Upper Pipe Creek Timber Sale and Associated Activities, Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana

Resumen

The USDA, Forest Service, will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to disclose the environmental effects of proposed timber harvest, road construction, prescribed burns, wastershed and fisheries habitat restoration, road restriction changes, noxious weed control, gravel pit expansion and recreational improvements in the upper and eastern portion of the Pipe Creek drainage. The upper and eastern portions of this drainage are located approximately 15 air miles north of Libby, Montana. The proposed activities are being considered together because they represent either connected or cumulative actions as defined by the Council on Environmental Quality (40 CFR 1508.25). The purposes of the project are to: (1) Manage road access to balance wildlife and fisheries habitat protection, limit the spread of noxious weeds and provide for public access; (2) improve watershed health and fisheries habitat to provide for stable stream channels, productive habitat for aquatic species and water quality that meets or exceeds State of Montana water quality goals; (3) use prescribed fire to stimulate natural processes, prevent natural and activity fuel buildup, create habitat diversity for wi