Number range CHAPTER**Meeting Minutes**

**Sierra Front - Northwestern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council**

**July 16 - 17, 2003**

**BLM Winnemucca Field Office**

**5100 East Winnemucca Blvd.**

**Winnemucca, Nevada 89445-2921**

**(775) 623-1500**

**and**

**Field Trip to the Montana Mountains**

![](media/image1.png){width="6.491666666666666in"
height="4.536111111111111in"}

**RAC Camp -- set-up in Calavera Meadow at the headwaters of Rock Creek
by Blackrock Outfitters of Winnemucca, Nevada, July 16, 2003.**

![](media/image2.png){width="6.495833333333334in" height="4.35in"}

**BLM Director Kathleen Clarke (mid-distance, second from right)
addresses the Sierra Front-Northwestern Great Basin RAC near Washburn
Creek on the Jordan Meadows Allotment, July 17, 2003.**

![](media/image3.png){width="6.497916666666667in"
height="3.640277777777778in"}

**BLM Nevada State Director Bob Abbey (right) speaks to the RAC members
on tour in the Montana Mountains, July 17, 2003.**

##  

[I. RAC Attendance and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
4](#i.-rac-attendance-and-approval-of-previous-meeting-minutes)

[II. Summary of Motions 4](#ii.-summary-of-motions)

[III. Summary of Action Assignments
5](#iii.-summary-of-action-assignments)

[IV. Introductions 5](#iv.-introductions)

[V. Sand Mountain Subgroup Report 5](#v.-sand-mountain-subgroup-report)

[VI. Wildfire Support Group Proposal
9](#vi.-wildfire-support-group-proposal)

[VII. Field Manager Reports 12](#vii.-field-manager-reports)

[VIII.General Public Comment Period
12](#viii.-general-public-comment-period)

[IX. Depart Winnemucca Field Office (WFO) for Field Tour
14](#ix.-depart-winnemucca-field-office-wfo-for-field-tour)

[X. Winnemucca Field Office Field Tour -- Montana Mountains
15](#x.-winnemucca-field-office-field-tour-montana-mountains)

[A. Stop #1 -- Asa Moore Allotment 15](#a.-stop-1-asa-moore-allotment)

[B. Stop #3 -- Sentinel Fire Rehab and Montana Fire Rehab
15](#b.-stop-3-sentinel-fire-rehab-and-montana-fire-rehab)

[C. Stop #4 -- Pole Creek Allotment 16](#c.-stop-4-pole-creek-allotment)

[D. Stop #5 -- Crowley Creek Allotment
16](#d.-stop-5-crowley-creek-allotment)

[E. Camp Stop -- Calavera Meadow Rehabilitation
16](#e.-camp-stop-calavera-meadow-rehabilitation)

[F. Stop #6 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment
17](#f.-stop-6-jordan-meadows-allotment)

[G. Stop #7 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment, Washburn Creek
18](#g.-stop-7-jordan-meadows-allotment-washburn-creek)

[H. Stop #8 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment, Crowley Creek
19](#h.-stop-8-jordan-meadows-allotment-crowley-creek)

[I. BLM Director Helicopter Landing Site
19](#i.-blm-director-helicopter-landing-site)

[J. Stop #9 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment Exclosure
20](#j.-stop-9-jordan-meadows-allotment-exclosure)

[K. Return to Winnemucca 21](#k.-return-to-winnemucca)

[XI. Meeting Adjourned 21](#xi.-meeting-adjourned)

[Appendix I. Winnemucca Field Manager Report (Hard Copy Only)
21](#appendix-i.-winnemucca-field-manager-report-hard-copy-only)

[Appendix II. Carson City Field Manager Report (Hard Copy Only)
21](#appendix-ii.-carson-city-field-manager-report-hard-copy-only)

##   {#section-1 .unnumbered}

## I. RAC Attendance and Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

**8:05 a.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2003** -- Meeting Called to Order by
Vice Chairman Tina Nappe in the absence of Chairman Etchegoyhen with the
following members present.

+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **[Council                  | **[R             | **Wed   | **Thurs |
| Member]{.smallcaps}**       | esource/Expertis | 7-16**  | 7-17**  |
|                             | e]{.smallcaps}** |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Jacques Etchegoyhen -     | **Elected        |         |         |
| CHAIR**                     | Official**       |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Tina Nappe - VICE CHAIR** | **Environment**  | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Susie Askew**             | **Wild Horses &  | **X**   | **X**   |
|                             | Burros**         |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Karen Boeger**            | **Recreation**   | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Gerry Emm**               | **Native         |         |         |
|                             | Americans**      |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **John Falen**              | **Nevada         | **X**   | **X**   |
|                             | Cattlemen**      |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| #### John Gebhardt          | **State Agency** | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Jerry Hepworth**          | **E              | **X**   | **X**   |
|                             | nergy/Minerals** |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Jim Eidel**               | **Wildlife**     | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Robert 'Bob' Kautz**      | **Archaeology**  |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **John Mudge**              | **Mining**       |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| #### Ernest Paine           | **Livestock**    | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **William 'Bill' Roullier** | **Tran           |         |         |
|                             | sportation/ROW** |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Sherm Swanson**           | **Academic**     | **X**   | **X**   |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+
| **Larie Trippet**           | **P              | **X**   | **X**   |
|                             | ublic-at-Large** |         |         |
+-----------------------------+------------------+---------+---------+

> MOVED -- by John Falen to approve the minutes of the April 29-30
> meeting.
>
> SECOND -- by Jerry Hepworth
>
> DISCUSSION -- The Vice Chairman called the members' attention to the
> point that the representative from the Nevada Commission on Tourism
> who spoke during the panel discussion Promoting Tourism on Public
> Lands in Nevada & Mitigating Its Impact would be willing to help with
> bringing rural communities into the tourism arena and promoting an
> educational program of respect for the land. - Approved by
> acclamation.

## II. Summary of Motions

> MOTION - by John Falen to endorse the recommendations made by the Sand
> Mountain subgroup.
>
> SECOND -- by Jerry Hepworth
>
> DISCUSSION -
>
> APPROVED - by acclamation
>
> MOVED - by Sherm Swanson that the RAC supports the concept of the
> Wildfire Support Group particularly because of the strong concept of
> collaboration and proactive management with monitoring and adaptive
> management built in.
>
> SECOND - by John Falen
>
> DISCUSSION --
>
> APPROVED - by acclamation

## III. Summary of Action Assignments

No Action Assignments were made at this meeting.

## IV. Introductions

Members of the RAC and BLM employees introduced themselves.

Les Boni, Winnemucca Field Office assistant field manager for Renewable
Resources gave an introduction to the RAC tour into the Montana
Mountains. Members and guests going on the tour were provided with a
booklet describing the stops and maps of the areas to be visited.
Wednesday stops will cover several Rehab sites, lunch at Orovada, and
camp at Calavera Meadow. In the morning, the tour will move on to look
at aspen stands. All meals will be provided by an outfitter. RAC members
were given the option of visiting the Sleeper Mine on the way back to
Winnemucca on Thursday, but decided to go there at another time.

## V. Sand Mountain Subgroup Report

During the April meeting RAC members toured the Sand Mountain Recreation
Area on the BLM Carson City District and listened to several
presentations. A RAC subcommittee was established to develop
recommendations on future BLM management of Sand Mountain including
issues such as endemic species, possible emergency closure and education
about the area for those who use it. Tina Nappe and Larie Trippet were
appointed to the subcommittee as representatives from the RAC. Several
other members of the OHV community are serving on the subcommittee,
especially representatives from California. Other members include
Rochanne Downs representing the Fallon Pauite-Shoshone Tribe, a
representative from the Nature Conservancy, and a representative from
the California Off Road Vehicle Association (CORVA).

The subcommittee members toured the area again. Then they tried to come
up with a plan to allow Dean Kinerson, Carson City Field Office plant
ecologist, and his team to study the Sand Mountain area and possible
impacts to endemic species from increased use while providing for OHV
recreation in conjunction with effective vegetation management.

The subcommittee members were able to develop a number of short-term
actions and long-term recommendations, but faced what turned out to be
an unbreakable barrier. The Center for Bio Diversity wanted to close all
1,000 acres suggested for closure to complete the study of the area, and
the OHV association didn't want to close any acreage.

Tina Nappe told the RAC members that several things made the closure
difficult. The fee demo had just been initiated in April, and the
education program did not address some of the issues, although there was
some commitment by some of the OHV groups to help with the fee education
program. On the other hand the seriousness of the issue could not be
overlooked. There was a conference call of the committee on July 15 but
no consensus was reached. The conclusion was that BLM has to make the
final decision on what will happen on the ground.

Larie Trippet told the RAC members that the document from the
subcommittee outlining the group's positions and proposals including
short-term and long-term actions that BLM could initiate never got
around to all of the members of the group for their opinions on the
points outlined. Tina Nappe had an opportunity to comment on and change
the points. Statements from some of the participant groups were also
included. But the subcommittee did not reach consensus on the document.
Elayn Briggs, Carson City Field Office associate field manager, Mark
Struble, Carson City public affairs, and John Singlaub, Carson City
field manager, sat in on the conference call and have a good idea of
where the different members stand.

John Singlaub told the group that Gerry Emm gave him a statement from
Rochanne Downs making clear that the Fallon Tribe also has not reached
consensus on Sand Mountain.

Tina Nappe commented that there is a lot of OHV use (at Sand Mountain).
OHV recreation on dunes is a very limited opportunity activity in the
West. But there are also endemic species in the area. There are some
dislikes between the groups that trigger each other.

Karen Boeger asked if there was any feeling that the vegetated area
could have designated routes. Larie Trippet told her that he did his
best on Short Term Actions bullet five -- "install Carsonite signs
throughout the Sand Mountain Recreation Area, where appropriate, to
encourage use of certain trails and prevent use of certain trails." He
said that the decision as to where to place each Carsonite sign is the
key point in the bullet. BLM should look at each area to determine areas
where some use should be discouraged. The OHV group is not happy with
the position of the Tribe or the Center for Bio Diversity.

Jim Eidel told the group that after listening to Larie in depth and
reading bullet six it sounds to him like they're right back where they
were before the last meeting, before the group was put together. He said
that to him the word "discourage" in reference to signs discouraging use
is a very weak word. He also wondered if the education program is going
to be successful in reaching the OHV users who cause the damage, or only
those who are willing to cooperate. He said he was really sad that there
is no consensus. Larie told him that item one tries to define what the
education message is and bullets two and three explain how the education
would work. Jim asked if this is enough to be successful. Larie told him
that BLM has heard all the conversation that has gone on behind the
document. Education via handouts started Memorial Day weekend and one of
the rangers told members of the subcommittee that the handouts had
already begun to make a difference. He added that 100% is not going to
happen. He said people do break laws, but in his opinion the majority of
people will follow the guidelines.

Tina Nappe told the RAC that the subcommittee members felt that to
impose closure would not work as well as voluntary cooperation and that
was one of the issues. She said that Jim's questions are exactly the
concerns that the members of the subcommittee had.

John Singlaub said that something that seems lost is that BLM is
concerned about the vegetative areas. BLM is not proposing to close the
Mountain, but is concentrating only on the areas that are vegetated.

Terry Reed asked if there is consensus that the vegetation is being
damaged and that damage needs to stop. Larie Trippet answered that
placing Carsonite signs and revegetating damaged areas is certainly
supported by the OHV community. One of the insights from the Blue Ribbon
Committee is that this support must be included in the message and in
how the message comes across.

Dan Peterson, representing the California Off Road Vehicle Association
(CORVA), commented that he believes that eventually the parties involved
can come to some consensus, but time constraints are against it. He told
the group that probably 90% of the recreational users in the area are
from California. CORVA deals with a very different environment. "Taking
the High Road" publication deals with this type of issue. Throughout the
booklet are before and after photos of recreation areas. He said that
mitigation can be done by discouraging and encouraging routes. He said
when you come out with "it's closed" a lot of people are going to break
the law "just because." He told the RAC members that he would encourage
them to look at the booklet.

The process of getting Sand Mountain educational materials prepared is
in the works. Friends of Sand Mountain is going to be at the Mountain in
September going from camp to camp and explaining what the plants are,
what the issues are, and what people can do. Friends will be there on
the major weekends, and if CORVA members are there on the off weekends,
they will be doing the same thing.

Tina Nappe told the group she was very supportive of anything that would
be a voluntary method of educating people.

Jim Eidel asked why more time was needed to develop the message. Larie
Trippet told him that time was needed to assess whether the message is
working.

Karen Boeger said it seemed to her that there are two types of OHV use,
the go fast type and the touring type. It might help to get two areas,
maybe even with an interpretive map, to start developing an idea that
there is different behavior in the touring area.

Dan Peterson commented that this is CORVA's concept for the Sand
Mountain Recreation Area. The wash on the west is an area where people
like to trail with their kids. Several routes should come up there where
they can make loops and come back. Some routes can come out at the
bottom of the ravine. At the top should be Carsonite signs saying: "This
is a vegetated area, use the trails."

John Singlaub said that he appreciates the amount of effort the subgroup
put into this issue in two and half months, but he thinks selection of
some of the members of the group was a mistake. If you have members
whose sole reason is to soothe BLM, I think that is a mistake, he told
the group. He said he was disappointed that all members could not be
moved off their positions so they and BLM could start looking at common
interests. He said he had been hopeful that taking this one little
issue, there would be a decision. He continued that BLM knows that this
is the Bureau's job. He said he would not hesitate to make a decision on
this. BLM will implement something by Labor Day weekend and will be
making a decision next week. The best things that came out of this were
the number of offers from the OHV community to help with education. He
said he appreciates that.

Larie Trippet commented that the idea of a voluntary patrol by the OHV
people was not put in the minutes of the subcommittee.

John Singlaub commented that in looking at the RAC Charter it was
discovered that it precludes BLM putting anyone on the subgroups who
does not live in the area that the RAC represents. BLM will be reshaping
the Sand Mountain subcommittee.

Karen Boeger asked if the RAC can make a resolution.

Tina Nappe said that a quorum of the pods may not be present, but John
Singlaub said he would welcome anything. The RAC has received a
recommendation from the subgroup.

Tina Nappe continued that this administration has really made a
commitment to RACs and that she has felt the group's inability to make a
decision. She said that the group should have looked at the OHV
Guidelines first and gone through them. Instead they started with these
entrenched positions.

John Singlaub told the group it did have a quorum.

John Falen commented that he thought John Singlaub was exactly right in
his perspective of where the group is now on this issue and that Jim
Eidel was right, too.

Jerry Hepworth asked if there is an administrative procedure for
entering into an agreement.

> MOTION - by John Falen to endorse the recommendations made by the Sand
> Mountain subgroup.
>
> SECOND -- by Jerry Hepworth
>
> DISCUSSION --
>
> APPROVED -- by acclamation

Jim Eidel commented that he thought the RAC should endorse the concept
of camp-to-camp education and voluntary patrols. Larie Trippet answered
that bullet two can include camp-to-camp, and a bullet seven could be
added about a patrol group.

Terry Reed commented that to assure those who are concerned about the
outlaw, there is a clause in the BLM regs that vegetation cannot be
damaged.

John Singlaub said he hoped BLM can make this a model area.

Tina Nappe thanked Larie Trippet and the other members of the
subcommittee for their time.

## VI. Wildfire Support Group Proposal

John Ruhs, Winnemucca Field Office fire management officer, introduced a
PowerPoint presentation on the Wildfire Support Group. He told the RAC
members that the Wildfire Support Group is a cooperative effort in fuels
management and rangeland restoration. He showed several slides
illustrating the impact of wildfire on Nevada's natural resources, the
20-year history of fire in Nevada and the Winnemucca District fire
history 1990 -- 2000 including a map which showed sage-grouse areas. He
told them that loss of sagebrush habitat that supports sage-grouse and
other wildlife is the result of fire. More than 60 percent of
sagebrush/grass habitat has been lost on this District.

In the years 2000 -- 2003 wildfires have already burned as much as
burned in the 1980s, while the number of human caused fires on the
District has dropped dramatically in the last few years.

Jan Shay, a representative of the Wildfire Support Group told the RAC
that the cheatgrass invasion chart is a really good illustration of what
has happened in the last decades. Native species such as Wyoming big
sagebrush and Mountain big sagebrush have a fire frequency of 50--100
years and 20--30 years respectively. Introduced annuals like cheatgrass
germinate in early spring or fall and typically show growth two to three
weeks earlier than native vegetation. Ladder fuels carry fire to brush,
forbs and trees. Introduced annuals survive fire, reoccupy burned areas
and create a monoculture increasing fire frequency. The goal of the
Wildfire Support Group is to get back into the part of the fire cycle
that occurs with native species.

The sagebrush areas in the Winnemucca District are basically gone. There
are 76 million acres of cheatgrass in the Great Basin.

The ecological and economic impacts of the increase of wildland fires
fueled by non-native species include creating a public safety hazard
from smoke, dust on roads and flooding; wildlife habitat loss; erosion
and flood damage to watersheds; loss of forage for grazing; overall
economic distress; loss of visual and aesthetic landscape values; and
high costs of suppression, stabilization, rehabilitation and
restoration. A large amount of money has been spent on this District on
rehab and restoration in the last few years.

One of the important purposes of the Wildfire Support Group is the
formation of a group of spotters, especially in the far reaches of the
District. They show the way to get into the areas where the fires are
and point out problems firefighters may encounter. The group also
provides early notice of fires. There are approximately 45 members of
the group that watch over two million acres for BLM.

The original mission of the group was to reduce the threat of wildfire
and provide initial attack resources to assist BLM fire units in rural
areas. The expanded mission is to reduce fire risk by decreasing fuel
loads and creating firebreaks and to stabilize, rehabilitate and restore
burned land.

Stabilization is the short-term treatment of burned areas,
rehabilitation is treatment for up to three years and restoration is
treatment for longer than three years.

Examples of firebreaks include roads and fireguards, grazing, and green
strips.

The first step in changing the fire regime is pre-suppression -
manipulate through a specialized fuels management system, replace
fire-prone vegetation with native more fire tolerant species, and create
green strips and firebreaks with fire resistant plant species.

Flash grazing (grazing cheatgrass for a specified area for a short
period of time) can be used to reduce competition with native vegetation
for available moisture and soil nutrients, promote growth of native
species, abate the cheatgrass fire cycle, and reduce production of
cheatgrass seed.

The proposal by the wildfire support group is to work with BLM, the
University of Nevada Reno and certified rangeland management consultants
to gather and organize pertinent grazing, wildlife, soil, ecological
site, climatic and wildfire data; to work with BLM and other agencies to
review existing grazing systems and allotment management plans and
explore alternative grazing applications and range improvements; to
implement approved 10-year fuels management grazing systems including
field monitoring and annual reporting; and to meet annually to review
progress and present recommendations for the following year. The RAC was
shown a map of the pilot study allotments.

Essential project components include public interest and support,
cooperation of land management and natural resource agencies, and mutual
trust between all participants in carrying out the project. There is
support for the project from U.S. Senator Ensign, U.S. Congressman Jim
Gibbons, the National Fire Plan, BLM (at national, state and district
levels), the University of Nevada Reno, the University of Nevada
Cooperative Extension, Nevada Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Forest
Service, and others.

What the group is trying to establish is a healthy functioning
rangeland.

John Falen told the other members of the RAC that Kathy Depukat, BLM, is
the project lead. Tommy Gooch is the field rep for the project. Jan Shay
has taken this on because he's interested in what is happening in
wildland fire. John McClean is also involved in this effort.

Jan Shay told the RAC that the group is finding more and more areas it
can address. One is to make this effort more effective through water
development by creating or expanding riparian areas. The group will be
working through the University. This effort is just in the talking phase
at this time. The group has also gained the support of the Governor's
office and there has been interaction with the sage-grouse planning
groups.

Karen Boeger asked if the areas with existing healthy understory have
been mapped so that they can be retained and where the highest potential
is for restoring these areas. John told her that the group did a
preliminary tour of the allotments involved. The plan that is going to
be written will include everything she mentioned. Terry Reed commented
that BLM has a lot of that data now and that it is principally being
used in the sage-grouse planning. John Singlaub commented that BLM
specialists will work with permittees to focus on the areas in each
allotment that can be protected or used to start the rehab.

Karen asked if triage is being used. John Ruhs answered that the
philosophy is being used but only in certain allotments.

Terry Reed commented that BLM has gone from low-level confrontations
between fire crews and allotment permittees in past years to building
trust between the two so permitees can help BLM even to the point of
bringing some of these areas back.

There are commitments for funds from BLM.

Jim Eidel asked if the goals of this plan are the same as the goals of
the sage-grouse groups. Terry Reed commented that membership in the two
groups has been shared. Jim said that this is the time to get the goals
shared

John Ruhs told the RAC that one of the things to remember is that this
is in the initial stages at this point.

Sherm Swanson commented that the really exciting thing is that we're
recognizing that on this land we have to be proactive. This is a
paradigm shift that is huge.

Jan Shay told the RAC that it's amazing how cheaply some of these things
can be done. The permitees are willing to graze the cheatgrass in the
early parts of the season, but they need water to do that. The core
group, established to look at issues on specific allotments and make
sure that those issues have been addressed in planning, is identifying
some of the areas of concern.

Susie Askew commented that she hadn't heard of planning groups like this
for wild horses when these grazing elements are brought in.

Jim Eidel commented that he heard it being said that the group is not
ready to plug into the sage-grouse plan because they are still
evaluating areas. The exact areas don't have to be identified at this
point. The group needs to get its feet in the door with the
Humboldt/Pershing sage-grouse plan. Terry Reed commented that he thinks
this is happening. The BLM specialist who is working with the support
group is on the sage-grouse group.

Jim Eidel commented that there is no conflict here between the
sage-grouse and the grazing.

Tina Nappe commented that she would like grazing defined in the
presentation. There is cattle grazing, but there is also sheep and goat
grazing. John Ruhs answered that other grazing has been looked at but
the group is trying to look at what is already there in these
allotments, which is cattle grazing.

Tina asked if the group will be looking at reseeding through the
grazing. Jan Shay answered that it definitely would. This is controlled
grazing that will be controlled by the team and the scientists.

Tina asked if they will do some looking at the landscape before putting
in the water developments and be able to turn off the water developments
and say no to grazing there if it is not successful.

Terry Reed commented that if seed production is going to be controlled,
you have to graze the area hard before the seed is produced.

Jan Shay told the RAC that all of these situations are being looked at.

Some of these areas will be visited during the tour the RAC will be
taking in the next two days.

John Falen commented that he would like to see the RAC endorse the whole
concept of the Wildfire Support Group. Jan Shay added that
representatives of the group would also like to come to the RAC
occasionally and give presentations.

Vice Chair Tina Nappe commented that she would like to receive something
in writing from the Wildfire Support Group before the meeting.

> MOTION - by Sherm Swanson that the RAC supports the concept of the
> Wildfire Support Group particularly because of the strong concept of
> collaboration and proactive management with monitoring and adaptive
> management built in.

SECOND - by John Falen

DISCUSSION --

APPROVED -- by acclamation

Jan Shay suggested that the group follow up at another meeting with
questions on the concept.

Kathy Depukat suggested keeping the RAC informed in the future.

## VII. Field Manager Reports

Due to time constraints written reports were distributed, but oral
reports were not given. Written summaries of the reports are available
as Appendices 1 and 2.

John Singlaub told the members that there will be a meeting on the issue
of the North Douglas County land sale on August 17.

## VIII. General Public Comment Period

Dan Peterson, CORVA representative, told the group that Nevada is at the
start of dealing with the off highway vehicle which is defined as a
vehicle which can reasonably go off the pavement. He referenced the
booklet "Taking the High Road" which talks about the OHV trust fund in
California. He suggested that maybe that needs to be done in Nevada. He
told the group that a trust fund gives federal and State agencies and
law enforcement people a place to get grants to help deal with the OHV
community. The State of California has a commission to deal with this.
He suggested putting feelers out now. He told the group that the
vehicles are going to be here until they are outlawed and he doesn't
think that is going to happen. He said that if OHV people are given a
place to ride they will stay in those areas. He also recommended sound
level and spark arrestor regulations. He said things could be done to
help the whole situation.

Dan Heinz, a member of the public, commented that he thought this plan
was on the right track. He said there is no enforcement without peer
enforcement, but it may well be with these plants that one person in the
wrong place even once a month will cause a problem so he was concerned
about voluntary enforcement. Also, it is necessary to clearly state when
you are going to go to the next stage. He said he was really concerned
about designating "play" areas. He thinks it encourages "go fast." He
said BLM should discourage play areas and encourage tour areas. He
commented that 90 decibels is also damn loud.

Merle Edsall, author of the Sonora Wild Horse proposal, told the RAC
that the wild horse proposal has recently been changed to encompass only
the wild horses in Nevada instead of all the wild horses in the U.S. It
came at the request of Gene Kolkman, BLM Ely District field manager, and
some other people. He said he was asked by BLM to put the proposal
together for 10,000 horses. Now the focus is to get Nevada to
Appropriate Management Level (AML). He said he knows that the proposal
has the support of U.S. Senators Reid and Ensign. The horse sanctuary
will be in the area of the San Pedro River on the Arizona border in the
Mexican state of Sonora. He told the group that the Sonoran government
has been trying for years to bring more tourists into the area. There
are some concerns from outside the proposal group because they're going
into the San Pedro River area which some groups have been trying to turn
into a biosphere. He said this is more than a wild horse sanctuary. It
is the largest multi-species preservation area ever proposed. It is a
BLM contract, and a proposal to the State of Nevada to deal with their
horses. The adoption sponsorship programs and tourism programs
encompassed in the proposal will undoubtedly zero out the contract. He
said he didn't think the proposed sanctuary would cost the tax payers
anything once it is up and running. He thinks it's a good plan and it
will work. And there has been a lot of cooperation.

Susie Askew told Merle that the biggest concerns the wild horse groups
have is the legality of the project. Federal horses are not allowed to
be taken out of the country. He answered that it will be legal.

Jim Eidel asked what is going to control the horses. Merle answered that
the contract will control it.

Susie commented that she supports the concept, she just wants the RAC to
hear the issues.

John Falen commented that the bottom line is to get to AML. He said he
has total confidence that the horses will be taken care of in Mexico.

Merle told the group that they have to realize that until Nevada gets to
AML their efforts -- as a RAC or BLM -- will go nowhere.

## IX. Depart Winnemucca Field Office (WFO) for Field Tour

At approximately 10:00 a.m. the meeting was recessed to depart the WFO
for the field tour to the Montana Mountains.

## X. Winnemucca Field Office Field Tour -- Montana Mountains

## A. Stop #1 -- Asa Moore Allotment

The purpose of this stop was to look at fire rehab. Mike Zeilinski, WFO
soil scientist told the RAC members and guests that in August 1994,
24,000 acres of this area were burned. South of the road there was also
a fire in 1996. Most of the Bloody Runs area has burned leaving only
five percent of the native sagebrush.

The sections of public land have been rehabbed. Thirty-six hundred and
fifty acres were drill seeded. This area is vegetated with Great Basin
big sage which comes back after fire.

In the 33 miles from Winnemucca to the junction of US Highway 140 all
but three miles have burned.

The group also looked at a green strip treated with a mix of Crested
wheatgrass and Immigrant kochia. Great Basin big sage is encroaching in
this area.

Gene Seidlitz, WFO supervisory rangeland management specialist, told the
RAC that livestock use on the allotment is from April through fall. The
pasture will be excluded from livestock until the creek is repaired.
Four-inch stubble height was selected as a criteria for the creek.
Properly Functioning Condition (PFC) was the guideline. The creek is
functioning at risk at this time.

Mike Zeilinski told the group that no grasses were put in the seed mix
for this area. BLM is trying to rid their seed mixes of non-native
species and encourage locally grown seed.

Part of this area was involved in the Mud Spring Fire in 2000. Broadcast
or aerial seeding was used to rehab the area with no grass in the seed
mix. The seed was provided by the Nevada Chukar Association.

Seeding was originally done directly in the drainages.

The number of deer is down since the burn, but the number of antelope
has increased.

Mike Zeilinski told the group that the fire cycle in this area is a
really fragile one. The cheatgrass has to be gotten by grazing in the
early spring. The critical time to protect the perennials is about early
April to the third week in May. Grazing during this time somewhat
reduces the cheatgrass. Above 6,500 feet in elevation cheatgrass is
really not an issue.

The group did not stop at Stop #2, but went on to Stop #3.

## B. Stop #3 -- Sentinel Fire Rehab and Montana Fire Rehab

This is a really important sagebrush area. It was burned in the Montana
Fire in 1985 (7,500 acres) and the Sentinel Fire in 1995 (58,765 acres
within the Pole Creek and Crowley Creek Allotments). Due to the number
of acres burned and the need to prioritize the burned acres for rehab,
these two fires were left to recover naturally.

Timing is very important in establishing sagebrush after fire. Seeding
has to be done in mid-winter, around February. Non-native species can be
seeded into mid-March.

The brush beating fuel break along the highway on the north side of the
areas was pointed out to the group. The areas that had been brush beaten
came back really green. Brush beating won't stop fire but it will slow
it down.

The fire cycle on sagebrush is about 10 years.

2003 is the centennial year for the first documentation of cheatgrass.

There are 150,000 acres on the Winnemucca District where cheatgrass has
died. What is taking it out is not impacting the perennials or other
noxious weeds. One theory for the die-off is microbes, another theory is
cutworms, but cutworms also attack perennials and this hasn't happened.
No one knows why the cheatgrass is dying.

## C. Stop #4 -- Pole Creek Allotment

This area is a 1985 natural fire rehabilitation area. The sagebrush is
coming back in pockets. This is an R-1 area, meaning it has potential to
produce sagebrush plant communities that have good understory
composition of desired grasses and forbs, but it lacks sufficient
sagebrush canopy. This is a marginal area for support of sage-grouse.

No seeding is done above 6,300 feet in elevation.

## D. Stop #5 -- Crowley Creek Allotment

This area is key habitat for sage-grouse. NDOW collars sage-grouse in
this area and tracks collared birds. Several studies of sage-grouse go
on in this area. There have also been applications for wind energy
development in this area.

There is a 90% coincidence of sage-grouse sites and wind energy sites on
the Winnemucca District.

The pyramid cage below this site is for monitoring the annual year's
growth on ungrazed plants.

There haven't been any fires on the top of this ridge in at least 30
years.

## E. Camp Stop -- Calavera Meadow Rehabilitation

Calavera Meadows is located in the headwaters of the Rock Creek
Drainage. The meadow area has been experiencing erosion and headcutting
due to the presence of a series of earthen dams constructed sometime
during the 1950's. Anecdotal evidence suggests that these dams were
constructed for the purposes of erosion and gully control, to reverse
the trend of degradation through sediment aggradation behind the dam. In
the 1993 grazing decision for the Crowley Creek Allotment, the degraded
conditions of the meadow were recognized and grazing was prohibited
until rehabilitation could be successfully implemented. In 1996 the
western most dam was breached to allow the flow to return to the natural
channel and to prevent further advancement of the gully.

In 2001 after completion of survey and design work, the completion of an
Environmental Analysis (EA), informal Section 7 consultation with the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and permitting through the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers and the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection,
the current project was initiated. The second of two alternatives
included in the EA, which addressed three areas of concern, was selected
through the NEPA process because it offered the lowest degree of risk
while still addressing the most significant issues.

The first area of concern was the road crossing that had become a source
of sediment and was beginning to show signs of becoming a "wallow."
There was also a concern that as sediment was removed due to vehicle
passage the base elevation of the channel would be lowered resulting in
channel adjustments upstream. To prevent this from happening the roadbed
was excavated and hardened through the placement of gabions, large
aggregate and a geo-textile.

The second area of work involved removal of a significant portion of dam
two.

The third area of work involved removal of another dam and the
construction of a wide flood plain.

Craig Drake, WFO Hydrologist, led RAC members up the drainage to look at
the headcuts and the dam. Flow through the drainage depends on snow
pack.

Jim Eidel commented that if cattle graze the area the forbs come back
and create more sage-grouse habitat. The cattle only have to be kept out
in the spring.

Clarence Covert, WFO Wildlife Biologist, pointed out to the group the
bighorn sheep fence, a specially designed fence with wide spacing to
accommodate the sheeps' horns. He mentioned that this type of fence is
an issue with cattle because calves can also get through it.

The group spent the night at Calavera Meadow. An outfitter provided
dinner, tent accommodations and breakfast. Antelope and several
varieties of birds were sighted from the camp.

**Thursday, July 17, 2003 --**

## 

## F. Stop #6 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment

This area is the Lone Willow Exclosure, put in primarily for sage-grouse
habitat enhancement. The exclosure was enhanced in 2002. Sage-grouse use
it for water and foraging. It is also used by NDOW and OSU in
cooperation with the BLM as a capture site to radio collar sage-grouse
to track their movements. This area typically gets three to four feet of
snow per year.

Clarence Covert pointed out the snowberry that could be seen on the way
up to the site. This plant is only seen at higher elevations. Wildlife
like mixed vegetation, but sage-grouse don't have gizzards so they can
only eat sagebrush. They eat it in all stages of the plant's growth.

Outside the exclosure, where the area has been grazed, a secondary crop
of dandelion is coming up. There is also a lot of wild iris. Clarence
told the group that this can be caused by heavy grazing, although that
is not always the cause.

Clarence pointed out that the fence was again the bighorn sheep variety.
Dan Heinz expressed concern for pronghorn because the lower wire is so
low to the ground. Les Boni told him that BLM would have to gather data
on that. John Falen commented that there was no problem with cattle and
the fence.

Clarence commented that pygmy rabbits are being looked at by
environmentalists. He said he is trying to put together an inventory for
the District although he hasn't seen any in this particular area. Les
commented that a lot of other species are starting to surface. BLM will
be working cooperatively with other agencies and groups to develop
management strategies. Sherm Swanson commented that he is glad to see
these groups coming together, that the great thing is that if we do
sage-grouse conservation work we will also be doing sagebrush
conservation work.

## G. Stop #7 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment, Washburn Creek

This stop was at the headwaters of Washburn Creek. The group looked at
the area around the buried headbox where there is livestock trampling
and a lack of vegetative cover that has completely exposed the cool
spring water to the summer sun and increased the fine sediment within
the creek channel. Spawning Lahontan cutthroat trout (LCT) have been
noted by NDOW below the road crossing. The draw above the headbox goes
back about a half mile but it is dry, a catch point for snowmelt.

This is BLM land purchased from John Falen in 2002. BLM was interested
in the purchase because it is the headwaters of the creek. Washburn
Creek and Crowley Creek both feed into the Quinn River. Water rights
technically belong to BLM but the grazing rights belong to the seller,
John Falen. Knott Creek Reservoir in the Pine Forest Range is another
land purchase like this that is in the works on the Winnemucca District.

Craig Drake told the group that the project for this area, which will
begin after the EA is completed, will involve splitting off the water to
both sides. The crossing will be hardened.

BLM looks at this area as a whole and must provide a balance for the
parcel and the surrounding area. Increased productivity from the health
of the site will support an increase in LCT.

Dan Heinz commented that moving water into an area that doesn't have it
would attract grazing wildlife, cattle and plants. Craig told him that
this is what EAs are for, soliciting comments. Every EA on the District
will be put out for public comment.

It was pointed out that when looking at the site, everyone saw something
different. Craig Drake saw the water. Tina Nappe noticed the lack of
plants. Jim Eidel saw the birds in the area. John Falen saw the cows
coming down the hill. Dan Heinz told the group that he would like the
well- fertilized soil for his garden.

## H. Stop #8 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment, Crowley Creek

This watershed along with Washburn Creek is home to a pure population of
Lahontan cutthroat trout. In an effort to protect these populations from
impacts related to livestock grazing such as riparian vegetation
removal, stream bank alteration, soil compaction, channel widening,
etc., much of these stream systems were fenced by the mid-1990s. Miles
of fence have allowed for dramatic improvements to riparian and
fisheries habitat. However, prolonged drought and areas left unfenced
due to private land ownership and for livestock watering have severely
impacted the headwater reaches of these two watersheds.

At first glance fish habitat at Crowley Creek appears to be fair to
marginal, however upon closer examination it shows high levels of
sedimentation, no stream margin habitat, and minimal cover. These
impacts are substantial considering that this reach would be classified
as spawning habitat.

This is basically a sacrifice area between the two fences. Cattle get in
and the creek is basically mud.

The group saw 10 different species of birds while at this site.

## I. BLM Director Helicopter Landing Site

The group continued to the helicopter landing site where BLM Director
Kathleen Clarke joined them to talk to the RAC members. The Director was
accompanied by BLM Director of Communications Selma Sierra, Nevada State
Director Bob Abbey and Terry Reed who had accompanied them in a tour of
the Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails NCA.

Members of the RAC and guests introduced themselves to the Director and
Director of Communications and told them what the group had been talking
about on the field tour. The Director talked about her tour of the NCA
calling it a "vast, vast area." Then she addressed the members of the
RAC. She thanked all who volunteer to help BLM. She said that she
recognizes that volunteers come because their passion surpasses that of
BLM employees. She came to her post with the philosophy that our public
lands are essential to the quality of life of the American people.
Public lands have become the lands of choice for recreation for the
American people. She said that she grew up loving the retreats with her
family that they enjoyed on public lands. Clean water, clean air,
wildlife, and properly functioning wetlands affect the quality of life.
BLM also recognizes the importance of the lands they manage to the local
economies, but it is essential that as stated in its mandate BLM address
the energy needs of the country as well. The oil embargo in the 1970's
brought the American people to the awareness that we are too dependent
on foreign sources of oil, but they also need to understand the
tradeoffs if they want to maintain their way of living. If BLM can get a
group of citizens who can say they were looking out for the quality of
life when decisions were made, the Bureau will have engaged those who
are not government people with those who are, and decisions of the
public will have been made through citizen stewards.

The Director concluded by telling the RAC members that it was a
privilege for her to see them out on the land and asked them to accept
her thanks for the work they are doing.

Bob Abbey thanked the Director for coming to Nevada and said that the
entire group has the commonality to work together for common goals. He
also told the members of the RAC that he and Terry Reed had been
briefing the Director on the work of the NCA subgroup.

Larie Trippet told the Director how much he appreciated her comments on
recreation.

Selma Sierra addressed the RAC members, telling them that it was good to
be out in the West where the action really is. She said she looked
forward to working with the RAC and communicating BLM's message.

John Falen told the Director that he was glad that she recognizes the
Wildfire Support Group. Jan Shay added that the group appreciates the
Director's support and that the RAC had some good input into the group's
concerns.

RAC members, guests and BLM employees along with the Director, Selma
Sierra and Bob Abbey enjoyed a picnic lunch before the Director's group
left for their return flight to Reno.

## J. Stop #9 -- Jordan Meadows Allotment Exclosure

RAC members, guests and BLM employees continued their field tour to the
Jordan Meadows Allotment Exclosure to view the effects of fire on an
aspen stand.

This area burned in 2000. After the fire BLM made it into a wildlife
exclosure and is trying to rehab the aspen. BLM has had problems in the
past with cattle entering the Exclosure but the permittee has worked
well with the Bureau to remove cattle as soon as possible.

Aspen sprouts from the roots. Cows and deer will eat the sprouts but if
they are grazed off too much the aspen won't come back. In this area
grazing has probably been the reason for the aspen not coming back, not
the heat of the fire. This area does have some diversity of grasses and
forbs.

John Falen, permitee on this Allotment, told the group that they were
standing in the middle of his Allotment's summer pasture at the head of
Jordan Meadows Creek. Below, three fields of crested wheat grass were
put in by the Range Improvement Act. The fields are now almost entirely
sagebrush.

Les Boni thanked John for his cooperation in conducting the tour on his
Allotment.

Terry Reed told the group that it was good for the RAC to see the
challenges faced by a permittee.

Tina Nappe thanked the Winnemucca District for arranging the tour and
asked the RAC members if they could tell BLM what they thought could be
done on a special site in general rather than specifically how to do it.

Karen Boeger commented that she would like to see mapping of the areas
that were historically aspen but are no longer, to help with
restoration.

## K. Return to Winnemucca

On the return drive to Winnemucca the group stopped at the site of a
beaver dam on Crowley Creek to see the area where the beaver had dammed
up the creek allowing cattails to grow and causing destabilization of
the channel.

# XI. Meeting Adjourned

2:30 p.m.

# Appendix I. Winnemucca Field Manager Report (Hard Copy Only)

# 

# Appendix II. Carson City Field Manager Report (Hard Copy Only)