Draft 2501 APP A LeverichHelio

Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC

Custer Gallatin National Forest
Bozeman_Ranger District

APPENDIX A

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SERVICE WORK ITEMS

SECTION I – DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

Project Description: The Leverich Helio Stewardship IRSC project is located in the northern Gallatin Mountain Range, just south of Bozeman, MT. Helicopter units are located on the west side of FS Road #979, along Bozeman Creek and adjacent to City of Bozeman land. One large landing has been identified for proposed use. See draft Logging Plan Map for details. This contract would allow: • Cut and remove 151 acres of sawtimber via whole tree helicopter yarding/logging • Road Decommissioning 0.59 miles of TRUP (Temporary Road Use Permit) Roads Directions to the project area: public access to the project is from Bozeman, Montana, take S. 19th Ave. southbound to Nash Rd. eastbound to S. 3rd Ave. southbound to the Leverich Canyon Trailhead. Goal: Maintain high-quality, predictable water supply for Bozeman through cooperative efforts with the City of Bozeman in implementing sustainable land management practices. 100% of the City of Bozeman’s municipal water comes from the CGNF - 80% from Hyalite and Bozeman Creeks (project area) and 20% from Lyman Creek.

DRAFT

Overall Objectives:
• Implement vegetation management projects to reduce the severity and extent of wildland fires in the Municipal Watersheds. Reduce fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface. • Focus on treatments that will begin to reduce the risk of excess sediment and ash reaching the municipal water treatment plant in the event of a severe wildland fire. • Provide for firefighter and public safety by beginning to modify potential fire behavior. Background:
The Bozeman Municipal Watershed Project is a cooperative fuels reduction project between the Custer Gallatin National Forest and the City of Bozeman to maintain a high-quality, predictable water supply for Bozeman residents. The project will reduce the risk of severe and extensive wildfire in the lower portions of Hyalite and Bozeman Creeks to limit the amount of sediment and ash entering the water treatment facilities. Up to 4,700 total acres were approved through NEPA and are available for treatment on NFS land. The Alternative selected authorizes 2,045 acres of ground based (37%), Skyline (24%) and Helicopter (39%) treatments, including 200 acres of partial cutting/helicopter removal in the Gallatin Fringe Inventoried Roadless Area (IRA). The USFS and City of Bozeman are currently implementing various parts of the project, which includes prescribed fire treatment, and