Fortification Creek Planning Area

Final Resource Management Plan 

Amendment/Decision Record

August 2011

BLM

Wyoming High Plains District Office  Buffalo Field Office
BLM/WY/PL-11/048+1610

WY-070-EA08-135

The BLM’s multiple-use mission is to sustain the health and productivity of the 

public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. The 

Bureau accomplishes this by managing such activities as outdoor recreation, 

livestock grazing, mineral development, and energy production, and by conserving 

natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on public lands.
Fortification Creek Planning Area Resource Management Plan 

Amendment 

Buffalo Field Office, Wyoming 

Bureau of Land Management 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

WY-070-EA08-135 

August 2011 
Fortification Creek Planning Area 

Resource Management Plan Amendment 

Action Location: 

Fortification Creek Planning Area 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties, Wyoming 

Lead Agency: 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management 

Buffalo Field Office 

1425 Fort Street 

Buffalo, Wyoming 82834 

Responsible Official: 

Donald A. Simpson 

State Director 

Bureau of Land Management 

Wyoming State Office 

5353 Yellowstone 

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009 

Contact: 

Thomas Bills 

Project Manager 

Bureau of Land Management 

Buffalo Field Office 

1425 Fort Street 

Buffalo, Wyoming 82834 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Table of Contents 

1.0 Introduction....................................................................................................................... 1-3
 

1.1 Planning Criteria .......................................................................................................... 1-6
 

1.2 Monitoring ................................................................................................................... 1-7
 

1.3 Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs................................................... 1-7
 

1.3.1. Related Plans........................................................................................................ 1-7
 

2.0 Performance Based Management ..................................................................................... 2-1
 

2.1 RMPA Management Actions ....................................................................................... 2-1
 

3.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 3-1
 

List of Figures 

Figure 1-1 General Location Map............................................................................................ 1-4
 

Figure 1-2 Fortification Creek Planning Area ......................................................................... 1-5
 

Figure 2-1 Phased Development .............................................................................................. 2-2
 

List of Appendices 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area Reclamation Monitoring and Reporting Guide 

Appendix B Fortification Creek Resource Management Plan Amendment Performance-Based 

Standards: Goal, Objectives, Indicators, and Recommendations 

Appendix C Fortification Creek Lease Stipulations 

Appendix D Best Management Practices for Fluid Mineral Development in the Fortification 

Creek Planning Area 

i 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Acronyms 

ACEC Area of Critical Environmental Concern 

AEM adaptive environmental management 

APD Application for Permit to Drill 

BFO Buffalo Field Office 

BLM Bureau of Land Management 

BMP Best Management Practice 

BRA Buffalo Resource Area 

CBNG coal bed natural gas 

CFR Code of Federal Regulations 

dBA decibel 

EIS Environmental Impact Statement 

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act 

FCPA Fortification Creek Planning Area 

FEIS Final Environmental Impact Statement 

LWC Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 

NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System 

O&G Oil and Gas 

PRB Powder River Basin 

POD Plan of Development 

PRB O&G FEIS Powder River Basin Oil and Gas Final Environmental Impact Statement 

RMP Resource Management Plan 

RMPA Resource Management Plan Amendment 

ROD Record of Decision 

ROW right-of-way 

SRP Special Recreation Permit 

TL timing limitation 

USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

UWYO University of Wyoming 

VRM Visual Resource Management 

WDEQ Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 

WGFD Wyoming Game and Fish Department 

WHMA Wildlife Habitat Management Area 

WSA Wilderness Study Area 

WSEO Wyoming State Engineer's Office 

ii 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

1.0 Introduction 

This Resource Management Plan Amendment (RMPA) presents management actions that the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has approved for managing minerals within the 

Fortification Creek Planning Area (FCPA). 

The FCPA is located within the Powder River Basin (PRB) in Northeastern Wyoming. The 

location of the FCPA is shown on Figure 1-1. As shown on Figure 1-2, the FCPA is generally 

bounded on the northeast by Wild Horse Creek, on the west by the Powder River, and on the 

south by Fortification and Montgomery roads. 

Total acreage within the boundaries of the FCPA is 100,655 acres. The plan addresses the 

management of 79,362 acres of Federal mineral estate managed by the BLM within Sheridan, 

Johnson, and Campbell counties. Total Federal mineral estate in the FCPA is 93,159 acres; 

however, because the Wilderness Study Area (WSA) will not be developed, Federal mineral 

estate in the WSA was not included. Federal coal mineral estate was not included in the analysis. 

There are approximately 42,755 acres of BLM surface land, 52,576 acres of private surface land, 

and 5,324 acres of State of Wyoming surface and subsurface land in the area. 

A wilderness inventory was completed in 1979 and those Lands with Wilderness Characteristics 

(LWCs) became a WSA. A coalition of conservation groups proposed to expand the boundaries 

of the Fortification Creek WSA in 1994 and 2004. These proposed lands have been inventoried 

for LWCs as part of the Fortification Creek Resource Management Plan (RMP) amendment 

process. The inventory is available at 

http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/info/NEPA/documents/bfo/fortification_creek.html. The inventory 

determined that the FCPA outside of the WSA does not contain LWCs. 

Oil and gas leasing in the PRB has been ongoing since before the Buffalo RMP was revised in 

1985; currently the FCPA is nearly completely leased. The BLM has received several plans of 

development for existing oil and gas leases; therefore, development of these leases is anticipated. 

With generally rugged topography, elevations in the FCPA range from approximately 3,700 feet 

along the Powder River on the western boundary to approximately 4,800 feet on ridges. The area 

is covered by shrublands, with ridges supporting juniper woodlands. This diverse landscape is 

home to an isolated elk herd as well as a variety of other wildlife. 

The FCPA is used as a hunting area for resident and non-resident hunters. Effects of human 

activity are visible throughout the landscape with gas field developments on the south and east, 

and private ranches surrounding the FCPA. 

The RMPA was developed with the cooperation and input of several State agencies, the three 

affected counties, and other interested parties. BLM also coordinated with the U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Native American tribes. 

The purpose of this RMPA is to consider the management of coal bed natural gas (CBNG) 

development within the FCPA. While virtually all of the Federal CBNG reserves have been 

leased, new information regarding wildlife, notably elk, led BLM to consider modifying certain 

operational standards for CBNG development. The current land use plan was prepared in 1985 

and amended in 2001. In 2003, BLM prepared another RMPA/Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS) for the entire PRB, which includes the FCPA (BLM 2003a). 

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L:\Buffalo\Fort_Creek_BLM\Maps\MXD\Report_Figures\General_Location.mxd 01/18/2010 

Source:
 

Wilderness Boundaries - Bureau of land Management 2009
 Figure 1-1 Basemap - ESRI 2009 

General Location Map 

Rock Springs 

Powder River Powder River

Basin Basin Bureau of Land Mangement Bureau of Land Mangement

Buffalo Field Office Buffalo Field Office

Fortification Creek Fortification Creek

Planning Area Planning Area

80

25

90

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Wyoming Wyoming

Utah Utah

Montana Montana

Idaho Idaho

Colorado Colorado

Nebraska Nebraska

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Dakota Dakota

Park

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Albany

ater 

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Gos en h

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Laramie 

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Sheridan 

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Miles 

Fortification Creek Planning Area 
a

 

 

L:\Buffalo\Fort_Creek_BLM\Maps\MXD\Report_Figures\Fortification_Creek_Planning_Area.mxd 8/5/2011 

Source:
 

Mineral Estate/Boundaries - Bureau of land Management 2009
 Figure 1-2
 Topography - United States Geological Survey 2005
 

Hydrography - National Hydrography Dataset 2003
 Fortification Creek Planning Area 

Powder River 

Wild Horse Creek 

Fortification Creek 

Bull Creek 

Deer Creek 

Little Bull Creek 

Sheridan County Sheridan County

Campbell County Campbell County 

Johnson County Johnson County

Campbell County Campbell County 

Johnson County Johnson County 

Sheridan County Sheridan County 

Middle Prong Ro 

Lower Powder River Road 

Fortification Road 

Montgomery Road 

Wild Horse Road 

Maycock Road 

Arvada Stream/River 

401325 407325 413325 419325 425325 431325 437325 

401325 407325 413325 419325 425325 431325 437325 

4898805 4904805 4910805 4916805 4922805 4928805 4934805 4940805 

4904805 4910805 4916805 4922805 4928805 4934805 4940805

106�W 

106�W 

44�15’N 44�30’N

44�15’N 44�30’N 

Road Land Ownership 

Fortification Creek 

Planning Area 

Elk Crucial Range 

Yearlong Elk Range FCA 

Wilderness Study Area 

Bureau of Land Management 

Private 

State 

0 1 2 3 4 

Miles 

Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties, Wyoming 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

This RMPA/EIS did not specifically address the following issues: 

 Protection of the isolated elk herd found in the FCPA; 

 Continuation of the prohibition against overhead power lines within the FCPA; 

 Designation of portions of the FCPA as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC); 

and 

 Lands with Wilderness Characteristics and Wild Lands (Secretarial Order 3310). 

In cooperation with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department (WGFD) and the University of 

Wyoming (UWYO), BLM has been monitoring elk populations and movement within the FCPA. 

This ongoing study and analysis has confirmed that the elk are particularly susceptible to mineral 

development. Because BLM has leased fluid minerals in the FCPA, but has not generally 

allowed development, the agency decided to reevaluate its management controls to balance 

additional impacts to the elk and other resources. 

1.1 Planning Criteria 

Planning criteria are the constraints or ground rules that were developed to guide and direct the 

planning revision of the FCPA RMPA. Planning criteria are based on laws and regulations; 

guidance provided by the BLM Wyoming State Director; results of consultation and coordination 

with the public, other agencies, and governmental entities, and Native American tribes; analysis 

of information pertinent to the FCPA; public input; and professional judgment. Planning criteria 

for the RMPA included the following: 

 The RMPA will comply with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and 

all other applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The land use plan amendment process 

will be governed by the planning regulations in 43 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1610 

and the BLM Land Use Planning Handbook H-1601-1. 

 The proposed action and alternatives will be analyzed in accordance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 

 Lands affected by the RMPA will be public lands and mineral estate managed by BLM. No 

decisions will be made relative to non-BLM administered lands or non-Federal minerals. 

 Broad-based public participation will be an integral part of the planning process. 

 The RMPA will recognize all valid existing rights. 

 The planning team will work cooperatively and collaboratively with cooperating agencies 

and all other interested groups, agencies, and individuals. The RMPA will be consistent with 

existing non-Federal plans and policies, provided the decisions in the existing plans are 

consistent with the purposes, policies, and programs of Federal law, and regulations 

applicable to public lands. 

 The WSA will continue to be managed under the Interim Management Policy for Lands 

under Wilderness Review until Congress either designates all or portions of the WSA as 

wilderness or releases the lands from further wilderness consideration. 

 The wilderness inventory was updated and no LWCs outside the WSA are present. 

 The planning process involved American Indian tribal governments. 

1-6
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

 The RMPA shall include adaptive environmental management (AEM) principles and 

protocols to deal with unknown future issues and outcomes. 

1.2 Monitoring 

Consistent with BLM Land Use Planning Handbook H-1601-1, BLM will monitor plan 

implementation and effectiveness, and will report annually, or as BLM determines is appropriate, 

on: 

 The management actions undertaken; 

 The management actions remaining to be undertaken; and 

 The effectiveness of those actions toward meeting goals and objectives. 

Monitoring strategies have been developed that identify indicators of change, acceptable 

thresholds, methodologies, protocols, and timeframes that will be used to evaluate and determine 

whether desired outcomes are being achieved. The BLM, with assistance from the State of 

Wyoming, will review and evaluate all monitoring data. The public will be invited to observe at 

least one monitoring team meeting annually. The reclamation monitoring plans has been 

included as Appendix A. The elk protection and reclamation performance standards (acceptable 

thresholds) are identified in Appendix B. 

The RMPA will be evaluated at least every five years as documented in an evaluation schedule. 

Special or unscheduled evaluations may also be required to review unexpected management 

actions or significant changes that have the potential to trigger an amendment or revision. 

1.3 Relationship to BLM Policies, Plans, and Programs 

BLM has three principal levels of land use planning decisions: (1) the RMP or RMPA level; 

(2) the activity level; and (3) the site-specific level. This RMPA focused on establishing resource 

objectives and direction while providing some activity-level guidance and site-specific decisions. 

It builds on the history of natural resource management planning in the vicinity of the FCPA. 

1.3.1. Related Plans 

The 1985 Buffalo Resource Area (BRA) RMP (BLM 1985) was amended in 2001 with the BFO 

RMP (BLM 2001). Management direction for land and mineral resources administered by the 

BFO are described in these two documents. Along with the two RMPs for the BFO, there are 

additional oil and gas and wildlife plans including the 2003 PRB Oil and Gas (O&G) Final 

Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (PRB O&G FEIS; BLM 2003a). The BRA Resource 

Area Oil and Gas Surface Protection Plan for the Fortification Creek Area (BLM 1982) provides 

guidance for oil and gas exploration and development within the FCPA. 

1-7
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

2.0 Performance Based Management 

The RMPA incorporates a performance-based approach containing standards for reclamation and 

the protection of elk (Appendix B) for industry to achieve with their development plans. 

Operators will supply comprehensive annual development plans detailing which areas are to be 

developed each year and explaining how the performance standards will be achieved. Operator 

performance will be closely monitored by the BLM. BLM may authorize additional drilling if 

BLM determines that the performance standards have been met or less drilling if performance 

standards are not met. The citizen proposed ACEC and a Wildlife Habitat Management Area 

(WHMA) will not be established as the performance standards will ensure the important and 

relevant resource values are conserved. 

The pace of CBNG development will be based on the performance standards and the geographic 

phases, following an orderly “bolt-on” approach. Operators will confine their development 

operations to a small geographic area annually, approximately one-third of a phase area. This 

approach provides the opportunity to concurrently allow a small development area within 

another geographic phase while still providing the elk with sufficient area free of construction 

and drilling disturbance. All development is dependent upon meeting the performance standards. 

With the “bolt-on” approach, new infrastructure will expand from, and tie into existing 

infrastructure. CBNG development will be expected to generally follow the three geographic 

phases as shown in Figure 2-1. Development will start in the eastern third of the Southeast phase 

and annually progress clockwise. 

Existing stipulations for steep slopes, fragile watersheds, and elk crucial habitat will remain 

(Appendix C). Exceptions could be granted if the operator proposed an acceptable plan 

explaining how the performance standards will be achieved. Eighty percent of the elk security 

habitat will be retained within each geographic phase. Overhead power lines will be allowed on 

BLM surface land within road corridors. 

2.1 RMPA Management Actions 

Air Quality and Climate 

1.	 Any BLM-initiated actions or authorizations that result in air quality or visibility 

deterioration will be conditioned to avoid violating Wyoming and national air quality 

standards.
 

2.	 Dust control measures will be required to increase visibility and reduce particulate impacts 

for all construction and other surface-disturbing activities.
 

3.	 During construction, emissions of particulate matter from well pad and resource road 

construction will be minimized by application of water, or other dust suppressants, with at 

least 50 percent control efficiency. Roads and well locations constructed on soils susceptible 

to wind erosion could be appropriately surfaced or otherwise stabilized to reduce the amount 

of fugitive dust generated by traffic or other activities, and dust inhibitors (surfacing 

materials, non-saline dust suppressants, and water) could be used as necessary on unpaved 

collector, local and resource roads that present a fugitive dust problem. The use of chemical 

dust suppressants on BLM surface will require prior approval from the BLM-authorized 

officer (PRB O&G Record of Decision [ROD], p. A-39; BLM 2003b). 

2-1
 
 

 

L:\Buffalo\Fort_Creek_BLM\Maps\MXD\Report_Figures\Phased_Development_2_1.mxd 8/4/2011 

106�W 406484 412484 418484 424484 430484 436484
 

Sheridan County Sheridan County

Campbell County Campbell County 

Johnson County Johnson County

Campbell County Campbell County 

Johnson County Johnson County 

Sheridan County Sheridan County 

Lower Powder River Road 

Fortification Road 

Mt Rd 

Maycock Road 

4904359 

49103594910359 

49163594916359 

49223594922359 

49283594928359 

49343594934359 

49403594940359 

44�30’N

44�30’N 

Stream/River 

Road 

Fortification Creek 

Planning Area 

Elk Crucial Range 

Yearlong Elk Range FCA 

Wilderness Study Area 

Phase 

North 

Southeast 

Southwest 

0 1 2 3 4 

Miles 

406484 412484 418484 424484 430484 436484
 

106�W 

Source:
 

Topography - United States Geological Survey 2005
 Figure 2-1 Hydrography - National Hydrography Dataset 2003
 

Phased Development 

Campbell, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties, Wyoming 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Soil Resources 

1.	 Management actions on BLM lands will be consistent with achieving or maintaining the 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management for 

Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the State of Wyoming 

(BLM 1997). 

2.	 BLM will use soil survey interpretations to predict soil behavior, limitation, or suitability for 

a given activity or action. 

3.	 Prior to authorizing any surface-disturbing activity, BLM will evaluate the activity and, if 

necessary, apply mitigation measures, relocate the activity to a more suitable soil type, or 

deny the authorization. 

4.	 Authorized surface-disturbing activities will be subject to an onsite evaluation to develop 

mitigation (if necessary), apply best management practices (BMPs) (Appendix D), and plan 

for reclamation. Site-specific measures will be developed for soils susceptible to erosion 

(water and wind), soils with high sodium and salt content, soils with sparse vegetation, areas 

with low effective precipitation, droughty soils, and/or shallow soils. 

5.	 Areas where the erosion potential cannot be effectively controlled or mitigated for, and 

reclamation treatments to BLM standards likely to be unsuccessful will be avoided.
 

6.	 Operators will submit a disturbance and reclamation plan with their APDs when specified by 

BLM. With an acceptable disturbance and reclamation plan, surface disturbing activities 

may be authorized on slopes greater than 25 percent and on soils with a severe erosion 

hazard where reclamation goals are achievable. The operator will propose an acceptable 

disturbance and reclamation plan, which will take into account the performance-based 

standards for soil reclamation (Appendix B). The operator will be required to meet these 

performance-based standards for soil reclamation. 

Water Resources 

1.	 The rights to water-related projects on public lands will be filed with the Wyoming State 

Engineer's Office (WSEO) in order to obtain valid water rights. 

2.	 A Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) permit is necessary for water 

discharge. 

3.	 Locate discharge points in areas that will minimize erosion and impacts to the receiving 

channel, existing improvements, and downstream users (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 

2003b). 

4.	 Locate discharge points in stable, low gradient drainage systems and below active headcuts, 

when possible. If discharge is located above a headcut, mitigation measures will be required 

by the BLM Authorized Officer on a site-specific basis. Some mitigation measures will 

require engineering design (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

5.	 All discharge points will require energy dissipation measures (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; 

BLM 2003b). 

6.	 Discharge points, regardless of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 

status or previous use, may not be authorized by BLM. Sites may be moved or otherwise 

mitigated by the BLM Authorized Officer during onsite inspections where environmental 

issues exist (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

2-3
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

7.	 Cumulative produced water discharge must not exceed the naturally occurring 2-year peak 

flow of the receiving channel (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

8.	 Discharge points will not be located in playas or enclosed basins unless it can be 

demonstrated that they will not result in adverse impacts. Discharges into valley bottoms 

with no defined low-flow channel will generally not be allowed, but will be reviewed on a 

site-specific basis (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

9.	 Channel crossings (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b): 

 Minimize channel disturbance as much as possible by limiting pipeline and road 

crossings. 

 Avoid running pipelines and access roads within floodplains or parallel to a stream 

channel. 

 Channel crossings by roads and pipelines will be constructed perpendicular to flow. 

Culverts will be installed at appropriate locations for streams and channels crossed by 

roads as specified in the BLM Manual 9112 - Bridges and Major Culverts and Manual 

9113 - Roads. Streams will be crossed perpendicular to flow, where possible. All stream 

crossing structures will be designed to carry a 25-year discharge event or other capacities 

as directed by BLM. 

	 Channel crossings by pipelines will be constructed so that the pipe is buried at least 4 feet 

below the channel bottom. 

10. Low-water crossings will be constructed at original streambed elevation in a manner that 

will prevent any blockage or restriction of the existing channel. Material removed will be 

stockpiled for use in reclamation of the crossings (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

11. Concerns regarding the quality of discharged CBNG water on downstream irrigation use 

may require operators to increase the amount of storage of CBNG water during the irrigation 

months and allow more surface discharge during the non-irrigation months (PRB O&G 

ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

12. The operator will be required to provide a reclamation bond for impoundments over Federal 

minerals in the amount specified by a qualified Professional Engineer for the impoundments 

to be used for the management of CBNG water. The bond amount will be submitted within 

90 days after Plan of Development (POD) approval and will be approved by BLM prior to 

commencing construction (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

13. The operator will supply a copy of the complete approved SW-4, SW-3, or SW-CBNG 

permits to BLM as they are issued by WSEO for impoundments (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-30; 

BLM 2003b). 

14. The operator will supply a copy of the complete approved Chapter 3 permit to construct 

associated with treatment facilities to BLM as they are issued by WDEQ (PRB O&G ROD, 

p. A-30; BLM 2003b). 

15. When water discharge is authorized by the State of Wyoming, location of water 

management facilities shall meet performance-based objectives (See: Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

16. Authorize activities associated with the surface discharge of produced water when permitted 

by the State of Wyoming. 

2-4
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

17. Operators will provide summer water sources for livestock and wildlife if current sources 

(permitted through the WSEO) become unavailable and that loss is directly attributable to 

development of CBNG. Water will be provided until those lost sources are again available 

and/or other permanent sources are developed. 

Vegetation Resources 

1.	 Management actions affecting vegetation will be designed to meet overall resource 

management objectives and will be consistent with the policy to protect or improve 

biodiversity and water quality. 

2.	 Livestock stocking rates will not be increased. 

Noxious Weeds 

1.	 In cooperation with county weed and pest districts, cooperative integrated weed control 

programs are being implemented on public land in conjunction with control work on 

adjoining deeded and State lands. 

2.	 Weed educational material will be reviewed during pre-construction onsite meetings with 

operators, subcontractors, and landowners and will be attached to approved Applications for 

Permit to Drill (APDs) and PODs (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-32; BLM 2003b). 

3.	 Moist soils near wetlands, streams, lakes, or springs in the project area will be promptly 

revegetated if construction activities impact the vegetation in these areas. Revegetation will 

be designed to avoid the establishment of noxious weeds. 

4.	 Operators in areas with identified weed infestations or suitable Ute ladies’- tresses orchid 

habitat will be required to submit an integrated pest management plan prior to APD 

approval. Mitigation will be determined on a site-specific basis and may include measures 

such as spraying herbicides prior to entering areas and washing vehicles before leaving 

infested areas. Infestation areas of noxious weeds have been identified through the county 

weed and pest districts and are available at the Buffalo BLM office. 

5.	 The operator will be responsible for prevention and control of noxious weeds and weeds of 

concern on all areas of surface disturbance associated with the project (well locations, roads, 

water management facilities, etc.). Use of pesticides will comply with applicable Federal 

and State laws. Pesticides will be used only in accordance with their registered uses and 

within limitations imposed by the Secretary of the Interior. Prior to the use of pesticides on 

public land, the holder will obtain from the BLM Authorized Officer written approval of a 

plan showing the type and quantity of material to be used, pest(s) to be controlled, method 

of application, location of container storage and disposal, and any other information deemed 

necessary by the BLM Authorized Officer to such use. 

Fish and Wildlife Resources 

1.	 Surface disturbance and disruptive activities will be restricted within elk crucial winter 

habitat from November 15 through April 30. 

2.	 Surface disturbance and disruptive activities will be restricted within elk parturition habitat 

from May 1 through June 30. 

3.	 Preclude new surface-disturbing activities within 0.5 mile of raptor nest sites to prevent 

increased stress to and/or displacement of animals during the critical period from February 1 

through July 31. 

2-5
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

4.	 Stock tanks will be required to be wildlife friendly with ramps to allow escape by small 

mammals and birds. 

Elk 

1.	 Performance-based phased (Elk and Reclamation Standards, Appendix B) development will 

be implemented geographically with a “bolt on” approach. Grazing management should be a 

component of the operator submitted disturbance and reclamation plan. 

2.	 Metering and visitation will meet performance-based objectives. (Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

3.	 When water discharge is authorized by the State of Wyoming, location of water 

management facilities shall meet performance-based objectives (See: Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

4.	 Operators will provide summer water sources for livestock and wildlife if current sources 

(permitted through the WSEO) become unavailable and that loss is directly attributable to 

development of CBNG. Water will be provided until those lost sources are again available 

and/or other permanent sources are developed. 

5.	 Compression facilities will meet performance-based objectives (Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

6.	 Retain 80 percent of elk security habitat as measured from roads within all seasonal ranges 

and within each geographic phase. 

Special Status Species 

1.	 Known populations of threatened and endangered species (plants and animals) will be 

protected as mandated by law. 

2.	 The operator will locate impoundments to avoid sagebrush shrublands, where practical. 

3.	 Containment impoundments will be fenced to exclude wildlife and livestock. If they are not 

fenced, they will be designed and constructed to prevent entrapment and drowning. 

4.	 All stock tanks will include a ramp to enable trapped small birds and mammals to escape. 

See Idaho BLM Technical Bulletin 89-4 entitled Wildlife Watering and Escape Ramps on 

Livestock Water Developments: Suggestions and Recommendations. 

5.	 Noise mufflers will be installed on the exhaust of compressor engines to reduce the exhaust 

noise. 

6.	 Where noise impacts to existing sensitive receptors are an issue, noise levels will be required 

to be no greater than 55 decibels (dBA) measured at a distance of 0.25 mile from the 

appropriate booster (field) compressor. When background noise exceeds 55 dBA, noise 

levels will be no greater than 5 dBA above background. This may require the installation of 

electrical compressor motors at these locations. 

7.	 Overhead power lines on BLM surface limited to within road corridors to manage within the 

existing visual class. 

8.	 The operator will limit the construction of aboveground power lines near streams, water 

bodies, and wetlands to minimize the potential for waterfowl colliding with power lines. 

Bald Eagle 

1.	 Site-specific project areas will be evaluated for suitable bald eagle nesting and roosting 

habitat prior to permit approval. Suitable nesting habitat (USFWS 2007) is any mature stand 

2-6
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

of trees or individual tree capable of supporting a bald eagle nest in association with an 

adequate food supply. Suitable roosting habitat is defined as any mature stand of conifer or 

deciduous trees where eagles consistently perch during winter. 

2.	 Special habitats for raptors, including wintering bald eagles, will be identified and 

considered during the review of Sundry Notices. 

3.	 Surveys for active bald eagle nests and winter roost sites will be conducted within suitable 

habitat by a BLM-approved biologist. Surface-disturbing activities will not be permitted 

within 1 mile of suitable habitat prior to survey completion.
 

4.	 A disturbance-free buffer zone of 0.5 mile will be established year-round for all bald eagle 

nest sites. A timing limitation (TL) buffer zone of 1 mile will be established for all bald 

eagle nest sites from February 15 through August 15. 

5.	 A disturbance-free buffer zone of 0.5 mile will be established year-round for all bald eagle 

roost sites. A TL buffer zone of 1 mile will be established for all bald eagle roost sites from 

November 1 through April 1. 

6.	 Within 1 mile of bald eagle winter roost sites additional measures such as remote monitoring 

and restricting maintenance visitation to between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. may be necessary 

to prevent disturbance from November 1 through April 1. 

7.	 Additional mitigation measures may be necessary if the site-specific project is determined 

by a BLM biologist to have adverse effects on bald eagles or their habitat. 

Black-footed Ferret 

1.	 Prairie dog colonies will be avoided wherever possible. 

2.	 If any black-footed ferrets are located, the USFWS will be consulted. Absolutely no 

disturbance will be allowed within prairie dog colonies inhabited by black-footed ferrets.
 

3.	 Additional mitigation measures may be necessary if the site-specific project is determined 

by a BLM biologist to have adverse effects on black-footed ferrets or their habitat. In the 

event that a black-footed ferret is located during construction or operation, the USFWS’s 

Wyoming Field Office (307-772-2374) and the USFWS’ Law Enforcement Office (307-

261-6365) will be notified within 24 hours.
 

Blowout Penstemon 

1.	 Site-specific project areas will be evaluated for suitable habitat prior to permit approval. 

2.	 Suitable habitat will be avoided wherever possible. 

3.	 If suitable habitat cannot be avoided, surveys will be conducted in compliance with USFWS 

standards by a BLM-approved biologist or botanist. 

Mountain Plover 

1.	 Site-specific project areas will be evaluated for suitable mountain plover nesting habitat 

prior to permit approval. Flat areas of shortgrass prairie or low shrubs with a prevalence of 

bare ground characterize suitable mountain plover nesting habitat. Typically the vegetation 

height is less than 4 inches, and bare ground is greater than 30 percent. In the event that a 

mountain plover is located during construction or operation, the USFWS’s Wyoming Field 

Office (307-772-2374) and the USFWS’ Law Enforcement Office (307-261-6365) will be 

notified within 24 hours. 

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Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

2.	 A mountain plover nesting survey following USFWS protocol will be conducted prior to 

permit authorization. Additional measures such as monitoring and activity restrictions may 

be applied if mountain plovers are documented. 

3.	 A disturbance-free buffer zone of 0.25 mile will be established around all occupied 

mountain plover nesting habitat between March 15 and July 31. 

4.	 Construction of ancillary facilities (for example, compressor stations and processing plants) 

will not be located within 0.5 mile of known nesting areas. The threat of vehicle collision to 

adult plovers and their broods will be minimized, especially within breeding aggregation 

areas. 

5.	 Where possible, roads will be located outside of plover nesting areas. 

6.	 Work schedules and shift changes will be set to avoid the periods from 30 minutes before to 

30 minutes after sunrise and sunset during June and July, when mountain plovers and other 

wildlife are most active. 

7.	 BLM will monitor all road-associated carcasses, jackrabbit-sized and larger, along project 

(operator-maintained) roads. The presence of carrion could attract mountain plover 

predators.
 

8.	 Project-related features that encourage or enhance the hunting efficiency of predators of 

mountain plover will not be constructed within 0.25 mile of known mountain plover nest 

sites.
 

9.	 Creation of hunting perches or nest sites for avian predators within 0.5 mile of identified 

nesting areas will be avoided by burying power lines, by using the lowest possible structures 

for fences and other structures, and by incorporating perch-inhibiting devices into their 

design. 

10. When aboveground markers are used on capped and abandoned wells, they will be no taller 

than 4 feet with perch-inhibiting devices on the top to avoid creation of raptor hunting 

perches within 0.5 mile of nesting areas. 

11. Reclamation of areas of previously suitable mountain plover habitat will include the seeding 

of vegetation to produce suitable habitat for mountain plover. 

Greater Sage-Grouse 

1.	 Surface disturbing activities or surface occupancy is prohibited or restricted on or within one 

quarter (0.25) mile radius of the perimeter of occupied or undetermined greater sage-grouse 

leks (WY-IM-2010-12; BLM 2009). 

2.	 Disruptive activity is restricted on or within one quarter (0.25) mile radius of the perimeter 

of occupied or undetermined greater sage-grouse leks from 6 pm to 8 am from March 15 – 

May 15 (WY-IM-2010-12; BLM 2009). 

3.	 Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities are prohibited or restricted from March 15 – 

June 30 within suitable greater sage-grouse nesting and early brood-rearing habitat and 

within habitat important for connectivity (WY-IM-2010-12; BLM 2009). 

4.	 Surface disturbing and/or disruptive activities in mapped or modeled greater sage-grouse 

winter habitats/concentration areas that support Core Area populations, are prohibited or 

restricted from November 15 – March 14. 

5.	 For any surface-disturbing activities proposed in sagebrush shrublands, the operator will 

conduct clearance surveys for sage-grouse breeding activity during the greater sage-grouse’s 

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Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

breeding season before initiating the activities. The surveys must encompass all sagebrush 

shrublands within 0.5 mile of the proposed activities. 

6.	 The operator will locate facilities so that noise from the facilities at any nearby greater sagegrouse or sharp-tailed grouse display grounds does not exceed 49 dBA (10 dBA above 

background noise) at the display ground. 

7.	 The operator will locate aboveground power lines, where practical, at least 0.5 mile from 

any greater sage-grouse breeding or nesting grounds to prevent raptor predation and greater 

sage-grouse collision with the conductors. Power poles within 0.5 mile of any greater sagegrouse breeding ground will be raptor-proofed to prevent raptors from perching on the poles. 

8.	 POD-level site specific NEPA analyses will evaluate greater sage-grouse management 

actions consistent with Wyoming BLM Policy IM-WY-2010-012 (BLM 2009). 

Sharp-tailed Grouse 

1.	 Surface-disturbing activities within 250 yards of a sharp-tailed grouse strutting/dancing 

ground will be restricted or prohibited. 

2.	 Prohibit surface-disturbing activities within sharp-tailed grouse nesting habitats. An 

additional 0.5 mile radius will be established beyond the 250-yard lek radius, to prevent 

increased stress to and/or displacement of animals during the critical time period from April 

1 through May 31. 

Note: The WGFD recommends a 0.25 mile surface use buffer and two mile TL buffer for sharp-tailed grouse 

leks which will be evaluated during POD level site specific NEPA analyses. 

Raptors 

1.	 Preclude new surface-disturbing activities within 0.5 mile of raptor nest sites to prevent 

increased stress to and/or displacement of animals during the critical period from February 1 

through July 31. 

2.	 The operator will construct power lines to minimize the potential for raptor collisions with 

the lines. Potential modifications include burying the lines, avoiding areas of high avian use 

(for example, wetlands, prairie dog towns, and grouse leks), and increasing the visibility of 

the individual conductors. 

Ute Ladies’-tresses Orchid 

1.	 Site-specific project areas will be evaluated for suitable Ute ladies’-tresses orchid habitat 

prior to permit approval. Suitable habitat is characterized by moist soils near springs, lakes, 

or perennial streams; most occurrences are in alluvial substrates along riparian edges, gravel 

bars, old oxbows, and moist to wet meadows in the floodplains of perennial streams 

(USFWS 1995). 

2.	 Suitable habitat will be avoided wherever possible. 

3.	 If suitable habitat for Ute ladies’-tresses cannot be avoided, surveys will be conducted in 

compliance with USFWS standards (USFWS 1995) by a BLM-approved biologist or 

botanist. Surveys can only be conducted between July 20 and August 31. 

Cultural Resources 

1.	 Require archaeological inventory for all Federal undertakings, regardless of surface 

ownership. 

2.	 Identify historic properties. 

2-9
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

3.	 Design projects to avoid or mitigate impacts to historic properties prior to approval. 

4.	 Mitigate impacts to historic properties inadvertently discovered during or after construction. 

Geologic Resources 

1.	 BLM will provide for the efficient use of the mineral resources. 

2.	 The mineral owners are entitled to access their minerals to explore for and develop them and 

to prudently use an area of the land surface and surface resources that are directly necessary 

to those exploration and development activities. 

Paleontological Resources 

1.	 Paleontological inventories will be targeted to specific areas or will be issue-driven, as 

needed.
 

2.	 Large, conspicuous, and/or scientifically significant fossils or localities found during 

development will be reported to BLM. 

3.	 Evaluation of discoveries during construction will be conducted by a BLM-approved 

professional paleontologist within five working days. 

4.	 Adverse impacts to paleontological resources will be mitigated as necessary. 

Visual Resources 

1.	 No activity or occupancy is allowed within 200 feet of the edge of State and Federal 

highways. 

2.	 Facilities or structures such as power lines, oil wells, and storage tanks are required to be 

screened, painted, and designed to blend with the surrounding landscape except where safety 

indicates otherwise. 

3.	 Any facilities or structures proposed in or near WSAs will be designed so as not to impair 

wilderness suitability.
 

4.	 The FCPA is designated and managed as Visual Resource Management (VRM) Class III. 

5.	 The WSA is managed under interim guidance for non-impairment, (i.e., VRM Class I) 

6.	 The operator will complete the following measures where practical: use existing well pads 

where feasible, use vegetative and topographic screening when siting well locations, and 

avoid highwall cuts. 

7.	 The operator will mount lights at compressor stations and other facilities on a pole or 

building and direct them downward to illuminate key areas within the facility while 

minimizing the amount of light projected outside the facility (PRB O&G ROD, p. A-38; 

BLM 2003b). 

8.	 The operator will use buried power lines to each well, where feasible, to reduce the linear 

element in the landscape. 

9.	 Overhead power lines on BLM surface limited to within road corridors to manage within the 

existing visual class. 

Fuels and Fire 

1.	 Unwanted wildland fires will be suppressed. The use of some types of suppression 

equipment will be restricted in some areas, and fire and suppression damage will be 

rehabilitated. 

2-10 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

2.	 Wildfires will be managed in all areas of the resource area. Priority will be given to 

suppressing fires in or threatening higher-value resources (the WSA) and keeping fires from 

spreading onto private, State, or other Federal lands. Protecting human life will be the 

highest priority. 

3.	 Heavy equipment (dozers) will be restricted from being used for wildfire suppression in the 

WSA and areas of known cultural values. 

4.	 Aerial retardant use will be restricted to keep retardant out of water sources. Specific 

restrictions on retardant use apply to the WSA. 

5.	 Helispot construction is prohibited in the WSA. 

6.	 Firelines that are constructed by heavy equipment or on steep slopes will be rehabilitated to 

prevent or control erosion. Rehabilitation includes, but is not limited to, water barring and 

reseeding. 

7.	 Prescribed burns will be used as a tool to reach management objectives planned for areas in 

conjunction with items such as range and wildlife habitat management projects. 

Rangeland 

1.	 Livestock grazing is allowed on all public lands in the FCPA. 

2.	 Any permanent increases in the amount of forage produced are considered for wildlife and 

watershed protection before additional livestock use is authorized. 

3.	 Fences will be constructed to maintain wildlife mobility in important habitat areas. Fences 

on public land that are hindering natural movement of wildlife will be modified to conform 

to BLM standards. See BLM Handbook H-1741-1 for fence specifications. 

4.	 Reservoirs, wells, troughs, and pipelines will be constructed to provide water in dry areas 

and to disperse grazing use. The grazing lessee or other cooperator will be required to 

maintain water in all troughs located on public land during the frost-free period (April 

through October) for wildlife. 

5.	 All stock tanks will include a ramp to enable trapped small birds and mammals to escape. 

See Idaho BLM Technical Bulletin 89-4 entitled Wildlife Watering and Escape Ramps on 

Livestock Water Developments: Suggestions and Recommendations. 

6.	 Performance-based phased (Elk and Reclamation Standards – Appendix B) development 

will be implemented geographically with a “bolt on” approach. Grazing management should 

be a component of interim reclamation. 

7.	 Operators will provide summer water sources for livestock and wildlife if current sources 

(permitted through the WSEO) become unavailable and that loss is directly attributable to 

development of CBNG. Water will be provided until those lost sources are again available 

and/or other permanent sources are developed. 

Recreation 

1.	 Special recreation permits (SRPs) are issued for commercial competitive and large-scale 

nonprofit organized recreational events on a case-by-case basis. 

2-11 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Transportation 

1.	 Long-term occupancy of the public lands for roads, power lines, pipelines, communication 

sites, and irrigation ditches is authorized by granting a right-of-way (ROW). ROWs are to be 

removed and reclaimed upon termination of the grant. 

2.	 Transmission lines and transportation facilities will be located within identified corridor 

areas to the extent feasible.
 

Lands and Realty 

1.	 Long-term occupancy of the public lands for roads, power lines, pipelines, communication 

sites, and irrigation ditches is authorized by granting a ROW. ROWs are to be removed and 

reclaimed upon termination of the grant. 

2.	 Transmission lines and transportation facilities will be located within identified corridor 

areas to the extent feasible. 

3.	 Withdrawals for surface and/or minerals will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

4.	 Priority is given to acquiring public land in areas adjacent to major blocks of public land, 

especially in areas of high recreational potential. 

5.	 Easements that will provide access to contiguous blocks of public lands for recreation and 

administrative purposes will be pursued. 

Fluid Minerals – CBNG 

1.	 Authorization for activities on existing mineral leases will be governed by valid existing 

rights. 

2.	 Implement standard lease terms (individual leases). 

3.	 No CBNG or conventional oil and gas development will occur within the WSA. 

4.	 All pipelines will be located in corridors. 

5.	 The operator will locate impoundments to avoid sagebrush shrublands where practical. 

6.	 Containment impoundments will be fenced to exclude wildlife and livestock. If they are not 

fenced, they will be designed and constructed to prevent entrapment and drowning. 

7.	 Noise mufflers will be installed on the exhaust of compressor engines to reduce the exhaust 

noise. 

8.	 Where noise impacts to existing sensitive receptors are an issue, noise levels will be required 

to be no greater than 55 dBA measured at a distance of 0.25 mile from the appropriate 

booster (field) compressor. When background noise exceeds 55 dBA, noise levels will be no 

greater than 5 dBA above background. This may require the installation of electrical 

compressor motors at these locations. 

9.	 All stock tanks will include a ramp to enable trapped small birds and mammals to escape. 

See Idaho BLM Technical Bulletin 89-4 entitled Wildlife Watering and Escape Ramps on 

Livestock Water Developments: Suggestions and Recommendations. 

Elk 

1.	 Surface disturbance and disruptive activities will be restricted within elk crucial winter 

habitat from November 15 through April 30. 

2.	 Surface disturbance and disruptive activities will be restricted within elk parturition habitat 

from May 1 through June 30. 

2-12 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

3.	 Performance-based phased (Elk and Reclamation Standards, Appendix B) development will 

be implemented geographically with a “bolt on” approach. Grazing management should be a 

component of the operator submitted disturbance and reclamation plan. 

4.	 Metering and visitation will meet performance-based objectives (Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

5.	 When water discharge is authorized by the State of Wyoming, location of water 

management facilities shall meet performance-based objectives (See: Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

6.	 Operators will provide summer water sources for livestock and wildlife if current sources 

(permitted through the WSEO) become unavailable and that loss is directly attributable to 

development of CBNG. Water will be provided until those lost sources are again available 

and/or other permanent sources are developed. 

7.	 Compression facilities will meet performance-based objectives (Elk and Reclamation 

Standards, Appendix B). 

8.	 Retain 80 percent of elk security habitat as measured from roads within all seasonal ranges 

and within each geographic phase. 

Visual Resources 

1.	 Overhead power lines on BLM surface limited to within road corridors to manage within the 

existing visual class. 

2.	 The operator will locate aboveground power lines, where practical, at least 0.5 mile from
 

any greater sage-grouse breeding or nesting grounds to prevent raptor predation and sagegrouse collision with the conductors. Power poles within 0.5 mile of any sage-grouse 

breeding ground will be raptor-proofed to prevent raptors from perching on the poles.
 

3.	 The operator will construct power lines to minimize the potential for raptor collisions with 

the lines. Potential modifications include burying the lines, avoiding areas of high avian use 

(for example, wetlands, prairie dog towns, and grouse leks), and increasing the visibility of 

the individual conductors. 

4.	 The operator will limit the construction of aboveground power lines near streams, water 

bodies, and wetlands to minimize the potential for waterfowl colliding with power lines. 

Special Status Species 

1.	 Special Status Species management actions applicable to Fluid Minerals are listed under 

Special Status Species alternatives.
 

Special Designations 

1.	 The WSA will be managed, according to the Interim Management Plan (BLM 1995), to 

maintain wilderness characteristics.
 

2.	 Vehicle travel is limited to designated roads and vehicle routes. 

3.	 The citizen-proposed ACEC (33,757 acres) was not designated. Performance standards (elk 

and reclamation) have been determined sufficient to protect resource values. 

4.	 No WHMA was designated. 

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Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

3.0 REFERENCES 

Bureau of Land Management. 1982. Fortification Creek Oil and Gas Surface Protection Plan 

(FOG). U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 1985. Resource Management Plan Record of Decision, Buffalo 

District Office, Buffalo, Wyoming. U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 1995. Handbook H-8550-1, Interim Management Policy and 

Guidelines for Lands Under Wilderness Review. U.S. Department of the Interior 

Bureau of Land Management. 1997. Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for 

Livestock Grazing Management for the Public Lands Administered by the BLM in the State 

of Wyoming. U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 2001a. Approved Resource Management Plan for Public Lands 

Administered by the Bureau of Land Management Buffalo Field Office, Buffalo, Wyoming. 

U.S. Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 2003a. Final Environmental Impact Statement and Proposed Plan 

Amendment for the Powder River Basin Oil and Gas Project. Buffalo Field Office. U.S. 

Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 2003b. Record of Decision and Resource Management Plan 

Amendments for the Powder River Basin Oil and Gas Project. Buffalo Field Office. U.S. 

Department of the Interior. 

Bureau of Land Management. 2009. Instruction Memorandum No. WY-2010- 012: Greater 

Sage-Grouse Habitat Management Policy on Wyoming Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 

Administered Public Lands including the Federal Mineral Estate. December 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 1995. Draft Ute ladies’ tresses (Spiranthes diluvialis) Recovery 

Plan. Denver, Colorado. 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2007. Reinitiation of Formal Consultation for the Powder River 

Basin Oil and Gas Project, Campbell, Converse, Johnson, and Sheridan Counties, Wyoming. 

(Formal Consultation No. ES-6-WY-07-F012). 

3-1
 
APPENDIX A 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE 

FORTIFICATION CREEK PLANNING AREA RECLAMATION 

MONITORING AND REPORTING GUIDE 

August 2011 
Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

I.	 Required Documentation ...................................................................................................................... 1
 

A Reclamation Plan .............................................................................................................................. 1
 

B Monitoring Report ............................................................................................................................ 1
 

C Integrated Pest Management Plan..................................................................................................... 2
 

II.	 Monitoring Guidelines .......................................................................................................................... 2
 

A Monitoring intensity .......................................................................................................................... 2
 

B Monitoring methods.......................................................................................................................... 2
 

C Site selection ..................................................................................................................................... 3
 

D Well pads and similar shaped disturbances ....................................................................................... 3
 

E Linear features .................................................................................................................................. 3
 

F Timing and duration .......................................................................................................................... 3
 

G Photographs....................................................................................................................................... 3
 

III.	 Interim Reclamation, Year 1-3 .......................................................................................................... 4
 

A Goals ................................................................................................................................................. 4
 

B Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 4
 

C Indicators........................................................................................................................................... 4
 

D Success Criteria ................................................................................................................................. 4
 

IV.	 Reclamation, Year 3+ ....................................................................................................................... 6
 

A Goals ................................................................................................................................................. 6
 

B Objectives ......................................................................................................................................... 6
 

C Indicators........................................................................................................................................... 7
 

D Success Criteria ................................................................................................................................. 7
 

V. Final Reclamation ................................................................................................................................. 7
 

VI.	 BLM Monitoring Protocol & Methodologies ................................................................................... 9
 

A SamplePoint ...................................................................................................................................... 9
 

ATTACHMENTS 

Attachment 1 – Tech Note #346 U.S. Department of the Interior- Bureau of Land Management Erosion 

Condition Classification System by Ronnie Clark 

Attachment 2 – Form 7310-12 Determination of Erosion Condition Class 

Attachment 3 – Example Monitoring Summary Report 

Attachment 4 – Cover By Lifeform Transect 

Attachment 5 – BLM Recommended Seed Mixes Based on Ecological Sites 

Attachment 6 – Fortification Creek Planning Area Plant Species List 

Attachment 7 – Fortification Creek Planning Area – Ecological Sites 

i 
Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE 

FORTIFICATION CREEK PLANNING AREA RECLAMATION 

MONITORING AND REPORTING GUIDE 

It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to sustain the health, diversity, and 

productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

This reclamation guide is designed to be used as direction for reclamation implementation, 

monitoring, and reporting within the Fortification Creek Planning Area (FCPA) of the Buffalo 

Field Office (BFO). It applies to all federally authorized actions which disturb vegetation and/or 

mineral/soil resources. This policy is intended to be compatible with all BLM program 

objectives and tiers to and is an extension of the Wyoming Reclamation Policy. 

This monitoring plan is designed to answer specific questions pertaining to reclamation of 

surface disturbances, including well pads, roads, rights-of-way (ROW’s), pipelines, power lines 

and other disturbances. The analysis of collected data should determine if reclamation success 

has been achieved, as well as providing information on the success of various reclamation 

techniques and timeframes. 

I. Required Documentation 

A Reclamation Plan 

A reclamation plan shall be developed for all surface disturbing activities and will 

become part of the proposed action in the NEPA document used to analyze each specific 

project. The level of detail for the reclamation plan shall reflect: the complexity of the 

project (i.e., topography, soil limitations, unusual plant composition, etc.), the 

environmental concerns, and the reclamation potential for the site. These plans shall also 

incorporate any program or regulatory-specific requirements for reclamation. The 

reclamation plan shall address short-term stabilization to facilitate long term reclamation. 

Reclamation plans will need to include an initial soil analysis (i.e., topsoil depth, texture, 

pH, etc.) that adequately represents the various soil types that are found within a project 

area’s disturbance. 

If necessary to ensure timely re-vegetation at surface disturbances, livestock will be 

excluded for the first two growing seasons or until seeded species become firmly 

established, whichever comes later. Fencing or resting grazing allotments for two or 

more seasons is acceptable. If fencing is used, it will meet the standards found on page 18 

of the Gold Book, 4th Edition, or will be operational electric fencing. 

The reclamation plan is considered complete when all the reclamation requirements 

described in the Wyoming Reclamation Policy have been addressed, the techniques to 

meet the reclamation requirements are described in detail, and the BLM concurs with the 

reclamation plan. The Wyoming Reclamation Policy can be found on the web at 

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wy/resources/efoia/IMs/2009.Par.54664.File.dat/ 

wy2009-022.pdf. 

1 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

B Monitoring Report 

The project proponent will be responsible for monitoring each individual Application for 

Permits to Drill (APD) and ROW including; well pads, associated access roads, power 

lines, pipelines, and other disturbances. Monitoring and reporting will take place 

annually, with reports due to the BLM by December 31 of each year. It is assumed that 

the proponent will complete reclamation monitoring during the same field season as the 

operators for comparison. 

C Integrated Pest Management Plan 

An Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) will be developed and submitted by each 

project proponent to the BLM BFO. Weed surveys will be conducted annually after 

disturbance takes place. Monitoring will include identifying noxious and invasive weeds 

by species and the extent of surface disturbance. 

An initial weed survey before disturbance occurs is beneficial to weed management 

practices. Pre-treatment of weeds may be necessary to minimize the potential for spread 

and to minimize post-construction treatment costs. Surveys may need to be conducted 

more than once per year to allow for variation of each species’ growing periods (e.g., 

cool-season vs. warm-season species). 

II. Monitoring Guidelines 

A Monitoring intensity 

Monitoring and reporting will take place annually, with reports due to the BLM by 

December 31 of each year. BLM projects are required to make annual monitoring reports 

on all surface disturbances as defined in the Wyoming Reclamation Policy. 

This schedule will allow everyone to track their own success and provide a concerted 

effort and involvement in timely and efficient restoration. It would also provide a 

verifiable means to track and review reclamation methods and results, as well as the 

amount of disturbance taking place within the FCPA by various entities. 

BLM will perform follow-up monitoring on a minimum of 10% of the sites annually to 

ensure compliance, as well as to ensure quality control to maintain the integrity of the 

data. 

B Monitoring methods 

When ascertaining if reclamation success criteria have been met, the BFO BLM will 

evaluate basal cover, canopy cover, species diversity, and soil stability to make their 

determination. The operator may use any BLM approved monitoring method to examine 

reclamation success. These methods are described in BLM Technical Reference 4400-4, 

1996 and can be located on the web at http://www.blm.gov/nstc/library/pdf/samplveg.pdf. 

However, BFO BLM will utilize image-based monitoring with SamplePoint software for 

vegetation (see Section V—BLM Monitoring Methodology), line intercept and soil 

surface factor (SSF) methods for site stability as the primary monitoring methods to 

determine when reclamation standards have been met. BFO BLM strongly encourages 

the use of this protocol. Qualitative ocular estimates are not an approved BLM 

methodology. 

2 
Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

See Attachment 3 as a monitoring report example. 

C Site selection 

Site selection must include representative sections of all areas of the disturbed 

environment. Monitoring points need to be located in every ecological site identified in 

the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Class 3 Soil Survey that is present 

within the disturbance. 

D Well pads and similar shaped disturbances 

If employing a monitoring method that requires transects, those transects should be 

configured to include edge effects, pits, and general resource conditions, as much as 

practicable. If employing image-based monitoring, plots should be located on a grid 

across the disturbed site. A minimum of one monitoring location will be identified on 

each well pad or similarly shaped disturbance that is representative of the Ecological Site 

Description (ESD). Monitoring sites will be located in each ecological site present within 

the disturbance. The onsite investigation will confirm or identify the correct ESD. 

Standardization will assure repeatability and allow comparison of data. 

E Linear features 

Linear features include roads, power lines, pipelines, and fiber optic lines, etc. associated 

with APD’s or ROW’s. Monitoring sites will be established in each ecological site 

present along the disturbance at regular intervals. A minimum of one monitoring location 

will be required every 0.25 mile or change of soil site as defined by NRCS ESD, 

whichever comes first. 

F Timing and duration 

Monitoring should be conducted at the same time every year, within two weeks of the 

date of the first measurement for a given site, and between the dates of May15 to August 

15. When sampling vegetation in the latter half of the growing season, care should be 

taken when evaluating senescent (i.e., dead) plant matter. If the plant matter is recently 

senesced, implying that it grew in the current growing season, it should be recorded as 

live, and the species or functional group should be identified. If the plant matter is older 

than one year (i.e., the current growing season), it should be recorded as litter. This will 

aid in producing comparable information for sites evaluated at different times during the 

growing season. Monitoring and reporting of reclamation will be required from the time 

reclamation is initiated until success is achieved and agreed to by BLM. 

G Photographs 

Digital photographs provide a visual record of conditions over time. Digital photographs 

will be used to document conditions of vegetation, site stability, erosion, and other 

features or conditions subject to change over time. Photographs should be taken as near 

the same time each year as possible, within two weeks is the preference. All photographs 

must be taken between May 15 and August 15. Photographs require minimal time and 

costs while supplying a permanent and objective record. Photographs compliment, and 

can be used later to verify, the other data collected (basal cover, canopy cover, etc.). . 

3 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Photograph locations should be geo-referenced for repeatability and mapping purposes. 

Digital photos must be taken from each corner of a well pad facing the well head or 

facility. Photos must have sufficient clarity and focus to determine general conditions on 

the pad. More than four photographs can be taken to capture important features. In 

addition, a ground cover photograph should be taken from a height of approximately 1.5 

meters. Identify photo location on a field monitoring form to record photos, include 

direction of photo (compass) and where photo was taken from. Also record what the 

photo is capturing i.e., noxious weeds (or lack thereof), a fence, grass stand, certain forbs 

or shrubs, etc. Be sure the field of view and focus are similar in subsequent photos. The 

operators will submit subsequent reports to BLM with photo copies of seed tags 

georeferenced to the treatment site(s). Photos should be part of the annual reporting for 

that year’s planting. If no seed planting takes place, there is no need to include a copy of 

the seed tags. 

III. Interim Reclamation, Year 1-3 

Interim reclamation is to be initiated within 30 days of initiating surface disturbing activities, and 

includes disturbed areas that may be re-disturbed during operations and will be re-disturbed at 

final reclamation to achieve restoration of the original landform and a natural vegetative 

community. 

A	 Goals 

Immediately stabilize disturbed areas and provide conditions necessary to achieve the 

long-term reclamation goals. 

B	 Objectives 

The objective of interim reclamation is to restore desirable vegetative cover and a portion 

of the landform sufficient to maintain biologically active topsoil, control erosion, and 

minimize habitat and forage loss as well as visual impacts during the life of the well or 

facilities. 

 The operator will submit a subsequent report by Sundry Notice to BLM once 

stabilization measures have been implemented. This initiates the reclamation 

timeline. The sundry notice should include the well pads and all associated 

infrastructure on a lease. 

C	 Indicators 

 Erosion control methods shall be in place to mitigate any erosive features, including 

rills and sheet erosion. 

 Disturbed areas not needed for active, long-term production operations or vehicle 

travel have been re-contoured, protected from erosion, and re-vegetated with a selfsustaining, vigorous, diverse, native (or as otherwise approved by the BLM) plant 

community sufficient to provide forage, stabilize soils, impede the invasion of 

noxious, invasive, and non-native weeds as well as minimize visual impacts. 

 During initial well pad, production facility, road, pipeline, and utility corridor 

construction, pre-interim reclamation stormwater management actions will be taken 

to ensure disturbed areas are quickly stabilized to control surface water flow and to 

protect both the disturbed and adjacent areas from erosion and siltation. 

D	 Success Criteria 

4 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Private surface owner rights will be respected when considering revegetation methods, 

including specific seed mix(s) (pounds pure live seed/acre) and soil treatments (seedbed 

preparation, fertilization, mulching, etc.). On private surface, the landowner should be 

consulted for the specific seed mix. However, the standards for successful reclamation 

set forth in this document for soil stability and ground cover must be met. 

i.	 Year 1 (first growing season): The site must be in stable condition as indicated by the 

Erosion Control Classification System (BLM Tech Note 346). 

a.	 The operator has ensured that 100% of the disturbance site is in a stable condition 

as indicated by the Erosion Control Classification System (BLM Tech Note 346). 

The site is stable as defined with a SSF factor range 1-20. 

b.	 The disturbance area has been seeded with the approved seed mix. See 

Attachment 5. 

ii.	 Year 2 (second growing season): 100% of the disturbance area is stable (as defined 

above) and native, perennial vegetation is becoming established with desirable 

species and trending towards long-term goal(s). 

iii. Year 3 (third growing season): 100% of the disturbance area is stable (as defined 

above) and re-vegetated to within 80% of the ESD reference sheet for bare ground, as 

outline in the table below. 

ESD 

BARE 

GROUND 

(reference 

sheet) 

Year 3 

allowable 

BARE 

GROUND 

(65% of ESD) 

Year 3+ 

allowable 

BARE 

GROUND 

(80% of ESD) 

Very Shallow ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, 

Northern Plains 

40-50% 54-67.5% 48-60% 

Shallow Loamy ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, 

Northern Plains 

20-25% 27-33.75% 24-30% 

Shallow Sandy ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, 

Northern Plains 

30-50% 40.5-67.5% 36-60% 

Shallow Clayey ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, 

Northern Plains 

25-40% 33.75-54% 30-48% 

Loamy ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, Northern 

Plains 

15-20% 20.25-27% 18-24% 

Sandy ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, Northern 

Plains 

20-25% 27-33.75% 24-30% 

Clayey ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, Northern 

Plains 

5-15% 6.75-20.25% 6-18% 

Lowland ≥ 10” Precipitation Zone, Northern 

Plains 

0-1% 0-1.35% 0-1.2% 

iv.	 Each plan of development must meet the performance standards prior to proceeding 

with additional development. The Fortification Creek Monitoring Team (BLM and 

State of Wyoming) will meet at least once per year to review the reclamation reports 

and determine if the performance standards are being met. 

5 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

a.	 Native Grasses: Reclaimed sites must have a minimum of 3 native perennial grass 

species within the overall data summary established in the disturbance area, 1 of 

which must be a bunchgrass species. 

b.	 Native Forbs: Reclaimed sites must have a minimum of 2 native forbs within the 

overall data summary. 

c.	 Native Shrubs: Reclaimed sites must have a minimum of 1 native shrub within the 

overall data summary. 

d.	 Weeds: Sites must be free of all listed species on the County, Wyoming, or 

Federal noxious weed list. All state and federal laws regarding noxious weeds 

must be followed. Other highly competitive invasive, non-native species such as 

cheatgrass and halogeton will not exceed 5% of the basal cover. 

 The Wyoming Noxious Weed List is available at: 

http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=State&statefips=56 or 

http://www.wyoweed.org/. 

 The Federal Noxious Weed List is available at: 

http://plants.usda.gov/java/noxious?rptType=Federal. 

 County weed and pest district information is available at: 

http://www.wyoweed.org/. 

e.	 Plant Vigor: Plants must be resilient as evidenced by well-developed root 

systems, flowers, and seed heads. All sites must exhibit the sustainability of the 

above desired attributes after the removal of external influences (i.e., irrigation, 

fencing, matting, etc.). 

IV. Reclamation, Year 3+ 

A	 Goals 

 The FCPA Monitoring Team will evaluate the annual monitoring reports and 

determine whether successful reclamation criteria have been met to allow phase 

development to progress. 

 Facilitate eventual ecosystem reconstruction to maintain a safe and stable landscape 

and meet the desired outcomes of the land use plan. 

 Vegetative communities within CBNG development mirror those of healthy 

communities as described by the ESD. 

B	 Objectives 

The objectives of reclamation are to: 

 Restore a disturbed area to a state containing sufficient biotic and abiotic resources to 

continue its development and interactions without further assistance or subsidy. 

 Demonstrate resilience to normal ranges of environmental stress and disturbance. 

Achieving this level of ecosystem function requires the establishment of selfsustaining, desirable vegetative cover over the reconstructed landform. Reclamation 

is complete once the disturbance area is considered stable and functioning to allow 

optimum production of vegetation, control of undesirable species, conservation of 

water and control of erosion. 

6 
Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Further disturbance of an area for maintenance, spills, infill, etc. will be measured against 

reclamation success criteria of the associated plan of development. Minimizing the redisturbance within a project area promotes the progression of phased development. 

C	 Indicators 

Refer to the Wyoming Reclamation Policy – Instruction Memorandum No. WY-2009­

022 available at: 

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wy/resources/efoia/IMs/2009.Par.54664.File.dat/ 

wy2009-022.pdf 

D	 Success Criteria 

i.	 General guidelines 

a.	 Native Grasses: Reclaimed sites must have a minimum of 3 native perennial grass 

species within the overall data summary established in the distance area, 1 of 

which must be a bunchgrass species. 

b.	 Native Forbs: The average density or frequency of forbs must be a minimum of 3 

native forb species within the overall data summary. 

c.	 Native Shrubs: The average density or frequency of forbs must be a minimum of 

2 native shrub species within the overall data summary. 

d.	 Weeds: Sites must be free from all species listed on the Wyoming or Federal 

noxious weed list. All state and federal laws regarding noxious weeds must be 

followed. Other highly competitive invasive species such as cheatgrass will not 

exceed 5%. 

e.	 Plant Vigor: Plants must be resilient as evidenced by well-developed root 

systems, flowers, and seed heads. All sites must exhibit the sustainability of the 

above desired attributes after the removal of external influences (i.e., irrigation, 

fencing, matting, etc.). 

ii.	 Specific Guidelines 

Reclamation success criteria are based on the ESDs for the Northern Great Plains as 

defined by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) (Attachment 7). A 

separate standard applies to each ESD. The data contained within the NRCS’s ESDs 

pertain to historical climax systems. The success criteria for reclamation were 

derived by taking 65% of the numbers listed in the ESDs. This would be equivalent 

to a rangeland in a mid-seral stage, or within the “good” condition class. 

The BLM will monitor and document basal cover and/or canopy cover to determine 

reclamation success in addition to species diversity, and soil stability. The success 

criteria are defined as follows: 

Ground cover can be measured by either basal cover, or by canopy cover. Both are 

listed below by soil type. These numbers are accurate estimates for the Powder River 

Basin from Wyoming into Montana. They are from the NRCS Ecological Sites 

MLRA 58A. 

http://esis.sc.egov.usda.gov/Welcome/pgReportLocation.aspx?type=Reference%20Sh 

eet 

7 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Note: Success criteria are calculated by multiplying values listed in the EDS by the by 

the offset: (100%-65%). 

Example: 

To calculate the minimum percentage of bare ground allowed to meet the success 

criteria for within a loamy site multiply the offset for 65% allowable bare ground by 

the upper range allowed and then add the value for the range: 

[20%(100%-65%)/100]+20% or [0.2(1-0.65)100]+20% = 27% 

27% is the upper threshold of bare ground allowed to meet success criteria for bare 

ground at a loamy site. 

ESD: Loamy >10” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

10 to 15 1 to 3 0 to 1 50 to 60 0 to 1 15 to 20 60 to 85 1 to 5 0 to 1 

ESD: Sandy >10” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

10 to 15 1 to 4 1 to 2 40 to 50 0 to 4 20 to 25 70 to 85 5 to 10 1 to 5 

ESD: Clayey >10” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

5 to 15 1 to 4 1 to 2 35 to 60 0 to 4 5 to 15 55 to 85 5 to 10 1 to 5 

ESD: Shallow Loamy >10” Northern Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

5 to 15 1 to 4 1 to 3 40 to 48 0 to 4 20 to 25 60 to 70 1 to 5 5 to 10 

ESD: Shallow Sandy >10” Northern Plains Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

5 to 10 1 to 4 1 to 5 15 to 25 0 to 5 30 to 50 20 to 30 1 to 5 10 to 15 

ESD: Shallow Clayey >10” Northern Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

5 to 15 1 to 4 1 to 5 20 to 30 0 to 4 25 to 40 20 to 40 1 to 5 10 to 15 

8 
 

 

 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

ESD: Very Shallow >10” Northern Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

5 to 10 1 to 4 1 to 5 10 to 15 10 to 15 40 to 50 15 to 20 1 to 5 15 to 25 

ESD: Lowland >10” Northern Precipitation Zone 

% Basal Cover % Ground Cover % Canopy Cover 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock 

Bare 

Ground Grasses Forbs Shrubs 

30 to 40 1 to 3 1 to 5 >50 0 to 1 0 to 1 55 to 70 1 to 5 5 to 10 

V. Final Reclamation 

Reclamation Year 3+ success criteria pertains to all final reclamation. Final reclamation includes 

disturbed areas where the original landform and the native vegetative community have been 

restored. 

VI. BLM Monitoring Protocol & Methodologies 

Monitoring for interim or final reclamation will follow the same monitoring protocols; when 

basal vegetation is observed along the transects the species will be recorded. This will allow for 

a determination of species diversity and abundance. This standard applies to all disturbance 

features well locations, pad associated with facilities, roads, corridors, staging areas, etc. 

A SamplePoint 

BLM will employ image-based photo monitoring, utilizing the SamplePoint software 

developed by the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to monitor basal cover on 

reclaimed sites. SamplePoint is a manual image-analysis program designed to facilitate 

vegetation cover measurements from nadir digital images of any scale. Operating 

essentially as a digital point frame, the software loads images, places classification points 

on the image, and stores classification data to a database as the user classes each point. 

Functional use is not limited to vegetation classification. Although developed to measure 

canopy cover of vegetation, a reasonable estimate of basal cover can also be determined 

using this method. 

This method was chosen because it is time effective, cost effective, and utilizes the best 

available science. Data analysis can be conducted in the office, at any time of the year. 

This monitoring method also provides a visual confirmation of the quantitative data 

gathered. The results gained from this type of sampling are comparable to those gained 

from more traditional monitoring sources such as the line-intercept methods. 

SamplePoint software can be downloaded at no cost at: 

http://www.ars.usda.gov/services/software/download.htm?softwareid=246 

i. Sampling design 

a. Aerial sampling 

9 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Capture color (red, green, blue [RGB]) 1-mm ground sample distance (GSD; a 

measure of digital image resolution defined as the linear dimension of a pixel on the 

ground) digital images using at least a 10 megapixel camera with 840-mm 

(equivalent) lens mounted in a sport aircraft (225-kg empty weight). The aircraft 

should be equipped with a navigation and camera- triggering system and a laser 

range- finder for measuring altitude above ground level (AGL; Booth and Cox 

2006a). The navigation system should be powered by a laptop computer interfaced 

with (1) a central navigation box, (2) a WAAS-enabled GPS (the Wide Area 

Augmentation System improves the accuracy of Global Positioning Systems for 

aircraft en route), and (3) a 15-cm in-cockpit LCD display. Raw images with a 

3 x 4-meter field of view to be systematically captured from 100 meter AGL at 80­

meter intervals, via automatic triggering using planned GPS coordinates in a sampling 

grid that covered the study area. Images should be stored on an onboard laptop. 

b. Ground sampling 

Capture color (RGB) 1-mm-GSD digital images using at least a 5 megapixel camera 

mounted on a camera base that positioned the camera for nadir images at 2 meters 

(AGL; Booth et al. 2004). Images are acquired with GPS coordinates and aspect 

recorded for each station. Images are cropped to 1 square meter prior to their analysis. 

ii. Line-intercept 

a. Well locations 

Each well location will be sampled using 4 transects 100 feet long, with a reading 

every foot. Transect lines should be oriented North, South, East, and West of the well 

bore or, in the case of constructed pads, the transect lines may radiate from the well 

bore to the pad corners. Using a straight, fine wire, such as a pin flag, carefully 

lower the wire so that it is perpendicular with the ground surface or straight up and 

down and at each 1 foot interval along one side of the tape; record hits on the field 

form. Optical sighting devices such as a laser pointer may also work well. Only basal 

vegetation will be recorded. If foliage is encountered, insert wire through foliage and 

record hit at ground surface (bare ground, litter, grass, etc.). The process of a 

randomized start with a systematic process should, over time, record representative 

samples from the entire area. 

b. Linear disturbance 

Linear features will be similarly monitored by selecting representative portions 

consisting of a minimum of one monitoring location every 1⁄4 mile or change of 

ecological site (as defined by NRCS soil survey), whichever comes first. Specific 

monitoring locations may be modified as approved by the BLM Authorized Officer. 

Additionally, multiple pipeline rights-of-way will be monitored by each “linear layer” 

based on date of disturbance/reclamation. Pipeline operators will provide a 

reclamation monitoring plan detailing how each pipeline company will comply with 

reclamation monitoring criteria. 

Monitoring will consist of a minimum of four 100’ transects run from disturbed edge 

to disturbed edge, with a reading every two feet. 

10
 
 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Definitions: 

Bare ground – Areas of mineral soil with no vegetation or litter. 

Basal Area (plants) – The cross-sectional area of the stem or the stems of all plants in a stand. 

Herbaceous and small woody plants are measured at the near ground level; larger woody plants are 

measured at breast or other designate height. Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health – Technical 

Reference 1734-6 

Bunchgrass – A grass having the characteristic growth habit of forming a bunch; lacking stolons or 

rhizomes (SRM 1999). 

Contamination – The presence of man-made chemicals or other alterations in the natural soil or water 

environment (pesticides, hazardous substances, petroleum, salts). Adapted from various sources. 

Erosion Control – To protect soil surface and prevent soil particles from being detached by rainfall, 

snowmelt or wind. Erosion control works to keep the soil in place. 

Dominant species – No single species will account for more than 30% total vegetative composition 

unless it is evident at higher levels in the adjacent landscape. Vegetation canopy cover and species 

diversity and type shall approximate the surrounding undisturbed area. Exception may be granted where 

this standard conflicts with the desires of a private landowner. 

Ecosystem – Includes all the organisms of an area, their environment, and the linkages or interactions 

among all of them; all parts of an ecosystem are interrelated. The fundamental unit in ecology, containing 

both organisms and abiotic environments, each influencing the properties of the other and both necessary 

for the maintenance of life. Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides in 17 Western States, Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement (BLM 2007) 

Edge Effect – The influence of one adjoining plant community upon the margin of another affecting the 

composition and density of the populations. 

Feature – Proposed linear disturbance. 

Federal Action – Approval of specific projects, such as construction or management activities located in 

a defined geographic area. Projects include actions approved by permit or other regulatory decision as 

well as federal and federally assisted activities. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 

4321 et seq.]
 

Forb – Non-grassy herbaceous (non-woody) plant. 

Grass – Any of a large family gramineae of monocotyledonous, mostly herbaceous plants, with a jointed 

stem, slender sheathing leaves and flowers borne on spikelet’s or bracts. 

Gravel – less than 2” at the intermediate axis. 

Invasive Species – A species that is not native to the ecosystem under consideration and whose 

introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health. See 

BLM Invasive Species List, Executive Order 13112. 

Litter – Litter provides a source of organic matter for incorporation into the underlying mineral soil, acts 

as a source of carbon for organisms carrying out decomposing functions, and insulates the soil from 

extreme air temperatures. Litter also plays a critical role in watershed protection by promoting water 

infiltration and protecting the soil from the erosive energy of raindrops and surface runoff. Ground cover 

has typically been defined as the area of ground covered by vegetation and litter. Plant litter such as hay, 

straw, wood chips, or matting that is mechanically fixed to the soil surface. 

Limited Reclamation Potential Areas (LRP) – There are areas (e.g., alkali flats, badlands, dunes, rocky 

outcrops) where reclamation may be more difficult than in traditional landscapes. LRP areas are 

characterized by highly erodible soils; steep slopes; sites having physical, biological, and/or chemical 

limitations, low precipitation rates; or areas which have characteristics that make traditional reclamation 

practices impractical or unfeasible. Because reclamation in LRP areas is more difficult, LRP areas should 

be avoided. However, if LRP areas have been previously leased or permitted, additional bonding may be 

required. Alternatives to development in LRPs should be carefully analyzed using information from the 

reclamation plan and documented in the NEPA process. 

11
 
 

 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Persistent Litter – Litter has been defined by some authorities as dead organic matter lying on the 

mineral soil; others have included standing dead material and dead fallen organic material. On the basis of 

these definitions, litter in sagebrush steppe ecosystems includes fallen dead leaves; stems; bark; flowers; 

and seeds of shrubs, forbs, and grasses; dead cushion plants and moss; detached lichen; animal feces and 

dead insects; and unidentifiable amorphous woody organic matter (humic litter) lying on the mineral soil 

surface. Litter seems to be the most prevalent ground cover component in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. 

Reclamation Plan – A written document that addresses the reconstruction of disturbed ecosystems by 

returning the land to a stable and productive condition compatible with the land use plan. This Plan shall 

address the Goals and Objectives described in the Wyoming Reclamation Policy. 

Rills – A small, intermittent water course with steep sides, usually only several centimeters deep. Rills 

generally are linear erosion features. 

Scenic Quality – The overall impression of a landscape retained after driving or walking through, or 

flying over an area. The Scenic Quality of an area is rated as Class A (outstanding visual characteristics), 

Class B (combination of outstanding and common visual characteristics), and Class C (common visual 

characteristics). See BLM Handbook H-8410 Visual Resource Inventory and BLM Handbook H8431Visual Resource Contrast Rating. 

Sediment Control – To trap soil particles after they have been dislodged and moved by wind or water. 

Sediment controls generally rely on filtering or settling soil particles out of water or wind that is 

transporting them. 

Shrub – A woody plant which branches below or near ground level into several main stems, so has no 

clear trunk. It may be deciduous or evergreen. At the end of the growing season there is no die-back of 

the axis. 

Soil Surface Factor (SSF) – Numerical expression of surface erosion activity caused by wind and water 

as reflected by soil movement, surface litter, erosion pavement, pedestalling, rills, flow patterns, and 

gullies. Values vary from 0 for stable erosion condition to 100 for a severe condition. Technical Note 

#346, Erosion Condition Classification System 

Surface Disturbing Activities – An action that alters the vegetation, surface/near surface soil resources, 

and/or surface geologic features, beyond natural site conditions and on a scale that affects other Public 

Land values. Examples of surface disturbing activities may include: operation of heavy equipment to 

construct well pads, roads, pits and reservoirs; installation of pipelines and power lines; and the conduct 

of several types of vegetation treatments (e.g., prescribed fire, etc.). Surface disturbing activities may be 

either authorized or prohibited. Wyoming Information Bulletin 2007-029, Guidance for Use of 

Standardized Surface Use Definitions 

Topsoil – The biologically active, upper part of the soil profile, being the most favorable material for 

plant growth. Adapted from U.S.D.A., NRCS 

Tree – Perennial, woody plant with a single stem (trunk), normally greater than 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 

feet) in height; under certain environmental conditions, some tree species may develop a multi-stemmed 

or short growth form (less than 4 meters or 13 feet in height). 

Weed – A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing where it is 

not wanted. We are generally interested in noxious and non-native invasive species. 

Waste materials – Any discarded or abandoned material that can interfere with successful reclamation, 

safety, and long term stability of a site (contaminated soil or water, drilling mud, solid waste). Adapted 

from various sources 

12
 
 

 

 

 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

ATTACHMENT 1 

Tech Note #346 U.S. Department of the Interior- Bureau of Land Management Erosion 

Condition Classification System by Ronnie Clark 

Operator:___________________________________ Collector: ________________________________________ 

Well name/number AND Legal description: _______________________________________________________ 

Coordinates(UTMs): ___________________________ Date:__________________________________________ 

Erosional Feature Potentially Present 

Yes/No 

Identified Factors (Form 7310-12) Possible 

Factor 

Soil Movement 

Surface Litter 

Surface Rock Fragments 

Pedestalling 

Flow Patterns 

Rills 

Gullies 

Column Totals 

Soil Surface Factor 

Totals 

Class 

Erosion Control Classification System Values 

SSF Class 

1-20% Stable 

21-40% Slight 

41-60% Moderate 

61-80% Critical 

81-100% Severe 

13
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

ATTACHMENT 2 

FORM 7310-12 DETERMINATION OF EROSION CONDITION CLASS 

Erosion Control Classification System Determinations 

Soil Surface 

Factor (SSF) 

Soil 

Movement 

Depth of recent 

deposits around 

obstacles, or in 

microterraces; 

and/or depth of 

truncated areas, 

is 0 – 0.1 in (0 – 

2.5 mm). 

0 or 3 

Depth of recent 

deposits around 

obstacles, or in 

microterraces; 

and/or depth of 

truncated areas, is 

0.1 – 0.2 in (2 – 5 

mm). 

5 

Depth of recent 

deposits around 

obstacles, or in 

microterraces; 

and/or depth of 

truncated areas, 

is 0.2 – 0.4 in. (5 

– 10 mm) 

8 

Depth of recent 

deposits around 

obstacles, or in 

microterraces; 

and/or depth of 

truncated areas, 

is 0.4 – 0.8 in. 

(10 – 20 mm) 

11 

Depth of recent 

deposits around 

obstacles, or in 

microterraces; 

and/or depth of 

truncated areas, is 

> 0.8 in. (20 mm) 

14 

Surface Litter No movement, 

or if present, < 

2% of the litter 

has been 

translocated and 

redeposited 

against 

obstacles. 

0 or 3 

2 – 10% of the 

litter has been 

translocated and 

redeposited 

against obstacles. 

6 

10 – 25% of the 

litter has been 

translocated and 

redeposited 

against 

obstacles. 

8 

25 – 50%% of 

the litter has 

been 

translocated and 

redeposited 

against 

obstacles. 

11 

> 50% of the 

litter has been 

translocated and 

redeposited 

against obstacles. 

14 

Surface Rock 

Fragments 

Depth of soil 

removal around 

the fragments, 

and/or depth of 

recent deposits 

around the 

fragments is < 

0.1 in (2.5 mm). 

0 or 2 

Depth of soil 

removal around 

the fragments, 

and/or depth of 

recent deposits 

around the 

fragments is 0.1 – 

0.2 in. (2.5 – 5 

mm). 

5 

Depth of soil 

removal around 

the fragments, 

and/or depth of 

recent deposits 

around the 

fragments is 0.2 

– 0.4 in. (5 – 10 

mm). 

8 

Depth of soil 

removal around 

the fragments, 

and/or depth of 

recent deposits 

around the 

fragments is 0.4 

– 0.8 in. (10 – 

20 mm). 

11 

Depth of soil 

removal around 

the fragments, 

and/or depth of 

recent deposits 

around the 

fragments is > 0.8 

in. (20 mm). 

14 

Pedestals Pedestals are 

mostly < 0.1 in 

(2.5 mm) high 

and/or have a 

frequency < 2 

pedestals/100 ft. 

0 or 3 

Pedestals are 

mostly 0.1 – 0.3 

in. (2.5 – 8 mm) 

high and/or have a 

frequency of < 2 – 

5 pedestals/100 ft. 

6 

Pedestals are 

mostly 0.3 – 0.6 

in. (8 – 15 mm) 

high and/or have 

a frequency of < 

5 – 7 

pedestals/100 ft. 

9 

Pedestals are 

mostly 0.6 – 1 

in. (15 – 25 mm) 

high and/or have 

a frequency of < 

7 – 10 

pedestals/100 ft. 

11 

Pedestals are 

mostly > 1 in. (25 

mm) high and/or 

have a frequency 

of > 10 

pedestals/100 ft. 

14 

Flow Patterns If present, < 2% 

surface area 

shows evidence 

of recent 

translocation and 

deposition of soil 

& litter. 

2 – 10% surface 

area shows 

evidence of recent 

translocation and 

deposition of soil 

& litter. 

6 

10 – 25% 

surface area 

shows evidence 

of recent 

translocation 

and deposition 

of soil & litter. 

25 – 50% 

surface area 

shows evidence 

of recent 

translocation 

and deposition 

of soil & litter. 

> 50% surface 

area shows 

evidence of 

recent 

translocation and 

deposition of soil 

& litter. 

14
 
Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Erosion Control Classification System Determinations 

0 or 3 9 12 15 

Rills If present, are < 

0.5 in (13 mm) 

deep and at 

intervals > 10 ft. 

0 or 3 

Rills are mostly 

0.5 – 1 in. (132 – 

25 mm) deep, and 

at intervals >10 ft. 

6 

Rills are mostly 

1 – 1.5 in. (25 – 

38 mm) deep, 

and at intervals 

> 10 ft. 

9 

Rills are mostly 

1.5 – 3 in. (38 – 

76 mm) deep, 

and at intervals 

>10 ft. 

12 

Rills are mostly 3 

– 6 in. (76 – 152 

mm) deep, and at 

intervals > 5 ft. 

14 

Gullies If present, < 2% 

of the channel 

bed and walls 

show active 

erosion (no 

vegetation), 

gullies make up 

<2% total area. 

0 or 3 

2 – 5% of the 

channel bed and 

walls show active 

erosion (no 

vegetation), 

gullies make up 2 

– 5% total area. 

6 

5 – 10% of the 

channel bed and 

walls show 

active erosion 

(no vegetation), 

gullies make up 

5 – 10% total 

area. 

9 

10 – 50% of the 

channel bed and 

walls show 

active erosion 

(no vegetation), 

gullies make up 

10 – 50% total 

area. 

12 

Over 50% of the 

channel bed and 

walls show active 

erosion (no 

vegetation), 

gullies make up 

>50% total area. 

15
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

ATTACHMENT 3 

EXAMPLE MONITORING SUMMARY REPORT 

Once 100 points of data at a transect are collected, the sum of the forb, shrub, grass component is 

entered by species and life form. Then calculate the percentages of desirable species by life 

form, add the percentages of all desirable vegetation species of grass, forb, and shrub from your 

raw monitoring data. 

Operator:______________________________________ Collector: _____________________________________ 

Well name/number AND Legal description: _______________________________________________________ 

Coordinates (UTMs):____________________________ Date: _________________________________________ 

Species Life form Raw data from 

monitoring field 

sheet (# of hits) 

% by life form % of total 

desirable 

vegetation by 

species 

Forb Shrub Grass 

Green rabbit 

brush 

Shrub 1 4.5% 

Scarlet 

globemallow 

Forb 1 4.5% 

Western 

wheatgrass 

Grass 3 13.6% 

Indian ricegrass Grass 1 4.5% 

Bluebunch 

wheatgrass 

Grass 2 9% 

Fourwing saltbush Shrub 1 4.5% 

Big sagebrush Shrub 2 9% 

Thickspike 

wheatgrass 

Grass 1 4.5% 

Totals 22 4.5% 18% 31% 

Calculations for percent of desirable vegetation by life form and species 

16
 
 

 

 

 

 

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

ATTACHMENT 4
 

COVER BY LIFEFORM TRANSECT 

Operator:______________________________________ Collector: _____________________________________ 

Well name/number AND Legal description: _______________________________________________________ 

Coordinates (UTMs):____________________________ Date: _________________________________________ 

Grasses Forbs Shrubs Litter Rock Bare 

Ground 

Other (i.e. 

cactus) 

Perennial 

Annual 

Noxious 

Other 

Total 

(=100) 

*Litter includes standing dead matter, moss, lichen, biological crust, and scat. 

17
 
   

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

ATTACHMENT 5
 

BLM RECOMMENDED SEED MIXES BASED ON ECOLOGICAL SITES 

Shallow Loamy Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 7 

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata) 4.6 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

18
 
   

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Shallow Sandy Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 3.5 

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata) 3.5 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia) 4.6 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Blue flax (Linum lewisii) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

19
 
   

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Clayey Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 4.6 

Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 5.2 

Slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus) 1.8 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

20
 
   

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Loamy Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 

Or 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 

3.9 

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata) 1.5 

Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 3.4 

Slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachycaulus) 2.8 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Rocky Mountain beeplant (Cleome serrulata) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

21
 
 

   

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Sandy Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 3.5 

Prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia) 4.6 

Indian ricegrass (Achnatherum hymenoides) 3.5 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Blue flax (Linum lewisii) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

22
 
   

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Shallow Clayey Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 2.4 

Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 2.4 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

American vetch (Vicia Americana) 1.0 

Blue flax (Linum lewisii) 0.2 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 8.0 lbs/acre 

23
 
 

   

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

Very Shallow Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species - Cultivar Lbs PLS* 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 

Or 

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 

1.2 

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata ssp. spicata) 3.5 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 0.9 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Buffalo grass (Buchloe dactyloides) 

1.0 

American vetch (Vicia Americana) 

OR 

Milkvetches (Astragalus) 

0.7 

Blue flax (Linum lewisii) 0.2 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 8.5 lbs/acre 

24
 
 

   

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Lowland Ecological Site Seed Mix 

Species Lbs PLS* 

Thickspike wheatgrass (Elymus lanceolatus ssp. lanceolatus) 

Or 

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii) 

4.8 

Green needlegrass (Nassella viridula) 4.1 

Basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) 3.5 

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis) 

Or 

Needleandthread (Hesperostipa comata) 

1.0 

Prairie coneflower (Ratibida columnifera) 0.8 

White or purple prairie clover (Dalea candidum, purpurea) 0.8 

Fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) 

Or 

Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) 

Or 

Winterfat (Krascheninnikovia lanata) 

0.5 

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericameria nauseousa) 

Or 

Green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous) 

0.5 

Totals 16 lbs/acre 

25
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

ATTACHMENT 6 

FORTIFICATION CREEK PLANNING AREA PLANT SPECIES LIST 

COMMON NAME/ 

GROUP NAME 

SCIENTIFIC NAME 

GRASSES/GRASSLIKES 

RHIZOMATOUS WHEATGRASSES: 

thickspike wheatgrass Elymus lanceolatus 

western wheatgrass Pascopyrum smithii 

OTHER GRASSES 

green needlegrass Nassella viridula 

bluebunch wheatgrass Pseudoroegneria spicata 

Cusick's bluegrass Poa cusickii 

needleandthread Hesperostipa comata 

little bluestem Schizachyrium scoparium 

threadleaf sedge Carex filifolia 

MISCELLANEOUS GRASSES/GRASSLIKES* 

blue grama Bouteloua gracilis 

hairy grama Bouteloua hirsuta 

Canby bluegrass Poa canbyi (syn. to Poa secunda) 

plains reedgrass Calamagrostis montanensis 

needleleaf sedge Carex duriuscula 

buffalo grass Buchloe dactyloides 

prairie junegrass Koeleria macrantha 

Sandberg bluegrass Poa secunda 

plains muhly Muhlenbergia cuspidata 

threadleaf sedge Carex filifolia 

bottlebrush squirreltail Elymus elymoides 

sideoats grama Bouteloua curtipendula 

Fendler threeawn Aristida purpurea 

Indian ricegrass Achnatherum hymenoides 

sand dropseed Sporobolus cryptandrus 

FORBS 

MISCELLANEOUS FORBS* 

American vetch Vicia americana 

prairie coneflower Ratibida columnifera 

asters Asters 

biscuitroots Lomatium spp. 

breadroot scurfpea Pediomelum esculentum 

western yarrow Achillea lanulosa 

rosy pussytoes Antennaria rosea 

milkvetches Astragalus 

scarlet gaura Gaura coccinea 

purple prairie clover Dalea purpurea 

white prairie clover Dalea candida 

bluebells Mertensia 

wild onion Allium textile 

prairie thermopsis Thermopsis rhombifolia 

26
 
 

   

Appendix A Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

COMMON NAME/ 

GROUP NAME 

SCIENTIFIC NAME 

stemless goldenweed Haplopappus acaulis 

twogrooved milkvetch Astragalus bisulcatus 

hawksbeard Crepis acuminata 

sulphur flower buckwheat Eriogonum umbellatum 

TREES, SHRUBS & HALF-SHRUBS 

Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata 

birdfoot sagebrush Artemisia pedatifida 

winterfat Krascheninnikovia lanata 

rubber rabbit brush Ericameria nauseousa 

silver sagebrush Artemisia cana 

skunkbush sumac Rhus trilobata 

green rabbit brush Chrysothamnus viscidiflorous 

yucca Yucca glauca 

ponderosa pine Pinus ponderosa 

junipers Juniperus scopulorum 

western snowberry Symphoricarpos occidentalis 

27
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix A 

28
 
APPENDIX B 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE 

FORTIFICATION CREEK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

AMENDMENT 

PERFORMANCE-BASED STANDARDS: 

GOALS, OBJECTIVES, INDICATORS, AND 

RECOMMENDATIONS 

August 2011 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Table of Contents 

1 Introduction..............................................................................................................................1
 

1.1	 Elk........................................................................................................................................1
 

Goal:.........................................................................................................................................1
 

Objectives: ...............................................................................................................................1
 

Indicators: ................................................................................................................................2
 

Recommendations:...................................................................................................................2
 

1.2	 Reclamation (Soil & Vegetation).........................................................................................3
 

Goals: .......................................................................................................................................3
 

Objectives: ...............................................................................................................................3
 

Indicators: ................................................................................................................................3
 

Indicators: ................................................................................................................................4
 

Reclamation Monitoring and Final Abandonment Approval ..................................................5
 

Recommendations:...................................................................................................................8
 

1.3 Definitions............................................................................................................................8
 

i 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

1 INTRODUCTION 

These performance goals, objectives, indicators, and recommendations were designed to be used 

in conjunction with the Fortification Creek Resource Management Plan Amendment 

(FCRMPA). These will be used instead of prescriptive requirements to achieve Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) goals and objectives for the Fortification Creek Planning Area (FCPA). 

1.1 Elk 

Goal: 

A viable elk herd utilizing their seasonal ranges during the appropriate seasons is maintained 

across the FCPA. 

Objectives: 

1.	 The population is maintained at 80% (120) or greater as measured from the Wyoming Game 

and Fish Department (WGFD) population objective (currently 150). Coal Bed Natural Gas 

(CBNG) will not be the causative factor to a population below this level. 

2.	 Calf production is maintained at least 80% (100:37) of current cow:calf ratio (100:45.5). The 

initial ratio is based on a 9 year average (2003-2011 WGFD 2010 JCR Table 7). 

3.	 Winter calf survival is at least 80% (100:25) of current cow:calf ratio (100:30.9). The initial 

ratio is based on a 9 year average (2003-2011 WGFD 2010 JCR Table 8). 

4.	 Next-summer calf survival (calf to yearling) is at least 80% (100:26) of current cow:Yrlng 

ratio (100:32.4). The initial ratio is based on a 9 year average (2003-2011 WGFD 2010 JCR 

Table 7). 

5.	 Fidelity to the seasonal ranges (yearlong, calving, and crucial winter) remains greater than 

80% of current levels. This means that if currently 80% of the collared elk locations (preCBNG) are within the yearlong range for the entire year, then following drilling 64% of the 

collared elk locations should remain within the yearlong range for the entire year (64% is 

80% of 80). The seasonal crucial range fidelity will evaluate the collared elk use within the 

seasonal ranges (calving and crucial winter) during the crucial seasons. Calving range 

fidelity will be evaluated for the period from May 15 through June 15. Crucial winter range 

fidelity will be evaluated for the period from December 1 through April 30. 

6.	 Security habitat is maintained at 80% or greater than baseline levels within the crucial ranges 

and the yearlong range for each geographic phase. 

7.	 Habitat effectiveness (local – plan of Development [POD]) is maintained at 80% or greater of 

current levels within the crucial ranges and the yearlong range. 

Initial cow:calf ratios are based on minimum of 9 year average, subsequent (monitoring ratios) 

will be based on a rolling 5 year average. Initial fidelity thresholds will based on a three year 

average for crucial winter range fidelity (winters 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011) and 

yearlong fidelity (spring 2008-spring 2011), and a four year average for parturition range fidelity 

(2008-2011). Initial local habitat effectiveness will be based on elk use from April 2008 until 

project authorization. 

Monitoring data will be reviewed during site-specific POD analyses to determine compliance 

with the performance standards. The Monitoring Team (BLM and State of Wyoming) will meet 

at minimum of once per year to assess trends and determine if any thresholds have been crossed. 

The thresholds are guides for adaptive management they are not hard thresholds. If a threshold 

1 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix B 

is crossed it will not be automatic that management actions will change. The monitoring team 

will review all the data, and determine whether a management change is warranted. For example 

if the winter calf survival ratio falls below the threshold and the monitoring team after reviewing 

the data believes the decreased calf survival is related to winter weather and not CBNG 

development then a management change would likely not be proposed. 

Indicators: 

a.	 Population – WGFD post hunt estimate from fall (Nov. – Dec.) helicopter survey and 

POP II (VI.2.5) simulation modeling. (Initial estimate from WGFD 2010 JCR Table 1) 

b.	 Calf production – WGFD post hunt estimate from fall (Nov. – Dec.) helicopter survey 

and POP II (VI.2.5) simulation modeling. (Initial estimate from WGFD 2010 JCR Table 

7, 2003-2011) 

c.	 Winter calf survival – WGFD spring estimate from late winter (late Feb. – early April) 

helicopter survey. (Initial estimate from WGFD 2010 JCR Table 8, 2003-2011) 

d.	 Next-summer calf survival (yearling) – WGFD post hunt estimate from fall (Nov. – Dec.) 

helicopter survey and POP II (VI.2.5) simulation modeling. (Initial estimate from WGFD 

2010 JCR Table 7, 2003-2011) 

e.	 Range fidelity – GPS data analyzed quarterly for yearlong range. 

f.	 Seasonal fidelity – GPS data analyzed following seasonal periods. Calving: May 15 – 

June 15. Winter: December 1 – April 30. Fidelity includes not only the amount of use, 

but the pattern of use. For example crucial winter range use is anticipated to show elk 

movement in and out of the CWR based on storm events. 

g.	 Security habitat – Viewshed modeling from available roads prior to APD approval. 

h.	 Effective habitat – During the operational phase of CBNG wells elk use returns to 80% of 

current (pre-APD) levels. GPS data analyzed quarterly. 

Recommendations: 

Consolidate and minimize infrastructure – range fidelity, security habitat, and habitat 

effectiveness. Example: Operators are encouraged to work together in designing a primary road 

and infrastructure corridor network. 

1.	 Locate ancillary facilities (water management, compressors, metering stations, etc.) outside 

crucial ranges – seasonal fidelity. 

2.	 Reduce metering and other production related visitation – security habitat, habitat 

effectiveness, seasonal fidelity, range fidelity. 

3.	 Close and reclaim redundant or otherwise unnecessary roads – security habitat, habitat 

effectiveness, seasonal fidelity, range fidelity. 

4.	 Limit operations within crucial seasonal ranges where not stipulated – security habitat, 

habitat effectiveness, seasonal fidelity. Honor timing limitations not only with construction 

activities but to the greatest extent practical during production as well. 

5.	 Work with BLM and WGFD to incorporate forage and habitat enhancements into plans of 

development (PODs) – habitat effectiveness, range fidelity, calf production, and calf 

survival. 

6.	 Limit security habitat loss – security habitat, effective habitat, seasonal fidelity, range 

fidelity. 

2 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

1.2 Reclamation (Soil & Vegetation) 

Sources: Wyoming BLM Reclamation Policy, BLM Tech Note 346, Jonah and Atlantic Rim 

reclamation standards, BLM Washington Office lead Natural Resource Specialist. 

Goals: 

1.	 Short term goal: immediately stabilize disturbed areas and provide conditions necessary to 

achieve the long term goal. 

2.	 Long term goal: facilitate eventual ecosystem reconstruction to maintain a safe and stable 

landscape and meet the desired outcomes of the land use plan. 

3. Vegetative communities within CBNG development mirror those of healthy communities as 

described in the Ecological Site Description (ESD). 

Objectives: 

1.	 Interim reclamation (initiated within 30 days of completing surface disturbing activities): 

The objective of interim reclamation is to restore desirable vegetative cover and a portion of 

the landform sufficient to maintain healthy, biologically active topsoil; control erosion; and 

minimize habitat, visual, and forage loss during the life of the well or facilities. Interim 

Reclamation – Includes disturbed areas that may be redisturbed during operations and will be 

redisturbed at final reclamation to achieve restoration of the original landform and a natural 

vegetative community. 

i.	 The operator will submit a subsequent report by Sundry Notice to BLM once stabilization 

measures have been implemented. 

Indicators: 

a.	 Erosion control methods shall be in place to mitigate any erosive features, such as rills, 

gullies, or sheet erosion. 

b.	 Disturbed areas not needed for active, long-term production operations or vehicle travel 

have been recontoured; protected from erosion; and revegetated with a self-sustaining, 

vigorous, diverse, native (or as otherwise approved) plant community sufficient to 

minimize visual impacts, provide forage, stabilize soils, and impede the invasion of 

noxious, invasive, and non-native weeds. 

c.	 During initial well pad, production facility, road, pipeline, and utility corridor 

construction, pre-interim reclamation stormwater management actions will be taken to 

ensure disturbed areas are quickly stabilized to control surface water flow and to protect 

both the disturbed and adjacent areas from erosion and siltation. 

2.	 Successful interim reclamation: 

a.	 Year 1: The site must be in stable condition as indicated by the Erosion Control 

Classification System (BLM Tech Note 346). 

i.The operator has ensured that 100% of the disturbance site is in a stable condition as 

indicated by the Erosion Control Classification System (BLM Tech Note 346). The site 

is stable as determined by the soil surface factor (SSF) factor range 1-20. The 

disturbance area has been seeded with the approved seed mix. 

b.	 Year 2: 100% of the disturbance area is stable and vegetation is becoming established 

with desirable species and trending towards long-term goal(s). 

3 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix B 

c.	 Year 3: 100% of the disturbance area is stable and re-vegetated to within 80% of the 

ESD reference site for bare ground. 

i.Native Grasses: Reclaimed sites must have a minimum of 2 native perennial grass species 

established in the distance area, 1of which must be a bunch grass species. 

ii.Native Forbs: The average density or frequency of forbs must be a minimum of 80% of 

the reference site. Diversity of forbs on a reclaimed site must be equal to or greater than 

the reference site. 

iii.Non-Native Weeds: Sites must be free from all species listed on the Wyoming or Federal 

noxious weed list. All state and federal laws regarding noxious weeds must be followed. 

Other highly competitive invasive species such as cheatgrass must be controlled. 

iv.Plant Vigor: Plants must be resilient as evidenced by well-developed root systems, 

flowers, and seed heads. All sites must exhibit the sustainability of the above desired 

attributes after the removal of external influences. A minimum of 1 growing season 

without external influences (irrigation, mat pads, fences, etc.) may satisfy this 

requirement. 

Successful reclamation criteria must be met prior to the operator proceeding with 

additional development within the FCPA. For example if development in Phase 1 begins 

in 2011 and runs through 2013, prior to moving into Phase II the 2011 development areas 

must meet the Year 3 reclamation requirements, the 2012 development areas must meet 

the Year 2 reclamation requirements, and the 2013 development areas must meet the 

Year 1 reclamation requirements. 

1.	 Final reclamation: 

d.	 Final Reclamation – Includes disturbed areas where the original landform and a natural 

vegetative community have been restored. 

Indicators: 

Refer to the Wyoming Relation Policy – Instruction Memorandum No. WY-2009-022 located on 

the web at: 

http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wy/resources/efoia/IMs/2009.Par.54664.File.dat/wy2009 

-022.pdf. 

1.	 Reclamation plan: 

A reclamation plan shall be developed for all surface disturbing activities and will become 

part of the proposed action in the NEPA document. The level of detail for the reclamation 

plan shall reflect: the complexity of the project, the environmental concerns, and the 

reclamation potential for the site. These plans shall also incorporate any program or 

regulatory specific requirements for reclamation. The reclamation plan shall address shortterm stabilization to facilitate long-term reclamation. The reclamation plan is considered 

complete when all the reclamation requirements described in the WY Reclamation Policy 

have been addressed, the techniques to meet the reclamation requirements are described in 

detail, and the BLM concurs with the reclamation plan. 

4 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Reclamation Monitoring and Final Abandonment Approval 

Monitoring Intensity 

The vision is for industry to monitor each individual Application for Permit to Drill (APD) and 

right-of-way (ROW) including; well pads, portions of roads, power lines, pipelines, and other 

disturbances. Monitoring should begin with pre-disturbance surveys before disturbance takes 

place. Monitoring and reporting will take place annually. 

BLM will perform follow-up monitoring to insure quality control and quality assurance to 

maintain the integrity of the data. Point line transects will be the base monitoring methodology 

with a minimum of 200 points for each location. 

a. Monitoring methods 

Methods for monitoring vegetation and ground cover are recognized as standard monitoring 

and surveying methodologies. The point line or line intercept method is used to measure the 

amount of ground cover after disturbance. Ground cover is important in controlling surface 

erosion after a disturbance. Most ground cover on a reclaimed well pad is in the form of 

mulch or reestablished vegetation. Monitoring and reporting of surface disturbances will 

occur annually. 

The operator may use any BLM approved monitoring method, however, BLM will utilize the 

point line transect method for vegetation and soil surface factor (SSF) method for site 

stability to determine when reclamation standards have been met. 

b. Site selection 

Site selection must include representative sections (transects) of all areas of the disturbed 

environment. Transects are configured to include edge effect, pits, and general resource 

conditions, as much as practicable. Standardization will assure repeatability and allow 

comparison of data as well as reduce confusion. 

c. Linear features 

Include roads, power lines, pipe lines, etc. associated with applications for permit to drill 

(APDs) or rights of way (ROW). Sites selection should be made after speaking with 

individuals who are familiar with the characteristics of the different land forms, soil types, 

precipitation zones, and vegetation communities within the length of the linear feature. 0.25 

mile monitoring sections must be selected that best represent all of the disturbed areas. For 

example; variation in slope, aspect, plant communities, soil types, view sheds, and other 

features. 

d. Size and frequency 

Monitoring sites will be in standardized segments, measured by tape. Monitoring segments 

should also be selected for reference conditions as well as for ROW or APD representation. 

Success and degree of success will be determined by how closely each site matches the 

defined Ecological Site description (ESD), in the success criteria for each described soil type 

and precipitation zone. 

e. Timing and duration 

Monitoring should be conducted during the effective growing season generally from April 1st 

to July 15th but may go into October with sufficient moisture. Monitoring should occur at 

approximately the same time each year. Monitoring and reporting of interim reclamation 

will be required from the time restoration is initiated until success is achieved and agreed to 

5 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix B 

by BLM, then every third year thereafter until signed off as successfully reclaimed at project 

completion. 

f. Field methods 

Field methods include both qualitative assessments and quantitative measurements. 

Revegetation is an important component of site stabilization and accelerates a return to 

landscape productivity. Vegetation reduces erosion by roughening the ground surface, 

slowing drainage, and increasing infiltration and deposition. Plant roots promote slope 

stability by breaking up soil, increasing shear strength, increase porosity, and encourage 

infiltration. Vegetation can reduce soil moisture loss, increasing the available storage for the 

next precipitation event. Revegetation goals are twofold: Short-term erosion prevention and 

long-term conversion to native plant communities. We have five questions we would like to 

answer through vegetative monitoring: 

 Is there sufficient ground cover to control surface erosion? 

 Is there sufficient establishment of desired plant species? 

 Are erosion features within standards? 

 Has the site been properly re-contoured? 

 Are weeds controlled? 

g. Well pads and similar shaped disturbances 

To monitor well pads run a tape to measure the length and width of a pad or other feature, 

divide into transects across the shortest width 20 feet apart. Only basal vegetation will be 

recorded. If foliage is encountered record hit at ground surface (bare ground, litter, grass 

etc). Pad transects will include 200 points. The basic rule is transects should be no more 

than two times the distance between points. For example, if you reduce the distance between 

points on a small pad to a reading every five feet, then transects should be spaced at no more 

than 10 foot intervals. 

Monitoring for successful interim reclamation or final reclamation and abandonment will 

follow the same monitoring protocols. 

h. Linear features 

Linear features will be similarly monitored by selecting representative portions consisting of 

a minimum of one 0.25 mile (1,320’) monitoring section for each 5 miles or less of each 

feature. For sites less than 0.25 mile in length, the entire length will be monitored. 

Monitoring will consist of a minimum of four 100 foot transects run from disturbed edge to 

disturbed edge, with a reading every two feet. Monitoring will continue annually after 

reclamation is initiated until bond release or commensurate with the life of the project. 

Problem areas, for example, weed infestations or bare spots, may require remedial work to 

bring them into standards. 

Pre-disturbance and Annual (post-disturbance) Surveys 

a. Noxious and invasive weeds 

An Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) will be developed and submitted by each 

project proponent to the BLM Buffalo Field Office. Weed surveys will be conducted before 

surface disturbance takes place and annually afterwards. Monitoring will include, identifying 

noxious and invasive weeds by species and extent. 

6 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Pre-treatment of weeds may be necessary to minimize the potential for spread and to 

minimize treatment costs post-construction. Annual surveys may need to be conducted more 

than once per year to allow for variation of each species’ growing periods (i.e., cool season 

vs. warm season species). 

b.	 Photographs 

Digital photographs give a visual record of conditions over time. Digital photographs will be 

used to document conditions of vegetation, site stability, erosion, and other features or 

conditions subject to change over time. Digital photos must be taken from each corner of a 

well pad with sufficient clarity and focus to monitor general conditions on the pad. More than 

four photos’ can be taken to capture important features. Identify photo location on a field 

monitoring form to record photos, include direction of photo (compass) and where photo was 

taken from. Also record what the photo is capturing (i.e., noxious weeds [or lack of], a 

fence, a good stand of grass, certain forbs or shrubs, etc.) Also be sure the field of view and 

focus are similar in subsequent photos. BLM will also need photo copies of seed tags. 

Photos should be part of the annual reporting for that years planting, if no seed planting takes 

place then there is no need to include a new copy of the seed tags. 

c.	 Reclamation Success Criteria 

The following list contains seed mixes recommended by resource specialists with years of 

local knowledge. Care and planning must be taken to choose mixes and amounts that are 

appropriate for the site specific conditions. All sites must be planted with a diverse mix of 

grasses and forbs and possibly shrubs to be considered successful. The final goal is to restore 

disturbed sites so that they closely resemble pre-disturbance native plant communities. No 

single species will account for more than 30% total vegetative composition unless it is 

evident at higher levels in the adjacent landscape. Vegetation canopy cover and species 

diversity and type shall approximate the pre-selected reference site. Erosion features shall be 

equal to or less than the reference site and include restoration of the original land form. 

d.	 Reclamation re-vegetation standards 

The following are example Ecological Site Descriptions (ESDs). Wyoming site descriptions 

currently do not contain percentages. The Buffalo Field Office (BFO) intends to initiate a 

rigorous, statistically sound, ecological site description sampling program to develop 

appropriate percentages for Fortification Creek and the Powder River Basin. 

Shallow Loamy/Clay Sites – characterized as a sagebrush/wheatgrass community with 10-14 

inches precipitation. Includes: Dense clay, Impervious clay, Shale, Shallow loam and Loamy 

ESD’s. 

Reclamation revegetation standards for this ecological site include the following: 

 Grasses 50-70%; 

 Forbs 10%; 

 Bare ground < 25%; 

 No noxious weeds; and 

 Less than 5% non-native invasives. 

 Shallow soils will tend to be composed of 10-20% woody species, and deeper soils will tend 

to be composed of 20-30% woody species. 

 All vegetation measurements are of basal vegetation on point line transects. 

7 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix B 

Shallow Sandy Sites – characterized as a sagebrush/bunchgrass community with 10-14 inches 

precipitation. Includes Sandy ESD. 

Reclamation revegetation standards for this ecological site include the following: 

 Grasses 45-55%; 

 Forbs 10-20%%; 

 Bare ground < 20%; 

 No noxious weeds; and 

 Less than 5% non-native invasives. 

 Shallow soils will tend to be composed of 10-20% woody species, and deeper soils will tend 

to be composed of 20-30% woody species. 

 All vegetation measurements are of basal vegetation on point line transects. 

Loamy/Clay Sites – characterized as a sagebrush/wheatgrass community with 10-14 inches of 

precipitation. Includes: Dense clay, Impervious clay, Shale, Shallow loam and Loamy ESD’s. 

Reclamation revegetation standards for this ecological site include the following: 

 Grasses 60-70%; 

 Forbs 10-15%; 

 Bare ground < 30%; 

 No noxious weeds and 

 Less than 5% non-native invasives. 

 Shallow soils will tend to be composed of 10-20% woody species, and deeper soils will tend 

to be composed of 20-30% woody species. 

 All vegetation measurements are of basal vegetation on point line transects. 

Sandy Sites – characterized as a sagebrush/bunchgrass community with 10-14 inches of 

precipitation. Includes Sandy ESD 

Reclamation revegetation standards for this ecological site include the following: 

 Grasses 70%; 

 Forbs 10%; 

 Woody 20%; 

 Bare ground < 40%; 

 No noxious weeds; and 

 Less than 5% non-native invasives. 

 All vegetation measurements are of basal vegetation on point line transects. Sand dunes will 

tend to have a higher woody component. 

Recommendations: 

To be pulled from BFO standard and programmatic COAs, BLM BMPs, etc. 

1.3 Definitions 

Bare ground – Areas of mineral soil with no vegetation or litter. 

Basal Area (plants) – The cross-sectional area of the stem or the stems of all plants in a stand. 

Herbaceous and small woody plants are measured at the near ground level; larger woody plants 

are measured at breast or other designate height. Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health – 

Technical Reference 1734-6 

8 
 

Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Contamination – The presence of man-made chemicals or other alterations in the natural soil or 

water environment (pesticides, hazardous substances, petroleum, salts). Adapted from various 

sources. 

Erosion Control – To protect soil surface and prevent soil particles from being detached by 

rainfall, snowmelt, or wind. Erosion control works to keep the soil in place. 

Dominant species – No single species will account for more than 30% total vegetative 

composition unless it is evident at higher levels in the adjacent landscape. Vegetation canopy 

cover and species diversity and type shall approximate the surrounding undisturbed area. 

Ecosystem – Includes all the organisms of an area, their environment, and the linkages or 

interactions among all of them; all parts of an ecosystem are interrelated. The fundamental unit 

in ecology, containing both organisms and abiotic environments, each influencing the properties 

of the other and both necessary for the maintenance of life. Vegetation Treatments Using 

Herbicides in 17 Western States, Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement ( BLM 2007) 

Federal Action – Approval of specific projects, such as construction or management activities 

located in a defined geographic area. Projects include actions approved by permit or other 

regulatory decision as well as federal and federally assisted activities. National Environmental 

Policy Act (NEPA) [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.] 

Forb – non-grassy herbaceous (non-woody) plant. 

Grass – Any of a large family gramineae of monocotyledonous, mostly herbaceous plants, with 

a jointed stem, slender sheathing leaves and flowers borne on spikelet’s or bracts. 

Gravel – less than 2” at the intermediate axis. 

Invasive Species – A species that is not native (or is alien) to the ecosystem under consideration 

and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm or harm to 

human health. See BLM Invasive species list. Executive Order 13112 

Litter – Litter provides a source of organic matter for incorporation into the underlying mineral 

soil, acts as a source of carbon for organisms carrying out decomposing functions, and insulates 

the soil from extreme air temperatures. Litter also plays a critical role in watershed protection by 

promoting water infiltration and protecting the soil from the erosive energy of raindrops and 

surface runoff. Ground cover has typically been defined as the area of ground covered by 

vegetation and litter. Litter has been defined by some authorities as dead organic matter lying on 

the mineral soil; others have included standing dead material and dead fallen organic material. 

On the basis of these definitions, litter in sagebrush steppe ecosystems includes fallen dead 

leaves, stems, bark, flowers, and seeds of shrubs, forbs, and grasses; dead cushion plants and 

moss; detached lichen; animal feces and dead insects; and unidentifiable amorphous woody 

organic matter (humic litter) lying on the mineral soil surface. Litter seems to be the most 

prevalent ground cover component in sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Researchers have collected 

long-term data on vegetation and ground cover characteristics in high-elevation sagebrush steppe 

in south-central Wyoming. According to these data, litter was consistently the largest ground 

cover component, averaging 46% over a 14 year measurement period. Data from sagebrush 

steppe plant communities in North Park, Colorado, also showed litter to be the largest component 

(>30% of ground cover). 

9 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix B 

Limited Reclamation Potential Areas (LRP) – There are areas (e.g., alkali flats, badlands, 

dunes, rocky outcrops) where reclamation may be more difficult than in traditional landscapes. 

LRP areas are characterized by highly erodible soils, steep slopes, Sites having physical, 

biological, and/or chemical limitations, low precipitation rates, or areas which have 

characteristics that make traditional reclamation practices impractical or unfeasible. Because 

reclamation in LRP areas is more difficult, LRP areas should be avoided. However, if areas of 

LRP have been previously leased or permitted, additional bonding may be required. Alternatives 

to development in LRPs should be carefully analyzed using information from the reclamation 

plan and documented in the NEPA process. 

Reclamation Plan – A written document that addresses the reconstruction of disturbed 

ecosystems by returning the land to a stable and productive condition compatible with the land 

use plan. This Plan shall address the Goals and Objectives described in the Wyoming 

Reclamation Policy. 

Scenic Quality – The overall impression of a landscape retained after driving or walking 

through, or flying over an area. The Scenic Quality of an area is rated as Class A (outstanding 

visual characteristics), Class B (combination of outstanding and common visual characteristics), 

and Class C (common visual characteristics). See BLM Handbook H-8410 Visual Resource 

Inventory and BLM Handbook H-8431Visual Resource Contrast Rating 

Sediment Control – To trap soil particles after they have been dislodged and moved by wind or 

water. Sediment controls generally rely on filtering or settling soil particles out of water or wind 

that is transporting them. 

Shrub – A woody plant which branches below or near ground level into several main stems, so 

has no clear trunk. It may be deciduous or evergreen. At the end of the growing season there is 

no die-back of the axis. 

Soil Surface Factor (SSF) – Numerical expression of surface erosion activity caused by wind 

and water as reflected by soil movement, surface litter, erosion pavement, pedestalling, rills, 

flows patterns, and gullies. Values vary from 0 for stable erosion condition to 100 for a severe 

condition. Technical Note #346, Erosion Condition Classification System 

Surface Disturbing Activities – An action that alters the vegetation, surface/near surface soil 

resources, and/or surface geologic features, beyond natural site conditions and on a scale that 

affects other Public Land values. Examples of surface disturbing activities may include: 

operation of heavy equipment to construct well pads, roads, pits and reservoirs; installation of 

pipelines and power lines; and the conduct of several types of vegetation treatments (e.g., 

prescribed fire, etc.). Surface disturbing activities may be either authorized or prohibited. 

Wyoming Information Bulletin 2007-029, Guidance for Use of Standardized Surface Use 

Definitions 

Topsoil – The biologically active, upper part of the soil profile, being the most favorable 

material for plant growth. Adapted from U.S.D.A., Natural Resources Conservation Service 

Tree – Perennial, woody plant with a single stem (trunk), normally greater than 4 to 5 meters (13 

to 16 feet) in height; under certain environmental conditions, some tree species may develop a 

multi-stemmed or short growth form (less than 4 meters or 13 feet in height). 

10
 
Appendix B Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Weed – A plant considered undesirable, unattractive, or troublesome, especially one growing 

where it is not wanted. We are generally interested in noxious and non-native invasive species. 

Waste materials – Any discarded or abandoned material that can interfere with successful 

reclamation, safety, and long term stability of a site (contaminated soil or water, drilling mud, 

solid waste). Adapted from various sources. 

11
 
APPENDIX C 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE 

FORTIFICATION CREEK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

AMENDMENT 

LEASE STIPULATIONS
 

August 2011 
 

 

Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Resource Protection Stipulations Applied to Leases within the Fortification Creek Planning Area. 

The following table identifies the stipulations applied to each lease within the FCPA, lease notices and 

guidance statements are not included. The full stipulation text follows the table. There may be minor 

variations in the text between leases. Locational descriptions on stipulations that may apply to only a 

portion of the lease are not identified. 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-030762 10/01/1971 None 

WYW-031336 11/01/1971 None 

WYW-031786 12/01/1971 None 

WYW-032847 04/01/1972 None 

WYW-083558 05/01/1983 Blend with Surroundings Surface Disturbance 1 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 1 

WYW-084915 08/15/1983 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Elk Calving NSO 1 

Elk Critical Winter Range Production 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Wildlife Seasonal Habitat TLS 

WYW-036706 10/03/1972 Notification 

WYW-040809 09/01/1973 Reclamation Timing 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 2 

WYW-040814 09/01/1973 

Reclamation Timing 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 2 

WYW-042101 12/01/1973 

Reclamation Timing 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 2 

WYW-082738 09/01/1973 Reclamation Timing 

Watershed TLS 2 

1 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix C 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-084917 08/01/1983 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Elk Calving NSO 1 

Elk Critical Winter Range Production 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Reservoir Buffer 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Wildlife Seasonal Habitat TLS 

WYW-084920 08/01/1983 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Sage-Grouse NSO/TLS 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 1 

WYW-084921 08/01/1083 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Sage-Grouse NSO/TLS 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 1 

WYW-084936 09/01/1983 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

NSO (resource not defined) 

Slope NSO 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 1 

WYW-084939 06/01/1983 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Slope NSO 

 Stream Buffer 

Surface Disturbance 1 

Surface Disturbance 2 

Surface Disturbance 3 

Watershed TLS 1 

2 
Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-087599 03/01/1984 Blend with Surroundings 

Cultural Resources 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery 

Sage-Grouse NSO/TLS 

Slope NSO 

Watershed TLS 1 

WYW-090969 05/01/1985 Elk Calving NSO 2 

WYW-092023 12/01/1971 None 

WYW-108592 01/01/1990 Surface Disturbance 4 

WYW-114691 02/01/1989 Surface Disturbance 4 

Watershed NSO 1 

WYW-125401 11/01/1991 Elk Winter/Calving TLS 

Surface Disturbance 4 

WYW-125982 01/01/1992 Surface Disturbance 4 

Watershed NSO 

WYW-127413 09/01/1992 Soil NSO 

Surface Disturbance 4 

WYW-127422 09/01/1992 Soil NSO 

Surface Disturbance 4 

WYW-130291 09/01/1993 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-130292 09/01/1993 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-131736 03/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

Sage-Grouse Nesting TLS 

WYW-131742 03/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Watershed NSO 2 

WYW-132253 06/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Watershed NSO 2 

WYW-132254 06/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-132255 06/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-132259 06/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Watershed NSO 2 

WYW-132924 08/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk Calving NSO 3 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-132925 08/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-133615 10/01/1994 Elk Calving NSO 3 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-133616 10/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-133617 10/01/1994 Elk Calving NSO 3 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-133622 10/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-133623 10/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-134916 02/01/1995 Multiple Mineral Development 

3 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix C 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-135618 04/01/1995 Multiple Mineral Development 

Raptor Nesting TLS 

WYW-135625 04/01/1995 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-137639 11/01/1995 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-137646 11/01/1995 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-138136 02/01/1996 Multiple Mineral Development 

Sage-Grouse Nesting TLS 

WYW-138448 03/01/1996 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-139092 07/01/1996 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-139093 07/01/1996 Elk Calving/Winter NSO 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-139094 07/01/1996 Elk Calving/Winter NSO 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-139095 07/01/1996 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Wilderness and Wildlife CSU 

WYW-139107 07/01/1996 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Wilderness and Wildlife CSU 

WYW-139680 09/01/1996 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-139810 09/01/1996 Elk Crucial Winter Range/Calving CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-141579 06/01/1997 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WSA CSU 

WYW-141581 06/01/1997 Bald Eagle Winter CSU 

Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Raptor Nesting TLS 

WYW-141582 06/01/1997 Elk Crucial Winter Range/Calving CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-141585 07/01/1997 Bald Eagle Winter CSU 

Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Raptor Nesting TLS 

WYW-142832 10/01/1997 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-143158 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WSA CSU 

WYW-143159 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range/Calving CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-143161 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-143980 02/01/1998 Elk Calving/Winter NSO 

Multiple Mineral Development 

4 
Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-143981 02/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

Raptor Nesting TLS 

WYW-145193 06/01/1998 Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-145194 06/01/1998 Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146292 10/01/1998 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146294 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146295 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146296 10/01/1998 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146308 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146309 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146311 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146312 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146313 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146317 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146319 10/01/1998 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146320 10/01/1998 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146321 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146322 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146323 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146810 12/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-146813 12/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range/Calving CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-147337 02/01/1999 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Sage-Grouse/Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting TLS 

WYW-147349 02/01/19999 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-149357 10/01/1994 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-149358 10/01/1994 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-149361 07/01/1996 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Wilderness and Wildlife CSU 

WYW-151170 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-151177 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-151680 10/01/1998 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk and Visual CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

5 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix C 

Lease Effective Date Stipulations 

WYW-151709 12/01/2000 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Elk Calving NSO 3 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Wilderness and Wildlife CSU 

WYW-153356 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-153359 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-155328 10/01/1998 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-159005 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-159006 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WSA CSU 

WYW-159007 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-160053 02/01//1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WSA CSU 

WYW-160381 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-162028 02/01/1998 Elk Calving/Winter NSO 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-162029 02/01/1999 Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS 

Multiple Mineral Development 

Sage-Grouse/Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting TLS 

WYW-162030 12/01/2000 Elk Calving NSO 3 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WYW-163521 02/01/1998 Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU 

Multiple Mineral Development 

WSA CSU 

WYW-172690 10/01/2000 Multiple Mineral Development 

Stipulations: 

Bald Eagle Winter CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special operating 

constraints. (1) Surface occupancy or use within the Powder River Eagle Habitat will be restricted or 

prohibited unless the operator and surface managing agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation of 

the anticipated impacts; On the lands described below: (2) as mapped on the Buffalo RMP map; For the 

purpose of: (3) protecting winter Bald Eagle Habitat. 

Big Game Crucial Winter Range TLS – No surface use is allowed during the following time period(s). 

This stipulation does not apply to operation and maintenance of production facilities. (1) Nov 15 to Apr 

3-; On the lands described below: (2) (location); For the purpose of (reasons): (3) protecting big game 

crucial winter range. 

Blend with Surroundings – to maintain esthetic values, all semi-permanent and permanent facilities may 

require painting or camouflage to blend with the natural surroundings. The paint selection or method of 

camouflage will be subject to approval by the District Manager, Bureau of Land Management. 

Cultural Resources – The Federal surface management agency is responsible for assuring the leased 

lands are examined to determine if cultural resources are present and to specify mitigation measures. 

Prior to undertaking any surface-disturbing activities on the lands covered by this lease, the lessee or 

6 
 

Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

operator, unless notified to the contrary by the authorized officer of the surface management agency or 

BLM as appropriate, shall: 

1.	 Contact the appropriate BLM office on lands managed by BLM or the appropriate surface 

managing agency on lands where the surface is administered by such agency to determine if a site 

specific cultural resource inventory is required. If a survey is required, then; 

2.	 Engage the services of a qualified cultural resource specialist acceptable to the Federal surface 

management agency to conduct an intensive inventory for evidence of cultural resource values; 

3.	 Submit a report acceptable to the authorized officer of the surface management agency; and 

4.	 Implement mitigation measures required by the surface management agency to preserve or avoid 

destruction of cultural resource values. Mitigation may include relocation of proposed facilities, 

testing and salvage or other protective measures. Where impacts cannot be mitigated to the 

satisfaction of the surface managing agency, surface occupancy on that area must be prohibited. 

The lessee or operator shall immediately bring to the attention of the Bureau of Land Management or the 

authorized officer of the Federal surface management agency any cultural resources or any other object of 

scientific interest discovered as a result of surface operations under this lease, and not disturb such 

discoveries until directed to proceed by the Bureau of Land Management. 

Elk Calving NSO 1 – All of the land in (....) is included in Elk Calving Area. Therefore, no occupancy 

or disturbance of the surface of the land described in this lease is authorized. The lessee, however, may 

exploit the oil and gas resources in this lease by directional drilling from sites outside the lease. If a 

proposed drilling site lies on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management, a permit for use of 

the site must be obtained from the BLM District Manager before drilling or other development begins. 

Elk Calving NSO 2 – No occupancy or other activity on the surface of (location) is allowed under this 

lease (elk calving area). 

Elk Calving NSO 3 – No surface occupancy or use is allowed on the lands described below (legal 

subdivision or other description). (1) (location); For the purpose of: (2) protecting elk parturition area in 

Fortification Creek. 

Elk Calving/Winter NSO – No surface occupancy or use is allowed on the lands described below (legal 

subdivision or other description). (1) location; For the purpose of: (2) Fortification Creek Plan; (3) 

protecting crucial elk parturition calving and wintering habitat. 

Elk Critical Winter Range Production – Concerning elk winter range in the Fortification Creek Area 

where production is established, the oil or gas will be piped to tank batteries outside the critical elk winter 

range. 

Elk Crucial Winter Range CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special operating 

constraints. (1) Surface occupancy or use within the Fortification Oil and Gas Plan area will be restricted 

or prohibited unless the operator and surface managing agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation 

of anticipated impacts; On the lands described below: (2) (location); For the purpose of: (3) protecting elk 

crucial winter range. 

Elk Crucial Winter Range/Calving CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special 

operating constraints. (1) Surface occupancy or use within the Fortification Creek 

Area will be restricted or prohibited unless the operator and surface managing agency arrive at an 

acceptable plan for mitigation of anticipated impacts. This may include development, operations and 

maintenance of facilities; On the lands described below: (2) (location); For the purpose of: (3) protecting 

elk crucial winter and parturition range. 

7 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix C 

Elk Winter/Calving TLS – To protect important big game ungulate winter habitat, drilling and other 

surface disturbing activity will not be allowed during the period from November 15 to April 30 within 

certain areas encompassed by this lease. The same criterion applies to elk calving areas from the period 

of May 1 to June 30. This limitation does not apply to maintenance and operation of producing wells. 

Modifications to this limitation in any year may be approved in writing by the Authorized Officer. 

Elk and Visual CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special operating constraints. 

(1) Surface occupancy or use within the Fortification Creek Management Area will be restricted or 

prohibited unless the operator and surface managing agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation of 

anticipated impacts. This may include development, operations and maintenance of facilities; On the 

lands described below: (2) as mapped on the Buffalo RMP map; For the purpose of: (3) protecting elk and 

visual resources. 

Multiple Mineral Development – Operations will not be approved which, in the opinion of the 

authorized officer, would unreasonably interfere with the orderly development and/or production form a 

valid existing mineral lease issued prior to this one for the same lands. 

Non-conventional Oil Recovery – Under the provisions of Public Law 97-78, this lease includes all 

deposits of non-gaseous hydrocarbon substances other than coal, oil shale, or gilsonite (including all veintype solid hydrocarbons). Development by methods not conveniently used for oil and gas extraction such 

as fire flooding and including surface mining will require the lessee to submit a plan of operations and 

will be subject to regulations governing development by such methods when those rules are issued by the 

Bureau of Land Management, and the rules or procedures of the surface managing agency, if other than 

BLM. Development may proceed only if the plan of operations is approved. 

Notification – The lessee or his designated operators shall notify the Casper District Manager, Bureau of 

Land Management, at least ten days in advance of initiation of any activities on the public land surface 

included in this lease. The District Manager may determine where necessary the location of all 

exploratory and development facilities, including but not limited to, such items as roads, well sites, 

pipelines, etc. The District Manager may also prescribe construction, restoration and other surface 

protection measures to protect the land surface and prevent erosion. 

NSO (resource not defined) – No occupation or other activity on the surface of (location) is allowed 

under this lease. 

Raptor Nesting TLS – No surface use is allowed during the following time period(s). This stipulation 

does not apply to operation and maintenance of production facilities. (1) Feb 1 to Jul 31; On the lands 

described below: (2) (location): For the purpose of (reasons): (3) protecting raptor nesting habitat. 

Reclamation Timing – Reclamation of areas disturbed as a result of lessee’s operations will be done, 

insofar as possible, concurrently with operations. 

Reservoir Buffer – No drilling or storage facilities will be allowed within 500 feet of the reservoir 

located in (location). This distance may be modified when specifically approved in writing by the District 

Manager, Bureau of Land Management. 

Sage-Grouse Nesting TLS – No surface use is allowed during the following time period(s). This 

stipulation does not apply to operation and maintenance of production facilities. (1) Feb 1 to Jul 31; On 

8 
Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

the lands described below (2) (location); For the purpose of (reasons): (3) protecting sage grouse nesting 

habitat. 

Sage-Grouse/Sharp-Tailed Grouse Nesting TLS - No surface use is allowed during the following time 

period(s). This stipulation does not apply to operation and maintenance of production facilities. (1) Feb 1 

to Jul 31; On the lands described below (2) as mapped on the Buffalo RMP map; For the purpose of 

(reasons): (3) protecting sage/sharp-tailed grouse nesting habitat. 

Sage-Grouse NSO/TLS – No occupancy or other surface disturbance will be allowed within a 1,320-foot 

radius of the center of a sage grouse strutting ground (lek). No exceptions will be granted. In order to 

protect the nesting area around the strutting ground, exploration, drilling, and other development activity 

will be allowed within a 1 3/4 –mile distance from the 1⁄4-mile lek protection zone only during the period 

June 15 to March 1. Exceptions to the monthly limitations in any year may be specifically authorized in 

writing by the District Manager, Bureau of Land Management. 

Slope NSO – No occupancy or other surface disturbance will be allowed on slopes in excess of 25 

percent, without written permission from the District Manager, Bureau of Land Management. 

Soil NSO – No surface occupancy will be allowed on the following described lands: (location) because of 

steep and fragile soils. 

Stream Buffer – No occupancy or other surface disturbance will be allowed within 500 feet of the 

(name) creek. This distance may be modified when specifically approved in writing by the District 

Manager/Bureau of Land Management. 

Surface Disturbance 1- Notwithstanding any provision of this lease to the contrary, any drilling, 

construction, or other operation on the leased lands that will disturb the surface thereof or otherwise affect 

the environment, hereinafter called “surface disturbing operation,” conducted by lessee shall be subject, 

as set forth in this stipulation, to prior approval of such operation by the District Manager in consultation 

with appropriate surface management agency and to such reasonable conditions, not inconsistent with the 

purposes for which the lease is issued, as the District Manager may require to protect the surface of the 

eased lands and the environment. 

Surface Disturbance 2 – Prior to entry upon the land or the disturbance of the surface thereof for drilling 

or other purposes, lessee shall submit for approval two (2) copies of a map and explanation of the nature 

of the anticipated activity and surface disturbance to the District Manager, as appropriate, and will also 

furnish the appropriate surface management agency named above, with a copy of such map and 

explanation. 

An environmental analysis will be made by the Bureau of Land Management in consultation with the 

appropriate surface management agency for the purpose of assuring proper protection of the surface, the 

natural resources, the environment, existing improvements, and for assuring timely reclamation of 

disturbed lands. 

Surface Disturbance 3 – Upon completion of said environmental analysis, the District Manager as 

appropriate, shall notify lessee of the conditions, if any, to which the proposed surface disturbing 

operations will be subject. 

Said conditions may relate to any of the following: 

9 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix C 

a.	 location of drilling or other exploratory or developmental operations or the manner in which they 

are to be conducted; 

b.	 types of vehicles that may be used and areas in which they may be used; and 

c.	 manner or location in which improvements such as roads, buildings, pipelines, or other 

improvements are to be constructed. 

Surface Disturbance 4 

Surface disturbance will be prohibited in any of the following areas or conditions. Modifications to this 

limitation may be approved in writing by the Authorized Officer. 

a.	 slopes in excess of 25% 

b.	 within important scenic areas (Class I and II Visual Resource Management areas). 

c.	 within 500 feet of surface water and/or riparian areas. 

d.	 within a quarter mile or visual horizon (whichever is closer) of significant sites along historic 

trails. 

e.	 construction with frozen material or during periods when the soil material is saturated, frozen, or 

when watershed damage is likely to occur. 

Watershed NSO 1 – No surface occupancy will be allowed on the following described lands (location); 

Fortification Creek Management Plan, because of extremely steep and fragile watershed. 

Watershed NSO 2 – No surface occupancy or use is allowed on the lands described below (legal 

subdivision or other description). (1) (location); For the purpose of: (2) protecting the steep topography 

and fragile watershed. 

Watershed TLS 1 – In order to minimize watershed damage, exploration, drilling, and other 

development activities will be allowed only during the period from June 15 to February 28. This 

limitation does not apply to maintenance and operation of producing wells. Exceptions to this limitation 

in any year may be specifically authorized in writing by the District Manager, Bureau of Land 

Management. 

Watershed TLS 2 – In order to minimize watershed damage, during wet or heavy snow periods the 

Casper District Manager, Bureau of Land Management, may prohibit exploration, drilling or other 

development. This limitation does not apply to maintenance and operation of producing wells. 

Wilderness and Wildlife CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special operating 

constraints. (1) Surface occupancy or use within the Fortification Creek Plan area will be restricted or 

prohibited unless the operator and surface managing agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation of 

anticipated impacts. This may include development, operations and maintenance of facilities; On the 

lands described below: (2) as mapped on the Fortification Creek Plan; For the purpose of: (3) protecting 

wilderness values and wildlife habitat. 

WSA CSU – Surface occupancy or use is subject to the following special operating constraints. (1) 

Surface occupancy or use within the Fortification Creek Area will be restricted or prohibited unless the 

operator and surface managing agency arrive at an acceptable plan for mitigation of anticipated impacts; 

On the lands described below: (2) as mapped on the Buffalo RMP map; For the purpose of: (3) protecting 

Fortification Creek Wilderness Study Area. 

Wildlife Seasonal Habitat TLS – In order to protect important seasonal wildlife habitat, exploration, 

drilling, and other development activity will be allowed only during the period from May 1 to November 

30. This limitation does not apply to maintenance and operation of producing wells. Exceptions to this 

10
 
Appendix C Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

limitation in any year may be specifically authorized in writing by the District Manager, Bureau of Land 

Management. 

11
 
APPENDIX D 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT 

BUFFALO FIELD OFFICE 

FORTIFICATION CREEK RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 

AMENDMENT 

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR FLUID MINERAL 

DEVELOPMENT IN THE FORTIFICATION CREEK 

PLANNING AREA 

August 2011 
       

     

       

             

Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
 

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
 

BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES FOR FLUID MINERAL

DEVELOPMENT IN THE FORTIFICATION CREEK PLANNING AREA

A. Visual Resource Management (VRM) Best Management Practices (BMP) Principles 

1) Minimize Contrast 

a.	 To reduce contrast, we repeat elements of: 

i.	 Form, Line, Color, and Texture 

Examples: 

A winding road that follows the lay of the land may appear more natural than a 

straight road cutting through hills and across valleys. 

An irregularly shaped well pad may better blend with existing openings in the 

landscape vegetation than a rectangular well pad. 

2) Key observation points 

a.	 Consider how and where the development will be seen from: 

i.	 Key Observation Points could be: 

a) linear features: byways, trails, rivers (a continual moving view) 

b) points: scenic overlooks, residential areas. (stationary long duration 

views) 

3) Reduce surface disturbance 

a.	 The more long-term surface disturbance you have, the more visual contrast you will 

have. 

b.	 The larger the scale of the disturbance, the more contrast as well. 

c. It’s not just the pad; consider roads, pipelines and ancillary facilities too. 

4) Other resource benefits 

a.	 Visual Resources are not the sole resources we are managing. We also manage the 

larger landscape for minerals, wildlife, recreation, water, etc. 

B. The VRM system provides us with many basic principles and techniques to help reduce 

contrast. As they relate to Fluid Minerals and similar development, the four most 

critical are: 

1) Proper Site Selection - Location! Location! Location! 

a. Proper site selection can be the most important tool for reducing visual contrast. 

i. Avoid placing facilities on ridgetops 

1 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

ii.	 Move facilities further from key observation points to reduce their apparent 

size. 

iii. Avoid locating facilities near “prominent” features. 

iv. Screening & Hiding - Use natural or artificial features such as topography, 

vegetation, or an artificial berm to help screen facilities. 

2) Reduce Unnecessary Disturbance 

a.	 Avoid locating roads and pipelines on steep slopes 

b.	 Avoid Locating Well Pads on or Adjacent to Steep Slopes 

c.	 Construct the Minimum Road Necessary 

d.	 Interim Reclamation 

i.	 Initiate “interim reclamation” of roads immediately after construction by 

returning topsoil to cuts, fills, and borrow ditches and reseeding. This includes 

partially reshaping and revegetating roads, and well pads to reduce the amount 

of bare ground created during construction and drilling activity. 

e.	 Share Rights-of-Way 

i.	 Minimize surface disturbance, by corridoring roads and utilities in common 

rights-of-ways. 

a) Burying utilities including power lines in areas that are visually sensitive. 

1.	 Plowing and pulling pipes and lines into the ground in certain soil 

types will disturb much less ground and vegetation than excavating 

and trenching. 

f.	 Minimize Topsoil Removal 

i.	 In flat areas, consider brush-beating, mowing the well location, and/or parking 

on the grass for drilling and production operations. 

g.	 Reduce the Pad Size to the minimum that is needed 

h.	 Emerging Practices Under Study 

i.	 Use of Oak or Plastic Mats for Pads and Roads 

i.	 Centralize Facilities Out of Sight 

i.	 Low Structures 

ii.	 Ultra-Low Structures 

iii. Co-locate Wells 

iv. Plan for Interim Reclamation - Place production facilities on the well location 

correctly so that you allow the maximum room for recontouring. 

3) Choice of Color 

a.	 COLOR is generally the least expensive and most common design (or mitigation) 

measure used to reduce visual contrast. 

2 
 

Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

i.	 Match Colors in the Landscape 

a) Consider the overall dominant color in the landscape 

ii.	 Standard BLM Colors 

a) The “Standard and Supplemental Environmental Color Charts 

4) Final Reclamation - Oil and Gas development is a temporary use of the land and its 

impacts should be temporary as well. 

a.	 Goal: Seamless Natural Landscape 

i.	 Steps to achieving successful Final Reclamation 

a)	 Restore the landform: 

1.	 Restrip topsoil and vegetation from all areas to be recontoured. Do 

not hesitate to restrip healthy vegetation and topsoil if the landform is 

not correct. You can always regrow vegetation, but a damaged 

landform is noticeable forever. 

2.	 Recontour the well location back to the original contour or a natural 

looking contour that blends with the surrounding topography. 

b) Site Preparation: 

1.	 Respread topsoil that had been salvaged. 

2.	 Roughen the surface to trap moisture and seed. 

3.	 Utilize stabilization devises in addition to mulch for those sites 

subject to wind or water erosion. 

c) Revegetate with native species: 

1.	 Revegetation may result in a color contrast over the short-term, but if 

you used native seed, the local native plants can be expected to 

recolonize over time. 

2.	 A good job of recontouring, site preparation, and seeding, will greatly 

reduce the visibility of the well site 20 years from abandonment. 

d)	 Reclaiming Roads 

1.	 Nearly all oil and gas roads should be reclaimed following 

abandonment of the producing wells. 

2.	 Ripping and seeding roads is usually not sufficient. Most roads need 

be recontoured back to the original contour so that they absorb back 

into the seamless landscape. 

e) Site Preparation: Leaving a Rough Texture 

1.	 Recontouring to a rough texture helps trap broadcast seed and 

moisture, deters off-road travel, and helps to match the “texture” of 

the surrounding landscape. 

C. Production Operations 

1) Housekeeping 

3 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

a.	 Maintain a clean project area; remove trash, junk, and other materials not in current 

use. 

2) Maintain Roads and Erosion Control Devises. 

a. Typically “maintenance” is not restricted by wildlife timing limitation stipulations. 

3) Noxious and Invasive Weed Prevention 

a.	 The Number 1 tool in the fight against noxious and invasive weeds is the prompt 

reapplication of topsoil and reseeding and revegetation of all disturbed soils with 

weed-free seed. 

b.	 Control noxious and invasive weeds during construction, production, and 

reclamation using an integrated approach: Cultural; Chemical; Biological; Physical 

means. 

D. Minimize Wildlife Habitat Fragmentation and Loss 

1) Reducing the Initial and Interim Size of Roads, Utilities, & Well Pads 

a.	 Interim Reclamation 

i.	 To minimize habitat loss and fragmentation, re-establish as much habitat as 

possible by maximizing the area reclaimed during well production operations. 

In many cases, this “interim” reclamation can cover nearly the entire site, 

including the road and right up to the facilities. 

a) Fully recontour unneeded areas to the original contour or a contour that 

blends with the surrounding topography; 

b) Respread topsoil over entire pad; and 

c) Revegetate to reestablish vegetative production. 

2) Emerging Practices Under Study 

a.	 To Reduce Reclamation Costs & Speed Recovery 

b.	 Use of Oak Mats for Pads and Roads 

c.	 Centralized Metering Facilities 

d. Directional Drilling Multiple Wells On An Individual Well Pad 

3) Corridor buried pipelines and powerlines with access roads.
 

4) Eliminating Hazards to Wildlife 

a.	 Reduce Vehicle Traffic 

i.	 In important wildlife areas 

ii.	 During critical wildlife use periods 

b.	 Wildlife Enclosures 

i.	 Fence reserve pits and off-channel pits to exclude wildlife 

ii. Install escape ramps or cover tanks 

5) Reducing Noise 

4 
Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

a.	 Noise can deter wildlife from using an area. 

i.	 Use noise reduction mufflers to comply with noise standards. 

ii.	 Also, consider using earthen berms, walls, sheds, and/or distance to reduce 

sound levels in important habitats. 

6) Centralizing Production Facilities 

7) Remote Production Monitoring 

8) Wildlife Monitoring 

a.	 Work Activity Reporting 

i.	 In order to better understand the avoidance and displacement of wildlife 

species, it is important to record when and where disruptive activities are 

occurring within the development. The response of the wildlife species of 

concern can then be correlated to particular human activities. 

9) Habitat Restoration 

a.	 The long-term goal is to restore ecological function 

E. Reference Sources for BMP’s 

BLM - BMP Technical Information 

Western Governors’ Association Coal Bed Methane BMPs Handbook 

http://www.westgov.org/wga/initiatives/coalbed/ 

Recommendations for Development of Oil and Gas Resources Within Important Wildlife 

Habitats; http://gf.state.wy.us/downloads/pdf/OGRecommendationsNovember09.pdf 

NRCS Wyoming State Web Site http://www.wy.nrcs.usda.gov/ 

F. BMP’s by Application 

Some of these measures, if not incorporated into planning for plans of development, may be 

applied as Conditions of Approval at the time of permit approval. 

These measures are from various sources including the Fortification Creek Management Plan, 

the Powder River Basin Oil and Gas EIS/ROD and “Recommendations for Development of Oil 

and Gas Resources within Crucial and Important Wildlife Habitats”, Wyoming Game and Fish 

Department (WGFD), 2009. 

Pre-planning 

1.	 Recommended well spacing will be 160 acres unless there is satisfactory justification for 

alternate spacing. 

2.	 Consult the appropriate state and federal wildlife agencies early in the process, during 

pre-planning exercises if possible 

3.	 Design configurations of oil and gas development to avoid or reduce unnecessary 

disturbances, wildlife conflicts, and habitat impacts. Where possible, coordinate planning 

among companies operating in the area. 

5 
 

Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

4.	 Identify important, sensitive, or unique habitats and wildlife in the area. To the extent 

feasible, incorporate mitigation practices that minimize impacts to these habitats and 

resources. 

5.	 If geologically and technically feasible, plan the pattern and rate of development to avoid 

the most important habitats and generally reduce the extent and severity of impacts. 

6.	 Cluster drill pads, roads and facilities in specific, “low-impact” areas. 

7.	 The Fortification Creek SMA is classified as a Class III visual resource management 

area. The objective of Class III is to provide for management activities that may contrast 

with the basic landscape elements, but remain subordinate to the existing landscape 

character. Activities may be visually evident, but should not be dominant. 

8.	 Surface use or occupancy will be strictly controlled or if absolutely necessary prohibited 

on slopes exceeding 25%. 

9.	 Companies will coordinate their projects in order to utilize common corridors for roads, 

pipelines, power, and facilities. 

10. Develop a travel plan that minimizes the amount of vehicular traffic needed to monitor 

and service wells and other facilities. 

Surface water 

1.	 Operators will be required to develop water handling infrastructure as a joint effort. 

Multiple facilities, similar in nature, will not be considered in any part of the watershed. 

This will require operators to share pipelines, treatment facilities, discharge points, etc. 

2.	 Operators will consider water handling methods other than direct discharge or storage. 

Some options will include: 

a.	 Treatment of produced water with subsequent direct discharge to the Powder 

River. 

b.	 Treating the water and beneficially using it for irrigation. 

c.	 Piping the produced water out of the (SMA). 

3.	 Locate discharge points in areas that will minimize erosion and impacts to the receiving 

channel, existing improvements, and downstream users. Locate discharge points in 

stable, low gradient drainage systems and below active head cuts, when possible. If 

discharge is located above a head cut, mitigation measures will be required by the BLM 

Authorized Officer on a site specific basis. Some mitigation measures will require 

engineering design. 

4.	 All discharge points will require energy dissipation measures. 

5.	 Discharge points may not be authorized by BLM regardless of National Pollutant 

Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) status or previous use. Sites may be moved or 

otherwise mitigated by the BLM Authorized Officer during onsite inspections where 

environmental issues exist. 

6.	 Cumulative produced water discharge must not exceed the naturally occurring 2 year 

peak flow of the receiving channel. 

7.	 Discharge points will not be located in playas or enclosed basins unless it can be 

demonstrated that it can be done without resulting in adverse impacts. Discharges into 

valley bottoms with no defined low-flow channel will generally not be allowed, but will 

be reviewed on a site-specific basis. 

6 
Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

8.	 Direct discharge to drainages high in basins will not be allowed. Proposed direct 

discharge sites will be downstream of areas with severe erosion potential and near the 

confluence of major drainages. 

Channel Crossings 

1. Minimize channel disturbance as much as possible by limiting pipeline and road 

crossings. 

2. Avoid running pipelines and access roads within floodplains or parallel to a stream 

channel. 

3. Channel crossings by road and pipelines will be constructed perpendicular to flow. 

Culverts will be installed at appropriate locations for streams and channels crossed by 

roads as specified in the BLM Manual 9112-Bridges and Major Culverts and Manual 

9113-Roads. Streams will be crossed perpendicular to flow, where possible, and all 

stream crossing structures will be designed to carry the 25-year discharge event or other 

capacities as directed by the BLM. 

4. Channel crossings by pipelines will be constructed so that the pipe is buried at least four 

feet below the channel bottom. 

5. Low water crossings will be constructed at original streambed elevation in a manner that 

will prevent any blockage or restriction of the existing channel. Material removed will be 

stockpiled for use in reclamation of the crossings. 

Impoundments 

1. Concerns regarding the quality of the discharged CBM water on downstream irrigation 

use may require operators to increase the amount of storage of CBM water during the 

irrigation months and allow more surface discharge during the non-irrigation months. 

2. Operators will design produced water handling systems that minimize the need for 

containment structures (reservoirs or pits). Containment structures in excess of what can 

be beneficially used by landowners or wildlife will not be considered. 

3. The operator will be required to provide reclamation bonds in the amount specified by a 

qualified Professional Engineer for the impoundments to be used for the management of 

CBNG water. 

4. The operator will supply a copy of the complete approved SW-4, SW-3, or SW-CBNG 

permits to BLM as they are issued by WSEO for these impoundments. 

5. Any stream crossing of a pipeline should be protected by installation of automatic shutoff 

valves. 

6. Pipeline crossings can be installed through ephemeral streams by trenching. Use 

appropriate size riprap to stabilize stream banks. Place riprap from the channel bottom to 

the top of the normal high water line on the bank at all stream crossings. We recommend 

double-ditching techniques to separate the top one foot of stream bottom substrate from 

deeper soil layers. Reconstruct the original layers by replacing deeper substrate first. 

7. Locate and construct all structures crossing intermittent and perennial streams such that 

they do not decrease channel stability or increase water velocity. 

Stream Habitats and Riparian Corridors 

1. Surface use or occupancy will be strictly controlled or if absolutely necessary prohibited 

within 500 feet of surface water, riparian areas, or wetlands. 

7 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

2. Should the need for disturbance in these areas be necessary the following should be 

considered and may be applied: 

a. Avoid stripping riparian canopy or stream bank vegetation if possible. It is 

preferable to crush or shear streamside woody vegetation rather than completely 

remove it. Any locations from which vegetation is stripped during installation of 

stream crossings, should be revegetated immediately after the crossing is 

completed. 

b. Hydrostatic test waters released during pipeline construction could cause 

alterations of stream channels, increased sediment loads, and introduction of 

potentially toxic chemicals or invasive species into drainages. Avoid discharging 

hydrostatic test waters directly to streams. Release these waters first into a 

temporary, sediment retention basin if the concentration of total suspended solids 

is significantly higher than in the receiving water. Dewater temporary 

sedimentation basins in a manner that prevents erosion. 

c. Locate pipelines that parallel drainages, outside the 100-year floodplain. 

Construct pipeline crossings at right angles to all riparian corridors and streams to 

minimize the area of disturbance. 

d. Use the minimum practical width for rights-of-way where pipelines cross riparian 

areas and streams. 

e. Measures will be taken to ensure that cottonwood trees are not impacted by 

CBNG production. Options to accomplish this may include: 

i.	 Locating discharge points below susceptible trees. 

ii.	 Routing flow paths away from susceptible trees. 

h. For any jurisdictional wetlands identified that may be impacted, a detailed 

mitigation plan will be developed during the APD/POD or sundry notice approval 

process. Federal requirements to replace all impacted wetlands will mitigate this 

loss, so environmental impacts will occur only during the life of the project 

(including reclamation). 

i. Any fences used in wetland areas should be placed well back from the wetlands to 

prevent waterfowl mortalities and should be constructed to standards that allow 

big game movement. 

j. Power line corridors will avoid wetlands, to the extent possible, in order to reduce 

the chance of waterfowl hitting the lines. Where avoidance can’t occur, the 

minimum number of poles necessary to cross the area will be used. 

k. Wetland areas will be disturbed only during dry conditions (that is, during late 

summer or fall), or when the ground is frozen during the winter. 

l. No waste material will be deposited below high water lines in riparian areas, flood 

plains, or in natural drainage ways. 

m. The lower edge of soil or other material stockpiles will be located outside the 

active floodplain. 

8 
Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

n. Drilling mud pits will be located outside of riparian areas, wetlands, and 

floodplains, where practical. 

o. Disturbed channels will be re-shaped to their approximate original configuration 

or stable geomorphological configuration and properly stabilized. 

p. Reclamation of disturbed wetland/riparian areas will begin immediately after 

project activities are complete. 

Roads and Travel 

1. Use existing roads and two-tracks if they are sufficient and not within environmentally 

sensitive areas. Use corridors to the maximum extent possible; roads, power, gas, and 

water lines should utilize the same corridor wherever possible. 

2. Utilize the guidance document that was presented at the February 8th CBNG Open House 

in Gillette. (Road Design and Transportation Planning In the Powder River Breaks for 

Applications for Permit to Drill/Plans of Development. 

3. Construct the minimum number and length of roads necessary. 

4. Use common roads to the extent reasonable. The main road corridor for access and 

compression facilities will be the Montgomery, Hayden, and Echeta county roads. 

5. Coordinate road construction and use among companies operating in the same oil and gas 

field. 

6. Design roads to an appropriate standard no higher than necessary to accommodate their 

intended purpose. Rights-of-way clearing for access roads, prior to construction, shall be 

limited to 20 feet on each side of the centerline. 

7. Design roads with adequate structures or features to prohibit or discourage vehicles from 

leaving the roads. 

8. Salvage topsoil from all road construction and re-apply during interim and final 

reclamation. 

9. Where feasible, locate all roads below ridgelines or behind topographic features (knolls, 

rises) to minimize the zone of visual and auditory effect. 

10. Locate roads away from bottoms of drainages, which often provide the most important 

sources of cover and forage for wildlife. 

11. Construct road crossings at right angles to all riparian corridors and streams to minimize 

the area of disturbance. In situations where this is not possible, never straighten or 

otherwise channelize a stream in order to create a right-angle crossing. 

12. Design road crossings of streams to allow fish passage at all flows. Types of crossing 

structures that minimize aquatic impacts, in descending order of effectiveness, are: a) 

bridge spans with abutments on banks; b) bridge spans with center support; c) open 

bottomed box culverts; and d) round culverts with the bottom placed no less than one foot 

below the existing stream grade. Perched culverts block fish passage and are 

unacceptable in any stream that supports a fishery. 

13. Locate and construct all structures crossing intermittent and perennial streams such that 

they do not decrease channel stability or increase water velocity. 

14. Use a variety of native grasses and forbs to establish effective, interim reclamation on 

road shoulders and borrow areas. 

15. OHV use is limited to designated or seasonal roads only and restricted to a seasonal 

limitation in elk crucial winter and calving range. From December 1st to April 1st and 

calving May1st to June 15th. 

9 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

16. OHV travel will be prohibited on wet soils and on slopes greater than 25% if damage to 

vegetation, soils, or water quality would result. 

17. The operator shall restrict travel on two-track roads (casual use) during periods of 

inclement weather or spring thaw when the possibility exists for surface damage from 

excessive rutting. 

18. The operator will sign any newly constructed roads to BLM standard. The signs will read 

“Authorized Vehicles Only”. 

19. After the completion of any new well access roads, the road will be reclaimed to a twotrack if appropriate. 

20. The operator will sign any new corridors and/or pipelines as “No Motor Vehicles 

Allowed, Reclamation in Progress.” 

21. Prohibit or substantially limit traffic during high wildlife use hours (within 3 hours of 

sunrise and sunset) to the extent possible. 

22. Use pipelines to transport condensates off site, or install larger capacity storage tanks 

when frequent truck trips would impact habitat effectiveness. 

23. Transmit instrumentation readings from remote monitoring stations to reduce 

maintenance traffic. 

24. Post speed limits on all access and maintenance roads to reduce wildlife collisions and 

limit dust: 20-30 mph is adequate in most cases. 

25. Provide adequate inspection to ensure that the project is constructed as approved. Submit 

to the BLM a contact who will be responsible for construction oversight. 

26. Remove debris/sediment from the entrance of culverts to prevent plugging and 

overtopping. 

27. Clean ditches and reshape when necessary to maintain adequate flow capacity. Do not 

grade ditches that do not need it. 

28. Avoid disturbing soil vegetation if not necessary. Leave as much vegetation in ditches, on 

road shoulder areas, and on cut or fill slopes as possible without creating safety concerns. 

29. Stake culvert locations prior to construction. The culvert invert grade and finished road 

grade will be clearly indicated on the stakes. Culverts will be installed on natural ground, 

or on a designed flow line of a ditch. 

30. The minimum cover over culverts will be 12” or one-half the diameter whichever is 

greater. Drainage laterals in the form of culverts or water bars shall be placed according 

to the following spacing: 

Grade Drainage Spacing 

2-4% 310 ft 

5-8% 260 ft 

9-12% 200 ft 

Well Locations 

1. If geologically and technically feasible, drill multiple wells from the same pad using 

directional (horizontal) drilling technologies. 

2. Disturb the minimum area (footprint) necessary to efficiently drill and operate a well. 

3. Salvage topsoil from all well pad construction and re-apply during interim and final 

reclamation. 

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Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

4. If geologically and technically feasible, locate well pads in the least environmentally 

sensitive areas, at least 500 feet away from riparian habitats, streams or drainages, below 

ridge lines, away from important sources of forage, cover, reproductive habitats, winter 

habitats, parturition areas, brood-rearing habitats, etc. 

5. Use a variety of native grasses and forbs to establish effective, interim reclamation on all 

well pads and associated disturbances. 

6. Line reserve pits with a suitable, impermeable barrier to eliminate possible contamination 

of soil and groundwater. 

7. Design drill pad sites to drain excess storm water and other fluids into a properly sized 

reserve pit. The pit should have adequate capacity to intercept and hold excess 

precipitation. Discharges from the pit should meet NPDES standards or otherwise assure 

the discharged water is of suitable quality. 

Ancillary Facilities 

1. Locate facilities including tanks, transfer stations, shops, equipment shelters, utility 

towers, etc. in the least environmentally sensitive areas, well away from riparian habitats, 

streams or drainages; below ridge lines; away from important sources of forage, cover, 

reproductive habitats, winter habitats, parturition areas, brood-rearing habitats, etc. 

2. Salvage topsoil from all facilities construction and re-apply during interim and final 

reclamation. 

3. Design all facilities such that they will not be used as perching or nesting substrates by 

raptors, crows, and ravens in open prairie or shrub-steppe environments. 

4. Use existing utility, road, and pipeline corridors to the extent feasible. 

5. All gas and water pipelines and electrical cables will be installed in disturbance 

corridors, a common trench, placed within the access roadways. 

6. To maintain aesthetic values, all semi-permanent facilities will require painting or 

camouflage to blend the natural surroundings. The paint selection or method of 

camouflage will be subject to approval by the Bureau of Land Management. 

7. Establish effective, interim reclamation on all surface disturbances associated with 

ancillary facilities, including equipment staging areas. Interim reclamation should be 

achieved using a variety of native grasses and forbs. 

Noise 

1. Minimize noise generally. All compressors, vehicles, and other sources of noise should 

be equipped with effective mufflers or noise suppression systems (e.g., “hospital 

mufflers”). 

2. To minimize the effects of continuous noise on bird populations, reduce noise levels to 

86 dBA or less at 50 feet, particularly during the bird nesting season (April 1st through 

June 30th). Constant noise generators should be located far enough away from sensitive 

habitats or muffled such that noise reaching those habitats is less than 49 dBA. 

Human Activity & Secondary Effects 

1. All employees should be aware of BMPs, and conditions of approval (COAs) for the 

project and receive environmental awareness training. 

2. Employees should be instructed to avoid walking away from vehicles or facilities into 

view of wildlife, especially during winter months and reproductive (courtship, nesting) 

seasons. 

11
 
Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

3. Employees should not be allowed to carry firearms while on the job or riding in company 

vehicles. 

Pollutants, Toxic Substances, Fugitive Dust, Erosion and Sedimentation 

1. Avoid exposing or spilling hydrocarbon products on the surface. Oil pits will not be 

used, but if absolutely necessary, they should be enclosed in small-mesh netting and 

fence to prevent entrapment of birds and mammals. All netting and fence should be 

maintained and kept in serviceable condition. 

2. Limit the permitted discharge of produced water to those areas where it can be 

beneficially used by wildlife, provided water quality standards for wildlife and livestock 

are met. Produced water will not be discharged on the surface within big game crucial 

winter ranges or near complexes of sage-grouse leks. New water sources within crucial 

winter ranges encourage yearlong use by livestock and wildlife, and may result in 

reduced or depleted forage during winter. Additional water sources near lek complexes 

could increase vulnerability of sage-grouse to mosquito-borne, West Nile virus. 

However, produced water of suitable quality may be used for supplemental irrigation to 

improve reclamation success. 

3. Employ erosion control practices and sediment retention structures to prevent sediment 

transport off site during precipitation events and runoff. 

4. Use dust abatement procedures including reduced speed limits and application of 

(environmentally compatible) chemical suppressants or suitable quality water. 

Monitoring and Environmental Response 

1. Monitor conditions or events that may indicate environmental problems. Such conditions 

or events can include any significant chemical spill or leak, detection of multiple wildlife 

mortalities, sections of roads with frequent and recurrent wildlife collisions (especially 

big game or sage-grouse), poaching and harassment incidents, severe erosion into 

tributary drainages, raptor electrocutions, structures associated with frequent bird or bat 

collisions, migration impediments (e.g., pronghorn concentrating along a fence), wildlife 

entrapment, sick or injured wildlife, or other unusual observations. 

2. Promptly report observations of potential wildlife problems to the regional office of the 

WGFD and, as applicable, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Research and Special Studies 

1. Where questions or uncertainties exist about the degree of impact to specific resources, or 

the effectiveness of mitigation, companies should consider funding or cost-sharing 

special studies to collect data for evaluation and documentation. 

Noxious Weeds 

1. Control noxious and invasive plants that become established along roads, on well pads, or 

adjacent to other facilities. 

2. Clean and sanitize all equipment brought in from other regions. Seeds and propagules of 

noxious plants are commonly imported by equipment and mud clinging to equipment. 

3. Request employees to clean mud from boots/work shoes before traveling to the work site, 

to prevent importation of noxious weeds. 

Interim Reclamation 

12
 
 

 

Appendix D Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA 

1. Establish effective, interim reclamation on all surfaces disturbed throughout the 

operational phase of the well field. A variety of native grasses and forbs will be used. 

Non-native vegetation is unacceptable for any purpose, including surface stabilization. 

Continue to monitor and treat reclaimed surfaces until satisfactory plant cover is 

established. 

2. Where pipeline and power line trenching is on ridges, topsoil with vegetation shall be 

stripped and stockpiled temporarily until lines are laid in ditch and the ditch is backfilled. 

Then the topsoil shall be respread over the backfill and the topsoil shall be reseeded. The 

areas identified as highly erosive and or fragile soils shall after seeding have a protective 

cover applied to prevent soil erosion and to prevent the seed from blowing or washing 

away. 

3. Complete reclamation on all disturbed areas within one growing season, or implement 

temporary measures until the next growing season. 

4. Limit livestock grazing on reclaimed areas for two growing seasons after final 

reclamation is complete. Grazing controls will vary by site but might include herding, 

fencing, deferred use, or supplemental feeding. 

5. Require a protective surface treatment on Sandy, Sands, and Shallow Ecological Sites. 

Require a protective surface treatment on side slopes too steep for tractor seeding 

horizontal to disturbance. Require a protective surface treatment on sites with side slopes 

greater than 25 feet of horizontal distance on each side regardless of soil type or 

Ecological Site. 

6. Re-treat all reclaimed areas of unsuccessful reclamation. Re-treating will vary by site and 

initial reclamation success but may include invasive species control, re-seeding the site 

with other native species, or the same native species under more favorable environmental 

conditions. Re-treatment may also involve additions of fertilizers or soil amendments 

and protective cover such as mulch, matting or netting. 

7. Cool season species can be planted from November 1st to March 15th as a dormant 

planting. If planting in the spring, plant in late March or early April. 

8. All erosive and or fragile soils shall be kept stabilized to prevent erosion until 

revegetation has stabilized the soils.
 

Final Reclamation 

1. Salvage topsoil during decommissioning operations and reapply to reclaimed surfaces. 

2. Replant a mixture of forbs, grasses, and shrubs that are native to the area and suitable for 

the specific ecological site. 

3. Restore vegetation to achieve numeric standards of cover, composition, and diversity that 

are commensurate with the ecological site. 

4. Continue to monitor and treat reclaimed areas until plant cover, composition, and 

diversity standards have been met. 

5. Reclaimed sites depending on their size and magnitude may be fenced to ensure the 

objectives of the reclamation projects are achieved, however as sites increase in number 

and size, the management of the livestock will need to be addressed to ensure the 

objectives of the reclamation projects as well as the objectives of the livestock manager 

are also met. 

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Fortification Creek Planning Area RMPA Appendix D 

Table 1 Wildlife Lease Stipulations and Survey Criteria for Surface Disturbing 

Activities in the Buffalo Field Office
 

SPECIES ACTIVITY TIMING/ 

SURFACE USE 

STIPULATION 

SURVEY 

DISTANCE 

FROM 

ACTIVITY 

SURVEY DATES 

Raptors Nesting TLs – February 1st 

to July 31st 

0.5 Mile May 1st – June 15th 

(Occupancy) 

May 1st – January 31st 

(Nest Sites) 

Sage-grouse Breeding Ground CSU 0.5 Mile April 7th – May 7th 

Sage-grouse Nesting TLs – March 1st – 

June 15th 

2 Miles 

Sharptailed 

Grouse 

Breeding Ground CSU 250 Yards April 1st – May 15th 

Sharptailed 

Grouse 

Nesting TLs – March 1st – 

June 15th 

0.5 Mile 

Bald eagle Nesting NSO – 0.5 Mile 

TLS – February 1st 

– August 15th 

(1 Mile) 

1Mile. Same as Raptor 

Bald eagle Winter Roost TLs –November1st 

– April 1st (1 Mile) 

1 Mile. December 1st – February 

28th 

Black-footed 

ferret 

Occurrence NSO Prairie Dog 

Colonies 

July 1st – October 31st 

(Nocturnal) 

December 1st – March 31st 

(Diurnal) 

Ute Ladies’ 

Tresses 

Occurrence Avoidance Perennial 

Wetlands 

July 15th – September 15th 

Mountain plover Breeding/Nesting NSO – 0.25 Mile Preferred 

Habitat 

May 1st – June 15th 

Elk Crucial Winter Range TLs – November 

30th – April 30th 

Established. 

Habitat 

Elk Parturition Areas TLs – May 1st – 

June 30th 

Established. 

Habitat 

CSU : Controlled Surface Use – Surface occupancy and use are permitted, but are restricted to mitigate effects to particular resources.
 

NSO: No Surface Occupancy – Neither exploration nor production facilities would be allowed to be constructed. 

TLS: Timing Limitation Stipulation – Construction activities would be restricted or prohibited during certain periods to protect resources. 

14