Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities

APPENDIX E

MANAGEMENT DIRECTION

AND

OPPORTUNITIES

Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 1

APPENDIX E – SUMMARY OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIRECTION AND

MANAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Forest Plan Goals/Objectives (BHNF LRMP Phase II Amendment, Ch. I), desired conditions and 

associated management opportunities provide the primary focus and direction supporting the purpose 

and need for action in the Mystic Range Project Area. The FP goals are listed in order of emphasis 

priority. Consequently, Goals 1, 2, and 3 are considered the primary project drivers in terms of 

providing Forest Plan direction and guidance to support the purpose and need and the development of 

a responsive proposed action. This is not intended to diminish the importance of other goals and 

related objectives, standards and guidelines listed below or those not listed but contained in the Forest 

Plan. They are also important in terms of providing management guidance. And to the extent they 

can be achieved, are co-benefits derived from management actions developed and proposed. 

Goal 1: Protect basic soil, air, water and cave resources.

Desired Conditions:

• Management of rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes riparian areas and caves of the Forest 

reflect healthy, functioning ecosystems. 

• Irreversible soil losses and detrimental soil conditions will not exceed standards and guidelines.

• Riparian areas will support diverse plant species.

• Healthy riparian areas and stream systems will affect stream flow regime. 

• Water conditions on Forest will be of a quality and quantity to enable them to contribute 

to municipal water supplies, including those using the Madison Aquifer. 

Objective 102. Use a qualitative survey which emphasizes riparian condition, such as the Proper 

Functioning Condition methodology, to refine the preliminary watershed health assessments (FP-FEIS, 

Appendix J) within the next planning period. This survey would focus first on Class III watersheds, and 

could be supplemented with additional qualitative methods (such as MIM – Multiple Indicator 

Monitoring), as needed, for the design of watershed improvements. Class I watersheds do not need to be 

surveyed unless information becomes available which suggests there was an error in classification.

Opportunity – Establishment of Designated Management Areas (DMA) with MIMS 

transects in each allotment will document baseline conditions and compare results 

against desired threshold levels. These monitoring sites will provide additional 

information on current watershed health and help manage livestock use. 

Objective 103. Maintain or improve long-term stream health. Achieve and maintain the 

integrity of aquatic ecosystems to provide stream-channel stability and aquatic habitats for water 

quality in accordance with state standards.

Opportunity – Improved livestock distribution, adherence to utilization standards and 

increased monitoring along with responsive adaptive management would likely improve 

the integrity of aquatic ecosystem and improve stream-channel stability.

Opportunity – Reconstruction of water developments may allow moving existing tanks 

out of the water influence zone. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 2

Objective 104. Maintain or enhance watershed conditions to foster favorable soil relationships 

and water quality.

a. Implement projects to improve watershed conditions on an average of at least 300 acres 

annually over the plan period. 

b. Achieve and maintain stable streambeds and banks, diverse riparian vegetation, and 

effective ground cover that control runoff and erosion.

Opportunity – Maintain riparian plant communities that provide overhanging vegetation and 

effective ground cover to help trap sediment, dissipate energy during peak flows, protect 

soils from erosion processes, maintain stream bank stability, and provide wildlife habitat. 

Objective 105. Prohibit motorized vehicle use in wetlands, wet meadows and riparian areas, 

except at specified locations and times of the year. 

Objective 106. Manage water-use facilities to prevent gully erosion of slopes and to prevent 

sediment and bank damage to streams. 

Opportunity – Reconstruction and construction of water developments to new standards 

will minimize damage to wetland habitat and prevent erosion of slopes and reduce 

potential for sediment movement. 

Objective 107. Restore degraded wetlands except where exemptions are allowed by a Clean 

Water Act Section 404 permit. 

Opportunity – Improve wetland conditions by reducing the impact of livestock through 

changes in their distribution and use and improved monitoring that would determine 

when use is exceeding utilization standards for riparian areas.

Objective 108. Manage for sustained or improved water flows.

Standard 1110. Initiate re-vegetation as soon as possible, not to exceed six months after termination 

of ground-disturbing activities. Revegetate all disturbed soils with native species in seed/plant 

mixtures that are noxious-weed free. On areas needing immediate establishment of vegetation, nonnative, non-aggressive annuals (e.g., wheat, oats, rye), or sterile species, may be used while native 

perennials are becoming established, or when native species are not available (e.g., during drought 

years or years when wildfires burn large acreages in the United States). Other aggressive non-native 

perennials (e.g., smooth brome, timothy) will not be used. Seed will be tested for noxious weeds. If 

mulches are used, they are to be noxious-weed free. Weed-free alfalfa seed may be used only when 

native legume seed is not available and only when there is extensive disturbance associated with 

road construction or mining reclamation where topsoil is no longer available. 

Guideline 1115. When ground disturbing or vegetation management occurs, use vegetative 

buffer strips or barriers to reduce sediment. Determine buffer width between stream and roads or 

trails using the equation in (FP) Appendix J. 

Standard 1201. Conduct actions so that stream pattern, geometry, and habitats are maintained or 

improved toward robust stream health.
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 3

Standard 1207. Manage water-use facilities to prevent gully erosion of slopes and to prevent 

sediment and bank damage to streams. 

Guideline 1208. Design water developments to minimize damage to channel capacity, aquatic 

habitat and riparian vegetation. 

Standard 1210. Maintain enough water in perennial streams to sustain existing health. Return some 

water to dewatered perennial streams when needed. Comply with Section 505 of the FLPMA and 36 

CFR 251.56 when issuing and re-issuing authorizations for water storage and diversion facilities. 

Standard 1301. In the water influence zone next to perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, and 

wetlands, allow only those actions that maintain or improve long-term stream health and riparian 

ecosystem condition (Regional WCP Handbook, Standard 3).

Standard 1302. Maintain long-term ground cover, soil structure, water budgets, and flow 

patterns in wetlands to sustain their ecological function, per 404 regulations (Regional WCP 

Handbook, Standard 6). 

Standard 1304. As opportunities arise, and need dictates, relocate and implement mitigation 

measures for roads, trails, watering tanks, ponds, water catchments, and similar facilities 

currently located within the water influence zone.

Goal 2: Provide for a variety of life through management of biologically diverse ecosystems.

Desired Conditions:

• Hardwood communities will be restored and increased.

• Hardwood stands will vary from uniform heights and ages to a wide range of heights and ages.

• Late-successional landscapes will be maintained.

• Meadows will be conserved and restored through treatment (harvest or fire).

• Habitat for Threatened and Endangered Species will be conserved.

• Habitat necessary for sensitive species will be conserved.

• Coarse woody material will be provided for forest productivity and wildlife species habitat. 

• Cooperate with state wildlife agencies to mutually agree on population objectives through 

habitat and population management.

• Forage, cover and open road densities are key components and addressed at project level.

• Uncommon communities will be conserved to maintain their ecological function.

Objective 201. During the planning period, conserve existing hardwood communities by 10 

percent over 1995 conditions on sites capable of supporting these communities.

Opportunity – Maintain and increase 3,564 acres of hardwood communities by reducing 

grazing pressure in these stands, allowing regeneration and improve growth and vigor.

Objective 205. Manage for 122,000 acres of prairie grassland and 3,600 acres of meadow during 

the life of the Plan. Restored acres will not be considered suitable for timber production.

Opportunity – To maintain and enhance 6,185 acres of grasslands by reducing overutilization in these ecosystems, improving the growth and vigor of native plant 

communities and the wildlife that utilize grassland habitat. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 4

Objective 213. Maintain or enhance existing riparian area biodiversity, physical structure and size.

Opportunity – Reduce the effects of livestock grazing on riparian communities that will 

improve vegetative diversity, increasing the presence of shrub species, and 

maintain/increase the size of riparian areas. 

Opportunity – Utilize livestock to increase productivity and vigor of riparian plant 

communities and decrease the potential for spread of non-native invasive species by 

removing rank vegetation and the build up litter. 

Objective 214. Restore riparian shrub communities across the forest by 500 acres during the 

Plan period on sites capable of supporting this community. 

Opportunity – Restore riparian shrub communities by excluding livestock from key areas 

through fencing and/or changes in livestock use of those areas. 

Objective 215. Manage for at least five stream reaches in a rehabilitated condition during the Plan 

period. Select reaches where the water table has receded and plant species composition has changed as a 

result of human activities. Coordinate planning and implementation with state game and fish agencies 

and downstream private landowners. Use Objective 215 a) through d) in designing the projects.

a. Raise the water table to saturate historically inundated soils.

b. Convert drier-site vegetation to native wet-meadow species.

c. Reintroduce beaver into the drainage once suitable habitat is developed.

d. Design management to maintain wet-meadow conditions.

Opportunity – Improve degraded stream reaches by implementing adaptive management 

options such as establishing riparian pastures or excluding livestock use that will improve 

bank stability, increase water tables and allow the establishment of riparian shrub species. 

Objective 216. Manage to conserve or enhance the integrity of the following important botanical areas: 

h. McIntosh Fen

Objective 217. Maintain habitat for game and fish populations at the state objectives in effect in 1996. 

Objective 218. Conserve or enhance habitat for resident and migratory non-game wildlife. 

Increase habitat capability for species when recommended in project level analysis. 

Objective 219. Maintain or improve in stream fisheries habitat. Cooperate with state agencies in 

aquatic ecosystem improvements to meet mutually agreed-upon objectives.

Opportunity – Improve in-stream fisheries habitat by implementing effective short-term 

and long-term monitoring plans, establishing management triggers that will move 

livestock prior to exceeding utilization standards. 

Objective 220. Conserve or enhance habitat for federally listed threatened, endangered, and 

proposed species. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 5

Objective 221. Conserve or enhance habitat for R2 sensitive species and species of local concern 

(SOLC). Monitoring will be conducted at a Forest-wide level, not at the project level, and will 

be done for habitats or populations.

Opportunity – Utilize livestock to maintain or enhance habitat for grassland dependent 

species such as the grasshopper sparrow. 

Objective 222. Complete the following habitat projects each year during the plan period as 

funding allows: 

Nonstructural Structural

Wildlife Plant 1.000 acres 100 structures

Fish 50 acres 1 mile

Range 600 acres 30 structures

Opportunity – Construction of water developments will reduce livestock trampling in 

springs and seeps. 

Objective 231. Prevent new infestations and manage to reduce established noxious-weed infestations. 

Treat at least 8,000 acres per year during the next ten years to limit noxious weed infestations. 

Objective 238. The following are objectives for management indicator species (MIS). MIS will 

be monitored using trends in habitat; however, when available, population trends may be used as 

a strong indicator of management response. Monitoring will be conducted at a Forest scale and 

not at the project level. Population monitoring will be discretionary as provided by 219.14.f.

a. Maintain or enhance habitat for ruffed grouse, beaver, song sparrow, grasshopper 

sparrow, white-tailed deer and brown creeper; as outlined in specific direction pertaining 

to aspen, other hardwoods, riparian areas, grasslands, spruce and ponderosa pine (e.g., 

Objectives 201, 205, 211, 239-LVD, 5.1-204).

b. Maintain habitat opportunities for black-backed woodpeckers across the Forest, as 

outlined in specific direction pertaining to conifer habitat, snags and recently burned 

habitat (e.g., Objectives 211, 11-03, 5.1-204, Standard 2301).

c. Maintain habitat for golden-crowned kinglets, as outlined in specific direction pertaining 

to spruce habitat (e.g., Objective 239-LVD).

d. Maintain or enhance habitat quality and connectivity for mountain suckers, as outlined in 

specific direction pertaining to aquatic resources (e.g., Objectives 103, 104, 215, 

Standards 1201, 1203, 1205, Guideline 1115). 

The following species should be used as management indicator species (MIS). The indicators or 

their habitats will be monitored to indicate overall changes in the forest ecosystem. MIS will 

generally be monitored using trends in habitat: however, when available, population trends may 

be used as a strong indicator of management response. Population monitoring will be 

discretionary as provided by 35 CFR 219.14f.

• Black-backed woodpecker (Picoides arcticus)

• Brown creeper (Certhia americana)

• Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa)

• Grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 6

• Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus)

• Song sparrow (Melospiza melodia)

• Beaver (Castor canadensis)

• White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

• Mountain Sucker (Castostomus platyrhynchus)

Objective 240-HAB. Manage and/or install structures to provide water for livestock and to 

protect the aquatic, shoreline and upland vegetation around ponds or water catchments 

containing leopard frogs.

Standard 2207. Locate new livestock/wildlife water sites (i.e., drinking structures) outside of 

hardwood communities.

Standard 3101. To protect endangered and threatened species. 

Standard 3103. Manage known sensitive species and species of local concern snail colonies to: 

a. Retain overstory sufficient to maintain moisture regimes, ground level temperatures and humidity.

b. Retain ground litter, especially deciduous litter.

c. Avoid burning, heavy grazing, off-highway vehicles (OHVs), heavy equipment and other 

activities that may compact soils or alter vegetation composition and ground cover.

d. If prescribed burning is unavoidable, burn when snails are hibernating, usually below 50 

degrees Fahrenheit, and use fast-moving fires to minimize effects to snails.

e. Control invasive weeds, but use herbicides when snails are not on the surface, and treat 

individual plants rather than broadcast application.

Standard 3104. Do not develop springs or seeps as water facilities where sensitive species or 

species of local concern exist unless development mitigates an existing risk.

Guideline 3105. Consider habitat needs (survey as appropriate) of regal fritillary and Atlantis 

fritillary butterflies prior to prescribed burning on prairies or meadows. This is especially 

important for prescribed burns scheduled from September through April. Design the project to 

conserved important habitat components of known sightings.

Standard 3106. Riparian areas or wetlands where populations of sensitive species are located are to be 

avoided during ground disturbing activities. Use one or more of the following (or other mitigation 

measures) tied to the site-specific conditions for disturbances adjacent to known occurrences:

a. Avoid removing riparian or wetland vegetation; filling or dredging the riparian area or 

wetland; diverting stream flow from the current channel.

b. Prevent storm runoff from washing silt into the stream or wetland.

c. Reseed and/or replant cut and fill slopes with native seed and/or native plants promptly to 

control erosion and for prevention of noxious-weed infestations. Use appropriate 

measures to control erosion on disturbed areas that are steep, are highly erosive, and/or 

adjacent to the riparian area.

d. Timing, placement, and installation of temporary stream diversions shall allow passage of 

aquatic life and protect sensitive and species of local concern.
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 7

Standard 3111. From April 1 through August 15, minimize additional human-caused noise and 

disruption beyond that occurring at the time of nest initiation (e.g., road traffic, timber harvests, 

construction activities) within one-half mile of all active goshawk nests up until the nest has 

failed or fledglings have dispersed. 

Standard 3115. A sensitive species located after contract or permit formation will be appropriately 

managed by active coordination between permittee, contractor or purchaser, Forest Service line 

officer, project administrator, and biologist. Viable solutions need to be based on the circumstances 

surrounding each new discovery and must consider the individual sensitive species needing protection, 

contractual obligations and costs, and mitigation measures available at the time of discovery.

Standard 3125. Prescribe burn no more that 60 percent of any contiguous grassland area at a 

time and burn in early spring or fall. 

Guideline 3202. Structures, such as fences and roads will be designed and built so that they do 

not create unnecessary or unreasonable barriers or hazards for wildlife and people.

Standard 3204. Protect known raptor nests. Consider potential effects of disturbance, nesting 

phenology, human activities existing at onset of nest initiation, species, topography, other R2 sensitive 

species and plant species of local concern, forest cover, nest protection standards and recommendations 

used by state or federal agencies, and other appropriate factors when designing protection. 

Guideline 3210. Provide riparian habitat by maintaining or establishing shrub and tree species, 

and protect riparian habitat from animal damage if needed.

Guideline 3211. Provide riparian habitat diversity through vegetation treatments or in 

conjunction with other resource activities designed to maintain or improve wildlife or fisheries 

habitat and stream stability. 

Guideline 3212. Manage for high quality riparian communities.

a. Provide for stable stream banks.

b. Retain woody vegetation along streams and lakes to provide shading for aquatic life and 

habitat for terrestrial species.

c. Provide large woody material for aquatic life. 

Standard 3216. Where livestock management conflicts with bighorn sheep lambing areas, 

preference shall be give to bighorn sheep from April 1 through June 15. 

Standard 4103. Utilize prescribed fire though planned and natural ignitions to achieve management 

objectives for each management area (As shown in Table 1, and in the Black Hills National Forest’s 

Land and Resource Management Plan (BHNF LRMP) on pages II-42 through II-44). 

Guideline 4105. When feasible and appropriate use broadcast burning to dispose of slash in 

order to return the inorganic chemicals in the foliage and small woody material to the soil, to 

reduce fire hazard, and to provide a seed beds for natural regeneration. GUIDELINE (Amended 

Regional Guide Silviculture Guideline) 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 8

Guideline 4106. Promote revegetation of prescribed burned areas.

a. Following broadcast burning, seed to initiate revegetation if ground cover is 60 percent or 

less and slopes are 30 percent or more.

Guideline 4107. Defer prescribed burned areas from livestock grazing for a portion or all of the 

following growing season to ensure re-growth of forage species. 

Standard 3.1-1001. Protect the unique biological, geological, historical, paleontological, or additional 

botanical values that may continue to be discovered, along with the botanical values for which the 

botanical area was designated. No new mineral material permits will be issued for this area. 

Goal 4.1-201. Emphasize wood-fiber production, wildlife habitat, and visual quality.

Goal 5.4-204. Improve forage on range areas. 

Guideline 5.4-4101. Utilize appropriate fuel treatment practices, including prescribed fire, to 

achieve resource management objectives. 

Guideline 5.4-4102. Emphasize the use of prescribed fire as a tool to increase the density, vigor and 

nutritional value of important forage plants for improved health of wintering big game animals.

Objective 5.4A-204. Enhance shrub productivity.

Objective 5.4A-205. Retain or restore acres of aspen and birch within Norbeck. 

Objective 5.4A-206. Retain or restore acres of oak and white spruce within Norbeck.

Objective 5.4A- 209. Emphasis on species commonly hunted, fished, or trapped will follow 

species priorities established by the State of South Dakota. Maintain habitat needed to support 

population goals agreed upon in consultation with the State.

Goal 3: Provide for sustained commodity uses in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Desired Conditions:

• Emphasize long-term sustainable production of commodities for economies, communities 

and people in an environmentally acceptable manner.

• Timber harvest and livestock grazing will occur without impairing the health of 

ecosystems and in a manner compatible with other Forest uses...acres of land suitable 

and available for livestock grazing in Appendix I (USDA Forest Service 2005a).

Objective 301. Produce on a sustained basis and make available up to 233 million pounds of 

forage for livestock and wildlife use each year (weather permitting). The location and amount of 

forage produced under the forest canopy will vary with the density of the overstory. This may 

necessitate changes in where and how both livestock and wildlife grazing takes place on a local 

basis over the rotation of a stand of timber. 

a. Livestock use will be up to 127 million pounds of forage per year or approximately 

128,000 AUMs.
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 9

b. Wildlife use will be up to 106 million pounds of forage per year or approximate population 

levels of 70,000 deer and 4,500 elk or other combinations that use the same amount of forage. 

Opportunity – Through effective use of livestock, there is a potential to increase 

sustainable high quality forage during the year that will support livestock and wildlife 

use by improving long-term rangeland condition and trend.

Objective 302. Maintain rangelands in satisfactory range condition.

a. Management of rangelands determined to be neither meeting nor moving toward 

satisfactory rangeland condition in an acceptable timeframe, shall cause actions designed to 

move toward satisfactory rangeland condition within a stated timeframe to be implemented.

b. In the absence of a site-specific planning process and an Allotment Management Plan, 

management direction for ongoing rangeland management activities on active allotments 

needed to address rangeland conditions and trends and species viability will be 

incorporated into the grazing permits through the AOI.

Opportunity – Utilize prescribed broadcast burning to increase growth and vigor of 

grassland communities. 

Opportunity – Implementation of residual guidelines for riparian areas and upland 

habitat, establishing monitoring plans and ability to adjust livestock use will move 

toward desired rangeland conditions.

Guideline 2502. Convert season-long grazing systems to systems which require more intensive 

management, such as multiple-pasture deferred or rest rotation systems, as opportunities permit.

Guideline 2503. Developed recreation sites will be closed or restricted to grazing through use of 

fencing, as opportunities permit. However, grazing may be used as a management tool in these 

areas. Recreational livestock will normally be fed in designated areas.

Guideline 2504. The site-specific rangeland analysis necessary for preparation of allotment 

management plans shall document selected desired conditions and evaluate whether the 

designated area is at, moving towards, or moving away from the desired conditions.

a. Satisfactory range conditions occur when the existing conditions are at, or progressing 

toward the desired conditions identified through the project planning process.

b. When trends toward satisfactory range conditions are not achieved within 5 years by 

changes in grazing systems, allowable use or residual guidelines, more restrictive use or 

residual guidelines, changes to the grazing system shall be adopted, or livestock use be 

removed or relocated for a period of time. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 10

Standard 2505. Livestock and wild herbivore allowable forage use or residual levels on 

rangelands by grazing system and range condition are as follows:

Proper Allowable Use Guidelines

(Percent Utilization by Weight Each Year)

Season of Use Satisfactory Condition Unsatisfactory Condition

Continuous Use: Spring/Summer 0-45% 0-40%

Continuous Use: Fall/Winter 55-60% 0-55%

Deferred Rotation 0-50% 0-45%

Rest Rotation 0-55% 0-55%

Residual Levels for Wetland and Riparian Areas: Residual levels (or remaining height of key plant 

species) will be prescribed for riparian areas in the allotment management plan (AMP) or the annual 

letter of operating instructions (AOI) to the livestock permittee. Residual levels will be based upon 

specific objectives for the location in question and will consider season of use and range conditions. 

Allowable use and/or residual levels:

c. Utilization of willows, shrubs, woody vines or young deciduous trees (such as aspen, 

birch and oak) in any year by livestock or wildlife is limited to browsing 40 percent of 

the total individual leaders produced in that year (not to be confused with 40 percent use 

on each and every leader produced).

d. Remove livestock from the grazing unit or allotment when further utilization of key areas 

in that year will exceed proper allowable use or prescribed residual level in the Forest 

Plan, AMP, or AOI for either grass and forbs or shrubs.

e. No authorize utilization will be allowed by domestic livestock on known occurrences of 

willow emphasis species (e.g., Salix candida, Salix serissima, Salix lucida).

f. Implement additional measures to assure avoidance of livestock use on Carex alopecoidea. 

Restrict livestock use of all portions of 5 of the largest geographically spaced occurrences 

at site number: (CAAL8-19, CAAL8-20, CAAL8-22, CAAL8-30, CAAL8-31). 

Standard 2506. Develop site-specific vegetation utilization or residual guidelines during rangeland 

planning, and document them in allotment management plans (AMPS). In the absence of updated 

planning, the utilization guidelines as shown or residual guidelines documented in the AOI will apply.

Standard 2507. Allow use of forage by livestock and wildlife in fenced riparian pastures also 

long as it meets the objectives of maintain, enhancing, or conserving the riparian ecosystem and 

emphasis species persistence. 

Standard 3.1-2501. Allow livestock grazing if it does not conflict with the values for which the 

botanical areas was designated. 

Guideline 3.1-2502. Allow new improvements only when they are necessary to maintain, 

restore, or enhance the values for which the botanical areas was designated.

Standard 3.1-2503. Restrict access of domestic livestock to protect the R2 sensitive and species 

of local concern plant occurrences in designated botanical areas. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 11

Guideline 4.1-2501. Prepare livestock management strategies in the allotment management plan 

that will be compatible with recreation objectives.

Guideline 4.1-2502. Locate or design structural improvements to meet Scenery Integrity Objectives.

Guideline 4.2b-2501. Livestock management strategies win allotment management plans should 

meet the recreational objectives for the management area. 

Standard 5.4-2501. Design livestock management strategies including distribution and stocking 

rates to be compatible with big-game habitat objectives.

Guideline 5.4-2502. Feature big game use of forage increases that result from the vegetative 

improvements, while also allowing for livestock increases. Follow forest-wide proper allowable 

use guidelines or residual levels documented in AMP’s or AOIs for combined use by wildlife 

and livestock. 

Standard 5.4A-2501. Existing livestock grazing may continue: permits may be reissued to 

existing or new permittees. Do not permit any increase in livestock numbers (animal months). 

Guideline 5.4A-2502. Take advantage of opportunities to transfer forage use from livestock to wildlife.

Guideline 5.4A-2503. Prevent habitat degradation adjacent to water sources (See FP-Appendix E). 

Guideline 5.4A-2505. Livestock grazing may be used intermittently as a management tool (even 

in areas designated unsuitable for livestock grazing) to improve habitat conditions (e.g., to 

control noxious weeds). 

Guideline 8.2-2501. Livestock management strategies in allotment management plans should 

meet the recreational objectives for the management area.

Goal 7: Emphasize cooperation with individuals, organizations, and other agencies while 

coordinating planning and project implementation.

Desired Conditions:

• Closely coordinate with other government entities, partners and stake holders that include 

open sharing of information, identification of shared needs, local involvement and 

commitment to action during planning and project implementation. 

• Forest leaders and mangers will be knowledgeable and sensitive to American Indian cultural 

issues and provide leadership in consulting and collaboration during the decision process. 

• Protect land and resources necessary to American Indian beliefs and identity.

• Consult with tribal governments, political leaders, traditional practitioners, spiritual 

leaders and other knowledgeable American Indian people to protect, preserve and use 

culturally important locations and resources. 
Appendix E Mystic Range Project Management Direction and Opportunities E - 12

Objective 701. Continue to cooperate with interested parties and organizations in the 

development of plans and projects.

Opportunity – engaging interested individuals and groups has potential to generate a 

broad base of support and/or a well informed public regarding project plan/design and 

project actions proposed and taken. 

Objective 702. Encourage cost sharing as part of cooperative efforts.

Opportunity – Utilize partnership agreements (e.g., Memorandum of Understanding)

that share the costs of important structural improvements to protect unique plant and 

wildlife communities

Objective 704. Consult with tribal governments, traditional practitioners, and other 

knowledgeable individuals to identify important areas of American Indian religious significance. 

Opportunity – Utilization of ongoing BHNF consultation process provides mutually 

beneficial information exchange, cooperative and open relations, and maintains trust and 

credibility between the agency and tribal representatives. 

Guideline 6101. Consider long-term Forest management needs in determining appropriate use of 

mitigation of effects to, or avoidance of, heritage resources during project planning.

Goal 9: Provide high-quality customer service.

Desired Conditions:

• Strive to meet the highest standards of customer service by providing reasonable choices, 

flexibility, simple rules and less red tape.

Objective 901. Provide customers the kind and quality of services they reasonably want.

Opportunity – Establishing clear and measurable objectives that move toward meeting 

desired conditions for livestock use on these allotments will provide flexibility and 

reasonable choices for livestock and resource managers. 

Objective 903. Respond to information needs of the public.