Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 105

APPENDIX A – LAND HEALTH STANDARDS

STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH

AND GUIDELINES FOR LIVESTOCK GRAZING MANAGEMENT

BUTTE FIELD OFFICE

Preamble 

The Butte Resource Advisory Council has developed 

standards for rangeland health and guidelines for 

livestock grazing management for use on the Butte 

District (Field Office) of the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM). The purpose of the standards and 

guidelines are to facilitate the achievement and 

maintenance of healthy, properly functioning 

ecosystems within the historic and natural range of 

variability for long-term sustainable use. 

The Butte Resource Advisory Council determined that 

the following considerations were very important in the 

adoption of these standards and guidelines: 

1. For implementation, the BLM should 

emphasize a watershed approach that 

incorporates both upland and riparian standards 

and guidelines. 

2. The standards are applicable to rangeland 

health, regardless of use. 

3. The social and cultural heritage of the region 

and the viability of the local economy, are part 

of the ecosystem. 

4. Wildlife is integral to the proper function of 

rangeland ecosystems. 

Standards 

Standards are statements of physical and biological 

condition or degree of function required for healthy 

sustainable rangelands. Achieving or making significant 

progress towards these functions and conditions is 

required of all uses of public rangelands as stated in 43 

Code of Federal Regulations 4180.1. Baseline, 

monitoring and trend data, when available, should be 

utilized to assess compliance with standards. 

Butte STANDARD #1: Uplands are in proper 

functioning condition.

As addressed by the preamble to these standards 

and as indicated by: 

Physical Environment 

erosional flow patterns;

surface litter;

soil movement by water and wind;

soil crusting and surface sealing;

compaction layer;

rills;

gullies;

cover amount; and

cover distribution.

Biotic Environment 

community diversity;

community structure;

exotic plants;

photosynthesis activity;

plant status;

seed production;

recruitment; and

nutrient cycle.

The determination of rangeland health should be based 

on the evaluation of three criteria: degree of soil stability 

and watershed function, nutrient cycles and energy 

flows, and available recovery mechanisms. 

Indicators to assess soil stability and watershed function 

relate to two fundamental processes of watershed 

degradation: (1) Soil erosion by wind and water; and (2) 

infiltration or capture and utilization of precipitation. 

Indicators such as rills, gullies, flow patterns, 

pedestaling and compaction, may be used to assess 

watershed condition. 

Indicators that can be used to evaluate nutrient cycles 

and energy flows relate to distribution of plants, litter, 

roots, and photosynthetic period; i.e., plant community 

diversity and structure, exotic plants, photosynthetic 

activity and plant status. 

Recovery mechanisms or plant demographic indicators 

may include increasing vegetative cover, plant vigor, 

kind, and number of seedlings, and changes in plant age 

distribution. 

Physical environmental features of a proper 

functioning watershed are indicated by: 

little evidence of soil erosion by wind and/or 

water;
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rills, gullies, pedestaling, flow patterns are not 

present (significant);

surface sealing and soil crusting is not evident;

plant (ground) cover and litter accumulation is 

adequate to protect site; and

natural disturbance events are integral to proper 

ecosystem function. 

Biotic environment features of a proper 

functioning watershed are indicated by: 

variety and number of plant life-forms (grass, 

forb, shrub, tree, succulent) across the site;

plants exhibit a good diversity of size, height, 

distribution, and age/class well distributed;

exotic plants, weeds are absent or sparse on site;

plants display normal growth and root 

development;

photosynthesis activity occurs throughout the 

site;

plants are alive, productive with well developed 

root systems;

seed stalks/seed adequate for stand maintenance 

for all life-forms;

litter distribution and incorporation is uniform 

across site; and

nutrient/energy cycle mechanisms are adequate 

for plant maintenance.

Butte STANDARD #2: Riparian and wetland areas 

are in proper functioning condition.

As addressed by the preamble to these standards 

and as indicated by: 

Hydrologic 

flood plain inundated in relatively frequent 

events (1-3 years);

amount of altered streambanks;

sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and gradient are inbalance with the landscape setting (i.e., 

landform, geology, and bioclimatic region);

riparian zone widening; and

upland watershed not contributing to riparian 

degradation.

Erosion Deposition 

flood plain and channel characteristics; i.e., 

rocks, coarse and/or woody debris adequate to 

dissipate energy;

point bars are vegetating;

lateral stream movement is associated with 

natural sinuosity;

system is vertically stable;

stream is in balance with water and sediment 

being supplied by the watershed (i.e., no 

excessive erosion or deposition); and

bare ground.

Vegetation 

reproduction and diverse age structure of 

vegetation;

diverse composition of vegetation;

species present indicate maintenance of riparian 

soil moisture characteristics;

streambank vegetation is comprised of those 

plants or plant communities that have deep 

binding root masses capable of withstanding 

high streamflow events;

utilization of trees and shrubs;

riparian plants exhibit high vigor;

adequate vegetative cover present to protect 

banks and dissipate; energy during high flows; 

and

plant communities in the riparian area are an 

adequate source of large woody debris. 

Broadly, "proper functioning condition" may be defined 

as the ability of a stream to perform its riparian 

functions. These functions include sediment filtering, 

bank building, water storage, aquifer recharge, and 

hydrologic energy dissipation. 

No single factor or characteristic of a riparian site can 

provide a complete picture of either that site's condition 

or the direction of its successional change. Things 

considered "negative" in traditional evaluations of 

ecological sites may not be such for riparian sites. For 

example, the percent of exposed soil surface, which 

often reflects overgrazing or erosion on upland sites, 

may be a result of normal riparian activity; sediment 

deposition resulting after spring runoff, or a high water 

event. 

Hydrology\Streambanks

The hydrology of a riparian area is perhaps its most 

important characteristic. Changes in hydrology may 

result in short and long-term vegetative changes. In 

some situations, construction (rip rap, roads, railroads, 

etc.) has influenced the streambanks and stability has 

been increased over the natural levels. These 

streambanks may eventually lose their stability, and 

become altered. This generally occurs if the problems 

which caused the weak streambanks have not been 

remedied. Also, constructed streambanks (especially 
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Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 107

those with rip rap) will often disrupt the normal energy 

dissipation of the stream and eventually the meandering 

of a stream can result in the erosion of streambanks 

downstream. 

Lateral Cutting

Lateral cutting is indicated by new stream-caused bank 

disruption along the outside of stream curves, and much 

less commonly along the straight portions of a stream. A 

high degree of active lateral cutting can indicate a 

degraded watershed. 

Altered Streambanks 

In many instances, land uses have degraded 

streambanks, accelerating stream movement across the 

flood plain. We define altered streambanks as those 

having impaired structural integrity (strength or 

stability) due to human-caused activities such as exposed 

soil surfaces from cattle trails and wallows, hiking and 

ATV trails, roads, logging skid trails, mining activities, 

etc. 

Deep Binding Root Mass

Properly functioning streambanks are "armored by both 

vegetation and bank rock materials (e.g., boulders and 

cobbles). There have been few studies documenting the 

depth and extent of root systems of various plant 

species. Despite this lack of documented evidence, some 

generalizations can be made. All tree and shrub species 

are considered to have deep, binding root masses. 

Among riparian herbaceous species, the first rule is that 

annual plants do not have deep, binding root masses. 

Perennial species offer a wide range of root mass 

qualities. Some rhizomatous species, such as the deeprooted sedges, are excellent streambank stabilizers. 

Other rhizomatous species, such as Kentucky bluegrass, 

have only shallow root systems and are poor streambank 

stabilizers. Still others such as Baltic rush, appear to be 

intermediate in their ability to stabilize banks. 

Downcutting

Active downcutting of a stream is often hard to 

recognize. Perched wetland vegetation and streambank 

features, plus the lack of a separate layer of channel 

bottom materials (i.e., the stream flows directly on the 

substrate materials), can be clues to downcutting. A 

stream is incised when downcutting of the stream has 

resulted in a width to depth ratio so low that average 2-

year floods do not come out of the banks. 

Soils/Geology

The soils and geology (landform and parent material) of 

a riparian site influence how the site reacts to 

disturbances and changes over time. Changes in physical 

characteristics are often (but not always) more difficult 

to remedy through management actions than are 

vegetative changes. The depth and texture of soil, of a 

riparian site, influences the capacity of that site to hold 

water (act as a sponge) for prolonged late season flows 

and support desired vegetation. 

Bare Ground

Exposed soil surface is important in evaluating the 

health of riparian areas for several reasons: (1) 

vulnerability to erosion; (2) it may contribute to, as well 

as reflect, streambank deterioration; (3) the more 

exposed soil, the less vegetation is available for soil 

protection and sediment entrapment; and (4) exposed 

soil provides opportunity for invasion by noxious weeds 

and undesirable species. 

Vegetation

Because they are more visible than soil or hydrological 

characteristics, plants may provide early indications of 

riparian health. 

Reproduction of Trees and Shrubs

One of the clearest indicators of ecological stability, and 

subsequent health, is the presence of all age classes 

(seedling, sapling, pole, mature, decadent, and dead) of 

tree and shrub species where the potential exists. 

Dead and Decadent Trees and Shrubs

The amount of dead and decadent material in trees and 

shrubs is another indicator of the overall "health" of 

riparian areas. Large amounts of decadent and dead 

woody material can indicate severe stress due to high 

levels of browsing, and/or dewatering of the site from 

artificial or natural causes. If severe enough, this may 

change the potential from a riparian to an upland site. 

Large amounts of decadent and dead woody material 

may indicate fluctuations in climate, such as severe 

winter temperatures, spring freezes, or insect 

infestations. In all cases, the overall biotic health is 

affected and may have implications on physical features 

of a stream such as streambank integrity, channel 

incisement, and lateral cutting. 

Utilization of Trees and Shrubs

Heavy utilization by livestock and/or wildlife can 

prevent the regeneration or establishment of woody 

species and, thus block succession of the plant 

community toward a later seral stage. As with 

herbaceous species, excessive use of these woody 

species may cause their elimination from the site and 

their replacement by disturbance-induced species or 

undesirable invaders. 

Plant Composition

The presence of disturbance-induced herbaceous plants 

(either native or introduced) may indicate that the site 

could be healthier and thus is not performing its 

optimum riparian functions. Most of these species 

provide less soil holding and sediment trapping 

capability, and less desirable forage for livestock and 

wildlife. 
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108 Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP

Butte STANDARD #3: Water quality meets State 

standards.

As addressed by the preamble to these standards 

and as indicated by: 

dissolved oxygen concentration;

pH;

turbidity;

temperature;

fecal coliform;

sediment;

color;

toxins; and

other parameters: ammonia, barium, boron, 

chlorides, chromium, cyanide, endosulfan, 

lindane, nitrates, phenols, phosphorus, sodium, 

sulfates, etc. 

When discussing rangeland health, water quality is a 

relative term which must be associated with water-use to 

become meaningful. Since the beginning of time, natural 

processes have influenced the chemical, physical, and 

biological characteristics of water. The natural quality of 

water varies from place to place, with the season of the 

year, with the climate, and with the kind of rock and soil 

through which water moves. After reaching the earth, 

water dissolves minerals from the earth’s crust, 

percolates through organic materials such as roots and 

leaves, and reacts with living things such as microscopic 

organisms like plankton and algae. Natural water quality 

is changed by stream sediments; it is modified by 

temperature, soil bacteria, and evaporation. These and 

other factors determine the quality of natures "impure" 

water. 

Water quality criteria specify concentrations of water 

constituents which, if not exceeded, are expected to 

support an aquatic ecosystem suitable for higher uses of 

water. Water quality criteria are intended to protect 

essential and significant life in water, as well as the 

direct users of water, and also to protect life that is 

dependent on life in water for its existence. 

Some of the common indicators of water quality 

are: 

Dissolved oxygen concentration (DO)-is a 

function of temperature of the water, altitude 

and barometric pressure. The ability of water to 

hold oxygen decreases with the increases in 

temperature, altitude and dissolved solids. This 

is important in fish spawning areas where DO 

levels must be maintained at specific levels for 

good growth and general well being of fish and 

associated biota. 

pH (hydrogen-ion concentration)-is an indicator 

of acidity and/or alkalinity and an index of 

hydrogen-ion activity. Lower values indicated 

acid, higher values indicated alkaline. Fresh 

water organisms function properly if the pH 

ranges from 6.0 to 9.0 units. pH concentrations 

below the recommended level are toxic to fish 

and other aquatic organisms. 

Turbidity-is the disturbance of water due to the 

presence of suspended matter such as clays, silt, 

organic matter, and various effluents. It is the 

expression of the optical property of water. 

Excess turbidity reduces light penetration, which 

reduces photosynthesis by phytoplankton, and 

submerged vegetation. 

Temperature-is an important function which 

affects aquatic productivity. Temperature 

changes may result from natural climatic 

conditions due to man's manipulation of the 

riparian environment. Temperature is a function 

of location, season, time, duration of flow, 

depth, and many other variables. Aquatic biota 

are adapted to certain thermal conditions 

existing in the habitat for their survival and well 

being. The interrelationship between these 

conditions is so great that small changes in 

temperature may have far-reaching effects. 

Coliform groups-include bacteria organisms in 

their natural habitat and sources; i.e., feces, soil, 

water, vegetation, etc. Fecal coliform may be an 

indicator of recent fecal pollution. Other 

coliform organisms may be the result of plant 

and soil runoff water. 

Sediment-is a measure of suspended sand, silt, 

colloid and organic matter which will settle in 

time to the stream bottom. They originate from 

sources such as erosion, mine waste, plowed 

fields, construction projects, natural erosion, or 

vegetative manipulation. They may affect 

fisheries by covering the bottom of the stream or 

lake with a blanket of material that destroys the 

bottom fauna or spawning grounds for fish. 

Color-is attributed to substances in solution after 

the suspensoid have been removed. It may be 

organic or inorganic substances that affect 

photosynthesis activity in the water. Organic 

substances include humic materials, peat, 

aquatic plants, etc. Inorganic sources include 

iron and manganese compounds, chemicals, 

industrial waste, etc. 

Toxins-are those compounds or substances 

which are found in by-products or waste of the 

various industries or activities that make their 

way into water sources which produce a variety 
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Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 109

of effects on fish or alter the biological 

productivity of water sources. 

Acceptable water quality is indicated by: 

Dissolved oxygen concentrations-DO 

concentrations are being maintained at or near 

saturation levels.

pH-concentrations are at or near recommended 

State levels.

Turbidity-readings do not exceed Jackson 

Turbidity Unit readings for the water source.

Temperature-water temperature readings meet 

State standard preferred for good growth and 

productivity.

Coliform-organisms of the coliform group do 

not exceed State average for the site.

Sediment-water normally contains suspended 

solids that do not exceed State standard.

Color-water color does not limit or significantly 

restrict photosynthesis processes.

Toxins-levels are in conformance with State 

standard. 

Butte STANDARD #4: Air quality meets State 

standards.

As addressed by the preamble to these standards 

and as indicated by: 

Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act, which states 

that activities of all Federal agencies must conform 

to the intent of the appropriate State Air Quality 

Implementation Plan and not: 

cause or contribute to any violations of ambient 

air quality standards;

increase the frequency of any existing 

violations; and

impede the State's progress in meeting its air 

quality goals. 

Montana Air Quality Standards

PM-10 50 μg/m3 annual average

150 μg/m324-hour average* 

Sulfur Dioxide 0.02 ppm annual average

0.10 ppm 24-hour average *

0.50 ppm 1-hour average ** 

Carbon 

Monoxide 

23 ppm hourly average*

9.0 ppm 8-hour average *

Nitrogen Dioxide 0.05 ppm annual average

0.30 ppm hourly average* 

Ozone 0.10 ppm hourly average* 

Lead 1.5 μg/m390-day average 

Foliar Fluoride 35 μg/g grazing season average

50 μg/g monthly average 

Settled 

Particulate 

10 mg/m230-day average

Matter (dustfall) 

Hydrogen Sulfide 0.05 ppm hourly average* 

Visibility particle scattering coefficient of

3x10-5 per meter annual 

average*** 

* Not to be exceeded more than once per year.

** Not to be exceeded more than 18 times per year.

*** Applies to PSD mandatory Class I areas. 

ppm = parts per million

μg/g = micrograms per gram

μg/m3= micrograms per cubic meter

The Clean Air Act established the Prevention of 

Significant Deterioration (PSD) regulations which set 

limits for increases in ambient pollution levels and 

established a system for preconstruction review of new 

major air pollution sources. Three PSD classes have 

been established: Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class I 

areas consist of all international parks, national parks 

greater than 5,000 acres, national wilderness areas 

greater than 5,000 acres, and national wildlife refuges 

which existed on August 7, 1977, when the amendment 

was signed into law. 

Protection of air quality is provided to Class I areas by 

severely limiting the amount of additional human-caused 

air pollution which can be added. All other areas, except 

non-attainment areas, are classified as Class II in which 

a greater amount of additional human-caused pollution 

may be added. In no case, however, may pollutant 

concentrations exceed the National or State ambient air 

quality standards. 

Butte STANDARD #5: Provide habitat as necessary, 

to maintain a viable and diverse population of native 

plant and animal species, including special status 

species.

As addressed by these standards and as indicated 

by: 

plants and animals are diverse, vigorous and 

reproducing satisfactorily, noxious weeds are 
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110 Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP

absent or insignificant in the overall plant 

community; 

spatial distribution of species is suitable to 

ensure reproductive capability and recovery;

a variety of age classes are present;

connectivity of habitat or presence of corridors 

prevents habitat fragmentation;

diversity of species (including plants, animals, 

insects and microbes) are represented; and

plant communities in a variety of successional 

stages are represented across the landscape. 

BLM is charged with managing and developing habitat 

for a large variety of fish, wildlife, and special status 

species of plants. Basic habitat considerations can be 

categorized as including food, water, cover, and space. 

Specific habitat requirements often vary depending on 

what geographic area is being considered, species which 

are present, and the nature and extent of other uses 

which may be competing. A review of components of 

the above listed standards (Proper Functioning RiparianWetland areas, Uplands and Water Quality) will provide 

much of the requirements needed to achieve fish, 

wildlife, and special status plant habitat. 

Guidelines 

Butte GUIDELINE #1: 

Manage grazing to maintain or improve watershed 

vegetation, biodiversity, and flood plain function. 

Maintain or improve riparian vegetative cover and 

structure to trap and hold sediments during run-off 

events to rebuild streambanks, restore/recharge aquifers, 

and dissipate flood energy. Promote deep-rooted 

herbaceous vegetation to enhance streambank stability. 

Where potential for woody shrub species (willows, 

dogwood, etc.) exists, promote their growth or 

expansion to aid in controlling access to streambanks, 

and to provide wildlife cover. 

Butte GUIDELINE #2:

Pastures and allotments will be periodically inventoried 

to determine their relative suitability for livestock 

grazing. Topography, slope, distance from water, or 

vegetation habitat types, wildlife, channel types, soil 

types, and other resource values must be considered 

when determining grazing potential. Specific areas could 

be excluded from grazing, fenced into separate 

management pastures, or managed more intensively. 

Butte GUIDELINE #3:

Management strategies for livestock grazing should 

produce sustainable hydrological, vegetative, and soil 

conditions. Thresholds for acceptable streambank 

alteration and vegetation utilization can be site-specific, 

and they should be the basis for establishing terms and 

conditions for allotments. These thresholds should be 

consistent with standards and result from application of 

scientifically acceptable hydrological and biological 

principles. Each allotment must have a monitoring plan, 

and monitoring results should be critical input to grazing 

system design. Long-term analysis of trend shall be the 

primary monitoring tool, and will be augmented by short 

term monitoring information. Monitoring plans should 

address rangeland standards including hydrologic, 

vegetative, and soil conditions. 

Long-term and short-term monitoring attributes may 

include: 

Hydrologic 

stream morphology; and

streambank alteration. 

Vegetative 

species composition;

plant density;

demographics;

stubble height; and

utilization. 

Soils 

percent bare ground;

compaction; and

pedestaling. 

Self-monitoring by permittee should be encouraged, but 

with these sideboards: 

permittee's data and BLM's data should be 

comparable;

BLM must perform some level of compliance 

monitoring for each self monitored allotment to 

ensure the permittee's monitoring is being done 

and it is valid;

there should be regular reporting of selfmonitoring data; and

when appropriate, monitoring should include the 

use of reference sites (such as exclosures). 

Permittees and interested members of the public should 

be able to participate in the development of monitoring 

plans. 

Butte GUIDELINE #4:

Compatible seasons and duration of use, rest periods, 

stocking rates, structural facilities, and management 

activities, should be designed and implemented to ensure 

that standards are achieved. 
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Record of Decision (ROD)/Approved RMP 111

Butte GUIDELINE #5:

The development of springs and seeps or other projects 

affecting water and associated resources shall be 

designed to protect the ecological functions, processes 

and native species of those sites. 

Butte GUIDELINE #6:

Locate facilities (e.g., corrals, water developments) 

away from riparian areas and wetlands when possible. 

Butte GUIDELINE #7: 

Supplemental salt and minerals should not be placed 

adjacent to watering locations or in riparian-wetland 

areas so not to adversely impact streambank stability,

riparian vegetation, water quality, or other sensitive 

areas. Placement of salt in upland sites should consider 

critical winter wildlife habitat. 

Butte GUIDELINE #8:

Noxious weed control is essential and should include: 

cooperative agreements, public education, and integrated 

pest management (mechanical, biological, chemical). 

Butte RAC has addressed weeds in a Resolution dated 

May 8, 1996 (attached). 

Butte GUIDELINE #9:

Native species are preferred. Non-native species, where 

contributing to proper ecosystem function, are 

acceptable. 

Butte GUIDELINE #10:

Livestock management should utilize Best Management 

Practices for livestock grazing that meet or exceed those 

approved by the State of Montana in order to maintain, 

restore or enhance water quality. 

Butte GUIDELINE #11:

Grazing management practices should maintain or 

improve habitat for federally listed threatened, 

endangered, and sensitive plants and animals. 
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