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-------
ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION OF
COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS
Prepared By
Elbert Moore
Natural Resource Specialist
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region X
Seattle, Washington
-------
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter Page
I. INTRODUCTION 1
II. RECREATION 7
Water Supply 7
Sanitary Waste 17
Solid Waste 21
Noise 27
III. NATURAL RESOURCES 33
Timber Management 33
Road Construction 43
Mining 49
Grazing 55
IV. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES 57
Pesticides 57
Oil and Hazardous Materials 65
Surveillance and Monitoring 67
V. APPENDICES 77
Appendix A - Observations of Recreation Sites
with Water Supply and Sanitation
Waste Disposal Problems 79
Appendix B - Federal Facility Inventory Forms
Solid Waste Disposal Sites 85
Appendix C - Recreation Sites 90
Appendix D - Summary of Roadless Areas from
Forest Service Inventory 91
-------
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1 Campground Water Supplies Sampled for
Total Coliforms 8
2 Samples Analyzed for Total Coliforms by
Stevens County Health Department 10
3 Municipal Supply Watersheds 14
4 Solid Waste Generation - Colvilie
National Forest 22
5 Sound Level Measurements - Colvilie
National Forest 28
6 Acres Burned by Various Methods 35
7 Thinning Methods and Acres 37
8 Acres Cut by Silvicultural Practices 40
9 New Mining Claims and Assessment Work 50
10 Contents of MSMA 59
11 Description of Sample Stations - Radioactivity 72
12 Analysis of Samples - Radioactivity 75
m
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Page
1 Location Map of Forest 3
2 Hand Pump at Lake Ellen Campground 79
3 Trailer Sewage Disposal Vault Lake
Gillette Campground 79
4 Dump on Forest Service Land at
Hosmer Creek 80
5 Motor Bikes at Le Clerc Creek
Campground 80
6 Salvage Timber Sale Operation 81
7 Dozer Thinned Area 81
8 Mining Excavation done without
Filing Claim 82
9 Dust Coated Road in Colvilie District 82
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INTRODUCTION
This report summarizes observations made during a field evaluation
of the environmental aspects of the Colvilie National Forest programs.
The purpose of the study was to examine the Forest Service environ-
mental control programs and to assess the program effectiveness in
terms of conditions in the field.
The primary objectives of the evaluation were (a) to gain a
better understanding of environmental problems, overall operations,
and problems faced by the Forest Service at the field level, (b) to
identify areas where Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Forest
Service (FS) can work together to deal with resource management re-
lated environmental problems, (c) to establish EPA-FS contacts at the
field level, and (d) to increase environmental awareness on the part
of the land management agency (FS) field personnel.
The evaluation covered Forest operations involving air quality,
water quality, water supplies, solid waste management, pesticides,
oil and hazardous materials handling and storage, and noise. Five
weeks were spent on the Forest (July - 1 week, August - 3 weeks and
September - 1 week). It was not possible nor was it intended to do
a comprehensive study of each Forest activity within this time frame.
The field objective was to identify typical problems or potential
problems and to attempt to determine an implication of their impacts.
Discussions and field reviews of some activities were conducted with
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2
Forest Supervisor's Staff and District Ranger's Staff. Some field
observations were also made alone.
The Forest is located in the northeast corner of Washington
(Figure 1) in parts of a three-county area (Stevens, Ferry and Pend
Oreille). It is approximately 114 kilometers (71 miles) north of
the Spokane metropolitan area. The Forest boundary at the time of
field evaluation included 382,199 hectares (943,700 acres) of National
Forest land plus 30,780 hectares (76,000 acres) of private and State
lands within the National Forest boundary. The four Ranger Districts
on the Colvilie are located at Republic, Kettle Falls, Colvilie and
Sullivan Lake.* The Forest administers the Curlew Civilian Conservation
Center located in northwestern Ferry County under agreement with the
U.S. Department of Labor.
The Forest sustains a significant allowable cut of timber. There
are thousands of hectares in Ferry and Stevens Counties where forage
and cattle production are key values. A recreation resource is available.
Water from the Forest is important for municipal, industrial, irrigation,
downstream power production and navigation purposes.
The Forest Managers' responsibilities are to ensure that the basic
resources, soil, water and air are managed in a manner compatible with
and complementary to people's needs and desires. The productivity of
the land, the several resources derived from the land, and human demands
*Forest boundary was revised in 1973. Forest now includes 445,211 hectares
(1,100,100 acres) of National Forest land and 70,175 hectares (173,400
acres) of private and State land within the boundary. The Newport Ranger
District was added to the Forest.
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CANADA
Frank/in D
Roosevelt
Lake
0510
SCALE IN MILES
FIGUREI COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
FOREST SERVICE LAND
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4
must be balanced to protect the environment, as well as to ensure
sustained productivity for the future.
Major environmental problems in the Forest are associated with
water supplies at campgrounds, solid waste, mining and oil and
hazardous materials handling. Primary problems associated with these
activities are as follows:
1. Inadequate surveillance of water supplies, including field
surveys of facilities and monitoring.
2. Indiscriminate dumping and disposal of waste generated in
the Forest.
3. Mining-related problems such as road construction off claims,
large excavations without restoration, exploration without filing a
claim and abandoned mines.
4. A contingency plan for handling accidental pollution or
spills is not available.
Forest Service personnel are aware of the major problem areas,
but are constrained in solutions by legal, budgetary and manpower
limitations. Legislative revisions are necessary to adequately re-
solve mining problems.
The Forest environmental control programs are being strengthened
through the following actions:
1. The planning unit process is being used to develop long
range management plans for defined units of land. Maintenance and
improvement of environmental quality are primary considerations in
plan development.
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5
2. Resource management decisions such as timber sales, road
construction and other changes in land use are preceded by a Forest
interdisciplinary team review, to evaluate alternatives and assess
impacts of the proposed action.
3. The Forest is using mechanical procedures for volume re-
duction in slash generated from siIvicultural thinning. The procedures
reduce the amount of materials burned for volume reduction.
Summary of the major recommendations are presented below. These
and other recommendations are at the conclusion of the various sec-
tions.
It is recommended that:
1. One individual be designated to coordinate the water supply
operation, maintenance, sampling, inspection and reporting programs
for campgrounds and the Curlew Center.
2. The Forest Service do everything possible to assist local
government in expediting the development and implementation of their
solid waste management plans.
3. Mining operations which are violating established water
quality standards be identified, and the standards used to regulate
discharges.
4. A contingency plan for handling accidental pollution
or spills of oil, pesticides and other hazardous materials be
developed.
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RECREATION
Water Supply
Description of Field Observations
Water supplies are available at 23 of the 25 developed camp-
grounds (Appendix C). Users supply their own water at the minimum
developed sites along Sullivan Creek. These sites are one family
or occupant units. A list of recreation sites with developed water
supplies is in the appendix.
A reconnaissance level evaluation of water supplies was made
at the campgrounds. The review was focused on the adequacy of
Forest Service policy and operating criteria, and compliance of
field operations with such established criteria. The Mi Hi pore
Portable Water Test Kit was used for bacteriological analyses for
total coliforms at nine campgrounds randomly sampled.
Field Descriptions
The Forest has a recent agreement with Stevens County Health
Department to do bacteriological analyses. The agreement was
initiated in 1972. Prior to the recent agreement, water samples
were sent to various laboratories for analyses, primarily State Health
Department laboratories. Consequently, a structured or defined
bacteriological sampling program is relatively new on the Forest.
The results of the random bacteriological samples are given
in Table 1. Two of the nine sites analyzed had positive tests.
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TABLE 1
CAMPGROUND WATER SUPPLIES SAMPLED FOR TOTAL COLIFORMS -
8/28 TO 9/5/72 - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
Results (total coliform)
Campground 100 ml sample
Lake Ellen Positive (11 colonies)
Sherman Pass Rec. Site Negative
Trout Lake Positive (47 colonies)
Mill Pond Negative
Swan Lake (tap adjacent to shed) Negative
Noisy Creek Negative
Ten Mile Negative
Deer Creek Negative
Lake Leo Negative
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9
The hand pump at Lake Ellen Campground has a loose base seal and
lacks base drainage. The pump is an older model and needs resealing
around the base or possible replacement. The pump is shown in
Figure 2. The most serious bacteriological problem of the sites
analyzed occurred at Trout Lake Campground. A site description of
the campground is in Appendix A. The water supply is a developed
spring with a gravity distribution system with "one hydrant.
Lake Ellen and Trout Lake Campgrounds water supplies were
not sampled for bacteriological analyses during the 1972 season of
use by the Forest. A list of campground water supplies analyzed
by Stevens County Health Department for the Forest is given in
Table 2. Of the 23 campgrounds with developed ground and spring
water supplies, 17 were sampled one or more times prior to or
during season of use.
Bacteriological data for all sites sampled on the Forest during
1972 (May - September) were reviewed in the Stevens County Health
Department Office and spot-checked on two Ranger Districts (Colvilie
and Kettle). The data reviewed indicated:
1. Samples were not taken periodically for all water supplies;
samples for bacteriological test were not taken before some seasonally
operated sites were opened.
2. Four positive tests for coliforms were reported to districts
between March and September 1972; there were no formal follow-up
procedures for positive test. Follow-up sampling or review of
problem sites was left to districts.
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TABLE 2
SAMPLES ANALYZED FOR TOTAL COL I FORMS, MARCH - SEPTEMBER
1972, BY STEVENS COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR COLVILLE
NATIONAL FOREST
Number of
Site Samples
Crescent Lake 4
Colvilie Camp 1
Deer Creek 1
Elbow Lake 2
Ferry Lake 5
Harvey Creek 2
lone Camp 5
Little Pend Orellie Lakes 3
Lake Gillette 10
Lake Thomas 8
Mill Pond Camp 2
Noisy Creek 2
*Pierre Lake 12
Sullivan Lake Camp 3
Sullivan Lake Camp East 1
Sullivan Lake Camp West 1
*Summit Lake 2
*Swan Lake 25
Long Lake 5
Lake Ellen None
Trout Lake None
Davis Lake None
Canyon Creek None
Lake Leo None
*Positive bacteriological test reported during season of
use.
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11
3. There were no records of samples taken at five campgrounds.
4. Some samples were rejected by the County Health Department
for analyses, because they were over 48 hours old when received for
analysis. Samples were also rejected that were taken in unsterilized
bottles for turbidity samples. Samples were retaken for analysis.
Available chemical data for the supplies were fragmented. Chemical
analyses data collected during initial development of water supplies
were not readily available in the Supervisor's Office. Some chemical
analyses data were available for the Curlew Center. Analyses were not
made for the important parameters as arsenic, barium, cadmium, lead,
silver, etc. These substances in excess of PHS Drinking Water Stan-
dards are grounds for the rejection of the supply from a health
standpoint. Therefore, the chemical analyses being done are not
complete. The partial analyses indicate that parameters measured
were below PHS recommended limits. Samples for the Center are
analyzed by the State Health Department.
There is no established schedule of sampling for chemical
analyses for the Center. Data reviewed for the Center indicate
that the two most consecutive analyses were done April 20, 1967 and
August 7, 1972, or a five year period between analyses.
Most of the pump supplies are shallow wells and are adjacent to
shallow lakes. The water supply at Deer Creek Summit is used by
both livestock and campground users. The supply is a spring with
a pipe a few centimeters above the livestock watering trough. The
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12
spring area is not fenced or protected. There is a potential for con-
tamination of the water supply.
Forest Service Manual Requirements
Forest Service Manual 5652.03 requires that water furnished at
developments on National Forest lands meet at least the minimum re-
quirements established in the 1962 U.S. Public Health Service's (PHS)
Drinking Water Standards. The standards include physical features as
well as bacteriological quality, chemical and physical characteristics
and radioactivity.
The Manual (2331.32a) requires water sampling for bacteriological
tests at all public use sites which have developed water supplies.
Samples are to be taken before seasonally operated sites are opened,
and periodically from all systems when in use. The Forest Service
recommended frequency for periodic sampling varies from once per season
to twice monthly depending on size of the site and the history of
previous test results.
The Forest Service Manual does not have guidelines for chemical
sampling of water supplies. Chemical analyses are not done periodically
on campground supplies. The Forest Service Water Development and
Sanitation Handbook is the guide for water supply developments. The
handbook states that one chemical analysis of a new source of supply
is ordinarily sufficient, and that additional samples for chemical
analyses of existing sources should be taken when there is a reason
to believe there has been a change in the chemical characteristics
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13
of the water. The PHS Drinking Water Standards states that, under
normal circumstances, chemical analyses need be made only semiannually;
the frequency should be increased or decreased when warranted by con-
ditions affecting the water supply and the system.
The Manual (5652.42) requires at least annual documented con-
dition surveys of all water supplies and sanitation systems. These
surveys are to be done by a technically qualified inspector. The
PHS Drinking Water Standards require frequent sanitary inspections
to identify health hazards. No periodic documented sanitary in-
spections are done on water supplies. Some of the observations
made during the reconnaissance survey such as broken base seals on
pumps and positive coliform tests, suggest a need for routine sur-
veys of water supplies.
Municipal Watersheds
There are six recognized municipal or industrial watersheds
on the Forest. The land ownership and approximate number of people
served are given in Table 3. There are no formal agreements on
watershed management with the communities served by the watersheds.
Watershed management plans have not been developed for most of the
areas. This Forest along with other forests in the region began
to develop management plans for all recognized watersheds. The
program was de-emphasized after one plan was developed. A cattle
grazing problem occurred in the lone watershed (high colifdrms)
some time ago. The Forest required that cattle, which were allowed
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TABLE 3
MUNICIPAL SUPPLY WATERSHEDS, COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
Drainage
East Deer Creek
Cedar Creek
N. Fork Sullivan
Creek
Addy Creek
Industrial
Flume Creek
Municipality
or Industry
Orient
lone
Metal ine Falls
Addy
Pend Oreille
Mine and Mill
Land Ownership
Hectares
FS (acres) Other
4,694
(11,590)
3,110
(7,680)
3,175
(7,840)
648
(1,600)
*
*
223
(550)
940
(2,320)
None
146
(360)
*
*
People
Served
125
500-600
450-500
61
Used for
drinkinq,
mining and
sanitation
Sullivan-Harvey Lehigh Portland
Creek Cement Company
75
*Not computed by Forest Service.
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15
to graze in the watershed be removed. The community has obtained a
chlorinating facility for drinking water, and cattle grazing is now
allowed in the watershed. One of the proposed timber sales in the
current Three Year Management Plan is in the lone Watershed as dis-
cussed in the Timber Management section.
Recommendations
Water supply sampling, inspection and reporting programs for
campgrounds and Curlew Job Corps Center should be strengthened.
Actions suggested to implement this include:
1. Transfer control for Forest water supplies from Districts
to a water supply specialist in the Supervisor's office. The
specialist's duties could include:
a. Coordinating with State and County Health Departments.
b. Making sure water samples are taken in accordance with
the Forest Service Manual.
c. Follow-up action on unsatisfactory samples.
d. Initiating a routine chemical analysis program for
parameters included in the PHS Drinking Water Standards on all
campgrounds and the Curlew Camp water supplies. Since there is no
data base for chemical analyses of water supplies, supplies should
be analyzed once per year for one or two years to establish a data
base. A complete analysis every three years (unless specific problems
develop) afterwards would be adequate for Forest supplies.
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16
e. Conducting and documenting annual and follow-up sanitary
surveys on all drinking water systems including those found unsatis-
factory during season of use.
2. Conducting periodic training sessions for employees involved
with water supplies.
3. A better or alternative water supply should be developed for
Deer Creek Summit Campground. The spring should be fenced as a
minimum health protection measure. The campground could be designated as
dry by removing the signs that encourage use of the spring.
4. Identify municipal water supply areas, uses to be accommodated
and restrictions that will apply.
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Sanitary Waste
The primary methods of sanitary waste disposal on the Forest
are pit and vault toilets. Septic tanks are used at administrative
sites and at Sullivan Lake Campground. Pit privy sites were reviewed
and inventoried by Forest Service personnel in 1971 to assess their
water pollution potential. The analyses were conducted as part of
the Forest Service's Water Pollution Abatement Program (WPA). The
program was implemented partially in response to Executive Order
11507. Therefore, most of the privies contributing to water pollution
are documented. However, the WPA program was discontinued in January,
1972. With the elimination of the program, corrective actions are
, i
being delayed.
Most campground toilets were observed during the evaluation.
In addition to water pollution potential, the facilities were checked
for general structural conditions, odor problems and evidence of
rodent activities. A summary of observations at campgrounds having
potential problems is in Appendix A. Shallow depth of seasonally
high ground water, and proximity to lakes, streams and springs, are
the major limitations of privies with a potential for pollution.
Some of the minimum developed sites (sites with only a privy
or two, and a picnic table in some instances) have severe limitations
for pit toilets. Lower O'Brien, Sullivan Lake Camp #3 and the old
privy in the boat launch area at Sullivan Lake are located on alluvial
terraces or streambeds. The depth to seasonally high ground water
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18
from the surface to a few meters below the surface results in some
water pollution. The value of these installations should be care-
fully determined in terms of cost of needed corrective actions, and
eliminated if the corrections cannot be justified economically.
Disposal of Vault Toilet and Septic Tank Pumpings
A study concerning the disposal of vault toilet, and septic tank
pumpings along with a proposed procedure for disposal was prepared
by the Forest Engineer in March 1972. The proposed plan has been
approved by the Forest Service Regional Office, and the Forest is
proceeding with trench disposal. There are several vault toilets and
septic tanks on the Forest. The vaults may be pumped every three or
four years. Cities in the area have been reluctant to accept pumpings,
becuase they use lagoons, and the sewage from recreation sites would
upset and overload the lagoons. Republic accepts pumpings from Forest
Service for $2.00 per load.
No formal guidelines for site selection were used in selecting
the initial disposal site. The site was evaluated by the Forest Soil
Scientist; however, there is a need for a formal evaluation procedure
for disposal sites for vault pumpings. The quantity and frequency
of pumpings will increase, with the recent past conversions to vaults
in many areas on the Forest. The sewage disposal vault recently in-
stalled at Lake Gillette Campground will increase the volume for dis-
posal. The installation is shown in Figure 3.
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19
Land disposal of vault toilet and septic tank pumpings should
be done on an interim basis only. Long term solutions should be
developed, including possible construction of or use of mechanical
sludge digesters.
Recommendations
Sewage disposal inspections and monitoring programs for camp-
grounds should be improved. Specific actions could include:
1. A priority listing or accomplishment schedule for conversions
or relocations of privies polluting or having a potential for pollution
of water.
2. Land disposal for vault and septic tank pumpings should be
conducted on an interim basis. Long term solutions including possible
sludge digester construction should be developed.
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20
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Solid Waste
There is one authorized open dump on the Colville National
Forest, under special use permit to the Spruce Canyon Youth Camp
(State facility). The dump is shonw in Figure 4. The dump is on
Forest Service land at Hosmer Creek in the Little Pend Orel lie
Lakes Area. Dumping is done over the bank with infrequent covering
and periodic burning at the site. An evaluation of the site and
some of the other sites used by the Forest for solid waste disposal
are in Appendix B.
Those using the Little Pend Oreille dump include Forest Service,
Spruce Canyon and local property and resort owners. Forest Service
use is from the Little Pend Oreille Lakes Campgrounds. Approximately
one hundred cans are dumped per day by users during the recreation
season (May - October). Solid waste disposal from campgrounds in
the Little Pend Oreille Lakes area requires a full-time summer solid
waste collector.
The Colville National Forest disposes of approximately 177,000
kilograms (391,000 pounds) of refuse annually. Estimated volumes of
waste generated per month on a district basis are given in Table 4.
In addition to the Little Pend Oreille Lakes dump, the Forest uses
Ferry County dump, and dumps at Curlew, Republic*, Orient, lone and
Metaline Falls.
The Colville National Forest is under a mandate to have all
solid wastes disposed of in sanitary landfills by Fiscal Year 1974.
*Dump at Republic closed at Forest Service request because of fire
danger. County dump now used.
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TABLE 4
SOLID WASTE GENERATION - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
ESTIMATES FOR 1971 - KILOGRAMS (POUNDS) PER MONTH
Generation Area
Curlew CCC
D - 1 - Colville
D - 2 - Kettle
Canyon Creek Spike
Camp (Job Corps)
D - 4 - Republic
D - 5 - Sullivan
Lake
Colville National
Forest
Jan.
5,988
13,200
136
300
363
800
—
263
580
404
890
7,154
15,770
Feb.
5,988
13,200
136
300
363
800
—
263
580
404
890
7,154
15,770
Mar.
5,988
13,200
136
300
363
800
—
263
580
404
890
7,154
15,770
Apr.
5,988
13,200
136
300
408
900
—
472
1,040
404
890
7,408
16,330
May
5,988
13,200
6,725
14,825
794
1,750
—
907
2,000
1,207
2,660
15,621
34,435
June
5,988
13,200
11,045
24,350
1,570
3,460
302
665
1,520
3,350
3,053
6,730
23,478
51,755
July
5,988
13,200
10,773
23,750
3,509
7,735
302
665
2,309
5,090
6,232
13,740
29,113
64,180
Aug.
5,988
13,200
11,272
24,850
2,715
5,985
302
665
2,309
5,090
7,716
17,010
30,302
66,800
Sept.
5,988
13,200
4,967
10,950
1,404
3,095
302
665
1,683
3,710
3,452
7,610
17,796
39,230
Oct.
5,988
13,200
4,366
9,625
1,252
2,760
302
665
1,701
3,750
1,461
3,220
15,070
33,220
Nov.
5,988
13,200
136
300
1,640
3,615
—
1,547
3,410
404
890
9,715
21,415
Dec.
5,988
13,200
136
300
363
800
—
372
820
404
890
7,263
16,010
Total Annual - 177,228 Kilograms
(390,685 pounds)
Vol. 2,300 C.Y.
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23
The mandate includes USDA Secretary's Regulation 42 C.F.R. 476.8 (19 )
and the Resource Recovery Act of 1970. In November 1972, the Forest
developed plans to specify how they will meet Fiscal Year 1974 dead-
line; this schedule is required by the Secretary's Regulation.
An amount of $8,000.00 has been requested to complete studies
on solid waste management on the Forest with $40,000.00 requested
for implementation of closing dumps (includes purchasing equipment to
operate transfer stations with landfill). The requested appro-
priations and all the current planning is based on the assumption
that at least one sanitary landfill will be operating in the tri-
county area (Stevens, Ferry and Pend Oreille) by 1974, by a local
unit of government.
The solid waste management plan— prepared for the area in
February, 1972 was rejected by the local units of government. The
plan included development of sanitary landfills in the area with
transfer stations. The plan was rejected for presumed failure to
deal realistically with implementation cost. Forest Service land
and solid waste disposal were considered in the TRICO Plan.
The county and city dumps in the area that are used by the
Forest Service are all poor, with none approximating a sanitary
landfill. The Pend Oreille County Sanitarian indicated that some of
the dumps formerly used by the Forest Service (now closed) were better
from an environmental standpoint than the county dumps that replaced
them. The dump at Metaline Falls was cited as an example. The
]_/ TRICO 1972. A Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan for Ferry.
Pend Oreille and Stevens Counties, Washington^Economic Development
District, Colvilie, Washington.
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24
Metaline Falls dump receives approximately 19 metric tons of waste
generated on the Forest, Appendix B. Unauthorized or trespass dumping
on Forest Service land is a perennial problem on some districts. Two
unauthorized dumps were observed on the Forest. One site had evidence
of recent dumping and is located on a county road above the Pend Oreille
River (Appendix B). This site was the worst of the sites observed.
The Ranger is currently pursuing trespass legal action against an in-
dividual whose refuse was found on Forest Service land.
Recommendations
The recommendations and comments are based on a review of the
Solid Waste Implementation and Operating Plan prepared by the Forest
in October, 1972. Specific recommmendations are:
1. The Forest Service do everything possible to assist local
government in expediting the development and implementation of their
solid waste plans. It appears that an additional effort toward a
regional solid waste management program should be actively pursued
with local government. The influence of the Forest Service, through
a combination of their resources, land ownership and cooperative
attitude could be the deciding factor in acceptance and implementation
of a regional solid waste plan.
2. In closing indiscriminate dumps, where a water pollution
potential exists, as in the dumps along the Pend Oreille River, refuse
should be removed to a sanitary landfill rather than buried in place.*
*Dump is no longer being used near Pend Oreille River.
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25
3. To avoid an indiscriminate dumping problem in closing
trespass dumps, a public information program should be instituted
informing local individuals of closing dates and recommended alter-
native disposal sites.
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26
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Noise
Noise levels were measured on the Forest from August 29 to
September 4, 1972, at randomly selected points, primarily at camp-
grounds. The General Radio Sound Level Meter model 1565-B was used
to measure sound levels. The meter will measure levels from 40 to
140 decibels. Several campgrounds which were observed where there
was little or no vehicular activity had levels too low to record on
the measuring instrument. This was the dominant situation in areas
where measurements were attempted. Motor bikes were the major source
of noise in campgrounds where measurements were recorded. The highest
levels measured on the Forest were at Le Clerc Creek Campground. A
motorcycle club was using the campground during the time measurements
were taken (Figure 5). Levels were recorded between 5:30 and 6:00 pm,
September 3, 1972, at Le Clerc Creek Campground. Twenty-five to
thirty bikes were operated continuously during the time measurements
were recorded.
Sound levels recorded above 60 dBA's are given in Table 5.
Several campers at Le Clerc Creek complained about noise levels and
hazards with the continuous use of the campground and vicinity by
the bike riders. En route to the campground, a family camping group
was encountered that had been driven away from the area by the
continuous high noise levels and dust from the motor bikes. The
campers were unable to persuade the bike riders to decrease the
noise. The campers indicated the bike riders began before 8:00 am
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TABLE 5
SOUND LEVEL MEASUREMENTS WITH A GENERAL RADIO SOUND LEVEL METER
MODEL 1565-B - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
Highest
Area dBA Range'
Date -Time
Source
Distance from
Source Being
Measured (meters)
Swan Lake Campground 65-75 9/2/72 - 9-9:30 am motor bikes 1 to 2
Sherman Pass Rec. Area
(Picnic Area closest to 60-65 9/2/72 - 2-2:30 pm cars, trucks^ 5
highway)
Le Clerc Creek Camp- 95-105 (3 readings)
ground 85-95 continuous 9/3/72 - 5:30-6:30 pm motor bikes 1 to 2
Noisy Creek Campground 70-95 9/4/72 - 1:30-2:30 pm motor bikes 1 to 2
^There were intermittent periods of low or no readings during period of measurement, with the
exception of Le Clerc Creek, where high level readings were continuous.
^Traffic levels were low during period of measurement; eight vehicles were counted during the
period.
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29
and were riding nearly continuously until the time measurements
were recorded.
High sound levels were also recorded at Noisy Creek Campground
(Table 5). The most continuous high level recorded was in the 80's;
highest readings (90-95 dBA's) were recorded when cycles were accel-
erated within a few meters of the measuring instrument. There were
three or four motorcycles operating in the campground during the time
measurements were recorded.
Motor bikes have been recognized as a major source of high noise
levels on the Forest. A recent report by Washington State University,—'
which includes interviews with several campers and Forest users, in-
dicates that high noise levels from motor bikes was the number one
complaint of most of the people interviewed. Forest Service regulations
related to activities in developed recreation sites (Title 36, Code
of Federal Regulations) were posted in all the campgrounds where
measurements were made. The regulations relative to noise levels are
251.95 (k) "Failing to maintain quiet in campgrounds between the hours
of 10:00 pm and 6:00 am is prohibited" - and 251.96 (f) - "Operating
a motor vehicle in such a manner as to create excessive or unusual
noise or annoying smoke, or using a muffler cutoff, bypass, or similar
device is prohibited."
The problem with controlling high noise levels appears to be
one of enforcement or monitoring motorcycle traffic in camping areas.
The regulation that no motor bikes are to be operated except during
2j R.L. Shew, 1971. Recreation Use Report. Sullivan Lake Area,
Colville National Forest. Division of Forestry and Range Sciences,
Washington State University.
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30
ingress and egress in the campground was frequently violated at all the
campgrounds where motorcycles were observed and sound level measure-
ments recorded.
Most of the sound level measurements were made during early
September. The impact of heavy recreation use because of the Labor
Day weekend was probably at a maximum. The sound level measurements,
therefore, may more closely approximate maximum impact levels rather
than average levels during the season of use. Since annoyance is
directly related to peak levels, these maximum levels are critical
and warrant attention.
There appears to be a need to limit or restrict motorcycle
activities, especially by groups in campgrounds. The use of camp-
grounds as riding arenas by individuals or groups makes the camping
experience unpleasant for other campers.
Recommendations
High noise levels recorded in campgrounds were related to peak
periods of use. Actions which may be used to reduce noise annoyances
in campgrounds are:
1. Vigorously enforce regulations related to noise levels, par-
ticularly in developed recreation areas.
2. Monitoring of noise levels should be conducted as part of
routine campground monitoring for vandalism and other violations.
3. The noise level and speed of cycles in campgrounds should be
specified.
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31
4. The long term solution to the motorcycle noise and resulting
soil resource damage problems will require restricting the use of
cycles in camping areas and vicinities.
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32
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NATURAL RESOURCES
Timber Management
The 1965 timber inventory indicated Douglas fir and larch
species occupied about 61 percent of the commercial forest land;
ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine species each covered 13 percent.
The remaining important species on the Forest are spruce, cedar,
white pine, hemlock and subalpine fir. The Timber Management Plan
approved in 1965 established an annual allowable cut for the Forest
of 92.5 million board feet. Since 1965 the annual cut has averaged
about 82 million board feet.
Several timber sales in progress and past timber sales were re-
viewed on the Forest. One of the problems observed was poor utili-
zation of some of the timber cut. In some instances, merchantable
material was left in the Forest for disposal. A logging operation
resulting from blowdown was reviewed on the Sullivan Lake District.
The area is shown in Figure 6. Some environmental degradation was
evident such as excess debris accumulation in streams and logging
through some streams. Most of the affected streams were intermittent
mountain streams. The blowdown logging operation represented maximum
impact from logging operations on the Forest that was observed. The
environmental impact of logging on other forest resources was less
with other sales observed.
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34
The timber sale contracts for the most part have adequate
stipulations to ensure environmental protection; the major exception
is related to timber sale road construction, as discussed in the
section on roads. Timber sale contract administration is the area
where environmental considerations can be assured during a logging
operation. One administrator was responsible for 14 active sales on
the Sullivan Lake District during the assessment. In this case,
commitment to environmental protection and contract compliance was
evident with the administrator.
There was an obvious need for additional manpower in the Sullivan
Lake District to adequately enforce and monitor the active timber sales.
One administrator was ill during most of the operating season.
Dozer piling and burning is the most widely used method Of slash
disposal on the Forest. The acreage of slash disposal by various
burning methods is given in Table 6. The Washington State Department
of Natural Resources (DNR) has been designated by the Department of
Ecology as the air quality control unit for smoke management form
Forest operations in the Colvilie area. The Forest coordinate with the
DNR and report their burning activities and smoke dispersal.
The average annual amount of slash generated in the Forest during
Fiscal Years 1968 to 1972 was approximately 600,000 metric tons. An
estimated 100,000 metric tons of the slash generated were burned
annually during Fiscal Years 1968 to 1972. The largest percentage
of the slash resulted from siIvicultural thinning, and remained in
the Forest for natural decomposition.
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TABLE 6
HECTARES (ACRES) BURNED BY VARIOUS METHODS -
COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST - FY 1968-72
Burning Method 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972
Dozer piles 843 577 577 771 697
(2,082) (1,424) (1,424 (1,903) (1,720)
Hand piles — — — 218 190
(538) (468)
Broadcast 204 521 59 471 260
(503) (1,287) (146) (1,163) (642)
Jackpot — — — — 667
(1,647)
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36
Burning woody materials affects air quality through the emission
of hydrocarbons, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide. Because of
the broad variety of fuel constituents and burning methods involved,
accurate emission inventories for sources of air pollution are difficult
to obtain. Consequently, the lack of an adequate emission inventory
or other suitable data makes it difficult to assess the impacts of
slash burning on the atmospheric environment.
The most obvious concern about Forest residue burning is the re-
duction in visibility due to smoke generation, and the potential for
regional transfer of the smoke into an area encountering air pollution
episodes.
One of the major timber management problems is the large acreage
and dense stands of trees in the 20 to 40 year age class, a result
of fires. The stands require thinning for commercial timber manage-
ment. The Forest has used several thinning methods in the timber
management program. Thinning methods used and acreage on the Forest
are shown in Table 7.
One thinning method, the tomahawk, has been used on the Forest
on an experimental basis to assess its potential for use to reduce
fire hazards in logging, right of way and chain saw thinning slash.
The implement crushes, chips, and compacts the slash. The mechanical
method reduces the amount of slash to be burned. Several areas where
the method was used were reviewed. The implement appears effective
for treating slopes up to 45 percent in light to medium slash. The
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TABLE 7
THINNING METHODS AND HECTARES (ACRES)
COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST, 1965-71
Method
Saw (Colville Di
Dozer (Colville
Chemical
Other Districts
strict)
District)
(Saw and Dozer)
Hectares
810
4,860
2,633
6,885
(Acres)
(2,000)
(12,000)
(6,500)
(17,000)
Forest Total 15,188 (37,500)
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38
limitations of the implement are: (1) use on steep slopes may result
in soil damage, (2) it is less effective for materials over 10
centimeters (4 inches) in diameter, and (3) its effectiveness is
limited on green dozer-thinned slash.
Dozer thinning involves removing intermittent strips of timber
in a stand by moving through the stand with a dozer. A dozer-thinned
area is shown in Figure 7- The method has been used extensively on
the Forest as shown in Table 7. The primary limitations of the
method are: (1) initial site appearance after treatment is devastating,
and (2) the impacts of run-off from treated areas are unknown.
An assessment is in progress on the Sullivan Lake Ranger District
to determine the effects of past timber harvesting on the streams in
the Sullivan Creek Watershed. Impacts have been significant; excessive
debris accumulations and jams are common. Turbidity levels above 25
Jackson Turbidity Units (JTU's) are common in parts of the watershed.
The highest turbidity levels measured on the Forest during spring
runoff occurred there. A high reading of 500 JTU's was recorded in
May, 1972, as a result of mass gravity soil slides. The slides were
accelerated as a result of prior logging operations and road con-
struction. Soils in the watershed are highly susceptible to erosion.
The Forest has imposed a moratorium on clear cutting in three
drainages (John, Pass and Stony Creeks) of the Sullivan Creek Water-
shed to limit or reduce the impacts of additional runoff. Reclamation
operations, including debris removal from some of the streams is
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39
anticipated as a result of the watershed assessment. The moratorium
on cutting is a needed environmental protection measure. A study
is in progress in the McGahee Watershed (Kettle District) to obtain
basic information related to watershed management. Information
related to stream flow, bank stability and effects of vegetation
manipulation on the watershed are being studied.
The environmental impact of commercial timber sales on the
Forest are difficult to determine at the reconnaissance level.
Several timber harvesting methods are used. Methods and hectares
are given in Table 8. Eighty-five percent of harvesting is currently
done by tractor logging, with fifteen percent jammer or high lead
logging. The proposed timber sale program for the Forest during
the period July 1, 1972 through June 30, 1975 (3 Year Plan) was
reviewed. Information in the plan on road construction and cutting
methods are too general for determination of impacts.
Some of the proposed sales in the Forest Three Year Timber
Management Plan are in municipal watersheds, and three are in
essentially roadless areas identified in the Forest Service inventory.
Roadless areas were inventoried in the Forest in 1970-71 as part
of the Forest Service requirement. A summary of the roadless inven-
tory data is in Appendix 0. The Three Year Timber Plan suggests that
skyline logging may be required for some sales, primarily in steep
areas with highly erosive soils. The method would minimize the
resource damage, and should be mandatory if some of the proposed
sales are carried out.
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TABLE 8
HECTARES (ACRES) CUT BY SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST - FY 1968-72
Method
Clearcut
Shelterwood
Overs to ry Removal
Selection
Salvage
Intermediate
Wildlife
1968
1,234
(3,048)
521
(1,287)
864
(2,132)
10
(25)
106
(261)
0
199
(490)
1969
865
(2,136)
327
(808)
1,311
(3,237)
38
(94)
102
(252)
0
0
1970
698
(1,724)
218
(538)
2,012
(4,968)
52
(128)
216
(532)
0
0
1971
1,537
(3,794)
397
(979)
1,610
(3,975)
100
(248)
535
(1,322)
333
(821)
357
(882)
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41
Recommendations
Many of the following recommendations are found in the U.S.
Forest Service publication National Forest in a Quality Environment
Action Plan. Actions which may be used in reducing degradation from
timber management activities are:
1. Follow the provisions of an environmental impact statement
on the timber sales planned for a three year period, including areas
to be cut, methods of cutting, placement of roads, slash disposal,
and general soil characteristics necessary to evaluate the impacts
of timber harvesting. Include in this statement the Forest Service
environmental analysis report for those sales which may cause potential
problems. Develop procedures for predicting in the planning phase,
effects from individual timber sales including whether these activities
will comply with water and air quality standards. If deviations
are expected, list them and duration of such deviations.
2. Develop a program to monitor water and air quality affected
by logging for compliance with Federal, State and local air and
water pollution laws and regulations.
3. Determine level of regular field inspection of logging and
road building necessary to ensure compliance with environmental
standards. Logging and road construction should proceed to the extent
adequate administration can be provided.
4. Strengthen contract language to allow an effective means
of penalizing timber sale contract violators.
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42
5. The moratorium on logging in the Sullivan Creek drainage
is a needed environmental protection measure and should be implemented
until studies indicate otherwise.
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Road Construction
The Colvilie National Forest has approximately 97 kilometers
(60 miles) of system roads constructed per year. There are cur-
rently about 564 kilometers (350 miles) of system roads under con-
tract. Construction will be completed in approximately three years.
The Forest Service locates, designs and inspects all system roads.
Temproary roads have no specific building specifications other
than measures such as outs loping, drainage dips and water spreading
ditches for erosion control, which are required in Division B—Timber
Sale Constract. Locations of spur roads must be approved by the
Forest Service. Forest personnel are currently preparing a "c"
clause addition for timber sale contracts issued in relation to tem-
porary roads. The "c" clause will have additional provisions for
constructing and closing off temporary roads for the timber pur-
chaser. This type clause, if properly implemented, could reduce
resource damage that is occurring with present provisions.
Several kilometers of roads were reviewed during the assessment.
The most consistently observed problem appeared to be mass road
failures or stability problems. A dominant soil characteristic
is contrasting textures such as ashy over loamy or ashy over fine
silt. The results in much of the Forest are contrasting soil
permeabilities that produce areas of soil-^moisture build-up, re-
sulting in mass-gravity movements when combined with steep slopes
and high precipitation.
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44
Roads observed in detail were a recent (1971) road constructed
in the Johns Creek Area of Sullivan Lake Ranger District and the
South Fork of Sherman Creek Road on the Kettle Falls District. Several
sections of the Johns Creek Road washed out during spring runoff;
several culverts were destroyed with several metric tons of soil eroded.
Repairs and reconstruction were in progress during field observations.
Some of the culverts were being placed in the same location as the
ones washed-out with only minimal modifications. Recently deposited
sediment was used as the major fill material for one culvert. Areas
of the fill remained nearly saturated after filling, again resulting
in poor road bed conditions. Several areas were observed where road-
side drainage ditches were constructed to transport water several
meters before diversion away from the road; gullies were beginning
to develop in some of these areas.
Approximately 23 meters (75 feet) was washed out on Johns Creek
Road approximately one mile from the lower damaged area. This was a
mass road failure, with several hundred cubic meters of fill washed
out. The mass failure resulted from water being channeled to the fill
from a large area with a relatively steep gradient. The soil above
the fill was ashy over loamy (light silty clay loam), therefore water
moved laterally above the somewhat restrictive silty clay loam
horizon and accumulated above the fill. With a build-up of water,
the fill became supersaturated resulting in a mass gravity movement.
The road was being relocated further into the slope, with the intention
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45
of diverting water above the cut slope to prevent concentration
in the road fill area.
The South Fork of Sherman Creek Road was observed from its
junction with Highway 30 to above the intersection with the Snowshoe
Creek Road. The road is a Land Access Road (LAR), which is designed
and constructed as a high quality single lane road. Road stability
was the major problem observed. Erosion was severe in the road bed,
cut banks and fill areas on most of the road. The road was under
construction at the time of field observations.
The surface soil horizons are high in silt and volcanic ash,
making them highly susceptible to erosion when disturbed. Water
running down gradients for several meters (25 to 31 meters) without
outward drainage resulted in soil movement. Banks and fills were
largely unprotected during spring run-off resulting in excessive
erosion. Some culverts were plugged with large quantities of
sediment. Some of the road banks and fills were seeded before
run-off to attempt to minimize erosion. Stand establishment was
unsuccessful before run-off occurred.
The Forest is currently involved in a field study with the
Coeur d'Alene National Forest Nursery to assess the potential of
using native browse species (snowberry, ninebark, cenothetus, etc.)
as plantings for road bank stability, along with various mulching
and seeding experiments. The South Sherman Road is one of the areas
being studied in detail to attempt to reduce the erosion problems
associated with the road and other similar situations on the Forest.
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46
A road construction project was observed in conjunction with
the Cottonwood Creek Timber Sale in the southeastern part of the
Kettle Falls District (sec. 28, 29 - T. 35 N., R. 36 E.). The por-
tion of the road constructed did not adequately serve the timber pur-
chaser's needs or the land management needs of the Forest (Supervisors
1440 Inspection - 11/21/72). The construction also differed from the
plan proposed in the multiple use impact statement. Nearly twice as
much system road of a lesser width would have been optimum for management
purposes. The timber sale purchaser would have preferred to have had
a system road into the main sale area. The timber sale appraisal,
however, did not make sufficient allowances for the substituted spur
road.
Construction of the road in the Cottonwood Creek area involved a
number of cuts and fills with a large amount of soil movement. As in
other areas of the Forest, soil erosion susceptibility increases with
surface disturbance. The land characteristics along the construction
route varied from shallow to moderately deep soils with rockland and
rock outcrops. Construction cost and environmental impact were in-
creased because of the land characteristics.
Several other roads were observed on the Forest, many having
a limited adverse environmental impact. The problems observed were
generally similar to those described for South Sherman and Johns Creek
Roads. Road stability and erosion problems are the major environmental
problems.
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47
Recommendations
Construction and healing of road banks and fills before resource
damage occurs is a major problem. Actions which may be used to reduce
degradation from road construction are:
1. Development and implementation of the proposed "c" clause
related to temporary and permanent roads constructed as part of timber
sales.
2. Development and implementation of specifications relative to
the desired character of roadfill material appears to be needed. In
deep fills of more than 2 to 4 meters, coarse fragments larger than
2 mm would improve drainage, particularly in soils that are dominantly
medium and fine textured.
3. Road design modifications related to length of drainage
ditches or the distance runoff water is allowed to travel before
diversion, appears necessary to reduce erosion and sedimentation.
4. In areas where road locations are questionable from an
environmental impact standpoint, use logging methods not requiring
new roads or modify methods to eliminate impacts.
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48
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Mining
Although there are no active mines on the Colville National
Forest where minerals are being extracted for commercial processing,
there are several claims where extensive exploratory prospecting
work is in progress. A recent review of active unpatented claims on
the Forest inventoried 1,434 claims, where claimants have kept assess-
ment work up to date. Two hundred eighteen of the claims are new or
were filed during the past year.
A distribution of assessments and new claims by Ranger Districts
is shown in Table 9. In addition to known claims, there are hundreds
of old claims of unknown validity or status scattered throughout the
Forest. The Forest retains surface rights on all unpatented mining
claims with the exception of eleven claims totaling approximately
74 hectares (180 acres). Several mineral material permits for orna-
mental building stones are also active.
Extensive geological surveys have revealed large areas of lead
and zinc ore in the northeast corner of the Forest from Metaline Falls
to the Canadian border. Other significant mineralized areas that have
been extensively explored are in the Leadpoint - Deep Lake vicinity
and the Eagle Mountain - Quartzite Mountain area east of Chewelah.
'j-
Principal commercial minerals on the Forest are lead, zinc, silver,
copper, molybedium and associated mirierals.
The problems associated with mining activities are unauthorized
or trespass activities such as road construction off claims by
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TABLE 9
RECORDINGS OF NEW CLAIMS AND ASSESSMENT WORK - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST - FEBRUARY 8, 1972
Ferry Stevens Pend Orel lie
County County County TOTAL
Assess- New Assess- Assess- Assess-
ment New ment New ment New ment New
Republic R.D. 78
Kettle Falls R.D. 38
Col vi lie R.O.
Sullivan Lake R.D.
29 78 29
16 105 71 143 87
345 24 8 1 353 25
860 77 860 77
TOTAL 116 45 450 95 868 78 1434 218
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51
prospectors without obtaining a special use permit, exploration
without filing a claim, and abandoned mines.
An excavation was done in the Sullivan Lake District by an in-
dividual without filing a claim or consulting the Forest Service. The
hole, approximately 31 meters (100 feet) wide and 5 meters (16 feet)
deep was excavated because the individual found what appeared to be
high grade galena ore on the surface near the road and began digging
to locate the source. The area is shown in Figure 8. The Ranger
surmised, "The source of galena could have been many miles removed
from the found piece." The piece was probably dropped during hauling
or transported from its original location in any number of ways. The
individual has been advised by the Forest to rehabilitate the area
(cover the hole and revegetate) or trespass legal actions will be
initiated against him. The Forest assesses the resource damage to
be in excess of $800.00.
The Forest has initiated some legal actions against claimants
or prospectors that continually violate mining laws, primarily in the
area of road construction off claims, without obtaining a special use
permit prior to construction.
The Noisy Creek mining activities were reviewed as a representative
example of mining in the Forest. The operation is located at the south
end of Sullivan Lake adjacent to Noisy Creek, which drains into Sullivan
Lake at Noisy Creek Campground. The individual has 48 placer claims
in the area. Equipment buildings and sheds have been constructed on
the site. Mobile living quarters are also on site.
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52
The claimant's activities have consisted of road construction and
exploratory excavations into the mountains. Several hundred cubic
yards of earth and rock materials have been moved during various
phases of the operation.
Because of the proximity of the operation to Noisy Creek and
Sullivan Lake, it has received close scrutiny from the Ranger District.
The prospector is also sensitive to potential public reaction against
his operations. He has therefore been cooperative with the Forest
Service, and attempted to minimize the obvious adverse impacts of his
operation. Because of the adjacent location of some of the excavations
and road construction to Noisy Creek, some sediment problems developed.
There is a profound visual or aesthetic impact associated with the large
excavations into the mountains, in an otherwise heavily vegetated area.
The major means available to the Forest for regulating potential
impacts of mining activities is the special use permit requirements
for activities off the claims, as necessary road construction for
ingress and egress. There has been a reluctance to initiate trespass
legal actions related to mining activities, because of the large amount
of time and coordination with legal personnel required. Therefore,
unless resource damage was major or the violation was flagrant, tres-
passers were left alone.
Recommendati ons
Unauthorized or trespass activities such as road construction
off claims by prospectors; exploration without filing a claim and
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53
abandoned mines are problems. Act!oils which may be used in reducing
impacts from mining activities are:
1. Use special use permits whenever possible to cover or assess
mining related activities.
2. An environmental impact statement should be required in
connection with Forest Service permits associated with significant
mining operations.
3. Include the cost of environmental protection as a mining cost
in evaluating the validity of a mineral discovery.
4. Use Departmental level (Department of Agriculture through
Department of Interior) mineral withdrawal authority to protect
public lands whenever possible, particularly in areas where there
is a major conflict with other resource uses.
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54
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Grazing
Cattle and sheep are permitted to graze on the Forest through
permits issued to 93 ranchers. There are approximately 6,000 cattle
on the Forest, with 3,000 on the Republic District. One band (1,200
head) of sheep graze in the Sherman Creek area of the Kettle Falls
District. The remainder of the cattle are distributed on the other
three districts.
The Republic District is located in the western part of the
Forest, where timber stands are open, and grassy slopes and ridges
are abundant. Most of the forage is found in timbered bottoms and
lower slopes close to water.
There are 58 grazing allotments, which vary in size and grazing
capacities. Permittees are assessed .8U to .85
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56
Recommendations
To minimize pollution potential from grazing the following actions
are suggested:
1. Develop base-line water quality data from various intensities
of grazing as a guide to identification of problem areas.
2. Assess problems related to grazing, and identify springs,
water bodies, etc., that should be fenced or otherwise protected.
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OTHER ACTIVITIES
Pesticides
The primary uses of pesticides by the Forest are for range
improvement (broad leaf control) and siIvicultural chemical thinning.
Pesticides are used for right'-of-way maintenance by Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA), Railroads and State and County Highway Depart-
ments, as special use permittees.
Forest Service Uses of Pesticides
Range Management. Herbicide and fertilization programs used in range
management have been limited on the Forest. Spraying and fertilization
have been done in two meadows, that were cleared for former homesteads.
A meadow of approximately 62 hectares (150 acres) in the Mill Creek
area of the Colvilie District was sprayed in 1971 with 2, 4-D (1 kg.
active ingredient per acre) and fertilized with 14 to 23 kgs. of nitrogen
per hectare for range improvement. The Tiger Meadow area (116 hectares
(284 acres)) on the Sullivan Lake District was sprayed in the past
(late 1960's) for broad!eaf control, with 1/4 to 1 kg. per acre of
2, 4-D. Both projects were ohe-application, with no follow-up appli-
cations scheduled.
The range pesticide applications were made by the special use
permittees with Forest Service supervision and monitoring, Monitoring
was visual, primarily for drift. The Forest Service employee is a
state licensed pesticide operator* There is not an annual spray
program operated by the Forest.
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58
Chemical Thinning. The major use of pesticides by the Colvilie
National Forest is in the chemical thinning program. Organic arsen-
ical s are used in the program. Monosodium Acid Methanearsonate (MSMA)
is the silvicide used. Two factors have led to increased use of or-
ganic arsenicals on the Forest: (1) increased management for timber
along with other forest uses has resulted in increased thinning, and
(2) the development of organic arsenicals for* tree injection as an
economical and effective substitute for cutting has resulted in
adoption of chemical thinning as a timber management tool.
Silivisar 510 (MSMA) was applied to excess trees in several
forest stands between June 1969 and March 1971. Forest Service
crewmen using an axe and squirt-can applied the commercial formulation
(Table 10). One milliliter of chemical per 5 centimeters of DBH
(diameter breast height) was applied in spaced hacks on the stem of
the trees to be killed. The crewmen were issued guidelines for chemical
thinning by the Forest Service Ranger District. The guidelines con-
tained methods of handling and safety precautions to be used in
applying the chemical.
The Forest Service has initiated a study titled "The Behavior of
Organic Arsenical Herbicides in the Forest Environment in 1970." The
study was precipitated by eight cattle deaths on the Okanogan National
Forest (adjacent to Colvilie National Forest) in an area on the Forest
that had been chemically thinned. The study includes, monitoring
urine arsenic levels and analysis of soil, browse, litter, and water
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TABLE 10
CONTENTS OF MSMA
Active Ingredients:
Monosodium Acid MethanearsOrtate 48.0%
Inert Ingredients 52.0%
Total Arsenic (as elemental) in water soluble
form 22.2%
Product contains 3 Kgs. MSMA per gallon
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60
for arsenic levels. The study is currently in progress. An interim
report has been prepared by the research team. The research is a
cooperative study headed by the Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Range and Forest Experiment Station, Corvallis, Oregon. Two
universities, several state agencies and a local veterinarian are
involved in the study. The Colvilie was selected as a pilot study
forest because of the potential for use of the method on the Forest.
Summary of the findings of interim report on chemical thinning
are as follows:
1. Workers applying the organic arsenicals in the study had a
higher level of arsenic in urine than did a control group. Recent
crews (May 1971 to January 1972) applying the chemicals on the
Colvilie National Forest urine arsenic levels remained below 2 ppm
objective, with weekly analysis.
2. No arsenic residues have been found in streams from or through
treated areas.
3. Snowshoe hares are very sensitive to low arsenic levels.
Hare mortality near Colvilie resulted from arsenic poisoning during
early part of study. No hares were found for a one-year period prior
to interim study report. The possibility of adding a rabbit repellent
to the chemical was investigated; because of cost benefit potential
it was not done.
4. Data indicate appreciable quantities of arsenic will enter
the Forest floor when dead needles fall. Arsenic levels of 116 ppm
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61
have been found in dead pine needles from the upper limbs of treated
pine trees. The environmental impacts and mobility of arsenic from
the needles are unknown.
5. MSMA can be leached through short columns of soil and
forest floor material from the Colvilie area. The depth of leaching,
with respect to the amount of water applied, remains to be determined.
6. Evidence now available indicates the key to safe use of
organic arsenical silvicides is carefully controlled handling and
application to minimize exposure of man and animals.
Approximately 2,633 hectares have been chemically thinned in
Fiscal Year 1972. The program has been gradually expanded since
initiation. Approximately 1,760 liters (465 gallons) per year of the
chemical were used in FY 1971 and 1972. Four hundred forty-one liters
is the maximum amount of the chemical ordered. The maximum amount
of the chemical stored during any period on the Forest is 454 liters
(120 gallons). The chemical is stored on the Colville District only.
The District is in the process of obtaining a special building for
storage of the chemical.
Waste pesticide containers are buried in road fills on the
Forest. This is apparently a temporary alternative until a suitable
disposal site is developed. The Forest is working with Stevens County
to select an acceptable site. There is no contingency plan for
handling accidental spills of pesticides on the Forest. Only enough
chemical for one day's use is taken to the field. Spilled chemicals
are covered with soil to minimize Impacts on non-target organisms.
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62
Special Use Permittees' Uses of Pesticides
Forest Service and BPA cooperation on pesticide applications for
control of vegetation in transmission line corridors has been limited.
BPA sprayed a corridor in 1972 without any coordination with the
Forest Service. Tordon 101 was the herbicide used.
The Tordon spray incident has been reviewed by both agencies,
in an attempt to prevent future misuse of pesticides. Several BPA
and Forest Service meetings and correspondences have also taken place.
The Forest Service and BPA have a memorandum of understanding for
coordination of pesticide uses; however, according to Forest Service
personnel, it has not been followed at the field level.
Special use permittees applications are not monitored by the
Forest Service. Annual pesticide use reviews are required of
perennial special use permittees by the Forest Service.
Recommendations
The inspection, monitoring, reporting and enforcement program for
storage, application and disposal of pesticides used by the Forest
Service and special use permittees should be strengthened. Specific
recommendations are:
1. Develop and implement a more satisfactory agreement between
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) and the Forest Service on BPA's
pesticide programs.
2. Prepare impact statements on individual pesticide projects,
particularly chemical thinning program, rights-of-way spraying, and
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63
range improvement, which may have a significant impact on the
environment.
3. Require special use permittees to identify methods and
locations for disposing of pesticide residues and containers. The
Forest disposal of pesticide residues and Containers should also be
improved to comply with State and proposed Federal guidelines for
disposal and storage of pesticides and bther hazardous wastes.
4. Crew Chiefs used in the chemical thinning program should
be (if program continued) certified State Pesticide Public Operators.
5. The hazardous material section of the recommended contingency
plan should specify procedures for handling and reporting pesticide
spills.
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64
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Oil and Hazardous Materials
The largest use of oil on the Forest is in the road oiling or
dust coating program. The Forest has been involved for three years
(since 1970) in a program to reduce dust emissions from Forest roads.
The dry consistency of the soils is generally soft and very friable,
making them extremely dusty under heavy traffic use conditions. A
typical dust coated road is shown in Figure 9.
Two hundred and nine kilometers were dust coated in 1972. One
hundred sixty one kilometers were dust coated in 1971. Approximately
105 to 113 kilometers of road were oiled the first year the program
was initiated in 1970. The dust coating program has expanded each
year since its initiation.
Arcadia Dust Oil (medium grade) is the material used. The
application rate for dust coating is .04 to .09 liters per .84 square
meters, depending on soil and road bed conditions. Approximately
946,350 liters (260,000 gallons) of oil was used in the program
during 1972. The Forest Service rents the distributor and uses
Forest Service personnel to apply the oil. Ninety to ninety-five
percent of the applications are done in this manner. Timber purchasers
may oil five to ten percent of roads as a condition of the timber sale
contract. The oil for dust coating is delivered the day of application
with little stored on the Forest.
The monitoring program in Connection with the dust coating pro-
gram consists primarily of checking weather conditions and reports
-------
66
prior to application. Temperature and the possibility of precipitation
are checked by the Maintenance Foreman the morning before oiling begins.
Temperature drops reduce penetration, and precipitation may cause
runoff problems.
The Forest Engineer requested from the Forest Service Regional
Office a study on the possible effects of dust coating on other Forest
resources such as water, roadside vegetation, etc. The request was
not approved. Many of the roads that are dust coated are adjacent
to streams such as Sherman Creek, Sullivan Creek and many others.
The Forest is continually expanding the oiling program. The potential
for oil entering water is great.
There has been one accidental oil spill during the three years the
oiling program has been operational. A full tanker and trailer (approx-
imately 18,927 liters) turned over on a county road in the Harvey
Creek area. The Forest Service reported the spill to the Washington
State Fish and Game Department and the State Department of Ecology.
The Forest Service worked with the two state agencies in cleaning up
the spill. The spill could have been more efficiently handled. There
was a period of indecision on agency notification procedure; and field
personnel were not knowledgeable on procedures to minimize the effects
of the spill.
There is not a contingency plan for haridling accidental spills of
oil and other hazardous material available on the Forest. Section
4(a) 4, Executive Order 11507, February, 1970, requires development
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67
by all Federal agencies of emergency plans and procedures for deal inn
with accidental pollution. Plans developed pursuant to the authority
shall be in accordance with appropriate regional oil and hazardous
substances pollution contingency plans,
The major area where oil and other hazardous, material are stored
on the Forest is associated with the heavy equipment program of the
Curlew Job Corps. Oil quantity varies seasonally from a few liters
to 1,892 liters. Diesel quantities vary from a few liters to over
3,407 liters during peak operation of heavy equipment. The average
quantity of gasoline stored on the Forest is 7,571 liters, with the
largest storage at the Job Corps Center. An inventory is maintained
at the Center of oil and hazardous material stored.
Safety precautions in effect at the Curlew Center appeared
adequate to minimize damage from an accidental spill.
Recommendations
With the large quantities (over 946,000 liters) of oil handled
directly on the Forest, it is recommended that:
1. A contingency plan for handling accidental pollution or
spills as required by Executive Order 11507 be developed for the
Forest. An employee training or information program should be con-
ducted to be sure -all Forest personnel are aware of the plan, and
knowledgeable regarding its contents,
2. A study be conducted to assess the impacts of the dust
coating program on other Forest resources.
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68
3. Water quality monitoring be conducted in connection with the
dust coating program.
-------
Surveillance and Monitoring
General
Recent Forest Service regulation 2504.3 requires Forest Super-
visors to develop and implement watef quality plans to establish
baseline water quality arid provide surveillance of resource use,
management and development. To begin implementing the regulation,
the Forest has started collecting water quality data from some of the
streams and lakes within trie Forest boundary in 1972.
Site selection for monitoring stations was done by field per-
sonnel on the districts, in areas felt to reflect representative
water quality in a watershed area. The major parameters measured
are temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and turbidity.
Bacteriological determinations are done in approved swimming areas,
during the season of use.
Turbidities and bacteriological determinations are done by
Stevens County Health Department Laboratory. Turbidity measurements
are done primarily during the spring and summer. The frequency of
sampling varies with districts. Participation in the baseline
data collection also varies with districts. Some districts are
collecting only drinking water samples at recreation sites for
bacteriological analyses. Site selection procedures to assess
various resource management effects also vary with districts.
Parameters other than bacteria and turbidity are measured
in the field with the small Hach Kit. The principal advantages
of using the small Hach Kits are that: (1) they produce data that
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70
offers a frame of reference or ball park type estimate of water quality
parameters, and (2) they are relatively easy to use and are adaptable
to field conditions. The principal disadvantages are: (1) sample
analyses are not done using standard methods (APHA, AWWA and WPCF,
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 13th
Edition, 1971) and they may be difficult to duplicate, (2) the margin
and potential for error in analysis is large and (3) no analysis
quality control is used with the Kits. Consequently, use of water
quality data based on Hach Kit analysis should be done with a consider-
ation of its limitations.
Data reviewed of current station locations and parameters being
measured indicate that effects of some activities are not being
measured. Some of these measurements could be made with a minimum
additional effort. As an example, a turbidity station and analysis
for heavy metals above and below the current large scale surface
mining exploration operation in the Noisy Creek area could provide
useful information. Some districts have selected sites to measure
or monitor turbidities associated with road construction and past
logging activities. There are also specific surveillance and moni-
toring studies on the McGahee Watershed and water monitoring related
to the organic arsenical studies on the Forest.
Several Federal and State agencies are involved in collecting
water quality data in the Vicinity of the Forest, The U.S. Geological
Survey, EPA and the State Department of Ecology either have or are
presently collecting data within or adjacent to the Forest boundary.
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71
A latitudinal and longitudinal block retrieval of water quality data
was made from the STORE! System to evaluate the potential usefulness
of available data to the Forest program.
Fourteen stations from the STOREt data are either within or
adjacent to the Forest boundary. Several other stations in the
block retrieval are within the Vicinity of the Forest. The data
include measurements of a number of parameters. The stations vary
in length of time of collection from 1960-72, as well as recently
established stations.
Forest wide storage of water quality data in a system which
allows their rapid retrieval in a variety of formats depending on data
requirements would be a useful tool in water quality management. The
STORET systems of the EPA is an operational program for this purpose.
Forest Service water quality data based on standard methods such as
the turbidity and bacteria data could be added to STORET data bank.
The system would allow retrieval of Forest Service and any other data
stored in the system.
Radioactivity
Uranium prospects and mines were examined and water samples
collected on June 19, 20, 1973 for radioactivity analysis. Fifteen
samples were collected within or near the Forest boundary, and sent
to the National Environmental Research Center, Las Vegas, Nevada for
analysis. The sampling stations are described in Table 11.
-------
LsBLE 11. WATER SAMPLES OF MINE DRAINAGE, SPRINGS AND STREAMS
ASSOCIATED WITH URANIUM PROSPECTING,
MINING, AND PROCESSING IN NORTHEASTERN WASHINGTON
June 19 - 20, 1973
Sample No.
1 Spring in prospect trench of Atomic Silver
Monarch Claim located 2300 feet east and
1000 feet north from the southwest corner
of Section 12, Township 36 North, Range 41
East W.M. (Ibne Quadrangle) . Spring has
flow of about 1 gpm and disappears into
the soil immediately below the cut.
2 Tributary to Lost Creek at trail crossing
located 1500 feet east and 1500 feet nortl-
from the southwest corner of Section 12,
Township 36 North, Range 42 East W.M. (lor
Quadrangle). Flow is 1 to 2 cfs.
3 Mine drainage from lower adit of the Trip]
H & J Mine located 2200 feet west and 260(
feet south from the northeast corner of
Section 30, Township 36 North, Range 43
East W.M. (Timber Mtn. Quadrangle). Draii
age has flow of 5i gpm and disappears intc
the soil a short .distance below the mine.
4 Mine drainage from adit of High Noon Mine
located on section line 2000 feet west from
the southeast corner of Section 19, Town-
ship 36 North, Range 43 East W.M. (Timber
Mtn. Quadrangle). Flow of about 5 gpm that
disappears into soil immediately below mine.
5 South Fork of Lost Creek below the High Noon
and Triple H & J Mines at road bridge located
1500 feet south and 900 feet west from the
northeast cotner of Section 30, Township 36
North, Ratigei 43 East W.M. (Timber Mountain
Quadrangle). Flow is about 4 cfs.
6 North Pork of Ruby Creek at road culvert
located on section line 2600 feet west from
the southeast corner of Section 5, Township
35 North, Range 43 East W,M. (Timber Mountain
Quadrangle) .
-------
Sample No. Description
7 Ruby Creek at road crossing located 1400
feet south and 2400 feet west from the
northeast corner of Section 12, Township
35 North, Range 42 East W.M. (Timber
Mountain Quadrangle).
8 Menear Spring located along Tacoma Creek
Road approximately 500 feet east and 1100
feet north from the southwest corner of
Section 31, Township 35 North, Range 43
East W.M. (Tacoma Peak Quadrangle).
9 Tacoma Creek at road crossing near Sportsir
Pond, located 300 feet east and 2000 feet
north from the southwest corner of Sectior
22, Township 34 North, Range 43 East W.M.
(Jared Quadrangle).
10 Cusick Creek at Highway Bridge located
1400 feet north and 1300 feet east from
the southwest corner of Section 13, Town-
ship 34 North, Range 43 East W.M. (Jared
Quadrangle).
11 Ruby Creek near mouth at Blueslide Statior
located 1000 feet south and 500 feet east
from the northwest corner of Section 11,
Township 35 North, Range 44 East W.M. (Rut.
Quadrangle).
12 South Fork Lost Creek at Highway Bridge
1200 feet south and 1400 feet east from
the northwest corner of Section 22, Town-
ship 36 North, Range 44 East W.M. (Ruby
Quadrangle).
13 Lost Creek at Highway Bridge 700 feet south
and 1200 feet east from the northwest corner
of Section 22, Township 36 North, Range 44
East W.M. (Ruby Quadrangle).
14 Chamokane Creek above Ford Plant at Highway
Bridge at Ford. Section 19, Township 28
North, Range 40 East W.M. (Wellpinit, Wash.)
15 Chamokane Creek below Ford Plant at bridge
on Marth Boardman Road. Section 11, Town-
ship 27 North, Range 39 East W.M.
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74
The levels of radioactivity in terms of pCi/liter of gamma,
beta, alpha, dissolved Ra-226 and suspended Ra-226 are in Table 12.
The data indicates that the radioactivity levels in the water are
approximately equivalent to the RA-226 drinking water standards of
1962 or 3 pCi/liter. At some stations the radioactivity was slightly
higher, but since the water sampled should not be considered under
the strict drinking water standard, the water itself is not a hazard,
especially in terms of occasional drinking and for irrigation purposes,
Recommendations
The monitoring program should be strengthened by better coordi-
nation and definition of objectives. Specific recommendations are:
1. Baseline air and water quality data should be collected in
coordination with other agencies as the Departments of Natural Re-
sources and Ecology.
2. Determination of effects of Forest activities on air and
water quality be a separate surveillance and monitoring activity.
3. Specific timber sales and related construction should be
monitored for turbidity, temperature and other appropriate parameters
measured before, during and after sales.
4. The Forest monitoring program should be coordinated with the
Federal and State regional surveillance program, with the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, Geological Survey and State Department of
Ecology, the current participants.
-------
IABLE 1? FMVTPnMMFMTAL PPnTFfTTnN tfiFMPY
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH CENTER
.AS VEGASt NEVADA
09/13/?»
WASHINGTON WATER RESULTS
NOTE—RESULTS APE GIVEN IN EXPONENTIAL NOTATION—THE NUMBER
-F-OLLQWING AN. r£-_lS THE £XfiflN£UT-£)F-IEN-BJLJriHICM—tHE-PRFrFniNQ-
NUMPE0 SHOULD BE MULTIPLIED. -LT- INDICATES LESS THAN*
_--NA- INDICATES NO ANALYSIS. AND -NO- INDICATES NOT DETECTED*-
TWO-SIGMA VALUES AKE GIVEN IN PARENTHESES WHEN AVAILABLE.
-------
-J«USHlWC.TX)M-J«tATER_RE-SULtS - ,
WASHINGTON REPORTED 09/13/73--
———ANALYSIS RESULT 2SIGMA-
SEATTl.E WASH NO 1
.03 0650.033 46 0 20 _. 06 25 . Lli5__
124939 001 DATE- 06 19 73
SIZE- 3.50 L - .-_
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
-BETA LJ3.3EQQ
ALPHA LT1.3EOO
-226RA-DISS 2.2E-01
226RA-SUSP 4.3E-01
SEATTLE WASH NO 2
01 0650-033-46- Q_2fl
124940 002 DATE- 06 19 73
-SIZE-J3.50 L- — -
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
BFTA I T3--1FQO
SEATTLE WASH NO 3
03 06SQ 033 46 Q 20 06 ?S
124941 003 DATE- 06 19 73
- SIZE-- 3.50 I
120J)
SEATTLE WASH NO 4
J)2 0650_Q33_46 JL^O 06_25
124942 004 DATE- 06 19 73
SIZE.- 3.50 1
.1200
SEATTLE WASH NO 5
03 0650 033 46 0_20 06 25 1130
124943 005 DATE- 06 19 73
SEATTLE WASH NO 6
JL3_0650_033_46_0_J
124944 006
- - -SIZE- 3.50 L —
_Q6_25_
1130
DATE- 06 19 73
SEATTLE WASH MO 7
-03 0650-033 46 0 20 06_25-
124945 007 DATE- 06 19 73
SIZE- 1,^0 -I
SEATTLE WASH MO fl
_03 0650-.0.33>6 .0...20 06 25
124946 008 OATE- 06 19 73
SIZE--J.50 .1
ALPHA 1.3EOO 1.2EOO
-226RAS-01SS-1. QE-01 5* QE-OZ
226RA-iSUSP 1.5E-01 6.0E-02
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
RFTA 7. lEJi 1 6 » 5 Efl.fi _
1.0E01
2.2E-01
7.9E-01
ALPHA 1.1E02
226RA-DISS- 2.1EOO
226RA-SUSP 2.8E01
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
_B£TA 2..7E01 4.6EOO
ALPHA 4.6t01 6.9EOO
_E26RA.-D1SS-5.6EOO 3.5E-01
226RA-SUSP 1.4EOO 1.3E-01
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
-BETA LT3.3LQQ
ALPHA 3.0EOO 1.6EOO
_226RA-DJSS_ J.5E-01 1. 3E-01
226RA-SUSP 2.5E-01 7.0E-02
GAMM4-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
_BEXA XI3
ALPHA 1.6EOO
-226RA--DISS. 2.7E-01_.
226RA-SUSP 1.5E-01
:! / L
8.0E-02 -;/•-
1.1E-01 -JCI/L
FCI/L
"T/
PCI/L.
1.4EOO PCI/L
-8.QE-OZ- PCI/L
6.0E-02 PCI/L
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
_BELTA LJ3 . 3ELQQ
ALPHA 3.0EOO
-226R Ai-0 ISS_^»1£-Ql_
226RA-SUSP 2.9E-01
1.8EOO
OE-Q2_
8.0E-02
-PCI/L
PCI/L
PCI/L
PCI/L
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
124Q, BE.IA LL3* 3 E Ofi PCI/L
ALPHA LT1.3EOO PCI/L
226RA.-DlSS-l»lE-ai 5.0E-02 PCI/L
226RA-SUSP 1.3E-01 6.0E-02 PCI/L
-------
SUTS
-WASHINGTON
REPORTED 09/13/73-
SEATTLE WASH NO 9
_03. 065Q C33..46 Q_20 06.26.
124947 009 DATE- 06 19 73
-SIZE- 3.5B L
ANALYSIS RESULT 2SIGMA-
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
_BEJA LT3.4EOO
ALPHA LTUIEOO
_226aA-DISS—1.4E-01 S.OE-02
226RA-SUSP 1.4E-01 6.0E-02
SEATTLE WASH NO 10
_Q3. 065fl-Q33__46 0-20 06_2fi__
124948 010 DATE- 06 19 73
SIZE--2*50 I
-0915-
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
BETA LJ3*5E_Q Q
SEATTLE HASH NO 11
_ Q3_065Q_Q33__4.6- Q ?
124949 Oil
^ 3.50 L __
_Q6._26_
.IDAS-
ALPHA LT1.5EOO
-226RA.-DISS 4.8E-01 JU1E-01
226RA-SUSP l.St-01 6.0E-02
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
BETA LI 2 »4 E 0 Q
DATE- 06 19 73
SEATTLE WASH NO 12
03_0650_033_46_0_20 06-25
1E4950 012 DATE- 06 19 73
SIZE- 3.50-1
12SS_
ALPHA LT1.2EOO
226RA-OISS 3.1E-01 . 8.0E-02
226RA-SUSP l.OE-01 5.0E-02
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
_fi£lA__ LJ3.3EQ.Q
ALPHA 1.6EOO 1.4EOO
-226RA-OISS-l.OE-01 -.-6.OE-02
226RA-SUSP l.OE-01 5.0E-02
SEATTLE WASH NO 13
.03 0650.033.. 46 0 _2fl
124951 013 DATE-
_ SIZE- 3.50 I
.06-25 L255L
06 19 73
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
-BETA. LT3.3EOO ..____
ALPHA LT1.3EOO
_226RA-DISS 2.5E-01_ 8.0E-02
226RA-SUSP 1.5E-01 6.0E-02
SEATTLE WASH NO 14
-03 0650^033.46 0_2Q D6_26
124952 014 DATE- 06 19 73
,_S1ZE- 3.50 L —-
4&2SL
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
-BEIA JJL]
SEATTLE WASH NO 15
JJ3-0650-033-46 0-20 __
124953 015 DATE-
L
.06.26 Q830_
06 19 73
ALPHA LTl.lcOO
226RA-DISS 2.1E-01
226RA-SUSP 1.1E-01
/L
_PCI/I
PCI/L
fl.DE-02 PCI/L
6.0E-02 f-CI/L
GAMMA-SPECTRUM-NEGLIGIBLE
-BETA LJ3.5EOO PCI/L
ALPHA LT2.1EOO PCI/L
»OE--02— PCI/L-
8.0E-02 PCI/L
226RA-SUSP 1.7E-01
-------
78
5. Forest Service water quality data based on standard method
analyses should be added to STORET. The data along with other data
could be retrieved for use in water quality management decisions on
the Forest.
-------
,
'••
arc.*1
N .
at Lai
actericl qical
arms were
.,-
ion at Laki
will in -
'
-------
t
FIGURE 4 Special use permit dump on Forest
Service land at Hosmer Creek.
A
Motor bikes at Clerc Creek Campground,
Sullivan Lake District.
-------
FIGURE 6 Salvage timber sale area - Sullivan
Lake Ranger District.
N«»^
a&p%*--?«
afi^^s«fe*-:-^
*»>*.• v-"p •. • •• i -
»^-•••,;- •••.;-.. Vv...
FIGURE 7 Dozer thinned area - Colville District.
-------
FIGURE 8 Mining excavation done without filing
claim or consulting Forest, Sullivan
Lake District.
FIGURE 9 Dust coated road in Colville District.
Arcadia dust oil was used.
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APPENDICES
-------
APPENDIX A-l
SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS OF RECREATION SITES WITH WATER SUPPLY AND
SANITARY WASTE DISPOSAL PROBLEMS - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
*Trout Lake Campground
The campground consists of 5 camping units and a boat launching
ramp. The site is adjacent to the Southwest shore of Trout Lake
about five kilometers (three miles) north of State Highway 30 in
Ferry County, Washington. A small stream flows through the north-
west corner of the site and enters the lake approximately 31 meters
(100 feet) northwest of the boat launch. Trout Lake is classified
as Class AA lake according to Water Quality Standards for Intrastate
Waters of the State of Washington.
Water supply and sanitation facilities include a developed spring
for drinking water approximately 16 meters (50 feet) from the site
perimeter with a gravity distribution system with one drinking hydrant.
The spring is approximately 8 meters (25 feet) higher in elevation
than the elevation of the campground. Two pit toilets located about
25 meters from the small stream flowing from the developed spring
through the site serve the campground.
Pollution Problem - The two pit privies, approximately three
meters deep are polluting ground water. Passage of polluted ground
water into the adjacent small stream is possible. A fluctuating
water table could cause further contamination in the spring. Drainage
from the pits is toward the stream.
-------
APPENDIX A-2
*Lake Gillette Campground
The picnic area is located on the southeast shore of Lake
Gillette. Sanitation facilities include four open-bottom vault
toilets (over 62 meters from lake). The boat launch is served by
two open-bottom vault toilets located approximately 25 meters from
the lake shore. Two shallow wells with hand pumps serve the area.
The picnic area and boat launch area are served by four water hydrants
with a storage tank and gravity distribution system.
Pollution Problem - The two open vault installations serving
the boat launch are polluting ground water near lake shore. Drainage
from toilets is toward the lake, increasing the potential for polluted
ground water entering the lake.
*Lower O'Brien Camp
This is a minimum developed site consisting of two camping units
adjacent to the east side of O'Brien Creek. A pit privy is located
approximately 16 meters from O'Brien Creek at each unit.
Pollution Problem - The privies on the bank of O'Brien Creek are
polluting ground water. Polluted ground water may also be entering
the creek.
*Pierre Lake Campground
The site is on a narrow stretch of land (6 hectares or 15 acres)
between the west shore of Pierre Lake and the county road. Sanitation
facilities include 6 pit toilets and 2 sealed vault toilets. Water
-------
APPENDIX A-3
supply facilities include 3 wells with hand pumps located at each end
and in the center of the site.
Pollution Problem - The 2 pit toilets located approximately 8
meters (25 feet) from the lake on the north side of the picnic area
are setting in the ground water table. Drainage from the pits is
toward the lake.
*Long Lake Campground
This is a minimum developed site adjacent to the north end of
Fish Lake. A privy approximately 3 meters (8 feet) deep is located
approximately 16 meters (50 feet) from Fish Lake on a slope steeper
than 10 percent.
Pollution Problem - The privy is polluting ground water.
Seasonally high water may cause extended pollution of ground water
with drainage toward the lake.
*Ten Mile Campground
The site is adjacent to the west bank of the San Poil River
south of Republic. Ten Mile Creek flows through the center of the
site and into the San Poil River. Water supply facilities include
a cased well 11 meters (34 feet) deep located approximately 16 meters
(50 feet) from the river. A 159 liter (42 gallon) water supply
storage tank distributes water to six drinking water hydrants serving
the site. Two open-bottom vaults are located near the center of the
site serving the picnic area and two camping units. They are
-------
APPENDIX A-4
approximately 31 meters (100 feet) from Ten Mile Creek and 47 meters
(150 feet) from the San Poil River. One vault toilet is located
near the southeast edge of the site approximately 28 meters (90 feet)
from the San Poil River.
*Swan Lake Campground
The site includes 11 hectares (26 acres) adjacent to the east
shore of Swan Lake. Water and sanitation facilities include a shallow
(3 meters or 8 feet deep) well, 9 meters (30 feet) from the lake. A
gas pump and a 3,785 liter (1000 gallon) covered storage tank with a
gravity distribution system with 9 water hydrants serve the site.
Eight open-bottom concrete vault toilets serve the site. Two toilets
are located near the swimming beach approximately 39 meters (125 feet)
from the lake.
Pollution Problem - The two open-bottom concrete vaults near the
swimming area are polluting ground water. A higher ground water table
in the spring will increase the contamination impact. Drainage from
the toilets is towards the lake.
*Crescent Lake Campground
The site is adjacent to the south shore of Crescent Lake. Water
facilities include one hand pump at north end of site. A pump on the
south end was closed because of mechanical problems. Four open-bottom
vault toilets serve the campground. Two toilets are located (north end)
less than 31 meters (100 feet) from the well.
-------
APPENDIX A-5
Pollution Problem - The two open-bottom vaults at the north
end of the site are polluting ground water. The site is located in
alluvial lacustrine soil material with a seasonally high water table.
*Sul1ivan Road Campsite #3
This site is classified as a minimum development. The site
consists of two camping or picnic units located adjacent to the north
bank of Sullivan Creek. Sanitation facilities include one pit toilet
approximately 16 meters (50 feet) from Sullivan Creek. No drinking
facilities are provided.
Pollution Problem - The pit privy located at this site is ex-
tending into the ground water table and polluting ground water.
Seasonally high water from Sullivan Creek may create additional
pollution problems.
Sullivan Lake Campground #2
The privy in the boat launch area is an older structure. The
back side of the structure is caving in. The structure is over
47 meters (150 feet) from the lake shore during low water; high
water levels would be closer. The structure appears to have limited
use and could be eliminated without creating visitor use problems.
Twin Lakes Area
The lower end campground (peninsula) has two toilets. One is
an old structure privy. A recently constructed vault toilet also
serves the site. The older structure is approximately 47 meters
-------
APPENDIX A-6
(150 feet) from the lake. The new structure was apparently intended
as a replacement; therefore, the privy should be removed.
Davis Lake Campground
This is a small campground adjacent to Davis Lake. Water and
sanitation facilities consist of two vault toilets and one hand pump.
The pump is an older model, with no base drainage. Water from the
pump was rusty colored, and had been for some time, according to
campground users. A chemical analysis of the supply should be done.
Lake Leo Campground
The old structure privy (minimum construction, from old standards)
located in the depression at the road turn-around could be eliminated.
The newer structures were apparently intended as replacements. The
privy also has a major odor problem.
Deer Creek Summit Campground
This is a small campground at the summit, consisting of two
toilets and two or three camping units. The water supply is a spring
development that was apparently constructed for cattle watering;
therefore, both cattle and campground users use the same water supply.
The spring has a pipe to the watering trough. Neither the spring or
pipe is fenced or protected.
*Some information from Forest Service files on the Water Pollution
Abatement Program; other information recorded from field observations
during evaluation.
-------
• APPENDIX B-l
FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY
Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency
State Washington _ County Stevens _ Date a/3/ 7?
Name of Site Little Pend Qreille Lakes Site Location SPC. 19. T. 3fi N. . R. 4? E
Dump
Name of Person Completing Form Elbert Moore _ Organization Federal
Activities Coordination Section, EPA _
Federal Agency Associated with Site U.S. Forest Service _
Site Operated by State of Washington - Special Permit. Spruce Canvon Camp
Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if
Other than the Federal Agency
Own Site? XX _
Use Site? XX
Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? yes
Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) The site is
used by permittee. Forest Service and residents in the area
Metric
Estimated Annual Quantities Tons 31 (FS contribution) Yd3
Check Types of Haste Deposited Municipal XXX Industrial xxx
Agricultural XXJL Demolition Toxic Other (Specify)
Forest Service contribution is from Little Pend Orel lie Lakes Campgrounds
(municipal)
Site Characteristics
Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yP<;
Frequency of Cover None Does Waste Contact Groundwater?
Obvious Leachate Problem? jiQtjbvious not
Adjacent 'to Waterway yes Name of Waterway Hn«;mp
Does Waste Enter Water? not obvious
Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? The dump is currently
being planned for closing by FY 1974. The dump is a blight on the landscape.
-------
APPENDIX B-2
FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY
Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency
State Washington County Pend Qreille Date 9/2/7?
Name of Site S.L. Trespass Dump #1 Site Location SF i/a SPC. 15, T.^fiN. B.43F.
Name of Person Completing Form Elbert Moore Organization
Activities Coordination Sertinn. EPA
Federal Agency Associated with Site n <; Frit-pet Spruirp
Site Operated by Trespass dump - Colville National Forest
Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if
Other than the Federal Agency
Own Site? XX
Use Site? XX
Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? NO
Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Assumed t.n
be residents of the area by District Ranger
Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd
Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal XXX Industrial
Agricultural XXX Demolition Toxic Other (Specify)
Site Characteristics
Does Burning Take Place? NO Is Blowing Waste a Problem? YA<:
Frequency of Cover None Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _
Obvious Leachate Problem? Ye$ Possible
Adjacent to Waterway Yes Name of Waterway Pend Oreille River
Does Waste Enter Water? yes
Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? The recent (Nov. 1972)
Solid Waste Management Plan for the Forest specify plans for closing the site.
The site is a polluter and a blight on the landscape. It is adjacent to a
county road. ~~ —
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APPENDIX B-3
FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY
Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency
State Washington County Pend Qreille Date 9/2/72
Name of Site Le Clerc Creek TrespassSite Location Le Clerc Creek
#2
Name of Person Completing Form Elbert Moore Organization Federal
Activities Coordination Section. EPA
Federal Agency Associated with Site U.S. Forest Service - CnTviTle N.F.
Site Operated by Unauthorized fir trpspa-;'; dump
Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if
Other than the Federal Agency
Own Site? XX
Use Site? xx
Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? NO
Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) A^umpd t.n
be residents of the area
Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd
Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal xxx Industrial xxx
Agricultural xxx Demolition Toxic Other (Specify)
Site Characteristics
Does Burning Take Place? NO Is Blowing Waste a Problem?
Frequency of Cover Mnnp Does Waste Contact Groundwater?
Obvious Leachate Problem? No not nh»-!n,.c
Adjacent to Waterway Yes Name of Waterway
Does Waste Enter Water? Potential Le Clerc Creek
Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? The recent (Nov. 1972)
Solid Waste Management Plan for the Forest specify plans for closing the site.
There is no evidence of recent dumping; however, previously dumped material
is above Le Clerc Creek on a slope approximately 35 percent.
-------
• APPENDIX B-4
FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY
Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency
State Washington County Pend Oreille Date 9/3/72
Name of Site Metaline Falls Site Location Metaline Falls
Name of Person Completing Form Elbert Moore Organization Federal
Activities Coordination Section, EPA ,
Federal Agency Associated with Site U.S. Forest Service - Colville N.F.
Site Operated by Metaline Falls
Does Federal Agency: Yes Jto Name and Address of Owner if
Other than the Federal Agency
Own Site? XX Citv of Metaline Falls
Use Site? XX Metaline Falls. Washington
Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? no
Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Metaline
Falls residents and U.S.F.S. - Colville N.F. - Sullivan Lake District
Metric 3
Estimated Annual Quantities Tons 17(FS contribution)Yd
Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal xxx Industrial xxx
Agricultural XXX Demolition XXX Toxic _ Other (Specify)
F.S. contribution is from campgrounds (municipal only)
Site Characteristics
Does Burning Take Place? yPs Is Blowing Waste a Problem?
Frequency of Cover infrequent Does Waste Contact Groundwater?
Obvious Leachate Problem? Potential Potential
Adjacent to Waterway Yes Name of Waterway Metaline Falls
Does Waste Enter Water? Potential Sewage lagoon closest
Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? Plans were proposed for
closing the oump in the Comprehensive S.W. Mgt. Plan prepared by TRICO, since
the plan was rejected, there are no immediate plans to close the dump.
-------
APPENDIX B-5
FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY
Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency
State Washington County Ferry Date 9/1/72
Name of Site Ferry Co. Dump Site Location 3 mi. NE of Republic
Name of Person Completing Form Elbert Moore Organization Federal
Activities Coordination Section, EPA
Federal Agency Associated with Site U.S. Forest Service - Colville N.'F.
Site Operated by Ferry County
Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if
Other than the Federal Agency
Own Site? XX Ferry County
Use Site? XX Republic. Washington
Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site?
Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Residents
of Curlew Lake area, surrounding farms, Curlew Job Corps Center
Metric ,
Estimated Annual Quantities Tons4.5(FS contribution)Yd
Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal XXX Industrial XXX
Agricultural XXX Demolition Toxic Other (Specify)
Site Characteristics
Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem?
Frequency of Cover periodic Does Waste Contact Groundwater?
Obvious Leachate Problem? possible
Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Curlew f>ppk
Does Waste Enter Water? Not obvious
Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? TRirn SnliH ua
-------
APPENDIX C
RECREATION SITES - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
Key_
C
P
Name
Swan Lake
Ferry Lake
Long Lake
10-Mile Camp
Sherman Pass
Deer Creek
Davis Lake
Trout Lake
Canyon Creek
Lake Ellen
Summit Lake
Pierre Lake
Elbow Lake
Dominion Mtn.
Little Twin Lakes
East Gilette
Lake Thomas
Lake Leo Camp
Crescent Lake
Sullivan Lake
Picnic Area
Sullivan Lake Camp
Mill Pond Camp
Sullivan Creek
Camp 1 & 2
Noisy Creek Camp
lone Camp
Curlew Job Corps
to Abbreviations
- Camping
- Picnicking
C
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
'
P
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Water
H
F
H
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
F SW
X X
X -
X -
X -
-
-
X -
X -
X -
X -
X -
X X
X -
-
X -
X X
X X
X X
X -
X X
X X
X
X -
X X
X X
storage tank
system
- Hunting in
- Fishing
B No. of
Tables
X 33
5
5
13
16
4
4
5
19
11
5
X 26
4
5
8
X 50
14
8
23
X 17
X 18
10
4
X 19
X 29
, distribution
Season
Water
Supply
Dug wel 1
Drilled well
Drilled well
Drilled well
Spring pipeline
Spring
Dug well
Spring
Drilled well
Dug wel 1
Drilled well
Dug wells
Dug wells
None
Drilled well
Drilled well
Spring pipeline
Drilled well
Drilled well
Drilled well
Drilled well
Drilled well
None
Drilled well
Drilled well
Drilled well
SW - Swimming
B - Boating
-------
APPENDIX D
SUMMARY OF ROADLESS AREAS - COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST
*Total Colville National Forest
17 Roadless, essentially
roadless areas
7 Roadless areas with
back-country potential
Hectares
382,199
80,352
20,453
(Acres)
943,700
198,400
50,500
Percent
100
21
Roadless Area - tentative
candidate study area
(Colville portion: Salmo-
Priest Area) 9,720 24,000 7.9
*Before addition of Newport Ranger District
------- |