Management Feature

Alternative A

(Proposed Action, Tushar Range Cattle Grazing DEIS)

Sustainable Multiple Use Alternative --Livestock Grazing

(Dec. 24, 2004)

ALLOWABLE FORAGE USE

Riparian: Grass and Forbs

Cattle grazing in riparian areas to

1. 1.5" stubble height of Kentucky bluegrass
2. 2" nonhydric grasses/forbs
3. 4" stubble height of mid-late seral stage key species;
4. 6" stubble height of very early/early seral key species
5. 6"stubble height of grass/forbs in "Riparian Emphasis Management Areas"
6. 30% bare ground allowed

1. Cattle grazing in riparian areas until one or more of the following conditions is met:
1. Streambank trampling ≥15%
2. 6" stubble height in greenline
3. Browse on riparian shrub occurs on >30% of twig ends.
4. Graminoids above greenline utilized more than 25%
2. One-half of suitable beaver habitat free of livestock grazing within 10 years

ALLOWABLE FORAGE USE

Upland: Grass and Forbs

Unchanged from 1986: 40%-60% utilization of grass/forbs by cattle and/or wildlife

1. 25% if forage production of desirable species is good or excellent (≥ 50% of reference area)
2. 15% if grazing outside growing season and forage production of desirable species is fair or poor (<50% of reference area)
3. None if during growing season and forage production of desirable species is fair or poor (<50% of reference area)

Shrub/aspen sprout branch tips

1. ≤40% browse of current year's "available" twigs on sprouts and young-aged plants
2. ≤50% browse of available twigs on mature plants

≤30% browse of current year's leader growth

Goshawk habitat

Standard Fishlake grass/forbs utilization

≤20% utilization (ave.) by wildlife and cattle within 5,400 acres of home range

REFERENCE AREAS

No reference areas are used to help judge relative condition of grazed sites/suitability for cattle grazing

Reference areas are used to help determine suitability of sites for cattle grazing and allowable utilization

FORAGE PRODUCTION REQUISITE FOR CATTLE GRAZING

Minimum forage not required

Forage production required for cattle grazing:

1. sufficient to provide for wildlife and cattle at ≤50% combined utilization
2. current production 200 lb/acre native forage on capable and suitable land

DISTURBED SITES (E.G., FIRE, MECHANICAL TREATMENT)

1. Avoid cattle grazing a minimum of one growing season following fire (unless the burn was low severity/intensity during the dormant season)
2. If a site is reseeded or mechanically treated, avoid cattle grazing for a minimum of two growing seasons

Avoid cattle grazing of burned sites until recovery to good vegetation condition (50% of reference area)

MEADOWS

Same as for upland grass/forbs and browse

1. Can be grazed if soil bulk density ≤15% higher at end of grazing season compared to a reference meadow
2. A suitable-use tall forb meadow can be visited only once a year

ASPEN STANDS

Same as for upland grass/forbs and browse

Can be grazed if:

1. young stems are growing above elk/deer/cattle browse height (approx. 7 ft); AND
2. grass/forb biomass ≥50% and ground cover ≥85% of a reference area

WILDLIFE HABITAT

Grazing/exclusion as per Conservation Agreements and Recovery Plans.

1. Key mule deer fawning and winter habitat unsuitable for cattle grazing

• Habitat for or condition of management indicator species and species of special concern can be grazed if the reproductive, structural or functional needs of that species is being met.
• Potential nesting and brood-rearing habitat for sage grouse can be grazed if residual grass height is 18 cm (6 inches during nesting and brood-rearing season).

INVASIVE SPECIES SITES

Suitable for cattle grazing

Invasive species are considered an ecological conflict when rating allotments

MUNICIPAL WATERSHEDS

Suitable for cattle grazing

Unsuitable for cattle grazing

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

Suitable for cattle grazing

Unsuitable for cattle grazing if sites will be impacted

MONITORING

Annual

1. Attainment of AMP goals, objectives, standards, and management practices

Unidentified frequency, as determined in AMPs subsequent to FEIS

1. Forage utilization
2. Forage production at treatment sites
3. Elk forage use
4. Effects on TES species and/or habitat "to assure compliance with the Endangered Species Act"
5. Long-term monitoring of results
6. Monitoring of new information and data

Trend: annual on 1/5 of allotments

on permanent representative transects:

• upland and riparian plant communities based on the proportion of plant species present as compared to the appropriate reference area and including but not limited to measures of ground cover, canopy cover and production of vegetation species, bare ground, rock (>3/4"), crust, and litter.
• Riparian area condition of streams, seeps, springs, and wetlands through Level II Riparian Inventories or equivalent wetlands inventories.
• Soil bulk density

Condition: annual on 1/5 of allotments in major vegetation types:

1. Adherence to allotment's utilization, upland and riparian criteria
2. presence of exotic or invasive plant species considered most threatening to the District
3. Condition of habitat of relevant species of concern
4. Livestock impacts to identified archaeological sites

Burned sites are monitored until forage has attained suitable use status

VEGETATION TREATMENTS

1. Continue conversion of sagebrush to maintain "moderately high forage production" for cattle as per AMPs
2. Use non-intrusive, exotic seedings where native species
1. are not available
2. are not economically feasible
3. cannot compete with established exotic species, and/or
4. native species have failed to meet objectives (e.g., for cattle forage)

No seeding of non-native forage species

NUMBER OF CATTLE AUMS

"No change in permitted numbers of livestock" (DEIS 2-2) .

AUMs calculated for use of 25% forage on suitable lands

STRUCTURAL RANGE IMPROVE-

MENTS

"No new structural range improvements" (DEIS 2-2)

Structural developments as needed for protection of sensitive species, habitats, etc.

GRAZING SYSTEM CHANGES

"No change in grazing systems" (DEIS 2-1).

Grazing system changes as needed to remain within utilization limits and suitable sites

ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOP-

MENT

Non-NEPA AMPs, between permittees and Forest Service

Allotment management plans are completed with an EIS in a public process.

ALLOTMENT PRIORITIZATION

None

Allotments and pastures are rated for

1. ecological conflicts
2. ecological values foregone
3. social conflicts
4. level of demand for cattle use