. Skalkaho timber sale environmental assessment . Forest reserves; Logging; Logging; Environmental impact statements; Harvesting. Skalkaho EA Chapter 3 Existing Environment Figure 3-3. Elk trend counts by fixed-wing aircraft from SI<all<alio to Sleeping Child, 1984-2004 450. rsr %* ^ ^^ ^^ v^^ ^^ > Year EXISTING CONDITIONS OF AESTHETICS It is primarily the north and northwest facing aspects on each section that can be seen from private ownerships or heavy use areas. These areas are primarily homes in the Skalkaho Creek drainage (several can see the north aspect of the Sleeping Chi
. Skalkaho timber sale environmental assessment . Forest reserves; Logging; Logging; Environmental impact statements; Harvesting. Skalkaho EA Chapter 3 Existing Environment Figure 3-3. Elk trend counts by fixed-wing aircraft from SI<all<alio to Sleeping Child, 1984-2004 450. rsr %* ^ ^^ ^^ v^^ ^^ > Year EXISTING CONDITIONS OF AESTHETICS It is primarily the north and northwest facing aspects on each section that can be seen from private ownerships or heavy use areas. These areas are primarily homes in the Skalkaho Creek drainage (several can see the north aspect of the Sleeping Child section), homes in the Bitterroot Valley primarily southeast of Hamilton, and heavily used county and private roads that leave Highway 93 and travel southeast from Hamilton. Although the Sleeping Child section can be seen from the city of Hamilton, it is such a distance away (approximately 7 miles) that it is a small spot on the landscape. The Gird Creek section is more east of Hamilton than the Sleeping Child section and is mostly obscured by closer ridgelines. From a distance the two sections and analysis area appear quite timbered with very few openings. The only evidence of past timber harvesting is several clearcuts within the last 25 years that can be seen nearby, but lie to the east of both sections. Very few roads exist on these north aspects and are difficult to see from most viewpoints. From the stand level (on the site), most of the sections are completely timbered with very few high standard roads, which can be aesthetically pleasing to many. However, sight distances in most locations are less than 100-200 feet, which does not allow for visual pleasure of the landscape. Additionally, on the north aspects, the heavy mistletoe infestations and brooms causing physical deformities in the infected trees result in an unhealthy and dysfunctional appearance in the stands. The analysis area likely appears more timbered or at least with more trees per acre than what would
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Keywords: ., bookcollection, booksubjectforestreserves, booksubjectharvesting
