use 

on private developments within the Foresk 

Developed recreation associated with picnicking and camping rose 12%, reflecting the increasing popularity 

of this activity, a trend that has occurred since Forest Plan monitoring began. 

Non-wilderness dispersed recreation increased 28% over last year. This increase is largely a result of 

increased automobile travel reported on the Rocky Mountain District, which had underestimated travel 

associated with U.S. Highway 2 in the Marias Pass vicinity in previous Monitoring Reports. 

Wilderness use remained nearly at the same level as the previous year and continues to be well belowforest 

Plan projected use. Limits of acceptable change standards are being exceeded in a few areas (see Appendix 

A). 

4 
Recreation 

Dispersed Recreation 

Wilderness 

The above figures may reflect the decreasing amounts of recreation time available to the public, and the 

handiness of campgrounds for short vacations. It is difficuk to see a trend with non-wilderness dispersed 

recreation, which has gone up and down over time but never reached the levels of FY 1987. Wilderness use 

has remained about the same for the last 3 years and has been averaging 72% of the Forest Plan projected 

usage. 

614 581 384 450 416 535 

a6 54 42 60 64 63 

Table A-3a qEkREATION (Thousand Visitor Days) 

Table A-3b SUMMARY ACTUAL vs PROJECTED RECREATION USE 

A-4 Condition of Developed Sites 

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 1991 was 10% less than the previous year. Existing funding is not adequate to provide needed 

maintenance. 

, 

No recreation capital investment funds were available except for construction of new trailheads along the 

Divide Road. Priorities will be the rehabilitation of existing facilities rather than new construction. 

5 
Recreatlon 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

I 

Recreation Opportunrty Guide Annually 

A-5 Recreation Opportunity Guide 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Failure to complete by 1986 

Off -road vehicle damage & Travel Plan effectiveness 

The status of the Recreation Opportunity Guides(R0G) has not changed since last year. Both the Musselshell 

and Judith Ranger Districts have been unable to complete these because of low funding levels. 

Annually 

The Forest has not received specific complaints about the incompletion of the Recreation Opportunity Guides 

on the two remaining Ranger Districts. However, the public continues to request information about recreation 

opportunities throughout the Forest, in both non-wilderness and wilderness areas. Our abilrty to disperse the 

public use across the Forest would be greatly improved if ROGs were available and adequately publicized. 

Visitors could be encouraged to use little known areas and possibly relieve some more heavily used areas 

of the Forest. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* The Forest should continue to seek creative means for completing the ROG's through partnerships with 

colleges, universities, youth, and volunteer programs. 

* Consider creating pocket guides of key areas of the Forest. 

A-6 Off-road Vehicle Damage & Travel Plan 

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

Conflicts with Forest Management Area 

goals. Increase of 20 or more situations 

or variances .. 

FINDINGS 

This standard 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. Revisions to the Travel Plan are done as conflicts with 

management area direction, user conflicts, changed conditions, or unacceptable resource damage is identified in site-specific project analyses. During FY 1991 , new roads were authorized for construction in decisions 

to harvest timber in both the Mill-Lion and South Fork areas of the Jefferson Division of the Forest. In both 

of these decisions, new roads constructed to harvest timber were closed at the time of construction to avoid 

establishing public use. We anticipate that within the next five years, the Forest Travel Plan map will be ?&ked 

to reflect the accumulation of travel planning decisions made on our site-specific projects since 1988 (when 

the last Travel Plan map was printed). 

c 

6 
Recreatlon 

The second item is the number of Forest Travel Plan incidents noted and the number of violations recorded 

annually: The Forest had 44 road and trail violations reported. Of this total, thirteen individuals were cited with 

a violation notice. Citations can only be issued when the violator is known. The number of incidents reported 

has risen. Situations on the districts are as follows: 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District--1 1 violations were reported, compared with 34 in FY 1990. There was 

evidence of a number of travel plan vjolations in the vicinity of Sawmill Flat in the Badger-Two Medicine 

Area. However, the violators were not identified and no violation notices were issued. The Sawmill Flat 

area has historically been a problem area for travel plan violations because traditional use patterns have 

been difficult to change. Prior to the Travel Plan regulation, hunters accessed the Flat by vehicle to setup 

their hunting camps. Old seismic roads in the vicinity of the Flat provided hunter accessibilrty around 

Sawmill Flat. The 1988 travel plan regulations represented a significant change in the historic use of the 

Sawmill Flat area Enforcement in this area has been difficult without regular Forest Service presence. 

In the Willow Creek area, travel plan violations occurred in three locations. These three areas have 

historically seen violations and citations have been issued on several occasions in past years. District 

personnel observed one of the three violations experienced in FY 91 and issued a violation notice 

(citation). 

Based on the questions received throughout the year, public awareness of the 'B Area Restriction" is 

needed. Some hunters were amazed to learn that snowmobiles could be taken off-road and off-trail on 

non-wilderness land along the Front. 

Judith Ranger District-In FY 1991 , four violations were reported on the District, compared to 5 in FY 1990. 

In several instances, recreationists had discovered old trails that enabled them to bypass locked gates 

and travel on closed or restricted roads. 

Musselshell Ranger District--1 5 violations reported, compared with 4 last year. Off road vehicle damage 

continues at the rate of $23000 worth of damage annually, most of which is attributed to off-road use 

by 4x4 vehicles and trail damage by motorcycles. 

Kings Hill Ranger District--14 violations reported, compared with 5 last year. The District had more funding 

for law enforcement and was able to do more weekend travel plan enforcement, resulting in this increase. 

Overall, compliance with the Travel Plan regulations is good. Some violations do occur in the Deep Creek 

Park area during the hunting seasons. No significant damage is occurring and no variances were 

granted. c 

The following table summarizes the Travel Plan Violation Notices issued on the Forest. 

Table Aba TRAVEL PLAN VIOLATION NOTICES ISSUED 

- 

7 
Recreation 

Table A-6b TOTAL TRAVEL PLAf 

I I i 

I I I 

1991 11 4 i5 

I VIOLATIONS REPORTED 

I 

Kings Hill 

RD Total 

The increase in violations reported is not an indication that off-road vehicle travel has become an enforcement 

problem. The sizeable increase is a-result of increased Forest emphasis on enforcement of Travel Plan 

regulations. In the first years of the new Travel Plan regulations, the Forest emphasized an educational 

approach rather than an enforcement attitude in implementing the travel regulations. In more recent years, 

with better understanding of the Travel Plan regulations and improved signing, the Forest has recognized its 

responsibiltty to enforce the regulations. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

To curb noncompliance in areas where repeated violations occur, the Forest should plan increased patrols 

during the time periods when violations have traditionally occurred. The Forest needs to begin assembling 

all previous Travel Planning decisions from the NEPA documents implemented over the last five years to 

prepare for the update of the Travel Plan Map. 

* Improve the Forest's signing and public information programs for Travel Planning. 

A-7 Condition of Visual Resources 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

I Deviation from approved VQO's, ID I jectives in Forest Plan I I Team review of environmental analyses 

Condition of the visual resource meets ob- Annually 

FINDINGS . 

Two timber sales were monitored for compliance with Visual Quality Objectives (VQOs): the Mill-Lion and 

Deadhorse/Bluff Timber Sale Analyses. VQOs were assessed and met from the major viewpoints of Road No. 

487 and Trail No. 440 in the Deadhorse/Bluff Timber Sale. For Mill-Lion, VQOs were assessed and met from 

Spring Creek Road No. 274. No deviations from approved VQOs were noted. 

The Forest continues to meet the visual resource objectives as described in the Forest Plan. 

c 

a 
Recreation 

A-8 Cultural Resource Protection 

~~ 

Cultural Resource Protection - select$d I sites once/S years * 

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

Annually Less than 10% accomplishment/year 

FINDINGS 

The objectives for the management of cultural resources were partially met during fiscal year 1991. During 

FY 1991 , roughty 40% of the identified projects requiring cultural resource input, were completed on the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest. This percentage includes survey for cultural resources, input into the NEPA 

process on identified projects, and 36 CFR 800 compliance procedures. Twelve cultural resource sites were 

identified, inventoried, and evaluated during the fiscal year, but none of the eligible sites were nominated to 

the National Register of Historic Places, as specified in Management Standard A-7. 

Although several cultural resource sites were inventoried, evaluated, and protected, none were interpreted. 

Discussions were held with several Blackfeet elders regarding the interpretation of several pictograph sites 

in the Gibson Reservoir area, but no cultural resource sites interpretive plans were developed in FY 1991. 

The cultural resource program would be enhanced if several projects could be completed. First, an overview 

of the prehistory and history of the Forest has not been completed. Second, the Forest has not developed 

a schedule for visiting cultural resource sites every five years, as specified in the Forest Plan monitoring. And 

third, no list of sites (specified in Table 5.1 of the Plan) has ever been compiled on the Forest. 

To date, no comprehensive cultural resource assessment on the evidence of man’s 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. 

The monitoring requirements for cultural resources were not met during FY 1991. No cultural resource sites 

were monitored during the year and no assessment of current conditions was made. Modifications to the 

existing cultural resource monitoring requirements are recommended to assess impacts to sites in project 

areas. Monitoring plans should also be established for cultural resource sites in high recreational use areas. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

.. 

The monitoring item for cultural resource prbtection should be clarified in more specific terms to ensure the 

effectiveness of the Forest’s cultural resource protection measures. A list of sites should be compiled and a 

rotation schedule should be developed to monitor these sites. 

The requirement to nominate all eligible sites should be reassessed. Nomination of cultural resource sites to 

the National Register is a lengthy process which, if pursued for each eligible site, would greatly limit the - 

management of cultural resources on the Forest. 

The Forest should re-evaluate the management of cultural resources within the wilderness, consi@ring 

factors like adaptive reuse, interpretation, maintenance of historic buildings, and site stabilization. Forest Plan 

standards should be clarified (paragraph 8 page 3-80 and paragraph 2 page 3-82). 

9 
Wllderness 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRI$TION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT10 N 

- r Wilderness - maintenance of existing quality of ecosystem 

Degradation of environment 1- 

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). 

8-2 Bob Marshall-Great Bear-Scapegoat anaagement 

R EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

The monitoring results are presented in the annual Wilderness Report in Appendix A of this Monitoring Report. 

B-3 Change in Roadless lnwentory 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER WALUATION I I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

I + or - 10% projected change in roadless inventory 

Annually I Change in Roadless Inventory I 

During FY 1991, the Turkey Salvage Timber Sale was sold. This sale will affect 175 acres of the Tollgate-Sheep 

Roadless Area. Since the Forest Plan was implemented in 1986, 1270 acres of the 1,002,232 acres of 

inventoried roadless area have been affected by timber harvest or road construction. Another 1,730 rzadless 

acres are in approved projects that will be implemented in later years. 

By the end of the first decade, 0.3% of the roadless acres would be affected by management practices, well 

within the number of acres projected in the Forest Plan. 

10 
Wlldllfe 

W I LDLI FE 

C-1 T&E Species: Grizzly Bear Habitat 

ear - maintain occupie 

0 BJ ECTIVES 

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 H, I, J, K, and L). The grizzly bear cumulative effects model as 

described in the Forest Plan (Appendix L) was implemented. 

Monitoring is conducted as recommended in the revised grizzly bear recovery plan. Population data collected 

includes females with young (2 or 3 year olds) and females with cubs of the year. 

FINDINGS 

Since 1987, monitoring efforts have been made to record sows with young (2 or 3 year olds) and sows with 

cubs of the year. Monitoring results from 1987 to 1991 have demonstrated occupancy by sows with cubs in 

all six Bear Management Units (BMU) on the Rocky Mountain Front. 

Fiscal year 1991’s survey sighted 3 sows with 6 cubs within three of the six BMUs, and 4 sows with 7 young 

within three of the six BMUs. For fiscal year 1991 (see Table C-la) five of six BMU’s have demonstrated 

occupancy by females with young if the sigfitings of females with cubs and females with young are combined. 

Five of six BMUs during a 3 year period (1 989-1 991) have had sightings of females with cubs. This data does 

not allow assessment of population size; but, it does indicate the beginning of a trend toward occupancy of 

each BMU by sows that reproduce during a three year period. 

Two long-term monitoring transects were established in 1989 to acquire trend data for bear activity. These , 

transects are located along the North Fork of the Sun River and in the Renshaw Mountain-Willow Creek area, . 

and were monitored in June 1991. No grizzly tracks were found on either of these transects in FY91. 

To date it appears that the TetonSun (TETSU) BMU is the most consistent in producing sows with*cubs. 

However, this may be a function of our reporting system and not a true picture of the BMU to produce griuly 

bears. The BMU that produces the least grizzly bears is the Dearborn-Elk Creek BMU (DEAEL). During the 

Rocky Mountain Front Studies, Keith Aune stated that grizzly bears were most difficult to trap within this BMU. 

11 
Wlldllfe 

The.reasons for these difficulties are unknown at this time. Table C-1 a displays the trend information that has 

been gathered to date. 

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

GRIZZLY BEAR MANAGEMENT UNITS (BMU'S) 

Fm=female grizzly 

Cb=cub grizzly 

Wy =female with young 

BADTW = Badger Two Medicine 

BIRTE = Birchneton 

TETSU = Teton/Sun 

NORFO = North Fork 

SOUFO = South Fork 

DEAEL = Dearborn/Elk Creek 

To evaluate the effectiveness of a buffaloberry release project for grizzlies (Bear Tree Challenge), four 

transects were established in FY 1990 to monitor berry production; two within and two outside treated areas. 

The transects were monitored in August 1991 and preliminary results showed a lower berry production 

outside of the treatment areas than when they were established in 1990. Buffaloberry plants within the 

treatment areas have resprouted since the application of fire in the spring of 1991 ; however, they are not large 

enough at this time to produce berries. In 1991, two additional transects were established within the Bear Tree 

Challenge Project area, one was within the actual harvested area. 

Law enforcement efforts were continued in order to deter the illegal take of grizzly bears on the Rocky 

Mountain District. As in 1990, the District'sTLaw Enforcement Officer logged 24 patrol days that had grizzly 

poaching deterrence as a major focus. These patrols were in the North Fork Sun and Badger-Two Medicine 

BMUs. 

- 

Biological evaluations were completed in response to three Forest management activities within grizzly bear 

habitat (Management Situation 1). The activities were: 1) timber harvest in the Bear Tree Challenge; 2) Clarey 

Coulee Prescribed Fire for habitat improvement; and 3) Renshaw Electronic Sites. All three biological ,, 

evaluations resulted in a no effect or beneficial effect to the grizzly bear. 

As in 1990, there were again seven problem bear incidents handled under the Rocky Mountain Dktrict's 

'Problem Bear Policy.' Four of these incidents involved grizzly bears. Actions taken included posting bear 

warning signs, notification of MDFWP personnel, and removal of attractants. 

During the summer of 1991, activity layers, grazing layers, and winter range layers were drafted for the 

Teton-Sun and Dearborn-Elk BMUs. These will be scheduled for digitizing during the winter of 1992. 

12 
WlldlHe 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I 

Gray Wolf, Bald Eagle, Peregrine habitat Annually 

capacity 

Deterioration or continuing disturbance 

on more than 5% of suitable unoccupied habitat 

Classification of the south landsat scene for the Rocky Mountain Front was completed this fiscal year. This 

information will enable the Forest to prepare a vegetation map including lands south of the Teton River to 

Rogers Pass. However, the areas within the Canyon Creek and Gates Park fires have not been adjusted to 

reflect vegetation changes since these fires. As agreed by the managers of the Northern Continental Divide 

Ecosystem, remapping of the Rocky Mountain Front will begin in FY 1992 with thematic mapping landsat 

scenes in greater detail. 

During 1991, the Forest supplied thg hathead National Forest with maps of all BMU boundaries and 

Management Situation (MS) boundaries on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. This information will be 

digitized and entered into a digital data base for the mapping of the entire Northern Continental Divide 

Ecosystem. 

When one compares the Management Situations in the Badger-Two Medicine (BADTW) BMU with the 

adjacent Management Situations in Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest, there appears 

to be an error in the BADTW BMU. All the ground adjacent to the highway corridor is mapped as MS-1 with 

the exception of land on the Lewis and Clark National Forest, which is mapped as MS-2. 

Using the Interagency Grizzly Bear Guidelines for mapping of Management Situations; the mapped situation 

does not match. MS-2 states 'Current information indicates that the area lacks distinct population centers; 

highly suitable habitat does not generally occur ... Habitat resources in Management Situation 2 either are 

unnecessary for survival and recovery of the species ...' 

During the analysis process for the Chevron/Fina EIS the area along US Highway 2 that borders Glacier 

National Park in the Badger-Two Medicine Bear Management Unit (designated MS-2) was discussed as an 

important travel corridor for grizzly bear as well as other ungulates. This area functions as a travel corridor 

for ingress and egress from the Park lands to National Forest System Lands. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* Based on the analysis that was completed for Chevron/Fina, enough documentation exists to warrant a 

change in this area from MS-2 to MS-1. This modification will make the mapping and management 

direction consistent within this area. 

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

nesting habitat for re-occupancy according to methods described by the Montana Bald Eagle Working 

Group, 1986; monitor the distribution of wintering bald eagles. Survey historic and potential peregrine eyries 

for occupancy. 

13 
Wildltfe 

WOLF FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

To determine the status of wolves on the Rocky Mountain District, an intensive survey/monitoring project has 

been ongoing since December 1989 (FY 1990). The initial survey revealed a lone male wolf regularly using 

the Sun River drainage, and a pack of 5 wolves regularly using the Dupuyer Creek drainage during 1989 and 

1990. The survey work completed in 1991 indicates that the lone wolf in the Sun River continues to use its 

established territory. The wolf pack iGthe Dupuyer Creek drainage has disbanded or lost at least two of its 

members. The remaining pack has shifted it's territory north onto the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and 

adjacent Lewis and Clark National Forest lands. 

The survey work confirmed 35 sightings of wolves on or adjacent to the Rocky Mountain District, including 

6 multiple sightings (two or more wolves together). Over 35 miles of wolf tracks were followed and mapped. 

Analysis of 25 wolf scat collected in 1989 and 1990 was completed and documented in an annual report. 

Biological evaluations were completed for the gray wolf in conjunction with the same-projects discussed for 

the grizzly bear (Bear Tree Challenge, Clarey Coulee Burn, Renshaw Electronic Sites ). Determinations of 'no 

effect" on the wolf and its habitat were made in all three projects. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

There were four wolf sightings recorded on the Jefferson Division again this year. These four sightings were 

of individual wolves or a single track. These sightings were forwarded to the USFWS to incorporate into their 

data base in accordance with the Recovery Plan direction (USFWS, 4987). Only one of the sightings could 

be validated. Three of the sightings could not be followed up nor was any track information found to verify 

what was seen. One of these sightings reported a dead wolf along U.S. Highway 12. This sighting was 

dismissed after additional investigation verified that a large german shepherd dog had been seen feeding 

on a road kill in the vicinity of the dead wolf reported sighting. 

Presently, it is hard to determine just what is taking place with wolves in the Jefferson Division. There is not 

enough factual information to determine if all sightings are valid. However, some of the sightings have been 

of tracks fitting the criteria for wolf. With this limited information, the evidence to date indicates the presence 

of a lone wolf or wolves moving about the Jefferson Division. 

. 

BALD EAGLE AND PEREGRINE FINDINGS 

There are currently no known active nest sites of bald eagle or peregrine falcons on the Lewis and Clark 

National Forest. There were observations of 8 bald eagles on the Rocky Mountain District. Most observations 

were made during winter in the Teton and Sun River drainages. There were four summer observations 

indicating the possibility of one or more nest sites. Observations of bald eagles were recorded and added 

to the Forest data base. Management practices that could potentially affect wintering bald eagles (Bear Tree 

Challenge, Clarey Coulee Burn, Renshaw Electronic Sites) were reviewed in accordance with Forest Plan, 

direction. 

- 

One reliable observation of a single peregrine falcon was reported in the Badger Creek drainage duripg July, 

1991. 

Forest Service biologists cooperated with USFWS and MDFWP biologists in completing bald eagle surveys 

during the month of January 1991. Participating in the National Bald Eagle survey, Forest Service biologists 

reported a total of 36 eagles observed on January 11, 1991 (Midwinter Bald Eagle Survey): 

14 
Wildlife 

31 Bald Eagle (Adults 10, Immature 21) 

1 Immature Golden Eagle 

4 unknown bald or golden eagles were observed along the Missouri River (National Transect #4). 

Another Forest Transect was completed on January 10, 1991 along the Musselshell River and Cottonwood 

Creek. This transect yielded 23 eagle sightings: 

15 Bald Eagle (Adults 7, Immature,8< 

5 Golden Eagles (Adults 2, Immature 3) 

3 unknown eagles. 

Two bald eagle nests are located on private lands between the Rocky Mountain and Jefferson Division. In 

1991 the 'Craig' bald eagle nest remained unoccupied and the 'Cascade' nest had a single adult sighted 

within the nest territory. 

A survey of historic peregrine falcon nest sites east of Great Falls was not conducted. during FY 1991. 

C-3 Elk Winter Range Capacity 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO 

BE MEASURED 

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

Elk: habitat effectiveness 

I 

METHODS 

I 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION I 

Annually 

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% annual 

sample. The goal is to complete habitat effectiveness 

calculations for all compartments prior to the Forest 

Plan Revision. 

Information on elk population levels and sex:age ratios were obtained from Montana Department of Fish, 

Wildlife, and Parks (MDFWP) progress reports, personal communications with MDFWP biologjsts, and research reports. 

Elk habitat effectiveness ratings were calculated by the percent of the sub-compartment in cover and the road 

density (miles of open road per square mile). \ 

FINDINGS FOR ELK POPULATION LEVEL 

During FY 1991 , the MDFWP developed a draft Statewide Elk Management Plan. The MDFWP assembled the 

most current data on elk populations, and developed goals and objectives to aid the State in managing the 

elk resource. The elk populations appear to be at an all time high in most areas. An emerging issue, elk 

vulnerability, was identified during the development of this statewide Elk Management Plan. Included in this 

issue is the question of habitat requirements to maintain a certain bull:cow ratio and provide for a designated 

15 
Wildllfe 

'level of hunter opportunity. The Forest Service and the MDFWP are faced with the challenge of integrating 

this Elk Management Plan with the Forest Plan in order to achieve both agencies' goats. 

The Elk Management Plan addresses the issue of maintaining security areas on the Forest to retain elk on 

public lands and simultaneously providing adequate escape cover to ensure a level of bull survival during 

the hunting season. The present Forest Plan contains no standard measuring elk security or monitoring items 

measuring how forest management practices affect security areas. The existing Forest Plan standard applies 

to road densities and effective cover,,ahd cannot be applied to measure effects on habitat for elk during the 

hunting season. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Because the Statewide Elk Management Plan and the issue of elk vulnerability is new, its application will be 

considered in the Five Year Review of the Forest Plan. 

FINDINGS FOR ELK HABITAT EFFECTIVENESS 

On the Jefferson Division, monitoring activities were concentrated on timber compartments where road 

construction and timber harvest actions are proposed and where changes in elk habitat effectiveness values 

are most likely. The Forest released decisions (FEISs) on four timber sales in the Little Belt Mountains. These 

timber sales were located in Management Areas B and C. Road Management Direction specified for lands 

within Management Area C continues to be met. Decisions on lands within Management Area B have resutted 

in less miles of open road per square mile than anticipated in the Forest Plan direction. For example, analysis 

for elk habitat was documented in the Final ElSsfor the Moose Creek Timber Sales (20,800 acres) and Spring 

Creek Timber Sales (36,945 acres). The preferred alternative selected for each of these FElSs maintained 

effective cover for elk at or above the Forest Plan Standard. To ensure retention of effective cover, road 

closures or other travel restrictions were imposed to maintain or decrease open road densities. In both of 

these decisions, the imposed travel restrictions closed more road than anticipated in the Road Management 

direction described for Management Area B in the Forest Plan. The analysis indicates that Management Area 

B direction allowing 1.5-3.0 miles of open road per square mile of area cannot be met while providing habitat 

requirements for elk. 

Effective elk cover was also analyzed and documented in the FEIS for the Turkey Salvage Timber Sale on 

the Judith Ranger District. The analysis revealed that the project area averaged 32% effective cover following 

the fire. Under the preferred alternative for harvest, this figure would be reduced to 31% effective cover. This 

reduction was above the 30% Forest-wide Standard. In addition, travel corridors and cover patches were 

retained in areas of special importance to elk. c 

In FY 1990, Forest personnel developed? 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 1991 to 

compute elk effective cover for five timber compartments (53,000 acres) on the Kings Hill Ranger District. The 

preferred alternatives selected for the North Divide, O'Brien Creek and Slide Rock Timber sale EAs all 

maintained effective cover for elk at or above the Forest-wide Standard. 

Elk effective cover was also computed for five timber compartments (45,755 acres) in the Castle Mountains 

on the Musselshell District. The computer model outputs indicate that effective cover levels on four of the five 

compartments do not meet the Forest Plan Management Direction of 40% for Management Area C (Wildlife/ 

Timber Emphasis). The fifth compartment averages 43%, with one sub-compartment below the 3!34 Forest 

Plan minimum standard. Portions of two compartments allocated to Management Areas G and L have 

effective cover levels well above the Forest-wide Standard of 30%. However, scheduled timber harvest is not 

prescribed for Management Areas G and L. 

16 
Cbdrdination involving proposed hard rock mining activities and elk habitat took place on ?NO proposals for 

exploratory drilling on the Jefferson Division. Kennicott conducted drilling in the Newlan -Jumping Creek area 

on the Kings Hill District and Amax completed a project in the vicinity of Yogo Peak on the Judith District. 

Coordination measures included the regulation of timing and the location of drilling sites and access roads. 

The reclamation of drill pads and access roads was also required. 

Elk habiiat values were evaluated by the w-ildlife biologist on the Kings Hill Ranger District for the Givens Land 

Exchange proposal. This land transaction involved an exchange of National Forest parcels in Belt Park and 

Ditch Creek on the Kings Hill Ranger District for a private land parcel near the Haymaker Wildlife Management 

Area on the Musselshell Ranger District. The effects of this proposal were coordinated with personnel of the 

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (MDFWP) and the exchange was consummated (see Lands 

discussion J-3). 

Mitigation measures designed to improve elk habitat securii were required on the Divide Road reconstruction project on the Kings Hill Ranger District. The District wildlife biologist coordinated with Forest Engineering 

personnel on the installation of signs and road closures along several adjoining roads. These measures were 

included in the reconstruction contract for the portion of the Divide Road project between Logging Creek 

Campground and the Monument Peak Road. 

The annual coordination meeting between the MDFWP and the Lewis and Clark National Forest was held at 

the Judith Wildlife Management Area. Personnel from both agencies visited a cooperative elk winter range 

habitat improvement project located along the boundary of the National Forest and the Wildlife Management 

Area. The primary objective of this mufti-year habitat improvement project is to maintain elk forage areas by 

removing conifer regeneration from an old burn and controlling conifer encroachment into natural grasslands. 

The participants also looked at recent timber harvest areas on the South Fork of the Judith River. There was 

general agreement that Forest Plan Standards on elk habitat and the Forest’s current method of evaluating 

habitat effectiveness was not addressing the concern of elk vulnerability during the hunting season. It was 

decided that we should jointly modify the procedure for defining elk securii which was recently developed 

for the Clark Fork River drainage in western Montana (Hillis et al. 1991) and adapt it for use on the Lewis and 

Clark National Forest. The process would be used to evaluate elk vulnerability on a project area during FY 

1992 to determine its application for use on the Forest. 

C-4 Bighorn Sheep tk Mountain Goat 

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

Bighorn Sheep & Mountain Goat: Winter 

range capacity (population level), sex and 

age ratios 

METHODS 

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 

* 

Data was obtained from MDFWP progress reports, research summaries, and contacts with knowledgeable 

individuals. 

17 
* FINDINGS 

Four Forest Service personnel classified and counted bighorn sheep on the Sun River winter ranges in 

cooperation with the MDFWP. 

No sheep were transplanted from the Sun River bighorn sheep herd during the winter of 1991. Removal efforts 

are planned to continue during the winter .I of 1992 to supplement other populations within the state. 

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. The Sun River population (south of Teton River) appears to 

be stable and is maintaining the MDFWP’s objective of 800-1000 animals through their hunting seasons and 

transplanting efforts. The population north of the Teton River appears to be stable in overall numbers and 

ewes; however, recruitment is in a downward trend. The MDFWP successfully transplanted 32 bighorn sheep 

(ewes) from Anaconda to this area during 1991. This transplant was undertaken to increase overall sheep 

numbers and to increase recruitment of iambs into the population. 

Table Cllb displays the population trends for the Rocky Mountain goat. The population ranges from remaining stable to increasing (see Hunting District 415). The recruitment of kids into the population remains 

generally stable to increasing. For example, the total population in Hunting District 41’4 appears stable, but 

recruitment into the population appears to be in a downward trend. There has been no development or major 

disturbing activities on National Forest System lands within this Hunting District since 1985 when the seismic 

operations for oil and gas exploration were concluded. Presently, the reason for the lack of recruitment in this 

Hunting District is unknown. 

t 

Table C4a BIGHORN SHEEP POPULATION - Rocky Mountain Division. 

MOUNTAIN RANGE 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1m 1994 

Total Rocky Mtn Division I I I 

1 - 32 sheep were added to the population north of the Teton River during February of 1991. 

Table C4b MOUNTAIN GOAT POPUlATlON - Rocky Mountain Division. 

18 
1 - Incomplete survey resulted from equipment failure. Data incomplete to determine population trend. 

C-5 Other Big Game Species 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

Data were obtained from the MDFWP progress reports, research summaries, and contacts with knowledgeable individuals. 

FINDINGS 

In the past four years, 1987 through 1990 the MDFWP has had restricted hunting seasons for mule deer in 

Hunting District 441 (North part of the Rocky Mountain Front). The first three weeks allow for antlered buck 

only (no permit required); and the last two weeks permit hunting only for antlered (75) and antlerless (150). 

Sportsmen and landowners alike supported this restriction when the number of large bucks began to decline. 

The decrease in bucks can be attributed to a large harvest in 1984 and 1985. During those consecutive 

hunting seasons, early snows forced deer ow of the back country and onto the winter ranges where they were 

readily accessible to hunters. This strategy has been successful in gradually reversing the downward trend. 

The present buck to doe ratio is 40: 100. 

The MDFWP has recommended maintaining these restrictions (Hunting District 441) for 1992. These restrictions require that, during the first three weeks of the hunting season, only antlered bucks may be removed 

from the entire Hunting District. During the last two weeks of the season, on National Forest any antlered bucK ' 

can be hunted; and on private lands 75 antlered perhits and 150 antlerless permits would be issued. 

These hunting restrictions have been supported by the Lewis and Clark National Forest to reverse the 

downward population trend that resulted during the 1984 and 1985 hunting season. 

During FY 1991, no new developments (eg. roads or timber harvest) or habitat improvement projects have 

been initiated on National Forest lands within Hunting District 441. Therefore, the population recovery 

response can be totally attributed to reduced deer harvests resulting from the regulated permit system. 

19 
Wlldlte 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS 

TO BE MEASURED 

C-6 Small G 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

FY 88 

FY 89 

FY 90 

FY 91 

Blue Grouse Harvest Level 3,~;ars Decrease of 20% or more in average harvest from previous reporting period 

1 wolverine trapped 

1 wolverine sighted and 1 track observed 

8 wolverines and 1 lynx were observed 

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

(2 animal sightings, 9 track observations). r. 

This monitoring item was deleted from the Forest Plan by Amendment 3, dated 1989. Brood observations 

have been discontinued by the Montana Department Fish, Wildlife and Parks. 

C-7 Furbearers 

REOUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIP- PORT- VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

TION, EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ING FURTHER NALUATION 

PERIOD 

Distribution of beaver, bobcat, lynx and 

wolverine based on annual sightings 

3 Years Decrease of 10% or more in the average trapper 

take from previous reporting period. No sightings 

reported for three years. 

METHODS 

Data was obtained from reported sightings of these species by individuals (both private and employees). 

Sightings are recorded in an electronic data base and used in analyzing effects of proposed projects on their 

distribution, concentrations and use. 

FINDINGS 

Table C-7a ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION SlGHTlNGS - 

- I Furbearer Data 

20 
WlldlHe 

~~ - 

FY 89 

PI90 

FY 91 

With both species the tracks represented individual animals because of location and time of observations. 

The increase in sightings of wolverine and lynx does not indicate an increase in the numbers of species. 

Additional sightings are most likely the result of auxiliary observations in conjunction with wolf surveys, 

initiated in FY 1990. 

~ 

0 wolverines sighted 

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. 

Table C-7b JEFFERSON DIVISION SlGHTlNGS 

OUTPUT’ MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS 

TO BE MEASURED 

1 I Year I Furbearer Data 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE EURMER 

EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

I 1 FY 88 I 6 wolverine sightings 

Goshawk active nesting territories 

1 

Annually Decrease of 5% or more in active nest territories as measured by a 100% annual sample of known goshawk nest 

territories. \% 

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. 

A computer wildlife sighting data base was developed which is compatible with the system in use by the 

Montana Natural Heritage Program. The data base is expected to be used to monitor distribution and relative 

abundance by selected animal species. Implementation of the data base is ongoing. 

In a letter (Gorman, 1991) to the MDFWP, the Lewis and Clark National Forest recommended discontinuing 

the wolverine and lynx trapping seasons on the Jefferson Division. Forest Service biologists feel the meager 

information on population numbers does not demonstrate the species abilrty to withstand trapping pressure. 

C-8 Old Growth Habitat for Goshawk 

i I I I 

METHODS r.. 

The goal is to monitor the same territories each year and establish statistical validity; and to select monitoring 

territories in areas where adverse environmental effects are most likely to occur. 

21 
' A computer program has been developed to interact with the Timber Stand Data Base and identQ timber 

stands that correlate to specified aerial photo inierpretation 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 tq 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 

Suitabihty, 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 proximrty 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. 

Old Growth Inventory and Deslgnation 

Old growth habitat field validation continued for projects in the South Fork Complex FElS and Mill-Lion FEE, 

and a preliminary review was completed for the Little Snowy Mountains. All compartments met at least the 

5% minimum standard that was established in the Forest Plan. 

Biologists reviewed 11 2,597 acres and identified 9,418 acres in the Jefferson Division as part of an ongoing 

Old Growth Forest designation program (this does not include acres yet to be designated in the Little 

Snowies). The FY 1991 distribution by Ranger District was: 

Table C-8a DISTRIBUTION OF OLD GROWTH 

Growth Forest 

Little Snowies 

Additional acres of old growth will be designated in FY 92. 

Analysis of the 53,230 acres in timber compartments 772 through 776 (North Divide) on the Kings Hill Ranger 

District revealed that within the project area most large (> 200 A.) stands of mature forest were on relatively 

flat ground in the Harley Park area in Management Area B. The perched water table in these areas contributes 

to a mix of conifer species (lodgepole, subalpine fir, spruce) with many trees exceeding 20 inches DBH. The . 

areas are probably a subalpine fir/blue joint (ABWCACA) habitat type. In the steeper areas trees tended to 

be small patches (<40A) and aligned linearly along riparian zones; few large stands were found in Management Area A. 

v. 

Investigations 

For a second year, the Forest funded a wildlife Cooperative Education position for a Masters Study student 

conducting research work on old growth. The thesis research work was completed and the wildlife biologist 

22 
was &signed to the Musselshell Ranger District after graduation. The following abstracf summarizes this 

study (Whitford, 1991):’ 

‘Old-growth Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) forest stands and Douglas-fir northern 

goshawk (Accipirer gentilis) nest stands were investigated in summers 1989 and 1990. Data were 

collected from 21 old-growth stands and 12 goshawk nest stands. Objectives of this thesis study were 

threefold: 1) to recommend refinements to an old-growth forest definition used by the Lewis and Clark 

National Forest (LCNF); 2) to compare old-growth Douglas-fir stands with Douglas-fir goshawk nest 

stands in order to evaluate the appropriateness of the goshawk as a management indicator species (MIS) 

for old-growth Douglas-fir forests on the LCNF; and 3) to examine the applicability of the nesting habitat 

portion of a goshawk habitat suitability model for the LCNF. Resutts indicated that old-growth Douglas-fir 

stands could be identified with m.inimum age and minimum DBH descriptions. Hence, simplification of 

old-growth definitions and development of definitions for each forest type were recommended for the 

LCNF. Differences between old growth Douglas-fir stands and Douglas-fir goshawk nest stands were 

significant. The northern goshawk was a poor old growth forest MIS on the LCNF. Land managers must 

identify a valid old-growth forest MIS on the LCNF. Index values produced by the goshawk habitat 

suitability model for each old-growth stand and goshawk nest stand verified that the model was successful in rating the nest stands higher than the old growth stands. However, index values wed virtually 

impossible to interpret, so further refinement is necessary if the model is to be useful.’ 

Goshawk Nest Terrftorles 

Four new territories were detected in FY 1991 for a total of 20 known territories including 3 in the Rocky 

Mountain Division and 17 in the Jefferson Division. The result of the goshawk monitoring completed from FY 

1987 through 1991 is summarized in the following tables: 

Table C-8b GOSHAWK (Nesting Territories - Jefferson Division) 

- Attempted to monitor, but data inconclusive. - 

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

Territories Monitored 

Fledged Active Territory 0 0 0 0 Unknown 

23 
WiSdlWe 

Based on five years of nest monitoring it appears that management actions may have had an effect on five 

goshawk territories. Abandonment or movement of nest sites within these five territories May be due to timber 

harvest. Population declines cannot be determined with the available data. Conclusive evidence would have 

required a survey of all habitat and a determination that all the habitat had been occupied. Under those 

circumstances, there would have been no room for additional birds and they would have left the area or 

attempted to nest in marginal habitat. Long term populations would have been affected. However, without 

conclusive data, it is impossible to determine whether the bird population has decreased due to management 

actions. Monitoring information can o,n@ conclude that there has been an effect on 5 of 20 (25%) known nest 

territories. 

Five years of monitoring coupled with new old growth ideology within the Forest Service, warrants revisiting 

the Forest Plan direction on old growth. Tom Whitford’s master research indicates that allocating old growth 

based on the goshawk will not result in accomplishing the old growth objective in the Forest Plan. Regional 

direction implies that in order to maintain diversity, old growth needs to be distributed across all habitat types 

and forest types. For these reasons, it may be necessary to adjust the old growth definitions and procedures 

for designating old growth; identify changes in management indicator species; and amend the Forest Plan. 

The Forest will continue to use R-1 goshawk model to complete effects analysis for the goshawk, and will 

continue to record nest territories. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

An Old Growth Forest Inventory and Stand Rating Form published in “Old Growth Habitats and Associated Wildlife Species in the Northern Rocky Mountains’, edited by Nancy Warren, Northern Region Wildlife 

Habitat Relationships Program; was modified to fit the range of conditions found on the Lewis and Clark 

National Forests. Beginning in FY 1991 the form was used to rank several characteristics of old growth 

forest stands or blocks (groups of stands). The use of this form will be adopted and incorporated into 

the Lewis and Clark’s procedure for determining old growth timber stands. The procedure for allocating 

old growth on the Forest will be formally documented in a publication as part of the Forest Plan 5 year 

review process taking place during FY 1992. This procedure will incorporate the past procedure, regional 

old growth definitions, and recommendations from the Habitat Relationships Program. 

C-9 Special Interest Species 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD -1 PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Special Interest Species: Golden Eagle & 

Prairie Falcon nesting territories 

3 Years Decrease of 10% or more in active nest 

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

METHODS 

The goal is to inventory and annually monitor a minimum effective sample size (to be determined) of nest 

territories for each species to detect a decrease of 10% or more in territories from the previous reporting 

period. The nests to be monitored would be identified in the two Divisions and be representative of tWvarious 

mountain ranges. Emphasis will be given to monitoring the same territories each year to optimize statistical 

validity and to select territories for monitoring in areas where adverse environmental effects are most likely 

to occur. 

24 
Wildlife 

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 

Monitoring of territories for golden eagle and prairie falcon did not take place in FY 1991. 

s 

An electronic nest record data base was completed for the Forest. The data base is designed to maintain 

nest records for occupancy and production. It also records the UTM (Universal Transverse Mercator) coordinates of the nest site. This information can be retrieved and entered into a GIS (Geographic Information 

System) for use in effects analysis at the project level. This data base will be used for all raptor nest sites, 

not just eagles and falcons. 

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. 

The known nest territories for these two species on the Jefferson Division are located in cliffs, primarily in 

limestone formations. Foraging occurs on nearby grasslands or other open vegetative types on the National 

Forest and adjacent private land. Very few of these territories are located in the vicinity of areas where recent 

timber harvest, road construction or other development activities have taken place or are planned in the near 

future. As a result, monitoring these territories has received low priority; and few of the territories have been 

checked during the last five years. 

Summary of golden eagle nesting territories is as follows: 

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

I; 1- 11 I 0 

Territories Monitored I 

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

Description I Pie1991 I 1991 1 1992 I 1995 I I 

I Nesting Territories 1 I-bl I I 

II ~~ I Territories Monitored 1 - lo1 

- Data is incomplete prior to 1991 

25 
Wlldllfe 

e Summary of prairie falcon nesting territories is as follows: 

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

1 - Data is incomplete prior to 1989 

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

- Data is incomplete prior to lwl 

C-10 Cavity Nesting Habitat 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE ING 

MEASURED PERIOD 

Cavity Nesting Habitat 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. 

Cavlty dependent species habitat was measured by examining the gain, loss, or no change status of National 

Forest System acres of mature conifer stands. 

- 

Snag and nest surveys were conducted using the methods described in Morrison, et al. (1986) as modified 

to use monumented section corners as permanent reference points. Breeding bird plots wereused to 

determine the presence or absence of avian species. 

26 
Wildllfe 

FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

Four observations of pileated woodpeckers were recorded. These occurred in the Sun River Drainages in the 

Wilderness. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION < 

\ 

The pileated woodpecker was not known to occur on the Jefferson Division at the time the Forest Plan was 

wriien. Pileated woodpeckers require 20 inch or larger DBH snags for nesting. This dimension is larger than 

the 10 inch or larger DBH identified for three-toed woodpeckers in Forest-wide Management Standard C-4 

in the Forest Plan (page 235). Biologists recorded the following incidental observations of pileated woodpeckers in FY 1991: 

On the Judith Ranger District on September 18, 1991 biologists observed two pileated woodpeckers 

feeding on a ponderosa pine snag. A fair sized cavtty was present in a nearby tree, but no sign of recent 

excavation was evident. The location of this sighting was about 100 yards east of the main South Fork 

Judith Road and the edge of Smith Flats. 

On the Musselshell Ranger District on July 7, 1991, biologists completed a walk-through of the Pasture 

Gulch area investigating primarily for nesting goshawks and secondarily for pileated woodpeckers. Fresh 

woodpecker scaling of bark (to access insects) was detected where pileated woodpeckers had been 

observed in previous years. A medium to large woodpecker was heard 'drumming' to the south end of 

the drainage. Results of the survey were inconclusive in determining the presence or absence of pileated 

woodpeckers in the area. 

On the Kings Hill Ranger District on September 15, 1991 biologists recorded the presence of several 

large woodpecker holes in a large tree in Stand 775-07-037 located on the south side of Harley Creek. 

It is probable that the approximately 5 inch tall by 4 inch wide cavities were excavated by a pileated 

woodpecker. 

The retention of snags is affected by the firewood cutting policy and the timber harvesting activities on the 

Forest. FY 1991 figures demonstrate a continuing decline in the demand for firewood. Section E-9 of this 

report displays the annual sale of firewood on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. Implementation of the 

Forest-wide management standard for snag retention was monitored on the Kings Hill Ranger District in FY 

91. An Interdisciplinary Team reviewed the degree of success in meeting Forest Plan Snag management 

objectives in timber sale units and areas open to permitted woodcutting (Sasse, 1991). The review focused 

on a mix of old and recent small and large itimber sales as well as ongoing woodcutting areas. 

On the Kings Hill Ranger District, snag management objectives have not been integrated with the personal 

use and commercial woodcutting permit program. The majority of the roaded portion of the Jefferson Division 

is open to firewood harvest; designated Old Growth Forest stands are included in the area open to permitted 

woodcutting. There is a clear conflict in management objectivesfor maintaining snags over time in Old Growth 

Forest stands and across the District while at the same time permitting the public to legally cut the same snags 

for firewood. 

Options to reduce impacts on snags include: restricting the use of heavy equipment to selected commt3icial 

woodcutting sales open to competitive bidding; direct personal use and commercial woodcutting into areas 

after designated snags have been marked; and evaluating the feasibility and economics of requiring timber 

sale purchasers to yard unutilized material (MJM) onto decks. Limited access could then be provided to the 

decked firewood. 

27 
WlldMe 

'Forest-wide, there has been a general downward trend in the number of permits and cords sold to personal 

use and commercial woodcutters from FY 87 through 1991 (see Timber Section, Table EL9a). Firewood sales 

in FY 1991 were,approximately one half of those in FY 1987. The decline in demand in 1988 was due to the 

extreme fire conditions which limited the number of people gathering firewood. Prices increased nationally 

from $2.50/cord in 1990 to $5.00/cord in 1991; sales continued to be a 2 cord minimum purchase 1990 to 

1991. On the Kings Hill Ranger District, which sells the majority of firewood on the Forest, performance bonds 

were first required for commercial woodcutting in 1990; in 1991 erosion and road grading costs of about 

$1 .OO/cord were added to the base,$kOO/cord price. 

Information obtained by the ID Team in reviewing regenerating timber sale units revealed that suitable snags 

and green trees with the potential to replace existing snags were virtually eliminated during timber harvest. 

Past clearcut units were generally devoid of snags, while adjacent wild stands contained numerous suitable 

snags. 

The Forest has initiated a change in timber sale layout to include the designation (marking) of retention snags. 

Prior to 1990, snags were not designated for retention in most timber sales (e.g., Central Park, Lone Tree, 

Corral Salvage). In recent years, snags were marked prior to sale on small (Powerline, Cross Roads, Tree 

Cache) and large (Moose Park, Lmle Moose) timber sales. These changes reflect increased awareness and 

concern for snag management in the planning, marking, and contracting of timber sales. 

Snag management standards have been addressed in recent NEPA analyses. However, better follow up is 

needed to insure implementation of the snag management standards. Pre-sale crews should mark the largest 

snags and green trees to replace snags within the harvest unit, rather than first 1 O+ DBH trees encountered 

in the unit. Marking could be accomplished with paint or Wildlife Tree signs. Retaining snags and green trees 

to replace existing snags should help to avoid a 'clean cut' look and address the "Looking Good' memo 

(Gorman, J. D. 1991). The Ranger District needs to address existing (short-term) and replacement (long-term) 

snag management in prescriptions, marking guides, and marking spot checks. To minimize losses due to 

firewood cutting, marking should be concentrated on the viable snag trees located some distance from 

accessible roads. To ensure snag retention during harvest and purchaser piling operations, snags should 

be marked by the Forest pre-sale crew. 

In one case, commercial woodcutters operated outside of post-timber sale harvest units and in old growth 

stands. Ground disturbance occurred when skid trails were pioneered into an old growth stand. Once this 

activity was discovered, steps were taken by the sale administrator to correct the situation. 

On the Central Park Timber sale, considerable variation existed in the post-harvest snag densities. Variation 

was dependent on the harvest method used. In units harvested with a mechanical faller-4uncher machine, 

the most snags were removed. Numerous snags remained in the units cut by fallers using chainsaws. 

FINDINGS SUMMARY 

c 

Forest Plan snag management standards are not being met on many of the clearcut timber harvest acres. 

In some cases short term (existing snags) snag management was considered in timber sales, but long-term 

snag management (green trees to replace snags over the rotation) was not considered. Integration of snag 

management standards was ineffective in most timber sales from FY 1987 through FY 1989 and generally 

effective in FY 1990 through FY 1991. Effective integration of snag management standards included the 

pre-sale timber marking of snags and green trees to insure post-sale snag densities met Forest Plan 

standards. rc 

Most areas are accessed by roads constructed for removal of logs and are also accessed and prone to 

removal of snags by permitted personal use and commercial woodcutters. District policies to increase 

woodcutting utilization of snags conflict with Forest Plan snag management standards. Year-long road 

closures for biological diversity (elk, wolverine, fisheries, snags, etc.) have been the only demonstrated 

28 
Wlldllfe 

effective way to meet Forest snag management objectives under existing woodcutting policies. Permitting 

unmanaged public access to allow cutting of standing snags for even one summer may be enough to 

eliminate habitat for cavity dependent wildlife for the next 11 0 years of the rotation. The Forest Plan did not 

consider the need to retain large diameter (+20 inch) dead-down logs for prey species and other wildlife 

habitat. See discussion on importance of large logs to red-backed voles (USFS, 1991 page E-6), and general 

deaddown wood ecology (Thomas, J. W. ed. 1980, p. 78 - 95). 

-- RECOMMENDATIONS * 

Re-examine the Forest policy on personal and commercial firewood cutting. Incorporate appropriate 

changes as part of the 5-year Forest Plan review to insure permitted firewood harvest does not adversely 

impact snags needed to meet the Forest snag management standards over the stand rotation. Revise 

the Forest woodcutting policy from the cutting of standing dead and dead-down logs anywhere on the 

Forest, to a policy of cutting only in designated areas. 

Utilize year-long vehicle restrictions and road closures to aid in maintaining snag habitat. 

* Implement an information and education program to inform the public about the value of snags. Include 

methods to detect rot in snags and cavity use of standing snags. 

C-11 Aquatic Habitat 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION ING OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

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

3 years 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, wild fire, 

prescribed fire, and grazing. 

FINDINGS 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DlVlSlON 

During the summer of 1991, the Rocky Mountain District monitored fish populations on a total of 148 miles 

of stream located within the area burned by the Canyon Creek and Gates Park Fires. Approximately 27 stream 

miles within the burned area were monitored for changes in population composition, fish density, habitat 

quality, and water chemistry. There were no detectable differences between baseline data and data collected 

in 1990 and 1991. To this date, the fires do not appear to have adversely affected fish populations and have 

affected the natural variability of fish habitat on only 2 streams. 

Six streams on the Rocky Mountain District were surveyed to determine the presence of purestrain westslope 

cutthroat trout; and two streams were evaluated for the presence of shorthead sculpin. Cutthroat trout were 

- 

, 

lr 

29 
Wildlife 

collected and sent to Missoula for genetic analysis, while the sculpins were sent to experts in Canada for 

evaluation. Results will not be available until 1992. 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

The overall condition of fish habitat and the condition of streamside shrub communities were evaluated on 

three streams on the Kings Hill Ranger District and two streams on the Judith District. One of the five streams 

evaluated for ripariadfish habitat cQ6ditions was found to have streambanks and/or fish habitat damaged 

severely due to livestock trampling. Over-browsing of the streamside shrub community was occurring on this 

same stream, as well as, one of the other four streams evaluated. 

Specific evaluations of spawning gravel conditions were conducted on four streams on the Kings Hill Ranger 

District associated with grazing and existing roads. The quality of spawning gravels were found to be in 

relatively poor condition on all four of the streams evaluated. Fine sediment levels ranged from 39% to 49%. 

Sediment levels in two of the streams were well over the 32 to 42% levels found in relatively undeveloped 

drainages of similar geologies. It is likely that sediment delivery from roads in combination with sediment from 

livestock grazing caused the elevated sediment levels in the two streams. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 number of streams sampled is as follows: 

Table C-1 1 a NUMBER OF STREAMS SAMPLED FOR AQUATIC HABITAT CONDITIONS 

Recommendations 

* The Forest Plan does not contain specific standards for fish habitat. See recommendations and related 

discussion for monitoring items F-7 and F-8, regarding waterlstream quality and fish habitat and stream 

cover/pools in riparian areas. Consider clarifying standards for fish habitat as part of the Five-Year Review 

of the Forest Plan. 

* Monitoring items C-1 1 , F-7, and F-8 contain repetitive information. Consider refining/c_onsolidating these 

monitoring items (delete C-1 1) to better display the monitoring information. 

30 
C-I 2 Habitat Improvement Outputs 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

T& E Habitat Improvement Outputs 

Wildlife & Fish Habitat Improvement 

outputs 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

ith the level speciecline in accomplishments in wildMETHODS 

Analysis of data provided in the FY 1991 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 1991 were accomplished. However, target assignments for wildlife 

and fish structures have not met Forest Plan proposed schedules through the annual budget process. 

Wildlife Habitat lmprovernent (Acres): A total of 450 acres of wildlife habitat improvement was accomplished. Of this total, 67 acres completed by the challenge cost share program. 

Wildlife Habitat lmprovement (Structures): 7 structures were accomplished. 

Fish Habitat lmprovement (Acres): 0 acres was accomplished. 

fish Habitat lmprovement (Structures): 23 structures were accomplished with appropriated funds. 10 

structures were accomplished with KV funds. .. 

Habitat lrnprovement Threatened i% Endangered (Acres): 634 acres was accomplished; 372 A by appropriated funds and 262 A by Challenge Co6t Share. 

Habitat lmprovement Threatened i% Endangered (Structures): 0 structures were completed for fiscal year 

1991. 

Table C-12a displays the accomplishment for wildlife habitat improvement for the past 5 years. The Forest 

has exceeded the Forest Pian level in all habitat improvement outputs except 'Structural Improvements 

for Wildlife' and 'Structural Improvements for Fisheries.' A wildlifeflisheries program document has been 

developed that provides for a more accurate 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. This program document will become an addendum to the Forest Plan during 

the 5 year review process and provide the guidance for the Forest's habitat improvement program. With 

the adoption of the program document the overall improvement targets will increase. 

., 

31 
WildlMs 

Table C-12a WILDLIFE HABITAT IMPROVEMENT a. 

c I 

- Figures do not include KV accomplishments 

* - Figure corrected from previous monitoring reports to reflect that 1987 projects were for T8E species. 

* 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. 

6-13 Oil 8t Gas Activity 

OUTPUT' MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS ING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

EVALU ATlON TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Oil & Gas Activii/Wildlife 

Monitoring - Rocky Mountain 

Front 

Annually 

- 

Display the number of guidelines applied or not applied to 

projects that were accomplished for the fiscal year. This data 

can then be used to determine the cause-of any decreases 

in populations that the RMF Guidelines were developed to 

protect. I I 

METHODS 

Examine major permitted activities in relation to the application of the Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines [(BLM, 

1 987) eg. gas/oil development, timber harvest, seismic operations, new road construction]. 

FINDINGS 

No new oil and gas development projects were approved for the past year on National Forest Sydm lands. 

The only resource project accomplished was the logging of units in association with the Bear Tree Challenge. 

All grizzly bear guidelines were applied to the project. It is anticipated that none of the permitted activities 

(listed in table C-1%) have had any influence on populations of wild ungulates or raptors on the Rocky 

Mountain District in the past 5 years. 

32 
Table C-13a summarizes the guidelines and operating windows assigned to construction projects on the 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District for FY 1987 through 1991 : 

Table C-13r Rocky Mountain Front Guidelines Applied 

11990 

11991 

I OPERATION 

WINDOW I PROJECT NAME SPECIES AFFECTED GUIDELINES APPLIED 

Mobil Testing 1-13 raptor, grizzly All guidelines followed July lAUg 1 

Texaco Seismic raptor, grizzly All guidelines followed Aug 1 -0ct 15 

Mt Baldy powerline grizzly, goat All guidelines followed July 1- Oct 15 

EFS pipeline 1-13 grizzly, elk, raptors 

I 

Bear Tree Timber Harvest grizzly 

All guidelines followed except for 5 

day period on elk, deer winter range 

which had an effect on 160 acres 

along an existing open road. 

All guidelines followed 

Oct 1-Dec 1, Dec 

2lJan 4 extension. 

July 1-Oct 15 

Bear Tree Timber Harvest grizzly All guidelines followed July 1 -0ct 15 

C-I 4 Sensitive Wildlife 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT REPORTFURTHER EVALUATION PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE ING 

MEASURED PERIOD 

Sensitive Wildlife & Fish Species 

Program 

Annually Determine distribution of sensitive wildlife & fish species on the Forest. Monitor annual trends in wildlife & 

fish habitat and species populations. 

METHODS 

Although this item is not included in the monitoring items required by the Forest Plan, we felt it appropriate 

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

Clark National Forest's sensitive species list. 

FINDINGS r 

For a discussion of sensitive fish, see monitoring item C-1 1. 

In June 1991, the Northern Region sensitive species list was updated to include the flammulated owl, fisher, 

lynx, and mountain plover. Of these additions, the fisher and lynx are known to occur on the Lewis and Clark . ', 

National Forest, and the flammulated owl and mountain plover have the potential to occur on the Farest. 

Regional Conservation Strategies for Northern Region sensitive species are currently being developed. 

The Rocky Mountain District personnel completed an extensive harlequin duck survey between April 3 and 

September 9, 1991. Over 600 stream miles on 23 different streams were surveyed. We recorded 63 observations of 235 harlequin ducks on 11 different streams. There were 11 brood observations. The Sun River and 

Badger Creek drainages were harlequin concentration areas. The results of this Study will be documented 

in a report that will be completed in conjunction with the Montana Natural Heritage Program during FY 1992. 

rc 

33 
' Rocky Mountain District personnel surveyed for boreal owls during March and April of 1991. Sevin different 

sukey routes were used. These encompassed 50 calling points and 37 survey miles. Boreal owls heard at 

3 calling points represent at least 2 individuals. 

On the Jefferson Division, boreal owls were detected for the first time in the Little Belt Mountains by personnel 

from the Montana Heritage Program and the Forest Service. As part of a Challenge-Cost share project on the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest, personnel spent 19 evenings on snowmachines and cross-country skis and 

played owl 'hooting' tapes in hopes,ofdetecting a boreal owl. Several owl species, including six boreal owls, 

were detected. This knowledge will allow the District to manage habitat and provide for viable populations 

of this Northern Region sensitive species. Boreal owl habitat (old growth/mature forest offering foraging and 

nest areas and connecting corridors) were evaluated in the Moose Creek Timber Sales FEIS. Adjustments 

were made in the proposed harvest units to minimize fragmentation of contiguous forest areas and maintain 

key forested corridors. Nest boxes were installed to facilitate future studies on boreal owl food habits. 

Biologists documented reports of flying squirrels in several mountain ranges in the Jefferson Division. Flying 

squirrels were reported by Forest Service personnel (Sasse, 1990) and timber fallers (Sasse, 1991). Prior to 

these observations the flying squirrel was not known to exist in these mountain ranges. The flying squirrel 

was found to be a prey species of the boreal owl in Idaho (Hayward, 1989 page 17). 

The Forest Plan snag management standards (pages 2-35 through 2-37) were developed for primary cavlty 

excavators and gave minimum diameters for snags. There has been a tendency during the marking of timber 

sales to mark trees at or slightly larger than the standard 10 inch DBH minimum. The boreal owl has a habitat 

requirement for cavrty nesting for snags 13 inches or greater. Incidental sightings of pileated woodpeckers 

in the Little Belt and Castle Mountains highlights the need for large diameter snags. In the Northern Rocky 

Mountains, pileated nest trees are generally dead or live defective, often broken-topped trees greater than 

20 inches DBH and 60 feet tall (McClelland 1979, Bull 1980). Maintaining suitable nest trees would also 

provide suitable habitat for boreal owls. Maintaining suitable snags of a variety of diameters is also a goal in 

maintaining this component of biological diversity. See related discussion in C-1 0. 

The closure of abandoned mines on the Forest and impact on habitat for bats was not considered in the 

Forest Plan, The closure of all abandoned mines by back-filling or installing barriers could potentially 

adversely impact Plecorus rownsendii (Townsend's Big-eared bat) and other bat species. Mines used by 

large numbers of bats could be identified through surveys and gates installed at selected sites. Information 

on the distribution and location of caves is sketchy. In FY 1991 biologists continued identifying cave locations 

for future surveys for Townsend's big-eared bats. The Forest continued to coordinate with the Abandoned 

Mine Reclamation Bureau on the closure of mines. 

Two nights were spent calling for flammulated owls during May 1991 in the Little Snowy Mountains. There 

were no flammulated owls heard; however, the calling was marginal, at best, due to excessive wind and the 

poor quallty owl tape recordings used. 

.. 

The mountain plover is not known to occur on the Jefferson Division. During the summer of 1991, surveys 

were conducted on BLM lands and private lands, from Two Dot, Montana east to Cameron Creek in the Little 

Snowy Mountains. Their survey results show that the BLM lands that have similar characteristics to National 

Forest System lands (have some slope, and not in a Sripa comara-Bouteloua graci//us habitat type) did no! 

meet the needs of the mountain plover. Basically, Forest lands tend to be a Fesruca idahoensis-Agropyron 

spicarum habitat type and are too productive and not open enough to be plover habitat. 

The fisher is only known to occur on the Rocky Mountain Division. This past year there were no sightings of 

fisher, but one was recorded during FY 1990. 

r. 

34' 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

OUTPUT' MANAGEMENT 

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS 

TO BE MEASURED 

* The Forest should consider an additional monitoring item for sensitive species and additional standards 

for the management of sensitive species. Consider the following when determining Forest Plan standards 

for sensitiie species habitat: 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

- Manage for lie or dead Douglas-fir, spruce, or alpine fir trees greater than 20 inches DBH and over 

20 feet tall at a density of up to $average of one per acre of harvest acreage within areas naturally 

containing trees of at least this size. Large diameter trees will provide habitat for primary cavity 

excavators such as pileated woodpeckers and secondary cavity users such as boreal owls, flying 

squirrels, bats, and song birds. These trees will eventually become large diameter down logs and 

provide habitat for red-backed voles and other associated wildlife. 

Sensitive Plant Program 

- Maintain suitable habitat and access for bats at caves and abandoned underground mines containing 

significant bat populations. Coordinate with the Abandoned Mines Reclamation Bureau, Montana 

Department of State Lands; evaluate the impact of all proposed underground mine closures on bat 

habitat within National Forest System lands. 

Annually Determine distribution of sensitive plants on the Forest. Conduct demographic monitoring 8 taxonomic studies to assess population viability. 

6-1 5 Sensitive Plant Program 

M ETH 0 DS 

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 

When the Forest Plan was developed in 1986 there was no sensitive plant list for the Northern Region. On 

March 10, 1988 the Regional Forester appfoved the Region's first sensitive plant list. In 1989 the Region 

published 'Caring for Our Natural Community', a summary of the Region's program to conserve each 

threatened, endangered, and sensitive species. This report noted that additional information and monitoring 

is needed to assess the effects of management activities on many sensitive species, particularly sensitive 

plants. In the spring of 1991 the Region issued 'Every Species Counts: Northern Region TES Action Plan.' 

The action plan outlines program budgets and directs the Forests to develop monitoring and inventory plans, -. 

accelerate development of sensitive species conservation plans, and assess research needs. In FY 1991 the 

Forest established a botanist position, in part, to address the increasing workload in effects analysis for 

sensitive plants. -c 

Sensitive plant species are those species '...for which population viability is a concern, as evidenced by a 

significant current or predicted downward trend in population or habitat capability.' The list is revised 

periodically by the Regional Forester based on the recommendations of conservation biologists and botanists 

from the Forest Senrice, Universities, Natural Heriiage Programs in the four states in the Northern Region, and 

35 
Wildllfe 

Species Name Population Status &,Trend 

'the Nature Conservancy. Information is provided in table C-15a for each of the 15 sensitive plant species 

known to occur on the Lewis and Clark National Forest. There are 12 additional species of sensitive plants 

that botanists feel may occur on the Forest, and an additional five species of rare plants not yet known to 

occur on National Forest System lands in the Region. If any of these species are located, they will be added 

to the sensitive species list. 

Reports Prepared 8 

Date Monitoring Studies 

Field surveys and Status Reviews cocducted in previous years demonstrated that two species, longstyle 

thistle and Klaus' or divide bladderpod, were apparently secure in numbers and distribution. These two 

species were removed from the sensitive species list in May, 1991. 

ROCKY MOUNTAIN DIVISION 

Giant helleborine 

Peculiar moonwort 

Small yellow lady's slipper 3 occurrences, 1 pop partly vandalized, trend unknown 

none I none 

Sparrow's egg lady's slipper 7 occurrences, trend unknown 1 study initiated 1988, fenced in none I I I1989 I 

Stalked-pod crazyweed 4 occurrences, trend unknown none npne 

JEFFERSON DIVISION 

Fuzzyspike wild rye 

Missoula phlox 

1 occurrence, trend unknown 

3 occurrences, pops appear stable, taxonomic questions 

25 occurrences, may be reduced 

by past logging & wildfire, trend 

unknown 

22 occurrences, trend unknown 

Northern rattlesnake-plantain 

Pink agoseris 

Short-styled columbine 8 occurrences, trend unknown 

none non? 

none Status Review 1991 

1 permanent plot tracked 198889, Status Review 1991. 

2 studies initiated 1991 viability analysis inprogress 

none Status Review 1991 

1 study in burned area 

.c 

Status Review in prop 

res6 1 

36 
Each project on the Forest that involves ground disturbance is evaluated for potential effects on sensitive 

plants. Some projects occur in areas that have a very low probability of containing any senshive plant habitat, 

so ground surveys are not warranted. Survey accomplishments for projects in areas with moderate or high 

potential habitat are reported in Table C-l5b. 

- Year 

1991 

Table C-15b SENSITIVE PLANT PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS 

AMPs 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* The Fivs-Year Review of the Forest Plan should consider the addition of a monitoring item for sensitive 

plants. To respond to the Forest Service direction, the new reporting item should include the following 

information: 

1. Changes in the list of sensitive species for Forest, as it occurs, 

2. Inventory accomplishments. 

3. Progress on monitoring plant populations, 

4. Progress on developing species conservation strategies. 

. .\ 

37 
Range 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASUREQ PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I I Rangeoutputs I Annually I +/- 10% of target 

FINDINGS 

Summary of Forest Plan 10-year average Range Mabagement targets and actual accomplishment for FY 1987 

through FY 1991 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 1991 is within 1 % of ?he 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 1991 was 62.8 M AUM. The 

eleven-year average actual use (1980 through 1991) was 64.7 M AUM. 

Nonstructural flange Improvements in FY 1991 are only 30% of the Forest Plan projected output of 1329 per 

year for the first decade. The reason for this low accomplishment can be attributed to lower funding levels 

and a shift in emphasis from non-structural improvement to noxious weed control. However, the%e year 

average exceeds the Forest Plan projection. 

Structural Range improvements in FY 1991 are 70% of the Forest Plan projection and below the 10% variabillty 

that would require further evaluation. Again, funding below the projected Forest Plan budget, did not allow 

38 
the Forest to accomplish the projected outputs. Continued funding at this level will resutt in under accomplishment in' structural range improvement. Without these investments in range improwemed during the first 

decade d Forest Plan implementation, the increase in permitted grazing use, that is scheduled in the second 

decade of the Forest Plan, will not be possible. 

Two allotment management plans (AMPs) were completed in FY 1991. In FY 1991, the Forest has again under 

accomplished its projected goal. However, the Forest made significant progress toward correcting the 

problem by completing field range analy$i$on nineteen allotments in the Castle Mountains area of the Forest. 

See monitoring item 0-4 (below) for further evaluation and discussion of the new Forest schedule for range 

allotment planning. 

D-2 Range con 

OUTPUT' MANAGEMENT VARlABlLlTY (+/-) WHICH .WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

EVALUATION PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS ING 

TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

Range Condition 

Range Trend 

Annually t Annually 

Acres of range in fair or less condition that hawe not shown 

any improvement in condition score during the monitoring 

interval (1 0 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 (1 0 years). 

FINDINGS 

There are 275 condition and trend studies on 239 range allotments on the Forest. None of these 275 studies 

was monitored in FY 1991. The last time that any significant condition and trend monitoring was conducted 

on the Forest was in 1988 when a contract ecologist monitored 28 plots. 

There were 37 permanent vegetation trend studies monitored on 25 Forest allotments in FY 1991. However, 

all of these studies were Ecodata plots initiated to monitor changes in noxious weeds and non-target 

vegetation on noxious weed treatment projects. Most of the plots were new plots in FY 1991. Several years 

of subsequent re-readings of Ecodata will be required to determine trend. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 range condition and trend studies are as follows: 

- 

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

I Oescription I Existing I 1987 I 1988 1 yition 8 Trend Stud- 1 1 1 1 I :: 

Allotmente Monitored 

39 
Range 

Recommendations 

+ The level of range condition and trend monitoring in FY 1991 (none undertaken) does not meet the Forest 

Plan Standard for this activity. Monitoring of range condition and trend is needed to enable the Forest 

to evaluate whether livestock grazing is resulting in improvement or deterioration of the vegetation utilized 

or impacted by livestock. Monitoring of range condition and trend is an important element in evaluating 

the effectiveness of the Forest Servip range management activities. A much higher level of condition and 

trend monitoring is needed to meat the Forest Plan objectives and to enable range managers to evaluate 

their programs. 

A noxious weed monitoring item should be established. * 

43-3 Supply 

OUTPUT, MANAGE- REPORT- VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

MENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

Annually More than 1 % reduction in suitable range acres from previous 

year. Cumulatively, any reduction of 3% or more in suitable 

range acres over a 5-year period. 

FINDINGS 

Suitable range reported in FY 1991 is 220,900 acres. The difference in the suitable range acres reported 

during FY 1991 is the result of the change in derivation of the data, rather than a real change in suitable range 

acres. The data this year was derived from the Forest Service Range Management Information System 

(FSRAMIS) Acreage and Grazing Capaclty Report for FY 1991. This report is the result of querying data from 

all of the allotments on the Forest in the FSRAMIS data base. Previous reports had been from estimated totals 

from the Ranger Districts' annual range reports. This change does not indicate a need for further evaluation. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 suitable range acres reported is as follows: 

Table D-3a SUITABLE RANGE (Thousand Acres) 

.\ 

40 
Range 

0-4 Allotment Management Plan Status 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURE0 PERIOD I VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

~~ 

Allotment Management Plan Status ~ ~ I 5-years -% 

'- I 

More than 10% of the allotment plans 

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

1977) are considered to be outdated. 

FINDINGS 

There are 239 range allotments on the Forest, 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 D4a STATUS OF ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS 

cade (approved 197741) 

In FY 1991, the Forest accomplished two AMPs, one for the Haymaker Allotment on the Musselshell Ranger 

District and one for the South Fork Allotment on the Judith Ranger District. 

There are 82 allotments on the Forest without an AMP and another 79 allotments that have outdated AMPs, 

approved before 1977. Within the balance af the first decade of the Forest Plan another 34 AMPs (approved 

1977-1 981) will become outdated. A total of 195 allotments would have outdated plans by the end of the 

decade, if no further allotment planning were done. 

c 

This data shows a major departure from the Forest Plan monitoring variability of 'less than 10 percent of AMPs 

outdated.' To correct this situation within the first decade of Forest Plan implementation would require 39 , 

AMPs per year (1992 through 1996). 

The projected outputs for AMPs in the Forest Plan are only 10 AMPs per year. At this level of allotment 

planning, the Forest will remain behind the Forest Plan monitoring variability of less than 10% Of mPS 

outdated. At 10 per year, 50 allotments would receive allotment planning by the end of the decade, but 145 

allotments (74%) would remain unplanned or have outdated AMPs. 

41 
Range 

Revision of Existing 

Plans 

It is apparent from this finding that to meet the Forest Plan monitoring item will require a higher output of 

allotment planning. To resolve this situation, a Range Task Force was assembled in September, 1990. The 

objectives of the Task Force included: (1) prioritization of the allotments on the Forest for allotment analysis 

and planning purposes, (2) development of a schedule and budget for completing allotment management 

plans according to Forest Plan direction. 

3 4 4 0 2 4' 2' 15* 12' 9' 

In Januav 1991 the task force recommended a schedule for accelerating allotment management planning 

on the Forest to bring livestock grazing into compliance with the Forest Plan. Their recommended schedule 

provides for conducting allotment planning on groups of contiguous allotments, about twelve per group, 

rather than individual allotments scattered over the Forest. This schedule provides for completing new 

allotment management plans on all 239 allotments on the Forest by the year 2010, which is a 20 year 

schedule. 

During the spring of 1991, the recommendations of the task force were implemented when a range analysis 

team was assembled to initiate allotment planning on all nineteen allotments in the Castle Mountains. This 

team consisted of two permanent range conservationists and four seasonal range technicians. Support to 

the team was provided by the Forest ecologist, soil scientist, botanist, fishery biologist and others. 

The Range Analysis Team completed field range analysis work on the nineteen allotments in the Castle 

Mountains in October, 1991. Vegetation types, habitat types and suitability for livestock grazing were mapped 

on 68,000 acres. Written descriptions of vegetation and physiographic features were made for 74 7 individual 

polygons (map delineations). The condition and location of range improvements on the allotments weie 

inventoried. The percentage of forage utilized by livestock this season was measured, and 347 ocular ecodata 

plots were sampled. These plots included full plant species lists, soil descriptions and production clipped 

plots. In addition, 55 soil profiles were described by the Forest soil scientist. 

This information will be entered in the Forest data base for use in environmental analysis and planning leading 

toward the completion of allotment management plans for all nineteen allotments in the Castle Mountains by 

FY 1994. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 range allotment management plan accomplishment and AMPs 

scheduled for completion (*) are as follows: 

Table D-4b ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLANS (Each) 

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

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* Continue the schedule for range analysis and revision of the Allotment Management Plans witMhe use 

of the Forest Range Analysis team. 

42 
TIMBER 

Assure silvicultural management prescriptions are best suited to management area 

goals with all resources considered 

E-I Silvicultural Prescriptions Meet MA Goals 

Annually 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPT~ON, I REPORTING I VARIABILITY (+I-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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 onT 

basis of greatest dollar return or greatest 

timber output 

M ETH 0 DS 

5-years 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually by an interdisciplinary team. 

FINDINGS 

An interdisciplinary team reviewed the Yogo Creek Timber Sale on the Judith District in October, 1991. The 

Environmental Assessment for the sale was completed prior to the approval of the Forest Plan (June, 1986). 

The Decision Notice approving the timber sale was signed on July 3, 1984 and the sale was sold on March 

27, 1986. 

Silviculture prescriptions for the Yogo Creek Timber Sale specified shelterwood and clearcut treatments. The 

review group felt that the prescriptions were appropriate to meet Management Area B goals, although there 

had been a fair amount of blowdown during the past two years and other silvicultural prescriptions might have 

reduced the potential for windthrow. Best management practices were met on the project area for activities 

done in conjunction with the timber sale; and elk habitat and elk travel corridors were maintained. 

Test management area outpGs against 

those predicted 

METHODS 

Review of a large timber sale sold during the fiscal year 

43 
Timber 

f INDINGS 

Silvicultural prescriptions for the South Fork, Mill-Lion, and Turkey Salvage Timber Sales specified selection, 

overstory removal, seedtree, salvage, and clearcutting with dozer piling of most logging slash and mechanical 

scarification for natural regeneration. The prescription chosen for each stand was based on the type and 

condition of the timber stands recognizing the risk of windthrow. Economics and volume realized were not 

the principle reasons for selecting the $hriculture method. 

The predicted acres and volumes for the South Fork (Dead Horse-Bluff), Mill-Lion, and Turkey Salvage Timber 

Sales were 814 acred6.8 MMBF, 455 acred4.4 MMBF, 272 acres/l .7 MMBF respectively. The actual acres 

and volumes sold were 791 acres/6.4 MMBF, 391 acred4.6 MMBF, 252 acredl.7 MMBF. 

1 

Additional analysis on timber values and outputs will be a part of the 5-year Forest Plan Review. 

E-3 Timber Openings . 

R EVALUATION 

METHODS 

One timber sale is reviewed on-the-ground annually by an interdisciplinary team. Ail other FY 1991 sales were 

reviewed to determine the planned sizes of the cutting units. 

FlNDlNGS 

There was only one 40-acre cutting unit in the Yogo Creek Timber Sale, the remaining units were less than 

40 acres in size. A review of all timber sales sold during FY 1991 shows that no cutting units exceeded the 

40 acre limitation. 

E-4 Timber Offered/ASQ for Decade 

vMETHODS 

The ASQ is compiled in an annual Regional Report. The volume figures are obtained from the Timber Cut 

and Sold Reports. 

44 
Timber 

FINDINGS 

The allowable sale quantity (ASQ) is the amount of timber that may be sold from suitable forest lands over 

a ten-year period. The figure is often expressed on an average annual basis. While the Forest is not required 

to meet the average annual ASQ figure, it cannot exceed the ASQ over the decade. A summary of the ASQ 

sold for FYs 1987-FY 1991 is as follows: 

Table P4a ASQ (Million Board Feet) < 

During the first five years of the Forest Plan, the Forest has sold about 77% of the average annual ASQ. Not 

included in this figure are several prepared timber sales which will not be sold until FY 1992. While 77% does 

not meet the five year variability of lo%, we predict that the ASQ for the Forest will meet acceptable variability 

by FY92, when these additional sales are sold and become part of the ASQ sale record. 

In addition to the ASQ, the Forest monitors its yearly timber program (Target). The yearly timber program is 

an agreement between the Forest Supervisor and the Regional Forester based on Congressional targets and 

appropriations. The total timber program for the Forest includes all timber products such as sawlogs, poles, 

posts, houselogs, and firewood. Credit for meeting the yearly timber program includes the volume sold, 

volume offered for sale, and volume delayed because of appeals. In FY 1991, the Forest had a target of 28.0 

MMBF. During FY 1991, the Forest sold or offered for sale 18.5 million board feet (MMBF). Of this amount, 

15.9 MMBF was current year sell, and 2.6 MMBF was offered in FY 1991 but will actually sell in FY 1992. An 

additional 9.5 MMBF of the FY 1991 program was delayed because of appeals. Credit is not given for volume 

sold from other FYs. In FY 1991, the Forest sold 2.0 MMBF from previous years. The following table shows 

the chargeable (ASQ) and non-chargeable volumes of the timber actually sold in FY 1991 (FY 1991 volume 

+ volume from previous years) and the volume not sold. 

Table E-4b FY91 TIMBER VOLUMES SOLD/NOT SOLD 

Timber Volume Description 

VOLUME SOLD 

Live Timber 

A. Chargeable 

B. Nonchargeable 

A. Chargeable 

B. Nonchargeable 

Mortality Timber 

Total Volume Sold 

VOLUME SOLD IN FY91, CREDITED TO 

PREVIOUS YEARS 

A. Chargeable 

B. Nonchargeable 

Total Volume Sold credited to previous 

years 

1 lggl Target 1991 Actual (MMBF) Forest 

Plan(MMBF) (MMBF) 
Tlmber 

'. Table E9b FY91 TIMBER VOLUMES SOLO/NOT SOLO (continued) 

VOLUME NOT SOLD 

Offered But Not Sold 

1 - (MMBF) = million board feet 

2 - Volumes prepared for sale and credited to timber target from previous years, but actually sold in FY 1991. 

A summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 timber sold or offered is as follows: 

~ 

Table E4c TIMBER PROGRAM (Million Board Feet) 

f - NA = Not Applicable 

Timber sale appeals have prevented the Forest from meeting its annual Timber Sale Program Target. In FY 

1991, appeals delayed the sale of 9.5 MMBF of timber. The Forest continues to strive to have the analyses 

and documentation required by the National Environmental Policy Act completed and approved two years 

in advance of project implementation. Tbe reorganization of our workforce has helped us prepare more 

thorough analyses on our proposed timber sale projects. However, the thoroughness of ou[,analyses has 

not reduced the number of appeals received. 

46 
,. E-5 Restocking 

Assure timber acres harvested are as projected 

Tlmber 

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

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

Unacceptable resutts of an ID Team Review 

restocking is inprogress 

METHODS 

Stocking surveys are conducted on each Ranger District. 

FINDINGS 

Stocking surveys indicate that 92% of the stands planted within the past five years and.96% of the stands 

where natural regeneration has been initiated within the past five years are either certified as being adequately 

stocked or are on a trajectory to meet adequate stocking within the desired time frame. Planted stands that 

are not meeting the desired results have been rescheduled for supplemental treatment and will be replanted 

as soon as planting stock is available. 

Stocking surveys taken during the first year, and occasionally during the second year after site preparation, 

often do not have adequate numbers of seedlings to indicate whether or not the stand is proceeding toward 

the desired level of stocking. If the stand is still below desired levels at the time of the third year examination, 

then it will be evaluated to determine if treatment is needed to bring it to that level. 

In general, the Lewis and Clark National Forest has a high ratio of successful seedling establishment on the 

harvested lands. 

E-6 Acres Harvested 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

METHODS 

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

Timber Cut and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Plan projected that annual harvest would average about 1,800 acres. In FY 1991, about 91 4 acres 

were harvested. The average harvest is lower than projected. Harvested timber volume in FY 1991 is 50.3 

MMBF. FY 1991 volume under contract is 26.8 MMBF. 

47 
Timber 

Acres Harvested a 

Volume Harvested 

(MMBF) ’ 

Shmary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 timber volume under contract, acres, and volume harvested is as 

follows: 

1,800 1,144 775 786 1051 914 

- 16.8 11.1 11.7 10.5 10.3 

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

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

1 Data for Volume Under Contract for 1987 through 1990 has been adjusted to include estimates for per acre material (PAM). 

2 Data for Acres Harvested for 1987 and 1988 have been adjusted based on updated Timber Stand Management Record System output. 

1 Does not include personal firewood volume. 

~~~~ ~ ~ 

Assure accomplishment of thinning and 

other silvicultural treatments as projected in 

plan 

E-7 Thinning & Silvicultural Accomplishments 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

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

Reforestation (K-v) Acres 

Site Prep. Natural (Ap 

pro. $) Acres 

270 0 0 0 0 0 

- 217 30 25 92 10 

METHODS 

Data for this monitoring item is obtained from the Regional Report from the Timber Stand Management 

Record System. 

FINDINGS 

The following table illustrates the accomplishment of timber stand improvement (TSl) and other silvicultural 

treatments: - 

Table E-7a TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT 

- 
Table E-7a TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT (contlnued) 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

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

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

planning. 

Numbers in this table are generated from the TSMRS information 

- Figures revised from previous MBE Reports from the Rl Silvicultural Accomplishments - TSi 8 Exams - 5-Year Average, 11/25/91 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Most reforestation on the Forest is accomplished by natural regeneration. Projections in the Forest Plan 

include an annual reforestation program with 1420 acres of natural regeneration and 324 acres planted. Five 

years of implementation indicates that the Forest averages 599 acres of natural regeneration and 63 acres 

of planting. The total acres ready for reforestation is less than predicted. 

Thinning accomplishment have 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 are being thinned. Evidence from unthinned fire originated stands indicates that they become 

suppressed and require an extended period of time to produce merchantable products. It is anticipated that 

the regeneration in some of the harvest areas will also become suppressed and require future thinning. 

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 Treatmentoutputs). 

E-8 Even-Age Harvest 

Unacceptable results of an ID Team 58- I is compatible with resource values I view 

Ensure harvest by 

49 , 
Timber 

t 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, REPORTING 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD 

METHODS 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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

FINDINGS 

The presale analysis of the Yogo CreekJimber Sale indicated that the proposed treatments would meet the 

goals and standards of Forest Plan Management Area 6. The Interdisciplinary Review Team on the post-sale 

review agreed that even-aged silvicultural systems were appropriate to meet Forest Plan Management Area 

6 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 and patches can better achieve resource values and help maintain 

biodiversity. 

Even-aged silvicultural systems will provide greater forage production than uneven-aged systems and will 

provide more volume per acre for less cost. The standards for wildlife cover and water qualrty are still being 

met in the area. The gentle terrain and past harvest patterns permit openings that meet the visual management objectives of modification. 

E-9 Firewood Removal 

I Firewood Removal I Annually I Use increase exceeds 10% per year I 

METHODS 

Data is compiled annually for the Timber Sale Cut and Sold Reports. 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1991 , 1.8 million board feet of personal use firewood was removed from the Forest. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1990 commercial and personal use firewood removal is as follows: 

Table E-9a COMMERCIAL - & PERSONAL USE FIREWOOD REMOVAL 

Personal Use Firewood Removal 

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. 

50 
Timber 

E-1 0 Suitable/Nonsuitable Lands 

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

Evaluate availability of lands classified as 5 years suitable/unsuitable -r 

+/- 5% change in acreage 

< 

METHODS 

The evaluation of land suitabil*&y for timber harvest (suitable forest land) is ongoing through project analyses 

and timber stand examinations. Data is being entered into the Timber Stand Management Record System 

(TSMRS) data base to provide information for future Forest Plan revisions. 

FINDINGS 

Project analysis has resulted in a change in suitable forest acres (those available for scheduled timber 

harvest) from 282,307 to 276,406 acres, about a 2% reduction. These changes were made through Forest 

Plan amendments. 

The timber stand examination process on suitable forest land is about 90% complete. With the current level 

of funding, it is anticipated that it will be finished by FY 1994. At that time, the Forest will re-analyze its suitable 

forest lands based on the updated timber inventory. 

E-1 1 Projected Yields 

M ETH 0 DS - 

The Forest established two new permanent growth plots and remeasured three existing plots during FY 1991, 

FINDINGS 

Efforts during the planning period (10-15 years) will be to continue the establishment and remeasurement 

of permanent growth plots. Growth plots are remeasured on a 5-year interval to monitor the growth and yield 

received from timber treatments and/or conditions existing on the Forest. 

.. 

W51 
Timber 

Summary of growth plot establishment and remeasurement is as follows: 

Table E-lla GROWTH PLOTS (Number) 

At this time there is insufficient data available to run any type of comparison between the Growth Plot data 

and the projected yields of the Forest Plan. 

When these Growth Plots were established, they were to be installed instands that were scheduled for a 

timber activity within the next five years (other than a regeneration harvest - ie. precommercial or commercial 

thinning). Therefore, Growth Plots that have had their planned timber activity accomplished and remeasurement completed have data only from one remeasurement. 

Evaluation will be done in FY 1993. 

52 

P 
Water L Soil 

Adequacy and Cumulative Effects of 

Project BMPs 

WATER & SOIL 

Annually - 100% 

Sample ity 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 quality standards. The Forest’s goat-is to manage both sediment and water yield to allow less than 1 % 

over current levels as a result 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 quality sampling is used to monitor 

stream quality for comparison to State water quality standards as well as to assess the effectiveness of BMPs 

on Forest management activities. 

In FY 1991, the Forest acquired the expertise of a soil scientist under a three-year interagency agreement 

between the Lewis and Clark National Forest and the USDA Soil Conservation Service. During FY 1991, soil 

inventory collection and analysis was completed on 25,000 acres of National Forest lands primarily in the 

Castle Mountains. This soil work was done as part of the Range Task Force analysis for the grazing allotment 

management plan revisions. Under this three-year agreement, data collection and soil analysis will assist the 

Forest in making decisions related to vegetation production and soil productivity. 

F-I Adequacy & Cumulative Effects of BMPs 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

METHODS 

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

of the project environmental documentation. This review ensures that adequate BMPs have beemprescribed 

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

vegetation removal, a cumulative effects analysis is also evaluated to predict increases in water and sediment 

yield as a result of the project. 

FINDINGS ,\ 

Table F-la delineates the proposed projects which required review for adequate BMPs and possibly a 

cumulative effects analysis during FY91. r 

53 
Water & Soli 

Table F-la - FY91 PROJECT LIST REQUIRING REVIEW OF BMPs ,. 

Project TAle 

Rocky Mtn District 

1. Beartree Timber Sale 

2. Clary Coulee Burn 

3. Hannan Burn 

4. Ford Basin Burn 

Judith District 

1. Turkey Salvage Timber Sale 

Musselshell District 

1. Spring Ck Timber Sale 

2. Lion Corral Timber Sale 

3. S. Bench Salvage Timber Sale 

4. Near Cross Timber Sale 

Kings Hill Dlstrlct 

1. Moose Ck Timber Sale 

2. Slide Rock Timber Sale EA 

3. Johnston Ck Timber Sale 

4. Tillinghast Ck Timber Sale 

I I 1 

Comments 

1991 YES 

1992 YES 

1992 YES 

1992 YES 

1992 YES Cumulative Effect Analysis Done 

1992 YES Cumulative Effects Analysis Done 

1992 YES 

1992 YES 

1991 YES 

1 992 

1992 

1992 

1992 

YES 

YES 

YES 

YES 

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

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 water useability. 

F-2 Revegetation 

- 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED ' PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

Revegetation of temporarily disturbed ar- Annually - 75% Unacceptable results of an ID Team Reeas & roads within five years sample 2 years view 

after termination 

METHODS 

Revegetation efforts on temporarily disturbed areas and roads are monitored through Interdisciplinary Team 

reviews. These reviews are to be carried out on 75% of the revegetation projects for the purpose of evaluating 

revegetation success and the need for additional revegetation efforts. The reviews occur within two years after 

project termination. 

54 
Water 81 Soil 

FINDINGS 

Table F-2a delineates the projects on each district which were reviewed during FY 1991 or require a future 

review for revegetation efforts. One project was reviewed on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District; three on 

the Judith Ranger District; and 14 projects on the Musselshell Ranger District. No revegetation projects were 

reviewed on the Kings Hill Ranger District in FY 1991. 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 implementairon of the project. 

Table F-2a - FY91 PROJECT LIST FOR REVEGETATION 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn Dlstrict 

1. Elk Ck Gravel Pit 

2. 13-Mile Timber.Sale 

Judith District 

1. Iron Claims Fire Rehab 

2. Lower Dry Wolf Resale 

3. Yogo Timber Sale 

4. 

5. Harrison Ck Fire Rehab 

6. High Springs Small Sale 

Iron Claims Salvage Timber Sale 

Musselshell District 

1. Kents Gulch Timber Sale 

2. Pasture Gulch Timber Sale 

3. Greasewood PK Timber Sale 

4. Basin-Whitetail Timber Sale 

5. S/U Stockwater line - Big Snowies 

6. S/U Irrigation Ditch - Spring Ck 

7. Daisy DeanlNevada Capital Inv. Trail 

8. HaymakerIDaisy Capital Inv. Trail 

9. Ashbridge Springs Timber Sale 

10. Robinson Checkerbd Timber Sale 

11. Mill Ck Salvage Timber Sale 

12. Guard Station Timber Sale 

13. Mount High Capital Inv. Road 

14. Checkerboard Capital Inv. Road 

15. Galloway Blowdown Timber Sale 

16. Neil Creek Timber Sale 

Klngs Hill District 

1. Geis Ck Core Drilling 

2. Adams Ck Core Drilling 

3. Newlen Ck Core Drilling 

4. 

5. Kinney Ck Timber Sale 

North Fork Deadman Timber Sale 

Year 

Completed 

1991 

1988 

1 989 

1990 

1990 

1991 

1990 

1990 

1989 

1989 

1990 

1989 

1989 

1990 

1989 

1989 

1989 

1989 

1989 

1990 

1990 

1991 

1991 

1991 

1991 

1991 

1988 

1986 

Review Date 

919 1 

1991 

10/11/90 

711 2/91 

10-17-91 

711 5/91 

1011 5/91 

9/20/91 

10/25/90 

6/20/91 

9/20/9 1 

8/23/91 

8/22/91 

6/30/91 

1 Of 1 5/91 

611 3/91 

711 5/91 

011 4/91 

8/23/91 

Comments 

Reveg OK 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Reveg OK 

Reveg OK 

Reveg OK 

Scheduled review in FY92 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Scheduled review in FY92 

Seed and Rd. Maintenance OK 

Seed and Ditch Reveg OK 

Seed and Waterbars OK 

Seed and Road Reveg OK 

Reveg OK 

Reveg and Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Rehab OK 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Scheduled review in FYW' 

L 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Scheduled review in FY93 

Of the projects reviewed, the revegetation was described as successful and complete. The Rocky Mountain, 

Judith, and Musselshell Ranger Districts are meeting the Forest Plan requirements to monitor at least 75% 

of the revegetation projects. The Kings Hill Ranger District is falling short of this monitoring requirement as 

projects scheduled for review have not been inspected. 

55 
Water & Soil 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* These monitoring results indicate that additional efforts need to be directed towards reviewing revegetation projects on the Kings Hill District. Results from the remaining Districts indicate that revegetation 

efforts are being successfully carried out and that the Forest Plan is being met as temporarily disturbed 

areas and roads are being revegetated within 5 years. 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

F-3 Water 'Quality in Municipal Watersheds 

Water quality effects of activities in municipal watersheds 

Annually - all Adverse water quality effects or violates 

projects water quality standards 

METHODS 

Activities which take place in municipal watersheds are monitored through water qualii predictions, administrative reviews, and water quality sampling. The purpose of these monitoring efforts is to assure that 

reasonable land, soil, and water conservation practices were prescribed, the Best Management Practices 

(BMPs) were implemented and effective, and that no water quality impacts were incurred as a result of these 

activities. 

FINDINGS 

O'Brien Creek and Willow Creek are the two municipal drainages within the Forest. The only active project 

requiring review was the Powerline Timber Sale in the O'Brien Creek drainage. This project was not reviewed 

during FY 1991 largely due to the absence of the Forest Hydrologist during the field season. Wahout adequate 

monitoring, the Forest was unable to evaluate the water quality impacts to the municipal watershed. 

At this time no Forest Service water qualrty sampling is taking place within these two drainages. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* Serious consideration should be given to establishing water quali monitoring stations within both the 

O'Brien Creek and Willow Creek drainages as well as assuring adequate review of omgoing projects 

during FY 1992. 

56 
Water & Sol! 

Activities in riparian areas, flood plains, acd I wetlands 

F-4 Riparian Areas, Flood Plains, and Wetlands , 

Annually - 50% of 

all projects view 

Unacceptable results of an ID Team rer- OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 1 R?gz? I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

METHODS 

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

purpose of these reviews is to verify that the contract and Best Management Practices are implemented as 

prescribed, and that BMPs are effective. 

FINDING 

Table F-4a delineates projects or activities implemented in riparian areas, flood plains, and/or wetlands. In 

Fy 1991, projects were reviewed on ail four Ranger Districts: 

e 

0 

e 

e 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District reviewed four projects 

Judith Ranger District reviewed two projects 

Musselshell Ranger District reviewed one project 

Kings Hill Ranger District reviewed two projects 

The major@ of these reviews were conducted by ID Team members who had prepared the NEPA analysis, 

or by the Contracting Officer Representative responsible for the project’s implementation. 

Table F-4a FY91 ACTIVITIES IN RIPARIAN, FLOOD PLAINS, & WETLANDS 

Project Title Review I Date 

Rocky Mtn. Ranger District 

1, Wilcox Special Use Road 

2. Cyanide Salvage Timber Sale 7/91 

3. Elk Ck Road Reconstruction 4- 7/91 

4. Elk Ck Gravel Pit 9/91 

Judith Dlstrlct 

1. Bear Park Timber Sale 1 1 I1 6/90 

2. Smith Flat Timber Sale a/ 1 4/91 

3. Smith Timber Sale 

4. South Fork Timber Sale 

Musselshell Dlstrlct 

1. 

2. East Fork I1 Timber Sale 7/20/91 

3. Odiver Timber Sale 

Crazies Sec. 12 Road Permit Construction 

Comments 

Reveg OK, including cuts and fills. Road is draining 

adequately to prevent runoff into stream 

Reveg on temporary road and landings OK. Bridge site 

rehab OK 

Reveg OK including cuts and fills. 

Planted brush seedlings are doing fair. Being browsed 

heavily. Entire pit area reclaimed and rweg is OK 

Contract operationlBMPs OK. Sale complete in FY91. 

Requires review in FYW. 

Contract operation/BMPs OK. 

No Activity in riparian units in IT91 

No Activity in riparian units in FYQl 

ri 

Seeded in 1990. Scheduled review in FY 92 

Seeded in 1990. Reveg OK 

Seeded in 1991. Scheduled review in FY 93. 

i ., 

57 
Water & Soil 

7/91, 9/91 

Table F4a FY91 ACTIVITIES IN RIPARIAN, FLOOD PLAINS, & WETLANDS (continued) 

Operation practices acceptable. Minimal disturbance occurrinf 

Not active during FY 91 

Reseeding associated with new roads completed in FYBB. Sale not 

active during N 91 

Not active during FY 91 

Project Title I I Comments 

Kings Hill District 

1. Central Park Timber Sale \ 

2. Divide Road Reconstruction , - 

3. Moose Mtn. Road Resurfacing 

4. Lick Ck New Road 

5. Elk CBH Allotment 

9191 

8/91 

No Review Scheduled 

BMP and contract practices are adequate 

No Review Scheduled 

Seeded in 1989. Reveg OK 

No Review Scheduled 

Of the projects reviewed, the results indicate that activities within riparian zones are being mitigated successfully to prevent impacts to soil and water resources. The Rocky Mountain, Judith, and Musselshell Ranger 

Districts are meeting the Forest Plan guidelines of monitoring at least 50% of their projects in riparian zones. 

Monitoring of projects on the Kings Hill Ranger District are below this guideline, as two of the five listed 

projects were reviewed during FY91. 

F-5 Other Effects 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

all projects or land productivity 

Effects of other activities on watershed conditions 

Annually - 20% of Unacceptable management practices 

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 verify 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. One project was reviewed on both 

the Judith and Kings Hill Ranger Districts;iand two projects were reviewed on the Musselshell Ranger District. 

The Rocky Mountain Ranger District did not ,have any active projects within this category. -’ 

Table F-5a FY91 PROJECTS FOR BMPS REVIEW 

Project Title Review I Date I Comments 

Judith District 

1. Amax Drill Sites 

2. Plantation Timber Sale 

3. South Fork Timber Sale 

4. Placer Snow Timber Sale 
Water & Soil 

Table F-5a FY91 PROJECTS FOR BMPS REVIEW (continued) 

Project Title 

Musselshell District 

1. Cyclone Timber Sale 

2. L. Park Mineral Exploration 

3. Mill-Lion Ck Timber Sale 

Kings Hill Dlstrict 

1. Link Park Timber Sale 

2. Studhorse Timber Sale 

3. Tree Cache Timber Sale 

4. Cross Roads Timber Sale 

5. Last Chance Salvage Sale 

6. Junction Salvage Sale 

7. Newlan Ck Overstoty~Rernoval 

8. Logging Ck Fire 

Review 

Date 

1 Ol25190 

6/;9/91 

1 

819 1 

Comments 

Contract Complete; Rehabilitation good; Review in FY 92 for 

firewood cutting effects 

Drill sites need additional Rehabilitation Work 

Not active during FY 91 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

No Review Scheduled 

Installed waterbars along fire lines; Natural revegetation taking 

place; Requires review in FY 92. 

Results from three of the projects reviewed indicated that the contract and BMPs were implemented as 

planned, and potential impacts to soil and water resources were being successfully mitigated. Resutts from 

the L. Park Mineral Exploration project on the Musselshell District indicated that additional rehabilitation work 

was needed to successfully mitigate the project. 

These monitoring results indicate that projects are being carried out with acceptable management practices. 

The Rocky Mountain, Judith, and Musselshell Ranger Districts are meeting the Forest Plan requirements to 

monitor at least 20% of their projects not listed under categories F-3 or F-4. The Kings Hill Ranger District is 

falling short of this requirement, as only one of eight projects were reviewed. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

* Additional attention should be placed on monitoring these projects on the Kings Hill Ranger District in 

FY 92. 

F-6 Water & Soil Backlog 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

\ 

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. 

# 

59 
Water & Soil 

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 Total 

Backlog 1987 Description 

I 

Soil/Water Aestora- 373 21 26 10 109 57 50 

tion 

FINDINGS 

Table F-6a delineates the restoration projects that were accomplished on each Ranger 'District during FY 

1991. Total acreage restored totals 50 acres for FY 91 and 273 acres over the past 7 years. This accomplishment represents 73% 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 should be met. 

Table F-6a RFmORATION PROJE( 

Project Title # of Acres 

Rocky Mtn District 

1. North Fork Ford Ck Rehab Project 15 Acres 

2. South Fork Dupuyer/Cow Ck Rehab 6 Acres 

Project 

3. Old Beaver Ck Rd 3 Acres 

Judith District 

1. Middle Peak Road 2 Acres 

2. Turkey Fire 6 Acres 

Musselshell District 

1. Daisy Dean Ck Erosional Cut 

2. Mount High Road 

3. Roginson-Check Rd 

4. Daisy Dean Trail 

5. Upper Haymaker Trail 

1 Acre 

1 Acre 

5 Acres 

1 Acre 

2 Acres 

Kings Hill District 

1. Lick Ck Qravel Source 

2. Jefferson Ck (two-track road) 

5 Acres 

3 Acres 

TS ACCOMPLISHED IN FY91 

Comments 

Routed flow away from gully; Constructed sediment 

traps along gully. Project still requires fencing and 

reseeding. 

Constructed drainage dip sand sediment traps to 

route flow off road and trap transported soil. Disturbed 

areas require reseeding. 

Constructed drainage dips and sediment traps to 

route flow off road and trap transported soil. Disturbed 

areas require reseeding. 

Closed road; Constructed waterbars; Seeded 

Constructed check dams and riprapped eroding 

draws; rerouted flow into original streambed. 

Installed waterbars; reseeded 

Reseeded 

Installed waterbars; reseeded 

Installed waterbars; reseeded 

Closed abandoned trail segments; installed waterbars; 

reseeded 

Installed waterbars to control runoff 

Installed waterbars to control runoff 

Summary of the soil and water restoration accomplishments from before 1987 through FY 1991 is as 

follows: r 

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

60 
F-7 Water & Stream Quality 

Upper Spring Ck 

Mill Ck 

Whitetail Ck 

oUTPUT1 MANAGEMENT REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD tNlTlATE 

PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION SCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

1991 1 3 Sed, Flow, SpCond, Temp 

1991 1 4 Sed, Flow, Sp.Cond, Temp 

1991 1 4 Sed, Flow, Sp.Cond, Temp 

Water and stream quality as affecting \ innually 

fish habitat and other uses: validation 

of estimations of sediment 

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

METHODS 

Water quality 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 comparison of stream water quality 

to that required by State standards, identification of deterioration in water quality, assurance of effectiveness 

of BMPs, as well as validation of estimates on sediment yield. 

FINDINGS 

Water Quality Sampling 

Table F-7a lists the stations that were monitored during FY 91, the period of record, the number of samples 

collected during FY 91, and the variables sampled. 

Table F-7a - WATER QUALITY MONITORING FY91 

The Comb Creek, South Fork of the Two Medicine Creek, and North Fork of the Sun River 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 DH-48 and discharge measurements with a vertical axis current meter. 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 during May and were not replaced. 

Thus only 39 samples were collected at this station during FY 91. 

61 
Water & Sol1 

Suspended Sediment, 

ma/l 

The Upper Spring Creek, Mill Creek, and .Jhitetail Creek stations were initiated during FY 91 for the purpose 

of collecting pre-project data for scheduled timber sales in the area. These stations arcl currently sampled 

manually through width and depth integrated suspended sediment samples with a DH48 and vertical axis 

current meters. Serious consideration will be given towards establishing automatic suspended sampling 

equipment at these stations during FY 92. 

I 

. 88 46 92 38 

The Comb Creek station was established in 1986 to acquire baseline water quality data. The drainage to this 

station is relatively undisturbed. Becquge of past time constraints and work loads, water quallty data has not 

been analyzed in terms of annual sediment load. For the purpose of making comparisons in water quality over 

the period of record, Table F-7b presents the mean suspended sediment and discharge values collected at 

the Comb Creek station during June of each year. June is the month when the peak flows occurred and the 

highest sediment concentrations are expected. 

Table F-7b - Comb Creek - Mean Suspended Sediment and 

Discharge Values for the Month of Peak Flow over ttie Period of 

Record 

Table F-7b - Comb Creek - Mean Suspended Sediment and 

Discharge Values for the Month of Peak Flow over ttie Period of 

Record 

Station 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 

Suspended Sediment, 6.5 5.5 4.0 7.2 3.6 39 

Discharge cfs 23 10 8.8 19 23 32 

Between 1986 and 1990 the mean suspended sediment concentrations during the month of June fluctuated 

between 3 mg/l and 7 mg/i with mean discharge ranging from 8.8 cfs and 23 cfs. Mean suspended sediment 

concentrations during this peak flow month appeared to be decreasing through these years with the 

exception of 1989. Discharge values also decreased between 1986 and 1988 but then increased in both 1989 

and 1990. In 1991, the mean suspended sediment value and mean discharge were the highest over the 

period of record at 39 mg/l and 32 cfs, respectively. These high results were due to a large snowpack and 

warm temperatures causing a large amount of snowmelt to occur quickly. The resulting large 1991 flows had 

an increased capacity to pick up and carry sediment thus resulting in the large 1991 sediment concentrations. 

The South Fork of the Two Medicine Creek station 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. Table F-7c presents the mean 

suspended sediment and discharge values for May of 1987 and 1988 and June of 1989 and 1990. It is during 

these months that the peak flow occurred and the highest sediment concentrations are expected. Because 

the sampling devices were washed out in May of 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. 

Table F-7c South Fork Two Medicine - Mean Suspended 

Sediment and Discharge Values for the Month of Peak Flow 

over the Period of Record 

Station I 1987 I 1988 1 1989 I 1990 I I 

62 
Water 81 Soil 

Table F-7c South Fork Two Medicine - Mean Suspended 

Sediment and Discharge Values for the Month of Peak Flow 

over the Period of Record (continued) 

The 1987 through 1990 results from this station are similar to that of Comb Creek. The mean suspended 

sediment concentrations for the month of peak flow decreased between 1987 and 1990 with the exception 

of 1989. These values ranged from 38- mg/l in 1990 to 92 mg/l in 1989. Discharge values ranged from 181 

cfs in 1988 to 257 cfs in 1989. 

While not technically valid for comparison to mean values from previous years, the small amount of data 

collected during May, 1991, the month of peak flow, were compiled and computed to mean values. These 

values, computed from the one week of automatic sampling and three manual samples, were 14 mg/l for 

suspended sediment and 234 cfs for discharge. It appears from the few samples collected that no deterioration in water quality is occurring. The 1991 mean May discharge remained comparable to those of previous 

years, and the mean suspended sediment concentration decreased. 

The North Fork of the Sun River Station was established in FY 89 to evaluate potential impacts to water quallty 

resulting from the Gates Park Fire. Operation of this station is 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 support the USGS to maintain the gauging 

station. The Greenfield Irrigation District services the automatic suspended sediment sampler. The USFS is 

ultimately responsible for analyzing the resulting data. 

Table F-7d represents the mean suspended sediment and discharge values for June of 1989,1990, and 1991 

at the North Fork of the Sun River station. June is when the peak flows occur and the highest sediment 

concentrations are expected. 

Table F-7d - North Fork Sun River - Mean 

Suspended Sediment and Discharge Values for 

the Month of Peak Flow over the Period of 

Record 

Discharge ds 1086 1469 2012 

As shown in Table F-7d, mean suspended sediment values ranged from 31 mg/l in 1989 to 260 mg/l in 1991. 

Mean discharge values ranged from 1086 cfs in 1989 to 201 2 cfs in 1991. Results from the North Fork of the 

Sun River are similar to those at Comb Creek in that 1991 values are noticeably greater than those of pre~ous 

years. Each year of record at this station demonstrated increases in peak month mean suspended sediment 

concentrations as well as discharge. While increased suspended sediment concentrations are expected with 

increased flows, it is possible that these results are still reflecting effects from the Gates Park Fire. 

63 
Water t Soli 

Riparian areas and streams: stream cover I and pools 

The 1991 results from the North Fork Sun River station show that suspended sediment concentrations 

increased noticeably in the watershed impacted by fire. Noticeable increases in suspended sediment concentrations were also measured in the undisturbed watershed of Comb Creek. As a result, it is unclear as 

to whether the increase in suspended sediments is natural due to increased flows through the system or is 

accelerated soil erosion as a result of the fire. This station will be maintained under a cooperative agreement 

between the Bureau of Reclamation, Greenfield Irrigation District, Forest Service, and USGS. Stream and 

sediment discharge measurements canl be compared to baseline information. 

Results from the Spring Creek, Upper Mill Creek, and Whitetail Creek stations is too limited at this stage to 

draw any conclusions. 

< 

Annually 

Intra-gravel Sedlment Sampling 

In FY 1991 fisheries monitoring was limited to spawning substrate evaluations on four streams. Spawning 

substrates on all four streams evaluated (not post-fire evaluations) in the Jefferson Division were found to 

contain relatively high levels of fine sediments, ranging from 39 to 49%. Sediment levels in relatively unmanaged drainages of similar geologies have been found to range from 32 to 42%. Ranch and Mizpah Creeks 

fall within the 32 to 42% range with fine sediment levels of 39% and 42%, respectively. The South Fork of 

Deadman and Jumping Creeks contained sediment levels of 45% and 49%, respectively. 

F-8 Stream Cover & Pools 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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. Five streams were evaluated in FY 1991 by these methods. Extensive post-fire monitoring was conducted by seasonal fishery technicians on 27 miles of streams on the Rocky Mountain Ranger 

District. An additional 120 miles of stream on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District were evaluated to determine 

baseline fish population and habitat conditions. 

FINDINGS 

The post-fire monitoring generally indicated that fish populations were not measurably affected by the 1988 

fires. Detailed findings for the streams evaluated are located in District files and in the files of the zone fishery-, 

biologist. 

. 

Riparian evaluations indicated that high levels of bank damage have occurred on Smith Creek. Overtyowsing 

of the streamside shrubs had occurred on Smith Creek and Jumping Creek. Habitat evaluations on the South 

Fork of the Judith River, Jefferson Creek, and the South Fork of Deadman Creek indicated that fish habitat 

was in fair condition and the streamside shrub community was improving. 

64 
Water L Soil 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Work continued on a Forest-level riparian classification project started in 1990. In FY 1991 an additional 23 

stream reaches were sampled, and map unit delineation was started. fnformation on soils,’ vegetation, and 

stream characteristics from the sample sites will be used to describe and classify the current and potential 

condition of riparian areas. The classification will provide a means to compare existing and 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. 

Population evaluations on cutthroat trout, to determine the genetic puri, were accomplished on Badger, 

South Badger, Lonesome, North Fork Little Badger, Little Willow, and the South Fork of Dupuyer Creeks; all 

on the Rocky Mountain District. Sculpins collections were completed on the South Fork of the Two Medicine 

River and Summit Creek for the purpose of determining if the sculpins present are shorthead sculpins. The 

sculpins have been sent to specialists in Canada for electrophloretic evaluation while the cutthroat trout have 

been sent to the University of Montana. Results for both the cutthroat and sculpin evaluations will not be 

available until 1992. 

\ 

< 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I I NIT1 ATE FURTHER EVALU AT1 ON 

REPORTING 

PERIOD 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Annually - Monthly when in use 

Although monitoring of fish habitats throughout the Forest has not been extensive over the last five years, 

enough information has been collected to demonstrate a need to amend the forest plan to include more 

specific standards for fish habitat. These standards could vary as a function of the value of the fishery 

and the existing condition of the habitat. Development of more specific standards would help ensure less 

risk for important fish habitats to be negatively affected and allow both individuals within and outside the 

agency to understand the boundaries within which fish habitats will be managed on the Forest. 

Violates State or Federal drinking water 

standards 

F-9 Public Health 

Public Health - Water Systems 

METHODS 

During FY 1991,34 Forest systems and seven Special Use systems were opened for use. Twenty-three of 

the Forest Service systems and three of the special use systems were tested and operated in accordance 

with State and Federal Safe Drinking Water Ai%. For the remaining systems, required bacteriogical tests were 

occasionally not accomplished. 

FINDINGS 

An evaluation of the testing program revealed that the sampling and testing omissions were not confined to 

any one District for the Forest Service systems. Further analysis indicated that some 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 closure of the 

systems. Closure of Forest Service systems would result in loss of revenue from pay campgrounds and the 

abilq of the public to enjoy their recreation facilities. 

, 

Ir 

65 
M lnersle 

M I N E RALS 

fhe FY 91 target for minerals management was 95 cases. A total of 94 cases were processed. 

The Forest Plan outlines monitoring requirements for minerals management. It addresses minerals related 

items to be monitored, the frequency at Which such monitoring should occur, and the type of variance which 

would initiate further evaluation. Deviadons from Forest Plan goals and standards may result in either referring 

problems to the appropriate line officer for improvement of management practice application; moddying 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 91 

(October 1, 1990 - September 30, 1991) are provided below: 

G-I Effect of Mining Activities 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIP- REPORTING PERIOD VARlABlLlN (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION 

Adverse effect of Forest Service project on mineral 

activities or revision or departure from approved 

operating plan 

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 91. According to 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 speclfy the nature of the proposed activities, the 

location and timing of any surface disturbing activities, and any necessary reclamation measures. During FY - 

1991, five new Plans of Operation (POO’s) were reviewed for mineral activities. Separate 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 additions were -de, if 

necessary, to ensure compliance with Forest Plan standards and to mitigate issues and concerns. Some 

activities took place under Plans of Operation that were approved in a previous year during which the 

proposal was not completed. One project required an amendment to a previously approved POO. 

66 
Four drilling programs were conducted in the Little Belt Mountains on the Jefferson Division. A total of 18 core 

holes were drilled. In all but one case, drill pads were located along existing roads. The exception was in the 

Newlan Creek area where 100 feet of new road was approved for construction in order to access several drill 

sites. This short segment of road was constructed in an open grassland area and was seeded and closed 

to vehicle use following completion of the drilling. 

Table G-19 - FY93 PROJECT LIST FOR MIMING ACTIVITIES 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn District 

No Mining Activities 

Judith District 

1. Vortex Mining -Yogo Crk. 

2. Amax Gold-Bandbox Mtn. 

3. Whittaker-Running Wolf 

4. Laya Claims 

5. Gamble Claims-Placer Creek 

6. Bliss claims 

7. Davis claims 

Musselshell Distrlct 

1. Kennecott drillsites-Mill/TraiI Creek 

Kings Hili District 

1. Corninco Cooks Corner drilling 

2. BHP-Utah Adams Ck Core Drilling 

3. Cominco Newlan Ck Core Drilling 

1 PO0 = Plan of Operation 

status 

Active under approved POO' 

Active under approved PO0 

Not active 

Not active 

Approved PO0 

Not active 

Active under approved PO0 

Not active 

Active under amendment to 

previously approved PO0 

Active under approved PO0 

Active under approved PO0 

c 

Comments 

Reviewed monthly during summer operations - in compliance with PO0 

Drilling activity reviewed 7 times during operations - minimal impacts 8 within approved PO0 

Checked 4 times during summer season 

Checked once during summer season 

Inspected 3 times-activity consisted of opening 

caved adit and installing steel door 

PO0 approved for excavation of one trench, no 

roading necessary, checked 4 times during 

summer, but no activity 

Inspected 4 times during operating seasonactivity consisted of pick & shovel work with 

minimal disturbance 

PO0 approved for core drilling, but project was 

not conducted 

2 additional drill sites conducted in compliance 

with approved PO0 

Drilled 5 core holes in compliance with approved 

plan 

Inspected during operations-cors drilling within 

approved plan 

G-2 Geophysical Prospecting 

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

& EFFECTS TO BE PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

MEASURED 

Effect of Prospecting Annually - 100 % of Adverse effect upon surface resources or departure 

active operations on from conditions of the approved permit 

a biweekly basis 

67 
Mlnerals 

?his monitoring item includes effects from the issuance of prospecting permits (geophysical exploration). 

There were no geophysical prospecting permits requested or issued during FY 1991. ’ 

G-3 Drilling Effects 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

Effect of Drilling 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER WALUATION REPORTING PERIOD 

FINDINGS 

The Final €IS 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 public review period, 

a.Record of Decision was jointly signed by the Lewis and Clark Forest Supervisor and the Bureau of Land 

Management, Great Falls Resource Area Manager approving, with conditions, Fina’s Application for Permit 

to Drill (APD). A separate decision on Chevron’s application will not be issued until evaluations and consuhations necessary to fulfill our responsibilities under the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and Section 

106 of the National Historic Preservation Act have been completed. This analysis continued through FY 1991. 

Fifty-two 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 and they are presently conducting their own review of the 

effects of drilling. 

Forest specialists continued to provide input to the BLM interdisciplinary team conducting the analysis of the 

Blackleaf Canyon Field Development. The BLM has the lead role in this EIS, the Forest Service is providing 

surface resource information and review upon request. 

G-4 Rehabilitation 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH 

REPORTING PERIOD WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

er rehabilitation has been 

68 
Requirements for reclamation were established for each mining proposal and made part of the approved 

operating plan. Reclamation bonds were established for proposal, based on the costs’ which would be 

incurred to rehabilitate the area of proposed activity. These bond amounts are collected prior to allowing any 

activii to take place, and retained until final reclamation standards are met. 

Mineral operations inspected for rehabilitation are listed in the following table: 

Table G4a - CY31 PROJECT LIST FOR REHABILITATION 

Project Title 

Rocky Mtn District I 1. Blackleaf Pipeline ln6tallation 

Judith District 

1. Amax Gold Drilling 1991 

Musselshell District 

1. Kennecott Checkerboard project 1989 

2. Kennecott Checkerboard project 1990 

Klngs Hili District 

1. Geis Ck Core Drilling 1991 

2. Adams Ck Core Drilling 

3. Newlan Ck Core Drilling 

1991 I 1991 

4. Black Butte Core Drilling 1990 I 

Review Date 

9/91 

11/91 

1011 6/90 and 

611 319 1 

10/16/90 and 

611 3/91 

6/91 

I Comments 

Scheduled review in 1995 

Rehabilitation requiremehts met; scheduled 

review in 1996 

One (of three) drillsite required plugging; portion 

of bond retained; scheduled review in 1994 

Two (of 7) drillsites required contouring and 

reseeding; portion of bond retained; scheduled 

review in 1995 

Rehabilitation completed: bond released; scheduled review in 1996 

Scheduled review in 19% 

Access road required additional seeding and 

water-barring; scheduled review in 1996 

Scheduled review in 1995 

G-5 Mineral Availability 

METHODS 

This item addresses the effect of renewable resource prescriptions and management direction on mineral 

resources and activities, including exploration and development. # 

69 
Mlnerals 

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 complied with established Forest Plan standards and guidelines; therefore, 

none were denied. 

. 

Conditions for approval, and mitigation Znd monitoring needs were adopted in the decision to approve Fina's 

Application for Permit to Drill. These conditions were necessary in order that the project be compatible with 

Forest Plan direction. 

A mineral report for the Givens land'exchange involving several parcels on the Musselshell Ranger District 

was completed in FY 1991. The mineral report recommended that the oil and gas estate on one of the Federal 

parcels remain in federal ownership upon exchange, as the parcel was presently leased for oil and gas. This 

action continues to provide an opportunity for the lessee to explore for and develop leasable mineral 

resources. The recommendation was adopted in the final exchange. . 

70 
Lands 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED 

LANDS 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALU AT1 ON 

-_ 

ING 

PERIOD 

J-1 Compliance With Use Permits 

# r Description 

t I 

I I 

I Compliance with use permits . I Annually I Unacceptable results or deviation from permits I 

METHODS 

The computerized Forest Land Use Report (FLUR) is used to prepare billing and gather information about 

the Forest’s special use permits. Inspections of the recreations residences, ski areas, 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 

The condition of facilities authorized through special use perm 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-the-ground inspections are 

done primarily for health and safety issues and whenever specific problems arise. 

TSpecial use permits are generally current and in conformance with federal policy. The automated Forest Land 

Use Report (FLUR) program is working well. Most of the bills are prepared through the FLUR program, then 

mailed to the districts for review and issuance. 

The Lewis and Clark National Forest administers the following special use permits: 

1 

1 

1 67 

5 

1 

59 

2 

3 

34 

11 

1 

1 

7 

Organization Camp 

Isolated cabin 

Recreation Residences 

Resorts 

Target Range 

Outfiier Guides 

Ski Areas 

Cultivation 

Livestock Area (Pastures) 

Corrals 

Sign 

Solid Waste Disposal Site 

Research Study 
Lands 

.. Table J-1 a SPECIAL USE PERMITS (continued) 

At Description 

1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

1 

3 

3 

1 

4 

1 

16 

6 

4 

2 

15 

’ 14 

Weather Stations 

Military Training Areas 

Cultural Resources 

Construction camp/Residence 

Mineral Material Sales 

Oil and Gas Pipeline 

REA Powerlines 

Powerlines 

Railroad Right-of-way 

Department of Transportation Highway Easements 

Road Easement 

Road Permits 

Multiple User Electronic Sites 

Single User Electronic Sites 

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. Prior to consolidation into master permits, these uses were issued as 29 

separate permits. 

During this fiscal year 15 recreation residence permits have been issued. These permits were a combination 

of permit renewals and new permit issues for cabins that changed ownership. This was the third year of the 

four-year phased-in fees for recreation residence permits, and the increased fees may have some bearing 

on permit holders selling their summer homes. 

Also re-issued or newly issued were: electronic site permits to the Choteau County Sheriff, Mobile Communications, and the Montana Power Company; two road permits, one livestock use permit, one irrigation ditch 

and one target range permit. 

The Forest is working with Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks to jointly manage the use of the 

Smith River. The number of river rafting permits issued on the Smith River appears to have stabilized. Over 

the last three years, about 20 permits have been issued annually. In FY 1991, 18 commercial outfiler-guide 

permits were issued on the Smith River. The Smith River Management Plan will be reviewed during fiscal years 

1992 and 1993. This Plan was developed jointly by the MDFWP, Forest Service, landowners, recreational 

floaters, and commercial river outfiiers. 

The Forest administered 39 outfiier guide permits for hunting and/or fishing in FY 1991. Two appeals were 

filed by outfiiers: one appeal concerned a permit transfer, and the other concerned a request for additional 

hunting use. 

There were five permits issued for short-term recreation use: an archery contest, cross-country ski racing, 

military maneuvers, black powder shooting contest, and camping for paleontologic studies. A p@rmit was 

prepared for a commercial photography shoot, but was not used by the requesting party. P 

The minimum fee for special use permits was increased from $25 to $45, and all permits that have been at 

the minimum fee were amended to increase the annual fee to $45. A national fee study for communication 

authorizations is underway and may result in increased fees for all communication uses. 

72 
Lands 

J-2 Right-of-way Easements 

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

Right-of-way Easements Accomplishment Annually - 100% Less than 75% accomplishment of 

5-Year Program , I Sample I 

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 FYs 1989-93 was 

transmitted to the Forest Leadership Team on March 27, 1990 by the Forest Supervisor. The program for FY 

1991 contained four road easements and one trail easement. All four road easements were to 'perfectn title 

to existing easements. Only one road easement was acquired. One is tied up in a divorce settlement, another 

in probate, and the third is still in negotiation. 

In addition to the programmed cases, considerable work was done on five other trail easement cases that 

unexpectedly presented themselves. Three of these are expected to be completed in FY 1992. 

Consequences of not meeting Rights-of-way targets result in inadequate or deferred public access to the 

National Forest and the backlogging of cases. Case accomplishment tends to become more difficult as real 

estate prices rise and land is subdivided. 

J-3 Land Ownership Adjustment 

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

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

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

ment Sample 5-Year Program 

* 

The Forest does not have an established Land Exchange Program but rather relies on opportunities that are 

forwarded by proponents. Other opportunities to acquire tracts which are desirable for National Forest 

System ownership are pursued as they develop. 

73 
Lands 

r 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

The Forest Plan specifically states that, '----it is not the intent of the Forest Service to pursue this direction 

(land exchange) except on a willing grantor basis.' For this reason, it would be very difficult to 'lock-in' on 

targets for accomplishments. In FY 1991 , the Forest completed the Givens Land Exchange: 158 acres were 

acquired by the National Forest in the Little Belt Mountains, northeast of the Haymaker Wildlife Management 

Area in exchange for eight scattered parcels of National Forest land totalling 313.05 acres. The National 

Forest parcels disposed in the exchange were scattered along the edge of the Forest boundary or within large 

blocks of private land in the Big Snowies, Little Belt, and Castle Mountains. 1 

Landline Location Accomplishment 

* 

Table J-3a LAND EXCHANGE (Acres) 

- Corrects an omission in previous Monitoring and Evaluation Reports - Cady Land Exchange in the LitHe Belt Mountains 

Annually - 100% Less than 75% of the Forest Plan Target 

Sample A 

5-4 Landline Location 

Description Forestplan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

1 I 

Landline Location 26 14 18. 25 21.5 23 

* 

Table J-3a LAND EXCHANGE (Acres) 

Lands Acquired 

- Corrects an omission in previous Monitoring and Evaluation Reports - Cady Land Exchange in the LitHe Belt Mountains 

The Forest Plan target for landline location is 26 miledyear. In FY 1991, the Forest was funded for and 

accomplished 23 miles or about 88% of the Forest Plan target. For FYs 1987-91, the Forest accomplished 

about 78% of the Forest Plan target. 

The Forest has a total of 1636 miles of property boundary. Of this, 264 miles has been posted to standard 

leaving 1372 miles not posted. If 26 miles per year were to be achieved until the entire boundary was posted, 

it would take 54 years to complete the job. In the interim many miles would need mahterjance. 

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, about 70 miles annually would have to be posted for the period 1991-2010: 

Consequences of failing to achieve Property Boundary targets create trespass problems for the. recreating 

public and the abutting landowners. In addition, management decisions may at times be compromised for 

lack of a posted National Forest boundary. Also, by deferring the property boundary job, valuable physical, 

evidence attesting to the original corner location is being obliterated or lost to the forces of man and nature. 

74 
FACILITIES 

Road and Trail Construction; local roads; 

trails; arterial/collector roads 

Faclllties 

Annually - 100% 

Sample reconstruction accomplished 

+/- 20% of programmed construction/ 

L-1 Road & Trail Construction/Reconstruction 

.-- 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I Rygl:G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS - Roads 

The Forest Plan Road Program, as amended, provides for 9 miles of road construction and 24 miles of 

reconstruction yearly. This figure is further divided into 20 miles for Capital Investment Program and 13 miles 

for the Timber Management Program (Purchaser Credit). 

In FY 1991 under the Capital Investment Program, the Forest reconstructed 5.1 miles of road and did not 

construct any road. Under the Purchaser Credit Program, 17.4 miles were constructed and 8.3 miles were 

reconstructed for a total of 17.4 miles of construction and 13.4 miles of reconstruction under both programs. 

When considering the total miles constructed and reconstructed in both programs during FY 1991 the output 

was 93% of that projected by the Forest Plan. This is within the variability tolerance. 

Table L-1 B MILES OF ROAD CONSTRUCTED/RECONSTRUCTED 

When considering the average accomplishment for the five year period (FY87 - FY 91) the Forest accomplidh-'- 

ment in the Capital Investment Program is 79%; the accomplishment for the Purchaser Credit Program is 61 % 

and the combined programs is 72%. Shortfalls in the Capital Investment Program are the result of Regional 

prioritization and reduced road construction budgets at the National and Regional levels. The reasondor the 

accomplishment shortfall in the Purchaser Credit Program is the backlog of timber sales (see monitoring item 

E4). 

75 
Facllltles 

__ ~ 

, 1.5 miles 

Consequences of not meeting targets for the five-year planning period are twofold. First, the shortfall in the 

Purch'aser Credit Program is directly related to the shortfall and backlog in the Timber Management Program. 

The Purchaser Credit Program targets and the Timber Management Program targets are dependant upon 

the other. It is expected that both targets accomplishments will be at the Forest Plan level in FY 1992. 

I NA 

l 2.0 miles (ROW not finalized) 

The other program area, the Capital Investment Program, is totally dependent upon Congressional appropriation and National and Regional prioritization. Consequences of not meeting Forest Plan targets in this 

program primarily resutt in our inabjlQ to improve inadequate roads with relocation or'reconstruction. 

Inadequacies include unsafe road segments, road segments that contribute to water qualily problems, and 

roads that provide a service level inconsistent with planned or existing use. 

Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 

14.0 8.5 13.3 12.8 14.1 12.0 

I 

FINDINGS - Tralls 

1996 

The Forest Plan, as amended, programs an average of 14.0 miles of trail construction and reconstruction 

annually. In FY 1991, the Forest replaced one trail bridge and accomplished 12.0 miles of reconstruction/ 

Right-of-way work. 

Table L-1 b TRAIL ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR FY 1991 - 

I Description I Miles 

Rocky Mountaln Ranger Dlstrlct 

Headquarters Tr. 165 

Route Creek Tr. 108 

Lick Creek Tr. 151 

Judith Ranger Dlstrlct 

Musselshell Ranger Dlstrlct 

Steiner Tr. 442 

Daisy Tr. 612 

Klngs Hlll Ranger Dlstrlct 

Memorial Falls Trail Bridge replacement 

Sheep Creek Tr. ROW 

3.5 miles 

1 .o 

1 .o 

3.0 milos (voluntoor labor) 

76 
Facilltks 

~~ 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, r EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

L-2 Mile of Roads Open 

REPORTING VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

PERIOD IN IT1 ATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

I Annually - 100% +/- 20% of target miles to be left open to I public 

Miles of Roads Open to Public Use 

FINDINGS 

The Forest Travel Plan resutted in thefollowing summation of road restrictions and closures. On the Jefferson 

Division, approximately 267 miles are restricted either yearlong or seasonally to some forms of motorized 

public use. On the Rocky Mountain Division, approximately 46 miles are restricted either yearlong or seasonalty to some forms of motorized public use. 

It is estimated that there are approximately 2,029 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. 

c 

: ., 

77 
Protectlon 

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 

PROTECTION 

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 

P-I High Risk Stands 

' Forest Plan 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 

I 

70 90+ 80 90 67 64 

VARIABIUW (+/-) WHICH WOULD INITIATE 

FURTHER EVALUATION ING OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCQIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

19% 1996 

Acres and volume of insect and disease 

infestations 

FINDINGS 

5Years Introduction of new insect or disease or . 

spread of an existing insect or disease .* 

In FY 1991, 64% of the sawtimber sold on the Lewis and Clark National Forest was high risk lodgepole pine. 

Reviews of timber sale locations showed the Forest is continuing to breakup large concentrations of natural 

fuels. Future planning is also emphasizing removal of high risk lodgepole pine. 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 removal of high risk lodgepole pine stands is as follows: 

Over the first five years of the Forest Plan, lodgepole pine has made up about 75% of the volume sold on the 

Forest, within the acceptable range for the Forest Plan. This percentage is slightly above the 70% level 

envisioned in the Forest Plan. There is a continuing need to convert the very old, decadent lodgepole stands 

on suitable forest lands to younger, more productive stands. 

P-2 Acres/Volume of Insect & Disease - 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD I RTgt:G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION I 

FINDINGS 

Insect and disease surveys conducted during the summer of 1991 showed no significant change in insect 

and disease infestations on the Forest. Insects and diseases continue at endemic levels. The planned yearly 

surveys are adequate to monitor insect conditions on the Forest. 

78 
Protectlon 

Assure prescribed fire meets air quality 

standards 

P-3 Management Practices 

Annually +/- 10% beyond standard guidelines 

VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH WOULD 

INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION ING 

PERIOD 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Management practices to ensure activities do not increase in insect and dispromote an increase in insect or disea4e organisms 

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. 

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 1991, the Forest burned about 2,500 acres for slash disposal, natural fuel treatment, wildlife habitat 

improvement, and range land improvement. There were no known complaints about any prescribed burning 

project affecting air qualtty. 

Burning conditions and coordination, under a State of Montana permit, play a major role in meeting air quality 

standards. 

P-5 Fuel Treatment Outputs 

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 

Fuel Treatment Outputs 

FINDINGS 

In FY 1991, the Forest treated 573 acres of activity fuels and 507 acres of natural fuels. The Forest Plan Snows 

a target of 1,470 acres of activity fuels and 700 acres of natural fuels per year. The under accomplishment 

in treating activity fuels is related to the backlog of timber sales not being offered (see item E-6). The under 

treatment of natural fuels was due to dry fall and spring burning conditions. 

79 
Protection 

Wildfire Acres Burned 

Summary of FY 1987 through FY 1991 natural and activity fuels reduction is as follows: 

100% Sample +/- 25% above projected average anAnnual I y nual wildfire burned acres 

Table P-5a ACTIVITY 8 NATURAL FUEL ACCOMPLISHMENT (acres) 

During the first five years of the Forest Plan, the Forest treated about 4,100 acres of natural fuels. This is 

slightty above the 700 acre yearly level envisioned in the Forest Plan. During this time, about 5,200 acres of 

activQ fuels were treated. This is about 400 acres less per year than projected by the Plan. This shortfall is 

a result of harvesting less timber than envisioned in the Plan. Because the backlog of timber to be sold on 

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

of activity fuels treated will be near the Forest Plan level. 

10-year average 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 

I 

497 37 174,162 13 32,013 795 - 

P-6 Wildfire 

' 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

The 1991 Fire Season can best be described as volatile. A very dry fall, winter, and early spring was followed 

by above normal moisture in May and June. Moisture in July and August was spotty and coupled with the 

lingering effects of the dry years (1984, 85, 87, and 88), by mid-August fuels were explosive. Six fires (20 to 

60 acres) required extended initial attack, and one fire, Harrison Creek, escaped initial attack. The Harrison 

Creek Fire burned 554 acres and required 600 people and $1.5 million dollars to suppress. The timely 

availabiltty of retardant, smokejumpers, and initial attack forces boosted by severity funding, enabled the 

Forest to control other fires which had the potential of becoming project fires. In 1991 , the Forest had 41 

wildfires which burned 795 acres. - 

Summary of 1987 through 1991 total wildfire acres burned is as follows: 

80 
Protection 

P-7 Suppression & Protection Costs 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, WHICH WOULD 

FINDINGS ’ 

The total cost of fire suppression andbrotection in 1991 was $2,648,000. This figure is well above the 1 0-year 

average of $590,000. Sixty percent of the suppression cost is attributed to the Harrison Creek Fire. 

Summary of 1987 through 1991 suppression and protection costs is as follows: 

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

During the first five years of the Forest Plan, acreages lost to wildfires and fire suppression and protection 

cost were substantially above those projected by the Forest Plan. This situation resulted from very dry weather 

conditions in 1988, 1990, and 1991 and the changing fuel conditions. About 90% of the acres burned and 

75% of the costs come from those fires which escaped initial attack and required the commitment of project 

resources. 

81 
Wild & Scenlc Rlverr 

Project-level effects on eligible rivers qualifications (free-flowing and 'outstandingly remarkable' resource values) and assigned 

potential classification (wild, scenic, recreational) 

WILD & SCENIC RIVERS 

100% Sample Any action that would adversely impact 

Annually or degrade an eligible rivers qualification and/or potential classification 

W-1 Effects on Eligible Rivers 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED< PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

FINDINGS 

No project-level activities occurred along any of the nine eligible rivers or river segments which adversely 

impacted or degraded a river's qualifications and/or potential classification. This determination was made by 

comparing project-level projects 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 W3 (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. 

Only two activities changed the existing condition along two eligible rivers this past year. On February 4-5, 

1991 , one recreation residence under permit (#295) along the North Fork Sun River was permanently 

removed. This residence was visible from the river. This activtty was consistent with Forest Plan management 

standards assigned under a recreational potential classification. This activlty had a positive effect on the 

fiver's 'outstandingly remarkable' recreation resource value by releasing an approximately hatf-acre area for 

public use. 

A second activity involved the reconstruction of Lick Creek Trail No. 151 which intersects the west side of the 

North Fork Sun River. This trail was reconstructed as a result of the Gates Park fire. The project consisted 

of reconstructing the tread on the trail and only affected avery short (.25 mile) segment within the river corridor 

that is perpendicular to the North Fork Sun River. Forest Plan management standards for-a river assigned 

under a wild river potential classification do not specifically address trail reconstruction. However, wild river 

potential classification allows accessibilrty by trail to and along rivers. Trail reconstruction improved recreational access which included a short segment within the river corridor. This improvement-enhanced the 

river's 'outstandingly remarkable' recreation resource value. 

A couple other activities occurred which would affect some of the nine eligible rivers and could result in the 

addition of other Forest rivers meeting the eligibillty requirements under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. One 

activrty involved a field inventory of harlequin ducks on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District. This inventorygathered 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 eligibilicriteria 

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 

82 
andScenic 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 Westslope Cutthroat Trout, both Northern Region Sensitive 

Species, in rivers on the Rocky Mountain Ranger District are being tested for genetic purity on 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 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. This analysis 

will be conducted during FY 1993 and will request input from the public. The analysis 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. 

83 
General 

I. 

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

PRESCRIPTION, EFFECTS TO BE 

MEASURED PERIOD FURTHER EVALUATION 

GENERAL 

~~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ 

Validation of costs and values used 5 Years - 100% Anin Forest Plan nual Sample 

1-1 Costs & Values L 

In general, +/- 25%; however, very large cost 

items such as stumptruck costs would have 

a smaller degree of acceptable variability. 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

The Forest recommends deleting this monitoring item, since the only available tracking system for 

validating costs/values is designed soley for the timber resource. 

1-2 Emerging Issues 

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

EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED PERIOD INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

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

Effects of emerging issues or changing so- Continuous 

- Plan 

FINDINGS 

Public interest in the management of the Lewis and Clark National Forest continues to play a major role in 

the implementation of the Forest Plan. In addition to new projects and issues, several ongoing projects carried 

into fiscal year 1991. 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 were: ChevroNFina Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on Exploratory Oil and Gas Wells, 

Galt Land Purchase, Prescribed Fire Program in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, and as ahrvsys, the 

Timber Sale Program. 

84 
General 

Chevron/Fina EIS: 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Fina (Hall Creek) and the 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. 

The Record of Decision approvinRthe Fina project was signed on February 19,1991 by the Lewis and 

Clark Forest Supervisor and the -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 

approve 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. The 

BLtvl 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 resutt of the BIM 

request, the IBLA remanded the decision to the BLM to establish jurisdictional responsibilities. The BLM 

determined that it must also review surface environmental effects and has started an interdisciplinary 

review of the Fina project. The BLM has withdrawn approval of the permit. 

A final decision on the Chevron application has not been made. Currently, the Lewis and Clark National 

Forest is conducting an ethnographic study with Native Americans to gather data on historical use of 

the RM-1 Management Unit. 

Galt Land Purchase: 

The Gait Land Purchase was divided into three phases with the first purchase being completed in FY 

1991. The first purchase included 3,560 acres on the Gallatin National Forest. Louise Gatt has recorded 

a 'Notice to Purchase Options' for the remaining acquisitions. The next purchase is scheduled for FY 

1992 and includes more than 20,000 acres. The last purchase of 14,531 acres will be in FY 1993. 

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail interpretive Center: 

The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center was established by Public Law 100-552 

on October 28, 1988. Congress specifically determined that the 'historic significance of the travels of 

Lewis and Clark on the high Plains and their portage around the Great Falls of-the Missouri 

requires .... recognition and interpretation.' 

In December 1990, a supplemental environmental analysis was completed and a decision signed by 

the Regional Director of the MDFWP and the Forest Supervisor approving associated developmenfs . 

for the Interpretive Center. This decision addressed outdoor developments including interpretive trails, '' 

overlooks, living history sites, and outdoor storage. No appeals were received on this supplemental 

decision. The A&E contractor incorporated the decisions made in the original Environmental 

Assessment/FONSI and this supplemental ENFONSI in developing the conceptual designs fir the 

project. 

The Conceptual Design (first of three design phases) for the Center was completed in late Fall 1990 

and presented for congressional review in February, 1991. Congress did not fund the project for Fiscal 

Year 1991 : so the two remaining design phases were postponed pending future financing. 

a5 
General 

. Recognition of the potential economic impact to Montana’s tourism industry translated into financial 

’support making funding for the project a mix of state, federal and private dollars. The 1991 State 

Legislature committed $700,000 (reduced to $644,OOO in Special Legislative Session) for the Center. 

Appropriation of these state funds is contingent upon a $3OO,OOO match in other funds and a minimum 

federal match of $5.6 million. 

The Great Falls community established a nonprofit organization to meet the challenge of raising the 

$3OO,OOO of ‘other‘ funding. W@h”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 collecting the matching 

funds to meet the state deadline of December 31 , 1992. 

Tlmber Sale Program: 

South Fork Complex Timber Sales - Environmental Impact Statement 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released in January, 1991, and included responses to 

the substantivezomments received on the Draft EIS. Two appeals were received on the South Fork 

Timber Sales decision. Upon review, the Regional Forester affirmed the Forest Supervisor’s decision. 

The first of three timber sales analyzed in the EIS, Deadhorse, was sold on August 19, 1991. 

Mill-Lion Timber Sale - Environmental Impact Statement 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released in March, 1991, and included responses to 

the substantive comments received on the Draft EIS. Two appeals were received on the Mill-Lion 

Timber Sale. Upon review, the Regional Forester affirmed the Forest Supervisor’s decision. The 

Mill-Lion Timber Sale was sold on August 30, 1991. 

Moose Creek Timber Sales - Environmental Impact Statement 

A Draft Environmental Impact Statement was released in March, 1991. Copies were mailed to more 

than 150 individuals, groups, businesses, and governmental agencies. Included in the Draft was a 

cover letter listing the review and comment period closing date, and dates of the two open houses 

where Forest Service officials were available to answer questions. 

Eighty-five individuals, groups, and agencies responded in writing to the Draft EIS. In April, 1991, the 

ID Team who developed the Draft EIS analyzed all comments received on the document. 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement was released in June, 1991, and included responses to 

substantive comments received on the Draft EIS. Two appeals were submitted on the-.Moose Creek 

Timber Sales decision. Upon review, the Regional Forester affirmed the Forest Supervisor’s decision. 

The three timber sales analyzed in the EIS, Moose Park, Little Moose, and Coyote, are scheduled to 

be sold in FY 1992. 

Turkey Salvage Timber Sale - Environmental Impact Statement 

The formal scoping process for the Turkey Salvage project began in January, 1991. On January 25, 

1991 letters were sent to over firty interested parties including landowners, potential timber puraasers, 

outdoor clubs, and representatives from the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. News 

articles were published in the Stanford, Lewistown, and Great Falls newspapers the following week. 

A Notice of Intent to prepare an EIS was published in the Federal Register, Volume 56, No. 22, February 

1 , 1991. Public comment was requested by March 4,1991. Written responses were received from one 

86 
General 

I . ,timber purchaser, one timber organization, and two conservation organizations. One telephone comment was received. 

The Turkey Salvage Timber Sale Draft EIS was released in April of 1991. Copies were mailed to over 

130 individuals, groups, businesses, and Government agencies. Included in the Draft EIS was a cover 

letter listing the review and comment periods, closing date, and the date of the open house where 

Forest Service Officials would be available to answer questions on the Draft ElS. 

Public comments received by th;! Forest Service on the Draft €IS totaled 10 by the June 10, 1991 

deadline. Three people attended the open house at Stanford. In June of 1991, the Interdisciplinary 

Team (ID Team) who developed the Draft EIS, began analyzing all comments on the Draft EIS, and 

preparing the Final EIS. 

\ 

The Final EIS was released in July, 1991, and included responses to substantive comments received 

on the Draft EIS. Because of the need to salvage the material before it deteriorates, the Regional 

Forester exempted the decision from appeal. The timber sale was sold in September, 1991. 

Spring Creek Timber Sales - Environmental Impact Statement 

By February, 1990, the ID Team had developed five significant environmental issues and seven 

alternative courses of action for implementation of timber management practices in the Spring Creek 

project area. Public scoping was conducted through a mail-out package to approximately 225 parties 

and through three public open houses scheduled to receive comments on the range of alternatives 

and whether the alternatives addressed the significant issues. Comments were received from nine 

individuals and two organizations. These comments were reviewed by the ID Team and were used to 

add to the issues and to modify the alternatives. 

The Draft EIS Statement for Spring Creek Timber Sales was released June, 1991, with the comments 

on the document being requested by July 29,1991. Sixty-six individuals, groups and agencies responded in writing to the Draft EIS. In July, 1991, the ID Team who developed the Draft EIS analyzed the 

comments on the document. 

The Final Environmental Impact Statement wll be released in FY 1992. 

Natural Prescribed Fire Program: 

An updated Lewis and Clark Fire Management Action Plan was approved by the Foresteupervisor on 

August 21 , 1991. The Plan describes the process to be followed in evaluating prescribed natural fire 

in the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wildernesses. The three most notable changes in the Plan include: 

1) Drought information will be used when evaluating the risk of a fire exceeding the wilderness 

boundaries. Other factors used to determine risk include: time of year, location, forest fuel type, 

distance from the wilderness boundary and estimated size the fire could attain under normal 

or extreme weather. 

.\ 

2) A maximum allowable perimeter, a boundary which the fire should not exceed, will be 

established for each fire. If the fire burns beyond the maximum allowable perimeter, it will be 

declared a wildfire and appropriate suppression actions will be taken. 4. 

3) Decisions about the fire will be re-evaluated daily to consider current conditions and availability of equipment and people to keep the natural fire within prescription. 

87 
General 

OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTI~N, EFFECTS TO 

BE MEASURED 

a . ' me overriding goal of the Plan is to preserve the ecological integrity of the Wilderness by allowing 

?igMningcaused fires, which do not appear to place life and property in jeopardy, to burn. 

REPORT- VARIABILITY (+/-) WHICH 

ING WOULD INITIATE FURTHER 

PERIOD EVALUATION 

Other Issues: 

Evaluate lands identified as not meeting physical or biological characteristics used in initial allocations 

With the completion of this FY 1991 Monitoring and Evaluation Report, officials of the Lewis and Clark 

will begin the five year evaluation of the Forest Plan. The review will determine if conditions or demands 

on the Forest have changed significantly since the Forest Plan was approved in 1986. In response to 

Forest Plan appeals, a review OY the demand for timber and timber costs and values used in the Plan 

will be done during this five year evaluation. 

I 

Continuous All changes will be evaluated 

annually 

Reissuance of oil and gas leases on the Forest is an upcoming issue for managers. Many of the 

previously issued leases expired beginning in 1991. Currently, no requests for reissuance of expired 

leases have been received by the Forest. Requests are anticipated over the next several years. A 

decision on the future status of leasing will be made after further NEPA analysis. 

The Forest is continuing its analysis of public access needs in the Highwood, Big Snowy, and Little 

Snowy Mountains. 

An updated sensitive species list was approved by the Regional Forester on May 17, 1991. Thirteen 

wildlife and fish species occurring on the Lewis and Clark National Forest are on this list. Currently, 

surveys of populations and habitat are underway using the updated listing. 

As a result of the November 23-24,1990, Turkey Fire where private property was destroyed, the Lewis 

and Clark National Forest is involved in litigation. An investigation into the cause and origin of the 

Turkey Fire was conducted by fire investigators of the Forest Service, California Department of 

Forestry, and Montana State Fire Marshal Bureau. All investigators concurred that the fire originated 

from slash piles which appeared purposely set, by person or persons unknown. There appears to be 

no evidence of negligence on the part of the Forest Service. 

Working under a joint management plan for the Smith River, the Forest Service and Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks are currently working on proposals for allocating commercial outfiier 

activity as the result of the final rule adopted by the Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission on November 

8, 1991. A memorandum of Understanding currently is being developed between Fish, Wildlife, and 

Parks and the Forest Service to facilitate management activities on the river. 

1-3 Land Allocations 

FINDINGS 

Ground truthing and site-specific analyses conducted during implementation of the Forest Plan has resulted 

in land allocations adjustments totalling 36,254 acres. This figure represents a 2% change in land allocations 

and is considered a minor modification. 

rr 

88 
The following table shows the management area changes made as a result of project implementation 

analysis. 'Our analyses examine the findings of consistency for timber management activiiies decisions made 

in the Forest Plan. 

Table I-3a ALLOCATIONS OF MANAGEMENT AREAS AND ACRES 

(Forest Plan, page 3-2) 

Total Acres Modified 

Total Forest Acres 

1 I lga7 I Change Acres Management Area 

36,254 

1,843,397 1,843,397 

Management Area A 

Management Area B 

Management Area C 

Management Area D 

Management Area E 

Management Area F 

Management Area G 

~~ 

Validation of employment and income projections 

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 

5 Years 

16,261 

330,838 

111,664 

24,486 

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 

+ 367 

-8,988 

-8,847 

No change 

+ 8,765 

+ 474 

+ 8,425 

-292 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

No change 

+96 

1991 Acres 

16,628 

321,850 

10231 7 

24,456 

125,284 

353,220 

256,069 

31,486 

37,867 

11,100 

9,125 

16,112 

3,281 

41,838 

22,702 

384,407 

51,834 

33,321 

1-4 Employrnent/lncome Projections 

- 

I OUTPUT, MANAGEMENT PRESCRIPTION, VARIABILITY (+/-I WHICH WOULD I EFFECTS TO BE MEASURED 1 R?$::G I INITIATE FURTHER EVALUATION 

+/- 20% of predicted changes r 

a4 

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 1991 Fable 3, TSPIRS) 

89 
General 

Forest Plan 1987 1988 1969 1990 1991 Five Year Average 

JOBS - 192 367 150 200 110 170 199 

INCOME’ - 6,676 14,473 6,327 6,918 3,878 5,830 7,485 

- 

The income and job projections are within the variability predicted in the Forest Plan. 

c 

90 
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 - COMPP iRISON OF PROJECTED OUTPUTS/ACTIVITIES BY TIME PERIOD (Average Annual Units) 

Output or Activity 1-987 Unit of 

Measure Decade 

145 

54 

581 ' 

Developed Use 179" I 205 I 241 

Dispersed Use 

Wilderness 

Non-wlldernesa 

M RVD 169 

M RVD 86. 

M RVD 61 4 

64 

416' 

42 

384' 

60 

450 

Wildlife Habitat Imp 

Fish Habitat Imp 

T&E Habltat Imp 

Wildlife Structures 

Fish Structures 

300 

2 

0 

Of 

16 

1400 

0 

0 

0 

19 

13921 

10 

0 

6'' .' 

11 

1262' 

16 

500 

4' 1 

34' 

Acres 600 

Acres 5 

Acres 100 

Structures 10 

S?ructures 25 

M AUM 71.1 

Acres 1329 

Structures 40 

Plans 10 

Acres 600 

Acres 2Ooo 

Acres 45 

Cases 160 

72.4 

1607 

26 

4 

636 

71.9 

562 

35 

0 

472 

70.5' 

1999 

30' 

5 

772 

72.3 

2433 

18 

4 

61 6 

Permit Grazing Use 

Range Improvement 

0 Nonstructural 

0 Structural 

AMPs 

Nox. Weed Control 

Soil Inventory 

Soil 8 Water Imprv. 

0 

71 

0 

29 

0 

10 

0 

109 

Minerals Mgmt 154' 134 250 108 

Total Vol. Sold 

Silvicultural Exams 

Reforest-Approp 3 

Reforest-Other 

TSI-Appropriation e. 

TSI-KV 6 

7.9 

45.3 2 

21 7' 

1108 

563' 

125 

10.7 

33.9 

225 

829 

568 

12 

6.9 

28.2 

92' 

927 

502 

0 

10.5 

37.3 

117" 

603 

340 

0 

MM BF 14 

M Acres 28.0 

Acres 54 

Acres 270 

Acres 200 

Acres 0 

Landline Location 

Land Exchange 

14 

0 

18' 

0 

25 

153 

21.5 

0 

Miles 

Acres 

Fuels Mgmt-BD 

Fuels Mgmt-FFP 

1201 

863 

1053 

1025' 

737 

675 

Acres 

Acres 

Road Construction 

Road Reconstruct 

TOTAL ROAD 

Trail Construction/ 

Reconstruction 

2.9 

20.3 

23.2 

13.3 

0 

17.9 

17.9 

12.8 

3.1 

9.8 

12.9 

14.1 

Miles 9.0 

Miles 24.0 

Miles 33.0 

Miles 14.0 

I 1 

Corrections made to data reported in previous Annual Monitoring and Evaluation Reports. 

l - Numbers differ from Table C-12a because KV accomplishments included in this table's total 

* - Figure rev. from previous M&E Reports to reflect corrections in Annual R1 Silvicultural Accomplishments - TSI & Exams - 5-Year Average, .s 1 1 /25/91 

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

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

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

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

91 
Comparison of Outputs, Acthrltles, and Budgets 

Table II - COMPARISON OF FY 1991 EXPENDlTURES/ACCOMPUSHMENTS vs FOREST PLAN PROJECTIONS 

vs REQUESTED OUTYEAR BUDGET 

Activity 

Qeneral Admlnlstratlon 

Fire and Fuels 

Timber 

Fuels Mgt-FFP 

Tot Vol Offered 

Sib Exams 

Permitted Qraz 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 

WlMlh and Fish 

Wildlife Hab Imp 

Fish Hab Imp 

TBE Hab Imp 

Wildlife Hab Struc 

Fish Hab struc 

Soil Inventory 

Soils Improvement 

Facllhy Malnlenam 

bnddbnd Management 

Land Exchange 

Land Status/Acq Admln 

Landllno Loutlon 

Landline Location 

Road Maintenance 

Trall MainteMm 

Coop IAW Entorcornem 

Rdoreatatlon- Approp 

Reforest- Approp 

TSCApproprkted 

Tbr Std ImpApprop 

Treo Improvement 

KV (Trud Fund) 

Reforest-KV 

Tbr Std ImpKV 

Mlner8h 

Recreatlon 

sdl, Alr, Water 

CWFSoulw (Trusl Fund) 

Tlmber Salv.Sale (Perm) 

bush Dlepod (Perm) 

Fuels Mgt-BD 

Unit of 

Measure 

SsS 

Acres 

css 

MMBF 

M Acres 

css 

M AUM 

Acres 

Structures 

Plans 

Acres 

css 

Cases 

$$s 

M RVD 

M RVD 

M RVD 

w 

Acres 

Acres 

Acres 

Structures 

Structures 

css 

Acres 

Acres 

sst 

css 

Acres 

w 

$$$ 

Miles 

sts 

sts 

sst 

$$s 

Acres 

wr 

Acres 

sst 

sss 

Acres 

Acres 

$$$ 

sst 

sst 

Acres 

qs .- 

Budget in 

Forest Plan 

1171 

401 

700 

71 0 

14 

28 

490 

71.1 

1329 

40 

10 

600 

538 

160 

622 

169 

86 

614 

563 

600 

5 

100 

10 

25 

194 

2Ooo 

45 

136 

132 

60 

234 

109 

26 

465 

340 

50 

69 

54 

35 

200 

10 

123 

270 

0 

29 

38 

29 

1470 

2 Outyear 

Request 

FP Level 

1153 

41 6 

700 

1378 

13 

50 

797 

71.1 

1600 

50 

21 

1 700 

444 

55 

61 7 

N/A* 

N/A* 

WA' 

621 

lo00 

0 

600 

20 

27 

184 

2Ooo 

40 

57 

1 37 

50 

228 

136 

26 

398 

358 

82 

102 

100 

105 

500 

11 

53 

50 

0 

34 

122 

34 

875 

3 Outyear 

Request 

Constrained 

1153 

41 6 

700 

891 

14.5 

33 

671 

71.1 

1200 

50 

21 

1300 

51 6 

39 

471 

MA' 

MA' 

N/A* 

800 

0 

480 

16 

22 

141 

2ooo 

45 

44 

105 

50 

57 

109 

21 

360 

283 

55 

88 

66 

n 

370 

9 

53 

50 

0 

35 

122 

35 

875 

494 

Actual 

Allocation 

990 

373 

1088 

1681 

28 

35.4 

506 

71.1 

1 467 

20 

2 

1180 

1 57 

95 

378 

NIA' 

N/A* 

WA* 

402 

450 

0 

634 

7 

20 

181 

25000 

50 

37 

75 

40 

9 

23 

330 

298 

39 

79 

38 

57 

370 

21 

51 

4 

0 

33 

70, 

26' 

m 

520 

c 

92 
Const-Cmpital Inv bade 

Road ConstJReconst 

Troll Conet/RgcoW 

Trail ConsVReconst 

Total Budqet 

All dollar figures are expressed in 1991 dollars (thousands). 

‘Outyear targets for Recreation are requested using a different unit of measure (MPAOTs). 

w 630 641 641 400 

Miles 33.0 30.0 30 30.8 

w 159 114 114 118 

Miles 14.0 13.3 13.3 7.0 

SsS 7940 8938 P328 6924 

The budget in the Lewis and Clark National Forest Plan 1 (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 constraint 3. The constraint is assigned by a higher organizational level 

and forces the forest to prioritize work within a limited budget. These program requests are combined with other 

forests in the country and are eventually submitted to Congress as 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 allocation 4 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 follpwing are examples 

of influences on Congress; committee members’ interests, successful lobbying efforts, the overall size of the 

budget (and deficit), and the popularity or unpopularity of certain items in the budget. When this budget comes 

to us in the form of an Appropriation Act (a-law) we are required to execute it as Congress has specified. 

’ 

93 
List of Preparers/Approwal 

NAME 

John D. Gorman 

John Greer 

David Fischer 

Jerry Dombrovske 

Larry Timchak 

William Fortune 

' Victor Standa 1 

V:' LIST OF PREPARERS 

TITLE 

c 

Forest Supervisor 

Forest Plan Implementation Group Leader 

Zone St&ff Officer (Timber) 

District Ranger, Rocky Mountain Ranger District 

District Ranger, Judith Ranger District 

District Ranger,' Musselshell Ranger District 

District Ranger, Kings Hill Ranger District 

\ 

The following individuals contributed to the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation Report for the 

Lewis and Clark National Forest for Fiscal Year 1991. 

FY 1991 Monitoring & Evaluation Team ~ 

NAME 

Ron Brohman 

Bonnie Dearing 

William Duryee 

Dana Field 

Sam Gilbert 

Donald Godtel 

Karen Hoffman^ 

Arlyss Hagen 

Lynn Johnson 

Bernie Lea 

Terri Marceron 

Ron Meyers 

Richard Newton 

Wayne Phillips 

Don Sasse 

Dick Smith 

Robin Strathy 

Len Walch 

Ronald Yates 

FUNCTIONAL RESOURCE AREA 

Zone Timber 

Pubk Information Officer 

Staff Officer - Engineering/Lands 

Botanist 

Zone Timber (Silviculturist) 

Wildlife Biologist 

Hydrologist 

Resource Specialist 

Program Analyst 

Realty Specialist 

Assistant Ranger - Rocky Mt Ranger District 

Civil Engineer (Roads & Facilities)' 

Archaeologist 

Ecologist 

Wildlife Biologist 

Staff Officer Land Management Planning 

Geologist 

Zone Fisheries Biologist 

Landscape Architect/Recreation 

94 
Llst of Preparers/Approval 

Vt. APPROVAL 

I have reviewed the annual Forest Plan Monitoring and Evaluation Report for Fiscal Year 1991 

for the Lewis and Clark National Forest that was prepared by the Forest Interdisciplinary Team. 

I am satisfied that the Monitoring and Evaluation effort meets the intent of the Forest Plan 

(Chapter V), Forest Service Handbook 1909.12, and 36 CFR 219. 

This report is approved: < 

.- 

Lz=%+/47 

JOHN D. GORMAN 

Forest Supervisor 

L 

: ., 

4 

95 
List of PreparerdApprovai 

96 
Appendix A 

APPENDIX A 

ANNUAL WILDERNESS REPORT 

Bob Marshall Wilderness 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District 

Fiscal Year 1991 

.% 

< 

1. ACREAGE CHANGES: Unchanged from last year. 

II. SIGNIFICANT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES: 

Resource Management 

Wildlife. Harlequin Duck surveys conducted to determine population density and geographic 

habitat. Grizzly bear and gray wolf transect monitoring was conducted for population determination. 

Fisheries. Fish shocking was conducted to determine population, species composition and 

possible effect of 1988 fires on fisheries. 

Threatened and Endangered Species. Grizzly bear and gray wolf monitoring was conducted for 

population determination. 

Cultural Resources. Survey was completed on one trail project within the Wilderness and a known 

cultural area adjacent to Wilderness has followup inspection and mapping completed. 

Range. Visual inspections were taken in key grazing areas. 

Minerals. None. 

Water. Water quality and sedimentation study continued on North Fork Sun River draining area 

of 1988 Gates Creek Fire. Three annual snow surveys were completed on four sites to determine 

amount of run-off and predict when to fill down stream reservoirs. 

Soli. None. 

- 

Air. None. 

Noxious Weeds. Continued monitoring to determine location of knapweed, leafy spurge and.. , 

hounds tongue infestations. 

r: Boundary Surveying. None. 

97 
Appendix A 

' B. Ongoing Research and Resource Monitoring 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

C. 

0 

0 

Wlidlife. Harlequin Duck Study ongoing. Mountain Lion Study adjacent to Wilderness will be 

expanded into Wilderness next year. 

Fisheries. Results of fish shocking study are not complete, but indications are that populations 

have not declined significantly. 

Threatened Endangered ahd Sensitive Species. Several confirmed grizzly bear sightings 'have 

been documented. 

-r 

Cultural Resources. Survey results on Trail #151. No sites were identified, therefore, a cultural 

resource clearance was recommended. 

Range. In OC I & II no more than 20% utilization of key forage species. No known locations 

exceeded standard. In OC Ill & IV no more than 40% utilization of key forage species: Areas 

exceeding standard were Grouse Creek (N. Fk. Sun River) 55% key species fescue, Bear Creek 

(S. Fk. Sun River) 50% key species fescue, Glenn Creek (N. Fk. Sun River) 45% key species 

fescuenimothy. Areas approaching standard: Reef Creek (W. Fk. Sun River), Black Bear Cr. to 

Burnt Cr. OC 111 (W. Fk. Sun River), Upper Moose Cr. snow slides OC 111. 

Minerals. None. 

Water. Study is not completed but appears to be a moderate increase in sedimentation. 

Soil. None. 

Ab. None. 

Noxious Weeds. So far, noxious weeds have been limited to single plants which were identified, 

pulled and removed from Wilderness. 

Boundary Surveying. None. 

Recreation Management 

Special Use permit administration. Twelve outfitter-guide permits were authorized involving 5400 

authorized days. 

Trail management and status.TAccomplishments included 5.5 miles of trail reconstruction due to 

fire and excessive run-off damage on three trails #108, #151 and #la. Maintenance was 

accomplished on 290 miles of trail. Trail encounters exceeded standards on the following trails: 

OC I - None. 

OC II - Bear Cr. Trail #222, once. 

oc 111 - 

Upper W. Fk. Sun #203, twice. 

oc IV - & 

N. Fk. Sun #201, twice. 

S. Fk. Sun #202, twice. 

Lower W. Fk. Sun #203, twice. 

Moose Furman #261, once. 

N. Fk. Sun #110, once. 

-\ 

98 
Appendix A 

'0 

0 

e 

0 

0 

Campsite management and status. Rehabilitation work was completed on two sites near Glenn 

Creek on North Fork Sun and on three sites at Pretty Prairie, S. Fk. of Sun. ' 

Campsite density: OC I - None exceeded. 

OC I1 - None exceeded. 

oc 111 - 

Moose Cr. equalled once. 

Upper W. Fk. Sun equalled hice. 

S. Fk. Sun Pretty Prairie exceeded twice. 

W. Fk. Sun equalled. 

oc IV - 

Wilderness education programs. Leave no trace training was given to hunter safety class of 28, 

12 year olds. 

Signing. White oak trail directional signs were installed at 22 trail junctions. 

Volunteers. Lookout on Prairie Reef Lookout for 38 days. Lookouts man and wife on Beartop 

Lookout for 42 days. Lookout's duties were to track lightning storms, report fire starts, visit with and 

give 'leave no trace' talks to visitors and crew communication relay. 

Volunteer Guard at Gates Park for 45 days, trail and building maintenance, campsite rehabilitation and 

visitor information. 

D. Admlnistratlon 

0 Administrative use of motorized equipment. None by Forest Service. Search & Rescue - seriously 

injured Forest Service volunteer evacuated by helicopter. Two helicopter landings were made 

looking for a lost hiker. Official permission had not been issued on the lost hiker landing (military). 

0 Violations and law enforcement actlons. Four cases of unattended or escaped campfires reported. 

0 Research Projects. Whitebark Pine inventory and disease study was conducted summer of 1991. 

Results are due in February 1992. 

0 Status of Wilderness lmplementatlon Schedule. Complex managers are progressing on implementation schedule. 

Fire Management Plan. Lewis & Clark went into effect in August 1991. 

- 0 

0 Regulations in Effect. 14 day camp occupancy restriction enforced camp closures around Lake 

Levale, Bear Lake, Upper Moose Creek, Indian Point Meadows and Elk Hill (fall season only) were 

enforced. , 

E. Effective Management Llmltatlons 

Lack of funding and adequate field presence results in continuation of illegal outfitters operating and are 

contributing heavily to degradation of the Wilderness resource. 

Lack of funding has limited rehabilitating fire lines and noticeable impacts by man associated in fighting 

large 'let burn' natural fires. This problem includes windrowed down timber caused by fire along trail 

corridors. 

99 
Appendix A 

Scapegoat Wilderness 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District 

Fiscal Year 1991 

1. ACREAGE CHANGES: Unchanged from last year. 

II. SIGNIFICANT MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES: 

A. Resource Management 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

e 

Wildlife. Mountain Lion population study adjacent to Wilderness that may include Wilderness next 

year. 

Fisheries. Fish shocking was conducted to determine population, species composition and 

possible effect of 1988 fires on fisheries. Monitored creel census with registration boxes at trailhead. Special bull trout regulation in effect. 

Threatened 81 Endangered Species. Documentation of grizzly bear and gray wolf observations 

were conducted. Trail crews and Wilderness guards used bear-proof storage containers and no 

griulylhuman conflicts reported. 

Cultural Resources. Surveys were completed on two trail projects within and adjacent to Wilderness. 

Range. Visual transects taken on key grazing areas. Isolated instances of forage utilization based 

on LAC being excluded. 

Minerals. Hand assessment work with ore removed by backpack on one mining claim. 

Water. None. 

Soil. Sedimentation continues to be deposited into streams as an aftermath of 1988 Canyon Creek 

Fire. Stabilization of soils is improving and no serious hydrophobic actions were noted as in 

1988-89. - 

Air. None. 

Noxious Weeds. Sites were inventoried and mapped. Public education of noxious weeds with 

posters at trail heads. 

.\ 

Boundary Survey. None. 

io0 
Appendix A 

B: Ongoing Research & Resource Monitoring: 

o WildiMe. Wildlife observations are being recorded, particularly on Threatened & Endangered 

Species. 

e Fisheries. Results of fish shocking study are not complete but indications are that populations 

have not declined significantly. 

Threatened & Endangered '& Sensitive Species. Confirmed grizzly bear sightings and tracks 

have been documented. Other species sightings being documented. 

.- 

a 

e Cultural Resources. Surveys on trail projects for trails #205 and #207 were completed and no 

sites were identified. The projects would not have an effect on cultural resources, therefore, a 

cultural resource clearance was recommended. 

e Range. Areas of OC I & It allow no more than 20% utilization of key forage species. Areas of OC 

111 & IV allow up to 40% utilization of key forage species. There were only isolated areas in any 

Opportunity Glass that exceeded standards. Range conditions are generally in an upward tend 

since the fire of 1988. Eco-data plots established in 1988 were reread. 

6 Minerals. None. 

e Water. None. 

e Soil. None. 

e Alr. None. 

* Noxious Weeds. Small areas of infestation of leafy spurge were hand pulled and removed from 

Wilderness particularly on the Dearborn River, Welcome Cr. to Forest boundary. Musk thistle 

concentrations continue to exist despite annual efforts to eradicate. 

e Boundary Survey. None. 

C. Recreation Management 

0 Special Use Permit Administration. 15 outfitter guide permits were issued authorizing 2260 

service days of use in the entire Scapegoat Wilderness. The Rocky Mountain Ranger District - 4 

permits. 

e Trail Management & Status 

a. Trail Maintenance: i ., 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District - 120 Miles. 

101 
Appendix A 

I. b. Sign Replacement (white oak): 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District - 18 fire damaged, trail directional. 

c. Reconsrrucrion: 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District - .5 miles on trail #206, water & fire damage. Replaced three fire 

damaged native bridges. , L 

d. Trail & Campsite Encounters Exceeded by LAC Standards: 

OC I - Rocky Mountain Ranger District - 2 Trails, #217 8t #225. 

OC 11, 111 & IV - No standards were exceed. 

0 Campsite Management: 

a. Rocky Mountain Ranger District: 

Wilderness guard - 45 days. 

Camps inventoried and rehabilitated - 6. 

User contacts - 120. 

Volunteers - 1 lookout = 55 days, - 1 Wilderness - 15 days. 

D. Administration 

Administrative Use of Motorized Equipment. None. 

Non-Forest Service Use of Motorized Equipment. None. 

Search and Rescue. None. 

Violations & Law Enforcement Actions. One illegal outfitter case investigated with no violation 

notice issued. Two violations issued for unsanitary camps. One private party issued a warning 

notice for exceeding 14 day camp limit. 

Administrative Structures. Welcome Creek Work Center - 2 buildings. Green Fork Station - 2 

buildings. 

Ongoing Research. White Barkr Pine Inventory and Disease Study was conducted summer of 1991 

on Rocky Mountain Ranger District. Results are due in late February, 1992. 

Status of Wilderness implementation Schedule. Complex managers are progressing on WIS and 

a Draft Wilderness Implementation Schedule was presented to Wilderness Council on 8/15/90. \ 

Status of Fire Management Plan. Lewis & Clark Fire Management Action Plan went into effect 

August, 1991, 

Regulations in Effect. 14 day camp occupancy restriction enforced. Pack in, Pack out and Leave 

no Trace as well. CFR Wilderness regulations. 

# 

1 02 
Appendix A 

' 0' Staffing. 

Rocky Mountain Ranger District: 

GS-11 Resource Assistant - 4 pay periods. 

GS-9 Wilderness/Trail Manager - 6 pay periods. 

GS4 Seasonal Wilderness Guard - 6 pay periods. 

GS4 (3) Trail Crew - 8 pay periqd8 

0 Education. Leave No;Trace training was given to Hunter Safety class of 28, 11 -12 year olds. 50 

Boy Scouts were given two classes on Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace given at two campsite fire 

talks. 

E. Effective Management Limitations: 

Lack of funding and adequate field personnel results in continuation of illegal outfiier operations which are 

contributing to degradation of the Wilderness resource. 

Lack of funding and interest has limited ability to rehabilitate firelines and other noticeable impacts by man, 

associated in fire fighting large natural fires. This problem includes the windrow effect along trail corridors of 

extensive amount of fire killed downfall. 

S.O. and R.O. level have not acknowledged significant impact of large fires on Wilderness camp areas, trails 

and watershed. The impacts of shifting use from burned to unburned areas cannot be effectively managed 

until this challenge is acknowledged. 

1 03 
Appendix A 

104