183

APPENDIX A

Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management

Guideline #1: Salting and supplemental

feeding

If salt and/or mineral are provided to livestock,

they will be placed a minimum of 1/4 mile from

riparian areas (including both reservoirs and

creeks) and stock water tanks. Salt and/or

mineral placement locations will be rotated

periodically (once each grazing season at a

minimum). Supplemental feeding will not be

allowed except to accomplish resource

objectives.

Guideline #2: Riparian stubble height

Adequate riparian vegetative cover capable of

protecting banks and dissipating energy during

high flows will remain at the end of the grazing

season. This riparian vegetation will exhibit

high vigor. Stubble height and woody species

utilization will be used as indicators of the

current year’s grazing impacts. Other methods

including but not limited to greenline

successional status, greenline stability rating,

and percent streambank alteration will be used

to identify trend in riparian condition.

Utilization of key riparian grasses will be

limited to an average 4 inch stubble height at

the end of the grazing season. Key riparian

grasses include Spartina pectinata (prairie

cordgrass), Agropyron smithii (western

wheatgrass), Carex spp. (sedges) and Scirpus

spp. (bulrushes). Utilization of key palatable

woody species such as Salix spp. (willows)

and Populus spp. (cottonwoods) will be limited

to light-to-moderate browsing as described in

“Browse Evaluation By Analysis of Growth

Form, Volume I, Methods for Evaluating

Condition and Trend” (Keigley and Frisina,

1998).

Guideline #3: Utilization of upland grasses

Utilization on key grass species in upland

areas will not exceed 50% by weight or 4 inch

stubble height (6 inch stubble height for

bluebunch wheatgrass) at the end of the

grazing season. Sage grouse nesting areas

have different site-specific objectives.

Guideline #4: Grazing systems

When practical, rotational or rest rotation type

grazing systems will be used to maximize the

amount of rest on the allotment during the

growing season and/or break up the cycle of

continuous hot season use on riparian areas.

At a minimum, portions of an allotment under

rotational grazing should receive periodic rest

during the growing season and hot season

grazing should not occur each year on any

given pasture. Season-long or year-round

grazing will be discontinued if standards for

rangeland health are not met.

Guideline #5: Surface disturbance and

seeding

Permittee must notify the BLM prior to

conducting any surface disturbing activities on

public land. Areas that are disturbed by fire or

mechanical means will be rested two growing

seasons. Native plant species will be used for

reclamation of all disturbed areas. The only

time non-native seed should be used is when

there is a lack of native seed availability

following large scale fires or the use of sterile

non-native annual grasses is necessary to

achieve rapid site stability and/or reduce the

threat of noxious weeds.

Guideline #6: Pasture moves

Pasture move dates as shown in this

watershed plan are an estimate, actual move

dates should be based on resource conditions

and forage utilization. Any pasture moves

exceeding five days past the scheduled move

date will be made with concurrence of the

BLM. Earlier or later move dates could be

required or permitted based on resource or

livestock conditions or if the guidelines for

upland utilization or riparian stubble heights

are exceeded or are yet to be reached.
184

Guideline #7: Changes in scheduled use

Any deviation from scheduled use must be

applied for by the permittee and approved by

the BLM manager prior to any changes taking

place. The guidelines for upland utilization,

riparian stubble heights and progress toward

meeting site-specific objectives will be

evaluated when reviewing requests for

deviation from scheduled use. Requests to

change use will not be granted unless it has

been demonstrated to be consistent with

achieving healthy, properly functioning

ecosystems and site-specific objectives.

Guideline #8: Drought

During periods of drought, or at the earliest

possible time when it becomes apparent that

drought conditions are likely, the BLM and

permittees will meet to discuss and arrange

management changes needed to reduce

resource impacts and continue progress

toward meeting specific objectives (Refer to

BLM Montana, North Dakota and South

Dakota drought policy).

Guideline #9: Terms and conditions/

management prescriptions

Management prescriptions are identified on a

site-specific basis and will be implemented as

terms and conditions of the grazing permit/

lease. Permittees should provide periodic

input to BLM on needed adjustments to

grazing plans so that refinements can be made

to improve resource conditions.

Guideline #10: Water developments

Locate facilities (water developments, etc)

away from riparian-wetland areas. Water

tanks must have an escape ramp, float valve

and overflow pipe to eliminate over flow

around tank.

Guideline #11: Weeds

Noxious weed control is essential and should

include: cooperative agreements, public

education, and integrated pest management

(mechanical, biological, chemical).

Guideline #12: Water quality

Livestock management should utilize practices

such as those referenced by the published

Natural Resources Conservation Service

(NRCS) prescribed grazing technical guide to

maintain, restore or enhance water quality.

Guideline #13: Threatened, endangered

and sensitive species

Grazing management should maintain or

improve habitat for federally listed threatened

or endangered species and any state listed

sensitive species. BLM will keep permittees

informed of changes in listing status of any

species known to exist on their allotment.

Guideline #14: Native plants

Grazing management should maintain or

promote the physical and biological conditions

to sustain native populations and communities.

Guideline #15: Control of livestock

Control of livestock is the permittee’s

responsibility. Monitoring should be conducted

by permittee to insure livestock are in proper

locations. Livestock that are allowed to freely

roam to public lands on adjacent allotments will

be treated as trespass livestock. Additional

monitoring will be conducted by the BLM to

insure this guideline is met.
185

APPENDIX B

Standards for Rangeland Health

Biotic Environment

• cover distribution

• community richness

• community structure

• exotic plants

• plant status

• seed production

• recruitment

• nutrient cycle

Standard #2: Riparian And Wetland Areas

Are In Proper Functioning Condition

This means that the functioning condition of

riparian-wetland areas is a result of the

interaction among geology, soil, water and

vegetation.

Riparian-wetland areas are functioning

properly when adequate vegetation, landform

or large woody debris is present to dissipate

stream energy associated with high water

flows, thereby reducing erosion and improving

water quality; filter sediment, capture bedload,

and aid floodplain development; improve flood

water retention and groundwater recharge;

develop root masses that stabilize

streambanks against cutting action; develop

diverse ponding and channel characteristics to

provide the habitat and the water depth,

duration, and temperature necessary for native

fish production, waterfowl breeding, and other

uses appropriate for the area that will support

greater species richness.

The riparian-wetland vegetation is a mosaic of

species richness and community structure

serving to control erosion, shade water,

provide thermal protection, filter sediment, aid

floodplain development, dissipate energy,

delay flood water, and increase recharge of

groundwater where appropriate to landform.

The stream channels and flood plain dissipate

energy of high water flows and transport

sediment appropriate for the geomorphology

Standards are statements of physical and

biological condition or degree of function

required for health sustainable rangelands.

Achieving or making significant and

measurable progress towards these functions

and conditions is required of all uses of public

rangelands. Historical data, when available,

should be used when assessing progress

towards these standards.

Standard #1: Uplands Are In Proper

Functioning Condition

This means that soils are stable and provide

for capture, storage and safe release of water

appropriate to soil type, climate and landform.

The amount and distribution of ground cover

(i.e., litter, live and standing dead vegetation,

microbiotic crusts, and rock/gravel) for

identified ecological site(s) or soil-plant

associations are appropriate for soil stability.

Evidence of accelerated erosion in the form of

rills and/or gullies, erosional pedestals, flow

patterns, physical soil crusts/surface scaling

and compaction layers below the soil surface

is minimal. Ecological processes including

hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle and energy

flow are maintained and support healthy biotic

populations. Plants are vigorous, biomass

production is near potential and there is a

diversity of species characteristic of and

appropriate to the site. Assessing proper

functioning conditions will consider use of

historical data.

As indicated by:

Physical Environment

• erosional flow patterns

• surface litter

• soil movement by water and wind

• soil crusting and surface sealing

• compaction layer

• rills

• gullies
186

(e.g., gradient, size, shape, roughness,

confinement, and sinuosity), climate, and

landform.

Soils support appropriate riparian-wetland

vegetation, allowing water movement, filtering

sediment, and slowing ground water

movement for later release. Stream channels

are not entrenching beyond natural climatic

variations and water levels maintain

appropriate riparian-wetland species.

Riparian areas are defined as land directly

influenced by permanent water. It has visible

vegetation or physical characteristics reflective

of permanent water influence. Lake shores

and streambanks are typical riparian areas.

Excluded are such sites as ephemeral streams

or washes that do not exhibit the presence of

vegetation dependent upon free water in the

soil. Assessing proper functioning conditions

will consider use of historical data.

As indicated by:

Hydrologic

• floodplain inundated in relatively

frequent events (1-3 years)

• amount of altered streambanks

• sinuosity, width/depth ratio, and

gradient are in balance with the

landscape setting (i.e., landform,

geology, and bioclimatic region); and

upland watershed not contributing to

riparian degradation.

Erosion/Deposition

• plain and channel characteristics; i.e.,

rocks, coarse and/or woody debris

adequate to dissipate energy

• point bars are being created and older

point bars are being vegetated

• lateral stream movement is associated

with natural sinuosity

• system is vertically stable

• stream is in balance with water and

sediment being supplied by the

watershed (i.e., no excessive erosion

or deposition)

Vegetation

• reproductive and diverse age class of

vegetation

• diverse composition of vegetation

• species present indicate maintenance

of riparian soil moisture characteristics

• streambank vegetation is comprised of

those plants or plant communities that

have deep binding root masses

capable of withstanding high

streamflow events

• utilization of trees and shrubs

• riparian plants exhibit high vigor

• adequate vegetative cover present to

protect banks and dissipate energy

during high flows

• where appropriate, plant communities

in the riparian area are an adequate

source of woody debris

Standard #3: Water Quality Meets Montana

State Standards

This means that surface and ground water on

public lands fully support designated beneficial

uses described in the Montana Water Quality

Standards. Assessing proper functioning

conditions will consider use of historical data.

As indicated by:

• dissolved oxygen concentration

• pH

• turbidity

• temperature

• fecal coliform

• sediment

• color

• toxins

• others: ammonia, barium, boron,

chlorides, chromium, cyanide,

endosulfan, lindane, nitrates, phenols,

phosphorus, sodium, sulfates, etc.

Standard #4: Air Quality Meets Montana

State Standards

This means that air quality on public lands
187

helps meet the goals set out in the State of

Montana Air Quality Implementation Plan.

Efforts will be made to limit unnecessary

emissions from existing and new point or nonpoint sources.

The BLM management actions or use

authorizations do not contribute to air pollution

that violates the quantitative or narrative

Montana Air Quality Standards or contributes

to deterioration of air quality in selected class

area.

As indicated by:

Section 176(c) Clean Air Act which states that

activities of all federal agencies must conform

to the intent of the appropriate State Air Quality

Implementation Plan and not:

• cause or contribute to any violations of

ambient air quality standards

• increase the frequency of any existing

violations

• impede the State’s progress in meeting

their air quality goals

Standard #5: Habitats are provided to

maintain healthy, productive and diverse

populations of native plant and animal

species, including special status species

(federally threatened, endangered,

candidate or Montana species of special

concern as defined in BLM Manual 6840,

Special Status Species Management)

This means that native plant and animal

communities will be maintained or improved to

ensure the proper functioning of ecological

processes and continued productivity and

diversity of native plant lifeforms. Where

native communities exist, the conversion to

exotic communities after disturbance will be

minimized. Management for indigenous

vegetation and animals is a priority. Ecological

processes including hydrologic cycle, and

energy flow, and plant succession are

maintained and support healthy biotic

populations. Plants are vigorous, biomass

production is near potential, and there is a

diversity of plant and animal species

characteristic of and appropriate to the site.

The environment contains components

necessary to support viable populations of a

sensitive/threatened and endangered species

in a given area relative to site potential. Viable

populations are wildlife or plant populations

that contain an adequate number of

reproductive individuals distributed on the

landscape to ensure the long-term existence of

the species. Assessing proper functioning

conditions will consider use of historical data.

As indicated by:

• plants and animals are diverse,

vigorous and reproducing satisfactorily

noxious weeds are absent or

insignificant in the overall plant

community

• spatial distribution of species is

suitable to ensure reproductive

capability and recovery

• a variety of age classes are present

• connectivity of habitat or presence of

corridors prevents habitat

fragmentation

• species richness (including plants,

animals, insects and microbes) are

represented

• plant communities in a variety of

successional stages are represented

across the landscape.
188
189

APPENDIX C

Monitoring and Evaluation

Key areas would be established for upland and

riparian utilization. Existing upland study sites

would continue to be used and additional sites

may need to be established. Additional

riparian study sites would need to be

established. There should be a minimum of

one upland and one riparian study site per

pasture unless no significant riparian habitat

exists in the pasture.

Monitoring would be collected by permittees

and the BLM. Permittees would be

responsible to constantly monitor livestock

distribution, utilization levels, and stubble

heights on their allotments to ensure that

livestock grazing is consistent with established

guidelines. Monitoring would be conducted

according to the Monitoring for Success

guidebook (DNRC, August, 1999). Permittees

would be responsible to send data and photos

of each monitoring site yearly to BLM. The

photos would be taken following grazing use.

Photos would be reviewed and if there is

concern about the site then the BLM would

plan to monitor the site the next year.

Monitoring would be conducted utilizing the

key species dominant at each study site. In

most cases, key upland species would be

western wheat grass, green needle and blue

bunch wheat grass.

Upland study plots are marked by UTM

coordinates listed in Appendix D. Permittees

would take four general landscape photos

taken from the UTM coordinate facing north,

south, east and west. Another photo would be

taken directly at the ground. Photos for

riparian monitoring sites would be taken from

the upstream end of the study reach looking

downstream. BLM would monitor sites

(riparian and upland) according to their present

condition rating:

• Proper Functioning Condition sites: every

5 years

• Functioning At Risk sites: every 2-3 years

• Non-Functioning sites: yearly

Appendices D & F list the upland and riparian

monitoring schedules by study plot.

BLM personnel will be available to provide

monitoring training for permittees.

First order fire effects would be monitored

following the prescribed burns.

Evaluation of monitoring data would occur

yearly. A watershed evaluation would need to

be completed within 10 years for permit

renewal. The BLM may require permit/lease

holders to monitor conditions on allotments in

the future.

The monitoring schedule was established

based on current resource conditions and the

need to assess impacts of proposed changes.

Random visits will also be taken to the

allotments listed above to assess overall

conditions. The schedule shown above does

not include monitoring of restoration or

prescribed fire projects.
190
191

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 T1 001 58 - late 2 - up slight/moderate 12T 0718749 5212548 5 years

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 T2 001 51 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0718806 5208324 5 years

Maginnis 00823 T1 002 57 - late 1 - down none/slight 13T 0272749 5190919 5 years

Yellowwater 15040 T1 003 32 - mid 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0691514 5194464 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T2 003 42 - mid 1 - static slight/moderate 12T 0689344 5194256 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T4 003 51 - late 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0688244 5199572 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T5 003 43 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0689186 5199209 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T6 003 32 - mid 4 - down none/slight 12T 0689072 5195566 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T7 003 35 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0690661 5194493 3 years

Yellowwater 15040 T8 003 50 - late 5 - down none/slight 12T 0688286 5194960 3 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 T-1 004 30-mid 7-down slight/moderate 13T 0273866 5192081 2 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 T-2 004 42-mid 1-static none/slight 13T 0275641 5192968 2 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 T-3 004 33-mid 0-static none/slight 13T 0278889 5192416 2 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 T-4 004 59-late 0-static slight/moderate 13T 0281060 5193724 2 years

McDonald Creek 04902 T1 005 35 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0715726 5205780 5 years

McDonald Creek 04902 T2 005 10 - early 0 - static none/slight 12T 0714999 5205003 5 years

Warhorse Ind. 15152 T1 006 45 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0685152 5219510 3 years

South War Horse 15153 T1 007 68 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0684802 5215958 5 years

Eager Home Ranch 15061 T1 008 50 - late 7 - up none/slight 12T 0696648 5209347 5 years

Box Elder 02529 T1 009 57 - late 4 - down none/slight 12T 0698403 5218457 5 years

Box Elder 02529 T2 009 47 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0697193 5221256 5 years

Box Elder 02529 T3 009 45 - mid 4 - down none/slight 12T 0697231 5221517 5 years

Box Elder 02529 T4 009 53 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0694373 5222991 5 years

Box Elder 02529 T5 009 56 - late 3 - down none/slight 12T 0695462 5221682 5 years

Hubert Coulee 02539 T1 010 69 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0708048 5228441 5 years

Aikens 04859 T1 011 41 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0700269 5221914 5 years

Sheep Wagon 15064 T1 012 58 - late 4 - down none/slight 12T 0701491 5227048 5 years

Allotment Name

Allot. No. &

Transect No.

Ecol. Site Index

Score/Seral

Stage

Identification

Number Trend

Range Health Indicators

(departure from

expected for the site)

Transect UTM

Coordinates

Monitoring

Schedule and

Comments

APPENDIX D

Upland Health Assessments and Monitoring Schedule

(NOTE: In order to adhere to the Privacy Act, the names of permittees will not be used in this table.

Each permittee was informed, by letter, of which number refers to his/her allotment(s)).

*The monitoring schedule was established based on current resource conditions and the need to assess impacts of proposed changes. The schedule does not

include random visits or monitoring of restoration projects.
192

Sheep Wagon 15064 T2 012 45 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0702701 5225787 5 years

Aikens 25012 T1 013 53 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0702715 5219461 5 years

Yellow Water Creek 15085 T1 014 50 - late 2 - down none/slight 12T 0698831 5195741 5 years

Yellow Water Creek 15085 T2 014 5 - early 3 - down none/slight 12T 0696826 5194524 5 years

Chippewa 02606 T1 015 56 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0660050 5214391 5 years

Chippewa 02606 T2 015 43 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0665298 5216803 5 years

Chippewa 02606 T3 015 45 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0662372 5219193 5 years

Schulz 02666 T1 016 33 - mid 1 - down none/slight 12T 0651414 5222979 5 years

Schulz 02666 T2 016 45 - mid 7 - up none/slight 12T 0649226 5225452 5 years

Brickyard 02611 T1 017 43 - mid 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0669319 5222687 3 years

Brickyard 02611 T2 017 45 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0667324 5221870 3 years

Brickyard 02611 T3 017 35 - mid 1 - down none/slight 12T 0663738 5222709 3 years

Brickyard 02611 T4 917 40 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0670838 5220635 3 years

Degner Pasture 02613 T1 018 58 - late 9 - up none/slight 12T 0664251 5222104 5 years

County Line 12804 T1 019 65 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0681595 5198798 5 years

Spring Creek 15147 T1 020 43 - mid 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0682492 5202854 3 years

Spring Creek 15147 T2 020 75 - PNC 6 - up none/slight 12T 0686371 5201675 3 years

Forty One 02664 T1 021 34 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0668641 5219596 5 years

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 T1 022 45 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0684510 5231808 5 years

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 T2 022 56 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0683680 5235673 5 years

Grass Range East 02673 T1 023 42 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0674260 5215697 5 years

Grass Range East 02673 T2 023 50 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0673739 5215385 5 years

Harris 04874 T1 024 30 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0672694 5225653 3 years

Harris 04874 T2 024 62 - late 9 - up none/slight 12T 0671764 5226977 3 years

Harris 04874 T3 024 50 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0674189 5225408 3 years

Harris 04874 T4 024 65 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0674020 5225768 3 years

Harris 04874 T5 024 56 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0672634 5224829 3 years

Bear Creek 14912 T1 025 31 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0680836 5236900 3 years

Bear Creek 14912 T2 025 27 - mid 8 - down slight/moderate 12T 0677404 5237347 3 years

Bear Creek 14912 T3 025 60 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0679930 5239506 3 years

Bear Creek 14912 T4 025 42 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0669569 5233395 3 years

Croft Place 12608 T1 026 48 - mid 7 - up none/slight 12T 0648056 5218694 5 years

Croft Place 12608 T2 026 32 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0647951 5218933 5 years

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T1 027 40 - mid 3 - down none/slight 12T 0699162 5196347 3 years

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T2 027 46 - mid 6 - up none/slight 12T 0700586 5197378 3 years

Allotment Name

Allot. No. &

Transect No.

Ecol. Site Index

Score/Seral

Stage

Identification

Number Trend

Range Health Indicators

(departure from

expected for the site)

Transect UTM

Coordinates

Monitoring

Schedule and

Comments
193

*The monitoring schedule was established based on current resource conditions and the need to assess impacts of proposed changes. The schedule does not

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T4 027 40 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0700291 5195717 3 years

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T5 027 45 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0701737 5197313 3 years

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T6 027 18 - early 4 - down none/slight 12T 0686118 5206711 3 years

Elk Creek Bench 04865 T7 027 55 - late 0 - static slight/moderate 12T 0700992 5220710 3 years

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028 ref. 04865 ref. 04865 ref. 04865 3 years

Flatwillow Colony 09684 T1 029 42 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0695569 5182145 5 years

Duck Creek 04868 T1 030 55 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0680851 5228989 3 years

Duck Creek 04868 T2 030 22 - early 4 - down none/slight 12T 0678811 5229026 3 years

Chippewa School 02623 T1 031 43 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0661725 5217034 5 years

Wellman 02677 T1 032 30 - mid 7 - down slight/moderate 12T 0656844 5216806 5 years

Little Dam 12601 T1 033 37 - mid 8 - down none/slight 12T 0660694 5220552 5 years

Little Dam 12601 T2 033 41 - mid 8 - down slight/moderate 12T 0661096 5220377 5 years

Little Dam 12601 T3 033 44 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0658752 5223332 5 years

Gilt Edge 02620 T1 034 39 - mid 3 - down none/slight 12T 0655010 5224382 5 years

Maginnis Creek 00985 035 ref. 15119 ref. 15119 ref. 15119 2 years

Alan Ind. 15119 T1 036 35 - mid 2 - down moderate 12T 0720393 5186346 2 years

Alan Ind. 15119 T2 036 34 - mid 1 - down slight/moderate 12T 0723632 5191774 2 years

Railroad 15118 T1 037 25 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0712014 5185627 5 years

Petroleum Ind. 15120 T1 038 25 - mid 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0714239 5182768 5 years

54 Livestock 14993 T1 039 40 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0710513 5184460 5 years

North Highway 15024 T1 040 46 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0698182 5211964 5 years

FCC Ind. A 25000 T1 041 44 - mid 8 - up none/slight 12T 0704396 5199257 5 years

Bohemian Corner 02668 T1 042 42 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0668978 5247023 5 years

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 T1 043 53 - late 4 - up none/slight 13T 0273909 5197112 5 years

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 T2 043 47 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0274793 5197268 5 years

A Holgren Place 04872 T1 044 57 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0690313 5217777 5 years

Hale Ind. D 05068 T1 045 59 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0697009 5221362 5 years

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 T1 046 41 - mid 6 - down slight/moderate 12T 0696014 5216878 3 years

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 T2 046 55 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0694846 5216699 3 years

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 T3 046 48 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0697728 5217995 3 years

Hale Ranch 15069 T1 047 72 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0694195 5220436 5 years

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 T1 048 67 - late 1 - static slight/moderate 12T 0692239 5216947 5 years

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 T2 048 45 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0695756 5216505 5 years

Walker Ranch 14903 T1 049 25 - early 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0682939 5218635 3 years

Walker Ranch 14903 T2 049 53 - late 3 - down none/slight 12T 0682417 5220047 3 years

include random visits or monitoring of restoration projects.
194

Walker Ranch 14903 T3 049 44 - mid 2 - up slight/moderate 12T 0689361 5220205 3 years

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 T1 050 39 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0683066 5222500 3 years

East Winett 15047 T1 051 29 - mid 4 - down none/slight 12T 0709095 5212542 5 years

Yellow Water Basin 04898 T1 052 35 - mid 4 - down none/slight 12T 0701870 5198280 3 years

Yellow Water Basin 04898 T2 052 25 - mid 3 - down none/slight 12T 0700983 5198479 3 years

Yellow Water Basin 04898 T3 052 32 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0698865 5199085 3 years

Hedman Pasture B 15073 T1 053 36 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0678900 5224640 3 years

Hedman Pasture C 15074 T1 054 44 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0682452 5220741 5 years

Hedman Pasture D 04875 T1 055 45 - mid 5 - down slight/moderate 12T 0683128 5226097 5 years

Hedman Pasture E 15075 T1 056 39 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0686253 5224112 5 years

Hedman Pasture F 15076 T1 057 61 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0686601 5222724 5 years

Hedman Pasture F 15076 T2 057 36 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0686270 5224037 5 years

War Horse Common 15071 T1 058 50 - late 1 - static slight/moderate 12T 0687502 5221063 5 years

Wild Horse Lake 15072 T1 059 25 - mid 5 - down slight/moderate 12T 0681729 5226656 5 years

Wild Horse Lake 15072 T2 059 60 - late 0 - static slight/moderate 12T 0682800 5227331 5 years

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 T1 060 53 - late 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0684052 5197509 5 years

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 T2 060 55 - late 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0686145 5194365 5 years

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 T3 060 56 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0682314 5197380 5 years

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 T4 060 56 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0683094 5197682 5 years

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 T1 061 44 - mid 5 - down moderate 12T 0686901 5199422 3 years

Kaufman 02815 T1 062 65 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0675119 5186303 5 years

Kaufman 02815 T2 062 50 - late 1 - static slight/moderate 12T 0674454 5187805 5 years

Zimmerman Place 15036 T1 063 42 - mid 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0683146 5186912 3 years

Zimmerman Place 15036 T2 063 42 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0683135 5185778 3 years

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 T1 064 25 - mid 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0691015 5193790 3 years

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 T2 064 53 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0689320 5190661 3 years

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 T3 064 41 - mid 6 - down slight/moderate 12T 0692404 5191496 3 years

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 T1 065 41 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0679037 5186211 5 years

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 T2 065 41 - mid 1 - up none/slight 12T 0679601 5186598 5 years

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 T3 065 65 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0679715 5188092 5 years

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 T4 065 85 - pnc 9 - up none/slight 12T 0680855 5197249 5 years

Breeding Pasture 04877 T1 066 49-mid 1-static none/slight 12T 0681979 5189368 5 years

Meadow Pasture 05141 T1 067 49 - mid 6 - up none/slight 12T 0691750 5185836 5 years

South Pasture 05142 T1 068 40-mid 5-down slight/moderate 12T 0693806 5182406 5 years

Bench Pasture 05143 T1 069 29-mid 1-static none/slight 12T 0691982 5188658 3 years

Allotment Name

Allot. No. &

Transect No.

Ecol. Site Index

Score/Seral

Stage

Identification

Number Trend

Range Health Indicators

(departure from

expected for the site)

Transect UTM

Coordinates

Monitoring

Schedule and

Comments
195

*The monitoring schedule was established based on current resource conditions and the need to assess impacts of proposed changes. The schedule does not

Pike Creek 05161 T1 070 31-mid 3-down none/slight 12T 0686725 5193293 3 years

Pike Creek 05161 T2 070 40-mid 2-up none/slight 12T 0685784 5191445 3 years

Hawkins Pasture 15138 T1 071 47-mid 4-up none/slight 12T 0696010 5193769 5 years

L. Pike Creek 15139 T1 072 26-mid 2-down none/slight 12T 0694742 5190688 3 years

Rozie Pasture 15140 T1 073 37-mid 4-up none/slight 12T 0694276 5188468 5 years

Snoose Creek 15144 T1 074 54-late 1-static none/slight 12T 0685201 5193803 5 years

Lambert Bench 15145 T1 075 52-late 1-static none/slight 12T 0683675 5190366 5 years

North Flatwillow 15146 T1 076 37-mid 0-static none/slight 12T 0688093 5191365 3 years

Windbreak 04873 T1 077 76 - pnc 6 - up none/slight 12T 0690158 5186428 5 years

P.D. Pasture 04878 T1 078 41 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0690398 5183461 5 years

D. Iverson 04879 T1 079 44 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0686560 5181110 5 years

Silver Sage 15070 T1 080 55 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0691757 5180839 5 years

Sage Hen 04880 T1 081 54 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0689719 5187135 5 years

Jackson Home Place 02010 T1 082 45 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0644827 5245201 3 years

Crowley Dam 15014 T1 083 50 - late 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0704246 5187835 3 years

Crowley Dam 15014 T2 083 36 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0708475 5188738 3 years

Road Junction 15001 T1 084 43 - mid 5 - up none/slight 12T 0713692 5197979 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T1 085 53-late 4-up none/slight 12T 0685019 5188815 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T2 085 50-late 2-down none/slight 12T 0688039 5186272 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T4 085 60-late 0-static none/slight 12T 0688394 5188654 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T5 085 62-late 4-up none/slight 12T 0683452 5180727 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T6 085 47-mid 0-static none/slight 12T 0685894 5180953 5 years

Flatwillow 15078 T7 085 40-mid 7-up none/slight 12T 0684234 5182054 5 years

Mosby Road 25007 T1 086 68 - late 1 - static none/slight 13T 0282394 5185358 5 years

King 04884 T2 087 45 - mid 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0696290 5203968 5 years

King 04884 T3 087 60 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0696008 5200301 5 years

King 04884 T4 087 59 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0691862 5200424 5 years

King 04884 T5 087 50 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0689860 5201806 5 years

King 04884 T6 087 71 - late 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0693005 5204015 5 years

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 T1 088 70 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0689192 5205011 5 years

King Winter Pasture 15055 T1 089 48 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0692939 5201242 5 years

Nebraska Place 04890 T1 090 63 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0697039 5182684 5 years

Nebraska Place 04890 T2 090 41 - mid 3 - up none/slight 12T 0694937 5187382 5 years

Nebraska Place 04890 T3 090 46 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0702256 5181462 5 years

Nebraska Place 04890 T4 090 53 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0708198 5184936 5 years

include random visits or monitoring of restoration projects.
196

Nebraska Place 04890 T5 090 45 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0695999 5189256 5 years

West Bohemian 02636 T1 091 38 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0662564 2545081 3 years

West Bohemian 02636 T2 091 67 - late 3 - down none/slight 12T 0664018 5246485 3 years

Kruger 04885 T1 092 68 - late 2 - down none/slight 12T 0681094 5231949 5 years

Bassett Place 15043 T1 093 35 - mid 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0672609 5219244 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T2 093 37 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0675278 5220077 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T3 093 34 - mid 6 - down slight/moderate 12T 0679254 5220269 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T4 093 53 - late 3 - up none/slight 12T 0677241 5225383 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T5 093 51 - late 7 - up none/slight 12T 0677215 5224898 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T6 093 49 - mid 8 - up none/slight 12T 0677480 5220381 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T7 093 50 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0677820 5219414 3 years

Bassett Place 15043 T8 093 48 - mid 9 - up none/slight 12T 0676893 5222144 3 years

Maidenhead 02616 T1 094 32 - mid 5 - up none/slight 12T 0649866 5219362 5 years

Fisher 02642 T1 095 50 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0665658 5225013 5 years

Fisher 02642 T2 095 41 - mid 2 - up slight/moderate 12T 0666670 5226317 5 years

Fisher 02642 T3 095 68 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0667243 5226234 5 years

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 T1 096 21 - early 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0691900 5232415 3 years

Buckler Place 02519 T4 097 33 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0671633 5224319 3 years

William Lewis Ind. 04886 T1 098 30 - mid 9 - down slight/moderate 12T 0675662 5221905 3 years

William Lewis Ind. 04886 T2 098 62 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0675550 5222950 3 years

William Lewis Ind. 04886 T3 098 55 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0675956 5225181 3 years

William Lewis Ind. 04886 T5 098 49 - mid 3 - down none/slight 12T 0672637 5223402 3 years

# Ranch 04869 T1 099 51 - late 2 - down none/slight 12T 0704714 5199108 5 years

# Ranch 04869 T2 099 58 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0702936 5198202 5 years

Salt Sage 14992 T1 100 46 - mid 3 - down slight/moderate 12T 0710135 5195263 5 years

Marks Ind. 04887 T1 101 73 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0701421 5219548 5 years

North Box Elder 04850 T1 102 58 - late 6 - down slight/moderate 12T 0706881 5220673 3 years

North Box Elder 04850 T2 102 58 - late 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0705282 5222634 3 years

North Box Elder 04850 T3 102 43 - mid 8 - down slight/moderate 12T 0705432 5217439 3 years

North Box Elder 04850 T4 102 31 - mid 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0706689 5217363 3 years

North Box Elder 04850 T5 102 25 - early 0 - static none/slight 12T 0706972 5218664 3 years

Munson 02653 T1 103 44 - mid 6 - up none/slight 12T 0658004 5218265 5 years

Munson 02653 T2 103 50 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0660040 5219537 5 years

Briggs Coulee 02647 T1 104 35 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0675972 5216641 3 years

Briggs Coulee 02647 T2 104 39 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0673008 5210198 3 years

Allotment Name

Allot. No. &

Transect No.

Ecol. Site Index

Score/Seral

Stage

Identification

Number Trend

Range Health Indicators

(departure from

expected for the site)

Transect UTM

Coordinates

Monitoring

Schedule and

Comments
197

Musselshell 15010 T1 105 56 - late 3 - up none/slight 13T 0281014 5186995 5 years

Adams 02665 T1 106 29 - mid 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0652147 5243247 5 years

Pearce 14911 T1 107 34 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0668136 5232788 5 years

Pearce 14911 T2 107 10 - early 2 - up none/slight 12T 0668098 5237432 5 years

West Winnett 15023 T1 108 35 - mid 4 - down slight/moderate 12T 0699952 5205342 2 years

Hill South Winnett 04876 T1 109 48 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0698346 5202938 5 years

Hill South Winnett 04876 T2 109 40 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0700426 5203292 5 years

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 T1 110 46 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0667275 5228024 5 years

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 T2 110 47 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0666491 5232047 5 years

O-N 02662 T1 111 35 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0663420 5242787 5 years

Bohemian South 02656 T1 112 48 - mid 5 - up none/slight 12T 0661272 5245486 5 years

Chimney Rock South 05098 T1 113 13 - early 5 - down slight/moderate 12T 065775 5228978 5 years

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 T1 114 50 - late 4 - down none/slight 12T 0694230 5229950 5 years

Skibby Place 15059 T1 115 54 - late 2 - down none/slight 12T 0697234 5226940 2 years

Skibby Place 15059 T2 115 60 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0694999 5226894 2 years

Skibby Place 15059 T3 115 50 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0700067 5228383 2 years

Skibby Place 15059 T4 115 34 - mid 0 - static none/slight 12T 0692814 5231515 2 years

Skibby Place 15059 T5 115 39 - mid 2 - down none/slight 12T 0691419 5227924 3 years

Skibby Place 15059 T6 115 59 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0689516 5225060 3 years

Skibby Place 15059 T7 115 53 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0693525 5224632 3 years

Elder 02659 T1 116 45 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0674124 5244189 5 years

Doman-Schultz 04863 T1 117 52 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0685706 5203315 5 years

Doman-Schultz 04863 T2 117 51 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0684821 5204003 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T1 118 78 - pnc 8 - up none/slight 12T 0687979 5206344 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T2 118 62 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0688864 5208054 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T3 118 58 - late 4 - up none/slight 12T 0684684 5208931 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T4 118 69 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0684792 5209084 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T5 118 67 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0686850 5209159 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T6 118 55 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0686768 5209009 5 years

Marsh Hawk 04894 T7 118 62 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0689988 5208888 5 years

Hughes Coulee 04831 T1 119 37 - mid 3 - down slight/moderate 13T 0282888 5205199 3 years

Hughes Coulee 04831 T2 119 44 - mid 2 - up slight/moderate 13T 0279277 5207154 3 years

Maxwell Ranch 15009 T1 120 41 - mid 2 - down none/slight 13T 0275150 5183768 5 years

East Roy 02670 T1 121 67 - late 7 - down slight/moderate 12T 0659415 5244050 3 years

East Roy 02670 T2 121 45 - mid 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0662563 5242295 3 years

*The monitoring schedule was established based on current resource conditions and the need to assess impacts of proposed changes. The schedule does not

include random visits or monitoring of restoration projects.
198

*The monitoring schedule was established based on current resource conditions and the need to assess impacts of proposed changes. The schedule does not

include random visits or monitoring of restoration projects.

Allotment Name

Allot. No. &

Transect No.

Ecol. Site Index

Score/Seral

Stage

Identification

Number Trend

Range Health Indicators

(departure from

expected for the site)

Transect UTM

Coordinates

Monitoring

Schedule and

Comments

Solf Bros. A 15090 T1 122 18 - early 2 - down slight/moderate 12T 0715897 5207249 2 years

Solf Bros. B 04897 T1 123 51 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0718806 5208324 5 years

Little Bear 05018 T1 124 80 - pnc 2 - up none/slight 12T 0691718 5221063 5 years

Gorman Coulee 04990 T1 125 42 - mid 5 - up none/slight 12T 0722359 5207852 5 years

Gorman Coulee 04990 T2 125 38 - mid 4 - up none/slight 12T 0721318 5208527 5 years

Gorman Coulee 04990 T3 125 58 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0723962 5207858 5 years

Alfalfa Acres 14988 T1 126 61 - late 6 - up none/slight 12T 0723271 5205507 5 years

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 T1 127 35 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0694635 5206617 5 years

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 T2 127 64 - late 8 - up none/slight 12T 0684210 5204467 5 years

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 T3 127 75 - pnc 8 - up none/slight 12T 0683070 5209154 5 years

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 T4 127 64 - late 2 - up none/slight 12T 0682320 5213157 5 years

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 T5 127 46 - mid 2 - up none/slight 12T 0679890 5214741 5 years

West Bassett 15039 T1 128 44 - mid 5 - down none/slight 12T 0671983 5218583 5 years

Ford Creek 15045 T1 129 60 - late 9 - up none/slight 12T 0681992 5219653 5 years

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 T1 130 52 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0691425 5212166 5 years

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 T2 130 58 - late 7 - up none/slight 12T 0690098 5211004 5 years

Schuster & White 15048 T1 131 55 - late 1 - static none/slight 12T 0695865 5212733 5 years

Schuster & White 15048 T2 131 52 - late 5 - up none/slight 12T 0683879 5214920 5 years

Forgy Common 12700 T1 132 43 - mid 7 - up none/slight 12T 0664510 5219409 5 years

Forgy Common 12700 T2 132 45 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0663666 5220837 5 years

Whisonant Place 14906 T1 133 34 - mid 1 - static none/slight 12T 0722784 5210834 5 years

Little Box Elder 02609 T1 134 68 - late 1 - up none/slight 12T 0656234 5226947 5 years

Little Box Elder 02609 T2 134 38 - mid 1 - up none/slight 12T 0663934 5224885 5 years
199

Allotment Identification Meeting

Allotment Name No. Number Stream Name / Polygon No. Health Rating Distance (miles) Standards? Reason Not Meeting

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 001 No Riparian

Maginnis Creek 00823 002 No Riparian

Yellow Water 15040 003 Snoose Creek - 5 60 - FAR (upward) 0.9 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Yellow Water 15040 003 Unnamed Tributary to Yellowwater - 1 59 - NF 0.9 NO livestock/natural erosion

Yellow Water 15040 003 Unnamed Tributary to Yellowwater - 2 75 - FAR (upward) 0.3 NO making progress towards meeting standards

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 14 82 - PFC 0.6 YES

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 15 82 - PFC 0.7 YES

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 16 67 - FAR (static) 0.8 NO livestock/weeds

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 16a 63 - FAR (static) included above NO livestock/weeds

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 1 43 - NF 1.2 NO livestock

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 2 38 - NF 0.5 NO livestock

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 3 63 - NF 0.3 NO livestock

McDonald Creek 04902 005 No Riparian

War Horse Ind. 15152 006 Buffalo Creek - 1 67 - FAR (upward) 0.6 NO making progress towards meeting standards

South War Horse 15153 007 No Riparian

Eager Home Ranch 15061 008 No Riparian

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 1 (upper) 80 - PFC 0.4 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 2 (upper) 80 - PFC 0.8 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 3 82 - PFC 0.9 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 4 84 - PFC 1.4 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 5 91 - PFC 1.4 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 6 82 - PFC 1.2 YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 6a 86 - PFC included above YES

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 7 89 - PFC 1.5 YES

Hubert Coulee 02539 010 No Riparian

Aikens 04859 011 No Riparian

Sheep Wagon 15064 012 No Riparian

Aikens 25012 013 No Riparian

Yellow Water Creek 15085 014 No Riparian

Chippewa 02606 015 No Riparian

Schulz 02666 016 No Riparian

Brickyard 02611 017 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 5 34 - NF 1.1 NO livestock/weeds/historic irrigation diversion

Brickyard 02611 017 Fords Creek - 8 66 - FAR (static) 0.8 NO livestock/weeds

Degner Pasture 02613 018 No Riparian

County Line 12804 019 No Riparian

Spring Creek 15147 020 No Riparian

Forty One 02664 021 No Riparian

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 Bear Creek - 1 62 - FAR (upward) 1.4 NO making progress towards meeting standards

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 Bear Creek - 2 87 - PFC 0.9 YES

Grass Range East 02673 023 No Riparian

Harris 04874 024 No Riparian

APPENDIX E

Riparian Health Assessments
200

Allotment Identification Meeting

Allotment Name No. Number Stream Name / Polygon No. Health Rating Distance (miles) Standards? Reason Not Meeting

Bear Creek 14912 025 No Riparian

Croft Place 12608 026 No Riparian

Elk Creek Bench 04865 027 No Riparian

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028 No Riparian

Flatwillow Colony 09684 029 No Riparian

Duck Creek 04868 030 No Riparian

Chippewa School 02623 031 No Riparian

Wellman 02677 032 No Riparian

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 1 57 - NF 1.3 NO weeds

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 2 (exclosure) 58 - NF 0.4 NO weeds

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 3 53 - NF 0.2 NO weeds

Gilt Edge 02620 034 No Riparian

Maginnis Creek 00985 035 No Riparian

Alan Ind. 15119 036 Maginnis Creek - 2 55 - NF 0.8 NO livestock

Alan Ind. 15119 036 North Maginnis Creek - 1 32 - NF 0.4 NO livestock

Railroad 15118 037 No Riparian

Petroleum Ind. 15120 038 No Riparian

54 Livestock 14993 039 No Riparian

North Highway 15024 040 No Riparian

FCC Ind. A 25000 041 No Riparian

Bohemian Corner 02668 042 No Riparian

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Circle Bar Coulee - 1 55 - NF 1.7 NO pipeline/road/natural erosion

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Musselshell River - 12 72 - FAR (static) 0.6 NO weeds

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Musselshell River - 13 77- FAR (static) 0.6 NO weeds

A Holgren Place 04872 044 No Riparian

Hale Ind. D 05068 045 No Riparian

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 Dry Creek - 1 91 - PFC 0.7 YES

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 Dry Creek - 2 84 - PFC 0.3 YES

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 3 50 - NF 0.8 NO livestock/weeds/upstream dewatering

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 4 35- NF 0.9 NO livestock/weeds/natural erosion/upstream dewatering

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 5 42- NF 0.3 NO livestock/weeds/natural erosion/upstream dewatering

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 048 No Riparian

Walker Ranch 14903 049 Buffalo Creek - 2 73 - FAR (upward) 0.3 NO making progress towards meeting standards

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 050 No Riparian

East Winett 15047 051 No Riparian

Yellow Water Basin 04898 052 No Riparian

Hedman Pasture B 15073 053 No Riparian

Hedman Pasture C 15074 054 No Riparian

Hedman Pasture D 04875 055 Duck Creek - 1 77 - FAR (upward) 1.2 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Hedman Pasture E 15075 056 No Riparian

Hedman Pasture F 15076 057 No Riparian

War Horse Common 15071 058 No Riparian

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 Duck Creek - 2 65 - FAR (static) 0.8 NO weeds

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 Duck Creek - 3 75 - FAR (upward) 0.4 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 060 Snoose Creek - 3 65 - FAR (static) 1.3 NO weeds/historic irrigation diversion
201

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 061 No Riparian

Kaufman 02815 062 No Riparian

Zimmerman Place 15036 063 No Riparian

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 6 57 - NF 1.4 NO weeds

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 7 70 - FAR (upward) 1 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 7a 50 - NF 0.4 NO livestock

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 065 No Riparian

Breeding Pasture 04877 066 No Riparian

Meadow Pasture 05141 067 No Riparian

South Pasture 05142 068 No Riparian

Bench Pasture 05143 069 Pike Creek - 8 17 - NF 0.6 NO livestock

Bench Pasture 05143 069 Pike Creek - 9 17 - NF 1.1 NO livestock

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 1a 76 - FAR (upward) 0.3 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 1b 61 - FAR (static) 0.4 NO weeds/disturbance caused undesireable species

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 2 52 - NF 0.6 NO weeds/disturbance caused undesireable species

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 3 58 -NF 0.7 NO livestock/weeds

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 4 58 - NF 1.3 NO livestock/weeds

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 5 68 - FAR (static) 0.1 NO natural erosion

Hawkins Pasture 15138 071

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-01 75 - FAR (static) 0.4 NO weeds

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-02 70 - FAR (static) 0.7 NO weeds

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-01 58 - NF 0.8 NO natural erosion

Rozie Pasture 15140 073 No Riparian

Snoose Creek 15144 074 Snoose Creek - 1 77 - FAR (upward) 0.3 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Snoose Creek 15144 074 Snoose Creek - 2 59 - NF 0.9 NO natural erosion

Lambert Bench 15145 075 No Riparian

North Flatwillow 15146 076 Snoose Creek - 4 45 - NF 0.6 NO livestock

Windbreak 04873 077 No Riparian

P.D. Pasture 04878 078 No Riparian

D. Iverson 04879 079 No Riparian

Silver Sage 15070 080 No Riparian

Sage Hen 04880 081 No Riparian

Jackson Home Place 02010 082 No Riparian

Crowley Dam 15014 083 No Riparian

Road Junction 15001 084 No Riparian

Flatwillow 15078 085 No Riparian

Mosby Road 25007 086 No Riparian

King 04884 087 No Riparian

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 088 No Riparian

King Winter Pasture 15055 089 No Riparian

Nebraska Place 04890 090 No Riparian

West Bohemian 02636 091 No Riparian

Kruger 04885 092 No Riparian

Bassett Place 15043 093 Duck Creek - 4 69 - FAR (static) 0.2 NO livestock/weeds/small dam

Maidenhead 02616 094 No Riparian

Fisher 02642 095 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 4 55 - NF 0.4 NO natural erosion

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 096 No Riparian
202

Allotment Identification Meeting

Allotment Name No. Number Stream Name / Polygon No. Health Rating Distance (miles) Standards? Reason Not Meeting

Buckler Place 02519 097 No Riparian

William Lewis Ind. 04886 098 No Riparian

# Ranch 04869 099 No Riparian

Salt Sage 14992 100 No Riparian

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Box Elder Creek - 1 (lower) 88 -PFC 1.2 YES

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Box Elder Creek - 2 (lower) 81 - PFC 1.3 YES

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Buffalo Creek - BFC-06 81 - PFC 1 YES

North Box Elder 04850 102 No Riparian

Munson 02653 103 No Riparian

Briggs Coulee 02647 104 No Riparian

Musselshell 15010 105 No Riparian

Adams 02665 106 No Riparian

Pearce 14911 107 No Riparian

West Winnett 15023 108 No Riparian

Hill South Winnett 04876 109 No Riparian

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 110 No Riparian

O-N 02662 111 No Riparian

Bohemian South 02656 112 No Riparian

Chimney Rock South 05098 113 No Riparian

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 114 No Riparian

Skibby Place 15059 115 Fords Creek - 2 (lower) 65 - FAR (upward) 1 NO making progress towards meeting standards

Elder 02659 116 No Riparian

Doman-Schultz 04863 117 No Riparian

Marsh Hawk 04894 118 No Riparian

Hughes Coulee 04831 119 No Riparian

Maxwell Ranch 15009 120 No Riparian

East Roy 02670 121 No Riparian

Solf Bros. A 15090 122 No Riparian

Solf Bros. B 04897 123 No Riparian

Little Bear 05018 124 No Riparian

Gorman Coulee 04990 125 No Riparian

Alfalfa Acres 14988 126 No Riparian

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 127 No Riparian

West Bassett 15039 128 No Riparian

Ford Creek 15045 129 No Riparian

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 130 No Riparian

Schuster & White 15048 131 No Riparian

Forgy Common 12700 132 Fords Creek - 4 61 - FAR (static) 1 NO weeds/natural erosion

Forgy Common 12700 132 Fords Creek - 5 65 - FAR (static) 0.7 NO weeds/natural erosion

Forgy Common 12700 132 Fords Creek - 6 63 - FAR (static) 0.8 NO weeds/drought

Forgy Common 12700 132 Fords Creek - 7 61 - FAR (static) 0.4 NO weeds/drought/historic irrigation diversion

Whisonant Place 14906 133 No Riparian

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 1 52 - NF 1.1 NO weeds/natural erosion/drought

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 2 64 - FAR (static) 1 NO weeds/natural erosion/drought

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 3 61 - FAR (static) 0.7 NO weeds/natural erosion/drought
203

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 001

Maginnis Creek 00823 002

Yellow Water 15040 003 Snoose Creek - 5 60 - FAR (upward) 3 years

Yellow Water 15040 003 Unnamed Tributary to Yellowwater - 1 59 - NF 3 years

Yellow Water 15040 003 Unnamed Tributary to Yellowwater - 2 75 - FAR (upward) 3 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 14 82 - PFC 5 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 15 82 - PFC 5 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 16 67 - FAR (static) 3 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 Musselshell River - 16a 63 - FAR (static) 3 years

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 1 43 - NF yearly

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 2 38 - NF yearly

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 North Willow Creek - 3 63 - NF yearly

McDonald Creek 04902 005

War Horse Ind. 15152 006 Buffalo Creek - 1 67 - FAR (upward) 3 years

S. War Horse 15153 007

Eager Home Ranch 15061 008

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 1 (upper) 80 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 2 (upper) 80 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 3 82 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 4 84 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 5 91 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 6 82 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 6a 86 - PFC 5 years

Box Elder 02529 009 Box Elder Creek - 7 89 - PFC 5 years

Hubert Coulee 02539 010

Aikens 04859 011

Sheep Wagon 15064 012

Aikens 25012 013

Yellow Water Creek 15085 014

Chippewa 02606 015

Schulz 02666 016

Brickyard 02611 017 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 5 34 - NF yearly

Brickyard 02611 017 Fords Creek - 8 66 - FAR (static) yearly

Degner Pasture 02613 018

County Line 12804 019

Spring Creek 15147 020

Forty One 02664 021

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 Bear Creek - 1 62 - FAR (upward) 5 years

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 Bear Creek - 2 87 - PFC 5 years

Grass Range East 02673 023

Harris 04874 024

Bear Creek 14912 025

Croft Place 12608 026

Elk Creek Bench 04865 027

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028

Flatwillow Colony 09684 029

Duck Creek 04868 030

Chippewa School 02623 031

Wellman 02677 032

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 1 57 - NF 5 years

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 2 (exclosure) 58 - NF 5 years

Little Dam 12601 033 Fords Creek - 3 53 - NF 5 years

Gilt Edge 02620 034

BLM

Allotment Allotment Identification Monitoring

Name No. Number Polygon No. Health Rating Schedule

APPENDIX F

Riparian Monitoring Schedule
204

Maginnis Creek 00985 035

Alan Ind. 15119 036 Maginnis Creek - 2 55 - NF yearly

Alan Ind. 15119 036 North Maginnis Creek - 1 32 - NF yearly

Railroad 15118 037

Petroleum Ind. 15120 038

54 Livestock 14993 039

North Highway 15024 040

FCC Ind. A 25000 041

Bohemian Corner 02668 042

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Circle Bar Coulee - 1 55 - NF 3 years

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Musselshell River - 12 72 - FAR (static) 3 years

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 Musselshell River - 13 77 - FAR (static) 3 years

A Holgren Place 04872 044

Hale Ind. D 05068 045

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 Dry Creek - 1 91 - PFC 5 years

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 Dry Creek - 2 84 - PFC 5 years

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 3 50 - NF 3 years

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 4 35 - NF 3 years

Hale Ranch 15069 047 Buffalo Creek - 5 42 - NF 3 years

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 048

Walker Ranch 14903 049 Buffalo Creek - 2 73 - FAR (upward) 5 years

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 050

East Winett 15047 051

Yellow Water Basin 04898 052

Hedman Pasture B 15073 053

Hedman Pasture C 15074 054

Hedman Pasture D 04875 055 Duck Creek - 1 77 - FAR (upward) 5 years

Hedman Pasture E 15075 056

Hedman Pasture F 15076 057

War Horse Common 15071 058

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 Duck Creek - 2 65 - FAR (static) 5 years

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 Duck Creek - 3 75 - FAR (upward) 5 years

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 060 Snoose Creek - 3 65 - FAR (static) 5 years

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 061

Kaufman 02815 062

Zimmerman Place 15036 063

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 6 57 - NF yearly

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 7 70 - FAR (upward) yearly

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 Pike Creek - 7a 50 - NF yearly

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 065

Breeding Pasture 04877 066

Meadow Pasture 05141 067

South Pasture 05142 068

Bench Pasture 05143 069 Pike Creek - 8 17 - NF yearly

Bench Pasture 05143 069 Pike Creek - 9 17 - NF yearly

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 1a 76 - FAR (upward) 5 years

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 1b 61 - FAR (static) 3 years

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 2 52 - NF yearly

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 3 58 - NF yearly

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 4 58 - NF yearly

Pike Creek 05161 070 Pike Creek - 5 68 - FAR (static) 3 years

Hawkins Pasture 15138 071

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-01 75 - FAR (static) 3 years

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-02 70 - FAR (static) 3 years

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 Pike Creek - PKC-03 58 - NF 3 years

Rozie Pasture 15140 073

BLM

Allotment Allotment Identification Monitoring

Name No. Number Polygon No. Health Rating Schedule
205

Snoose Creek 15144 074 Snoose Creek - 1 77 - FAR (upward) 5 years

Snoose Creek 15144 074 Snoose Creek - 2 59 - NF 5 years

Lambert Bench 15145 075

North Flatwillow 15146 076 Snoose Creek - 4 45 - NF 3 years

Windbreak 04873 077

P.D. Pasture 04878 078

D. Iverson 04879 079

Silver Sage 15070 080

Sage Hen 04880 081

Jackson Home Place 02010 082

Crowley Dam 15014 083

Road Junction 15001 084

Flatwillow 15078 085

Mosby Road 25007 086

King 04884 087

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 088

King Winter Pasture 15055 089

Nebraska Place 04890 090

West Bohemian 02636 091

Kruger 04885 092

Bassett Place 15043 093 Duck Creek - 4 69 - FAR (static) 3 years

Maidenhead 02616 094

Fisher 02642 095 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 4 55 - NF 5 years

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 096

Buckler Place 02519 097

William Lewis Ind. 04886 098

# Ranch 04869 099

Salt Sage 14992 100

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Box Elder Creek - 1 (lower) 88 - PFC 5 years

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Box Elder Creek - 2 (lower) 81 - PFC 5 years

Marks Ind. 04887 101 Buffalo Creek - BFC-06 81 - PFC 5 years

North Box Elder 04850 102

Munson 02653 103

Briggs Coulee 02647 104

Musselshell 15010 105

Adams 02665 106

Pearce 14911 107

West Winnett 15023 108

Hill South Winnett 04876 109

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 110

O-N 02662 111

Bohemian South 02656 112

Chimney Rock South 05098 113

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 114

Skibby Place 15059 115 Fords Creek - 2 (lower) 65 - FAR (upward) 5 years

Elder 02659 116

Doman-Schultz 04863 117

Marsh Hawk 04894 118

Hughes Coulee 04831 119

Maxwell Ranch 15009 120

East Roy 02670 121

Solf Bros. A 15090 122

Solf Bros. B 04897 123

Little Bear 05018 124

Gorman Coulee 04990 125

Alfalfa Acres 14988 126

BLM

Allotment Allotment Identification Monitoring

Name No. Number Polygon No. Health Rating Schedule
206

BLM

Allotment Allotment Identification Monitoring

Name No. Number Polygon No. Health Rating Schedule

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 127 West

Bassett 15039 128

Ford Creek 15045 129

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 130

Schuster & White 15048 131

Forgy Common 12700 132 Fords Creek - 4 61 - FAR (static) 3 years

132 Fords Creek - 5 65 - FAR (static) 3 years

132 Fords Creek - 6 63 - FAR (static) 3 years

132 Fords Creek - 7 61 - FAR (static) 3 years

Whisonant Place 14906 133

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 1 52 - NF 5 years

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 2 64 - FAR (static) 5 years

Little Box Elder 02609 134 Little Box Elder (Brickyard) - 3 61 - FAR (static) 5 years
207

APPENDIX G

Corrective Adjustments for Resource Protection

The guidelines described in Appendix A are

considered best management practices

necessary to achieve objectives identified in

this plan and to maintain or improve rangeland

resources. Livestock use that exceeds the

guideline will reduce the ability to maintain

proper range conditions. The success of these

guidelines is dependent on active involvement

by the livestock permittees in the day-to-day

management of allotments.

If the guidelines are exceeded and overuse

does occur, corrective actions should be

implemented during the next grazing season to

insure that such use does not occur again and

prevent necessary vegetative recovery from

occurring. In such instances, prior to the next

grazing season, the permittee(s) and BLM

manager should cooperatively develop these

corrective adjustments. The recommended

management adjustments identified below are

a tool that can be used, modified, or added to,

on a case by case basis. The BLM would

prefer that the grazing permittee(s) suggest

corrective actions needed to maintain

vegetative health and vigor while still meeting

livestock management needs. If however, a

cooperatively developed corrective adjustment

cannot be reached, the following adjustments

will be applied:

Recommended Stubble Height for Riparian Species = 4 Inches

Actual Stubble Height (inches) Corrective Adjustment

3 to 4 inches any one year Discuss situation with permittee

3 to 4 inches two consecutive years 5 inch stubble height the next year

3 to 4 inches more than two consecutive years 6 inch stubble height the next year

2 to 3 inches any one year 5 inch stubble height the next year

2 to 3 inches two consecutive years 6 inch stubble height the next year

2 to 3 inches more than two consecutive years Rest the pasture the following year

Less than 2 inches in any one year Rest the pasture the following year

Recommended Riparian Tree and Shrub Utilization = Light to Moderate Browsing

Actual Browse Level (Light, Moderate, or Intense) Corrective Adjustment

Light to Moderate No adjustment necessary

Intense any one year Discuss situation with permittee

Intense two consecutive years Eliminate hot season (July, August and

September) grazing either through change

in season of use or some form of fencing

Recommended Upland Species Utilization Level = 50% by Weight

Actual Utilization Level (%) Corrective Adjustment

Exceeds prescribed level by more than 10% Discuss situation with permittee

but less than 25%

Exceeds prescribed level by more than 25% Discuss situation with permittee. Limit

utilization to 40% the following year.
208
209

APPENDIX H

Upland and Riparian Plant List

Common Upland Plants:

Trees:

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa)

Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)

Shrubs:

Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)

Silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana)

Greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus)

Juniper (Juniperus sp.)

Woods’ rose (Rosa woodsii)

Yucca (Yucca glauca)Saltbush (Atriplex sp.)

Winterfat (Ceratoides lanata)

Native Perennial Grasses:

Western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)

Bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata)

Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha)

Sandberg bluegrass (Poa sandbergii)

Green needlegrass (Stipa viridula)

Needle and thread (Stipa comata)

Blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)

Prairie sandreed (Calamovilfa longifolia)

Domestic Perennial Grasses:

Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum)

Intermediate wheatgrass (Elytrigia intermedia)

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis)

Annual Grasses:

Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus)

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)

Forbs:Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Phlox (Phlox hoodii)

Salisify (Trogopogon dubious)

Fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida)

Western yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

American vetch (Vicea americana)

SucculentsPricklypear cactus (Opuntia

polyacantha)

Pincushion (Chaenactis glabriuscula)

Pteridophyte

Dense Clubmoss (Selaginella densa)

Common Riparian Plants:

Trees:

Boxelder (Acer negundo)

Cottonwood (Populus deltoides)

Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)

Peachleaf Willow (Salix amygdaloides)

Shrubs:

Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)

Buffalo Currant (Ribes odoratum)

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)

Redosier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Sandbar Willow (Salix exigua)

Yellow Willow (Salix lutea)

Forbs:

American Licorice (Glycyrrhiza lepidota)

Cattail (Typha latifolia)

Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium)

Curly Dock (Rumex crispus)

Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

Mint (Mentha arvensis)

Yellow sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis)

White sweetclover (Melilotus alba)

Grasses:

Baltic Rush (Juncus balticus)

Barnyardgrass (Echinochloa muricata)

Bulrush (Scripus maritimus)

Creeping Spikesedge (Eleocharis palustris)

Foxtail Barley (Hordeum jubatum)

Hardstem Bulrush (Scripus acutus)

Inland Saltgrass (Distichlis spicata)

Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata)

Prairie Cordgrass (Spartina pectinata)

Quackgrass (Agropyron repens)

Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea)

Sloughgrass (Beckmannia syzigachne)

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis)

Threesquare Bulrush (Scirpus pungens)

Western Wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii)
210
211

Allotment Identification Project

Allotment Name Number Number Proposed RI Projects Area

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 001 1 stockwater pipeline within an existing 2-track trail 1.25 mi.

Maginnis Creek 00823 002

Yellowwater 15040 003 dense clubmoss chiseling 120 ac.

003 2 4-wire barbed wire allotment boundary fences - .75 & .50 mi. 1.25 mi.

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 1 4-wire barbed wire allotment boundary fence 1.5 mi.

004 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.5 mi.

004 install 1 24' cattle guard (30' x 40' area) .03 ac.

McDonald Creek 04902 005

Warhorse Ind. 15152 006

South War Horse 15153 007

Eager Home Ranch 15061 008

Box Elder 02529 009 stockwater ppl. extension from private ppl; 2.25 mi. x 10' 2.25 mi.

009 2 stocktanks - (20' x 20' ea). .02 ac.

Hubert Coulee 02539 010

Aikens 04859 011

Sheep Wagon 15064 012 2 3-wire barbed wire crossfences -1.75 and 2.5 mi. 4.25 mi.

012 3 stockwater pipeline extensions - 1.25, 1.0, 2.75 mi. 5.0 mi.

012 4 stocktanks (20' x 20' ea.) .04 ac.

012 1 4-wire barbed wire allotment boundary fence .75 mi.

Aikens 25012 013

Yellow Water Creek 15085 014 stock water ppl. extension from existing tank .5 mi.

014 1 stocktank (20' x 20') .01 ac.

Chippewa 02606 015

Schulz 02666 016

Brickyard 02611 017

Degner Pasture 02613 018

County Line 12804 019

Spring Creek 15147 020

Forty One 02664 021

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022

Grass Range East 02673 023

Harris 04874 024 2 stockwater ppl. extensions - 5.25 mi. 5.25 mi.

024 7 stocktanks (20' x 20' ea.) .064 ac.

024 2 3-wire barbed wire crossfences - 1.0 mi. ea. 2.0 mi.

Bear Creek 14912 025

Croft Place 12608 026

Elk Creek Bench 04865 027 Pasture A: crested wheatgrass re-seeding 38.5 ac.

027 Pasture B: stockwater ppl. extension from private well .75 mi.

027 one stocktank (20' x 20' area) .01 ac.

027 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .25 mi.

027 NW Highway Pasture: stockwater ppl. ext. from Past. A .25 mi.

027 one stocktank (20' x 20') .01 ac.

027 Phillips Pasture: 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .5 mi.

027

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028

Flatwillow Colony 09684 029

Duck Creek 04868 030

Chippewa School 02623 031

Wellman 02677 032

Little Dam 12601 033

Gilt Edge 02620 034

Maginnis Creek 00985 035

Alan Ind. 15119 036 1 - sheep tight fence 1.75 mi.

APPENDIX I

Proposed Range Improvement Projects
212

Allotment Identification Project

Allotment Name Number Number Proposed RI Projects Area

Railroad 15118 037

Petroleum Ind. 15120 038

54 Livestock 14993 039

North Highway 15024 040 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 2.25 mi.

040 Install one 16' cattleguard (30' x 30' area) .02 ac.

040 1 stockwater ppl. extension from a private ppl .5 mi.

040 1 stocktank (20' x 20' area) .01 ac.

FCC Ind. A 25000 041

Bohemian Corner 02668 042

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 1 stockwater ppl. extension from an existing stocktank .75 mi.

A Holgren Place 04872 044

Hale Ind. D 05068 045

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 dense clubmoss chiseling 80 ac.

046 1 temporary 2-wire high tensile electric fence (2 growing seasons) 1.0 mi.

Hale Ranch 15069 047 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.50 mi.

047 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .25 mi.

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 048

Walker Ranch 14903 049 2 stockwater ppl. extensions from a private well 1.25 mi.

049 1 stocktank (20' x 20' area) .01 ac.

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 050

East Winett 15047 051

Yellow Water Basin 04898 052 1 stockwater ppl. extension from an existing stocktank .5 mi.

Hedman Pasture B 15073 053

Hedman Pasture C 15074 054

Hedman Pasture D 04875 055

Hedman Pasture E 15075 056

Hedman Pasture F 15076 057

War Horse Common 15071 058

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .75 mi.

059 1 stockwater ppl. extension from an existing ppl. 1.0 mi.

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 060

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 061

Kaufman 02815 062

Zimmerman Place 15036 063 Monitor well head and solar pump on Zimmerman well. (20’x20') .01 ac.

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 065

Breeding Pasture 04877 066

Meadow Pasture 05141 067

South Pasture 05142 068

Bench Pasture 05143 069 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.50 mi.

Pike Creek 05161 070 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.75 mi.

Hawkins Pasture 15138 071

L. Pike Creek 15139 072

Rozie Pasture 15140 073

Snoose Creek 15144 074

Lambert Bench 15145 075

North Flat Willow 15146 076

Windbreak 04873 077

P.D. Pasture 04878 078

D. Iverson 04879 079

Silver Sage 15070 080

Sage Hen 04880 081

Jackson Home Place 02010 082 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.0 mi.

Crowley Dam 15014 083 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .33 mi.

Road Junction 15001 084

Flatwillow 15078 085 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.25 mi.

085 1 stockwater ppl. from an existing well .75 mi.

085 1 stocktank (20' x 20' area) .01 ac.
213

Allotment Identification Project

Allotment Name Number Number Proposed RI Projects Area

Mosby Road 25007 086

King 04884 087

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 088

King Winter Pasture 15055 089

Nebraska Place 04890 090

West Bohemian 02636 091 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .5 mi.

Kruger 04885 092

Bassett Place 15043 093

Maidenhead 02616 094

Fisher 02642 095

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 096 1 1-wire high tensile electric fence .5 mi.

Buckler Place 02519 097

William Lewis Ind. 04886 098

# Ranch 04869 099

Salt Sage 14992 100

Marks Ind. 04887 101 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .75 mi.

North Box Elder 04850 102 2 stockwater ppl. extensions from existing ppls. 1.25 mi.

102 2 stocktanks, one on each ppl. extension (20' x 20' area ea.) .02 ac.

102 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .5 mi.

102 Install one 16' cattleguard (30' x 30' area) .02 ac.

Munson 02653 103

Briggs Coulee 02647 104 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.25 mi.

104 Clean out 1 existing reservoir (app. 1 ac.) 1 ac.

Musselshell 15010 105

Adams 02665 106

Pearce 14911 107

West Winnett 15023 108

Hill South Winnett 04876 109

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 110

O-N 02662 111

Bohemian South 02656 112

Chimney Rock South 05098 113 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence .5 mi.

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 114 1 3-wire barbed wire crossfence 1.5 mi.

114 dense clubmoss chiseling 100 ac.

Skibby Place 15059 115 2 stockwater ppl. extensions from existing ppls 2.75 mi.

115 Monitor well head on flowing well. (20’x20') .01 ac.

115 2 stocktanks, (20' x 20' area ea.) .02 ac.

115 1 4-wire barbed wire exclusionary fence (smooth bottom wire) 1.0 mi.

Elder 02659 116

Doman-Schultz 04863 117

Marsh Hawk 04894 118

Hughes Coulee 04831 119

Maxwell Ranch 15009 120

East Roy 02670 121

Solf Bros. A 15090 122

Solf Bros. B 04897 123

Little Bear 05018 124

Gorman Coulee 04990 125

Alfalfa Acres 14988 126

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 127

West Bassett 15039 128

Ford Creek 15045 129

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 130

Schuster & White 15048 131

Forgy Common 12700 132

Whisonant Place 14906 133

Little Box Elder 02609 134
214
215

APPENDIX J

Montana Noxious Weed List

Montana noxious weeds are categorized according to the following criteria:

• Category 1 noxious weeds are weeds that are currently established and generally widespread

in many counties of the state. Management criteria include awareness and education,

containment, and suppression of existing infestations and prevention of new infestations. These

weeds are capable of rapid spread and render land unfit or greatly limit beneficial uses.

- Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)

- Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)

- Whitetop or Hoary Cress (Cardaria draba)

- Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)

- Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens)

- Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)

- Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa)

- Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)

- St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)

- Sulfur (Erect) Cinquefoil (Potentilla recta)

- Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

- Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum L

- Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale L.)

- Yellow toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

• Category 2 noxious weeds have recently been introduced to the state or are rapidly spreading

from their current infestation sites. These weeds are capable of rapid spread, rendering lands

unfit for beneficial uses. Management criteria includes awareness and education, monitoring

and containment of known infestations, and eradication where possible.

- Dyers Woad (Isatis tinctoria)

- Purple Loosestrife or Lythrum (Lythrum salicaria, L. virgatum, and any hybrid crosses

thereof).

- Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobea L)

- Meadow Hawkweed Complex (Hieracium pratense,

- H. floribundum, H. piloselloides)

- Orange Hawkweed (Hieracium aurantiacum L.)

- Tall Buttercup (Ranunculus acris L)

- Tamarisk [Saltcedar] (Tamarix spp.)

- Perennial pepperweed (Lepidium latifolium)

• Category 3 noxious weeds have not been detected in the state or may be found only in small,

scattered, localized infestations. Management criteria includes awareness and education, early

detection and immediate action to eradicate infestations. These weeds are known pests in

nearby states and are capable of rapid spread and render land unfit for beneficial uses.

- Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

- Common Crupina (Crupina vulgaris)

- Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea)

- Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum)

- Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacoru)
216
217

Allotment Identification Public % Public Livestock

Allotment Name Number Number Acres AUMs Land No. Season of Use

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 001 834 175 37 90 cattle 5/1-10/7

Maginnis 00823 002 283 31 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

Yellowwater 15040 003 1744 354 various 4,3,2,34,37,28 cattle 3/1-2/28, 5/6-6/1, 7/23-10/31, 5/1-8/31

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 4935 941 various 77,19,17 cattle; 5/1-10/31(c), 5/1-11/30(h), 3/1-2/28, 5/16-10/31(c),

20,1,3,9 horses 3/1-2/28(h), 5/1-10/31, 3/1-4/30, 10/15-2/28

McDonald Creek 04902 005 400 98 100 8 cattle 3/1-2/28

Warhorse Ind. 15152 006 611 145 92 35 cattle 6/16-10/31

South War Horse 15153 007 923 179 85 35 cattle 5/16-11/15

Eager Home Ranch 15061 008 562 168 100 23 cattle 3/1-2/28

Box Elder 02529 009 4092 1009 69 208 cattle 5/1-11/30

Hubert Coulee 02539 010 40 8 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Aikens 04859 011 30 7 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Sheep Wagon 15064 012 2344 682 65 149 cattle 5/1-11/30

Aikens 25012 013 920 150 55 45 cattle 5/5-11/3

Yellow Water Creek 15085 014 800 217 35 & 100 95, 4 cattle 5/16-10/20, 3/1-2/28

Chippewa 02606 015 1597 248 100 5, 11, 7 cattle 3/1-12/31, 3/1-2/28, 3/1-12/31

Schulz 02666 016 569 135 100 11 cattle 3/1-2/28

Brickyard 02611 017 1507 324 100 27 cattle 3/1-2/28

Degner Pasture 02613 018 1531 278 100 44, 9 cattle 5/20-10/31(Degner), 8/1-12/31 (Ryan)

County Line 12804 019 80 16 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Spring Creek 15147 020 2651 481 87 147 cattle 6/1-9/22

Forty One 02664 021 41 8 100 1 cattle 5/1-10/1

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 1240 354 100 30 cattle 3/1-2/28

Grass Range East 02673 023 160 39 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

Harris 04874 024 1824 455 100 38 cattle 3/1-2/28

Bear Creek 14912 025 1000 239 100 20 cattle 3/1-2/28

Croft Place 12608 026 560 156 100 13 cattle 3/1-2/28

Elk Creek Bench 04865 027 4205 798 various 2, 22, 55, 133 cattle 3/1-2/28, 4/1-11/15, 6/7-9/22, 5/15-9/30

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028 120 27 100 2 cattle 3/1-2/28

Flatwillow Colony 09684 029 640 167 100 14 cattle 3/1-2/28

Duck Creek 04868 030 812 210 100 18 cattle 3/1-2/28

Chippewa School 02623 031 319 59 100 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

Wellman 02677 032 40 7 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Little Dam 12601 033 840 195 100 & 13 14, 100, 200 cattle 3/1-2/28, 5/15-6/15, 6/16-7/31

Gilt Edge 02620 034 1520 287 100 89 cattle 6/1-9/1

Maginnis Creek 00985 035 160 41 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

APPENDIX K

Current Allotment Information - 134 Allotments, 76 Permittees
218

Allotment Identification Public % Public Livestock

Allotment Name Number Number Acres AUMs Land No. Season of Use

Alan Ind. 15119 036 857 184 100 23 cattle 5/1-12/30

Railroad 15118 037 320 104 100 13 cattle 51-12/31

Petroleum Ind. 15120 038 680 174 100 12 cattle 3/1-2/28

54 Livestock 14993 039 1083 347 100 43 cattle 5/1-12/31

North Highway 15024 040 3201 940 85 220 cattle 5/1-9/30

FCC Ind. A 25000 041 240 63 100 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

Bohemian Corner 02668 042 159 43 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 1336 192 100 16 cattle 3/1-2/28

A Holgren Place 04872 044 40 10 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Hale Ind. D 05068 045 184 37 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 670 165 100 14 cattle 3/1-2/28

Hale Ranch 15069 047 1729 428 61 88 cattle 5/1-12/31

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 048 2026 469 71 94 cattle 5/16/-12/15

Walker Ranch 14903 049 984 231 100 19 cattle 3/1-2/28

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 050 713 108 38 28 cattle 3/1-5/31, 8/1-2/28

East Winett 15047 051 80 21 100 2 cattle 3/1-2/28

Yellow Water Basin 04898 052 923 262 100 & 46 12, 92 cattle 3/1-2/28, 6/1-8/31

Hedman Pasture B 15073 053 1080 242 51 68 cattle 4/15-11/15

Hedman Pasture C 15074 054 373 84 81 15 cattle 4/15-11/15

Hedman Pasture D 04875 055 478 107 100 9 cattle 3/1-2/28

Hedman Pasture E 15075 056 240 78 37 30 cattle 4/15-11/15

Hedman Pasture F 15076 057 440 79 33 33 cattle 415-11/15

War Horse Common 15071 058 56 15 100 2 cattle 3/1-2/28

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 1991 406 54 103 cattle 4/5-11/15

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 060 1552 349 32 166 cattle 4/16-10/31

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 061 602 118 100 10 cattle 3/1-2/28

Kaufman 02815 062 260 48 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

Zimmerman Place 15036 063 2178 496 various 3, 120, 70, 70 cattle 3/1-2/28, 1/1-2/28, 4/1-5/31, 8/1-11/30

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 3937 840 81 206 cattle 6/1-10/31

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 065 1158 225 100 22 cattle 3/1-2/28

Breeding Pasture 04877 066 375 69 100 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

Meadow Pasture 05141 067 47 19 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

South Pasture 05142 068 920 289 100 24 cattle 3/1-2/28

Bench Pasture 05143 069 1178 330 100 22 cattle 3/1-2/28

Pike Creek 05161 070 2161 453 65 170 cattle 4/15-7/14, 10/1-10/31

Hawkins Pasture 15138 071 530 132 100 11 cattle 3/1-2/28

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 959 299 100 25 cattle 3/1-2/28

Rozie Pasture 15140 073 137 38 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

Snoose Creek 15144 074 850 154 100 13 cattle 3/1-2/28

Lambert Bench 15145 075 676 113 50 112 cattle 5/1-6/30
219

Allotment Identification Public % Public Livestock

Allotment Name Number Number Acres AUMs Land No. Season of Use

North Flatwillow 15146 076 1124 233 28 210 cattle 7/1-10/30

Windbreak 04873 077 130 32 100 15 cattle 5/1-7/03

P.D. Pasture 04878 078 200 48 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

D. Iverson 04879 079 320 110 100 9 cattle 3/1-2/28

Silver Sage 15070 080 180 63 100 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

Sage Hen 04880 081 950 236 86 55 cattle 5/20-10/18

Jackson Home Place 02010 082 160 56 100 7 cattle 4/1-11/30

Crowley Dam 15014 083 680 154 100 6 cattle, 32 sheep 3/1-2/28

Road Junction 15001 084 40 8 100 1 cattle, 5 sheep 3/1-2/28 (c), 5/1-11/30 (s)

Flawillow 15078 085 3082 576 44 200 cattle 5/1-11/15

Mosby Road 25007 086 80 18 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

King 04884 087 5797 1277 36 560, 36, 463 cattle 5/2-9/22, 6/15-8/31, 9/23-12/6

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 088 527 119 34 70 cattle 6/11-11/9

King Winter Pasture 15055 089 279 68 100 6 cattle 3/1-7/31, 9/1-2/28

Nebraska Place 04890 090 4142 1067 100 89, 23 cattle 3/1-2/28, 9/1-2/28

West Bohemian 02636 091 720 194 100 16 cattle 3/1-2/28

Kruger 04885 092 188 32 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

Bassett Place 15043 093 4280 963 various various various

Maidenhead 02616 094 440 102 100 9 cattle 3/1-2/28

Fisher 02642 095 846 116 100 10 cattle 3/1-2/28

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 096 560 194 100 16 cattle 3/1-2/28

Buckler Place 02519 097 720 154 100 13 cattle 3/1-2/28

William Lewis Ind. 04886 098 3263 773 100 64 cattle 3/1-2/28

# Ranch 04869 099 1070 205 100 17 cattle 3/1-2/28

Salt Sage 14992 100 20 3 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Marks Ind. 04887 101 1471 296 80 74 cattle 6/1-10/31

North Box Elder 04850 102 1318 318 41, 58 64, 90 cattle 6/1-9/30, 5/15-9/14

Munson 02653 103 372 91 100 8 cattle 3/1-2/28

Briggs Coulee 02647 104 640 113 100 9 cattle 3/1-2/28

Musselshell 15010 105 282 48 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

Adams 02665 106 160 61 100 6 cattle 3/1-2/28

Pearce 14911 107 160 48 100 4 cattle 3/1-2/28

West Winnett 15023 108 1284 289 100 24 cattle 3/1-2/28

Hill South Winnett 04876 109 440 105 100 9 cattle 3/1-2/28

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 110 200 18 100 3 cattle 5/1-11/15

O-N 02662 111 307 57 100 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

Bohemian South 02656 112 360 81 100 7 cattle 3/1-2/28

Chimney Rock South 05098 113 490 190 74 64 cattle 5/5-9/5

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 114 390 116 100 10 cattle 3/1-2/28

Skibby Place 15059 115 10361 2568 various 3, 41, 10, 430 cattle 3/1-2/28, 12/5-2/28, 5/5-11/30
220

Allotment Identification Public % Public Livestock

Allotment Name Number Number Acres AUMs Land No. Season of Use

Elder 02659 116 160 36 100 3 cattle 3/1-2/28

Doman-Schultz 04863 117 700 143 28 79(S), 24(D) cattle 6/1-9/22

Marsh Hawk 04894 118 2924 743 various 199, 279, 279 cattle 5/20-9/21, 10/13-12/23, 9/23-10/12

Hughes Coulee 04831 119 1171 115 100 10 cattle 3/1-2/28

Maxwell Ranch 15009 120 60 14 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

East Roy 02670 121 640 124 100 11 cattle 3/1-2/28

Solf Bros. A 15090 122 390 82 63 43 cattle 4/1-5/31, 11/1-11/30

Solf Bros. B 04897 123 40 5 100 1 cattle 4/1-11/30

Little Bear 05018 124 820 176 30 97 cattle 5/1-10/31

Gorman Coulee 04990 125 3231 438 various 1, 1, 90 cattle 3/1-2/28, 5/15-11/15

Alfalfa Acres 14988 126 124 21 100 2 cattle 3/1-2/28

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 127 2447 463 100 22, 3, 7, 5 cattle 3/1-2/28

West Bassett 15039 128 326 73 100 6 cattle 3/1-2/28

Ford Creek 15045 129 1818 360 40 179 cattle 6/1-10/31

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 130 492 160 32 91, 93 cattle 3/1-6/15, 1/1-2/28

Schuster & White 15048 131 7925 2006 various 24, 118, 329 cattle 5/20-9/30, 5/15-9/25

Forgy Common 12700 132 1730 373 100 20, 7, 23, 26 cattle 5/16-10/15, 5/16-9/15 (Stockton)

Whisonant Place 14906 133 80 14 100 1 cattle 3/1-2/28

Little Box Elder 02609 134 954 158 100 81, 2 cattle 9/1-10/18, 3/1-2/28
221

APPENDIX L

Land Use Plan Guidance

• Energy Mineral Resources: No surface

occupancy restrictions will be used to

protect critical paleontology sites and

archeology sites. Seasonal and distance

restrictions will be included in oil and gas

leases to mitigate impacts to wildlife habitat (JVP).

• Non-energy Mineral Resources: Federal

minerals are available for exploration and

development unless withdrawn (JVP).

• Paleontology: Major paleontological resources of scientific interest will be protected (JVP)

• Soils: Soil productivity will be maintained

or improved by increasing vegetation cover

and reducing erosion (JVP, Standards

and Guidelines).

• Water Resource Management: Surface

and ground water quality will be maintained to meet or exceed state and federal

water quality standards (JVP, Standards

and Guidelines).

• Vegetation Management: The ecological

status will be improved or maintained to

achieve a plant community of good (late

seral) to excellent (potential natural community) on 80% of the public lands within

15 years of implementation of activity

plans (JVP).

Public lands that are in satisfactory (good

and excellent) ecological condition will be

maintained. Public lands with unsatisfactory (poor and fair) ecological condition will

be managed according to multiple use

objectives based on ecological site potential for specific uses (Standards and

Guidelines).

About 40% of the vegetation will continue

to be allocated to livestock grazing and

about 60% will continue to be allocated to

watershed protection and wildlife forage

and cover (JVP).

The quality and quantity of summer wildlife

forage will be improved by improving the

reproduction and availability of palatable

forbs for deer and antelope. Deer and

antelope winter range (especially woody

species) will be maintained and/or improved. Existing sagebrush stands will be

maintained at a canopy cover of 15 to 50%

with an effective height over 12 inches

(JVP, Standards and Guidelines).

The quality and quantity of nesting, brood

rearing and winter habitat for upland game

birds and waterfowl nesting habitat will be

improved by providing residual upland

grass and forb cover (JVP, Standards and

Guidelines).

Land will be managed for succulent vegetation production, including a variety of

forbs, and big and silver sagebrush will be

maintained on sage grouse wintering and

nesting areas with a canopy coverage of

15 to 50% and an effective height of 12

inches. Woody vegetation will be maintained or improved for sharp-tailed grouse

cover (JVP, Standards and Guidelines).

• Riparian and Wetland Management:

Riparian-wetland areas will be maintained

or improved based on proper functioning

condition and desires plant community.

Riparian-wetland objectives will be initially

accomplished through livestock grazing

methods at current stocking levels. If

grazing methods are not successful in

meeting management objectives, necessary actions will be taken to meet those

objectives (JVP, Standards and Guidelines).

All manageable riparian areas will have

management plans implemented to maintain, restore or improve riparian areas to
222

achieve a healthy and productive ecological condition for maximum long-term benefits and values (Standards and Guidelines).

• Land Treatments: Land treatments will be

used to meet watershed, grazing

management and wildlife objectives but

will be applied only where grazing

management alone will not accomplish the

desired result (JVP).

• Noxious Plants: Noxious plants will be

controlled or eradicated through integrated

pest management in order to maintain

native rangelands (JVP, Standards and

Guidelines).

• Wildlife and Fisheries Management:

Suitable habitat for all wildlife species will

be maintained or enhanced. The

emphasis for habitat maintenance and

development will be on present and

potential habitat for sensitive, threatened

and/or endangered species, nesting

waterfowl, crucial wildlife winter ranges,

non-game habitat and fisheries (JVP,

Standards and Guidelines).

• Prairie Dog Management: Prairie dog

towns will be maintained or managed

based on the values or problems

encountered (JVP).

• Elk and Bighorn Sheep Management:

Habitat will be provided for elk in the

Musselshell Breaks consistent with the MT

Dept of FWP Elk Management Plan.

(JVP).

• Recreation: The recreational quality of

public land and resources will be

maintained and/or enhanced to ensure

enjoyable recreational experiences.

Recreation emphasis will be to develop

and maintain opportunities for dispersed

recreational activities such as hunting,

scenic and wildlife viewing and driving for

pleasure.

• Off-Highway Vehicle Use: BLM will

restrict OHV use on BLM land year-long or

seasonally to designated roads and trails

or close specific areas to protect resource

values, i.e., protect vegetation and soils to

maintain watersheds and water quality,

reduce user conflicts, and reduce

harassment of wildlife and provide habitat

security. (JVP).

• Visual Resource Management: Activities

will be managed to comply with VRM

policies (JVP).

• Cultural: Cultural resources will be

properly managed through a systematic

program of identification and evaluation.

The level of conflict between cultural

resources and other land and resource

uses will be reduced in compliance with

existing laws/regulations (JVP).

• Fire Management: Fire will managed in

the manner most cost effective and

responsive to resource management

objectives (JVP).

Prescribed fire will be utilized only under

specific conditions and may be

administered on an individual basis in

grassland, sagebrush and/or conifer types

to improve wildlife habitat and vegetation

production (JVP).

Intensive suppression of wildfire will be

applied to areas with high resource values,

improvements, recreation sites,

administrative sites, sagebrush and

juniper, fire sensitive woody riparian

species, and/or cultural values and may

also be used to prevent fire from spreading

to adjoining private property and structures

(JVP).

Conditional suppression will be applied to

areas with low resource values or to areas

not warranting intensive suppression

actions and costs. Conditional

suppression actions will be used in grass/

shrub fuel types, Missouri Breaks fuel
223

types and mountain timber fuel types

(JVP).

• Forest Management: Minor forest

products may be harvested from the

Breaks on a selected sustained yield basis

with wildlife habitat objectives in mind

(JVP).

• Lands: Resource values will be protected

or enhanced when considering

applications or requests for Rights of

Ways, leases and permits. Acquisitions

will be pursued as opportunities arise

through exchange or purchase with willing

proponents and/or sellers. (JVP)

• Access to BLM Land: Access will be

pursued to BLM land where no legal public

access exists or where additional access

to major blocks of BLM land is needed.

(JVP)

• Signing: Appropriate signs and posters

will be used to promote safety and

convenience for visitors and users, define

boundaries, identify management

practices, provide information about

geographic and historic features and

protect vulnerable land areas and

resources from misuse. (JVP)
224
225

APPENDIX M

Standards (Determinations by Allotment)

Allotment Identification Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 5

Allotment Name Number Number (uplands) (riparian) (h2o qual) (biodiv.) Cause (by standard)

Petrolia Bench Ranch 04901 001 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Maginnis 00823 002 not meeting n/a meeting not meeting 1, 5 livestock

Yellowwater 15040 003 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1, 3, 5 livestock

N. Willow Creek 04824 004 not meeting not meeting not meeting not meeting 1,3 livestock; 2,5 livestock & weeds

McDonald Creek 04902 005 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass

Warhorse Ind. 15152 006 not meeting not meeting meeting meeting 1, 2 livestock

South War Horse 15153 006 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Eager Home Ranch 15061 008 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Box Elder 02529 009 not meeting meeting meeting meeting 1 historical livestock use

Hubert Coulee 02539 010 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Aikens 04859 011 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Sheep Wagon 15064 012 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Aikens 25012 013 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Yellow Water Creek 15085 014 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 dense clubmoss

Chippewa 02606 015 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Schulz 02666 016 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Brickyard 02611 017 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 weeds, livestock

Degner Pasture 02613 018 meeting n/a n/a meeting

County Line 12804 019 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Spring Creek 15147 020 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock- north pasture

Forty One 02664 021 meeting n/a n/a meeting

S. Fork Bear Creek 14910 022 meeting not meeting meeting meeting 2 upward trend

Grass Range East 02673 023 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Harris 04874 024 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock

Bear Creek 14912 025 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock

Croft Place 12608 026 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Elk Creek Bench 04865 027 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock & cwg

Fanyak Exchange 02536 028 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Flatwillow Colony 09684 029 not meeting n/a n/a meeting 1 large prairie dog town

Duck Creek 04868 030 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 dead sage, cwg

Chippewa School 02623 031 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Wellman 02677 032 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Little Dam 12601 033 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 weeds, crested wheatgrass

Gilt Edge 02620 034 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 historical livestock use

Maginnis Creek 00985 035 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock

Not meeting — livestock caused Not meeting — not livestock caused
226

Allotment Identification Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 5

Allotment Name Number Number (uplands) (riparian) (h2o qual) (biodiv.) Cause (by standard)

Alan Ind. 15119 036 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2 5 livestock & crested wheatgrass

Railroad 15118 037 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Petroleum Ind. 15120 038 meeting n/a n/a meeting

54 Livestock 14993 039 meeting n/a n/a meeting

North Highway 15024 040 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 historical livestock use; upward trend

FCC Ind. A 25000 041 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Bohemian Corner 02668 042 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Circle Bar Coulee 04827 043 meeting not meeting not meeting meeting 2,3 channel incisement, weeds

A Holgren Place 04872 044 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Hale Ind. D 05068 045 meeting n/a n/a meeting

C. Beckstrom Ind. 15067 046 not meeting meeting meeting not meeting 1,5 livestock, clubmoss

Hale Ranch 15069 047 meeting not meeting meeting meeting 2 livestock,weeds,dewatering,ch.inc.

S. War Horse (Hale) 25004 048 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Walker Ranch 14903 049 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting clubmoss, livestock

S. War Horse Ind. 15046 050 not meeting n/a n/a meeting livestock

East Winnett 15047 051 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass

Yellow Water Basin 04898 052 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock & cwg

Hedman Pasture B 15073 053 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, clubmoss

Hedman Pasture C 15074 054 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Hedman Pasture D 04875 055 not meeting not meeting meeting meeting 1,2 historical use, upward trend

Hedman Pasture E 15075 056 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Hedman Pasture F 15076 057 meeting n/a n/a meeting

War Horse Common 15071 058 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Wild Horse Lake 15072 059 not meeting n/a meeting not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass, weeds

Bender Creek Winnett 04891 060 meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 2,5 weeds

Yellowwater Ind. B 15092 061 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, blue gramma/clubmoss

Kaufman 02815 062 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Zimmerman Place 15036 063 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, weeds

Iverson Yellow Water 15151 064 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 livestock, weeds

Bender Creek Hughes 02813 065 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Breeding Pasture 04877 066 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Meadow Pasture 05141 067 meeting n/a n/a meeting

South Pasture 05142 068 not meeting n/a n/a meeting 1 large prairie dog town

Bench Pasture 05143 069 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 livestock, weeds

Pike Creek 05161 070 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 livestock, weeds

Hawkins Pasture 15138 071 meeting n/a n/a meeting

L. Pike Creek 15139 072 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1 livestock, 2,5 weeds

Rozie Pasture 15140 073 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Snoose Creek 15144 074 meeting not meeting meeting meeting 2 channel incisement

Not meeting — livestock caused Not meeting — not livestock caused
227

Allotment Identification Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 5

Allotment Name Number Number (uplands) (riparian) (h2o qual) (biodiv.) Cause (by standard)

Lambert Bench 15145 075 meeting n/a n/a meeting

North Flatwillow 15146 076 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 livestock

Windbreak 04873 077 meeting n/a n/a meeting

P.D. Pasture 04878 078 meeting n/a n/a meeting

D. Iverson 04879 079 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Silver Sage 15070 080 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Sage Hen 04880 081 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Jackson Home Place 02010 082 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock

Crowley Dam 15014 083 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 historical livestock use

Road Junction 15001 084 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Flatwillow 15078 085 meeting n/a n/a not meeting 5 weeds

Mosby Road 25007 086 meeting n/a n/a meeting

King 04884 087 meeting n/a n/a meeting

King 7 Heifer Pasture 05054 088 meeting n/a n/a meeting

King Winter Pasture 15055 089 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Nebraska Place 04890 090 meeting n/a n/a meeting

West Bohemian 02636 091 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, crested wheatgrass

Kruger 04885 092 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Bassett Place 15043 093 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,2,5 livestock, clubmoss, weeds

Maidenhead 02616 094 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass

Fisher 02642 095 meeting not meeting meeting meeting 2 channel incisement

Box Elder L&L Ind. 04854 096 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass

Buckler Place 02519 097 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, dense clubmoss

William Lewis Ind. 04886 098 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, dense clubmoss, weeds

# Ranch 04869 099 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Salt Sage 14992 100 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Marks Ind. 04887 101 meeting meeting meeting meeting

North Box Elder 04850 102 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, crested wheatgrass

Munson 02653 103 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Briggs Coulee 02647 104 not meeting n/a n/a meeting 1 livestock, weeds

Musselshell 15010 10-5 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Adams 02665 106 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Pearce 14911 107 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 non-native grass species

West Winnett 15023 108 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, crested wg, prairie dogs

Hill South Winnett 04876 109 meeting n/a n/a meeting

S Fork Bear Creek 02654 110 meeting n/a n/a meeting

O-N 02662 111 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Bohemian South 02656 112 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Chimney Rock South 05098 113 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 crested wheatgrass

Not meeting — livestock caused Not meeting — not livestock caused
228

Allotment Identification Standard 1 Standard 2 Standard 3 Standard 5

Allotment Name Number Number (uplands) (riparian) (h2o qual) (biodiv.) Cause (by standard)

Chimney Rock Ind. 15095 114 meeting n/a n/a meeting clubmoss

Skibby Place 15059 115 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,5 livestock; 2 historical use, upward trend

Elder 02659 116 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Doman-Schultz 04863 117 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Marsh Hawk 04894 118 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Hughes Coulee 04831 119 not meeting n/a n/a meeting 1 livestock, clubmoss

Maxwell Ranch 15009 120 meeting n/a n/a meeting

East Roy 02670 121 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1 livestock

Solf Bros. A 15090 122 not meeting n/a n/a not meeting 1,5 livestock, clubmoss

Solf Bros. B 04897 123 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Little Bear 05018 124 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Gorman Coulee 04990 125 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Alfalfa Acres 14988 126 meeting n/a n/a meeting

N.T., S. Rattlesnake, Pet., & Elk 04900 127 meeting n/a n/a meeting

West Bassett 15039 128 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Ford Creek 15045 129 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Teigen Ind. Pasture 04899 130 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Schuster & White 15048 131 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Forgy Common 12700 132 not meeting not meeting meeting not meeting 1,5 weeds; 2 weeds, channel incisement

Whisonant Place 14906 133 meeting n/a n/a meeting

Little Box Elder 02609 134 meeting not meeting meeting meeting 2 weeds, drought, channel incisement
229

APPENDIX N

BLM Drought Policy

Bureau of Land Management

POLICY FOR ADMINISTERING PUBLIC LAND GRAZING

IN

MONTANA, NORTH AND SOUTH DAKOTA

DURING PERIODS OF DROUGHT

Introduction

Livestock grazing is but one of the activities

that BLM manages on the public lands.

Drought stresses all resources: vegetation,

wildlife, soils,watershed, and timber as well as

livestock. Unfortunately, only livestock and

human activity can be readily controlled or

restricted from access to public lands. The

other resources are either immobile or not

readily controlled. This policy deals with

livestock use and implements provisions of

existing laws and regulations. Other uses that

may require special consideration during

severe drought may be addressed in separate

policy statements or actions.

Vegetation cover is one part of productive

rangelands because it strongly affects soil

moisture. When drought reduces the total

forage produced and the normal residual

vegetation (standing and down plant material)

is used by livestock, insects, and other grazing

animals; soil moisture and temperature are

affected. Soil temperatures are lowered by the

residual cover during warm periods and are

raised by the residual cover during cold

periods. Moisture intake and penetration into

soils is keyed to the amount and type of

residual cover found on a soil/ecological site.

In fact, with little or no residual cover on

rangelands, moisture events will likely produce

little effective penetration into the soil.

Residual cover provides protection for soils,

vegetation, wildlife, watersheds, and for the

many other resources dependent upon good

vegetation and livestock management.

Authority

This document implements provisions of:

- Taylor Grazing Act of June 28, 1934, as

amended;

- Federal Land Policy and Management Act

of 1976, as amended;

- Public Rangelands Improvement Act of

1978;

- Regulations in 43 code of Federal

Regulations, Group 4100(43 CFR 4100).

Policy

It is the policy and objective of the BLM to:

manage the public lands and authorize

livestock grazing under the principles of

multiple use and sustained yield; provide for

the orderly administration of grazing by

domestic livestock on the public lands; and

provide for the conservation and protection of

soil and vegetation resources.

Accomplishment of these objectives becomes

more difficult during periods of range depletion

caused by drought. Normal grazing schedules

and livestock management practices may have

to be modified. Additional coordination,

consultation, and data exchange between

livestock operators and Bureau personnel will

be required, over and above that level

normally practiced. Appropriate state agencies

and other interested parties will have to be

involved at appropriate times and kept

informed at all times.
230

The principal thrust of the policy and

procedures in this document, and other

regulatory and procedural requirements not

repeated here, will be for the livestock operator

and BLM to jointly develop strategies for

livestock use on public land during and

following drought. Strategies selected should

be those that best protect rangeland resources

while minimizing impacts on the operator to

the extent possible. To that end, every degree

of flexibility provided by the laws and

implementing regulations will be available to

authorized officers of the Bureau.

Voluntary adjustments in livestock use of

public lands should be sought at the earliest

date it becomes apparent that “normal” grazing

schedules cannot be followed; or, if followed,

would result in degradation of long-term

resource productivity. The earlier an

agreement can be reached or a decision is

made that “normal” grazing schedules cannot

be followed; the more opportunities livestock

operators will have to consider alternatives to

minimize impacts on his or her operation.

Waiting until the last minute before scheduled

turnout to make a determination or decision

will reduce the options available to both the

operator and the Bureau. In keeping with

established Bureau policies and priorities,

efforts to manage public rangeland under

drought conditions will be directed first to

allotments with resource concerns such as “I”

category allotments. Specific allotments in the

“M” and “C” categories can also be considered

high priority when resource values or

conditions so require. Regardless of the

category assigned to an allotment, operators

should be aware of the procedures and

flexibilities available for dealing with drought

condition.

BLM fully expects that the vast majority of

livestock operators will recognize the need for

and voluntarily make adjustments in livestock

use of public lands if the extended drought

continues. These adjustments will be

recognized during the permitting process and

grazing bills will be adjusted accordingly. In

those situations where agreement cannot be

reached, authorized officers of the Bureau

have the final responsibility and accountability

for ensuring that public lands are not

permanently damaged by improper use.

If issuance of a decision concerning livestock

use becomes necessary, the procedure

specified in 43 CFR 4160 will be followed.

Briefly, this procedure calls for a proposed

decision, setting forth the proposed action.

Proposed decisions are issued by the Field

Office Manager. The permittee then has 15

days in which to protest the proposed decision

and set forth reasons why he or she believes

the proposed decision is in error. The

authorized officer then reviews the proposed

decision in light of the protestant’s statement

of reasons and any other information that may

bear on the case. At the conclusion of the

review, a final decision is prepared and served

on appropriate parties. Any person whose

interest is adversely affected by a final

decision may appeal the decision for the

purpose of a hearing before an Administrative

Law Judge.

It should be further understood that final

decisions can be modified or rescinded, if the

conditions that existed when the decision was

issued no longer exist. If significant amounts of

precipitation occur during the growing season,

producing significant changes in the amount of

moisture available to plants, this may cause

decisions to be reconsidered. The consultation

and coordination process will be used to obtain

livestock operator involvement in such cases.

If a proposed decision is not protested, during

the 15-day period, it becomes the final

decision of the authorized officer without

further action.

In cases such as the need for temporary

changes caused by conditions such as

drought, final decisions may become effective

upon issuance (43 CFR 4160.3(f) 4110.3-2(a)).

Procedures

The following guidelines and procedures are

intended to provide the data, flexibility and

direction for public land managers and

livestock operators to develop strategies and
231

make decisions during drought conditions.

Consultation and coordination with livestock

operators and other interested parties will be

carried out during all procedural steps.

I. Winter Assessment (Mid-November -

January)

A. Analysis

1. Review past season’s monitoring results.

Analyze plant growth, actual use, occurrence

of insect infestations, and especially the use of

“rest” pastures.

2. Analyze precipitation records and

distribution patterns from the National Weather

Service, local cooperators, BLM, and other

agencies. Tabulate moisture departures from

normal levels and timing of precipitation in

relation to past years’ growing season.

3. In “I” allotments where there is concern

because there is less residual cover, effective

precipitation well below normal, rest pastures

already used, etc., measure soil moisture in

representative areas. Where available, use

RAWS/OMNI sites, existing soil moisture

stations, etc. Additional soil moisture samples

are to be taken at the rooting depth of major

forage species in representative areas using

techniques found in agency manuals/

handbooks and professional literature and

experienced personnel.

B. Action

1. Where it is apparent resource degradation

might occur if drought continues, begin to

notify operators through letters and news

releases that the coming year’s livestock

grazing might be affected.

2. Set up range user meetings in affected

communities to discuss available information

and possible actions to prevent range resource

damage.

3. Encourage operators to make needed

changes in their grazing schedules, including

applying for non-use. If non-use is taken then

activated, BLM will waive the $10 service fee

in accordance with 43 CFR 4130.8.3.

Authorized officers may issue refund or credit

of grazing fees under 43 CFR 4130.8-2(b).

4. Meet with individual operators when

available information indicates a particular

allotment is affected by severe drought

condition. Attempt to reach agreement on

alternative grazing strategies if conditions do

not change.

II. Late Winter and Spring Assessment

(February - April)

A. Analysis

1. Review precipitation and soil moisture data

for winter and early spring.

2. Review the effects of winter grazing use;

snow pack influence for stock water, soil

temperatures, etc3. Continue soil moisture measurements

where problems are apparent or in areas of

concern. Measurements at rooting depth to

measure available water for plants will be

especially important during this period.

4. Assess availability of livestock water, in

consultation with permittees.

B. Action

1. If drought conditions are continuing, or

becoming more severe, follow up winter letters

and news releases with more releases and

letters that update the situation. Conduct

meetings with Grazing and District Advisory

Boards. Meetings are encouraged with other

concerned individuals and agencies as a part

of the grazing management strategy.

2. Contact remaining operators who have not

voluntarily made needed changes. Where you

believe you have enough information to

indicate an allotment is in severe drought

condition, meet with the operator to review and

explain the information you have and attempt

to reach agreement on a grazing strategy. If an
232

agreement cannot be reached and, especially

if the allotment has a relatively early turnout

date, issue a proposed decision. The extent of

use adjustment contained in this decision

(delayed turnout, reduction in numbers or

duration, total exclusion, etc.) will depend on

your assessment of all the factors involved.

These include past grazing use, range

condition, residual cover, precipitation, soil

moisture and the land use objectives for the

allotment.

3. If soil moisture is below the middle line on

Figure 1, delay turnout until key forage plants

have grown to approximately one-half their

normal height (for most of our native grass

species about 6 inches).

III. Continuing Assessment (throughout

grazing season)

A. Analysis

1. Continue to closely monitor precipitation in

“I” allotments and areas of concern. Attention

is directed to determining effective (soil

moisture) growing season precipitation.

2. Closely monitor utilization of key plant

species and key areas. Remember to consider

management objectives when selecting key

species and areas.

3. Continue to measure soil moisture in “I”

allotments and areas of concern.

4. Monitor factors other than livestock

grazing, such as insect infestations,

congregations of wildlife, availability of

livestock water, etc.

B. Action

1. If soil moisture drops below the middle line

on Figure 1 and utilization has reached

objective levels or a maximum of 30 percent

utilization has occurred, livestock are to be

removed.

2. If soil moisture remains unacceptable

(below the bottom line in Figure 1) during most

of the spring and early summer with little or no

growth in primary forage species for livestock

(i.e., range readiness has not been reached),

advise affected permittees that fall and winter

ranges may not be available for use during the

current year. Also advise that production in

subsequent years may be affected if plant

basal areas and density have been severely

reduced.

3. For those permittees in “I”, allotments with

AMPs having available standing forage in rest

pastures or fall or winter use pastures, advise

the permittees that livestock must be removed

from public lands; when consumption of

standing forage has reached objective levels

or a maximum of 50 percent.

4. Adjust monitoring plans to collect data

concerning plant death, loss of basal area,

density, and yield for analysis and use in later

years.

IV. Other Considerations

1. The use of salt, mineral, and certain

mineral supplements as necessary to

overcome natural shortages of minerals in

rangeland forage may be authorized as

necessary to provide for proper range

management(4130.3-2(c)).

2. Maintenance feeding on public lands is not

authorized except under very unusual shortterm conditions and by permit only.

Maintenance feeding during drought conditions

is specifically excluded.

3. Applications for a maintenance feeding

permit due to poor forage conditions

associated with drought should be denied and

livestock removed or not allowed.

Definitions:

Available water. That portion of water in a soil

that plants can extract from the soil. Generally

measured per unit volume of soil.

Basal area (range). The area of ground

surface covered by the stem or stems of a
233

range plant, usually measured 1 inch above

the soil in contrast to the full spread of the

foliage.

Density. (1) The number of individual plants

per unit area; (2)Refers to the relative

closeness of plants to one another.

Flexibility. The ability to alter the grazing

management plan to meet changing

conditions.

Flushing. Feeding female animals a

concentrated feed shortly before and during

the breeding period for the purpose of

stimulating ovulation.

Growing season. In temperate climates, that

portion of the year when temperature and

moisture are usually most favorable for plant

growth.

Key species. (1) Forage species whose use

serves as our indicator to the use of

associated species; (2) Those species which

must, because of their importance, be

considered in the management program.

Maintenance feeding. Supplying feed to range

animals when available forage is too limited to

meet their minimum daily requirement

(examples are cubes, pellets, baled or loose

hay).

Phenology. The study of periodic biological

phenomenon such as flowering, seeding, etc.,

especially as related to climate.

Range readiness. The defined stage of plant

growth at which grazing may begin under a

specific management plan without permanent

damage to vegetation or soil.

Supplemental feed. A feed which supplements

the forage available from the public lands and

is provided to improve livestock nutrition and

good animal husbandry and rangeland

management practices. An example is salt or

mineral block. Creep feeders to supplement

feed for calves and supplemental feeding to

“flush” cattle and sheep for breeding may be

authorized on public lands when compatible

with the resource management objectives.

25

20

15

10

5

0

Loamy Sand Sandy Loam Loam Silty Clay Loam Clay

Area of Plant Available Water

Area of Decreasing Plant Available Water

Soil Water Unavailable to Plants

SOIL MOISTURE (percent)

SOIL TEXTURES

FIGURE 1

Plant Available Water Capacities
234

When using Figure 1, the following information

should be kept in mind.

a. Soil moisture is measured the depth of

plant roots or to a root limiting layer. It will vary

by plant(s) and soil type.

b. Soluble salts, gravel and heavy clay will

decrease plant available water capacity.

c. Organic matter, good soil structure will

increase plant available water capacity (The

capacity increases about 1 percent for each 1

percent of organic matter).

d. Soils with water restricting layers like

naturally compact subsoil, shallow bedrock or

stratification can increase plant available water

capacity of the overlying soil layers.

e. Soils that are deep, medium textured and

uniform can have decreased plant available

water but allow for deeper rooting.

Figure 1 was developed from research done in

the 1980s in northern and eastern Montana.

Published research was reviewed by soil

scientists, range scientists and plant

physiologists. These data are currently found

in USDA, NRCS soil survey manuals,

engineering manuals, irrigation guides, ARS

and University research. It is tested and well

accepted information.

The lines on the graph represent the

relationship of various soil texture and soil

water available to plants common to the

Northern Gt. Plains and nearby Rocky

Mountains.

For site specific application the lines should be

adjusted to reflect the needs of key forage

species on a given soil in area of interest. For

example, a western wheat plant is capable of

extracting more soil moisture from a silty clay

soil than is a bluegrass plant.

The area above the top line is the amount of

soil water in excess of what a given soil type

can hold. This soil water will likely move down,

through and

out of the soil root zone and possibly become

ground water.

The area between the middle and top lines

represents the soil moisture contents which

most plants need for normal growth.

The area below the bottom line indicates soil

moisture that is not available to the plant; e.g.,

if there is less than 4 percent moisture in a

loamy sand soil within the root depth of the

plant, it will not grow.

The area between the bottom and middle lines

indicates a moisture level that is marginal to

plant growth. The plant is becoming stressed

at this point and, if further stressed by removal

or damage to the top growth, it will begin to

lose vigor, roots and thus its ability to grow. It

is not unusual to reach this moisture level

during late summer in much of Montana and

other semi-arid areas.
235

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