ALTERNATIVES

CHAPTER 2

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ALTERNATIVES,

INCLUDING THE PREFERRED

COORDINATED ACTIVITY PLAN

ALTERNATIVE 

FORMULATION 

The basic goal in formulating the Coordinated Activity 

Plan (CAP) alternatives for this EIS is to provide a basis for 

comparative impact analysis of an adequate range of reasonable management options and alternatives for the planning 

area. Each alternative identifies combinations of management options to address or prevent conflicts among the various land and resource values and their uses in the planning 

area, including: leasing and development of mineral resources, recreational activities and facilities, livestock grazing, crucial and important wildlife habitat, cultural and Native 

American respected sites, sensitive plant and animal species, 

and other important land and resource uses. Each alternative 

represents a complete and reasonable interdisciplinary (or 

multiple use) approach to management of the public lands and 

resources in the planning area. The JMHCAP EIS provides 

for more specific management actions for some resource 

activities (activity planning level decisions), and provides less 

specific prescriptions (RMP planning level decisions) for 

others. Providing specific management direction for some 

resource activities and more generalized management direction for others also results in varying levels of analysis of 

impacts that would reflect more detailed effects of the specific 

management direction, and less detailed effects of the generalized management direction. 

Documenting the analysis of impacts that would be associated with the alternatives is required by BLM planning 

regulations and the NEPA-based CEQ regulations. Documenting the comparison of the differences among the alternatives and the differences in the effects or impacts associated 

with each alternative is also required. Based upon this 

comparative analysis, BLM managers are able to choose a 

preferred alternative. The preferred alternative selected may 

be one of the initial alternatives considered (e.g., the No 

Action Alternative and alternatives A and B in this document), 

it may be made up from portions of two or more of those 

alternatives, or it may be a completely different alternative. 

Four alternatives are described and analyzed in the EIS. 

One alternative represents the continuation of present management, or the “no action” alternative. This alternative 

describes existing management and anticipated levels of activities that would occur in the planning area, if the existing 

management direction were to continue. As part of formulating the No Action Alternative, the interdisciplinary planning 

team prepared a comprehensive description of the existing 

management situation for the planning area. The team also 

identified the management objectives and action decisions 

from the Green River RMP that apply to the planning area (see 

Appendix 3). 

The other alternatives provide a range of choices for 

managing resource and land uses in the planning area including, leasing and development of fluid mineral resources, lands 

and realty actions, livestock grazing management actions, 

recreation management actions, and prescriptions for management of other resources present in the planning area. These 

alternatives are based upon public scoping and analysis of the 

No Action Alternative. An adequate range of alternatives has 

been presented. Alternative A would generally reduce the 

level of land use restrictions and allow more development of 

mineral resources, recreation activities and facilities and 

livestock grazing, than either the No Action Alternative, 

Alternative B, and the Preferred Alternative. Alternative B 

would increase the level of restrictions on land uses and allow 

less development of mineral resources, recreation activities 

and facilities, and livestock grazing than under the No Action 

or Alternative A. 

The BLM’s preferred alternative would generally place 

greater emphasis on protection of the natural environment 

compared to the No Action Alternative and Alternative A and 

provide fewer restrictions on land and resource uses compared 

to Alternative B. The Preferred Alternative was developed to 

balance production or commodity uses with protection of the 

environment. Although the Preferred Alternative is presented 

first, it is actually the last alternative developed in the planning 

process. The No Action Alternative was the first alternative 

developed. 

ALTERNATIVES AND 

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS 

CONSIDERED BUT 

ELIMINATED FROM 

DETAILED ANALYSIS 

The following alternatives and management options were 

considered as possible methods of resolving the issues but 

were eliminated from detailed study because they were unreasonable or not practical due to technical, legal, or policy 

factors. 

Closure to Livestock Grazing 

The elimination of livestock grazing from all public lands 

in the planning area was considered as a possible method of 

resolving some of the planning issues related to vegetative 

resources in the Green River RMP EIS, and was dropped from 

11
ALTERNATIVES

detailed analysis in that document. The same reasons for 

eliminating the “no grazing” option from detailed study apply 

to the JMHCAP EIS. 

Resource conditions on the BLM-administered public lands 

in the planning area, including range vegetation, watershed, 

and wildlife habitat, do not warrant prohibition of livestock 

grazing throughout the planning area. However, reduction or 

elimination of livestock grazing may be necessary in specific 

situations where livestock grazing would significantly conflict with other management objectives. Such determinations 

would be made during site-specific activity planning and 

would be based on several factors, including monitoring 

studies and ability to meet the standards for healthy rangelands. 

Closure to Mineral Leasing 

Closing the planning area to mineral leasing was considered to resolve conflicts with other resource uses. Since much 

of the planning area has already been leased for federal 

minerals and portions of the area are developed, this option 

would not help resolve issues in the short term. Resource 

conflicts tend to be located in specific areas, not planning area 

wide, and closing the entire area would not be reasonable. 

Additionally, resource management in the planning area should 

respond to the needs for oil and gas resources. This proposal 

was eliminated from further analysis because it would be 

contrary to BLM policy, that, “except for congressional withdrawals, public lands shall remain open and available for 

mineral exploration unless (to do otherwise)... is clearly 

justified in the national interest” (May 24, 1987). In addition, 

this would be directly contrary to the BLM’s multiple use 

management mandate in FLPMA. 

Closing the area to leasing of oil and gas resources was also 

considered in the Big Sandy/Salt Wells Oil and Gas Environmental Assessment (EA) (USDI 1981a) and again in the 

Green River RMP EIS (USDI 1997). At those times, this 

option was determined to be unacceptable. Another review of 

this option, during consideration of possible management 

options and alternatives for this JMHCAP EIS, revealed that 

closure to leasing of federal oil and gas resources in the 

planning area continues to be unacceptable and closure to 

leasing of the other federal minerals in the area is also 

unacceptable. The entire planning area does not have conflicts with oil and gas development and, thus, the issue of no 

mineral leasing or development in the entire planning area is 

not appropriate. However, not leasing portions of the planning area, in response to other identified resource needs, is 

addressed in the alternatives analyzed in detail. The alternatives analyzed in detail do include various considerations for 

eliminating or maximizing individual resource values or uses 

in specific areas where conflicts exist. 

Maximum, Unconstrained Alternatives 

Alternatives and general management options that proposed maximum development, production, or protection of 

one resource at the expense of other resources were not 

analyzed in detail. Generally, promoting a single land and 

resource use by eliminating all others does not meet the 

objectives of the BLM’s multiple use management mandate 

and responsibilities (FLPMA Sec. 202 (c) and (e)). Additionally, this approach would not meet the direction developed for 

the planning area. This direction is described in the Record of 

Decision for the Green River RMP EIS. However, the 

alternatives analyzed in detail do include various considerations for eliminating or maximizing individual resource 

values or uses in specific areas where conflicts exist. 

Applying Standard Lease Notice #1 as 

the Only Mitigation for Surface 

Disturbance and Disrupting Activities 

Application of standard lease notice #1 as the only mitigation for surface disturbing activities, was not considered in 

detail. Lease Notice #1 is an oil and gas term for the standard 

lease notice that is included in all federal oil and gas leases. 

This notice provides guidance for use or occupancy, and in 

some cases, prohibition of surface disturbing activities on 

areas with slopes in excess of 25 percent; within 500 feet of 

water and/or riparian areas; construction with frozen material 

or during periods when the soil material is saturated or when 

watershed damage is likely to occur; within 500 feet of 

interstate highways and 200 feet of other rights-of-way; 

within 1/4 mile of occupied dwellings; or on material sites. 

The mitigation described in this lease notice applies to all 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities whether or not 

they are related to oil and gas exploration and development 

activities (i.e., range improvement projects, recreation structures, rights-of-way, etc.). This option was addressed in the 

Green River RMP EIS. The analysis in that EIS identified 

potentially significant impacts to resources and uses in the 

planning area would still result, demonstrating that minimal 

mitigation would not be sufficient to meet resource objectives 

or BLM’s multiple use management mandate and responsibilities. However applying the prescription as mitigation for 

surface disturbance in portions of the planning area, in response to other identified resource needs, is addressed in the 

alternatives analyzed in detail. 

Authorizing Activities with a No 

Surface Occupancy (NSO) Requirement 

(For All Surface Disturbing and 

Disruptive Activities) On the Entire 

Planning Area 

An NSO requirement precludes surface use of an area by 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities. Applying this 

requirement to the entire planning area as project mitigation 

and mineral lease mitigation (such as oil and gas leases) was 

considered but dropped from detailed analysis. 

Much of the planning area is already leased for oil and gas. 

Exploration and development activities could (and likely will) 

occur on some of those leased areas. It is not reasonable to 

assume that all unleased or undeveloped areas contain the 

sensitive or significant resources that warrant this most re12
ALTERNATIVES

strictive stipulation. For oil and gas, the issuance of any lease 

implies that there is some accessibility to the mineral resource. 

Extensive areas with NSO prescriptions would deny accessibility to the resource for oil and gas development and any other 

surface disturbing activity (e.g., range improvement projects, 

recreation structures, rights-of-way, etc.). This could also 

cause impacts to areas with sensitive resources on adjacent 

leased areas as activity would be moved to these adjacent 

areas. However, applying the NSO prescription as mitigation 

for surface disturbance and disruptive activities in portions of 

the planning area, in response to other identified resource 

needs, is addressed in the alternatives analyzed in detail. 

Prohibiting Oil and Gas Activity on 

Existing Leased Areas 

During scoping it was suggested that an alternative be 

considered that would evaluate impacts of a prohibition of 

further exploration or development of federal lands and minerals that are already leased for oil and gas. Under this option, 

activities would continue on private and state lands and 

minerals but not on federal lands and minerals. After review 

of the leases issued for federal minerals, the BLM determined 

that this alternative was not reasonable. Outright denial of 

proposals to develop a valid lease would violate the lessees’ 

contractual rights. A lease grants the “right and privilege to 

drill from, mine, extract, remove, and dispose of all oil and gas 

deposits” in the leased lands, subject to the terms and conditions incorporated into the lease. BLM can not directly or 

indirectly prohibit all development on a lease, unless the lease 

is issued with a No Surface Occupancy stipulation. Authority 

for complete denial can be granted only by Congress. 

On federal lands, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in 

Sierra Club vs. Peterson (717 F. 2d 1409, 1983) found that “on 

land leased without a No Surface Occupancy stipulation, the 

Department (Interior) cannot deny the permit to drill...once 

the land is leased the Department no longer has the authority 

to preclude surface disturbing activity even if the environmental impact of such activity is significant. The Department can 

only impose mitigation measures upon a lessee who pursues 

surface disturbing exploration and/or drilling activities.” 

The court goes on to say “notwithstanding the assurance that 

a later site-specific environmental analysis will be made, in 

issuing these leases the Department has made an irrevocable 

commitment to allow some surface disturbing activities, including drilling and road building.” By issuing the leases, 

BLM has accepted the possibility of impacts to the environment. 

Withdrawing the Entire Core Area 

From Mineral Location 

Pursuing a withdrawal of all public lands in the 80,410-

acre core area from mineral location under the 1872 mining 

law was considered as a possible method of resolving some of 

the planning issues related to locatable mineral exploration 

and development activity. After staff review of the area, the 

potential for such activity is considered to be low; therefore, 

a major issue did not exist. However, pursuing withdrawals 

of sensitive areas for protection from surface disturbance and 

disruptive activities in portions of the planning area, in response to other identified resource needs, is addressed in the 

alternatives analyzed in detail. 

Identification of New Wilderness Study 

Areas (WSAs) 

During scoping, identification of new WSAs was identified as an issue. In keeping with the ROD for the Green River 

RMP EIS, BLM will not consider any additions or changes to 

the existing WSAs in the planning area. The ROD for the 

Green River RMP states: “The Bureau’s recommendations to 

the Secretary of the Interior on Wilderness Study Areas 

(WSAs) in the Green River Resource Area have been made 

under separate documentation. These areas were addressed in 

separate Wilderness EIS and Wilderness report documents 

which are also on file in the Green River Resource Area 

Office. The decisions regarding wilderness area designations 

are made by Congress. When Congress makes the Wilderness 

decisions for the WSAs in the Green River Resource Area, 

they will be incorporated into the Green River RMP” (see 

Appendix 1). Additionally, in response to a protest on the 

Green River RMP, it was noted that the initial wilderness 

inventory included all BLM-administered public lands in 

Wyoming and began in 1978. All public lands in the Green 

River RMP planning area were evaluated in this initial intensive wilderness inventory. In 1979, the results of these 

reviews were made available to the public. Those areas not 

retained as WSAs were found not to possess one or more of the 

wilderness characteristics such as naturalness, and the opportunity for solitude or primitive and unconfined recreation. 

This same situation exists today. The draft and final EISs for 

the Green River RMP noted that no other areas in the planning 

area (i.e., other than those that have already been reviewed and 

evaluated in the intensive wilderness inventory) have been 

identified for wilderness review. Therefore BLM will not 

consider any additions or changes to the existing WSAs in the 

jack Morrow Hills planning area. 

ALTERNATIVES ANALYZED IN 

DETAIL 

Appendix 3 is a listing of all the general objective and 

management action decisions that apply to all alternatives 

addressed in this EIS. These decisions are not subject to 

consideration for change in this planning effort. However, for 

clarification and understanding, some of these objectives and 

actions may be repeated in describing the alternatives. 

In addition to what is in Appendix 3), this document 

describes the analysis leading to the oil and gas leasing 

decisions and mineral location decisions that were deferred in 

the Green River RMP for the core area. Also described and 

addressed are other management options, identified from new 

information obtained during this impact analysis, which have 

potential for amending some of the Green River RMP decisions. 

This document also addresses activities or management 

options that are in conformance and consistent with the Green 

13
ALTERNATIVES

River RMP decisions that would not result in amending the 

Green River RMP. 

The descriptions of the four alternatives addressed in this 

EIS are summarized in Table 2-1. Management objectives 

and management actions that are common to all alternatives 

can be identified in Table 2-1 by noting where they are the 

same across all alternatives. They are not repeated in the text 

unless needed for clarity and understanding. The management actions that would occur in the planning area under each 

alternative are described by resource or resource program 

component. Following these descriptions for the general 

planning area, this same format is used to describe the management actions for the core area and each proposed special 

management area in each alternative. Where the objective and 

actions are the same for the overall planning area and for the 

core or special management areas, they are not repeated unless 

needed for clarity. 

The comparisons of the expected environmental consequences of the alternatives are summarized in Table 4-1. The 

detailed descriptions of the expected environmental consequences expected from implementation of each alternative are 

described in Chapter 4. 

No Action Alternative-This alternative would continue 

present management direction and practices based on implementation of the approved Green River RMP decisions and 

would close the core area to oil and gas leasing. 

This alternative emphasizes implementation of resource 

management decisions contained in the Green River RMP 

(August 1997) and provides for multiple use management of 

the public lands and resources to meet foreseeable needs and 

emphasize environmental integrity. This alternative proposes 

no new management actions, from the status quo. This is done 

to ensure a good comparison of the different management 

options among the alternatives, and because the management 

actions to be implemented have not yet been determined. 

Other management options, which include mineral leasing in 

the core area, and identification of areas to be withdrawn from 

mineral location, are addressed in the other alternatives. 

Alternative A-This alternative allows for maximizing resource uses such as mineral development, livestock grazing 

and similar actions, while staying within the framework of the 

Record of Decision and Approved Green River RMP (August 

1997) as much as possible. Management emphasis of the 

public lands and resources would be primarily for use, development, and intensive management while resource values 

would, still be protected to the extent required by applicable 

laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. Compared to Alternative B and the Preferred Alternative, oil and gas leasing 

would occur in the core area and throughout the planning area, 

and fewer withdrawals from mineral location would be pursued. Compared to the No Action Alternative, Alternative B 

or the Preferred Alternative, wildlife habitat protection and 

recreation quality, including the amount of ORV use, would 

be more limited, and some Visual Resource Management 

(VRM) classes would be lower. More livestock grazing 

improvements would be developed to enhance livestock grazing use, compared to the No Action Alternative, Alternative 

B, or the Preferred Alternative. 

Alternative B-This alternative allows for the maximum protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat, recreation use, 

watershed, riparian, and cultural resources, Native American 

concerns, and other sensitive resources, while staying within 

the framework of the Record of Decision and Approved Green 

River RMP (August 1997) as much as possible. Oil and gas 

leasing could occur outside the core area and big game 

migratory corridors; however, the core area and migratory 

corridors would be closed to mineral leasing. Compared to the 

other alternatives, more mineral location withdrawals would 

be pursued and there would be more limitations on range 

improvements. Compared to the No Action Alternative and 

Alternative A, there would be more emphasis on vegetation 

use for watershed and wildlife habitat needs. 

Preferred Alternative-This alternative provides for resource 

tradeoffs, which could favor resource utilization and resource 

protection or a compromise between them, while staying 

within the framework of the Record of Decision and Approved 

Green River RMP (August 1997) as much as possible. Compared to the other alternatives, this alternative provides for 

staged oil and gas leasing and related development. Portions 

of the planning area would be available for leasing consideration, with appropriate mitigation, upon completion of the 

Jack Morrow Hills Coordinated Activity Plan. Before other 

areas would be leased for oil and gas development, they would 

be withheld from leasing consideration until it could be 

ensured that adequate big game habitat would remain available for use. This could mean that certain areas would not be 

leased and subsequently developed until other areas have been 

developed and habitat restored. In addition an evaluation 

would be done to aid in determining how much habitat should 

be withheld, and what mitigation measures would be necessary to ensure habitat objectives are met. Habitat fragmentation is one of the major issues to be addressed in the planning 

area. This alternative provides one means of ensuring that 

sufficient habitat is available for big game use (particularly 

elk) while other areas are developed. Range improvements 

would be limited, and some guidelines for vegetation use 

would be provided. Compared to Alternative A, more mineral 

location withdrawals would be pursued and there would be 

more limitations on range improvements. Compared to the 

No Action Alternative and Alternative A, there would be more 

emphasis on vegetation use for watershed and wildlife habitat 

needs. Compared to Alternative B, there would be less 

emphasis on vegetation use for watershed and wildlife habitat 

needs. 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 

Overall Planning Area Management 

Management Actions Common to All Land 

and Resource Programs in the Preferred 

Alternative 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, crucial habitats and 

other areas of sensitive resource values would be open to 

further consideration for various multiple use activities so 

long as crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 

would be protected from irreversible adverse effects. This 

14
ALTERNATIVES

would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and 

sequencing of the various activities and related reclamation in 

these areas. For example, satisfactory reclamation of surface 

disturbance may be required before additional surface disturbing activities would be allowed in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. Under this 

alternative, the following could occur: 

Subject to future monitoring and evaluation, portions of 

the JMHCAP planning area would be temporarily closed 

to mineral leasing, long-term surface disturbing and 

disruptive activity, rights-of-way, fencing, powerlines, 

pipelines, long-term and permanent structures or facilities, rangeland improvements, land treatments, mineral 

leasing, long-term and permanent land and resource use 

commitments or allocations. This would be done to 

satisfy immediate needs for adequate wildlife habitat and 

use of that habitat (crucial winter range, calving/fawning, 

migration corridors, etc.), protection of other sensitive 

resources, and for public health and safety. In particular, 

in portions of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, the White Mountain and Split Rock areas, 

and the core and connectivity areas, these types of actions 

would not be authorized until monitoring and evaluation 

of ongoing activity in these areas determine that rates and 

levels of activities and reclamation would allow further 

activity, would not cause fragmentation and abandonment of habitat, and would still meet stated management 

objectives. This determination would be based on the 

effects on elk and their movement patterns, elk use of 

habitat, effects on other wildlife species and habitats, and 

effects on other sensitive resources. 

The evaluation would incorporate information from the 

elk study initiated in 1999; application of the standards 

and guidelines for healthy rangelands; proper functioning condition determinations for riparian areas; and other 

activities and uses. After the initial phase of the evaluation (about four years), a determination would be made on 

whether or not areas may become available for consideration of future activities. Should these areas become 

available, appropriate mitigation would be applied to 

meet planning area management objectives. If the evaluation concludes that planning area management objectives are not being met, these areas would remain unavailable. As areas become available for consideration of 

future activities, they would be considered on a case-bycase basis to determine if the planning area management 

objectives could be met. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological 

Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: NRHP-eligible sites would be 

avoided by 100 feet. 

Expansion Era Roads - The most historically important 

examples of each Expansion Era Road and the Indian Gap 

Trail would be preserved for their historic resource values, in 

their historic context guidance (Map 5). Therefore, surface 

disturbing activities proposed to affect any segment of an 

Expansion Era Road or the Indian Gap Trail would be required 

to address the effects to the entire Road. The effects to a 

portion of the road would need to be evaluated against the 

integrity (according to NRHP guidelines) of the entirety of the 

road (see Appendix 3). Distance restrictions for surface 

disturbing activities and visual intrusion would be determined 

on a case-by-case basis. 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places. 

Traditional tribal elders would be consulted regarding the 

importance of specific features identified, and for their recommendations of appropriate avoidance distances concerning 

visual or noise intrusions. Avoidance distances may range 

from 100 feet to 2-1/2 miles depending on the importance of 

the features involved and their topographic setting. Viewshed 

(vista) and noise analyses may be conducted to help determine 

appropriate avoidance distances. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

(Appendix 3). Surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be prohibited within a 1/2-mile viewshed of all rock art 

sites. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for each 

site. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid the paleosol 

deposition area. Exceptions may be considered on a case-bycase basis if adverse effects could be mitigated by authorized 

users or permittees. Mitigation could include recovery of 

scientific data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within the 

paleosol deposition area would be guided by research designs 

developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. See 

recreation section for guidance on back country byway interpretive sites, and project planning for Crookston Ranch and 

the White Mountain Petroglyphs. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Additional fire prescriptions 

including full suppression for big sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation associations would be applied on a case-by-case basis as 

necessary. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The public lands within the 

planning area, with the exception of defined exclusion and 

avoidance areas, would be open to consideration of granting 

of rights-of-way, permits, and leases (Map 6, Map 7, and 

Table 2-2). Location of rights-of-way, permits, and leases 

would be concentrated in certain areas and avoided or excluded in others, to protect sensitive resources. In particular, 

these actions would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. 

Portions of Indian Gap and the face of Steamboat Mountain 

(the steep slopes around the perimeter of Steamboat Mountain) would be closed (exclusion areas) to these actions. 

Major transportation and utility line rights-of-way would 

be confined to established ROW concentration areas. Areas 

designated as utility windows, ROW concentration areas, and 

existing communication sites would be preferred locations for 

future grants. Additional right-of-way windows would be 

15
ALTERNATIVES

established to limit the areas disturbed by ROW activity, and 

to concentrate these types of facilities. Rights-of-way would 

be located in the windows identified. Exceptions may be 

considered if mitigation can be developed to meet area objectives and to alleviate impacts to the sensitive resources in the 

area. In particular, pipelines and other linear facilities would 

follow existing roads and pipelines, and offsite facilities (tank 

batteries, etc.) would be clustered or located in the same 

geographic areas. The placement of the offsite facilities may 

be concentrated in different areas than the linear facilities if 

area objectives can be met. 

In addition to existing guidance (Green River RMP), 

transportation planning would include the locations of rightsof-way. Linear rights-of-way would follow existing roads 

and trails in accordance with transportation planning. Areas 

closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities would be closed to rights-of-way for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) in 

these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

existing improved roads or right-of-way concentration areas 

in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards. Activity in the 

South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, 

and White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the 

prescriptions in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and 

Continental Peak would be closed to communication sites to 

protect wildlife habitat and visual values. Communication 

sites could be considered on Essex Mountain or Pacific Butte 

with restrictions on the height (where no strobe light would be 

necessary), visual intrusion (not readily visible), road access, 

etc. Actions on Pacific Butte would conform to the existing 

management prescriptions for the South Pass Historic Landscape. 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-3 would be pursued. 

In addition to the withdrawals identified in the Green River 

RMP (Appendix 3), withdrawals would be pursued for two elk 

calving areas, the top of Steamboat Mountain, a cultural site, 

and three Native American respected places (about 9,000 

acres) (Map 8). Future withdrawals would also be pursued to 

protect important resource values as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3): 1) improve forage production 

and ecological conditions for the benefit of livestock use, 

wildlife habitat, watershed, and riparian areas; 2) maintain, 

improve, or restore riparian habitat to enhance forage conditions, wildlife habitat, and stream quality; and 3) achieve 

proper functioning condition or better on riparian areas (this 

is the first priority for vegetation management). Additional 

objectives include maintaining or improving the vegetative 

resource (particularly mountain shrub communities), and 

providing for the maintenance or improvement of wildlife 

habitat, watershed values and riparian habitat using appropriate vegetation and livestock grazing management practices to 

meet the objectives for the planning area (providing the 

necessary habitat for big game and other wildlife species). 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Authorized grazing use would 

not exceed the recognized permitted use. For analysis purposes, anticipated actual use would range from approximately 

9,851 AUMs (5-year average 1994-1998) to the total permitted use of 26,032 AUMs. The average between the two 

amounts is 17,941 AUMs (15,814 cattle and 2,127 sheep). 

Again, for analysis purposes, this grazing level was held 

constant throughout the planning period. 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for 

Livestock Grazing Management (S&Gs) would be implemented, and specific grazing allotment management prescriptions would be developed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate measures would be taken to meet the standards for healthy 

rangelands. If standards are not being met, then guidelines 

would be used and appropriate action would be taken. Actions 

that would meet the objectives and benefit resources could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. For this analysis, the 

levels of livestock use may be reduced (where appropriate) as 

one of the appropriate actions taken to meet the Wyoming 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands. 

Livestock turnout dates would be modified on a case-bycase basis to ensure growing season rest. No livestock use 

would be allowed before range readiness. Range readiness 

would be determined on a case-by-case basis and could 

include boot stage of key grass species, soil moisture, and 

wildlife habitat needs. Livestock grazing plans are required to 

avoid livestock grazing in an area/pasture/allotment seasonlong; therefore, season-long use would not occur. 

Applications for changes in class of livestock would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis and would only be approved where such a conversion would aid in achieving 

management objectives for the planning area. 

Livestock grazing suitability reviews would be conducted 

on a case-by-case basis. Livestock forage use would not be 

allocated for unsuitable areas and would be removed from the 

forage base. 

Plowing of roads in winter for livestock accessibility and 

feeding would not be allowed except in emergency situations. 

Any such activity would conform with transportation planning (see the Travel Management section). 

Livestock grazing use on upland key grass species would 

be limited to 1) no more than 40 percent of the current growth 

(seasonal utilization); and 2) minimum heights throughout the 

growing season (to be determined for individual key species), 

whichever is reached first. Livestock would be removed when 

either seasonal utilization or minimum height is reached in a 

given area/pasture/allotment. 

Livestock grazing management plans that address riparian 

and upland areas would be required. Riparian and upland 

areas would be managed primarily for wildlife and watershed 

needs. New riparian pastures would be established only if 

watershed resources and wildlife habitat would be enhanced. 

Livestock grazing use in riparian areas would be limited (1) 

for key riparian shrub species, to no more than 30 percent of 

16
ALTERNATIVES

the stems browsed or (2) for herbaceous plants, to a seasonal 

utilization of 40 percent or no less than a 6-inch minimum 

height, whichever occurs first. Key species and plant height 

monitoring would be conducted throughout the grazing season. 

Livestock salt licks would be located no closer than 1/2 

mile to water and no closer than 1/4 mile to sensitive plant 

species locations. 

All range improvements would be designed to accommodate multiple resource needs (e.g., watershed, wildlife, etc.). 

The connectivity area (migration corridor) is considered 

big game crucial habitat. Range improvements would be 

considered in crucial big game habitats only if they would 

either benefit or not conflict with big game use. 

Livestock water development would be prohibited or restricted in crucial wildlife ranges and the connectivity area. 

Developments must conform with plan objectives and actions, benefit wildlife and wildlife habitat, conform with 

surface use requirements and transportation planning, and 

ensure continued use of big game crucial ranges (migration 

routes, crucial winter ranges, parturition areas, etc.). A 

grazing plan and ID team review would be required. Livestock water developments could be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed (pipelines and troughs). Natural 

water sources (e.g, springs and seeps) would be protected 

from excessive use. 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

core area unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted. 

Water developments would not be placed within 1.5 miles 

(plus 1/4 mile) of active sage grouse leks. Activities, such as 

occur with pipeline construction, could be granted exceptions 

in certain circumstances. 

Vegetation treatments would be considered on a case-bycase basis. A livestock grazing plan would be prepared prior 

to treatment. Areas proposed for vegetation treatments may 

be rested one full year prior to treatment and would be rested 

two full years after treatment. If optimal vegetation cover 

exists prior to a treatment, a full year of rest prior to treatment 

would not be necessary. 

Minerals Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) allow 

leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil 

and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other resource values; 2) allow orderly and timely development of oil 

and gas reserves; and 3) manage objectives 1 and 2 to provide 

suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and to 

protect sensitive resources (e.g., animals, plants, cultural, 

visual). 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Table 2-4 lists public lands 

and federal minerals in the planning area with fluid mineral 

lease requirements that are necessary to protect other resource 

values. 

Areas closed to leasing (discretionary closures) would 

include portions of the core area and connectivity area, and 

portions of White Mountain and Split Rock. Approximately 

37,240 acres of federal mineral estate would be closed to fluid 

mineral leasing (Map 9). 

The remainder of the federal fluid mineral estate in the 

planning area could be open to consideration for leasing with 

conditional requirements that would apply to certain areas. A 

no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect 

certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and Map 10). 

About 56,040 acres would be open to leasing with a no surface 

occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning area (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see 

Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations in 

areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-4 and Map 12). Surface disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 416,160 

acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of 

federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and 

reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface disturbance reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral leasing 

and development would be allowed in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. Under this 

alternative, the following could occur: 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, fluid mineral leasing, 

exploration and development would be allowed in portions 

of the planning area, including portions of the core and 

connectivity areas. These areas would be open to leasing 

consideration, with necessary mitigation, which could 

include CSU, NSO, other stipulations or conditional requirements, and temporary lease suspension. Because 

there are pre-existing leases in some of the crucial big game 

habitat areas and other sensitive areas, development in 

these areas could cause other areas to become crucial 

habitat or sensitive. Thus, some portions of the planning 

area may remain permanently closed to leasing and development because other portions of the area with crucial 

habitat and sensitive resources are already leased. 

Subject to future monitoring and evaluation, portions of the 

planning area would be temporarily closed to leasing to 

satisfy immediate needs for adequate habitat and use of that 

17
ALTERNATIVES

habitat (crucial winter range, calving/fawning, migration 

corridors, etc.), protection of sensitive resources, and for 

public health and safety. The entire planning area would 

not be leased at the same time, and exploration and development activities would not be allowed to occur at the same 

time over the entire planning area. In particular, unleased 

portions of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, the White Mountain and Split Rock areas, 

and the core and connectivity areas would not be leased 

until monitoring and evaluation of ongoing exploration 

and development activity in these areas determine that 

rates and levels of development and reclamation would 

allow further leasing and development, would not cause 

fragmentation and abandonment of habitat, and would still 

meet stated management objectives. This determination 

would be based on the effects on elk and their movement 

patterns, elk use of habitat, effects on other wildlife species 

and habitats, and effects on other sensitive resources. 

The evaluation would incorporate information from the elk 

study initiated in 1999; application of the standards and 

guidelines for healthy rangelands; proper functioning condition determinations for riparian areas; and other activities and uses. After the initial phase of the evaluation 

(about four years), a determination would be made on 

whether or not unleased areas that may become available 

for future leasing consideration, would be offered for lease. 

Should these areas be offered for lease, appropriate mitigation would be applied to meet planning area management 

objectives. If the evaluation concludes that planning area 

management objectives are not being met, these areas 

would either remain unleased, or would be leased with an 

NSO stipulation. 

As areas become available for future leasing consideration, 

they would be reviewed to determine if the planning area 

management objectives could be met, if they were leased 

and developed. To facilitate this and promote consistency 

in implementing the JMHCAP management decisions, 

areas determined suitable for leasing consideration within 

the core and connectivity areas, White Mountain, and Split 

Rock areas would only be considered once a year. This 

would allow consideration of each of these areas in their 

entirety rather than piecemeal consideration of individual 

lease applications that may be submitted throughout the 

year. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included as 

conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries to limit 

traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas 

closed to coal exploration would remain the same as those 

established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). On lands 

open to coal exploration, exploration proposals would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation 

would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats 

and other sensitive resource values (Figure 1) would avoid 

these areas unless a plan could be developed to mitigate 

adverse impacts to these resource values (Map 13). Areas 

closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be 

closed to exploration activities; however, exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails within these areas 

in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to provide for both short- and long-range development of federal sodium resources in an orderly and timely 

manner (same as stated in the Green River RMP, see Appendix 3). In addition, to provide for exploration activities 

outside the core area, in conformance with objectives to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of 

the Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas closed to sodium exploration would remain the same as those established in the Green 

River RMP (USDI 1997). On lands open to development, 

exploration and development proposals would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis, and appropriate mitigation would be 

applied. Exploration and development activities would avoid 

sensitive areas (Figure 1). Areas closed to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be closed to exploration and 

development activities; however, exploration activities could 

occur on existing roads and trails within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Should trona water development occur, surface facilities 

such as plants or refineries, or waste water ponds would not be 

allowed in the planning area. Well locations could be allowed 

in the planning area and would be determined on a case-bycase basis. 

18
ALTERNATIVES

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The areas identified as closed 

to mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 

1997) would remain closed to mineral material sales. The 

areas identified in Table 2-6 would be closed to mineral 

material sales (Map 14). 

Mineral material sale would only occur when in support of 

project development within the core, connectivity, White 

Mountain, and Split Rock areas. This activity would not 

detract from the important resource values of these areas. 

Appropriate mitigation would be applied. New road construction and upgrading of existing roads for mineral material 

extraction would only be allowed if in accordance with 

transportation planning. 

The remainder of the planning area would be open to 

consideration of mineral material sales on a case-by-case 

basis. Sale areas and community pits would be established in 

conformance with other resource objectives. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The proposed withdrawals in 

Table 2-3 would be pursued. In addition to the withdrawals 

identified in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3), withdrawals 

would be pursued for two elk calving areas, the top of 

Steamboat Mountain, a cultural site, and three Native American respected places (about 9,000 acres) (Map 8). Future 

withdrawals would also be pursued to protect important 

resource values as needs are identified. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Most of the planning area 

would be open to consideration of geophysical exploration 

activities. Based on site specific analysis, geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use of vehicles and 

explosive charges (Table 2-7). 

An interdisciplinary team review would be initiated for all 

geophysical proposals within the planning area. Exploration 

activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Figure 1) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Mitigation measures would be applied to protect these 

sensitive resources (timing limitations, avoidance, restrictions on vehicle use and explosive charges, etc.). Areas closed 

to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be closed 

to off-road vehicle use and explosive charges. In areas closed 

to surface disturbing and disruptive activities, the core area, 

crucial habitats, and other sensitive areas (Figure 1 and Table 

2-4), exploration activities, without use of explosive charges, 

could occur on existing roads and trails in conformance with 

transportation planning. 

Areas of Native American concern would be closed to 

geophysical vehicles and explosive charges. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Satisfactory reclamation of 

surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil 

and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are 

no longer needed may be required before additional facilities 

or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, 

migration routes, and birthing areas. 

Special Status Species Management 

The Special Status Plant Species ACEC would not be expanded to include Lesquerella macrocarpa. This species 

would continue to be managed as a special status plant species. 

Known locations of Lesquerella macrocarpa would be avoidance areas for rights-of-way (Table 2-2). 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values totaling 56,040 

acres (see Table 2-4 and Map 10). Resources and areas to be 

protected include but are not limited to: Boars Tusk, White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, cultural resource site, Crookston Ranch, 

developed recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, raptor nesting sites, South Pass 

Historic Landscape (area visible within 3-mile buffer of 

Oregon Trail), Special Status Plant Species Habitat, TriTerritory Marker, and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Controlled surface use restrictions would be applied to 

416,160 acres (Table 2-4). Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values. These resources include but 

are not limited to: visual values, recreation opportunities, 

public health and safety, cultural values, geologic features, 

crucial wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration 

routes, parturition areas, and nesting and breeding areas), 

stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes, waters and floodplains, and big sagebrush habitat (Map 15). On areas where 

several of these resources overlap, an NSO requirement could 

be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-4 

and Map 12. 

Based on site-specific analyses, surface-disturbing activities would be limited during wet weather, on frozen soils, and 

on slopes greater than 20 percent (70,310 acres). 

NRHP-eligible sites would be avoided by 100 feet. 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places. 

Traditional tribal elders would be consulted regarding the 

importance of specific features identified, and for their recommendations of appropriate avoidance distances concerning 

visual or noise intrusions. Avoidance distances may range 

from 100 feet to 2-1/2 miles depending on the importance of 

the features involved and their topographic setting. Viewshed 

(vista) and noise analysis may be conducted to help determine 

appropriate avoidance distances. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

19
ALTERNATIVES

(Appendix 3). Surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be prohibited within a 1/2-mile viewshed of all rock art 

sites. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for each 

site. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid the paleosol 

deposition area. Exceptions may be considered on a case-bycase basis if adverse effects could be mitigated by authorized 

users or permittees. Mitigation could include recovery of 

scientific data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within the 

paleosol deposition area would be guided by research designs 

developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. The area 

would be reviewed for consideration for nomination to the 

National Register of Historic Places. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 9) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and 

Realty Management section). Activity in the South Pass 

Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and White 

Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the prescriptions 

in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: To provide opportunity for off-road vehicle use in conformance with other 

resource management objectives (see Appendix 3. In addition, to provide motorized vehicle and non-motorized vehicle 

use along appropriate routes in conformance with other resource management objectives. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: General winter vehicular 

access in the planning area, for any purpose, would be limited 

to only specific roads identified for winter use. Where access 

on other roads is necessary, routes would be determined on a 

case-by-case basis and would be limited to over-the-snow 

vehicles only. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” would be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. A few specific trails may be closed to 

vehicle use. The existing seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer parturition habitat would apply. Additional seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

Road and trail construction or upgrading would be prohibited through woodland habitat (i.e., juniper, limber pine, 

aspen) or springs and seeps (pre-existing improved roads may 

be used). 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes and provide maximum protection for crucial habitats 

and sensitive resources (Appendix 5). Time of year and site 

conditions would be taken into consideration. Future site 

specific activity or implementation planning would address 

any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, 

nonmotorized vehicular use, or non-motorized mechanical 

transport and also address any needed requirements for transportation planning. 

Factors to be considered in development of transportation 

plans include: 

Historic use levels of roads and trails. 

Use of required construction specifications. 

Rehabilitating, obliterating, or barricading unused roads 

and trails, and closure or maintenance of those causing 

resource damage. The transportation plan and affected 

maps would be corrected to reflect closed roads and trails. 

Seasonal or administrative road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats (for single use destination roads or trails) to limit 

traffic and disrupting activities. 

Concentrating stream and riparian area crossings to key 

locations to restrict numbers of crossings and to benefit 

resource management objectives. Exceptions may be 

granted if proposed crossings would reduce adverse effects, benefit area objectives, and reduce miles of road 

(and/or frequency of use). Some crossings (2-tracks) 

would be closed. Commercial and service vehicles would 

be restricted to identified upgraded crossings. Bridges may 

be required on Pacific, Jack Morrow, Parnell, and Rock 

Cabin creeks. 

Limiting the number and location of access routes that 

bisect wildlife habitats and migration routes. 

Limiting the number and miles of road in crucial habitats. 

Limiting the number and miles of all-weather road, and the 

level of use on these roads during crucial wildlife and 

watershed periods (November-June). 

Grouping and offsite location of ancillary facilities away 

from crucial habitats and sensitive areas. 

Limiting all-season use to primarily identified roads. 

Posting speed limits, as necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to meet planning area management objectives. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): 

Core and connectivity areas = 2.0 miles or less 

White Mountain area = 2.0 miles or less 

All other areas of crucial elk habitat = more than 2.0 

miles. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Desired Plant Community 

objectives would be established to enhance wildlife habitat, 

20
ALTERNATIVES

watershed, and biodiversity values. Maintaining or enhancing important wildlife (elk, sage grouse, mountain plover, 

fisheries, etc.) habitat is one of the aspects to be addressed. 

Vegetation treatments would be designed to protect water 

and stream quality, dissipate erosion, and maintain or enhance 

mountain shrub and woodland communities. Treatment areas 

in aspen communities would be fenced to protect new plant 

growth from grazing activity. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: VRM classes would be managed according to the classifications shown in Table 2-8. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC and Split Rock would be 

managed as a Class II VRM areas (Map 16). 

Portions of White Mountain would be managed as a Class 

II VRM area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Limiting the number of well 

pads, roads, and other rights-of-way (and overall surface 

disturbance) may be required in sensitive areas (see the 

surface disturbance management section). 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The existing wild horse herd 

management area and appropriate management levels would 

remain unchanged (Map 17). 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Avoiding fragmentation of 

habitat and maintaining the integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas, and winter ranges would be addressed by 

limiting the number of roads and access, and limiting the 

degree of activity and use in the planning area. See Travel 

Management and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. 

Priority would be given to maintaining or enhancing mountain plover and sage grouse habitat. Surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to 

protect these habitats (see Vegetation Management and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management Sections). Livestock water developments would not be placed within 1.5 

miles (in addition to the lek proper) of sage grouse leks. 

In and around the “hay meadow exclosures” on Pacific 

Creek, riparian and fish habitat would be managed for trout. 

Riparian and upland vegetation types would be managed 

with emphasis on enhancing wildlife habitat, watershed, and 

biodiversity values. Wildlife improvements could be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Core Area (Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC, eastern portion of the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, and adjacent 

overlapping crucial big game habitat) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the core area and are 

repeated, or are different from those for the general JMHCAP 

area. 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to 1) enhance 

and maintain water quality, vegetative composition, soil condition, and wildlife and wildlife habitat; 2) ensure biological 

diversity and a healthy ecosystem in the area; 3) maintain 

unique and diverse habitat components; 4) provide suitable 

habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat 

elk herd, other big game populations, and other important and 

sensitive wildlife species; and 5) provide for mineral exploration and development activity, livestock grazing, recreation, 

public health and safety, and other uses, while meeting all 

other resource management objectives for the core area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological 

Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. Portions of Indian Gap and the face of Steamboat 

Mountain (the steep slopes around the perimeter of Steamboat 

Mountain) would be closed (exclusion areas) to these actions 

(Map 6, Map 7, and Table 2-2). 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be closed to communication sites to protect wildlife habitat and visual values. 

Communication sites could be considered on Essex Mountain. 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-3 would be pursued. 

In addition to the withdrawals identified in the Green River 

RMP (Appendix 3), withdrawals would be pursued for the top 

21
ALTERNATIVES

of Steamboat Mountain, a cultural site, and two Native American respected places (about 1,480 acres) (Map 8). 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

core area unless the proposed resource monitoring and evaluation (see oil and gas section) determines that an exception 

could be granted. Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained and natural water sources (springs 

and seeps) in the core area would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other 

resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely manner, 

the development of oil and gas reserves; and 3) to conduct 1 

and 2 in a manner that conforms with the management 

objectives for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Portions of the core area would be closed to fluid mineral 

leasing. Approximately 14,130 acres of federal mineral estate 

would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 9). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). About 12,100 acres would be open to leasing with 

a no surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Map 11 and Table 2-5). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures 

for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values in the core area (see Map 12, Table 2-4, and 

Figure 1). Surface disturbance conditional requirements 

would be placed on 80,410 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of 

federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and 

reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface disturbance reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral leasing 

and development would be allowed in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. Under this 

alternative, the following could occur: 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, fluid mineral leasing, 

exploration and development would be allowed in portions 

of the planning area, including portions of the core and 

connectivity areas. These areas would be open to leasing 

consideration, with necessary mitigation, which could 

include CSU, NSO, other stipulations or conditional requirements, and temporary lease suspension. Because 

there are pre-existing leases in some of the crucial big game 

habitat areas and other sensitive areas, development in 

these areas could cause other areas to become crucial 

habitat or sensitive. Thus, some portions of the planning 

area may remain permanently closed to leasing and development because other portions of the area with crucial 

habitat and sensitive resources are already leased. 

Subject to future monitoring and evaluation, portions of the 

planning area would be temporarily closed to leasing to 

provide adequate habitat and use of that habitat (crucial 

winter range, calving/fawning, migration corridors, etc.) 

and protection of sensitive resources and public health and 

safety. The entire planning area would not be leased at the 

same time, and exploration and development activities 

would not be allowed to occur at the same time over the 

entire planning area. In particular, unleased portions of 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

the White Mountain and Split Rock areas, and the core and 

connectivity areas would not be leased until monitoring 

and evaluation of ongoing exploration and development 

activity in these areas determine that rates and levels of 

development and reclamation would allow further leasing 

and development, would not cause fragmentation and 

abandonment of habitat, and would still meet stated management objectives. This determination would be based on 

the effects on elk and their movement patterns, elk use of 

habitat, effects on other wildlife species and habitats, and 

effects on other sensitive resources. 

The evaluation would incorporate information from the elk 

study initiated in 1999; application of the standards and 

guidelines for healthy rangelands; proper functioning condition determinations for riparian areas; and other activities and uses. After the initial phase of the evaluation 

(about four years), a determination would be made on 

whether or not unleased areas that may become available 

for future leasing consideration, would be offered for lease. 

Should these areas be offered for lease, appropriate mitigation would be applied to meet planning area management 

objectives. If the evaluation concludes that planning area 

management objectives are not being met, these areas 

would either remain unleased, or would be leased with an 

NSO stipulation. 

As areas become available for future leasing consideration, 

they would be reviewed to determine if the planning area 

management objectives could be met, if they were leased and 

developed. To facilitate this and promote consistency in 

implementing the JMHCAP management decisions, areas 

determined suitable for leasing consideration within the core 

22
ALTERNATIVES

and connectivity areas, White Mountain, and Split Rock areas 

would only be considered once a year. This would allow 

consideration of each of these areas in their entirety rather than 

piecemeal consideration of individual lease applications that 

may be submitted throughout the year. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

the core area that existed before approval of the JMHCAP 

would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Besides the 

existing lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs 

would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as 

conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Figure 1) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Mineral 

Materials management actions for the overall planning area. 

The areas identified in Table 2-6 would be closed to mineral 

material sales. In addition: 

Mineral material sale would only occur when in support of 

project development within the core area. Appropriate mitigation would be applied to insure this activity would not 

detract from the important resource values of the area. New 

road construction and upgrading of existing roads for mineral 

material extraction would only be allowed if in accordance 

with transportation planning. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Locatable 

Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-3 would be pursued. 

In addition to the withdrawals identified in the Green River 

RMP (Appendix 3), withdrawals would be pursued for the top 

of Steamboat Mountain, a cultural site, and two Native American respected places (about 1,360 acres). 

Future withdrawals from mineral location in the core area 

would be pursued to protect important resource values, as 

needs are identified. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Geophysical 

management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

In the core area, exploration activities, without use of 

explosive charges, could occur on existing roads and trails in 

conformance with transportation planning (Table 2-7). Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive 

resource values (Table 2-4 and Figure 1) would avoid these 

areas unless a plan could be developed to mitigate adverse 

impacts to these resource values. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

core area, may be required before additional facilities or 

disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, 

migration routes and birthing areas in the core area. 

23
ALTERNATIVES

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (on about 12,100 

acres) (see Map 10 and Table 2-4). Resources and areas to be 

protected include but are not limited to: Boars Tusk, White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, Crookston Ranch, developed recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the Greater Sand Dunes 

ACEC, raptor nesting sites, South Pass Historic Landscape 

(area visible within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail), Special 

Status Plant Species Habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and sites 

for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Map 11 and Table 2-5). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned on about 80,410 acres to protect 

certain important resource values. These resources include 

but are not limited to: visual values, recreation opportunities, 

public health and safety, cultural values, geologic features, 

crucial wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration 

routes, parturition areas, and nesting and breeding areas), 

stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes, and big sagebrush 

habitat. On areas where several of these resources overlap, an 

NSO requirement could be applied (Figure 1). For more 

information, see Table 2-4 and Map 12. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be closed to surface disturbing 

activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety (Map 9). However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) 

in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance 

with transportation planning; 2) meet core area objectives; 

and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and Realty 

Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for any purpose, would be limited to 

only specific roads identified for winter use. Where access on 

other roads is necessary, routes would be determined on a 

case-by-case basis and access would be limited to over-thesnow vehicles only. 

Specific roads and trails to be designated as “limited to 

designated roads and trails” would be identified on a case-bycase basis as time allows. A few specific trails may be closed 

to vehicle use. The existing seasonal vehicle closure for 

protection of elk and deer parturition habitat would apply. 

Additional seasonal closures may be applied for protection of 

other resource values as needed. 

Road and trail construction or upgrading would be prohibited through woodland habitat (i.e., juniper, limber pine, 

aspen) or springs and seeps (pre-existing improved roads may 

be used). 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes and provide maximum protection for crucial habitats 

and sensitive resources (Appendix 5). Time of year and site 

conditions would be taken into consideration. Future site 

specific activity or implementation planning would address 

any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, 

nonmotorized vehicular use, or nonmotorized mechanical 

transport and also address any needed requirements for transportation planning. 

Factors to be considered in development of transportation 

plans include: 

Historic use levels of roads and trails. 

Use of required construction specifications. 

Rehabilitating, obliterating, or barricading unused roads 

and trails, and closure or maintenance of those causing 

resource damage. The transportation plan and affected 

maps would be corrected to reflect closed roads and trails. 

Seasonal or administrative road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats (for single use destination roads or trails) to limit 

traffic and disrupting activities. 

Concentrating stream and riparian area crossings to key 

locations to restrict numbers of crossings and to benefit 

resource management objectives. Exceptions may be 

granted if proposed crossings would reduce adverse effects, benefit area objectives, and reduce miles of road 

(and/or frequency of use). Some crossings (2-tracks) 

would be closed. Commercial and service vehicles would 

be restricted to identified upgraded crossings. Bridges may 

be required on Pacific, Jack Morrow, Parnell, and Rock 

Cabin creeks. 

Limiting the number and location of access routes that 

bisect wildlife habitats and migration routes. 

Limiting the number and miles of road in crucial habitats. 

Limiting the number and miles of all-weather roads, and 

the level of use on these roads during crucial wildlife and 

watershed periods (November-June). 

Grouping and offsite location of ancillary facilities away 

from crucial habitats and sensitive areas. 

Limiting all-season use to primarily identified roads. 

Posting speed limits, as necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to meet planning area management objectives. 

24
ALTERNATIVES

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): 

Core and connectivity areas = 2.0 miles or less 

White Mountain area = 2.0 miles or less 

All other areas of crucial elk habitat = more than 2.0 

miles. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC and Split Rock would be 

managed as Class II VRM areas (Map 16 and Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

core area. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and 

Disruptive Management sections for related management 

actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. Interpretive signs 

would be used to direct ORV use around the ponds to prevent 

resource damage. 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (38,650 acres in 

the planning area) 

The western portion of the ACEC is within the Buffalo 

Hump and Sand Dunes WSAs and lies outside the core area. 

The western portion would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The eastern portion of the ACEC is inside the 

core area and for consistency in management of the ACEC, the 

following discussion presents the actions for the entire ACEC. 

Actions that apply solely to either the eastern or western 

portion are so noted. 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as those for the 

general JMHCAP and for the core area. The following 

management objectives and management actions are either 

specifically important to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC and 

are repeated, or are different from those for the core area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. In Addition: 

Additional fire prescriptions including full suppression for 

big sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation associations would be applied on a case-by-case basis as necessary. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area 

(Appendix 3). In addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. The base of Steamboat Mountain and the steep slopes 

around the perimeter of Steamboat Mountain (i.e., those 

portions which are within the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC) 

would be closed (exclusion areas) to these actions (Map 6, 

Map 7, and Table 2-2). 

Within the eastern portion of the ACEC (inside the core 

area), both stabilized and active sand dunes would be closed 

to construction and development types of activities and related surface disturbance, unless analysis indicates that the 

management objectives for the area could be met. In situations where there are pre-existing authorizations and ongoing 

development in the area, new linear facilities such as pipelines 

and phone lines would be laid on the surface, or buried 

adjacent to access roads, or within existing concentration 

areas containing such lines, in conformance with transportation planning. Surface pipelines would be monitored by the 

operators to identify potential hazards to public health and 

safety, particularly in the open ORV area. Identified hazards 

would be marked to improve visibility. A recreation user map 

would be developed in cooperation with oil and gas operators 

to show the location of aboveground facilities (e.g., pipelines, 

well production facilities, snow fences, etc.). 

The entire ACEC would be closed to communication sites 

to protect wildlife habitat, visual values, and geologic features. 

25
ALTERNATIVES

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would also be closed to surface 

disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, 

cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety. However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) 

in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance 

with transportation planning; 2) meet ACEC objectives; and 

3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and Realty 

Management section). 

The proposed withdrawals from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws in the ACEC (Table 2-3) would be 

pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

ACEC unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted. 

Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in the 

ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE (within the eastern portion of the ACEC): 1) to 

provide maximum protection to the relevant and important 

ACEC values, provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protect other sensitive resources; and 2) to 

provide for continued ORV use and public health and safety 

by closing the eastern portion of the ACEC to leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed 

methane, etc.). 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to fluid mineral leasing. 

Approximately 3,400 acres of currently unleased federal 

mineral estate would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 

9). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (Map 10 and Table 

2-4). 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also 

see Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations 

in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values in the ACEC (see Table 2-4, Figure 1, and 

Map 12). 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of 

federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and 

reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface disturbance reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral leasing 

and development would be allowed in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. See the Fluid 

Minerals section of the core Area for a description of management actions involving timing and sequencing of leasing 

exploration and development. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

the ACEC in effect before approval of the JMHCAP, would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease 

stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of areas prior to exploration and development. 

26
ALTERNATIVES

As development of the coalbed methane wells occurs, 

BLM would monitor the health and safety issues associated 

with increased development in the ORV open area. Efforts 

would be made to mitigate hazards by working with industry 

to notify ORV users of the locations of hazards. Efforts would 

be made to not reduce the size of the open area, but that would 

be dictated by the level of new development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Figure 1) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Mineral location withdrawals would be pursued for 

Crookston Ranch and the western portion of the ACEC for the 

protection of cultural and historic values, visual resource 

values, geologic features, pond (flockets) areas, important 

wildlife habitat, and Native American respected places (about 

23,890 acres). 

The proposed withdrawals from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws in the ACEC (Table 2-3) would be 

pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion of the ACEC, exploration activities, 

without use of explosive charges, could occur on existing 

roads and trails in conformance with transportation planning 

(Table 2-7). The ORV parking area would also be closed. 

A few specific trails may be closed to vehicle use. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities (e.g., oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc.) that are no longer needed in the 

ACEC, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration 

routes and birthing areas, and on stabilized dunes in the 

ACEC. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch site, developed 

recreation sites, the ORV parking lot, raptor nesting sites, 

special status plant species habitat, big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation communities, sites for interpretive signs, and important cultural sites. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, and big sagebrush habitat. On areas where several of 

these resources overlap, an NSO requirement could be applied 

(Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-4 and Map 12. 

In the eastern portion, areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

(Map 9) and to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be closed to surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility 

lines (4 inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless 

they: 1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in 

conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet core area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands 

and Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion, general winter vehicular access in 

the ACEC, for any purpose, would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. However, access on other 

27
ALTERNATIVES

roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” in the ACEC 

would be identified on a case-by-case basis as time allows. A 

few specific trails may be closed to vehicle use 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): the ACEC and connectivity area = 2.0 miles or 

less. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Native vegetation would be maintained and protected on 

the BLM-administered public lands to allow natural plant 

succession to continue. Revegetation of disturbed areas with 

big sagebrush, other adaptable shrubs, and native vegetation 

would be required to maintain or improve big game habitat. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

The ACEC would continue to be managed as a Class II 

VRM area (Map 16). 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. The integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas 

and winter ranges would be maintained. See Reclamation and 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for 

related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. Interpretive signs 

would be used to direct ORV use around the ponds to prevent 

resource damage in the eastern portion of the ACEC. 

The relatively pristine portion of the eastern area that has 

no developments (approximately 8,800 acres), including the 

base of Steamboat Rim, would be managed to protect big 

game habitat, vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

To support and improve the diversity of wildlife species 

within the area, wildlife habitat on the BLM-administered 

public lands would be protected, maintained, or enhanced. 

Crucial elk winter range in the area would be maintained as an 

essential component of the elk habitat. 

Projects to improve the interdunal ponds for bird, amphibian, and mammal habitat would be considered and evaluated 

for development on the BLM-administered public lands. The 

ponds would not be used as water sources for development 

activities. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (43,310 acres in 

the planning area) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as those for the 

general JMHCAP and for the core area. The following 

management objectives and management actions are either 

specifically important to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC and 

are repeated, or are different from those for the core area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be an avoidance area for rights-of-way. 

In particular, rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/ 

scurfpea vegetation associations to minimize effects to big 

game habitat. Steamboat Rim, portions of Indian Gap and the 

face of Steamboat Mountain (the steep slopes around the 

perimeter of Steamboat Mountain), Johnson Gap, and the big 

sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation type at the base of Steamboat 

Mountain would be exclusion areas for all rights-of-way, no 

exceptions (Map 6, Map 7, and Table 2-2). 

Where right-of-way activity cannot avoid the ACEC, transportation planning would be used to determine right-of-way 

locations. Linear rights-of-way would follow existing roads 

and trails in accordance with transportation planning. Existing right-of-way routes would be used whenever possible. 

Areas closed to mineral leasing and to surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities would be closed to the location of additional rights-of-way. Within these areas and in conformance 

with transportation planning, pre-existing rights-of-way as of 

the date of approval of the JMHCAP could remain in place and 

28
ALTERNATIVES

continue to be used. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) 

in these areas could be authorized only if they: 1) follow preexisting improved roads or right-of-way concentration areas 

in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be closed to communication sites to protect wildlife habitat and visual values. 

Withdrawals would be pursued for the top of Steamboat 

Mountain and two Native American respected places (about 

1,040 acres). Future withdrawals from mineral location in the 

ACEC would be pursued to protect important resource values, 

as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

ACEC unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted. 

Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in the 

ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves in the ACEC; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner 

that conforms with the management objectives for providing 

suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and 

protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Portions of the ACEC would be closed to fluid mineral 

leasing (approximately 8,000 acres of federal mineral estate) 

(Map 9). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). About 7,845 acres would be open to leasing with a 

no surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (about 

43,950 acres) (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 

for procedures for processing authorizations in areas with 

seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values in the ACEC (about 43,950 acres) (see Table 

2-4, Figure 1, and Map 12). 

We’re in Steamboat: Crucial habitats and other areas of 

sensitive resource values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as 

crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values would be 

protected from irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This 

would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and 

sequencing of federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and reclamation in these areas. For example, 

satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface 

disturbance reclamation may be required before additional 

fluid mineral leasing and development would be allowed in 

big game crucial ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. 

See the Fluid Minerals section of the core Area for a description of management actions involving timing and sequencing 

of leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

the ACEC in effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease 

stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore habitat and to reduce the 

long-term loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

29
ALTERNATIVES

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Figure 1) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified in Table 2-6 

would be closed to mineral material sales. 

The top of Steamboat Mountain proper (lava material) 

would be closed to mineral material sale (Map 14). In the 

remaining portion of the ACEC, mineral material sales would 

only occur when in support of project development within the 

ACEC. Appropriate mitigation would be applied to insure 

this activity would not detract from the relevant and important 

values of the area. New road construction and upgrading of 

existing roads for mineral extraction would only be allowed if 

in accordance with transportation planning. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Withdrawals would be pursued for the top of Steamboat 

Mountain and two Native American respected places (about 

1,040 acres). Future withdrawals from mineral location and 

entry under the land laws in the ACEC would be pursued to 

protect important resource values, as needs are identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, without use of explosive charges, could occur on existing roads and trails in 

conformance with transportation planning (Table 2-7). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

ACEC, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration 

routes and birthing areas in the ACEC. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: raptor nesting sites, Special Status Plant 

Species Habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and locations for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), and big sagebrush habitat. On 

areas where several of these resources overlap, an NSO 

requirement could be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-4 and Map 12. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 9) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet ACEC objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and 

Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. The seasonal vehicle 

closure for protection of elk and deer parturition habitat in the 

ACEC would apply. Additional seasonal closures may be 

applied for protection of other resource values as needed. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” in the ACEC would be identified on a 

30
ALTERNATIVES

case-by-case basis as time allows. A few specific trails may 

be closed to vehicle use. Time of year and site conditions 

would be taken into consideration. Future site specific activity or implementation planning in the ACEC would address 

any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, nonmotorized vehicular use, and non-motorized mechanical transport. 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes and provide maximum protection to crucial habitats 

and sensitive resources (see Appendix 5) for specific access 

routes that apply to the ACEC. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): The ACEC and connectivity areas = 2.0 miles 

or less. 

Road construction and new access may not be feasible for 

much of the ACEC. To prevent conflicts with big game and 

big game habitat, recreation users, and other resource and land 

use activities, alternative access methods may be needed (use 

of existing or designated roads or pads, seasonal travel requirements or restrictions, use of helicopters, etc.) (see Appendix 3). 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be managed as a 

Class II VRM area (Map 16 and Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

All activities would be designed to place priority consideration on elk habitat over conflicting land uses to ensure 

continued elk use in the ACEC. Steamboat Rim and the base 

of the rim would be managed to protect big game habitat, 

vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

Other Special Management Areas 

Oregon Buttes ACEC (3,450 acres in the 

planning area) 

The Oregon Buttes ACEC lies within portions of the 

Oregon Buttes, White Horse Creek, and Honeycomb Buttes 

WSAs and lies outside the core area. The ACEC would be 

managed under the “Interim Management Policy for Lands 

Under Wilderness Review” (USDI 1995). The management 

decisions are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

and for the general JMHCAP planning area. The following 

management objectives and management actions are either 

specifically important to the ACEC and are repeated or are 

different from the general JMHCAP planning area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to communication sites to 

protect wildlife habitat, historic, geological, and visual values. 

Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry under 

the land laws in the ACEC would be pursued to protect 

important resource values, as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The ACEC 

would remain closed to fluid mineral leasing (nondiscretionary 

closure is approximately 3,450 acres of federal mineral estate). 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Mineral Materials management 

objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Mineral 

Materials management actions for the overall planning area.. 

In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to mineral material sales. 

31
ALTERNATIVES

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Future withdrawals from mineral location in the ACEC 

would be pursued to protect important resource values, as 

needs are identified. 

The ACEC is closed to sodium exploration and development. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, without use of explosive charges or motorized vehicles, could occur in conformance with ACEC objectives (Table 2-7). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The ACEC is closed to surface 

disturbing activities that could adversely affect resource values in the area. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The ACEC would remain 

closed to motorized vehicle use (Appendix 3). 

Future site specific activity or implementation planning in 

the ACEC would address any needed requirements for nonmotorized vehicular use and non-motorized mechanical transport. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. 

South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC (45,830 

acres in the planning area) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the South Pass Historic 

Landscape ACEC and are repeated, or are different from those 

for the general JMHCAP area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Communication sites could be considered on Pacific Butte 

with restrictions on the height (no strobe light necessary), 

visual intrusion, road access, etc. Actions on Pacific Butte 

would conform to the existing management prescriptions for 

the South Pass Historic Landscape (Table 2-2 and Appendix 

3). 

Withdrawals would be pursued for two elk calving areas 

(about 5,020 acres) in addition to those withdrawals listed in 

the Green River RMP. Future withdrawals from mineral 

location and entry under the land laws in the ACEC would be 

pursued to protect important resource values, as needs are 

identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

ACEC unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted and 

the ACEC management objectives and action would be met. 

Functional, pre-existing water developments could be main32
ALTERNATIVES

tained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in the 

ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves in the ACEC; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner 

that conforms with the management objectives for the South 

Pass Historic Landscape, and for providing suitable habitat to 

maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd 

and other big game populations, and protecting other sensitive 

resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 

and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values in the ACEC (about 23,140 acres) (see Table 

2-4, Figure 1, and Map 12). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would continue to be 

used to protect historic resources and certain important resource values (area visible within 3 miles of the Oregon Trail) 

(about 24,600 acres) (see Table 2-4 and Map 10). Other 

resources and areas to be protected include but are not limited 

to: raptor nesting sites, special status plant species habitat, and 

locations for interpretive signs. 

The historic values in the landscape, crucial habitats, and 

other areas of sensitive resource values would be open to 

consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so 

long as they would be protected from irreversible adverse 

effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part 

through controlled timing and sequencing of federal fluid 

mineral leasing, exploration, development and reclamation in 

these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and 

gas wells or surface disturbance reclamation may be required 

before additional fluid mineral leasing and development could 

occur in big game crucial ranges, migration routes and birthing 

areas. See the Fluid Minerals section of the overall planning 

area for a description of management actions involving timing 

and sequencing of leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

the ACEC in effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease 

stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore habitat and to reduce the 

long-term loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general coal management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Figure 1) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

in these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The no surface occupancy portions of the ACEC would be 

closed to sodium exploration and development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified as closed to 

mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) 

would remain closed to mineral material sales. In addition: 

Mineral material extraction would only be considered in 

those portions of the ACEC not visible from the historic trail 

(vista). This activity would not detract from the relevance and 

33
ALTERNATIVES

importance values of the ACEC. Sale proposals would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate mitigation would be required. Road construction and upgrading of 

roads for mineral material extraction would only be allowed 

in accordance with transportation planning. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Withdrawals would be pursued for two elk calving areas 

(about 5,020 acres) in addition to those withdrawals listed in 

the Green River RMP. Future withdrawals from mineral 

location and entry under the land laws in the ACEC would be 

pursued to protect important resource values, as needs are 

identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

ACEC, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration 

routes and birthing areas in the ACEC. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect historic resources and certain important resource values (area visible within 3 miles of the Oregon Trail) (about 

23,640 acres) (see Table 2-4 and Map 10). Other resources 

and areas to be protected include but are not limited to: raptor 

nesting sites, Special Status Plant Species Habitat, and locations for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), and big sagebrush habitat (about 

22,190 acres). On areas where several of these resources 

overlap, an NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). 

For more information, see Table 2-4 and Map 12. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 9) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural and historic resources, special status species, 

watershed management objectives, and for public health and 

safety. However, exceptions could be considered for such 

surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or 

other types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit 

of these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet ACEC objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and 

Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” in the ACEC would be identified on a 

case-by-case basis as time allows. A few specific trails may 

be closed to vehicle use. Where necessary, seasonal closures 

would be considered for protection of other resource values as 

needed. Time of year and site conditions would be taken into 

consideration. Future site specific activity or implementation 

planning in the ACEC would address any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, non-motorized vehicular 

use, and non-motorized mechanical transport. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): connectivity area = 2.0 miles or less. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. 

34
ALTERNATIVES

The wild horse herd management area would not be expanded. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (20 acres 

in the planning area) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the White Mountain 

Petroglyphs ACEC and are repeated, or are different from 

those for the general JMHCAP area. 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The pre-existing withdrawal would be retained. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

ACEC unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted and 

the ACEC management objectives and action would be met. 

Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in the 

ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves in the ACEC; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner 

that conforms with the management objectives for protection 

of cultural, and visual resources, Native American concerns, 

and for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued 

existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 

and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

The ACEC would remain closed to surface disturbance 

activities associated with fluid mineral development. Map 10 

shows those portions of the ACEC that would be closed to 

surface occupancy and that would be subject to conditional 

requirements. See the Fluid Minerals section of the core Area 

for a description of management actions involving timing and 

sequencing of leasing exploration and development. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the ACEC management objectives could 

be met, if they were to be leased and developed. To facilitate 

this and promote consistency in implementing the JMHCAP 

management decisions, areas determined suitable for leasing 

consideration within the ACEC and connectivity areas, overlapping parturition and crucial winter ranges, would only be 

considered once a year. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to sodium exploration and 

development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The pre-existing withdrawal would be retained. 

35
ALTERNATIVES

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, without use of explosive charges or vehicles, could occur (Table 2-7). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to surface disturbing 

activities that could adversely affect the ACEC. A no surface 

occupancy requirement would be used to protect certain 

important resource values (Map 10). 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

No surface occupancy areas would be closed to surface 

disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, 

cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety. However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Sseasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. The ACEC would remain closed 

to off-road vehicle travel. 

Future site specific activity or implementation planning in 

the ACEC would address any needed requirements for 

nonmotorized vehicular use and non-motorized mechanical 

transport. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

Red Desert Watershed Area (169,010 acres in 

the planning area) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the Red Desert Watershed 

Area and are repeated, or are different from those for the 

general JMHCAP area. 

About two thirds of the Oregon Buttes ACEC occurs in the 

Red Desert Watershed Area. A portion of the Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC, and therefore, the core area, Split Rock, and 

the connectivity areas also occur in the watershed area. Where 

the Red Desert Watershed Area overlaps these areas, the 

management objectives and actions are discussed in those 

specific areas and not repeated here. In addition: 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Cultural, 

Natural History, and Paleontological Resource management 

actions for the overall planning area. 

Fire Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fire management actions for the overall planning area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat (Map 6, Map 7, and Table 2-2). 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-3 would be pursued. 

Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry under the 

land laws would be pursued to protect important resource 

values, as needs are identified. 

36
ALTERNATIVES

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water development would be prohibited or restricted in crucial wildlife ranges and the connectivity area. 

Developments must conform with plan objectives and actions, benefit wildlife and wildlife habitat, conform with 

surface use requirements and transportation planning, and 

ensure continued use of big game crucial ranges (migration 

routes, crucial winter ranges, parturition areas, etc.). A 

grazing plan and ID team review would be required. Water 

developments would be fenced and offsite water facilities 

could be developed (pipelines and troughs). Existing water 

sources (springs and seeps) in the core area would be protected. 

Livestock water developments would be prohibited in the 

core area unless the proposed resource evaluation (see oil and 

gas section) determines that an exception could be granted. 

Water developments would not be placed within 1.5 miles 

(plus 1/4 mile) of active sage grouse leks. Activities, such as 

occur with pipeline construction, could be granted exceptions 

in certain circumstances. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves, inside and outside the core area; and 3) to conduct 1 

and 2 in a manner that conforms with the management 

objectives for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Approximately 3,460 acres of federal mineral estate would 

be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 9). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). About 9,040 acres would be open to leasing with a 

no surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures 

for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-4, and Figure 1, and Map 12). 

Surface disturbance conditional requirements would be placed 

on about 169,010 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of 

federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and 

reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface disturbance reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral leasing 

and development would be allowed in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. See the Fluid 

Minerals section of the overall planning area for a description 

of management actions involving timing and sequencing of 

leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development proposals related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included (to 

the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of approval for 

APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but would not be 

limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-4; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 2 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-4 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

and 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

37
ALTERNATIVES

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource 

values (Table 2-4) would avoid these areas unless a plan could 

be developed to mitigate adverse impacts to these resource 

values. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

would be closed to exploration activities; however, exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails within 

these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Salables (Mineral Materials)MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified in Table 2-6 

would be closed to mineral material sales. In addition: 

The remainder of the Red Desert Watershed would be open 

to consideration of mineral material sales on a case-by-case 

basis. Sale areas and community pits would be established in 

conformance with other resource objectives. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry under 

the land laws would be pursued to protect important resource 

values, as needs are identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Most of the Red Desert Watershed Area would be open to 

consideration of geophysical exploration activities. Based on 

site specific analysis, geophysical exploration activities could 

be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such 

as limiting the use of vehicles and explosive charges (Table 2-

7). Exploration activities in crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values (Table 2-4 and Figure 1) would avoid 

these areas unless a plan could be developed to mitigate 

adverse impacts to these resource values. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

Red Desert Watershed Area, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game 

crucial ranges, migration routes and birthing areas in the Red 

Desert Watershed Area. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Special Status Species management actions for the overall planning area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-4 and 

Map 10). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: special status plant species habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, and big sagebrush habitat. On areas where several of 

these resources overlap, an NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-4 and Map 

12. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 9 and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet core area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands 

and Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for 

any purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified 

for winter use. However, access on other roads could be 

authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

38
ALTERNATIVES

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the core area would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” in the ACEC would be identified on a 

case-by-case basis as time allows. A few specific trails may 

be closed to vehicle use. Time of year and site conditions 

would be taken into consideration. Site specific activity or 

implementation planning in the Red Desert would address any 

needed requirements for motorized vehicular, non-motorized 

vehicular use, and non-motorized mechanical transport. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): core and connectivity areas = 2.0 miles or less. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

planning area. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and 

Disruptive Management sections for related management 

actions. 

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 

Where the management objectives and actions are the 

same as described for the Preferred Alternative, they generally are not repeated. Some of the actions in these resource 

management sections may be the same as described in the 

Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding 

and clarification. 

An evaluation to acquire additional resource information 

for evaluating land and resource use proposals would not be 

conducted prior to leasing portions of the planning area. 

Monitoring would occur as described in the Monitoring section (Table 2-1) and Appendix 6. 

Overall Planning Area 

Management 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological 

Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: NRHP-eligible sites would be 

avoided by 100 feet. 

Expansion Era Roads - Expansion Era Roads would be 

managed in their historical context. Distance restrictions for 

surface disturbing activities would be determined on a caseby-case basis (Appendix 3). 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places 

by 100 feet. Viewshed (vista) and noise analyses may be 

conducted to help determine appropriate avoidance distances. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

(Appendix 3). All other rock art sites would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis and an appropriate avoidance distance for 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be determined. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for each 

site. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid individual sites 

located within the paleosol deposition area by 100 feet. 

Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis if 

adverse effects could be mitigated. Mitigation could include 

recovery of scientific data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within 

the paleosol deposition area would be guided by research 

designs developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. 

See recreation section for guidance on back country byway 

interpretive sites, and project planning for Crookston Ranch 

and the White Mountain Petroglyphs. 

Fire Management 

Full suppression of the big sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation 

associations would not occur. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3), except as noted. 

The public lands within the planning area, with the exception of defined exclusion and avoidance areas, would be open 

to consideration of granting of rights-of-way, permits, and 

leases (Map 18, Map 19, and Table 2-9). 

Areas designated as utility windows, ROW concentration 

areas, and existing communication sites would be preferred 

locations for future grants. Additional right-of-way windows 

would not be established. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and 

Continental Peak would be closed to communication sites to 

protect wildlife habitat and visual values. Communication 

sites could be considered on Essex Mountain or Pacific Butte. 

Actions on Pacific Butte would conform to the existing 

39
ALTERNATIVES

management prescriptions for the South Pass Historic Landscape. 

Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP 

(Appendix 3 and Map 25-A). Additional withdrawals from 

mineral location and entry under the land laws would not be 

pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated for the 

Green River RMP. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Authorized grazing use would 

not exceed the recognized permitted use. For analysis 

purposes, anticipated actual use would range from approximately 13,038 AUMs (1998 base year usage) to the total 

permitted use of 26,032 AUMs. The average between the two 

amounts is 19,535 AUMs (17,379 cattle and 2,156 sheep). 

Again, for analysis purposes, this grazing level was held 

constant throughout the planning period. 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management (S&Gs) would be implemented, 

and specific grazing allotment management prescriptions 

would be developed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate 

measures would be taken to meet the standards for healthy 

rangelands. If standards are not being met, then guidelines 

would be used and appropriate action would be taken. Actions 

that would meet the objectives and benefit resources could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. For this analysis, the 

levels of livestock use may be reduced (where appropriate) if 

this is the only appropriate action that can be taken to meet the 

Wyoming Standards for Healthy Rangelands. 

Livestock turnout dates and established seasons of use would 

continue; however, modifications could be considered. Earlier seasons of use would not be considered. 

Applications for changes in class of livestock would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Livestock grazing suitability reviews would be conducted on 

a case-by-case basis. Livestock forage use would not be 

allocated for unsuitable areas and would be removed from the 

forage base. 

Plowing of roads in winter for livestock accessibility and 

feeding would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any 

such activity would conform with transportation planning 

(see the Travel Management section). 

Livestock grazing use on upland key grass species would be 

limited to 1) no more than 50 percent of the current annual 

growth and 2) minimum heights at the end of the growing 

season (to be determined for individual key species), whichever is reached first. 

Livestock grazing management plans that address riparian 

and upland areas would be required. New riparian pastures 

would not be established. 

Livestock grazing use in riparian areas would be limited to 1) 

no more than 50 percent of the stems browsed on key riparian 

shrub species or 2) for herbaceous plants, minimum heights of 

6 inches at the end of the growing season or 50 percent 

utilization. Key species and plant height monitoring would be 

conducted at the end of the grazing season. 

Livestock salt licks would be located no closer than 500 feet 

to water and no closer than 500 feet to sensitive plant species 

locations. 

No new range improvements would be authorized. Livestock 

water developments would not be allowed in the planning 

area. Springs and seeps would be protected from excessive 

use. Vegetation treatments would not be authorized. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other 

resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely manner, 

the development of oil and gas reserves, outside the core area; 

and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner that conforms with the 

management objectives for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and 

other big game populations, and protecting sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Table 2-10 lists public lands 

and federal minerals in the planning area with fluid mineral 

lease requirements that are necessary to protect other resource 

values. 

Areas closed to leasing (discretionary closures) would include 

the core area. Approximately 82,220 acres of federal mineral 

estate would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 20). 

The remainder of the federal fluid mineral estate in the 

planning area would be open to consideration for leasing with 

conditional requirements that would apply to certain areas. A 

no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect 

certain important resource values (see Table 2-10 and Map 

21). About 30,580 acres would be open to leasing with a no 

surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on about 

347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and game 

fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see 

Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations in 

areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-10 and Map 22). Surface 

disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 

320,580 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource values 

would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral 

leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and other 

sensitive resource values would be protected from irreversible 

adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in 

part through applying appropriate requirements to mitigate 

40
ALTERNATIVES

surface disturbing and disruptive activities. Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur in portions of the planning area including portions of the connectivity area. Upon 

completion of the CAP, these areas would be open to 

leasing consideration, with necessary mitigation, which 

could include CSU, NSO, and other stipulations or conditional requirements. The core area would be closed to 

leasing. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, outside the core area, they would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the CAP would be reviewed on a 

case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included as conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in the RMP (see Table 2-10); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any new 

activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries to limit 

traffic and disturbance; 

standard reclamation practices to restore and to reduce 

the long-term loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) Areas closed to coal exploration 

would be the same as those established in the Green River 

RMP (USDI 1997) (Map 23). Exploration proposals would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation 

would be applied. The Steamboat Mountain area (outside area 

with coal recommendations) would be closed to coal exploration activities (USDI 1997). 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as GRRMP (see Appendix 3. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas closed to sodium exploration would be the same as those established in the Green 

River RMP (USDI 1997). Exploration and development 

proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and 

appropriate mitigation would be applied. 

Should trona water development occur, waste water ponds 

would not be allowed in the planning area. Well locations 

could be allowed in the planning area and would be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The areas identified as closed 

to mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 

1997) would remain closed to mineral material sales. The 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be closed to mineral 

material sales (Map 24). 

The remainder of the planning area would be open to consideration of mineral material sales on a case-by-case basis. Sale 

areas and community pits would be established in conformance with other resource objectives. Adequate mine and 

reclamation plans for use areas would be required. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3 and Map 25). 

Additional withdrawals from mineral location and entry under the land laws would not be pursued. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Most of the planning area 

would be open to consideration of geophysical exploration 

activities (USDI 1997). Based on site specific analysis, 

geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with 

appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use 

of vehicles and explosive charges. 

An interdisciplinary team review would be initiated for all 

geophysical proposals within the planning area. Exploration 

activities in sensitive areas would be limited and mitigation 

measures would be applied to protect sensitive resources 

(timing limitations, avoidance, restrictions on vehicle use and 

explosive charges, etc.). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Special Status Species Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect certain important resource 

values (see Table 2-10 and Map 21). Resources and areas to 

be protected include but are not limited to: Boars Tusk, White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, cultural site, Crookston Ranch, developed recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, raptor nesting sites, South Pass Historic 

Landscape (area visible within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail), 

Special Status Plant Species Habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, 

and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

41
ALTERNATIVES

values, geologic features; crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes. 

For more information, see Table 2-10 and Map 22. 

Based on site-specific analyses, surface-disturbing activities would be limited during wet weather, on frozen soils, and 

on slopes greater than 25 percent. 

NRHP-eligible sites would be avoided by 100 feet. 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places 

by 100 feet. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for 

each site. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

(Appendix 3). All other rock art sites would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis and an appropriate avoidance distance for 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be determined. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for each 

site. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid sites located in 

the paleosol deposition area by 100 feet. Exceptions may be 

considered on a case-by-case basis if adverse effects could be 

mitigated. Mitigation could include recovery of scientific 

data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within the paleosol 

deposition area would be guided by research designs developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. The area would 

be reviewed for consideration for nomination to the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 20) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Activity in the South Pass 

Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and White 

Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the prescriptions 

in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as Preferred, except: 

General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for 

any purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified 

for winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for 

all types of vehicles including, over-the-snow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat would apply. Additional seasonal closures 

would not apply. 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes. Future site specific activity or implementation planning would also address any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, non-motorized vehicular use, or nonmotorized mechanical transport and also address any need 

requirements for transportation planning. 

Factors to be considered in development of transportation 

plans include: 

Concentrating stream and riparian area crossings to key 

locations to restrict numbers of crossings and to benefit 

resource management objectives. Exceptions may be 

granted if proposed crossings would reduce adverse effects, benefit area objectives, and reduce miles of road 

(and/or frequency of use). Some crossings (2-tracks) 

would be closed. Commercial and service vehicles may 

not be restricted to identified upgraded crossings. Bridges 

may not be required on Pacific, Jack Morrow, Parnell, and 

Rock Cabin creeks. 

No road density guidelines would be applied. Numbers 

and miles of roads in crucial habitats, or that bisect wildlife 

habitats, would not be limited. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Desired Plant Community 

objectives would be established to enhance wildlife habitat, 

watershed, and biodiversity values. 

Vegetation treatments would not be conducted. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: VRM classes would be managed according to the classifications shown in Table 2-8. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Limiting the number of well 

pads, roads, and other rights-of-way (and overall surface 

disturbance) would not be required in sensitive areas (see the 

surface disturbance management section). 

Wild Horse Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Avoiding fragmentation of 

habitat and maintaining the integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas, and winter ranges would be addressed by 

limiting the degree of activity and use in the core area. See 

Travel Management and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive 

Management sections. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage. 

Priority would be given to maintaining mountain plover 

and sage grouse habitat. Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect these 

habitats (see Vegetation Management and Surface Disturbing 

42
ALTERNATIVES

and Disruptive Management Sections). 

In and around the “hay meadow exclosures” (currently 4) 

on Pacific Creek, riparian and fish habitat would be managed 

for all wildlife species 

Riparian and upland vegetation types would be managed to 

maintain wildlife habitat, watershed values, and biodiversity 

values. 

See the Travel Management and Reclamation sections for 

other requirements concerning wildlife habitats. 

Core Area (Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC, eastern portion of the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, and adjacent 

overlapping crucial big game habitat) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the core area and are 

repeated, or are different from those for the general JMHCAP 

area. 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to 1) maintain water quality, vegetative composition, soil condition, and wildlife and 

wildlife habitat; 2) ensure biological diversity and a healthy 

ecosystem in the area; 3) maintain unique and diverse habitat 

components; 4) provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd, other big game 

populations, and other important and sensitive wildlife species; and 5) provide for mineral exploration and development 

activity, livestock grazing, recreation, and other uses, while 

meeting the above and other resource management objectives 

for the core area. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, and the locations described in 

Table 2-9 and Map 18. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be closed to communication sites to protect wildlife habitat and visual values. 

Communication sites could be considered on Essex Mountain. 

Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP 

(Appendix 3). Additional withdrawals from mineral location 

and entry under the land laws would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments and range improvements 

would not be allowed in the core area. Functional, preexisting water developments could be maintained and natural 

water sources (springs and seeps) in the core area would be 

protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE : to provide 

suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and 

protect other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The core area would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 

20). Fluid mineral exploration and development activities 

would not occur in the core area. 

For purposes of analysis, it is assumed that exploration and 

development activities related to leases in the core area that 

existed before approval of the CAP would not occur. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 35,580 acres would be closed to coal exploration. 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch, Steamboat Mountain 

Area, and the Tri-Territory Marker would be closed to sodium 

exploration and development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Mineral 

Materials management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

The areas identified as closed to mineral material sales in 

the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) would remain closed to 

mineral material sales. The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to mineral material sales (Map 24). 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Locatable 

Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (USDI 1997) would not be pursued. 

43
ALTERNATIVES

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Geophysical 

management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

In the core area, exploration for minerals other than oil and 

gas, with the use of explosive charges, could occur throughout 

the area with the exception of the areas identified in the Green 

River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-10 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch, developed 

recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, raptor nesting sites, Special Status Plant Species Habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and sites for interpretive 

signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features; crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes. 

For more information, see Table 2-10 and Map 22. 

Controlled surface use (CSU) requirements on oil and gas 

leasing in the core area would apply to about 37,840 acres. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 20) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the core area, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. The 

seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer parturition habitat in the core area would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures would not be considered. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use throughout the core area. See Reclamation and 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for 

related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage. 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (38,650 acres in 

the planning area) 

The western portion of the ACEC is within the Buffalo 

Hump and Sand Dunes WSAs and lies outside the core area. 

The western portion would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The eastern portion of the ACEC is inside the 

core area; for consistency in management of the ACEC, the 

following discussion presents the actions for both the eastern 

and western portions of the ACEC. Some of the general 

JMHCAP proposed decisions are repeated, where they apply 

to the entire ACEC or where they are needed to complement 

understanding of the discussion. Actions that apply solely to 

either the eastern or western portion are so noted. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area (see 

Appendix 3). In addition: 

Within the eastern portion of the ACEC (inside the core 

area), both stabilized and active sand dunes would be closed 

to construction and development types of activities and related surface disturbance, unless analysis indicates that the 

management objectives for the area could be met. Surface 

pipelines would be monitored by the operators to identify 

potential hazards to public health and safety, particularly in 

the open ORV area. Identified hazards would be marked to 

improve visibility. A recreation user map would be developed 

in cooperation with oil and gas operators to show the location 

of above ground facilities (e.g., pipelines, well production 

facilities, snow fences, etc.). 

The western portion of the ACEC would be closed to 

communication sites to protect wildlife habitat, visual values 

and geologic features. 

44
ALTERNATIVES

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the core area would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE (within the eastern portion of the ACEC): 1) to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of 

the Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and 

protecting other sensitive resources and 2) to provide for 

public health and safety. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The eastern portion of the ACEC would be closed to fluid 

mineral leasing. 

For analysis purposes exploration and development activities related to leases in the ACEC that existed before approval 

of the JMHCAP, would not occur. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 23,980 acres are closed to coal exploration. Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis 

and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Should trona water development occur, well locations and 

waste water ponds would not be allowed in the ACEC. Boars 

Tusk and Crookston Ranch would be closed to sodium exploration and development activities. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: Additional withdrawals from 

those identified in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3) would 

not be pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion of the ACEC, exploration activities 

could occur providing resource damage would not occur and 

the activity is in conformance with transportation planning. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-10 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch site, developed 

recreation sites, the ORV parking lot, raptor nesting sites, 

special status plant species habitat, sites for interpretive signs, 

and important cultural sites. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes 

For more information, see Table 2-10 and Map 22. 

In the eastern portion, areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

(Map 20) and to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion, general winter vehicular access in 

the ACEC, for any purpose, would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. Access on other roads could 

be authorized for all types of vehicles, including over-thesnow vehicles 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures would not be considered. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Native vegetation would be maintained and protected on 

the BLM-administered public lands to allow natural plant 

succession to continue. Revegetation of disturbed areas with 

big sagebrush and other adaptable shrubs would be required to 

maintain or improve big game habitat. 

45
ALTERNATIVES

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

The ACEC would be managed as a Class II VRM area 

(Map 26). 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. The integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas and winter ranges would be maintained. See 

Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage in the eastern portion. 

The relatively pristine portion of the eastern area that has 

no developments (approximately 8,800 acres), including the 

base of Steamboat Rim, would be managed to protect big 

game habitat, vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

To support and improve the diversity of wildlife species 

within the area, wildlife habitat on the BLM-administered 

public lands would be protected, maintained, or enhanced. 

Crucial elk winter range in the area would be maintained as an 

essential component of the elk habitat. 

Projects to improve the interdunal ponds for bird, amphibian, and mammal habitat would be considered and evaluated 

for development on the BLM-administered public lands. The 

ponds would not be used as water sources for development 

activities. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (43,310 acres in 

the planning area) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be an avoidance area for rights-of-way. 

Maintenance of existing facilities would be allowed. The 

ACEC would be closed to communication sites to protect 

wildlife habitat and visual values. 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protect other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (approximately 43,310 acres of federal mineral estate (Map 20). 

For analysis purposes, exploration and development activities related to leases in the ACEC that existed before 

approval of the CAP would not occur. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 33,530 acres would be closed to coal exploration. 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain area (outside area with coal 

recommendation) would be closed to sodium exploration and 

development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials)MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to mineral material sales (Map 

24). 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, could occur in most of 

the ACEC, with appropriate mitigation. 

46
ALTERNATIVES

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-10 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: raptor nesting sites, special status plant species 

habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and locations for interpretive 

signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, and crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas). On areas where several of these resources overlap, an NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-10 and Map 22. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures would not apply. 

Road construction and new access may not be feasible for 

much of the ACEC. To prevent conflicts with big game and 

big game habitat, recreation users, and other resource and land 

use activities, alternative access methods may be needed (use 

of existing or designated roads or pads, seasonal travel requirements or restrictions, use of helicopters, etc.). 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Part of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be managed 

as a Class II VRM area and part would be managed as a Class 

III VRM area (Map 26 and Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

All activities would be designed to place priority consideration on elk habitat over conflicting land uses to ensure 

continued elk use in the ACEC. Steamboat Rim and the base 

of the rim would be managed to protect big game habitat, 

vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

Other Special Management Areas 

Oregon Buttes ACEC (3,450 acres in the 

planning area) 

The ACEC is within the Oregon Buttes, White Horse 

Creek, and Honeycomb Buttes WSAs and lies outside the core 

area. The ACEC would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The management objectives and actions would 

be the same as described for the Preferred Alternative except 

as discussed for the following resources. Some of the actions 

in these resource management sections may be the same as 

described in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for 

understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP. In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

No specific closure for communication sites would be 

established. However, since the entire ACEC is closed to 

surface disturbing and disrupting activities, communication 

sites could not be constructed. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general livestock grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

No livestock management facilities would be constructed. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general locatable minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

47
ALTERNATIVES

South Pass Historic Landscape (45,830 acres 

in the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except for the 

following resources. Some of the actions in these resource 

management sections may be the same as described in the 

Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding 

and clarification. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Communication sites could be considered on Pacific Butte 

with restrictions on the height (no strobe light necessary), 

visual intrusion, road access, etc. Actions on Pacific Butte 

would conform to the existing management prescriptions for 

the South Pass Historic Landscape (Appendix 3). 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 

and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

The historic values in the landscape, crucial habitats, and 

other areas of sensitive resource values would be open to 

consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so 

long as they would be protected from irreversible adverse 

effects. Fluid mineral exploration and development activities 

would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values in the ACEC (see Table 2-10, Map 22, 

Map 21, and Figure 1). See the Fluid Minerals section of the 

overall planning area for a description of management actions 

involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the ACEC management objectives could 

be met, if lands were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the CAP would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease 

stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-10; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

standard reclamation practices to restore habitat and to 

reduce the long-term loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) About 23,640 acres would remain 

closed to coal exploration. Exploration proposals would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation 

would be required. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified as closed to 

mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) 

would remain closed to mineral material sales. In addition: 

Portions of the ACEC (area within the vista and elk calving 

areas) would remain closed to mineral material sales. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect Historic resources and certain important resource 

values (see Table 2-10 and Map 21). Other resources and 

areas to be protected include but are not limited to: raptor 

nesting sites, special status plant species habitat, and locations 

for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

and historic values, geologic features, and crucial wildlife 

habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition 

areas, and nesting and breeding areas). For more information, 

see Table 2-10 and Map 22. 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural and historic resources, 

48
ALTERNATIVES

special status species, watershed management objectives, and 

for public health and safety. However, exceptions could be 

considered for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, 

interpretive signs, or other types of actions that would be 

conducted for the benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. 

Additional seasonal closures would not be applied. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter ranges 

would be addressed by limiting the limiting the degree of 

activity and use in the ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface 

Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related 

management actions. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (20 acres 

in the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except for the 

following resources. Some of the actions in these resource 

management sections may be the same as described in the 

Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding 

and clarification. 

Lands and Realty Management 

Same as stated in the Preferred Alternative. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur in the ACEC. Upon 

completion of the JMHCAP, the ACEC would be open to 

leasing consideration, with an NSO stipulation. Map 21 

shows those portions of the ACEC that would be closed to 

surface occupancy. See the Fluid Minerals section of the 

Overall Planning Area for a description of management 

actions involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and 

development. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to surface disturbing 

activities that could adversely affect the ACEC (Map 21). 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Red Desert Watershed Area (169,010 acres in 

the planning area) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general management 

actions for the overall planning area and described in the 

Green River RMP (see Appendix 3). About two thirds of the 

Oregon Buttes ACEC occurs in the Red Desert Watershed 

Area. A portion of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, and 

therefore, the core area, Split Rock, and the connectivity areas 

also occur in the watershed area. Where the Red Desert 

Watershed Area overlaps these areas, the management objectives and actions are discussed in those specific areas and not 

repeated here. In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management objective for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

core area, crucial big game ranges or the connectivity area. 

49
ALTERNATIVES

Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained and natural water sources (springs anTMd seeps) would 

be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves, outside the core area; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a 

manner that conforms with the management objectives for 

providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence 

of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and 

protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Approximately 2,060 acres of federal mineral estate would 

be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 20). 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures 

for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-10 and Map 22). Surface 

disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 

114,130 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to consideration for fluid mineral 

leasing and development so long as they would be protected 

from irreversible adverse effects. See the Fluid Minerals 

section of the overall planning area for a description of 

management actions involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the planning area management objectives 

could be met, if they were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the CAP would be reviewed on a 

case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the 

extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of approval for 

APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but would not be 

limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-10; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation to restore and to reduce the long-term 

loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

Areas closed to coal exploration would be the same as 

established in the Green River RMP. Exploration proposals 

would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate 

mitigation would be required. 

Salables (Mineral Materials)MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified as closed to 

mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) 

would remain closed to mineral material sales. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Most of the Red Desert Watershed area would be open to 

consideration of geophysical exploration activities (USDI 

1997). Based on site specific analysis, geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use of vehicles and 

explosive charges. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-10 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Special Status Plant Species Habitat, TriTerritory Marker, and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, and crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas). For more information, see Table 2-10 

and Map 22. 

50
ALTERNATIVES

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the Red Desert Watershed Area, for any purpose, would be limited to specific roads 

identified for winter use. Access on other roads could be 

authorized for all types of vehicles, including over-the-snow 

vehicles. The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk 

and deer parturition habitat in the core area would apply. 

Additional seasonal road closures would not be applied. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” would be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. Time of year and site conditions would 

be taken into consideration. Future site specific activity or 

implementation planning in the Red Desert would address any 

needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, 

nonmotorized vehicular use, and non-motorized mechanical 

transport. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The entire watershed area would be managed as a VRM 

Class III area. 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for the overall planning 

area. 

Wild Horse Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the Red Desert Watershed Area. See Reclamation 

and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections 

for related management actions. 

ALTERNATIVE A 

Where the management objectives and actions are the 

same as described for the Preferred Alternative, they generally are not repeated. Some of the actions in these resource 

management sections may be the same as described in the 

Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding 

and clarification. 

An evaluation to acquire additional resource information 

for evaluating land and resource use proposals would not be 

conducted prior to leasing portions of the planning area. 

Monitoring would occur as described in the Monitoring section (Table 2-1) and Appendix 6. 

Overall Planning Area Management 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological 

Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: NRHP-eligible sites would be 

avoided by 100 feet. 

Expansion Era Roads - Expansion Era Roads would be managed in their historical context. Distance restrictions for 

surface disturbing activities would be determined on a caseby-case basis (Appendix 3). 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places by 

1/4 mile. Viewshed (vista) and noise analyses may be conducted to help determine appropriate avoidance distances. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as Green River RMP) of the White Mountain 

Petroglyphs (Appendix 3). Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would avoid all other rock art sites by 100 feet. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid individual sites 

located within the paleosol deposition area by 100 feet. 

Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis if 

adverse effects could be mitigated. Mitigation could include 

recovery of scientific data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within 

the paleosol deposition area would be guided by research 

designs developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. 

See Recreation Management section for guidance on back 

country byway interpretive sites, and project planning for 

Crookston Ranch and the White Mountain Petroglyphs. 

Fire Management 

Full suppression of the big sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation 

associations would not occur. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as Preferred, except: 

The public lands within the planning area, with the exception of defined exclusion and avoidance areas, would be open 

to consideration of granting of rights-of-way, permits, and 

leases (Map 27, Map 28, and Table 2-11. 

51
ALTERNATIVES

Areas designated as utility windows, ROW concentration 

areas, and existing communication sites would be preferred 

locations for future grants. Additional right-of-way windows 

would not be established. The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would not be an avoidance area and would be open for 

consideration of rights-of-way. 

Oregon Buttes ACEC and Continental Peak would be 

closed to communication sites to protect wildlife habitat and 

visual values. Communication sites could be considered on 

Essex Mountain or Pacific Butte. Actions on Pacific Butte 

would conform to the existing management prescriptions for 

the South Pass Historic Landscape. 

Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP 

(Appendix 3, and Map 25). Additional withdrawals from 

mineral location and entry under the land laws would not be 

pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated for the 

Green River RMP. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Authorized grazing use would 

not exceed the recognized permitted use. For analysis purposes, anticipated actual use would be 26,032 AUMs (22,767 

cattle and 3,265 sheep). This grazing level was held constant 

throughout the planning period. 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for 

Livestock Grazing Management (S&Gs) would be implemented, and specific grazing allotment management prescriptions would be developed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate measures would be taken to meet the standards for healthy 

rangelands. If standards are not being met, then guidelines 

would be used and appropriate action would be taken. Actions 

that would meet the objectives and benefit resources could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. For this analysis, the 

levels of livestock use may be reduced (where appropriate) if 

this is the only appropriate action that can be taken to meet the 

Wyoming Standards for Healthy Rangelands. 

Livestock turnout dates and established seasons of use 

would continue; however, modifications could be considered, 

including earlier seasons of use. 

Applications for changes in class of livestock would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Livestock grazing suitability reviews would be conducted 

on a case-by-case basis. Livestock forage use would not be 

allocated for unsuitable areas and would be removed from the 

forage base. 

Plowing of roads in winter for livestock accessibility and 

feeding would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Any 

such activity would conform with transportation planning 

(see the Transportation Planning Section). 

Livestock grazing use on upland key grass species would 

be limited to 1) no more than 50 percent of the current annual 

growth; and 2) minimum heights at the end of the growing 

season (to be determined for individual key species), whichever is reached first. 

Livestock grazing management plans that address riparian 

and upland areas could be required. New riparian pastures 

could be established to enhance livestock grazing management. 

Livestock grazing use in riparian areas would be limited to 

1) no more than 50 percent of the stems browsed on key 

riparian shrub species or 2) for herbaceous plants, minimum 

heights of 6 inches at the end of the growing season or 50 

percent utilization. Key species and plant height monitoring 

would be conducted at the end of the grazing season. 

Livestock salt licks would be located no closer than 500 

feet to water and no closer than 500 feet to sensitive plant 

species locations. 

New range improvements could be authorized and existing 

improvements reconstructed as appropriate. Livestock water 

developments could be allowed in the planning area. Springs 

and seeps would be protected from excessive use. Vegetation 

treatments could be authorized. Livestock water developments would be prohibited within 1/4 mile of sage grouse leks. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other 

resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely manner, 

the development of oil and gas reserves, inside and outside the 

core area; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner that conforms 

with the management objectives for providing suitable habitat 

to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd 

and other big game populations, and protecting sensitive 

resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: All BLM-administered lands 

would be open to leasing consideration. Table 2-12 lists 

public lands and federal minerals in the planning area with 

fluid mineral lease requirements that are necessary to protect 

other resource values. 

The remainder of the federal fluid mineral estate in the 

planning area would be open to consideration for leasing with 

conditional requirements that would apply to certain areas. A 

no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect 

certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and Map 

21). About 30,580 acres would be open to leasing with a no 

surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see 

Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations in 

areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-12 and Map 22). Surface 

disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 

320,580 acres. 

52
ALTERNATIVES

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through applying appropriate requirements to 

mitigate surface disturbing and disruptive activities. Under 

this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur throughout the planning 

area including portions of the core and connectivity area. 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, these areas would be 

open to leasing consideration, with necessary mitigation, 

which could include CSU, NSO, and other stipulations or 

conditional requirements. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included as conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in the Green River RMP (see Table 2-12); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any new 

activity;

 remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries to limit 

traffic and disturbance; 

standard reclamation practices to restore and to reduce 

the long-term loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas 

closed to coal exploration would be the same as those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) (Map 29) with 

the exception of the Steamboat ACEC. Exploration proposals 

would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate 

mitigation would be required. The core area (including 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC) would be open to coal exploration activities. Exploration activities could occur on existing 

roads and trails in the core area. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as Green River RMP (see Appendix 3). 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas closed to sodium exploration would be the same as those established in the Green 

River RMP (USDI 1997) with the exception of the Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC which would be open to exploration activities. Exploration and development proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate mitigation 

would be applied. The core area would be open to sodium 

exploration and development activities. Exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails in the core area. 

Should trona water development occur, waste water ponds 

would not be allowed in the planning area. Well locations 

could be allowed in the planning area and would be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The areas identified as closed 

to mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 

1997) would remain closed to mineral material sales with the 

exception that a portion of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be open to mineral material sales (Map 30). 

The remainder of the planning area would be open to 

consideration of mineral material sales on a case-by-case 

basis. Sale areas and community pits would be established in 

conformance with other resource objectives. Adequate mine 

and reclamation plans for use areas would be required. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). Additional 

withdrawals from mineral location and entry under the land 

laws would not be pursued. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Most of the planning area 

would be open to consideration of geophysical exploration 

activities (USDI 1997). Based on site specific analysis, 

geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with 

appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use 

of vehicles and explosive charges. 

An interdisciplinary team review would be initiated for all 

geophysical proposals within the planning area. Exploration 

activities in sensitive areas would be limited and mitigation 

measures would be applied to protect sensitive resources 

(timing limitations, avoidance, restrictions on vehicle use and 

explosive charges, etc.) (Figure 1). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

Satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells or surface 

disturbance reclamation would not be required before additional mineral leasing and development could occur in big 

game crucial ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect certain important resource 

values (see Table 2-12 and Map 21). Resources and areas to 

be protected include but are not limited to: Boars Tusk, White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, Crookston Ranch, developed recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the Greater Sand Dunes 

ACEC, raptor nesting sites, South Pass Historic Landscape 

53
ALTERNATIVES

(area visible within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail), Native 

American respected places, special status plant species habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes, 

and big sagebrush habitat. For more information, see Table 2-

12 and Map 22). 

Based on site-specific analyses, surface-disturbing activities would be limited during wet weather, on frozen soils, and 

on slopes greater than 25 percent. 

NRHP-eligible sites would be avoided by 100 feet. 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places 

by 1/4 mile. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for 

each site. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

(Appendix 3). All other rock art sites would be avoided by 100 

feet. A vista and noise analysis may be conducted for each 

site. 

Surface disturbing activities would avoid sites located in 

the paleosol deposition area by 100 feet. Exceptions may be 

considered on a case-by-case basis if adverse effects could be 

mitigated. Mitigation could include recovery of scientific 

data, as well as stabilization of remaining, undisturbed resources. Recovery of scientific data within the paleosol 

deposition area would be guided by research designs developed by BLM in consultation with the SHPO. 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. Activity in the South 

Pass Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the prescriptions in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for any purpose, would be limited to 

only specific roads identified for winter use. Access on other 

roads could be considered on a case-by-case basis and authorized for all types of vehicles including over-the-snow vehicles. 

Specific roads and trails designated as “limited to designated roads and trails” would be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer parturition habitat would not apply. New 

seasonal closures would not be applied. 

Road and trail construction or upgrading would be allowed 

through woodland habitat (i.e., juniper, limber pine, aspen) or 

springs and seeps (pre-existing improved roads may be used). 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes. Future site specific activity or implementation planning would also address any needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, non-motorized vehicular use, or nonmotorized mechanical transport and also address requirements for transportation planning. 

Factors to be considered in development of transportation 

plans include: 

Historic use levels of roads and trails. 

Use of required construction specifications. 

Rehabilitating, obliterating, or barricading unused roads 

and trails, and closure or maintenance of those causing 

resource damage. 

Grouping and offsite location of ancillary facilities away 

from crucial habitats and sensitive areas. 

Posting speed limits, as necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to meet planning area management objectives. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Desired Plant Community 

objectives would be established to enhance livestock grazing, 

watershed, and biodiversity values. Maintaining or enhancing important wildlife (elk, sage grouse, mountain plover, 

fisheries) habitat may not be addressed. 

Vegetation treatments would be designed to protect water 

quality and to dissipate erosion. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: VRM classes would be managed according to the classifications shown in Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Limiting the number of well 

pads, roads, and other rights-of-way (and overall surface 

disturbance) would not be required in sensitive areas (see the 

surface disturbance management section). 

Wild Horse Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Avoiding fragmentation of 

habitat and maintaining the integrity of migration corridors, 

54
ALTERNATIVES

birthing areas, and winter ranges would not be addressed by 

limiting the degree of activity and use in portions of the 

planning area. See Transportation Management and Surface 

Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage. 

Priority would be given to maintaining mountain plover 

and sage grouse habitat. Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect these 

habitats (see Vegetation Management and Surface Disturbing 

and Disruptive Management Sections). 

In and around the “hay meadow exclosures” (currently 4) 

on Pacific Creek, riparian and fish habitat would be managed 

for all wildlife species 

Riparian and upland vegetation types would be managed 

with emphasis on resource values other than wildlife habitat. 

See the Travel Management and Reclamation sections for 

other requirements concerning wildlife habitats. 

Core Area (Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC, Eastern portion of the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, and adjacent 

overlapping crucial big game habitat) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the general JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the core area and are 

repeated, or are different from those for the general JMHCAP 

area. 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: to 1) maintain water quality, vegetative composition, soil condition, and wildlife and 

wildlife habitat; 2) ensure biological diversity and a healthy 

ecosystem in the area; 3) maintain unique and diverse habitat 

components; 4) provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd, other big game 

populations, and other important and sensitive wildlife species; and 5) provide for mineral exploration and development 

activity, livestock grazing, recreation, and other uses, while 

meeting the above and other resource management objectives 

for the core area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: An evaluation to acquire additional resource information for evaluating land and resource 

use proposals would not be conducted. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the portions of the core area, 

including the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (Table 2-11). 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be open to consideration for location of communication sites. 

Communication sites could be considered on Essex Mountain. 

Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP 

(Appendix 3). Additional withdrawals from mineral location 

and entry under the land laws would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments and range improvements 

could be allowed in the core area. Functional, pre-existing 

water developments could be maintained and natural water 

sources (springs and seeps) in the core area would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other 

resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely manner, 

the development of oil and gas reserves, inside the core area; 

and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner that conforms, where 

possible, with the management objectives for the planning 

area (to provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued 

existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protecting other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals Management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The core area would be open to fluid mineral leasing 

consideration. Fluid mineral exploration and development 

activities could occur in the core area. 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). About 30,580 acres would be open to leasing with 

a no surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures 

for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-12 and Map 22). Surface 

disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 

320,580 acres. 

Existing leases would be developed under their existing 

lease stipulations. Besides the existing lease stipulations, any 

55
ALTERNATIVES

additional mitigation needs would be included as conditions 

of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, 

but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements (see Table 

2-12); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any new 

activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries to limit 

traffic and disturbance; 

standard reclamation practices (to restore and to reduce 

the long-term loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 10,390 acres would remain closed to coal exploration 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch, and the Tri-Territory 

Marker would remain closed to sodium exploration and development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Mineral 

Materials management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

A portion of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be 

open to mineral material sales (Map 30). 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Locatable 

Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

Additional withdrawals would not be pursued. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Geophysical 

management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

In the core area, exploration activities, with the use of 

explosive charges, could occur throughout the area with the 

exception of the areas identified in the Green River RMP 

(USDI 1997). 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, cultural site, Crookston Ranch, 

developed recreation sites and the ORV parking lot in the 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, raptor nesting sites, special status 

plant species habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and sites for 

interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned on about 37,840 acres to protect 

certain important resource values. These resources include 

but are not limited to: visual values, recreation values, public 

health and safety, cultural values, geologic features; crucial 

wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration routes, 

parturition areas, and nesting and breeding areas), stabilized 

and unstabilized sand dunes. For more information, see Table 

2-12 and Map 22. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would also be closed to surface 

disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, 

cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety. However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the core area, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the core area would not apply. Additional seasonal closures would not be applied. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in portions of the core area. See Reclamation and 

56
ALTERNATIVES

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for 

related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage. 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (38,650 acres in 

the planning area) 

The western portion of the ACEC is within the Buffalo 

Hump and Sand Dunes WSAs and lies outside the core area. 

The western portion would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The eastern portion of the ACEC is inside the 

core area and for consistency in management of the ACEC, the 

following discussion presents the actions for both the eastern 

and western portions of the ACEC. Some of the general 

JMHCAP proposed decisions are repeated, where they apply 

to the entire ACEC or where they are needed to complement 

understanding of the discussion. Actions that apply solely to 

either the eastern or western portion are so noted. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Within the eastern portion of the ACEC (inside the core 

area), both stabilized and active sand dunes would be closed 

to construction and development types of activities and related surface disturbance, unless analysis indicates that the 

management objectives for the area could be met. Surface 

pipelines would be monitored by the operators to identify 

potential hazards to public health and safety, particularly in 

the open ORV area. Identified hazards would be marked to 

improve visibility. A recreation user map would be developed 

in cooperation with oil and gas operators to show the location 

of above ground facilities (e.g., pipelines, well production 

facilities, snow fences, etc.). 

The western portion of the ACEC would be closed to 

communication sites to protect wildlife habitat, visual values 

and geologic features. 

Pursue the withdrawals identified in the Green River RMP 

(Appendix 3). Additional withdrawals from mineral location 

and entry under the land laws would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments could be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the core area would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE (within the eastern portion of the ACEC): 1) to 

provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid 

minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting 

other resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely 

manner, the development of oil and gas reserves inside the 

core area; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner that conforms, 

where possible, with the management objectives for the 

planning area (to provide suitable habitat to maintain the 

continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and protect other sensitive resources, and 

to provide for public health and safety. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The eastern portion of the ACEC would be open to fluid 

mineral leasing consideration. Approximately 14,780 acres 

of federal mineral estate would be open to fluid mineral 

leasing. 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). 

Seasonal conditional requirements for surface disturbing 

activities would be placed on big game winter ranges, calving 

or parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor 

habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for 

procedures for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Surface disturbing activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values in the 

ACEC (see Table 2-12, Figure 1, and Map 22). 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP could 

occur. Conditions of Approval could be applied as described 

in the fluids management section for the core area. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 23,980 acres remain closed to coal exploration 

(USDI 1997). Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a 

case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Should trona water development occur, well locations and 

waste water ponds would not be allowed in the ACEC. Boars 

Tusk and Crookston Ranch would remain closed to sodium 

exploration and development activities. 

57
ALTERNATIVES

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion of the ACEC, exploration activities 

could occur providing resource damage would not occur. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch site, developed 

recreation sites, the ORV parking lot, raptor nesting sites, 

special status plant species habitat, sites for interpretive signs, 

and important cultural sites. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes. 

For more information, see Table 2-12 and Map 22. 

In the eastern portion, areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

and to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would also 

be closed to surface disturbing activities for the protection of 

wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status species, 

watershed management objectives, and for public health and 

safety. However, exceptions could be considered for such 

surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or 

other types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit 

of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion, general winter vehicular access in 

the ACEC, for any purpose, would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. Access on other roads could 

be authorized for all types of vehicles, including over-thesnow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would not apply. Additional 

seasonal closures would not apply. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Native vegetation would be maintained and protected on 

the BLM-administered public lands to allow natural plant 

succession to continue. Revegetation of disturbed areas with 

big sagebrush and other adaptable shrubs would be required to 

maintain or improve big game habitat. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

The ACEC would be managed as a Class II VRM area 

(Map 31). 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. The integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas and winter ranges would be maintained. See 

Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for maintenance of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Interpretive signs would be used to direct ORV use around the 

ponds to prevent resource damage in the eastern portion. 

The relatively pristine portion of the eastern area that has 

no developments (approximately 8,800 acres), including the 

base of Steamboat Rim, would be managed to protect big 

game habitat, vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

To support and improve the diversity of wildlife species 

within the area, wildlife habitat on the BLM-administered 

public lands would be protected, maintained, or enhanced. 

Crucial elk winter range in the area would be maintained as an 

essential component of the elk habitat. 

Projects to improve the interdunal ponds for bird, amphibian, and mammal habitat would be considered and evaluated 

for development on the BLM-administered public lands. The 

ponds would not be used as water sources for development 

activities. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (43,310 acres in 

the planning area) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

58
ALTERNATIVES

The ACEC would not be an avoidance area for rights-ofway. The ACEC would be open to consideration for the 

location of communication sites. 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments could be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves in the ACEC, inside the core area; and 3) to conduct 

1 and 2 in a manner that conforms, where possible, with the 

management objectives for the planning area (to provide 

suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and 

protect other sensitive resources). 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be open to fluid mineral leasing consideration (approximately 43,310 acres of federal mineral estate). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). 

Seasonal conditional requirements for surface disturbing 

activities would be placed on big game winter ranges, calving 

or parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor 

habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see 

Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations in 

areas with seasonal requirements. 

Surface disturbing activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values in the 

ACEC (see Table 2-12 and Map 22). 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the ACEC management objectives could 

be met, if they were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP could 

occur. Conditions of Approval could be applied as described 

in the fluids management section for the core area. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be open to coal 

exploration with the exception of about 3,380 acres which 

would remain closed to protect sage grouse leks, raptor nests, 

and floodplains (USDI 1997). Exploration proposals would 

be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be open to sodium 

exploration with the exception of about 3,380 acres which 

would remain closed to protect sage grouse leks, raptor nests, 

and floodplains (USDI 1997). 

Salables (Mineral Materials)MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

A portion of the ACEC would be open to mineral material 

sales (Map 30). A portion of the lava material on Steamboat 

Mountain proper (in SE1/4 of sec. 10; W1/2W1/2 of sec. 11; 

N1/2N1/2 of sec. 15; T. 23 N., R. 102 W.) would be available 

for mineral material sale. The remainder of the ACEC would 

be closed to mineral material sales. Sale proposals in the area 

open to mineral material sales would be considered on a caseby-case basis, and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Exploration activities could occur in most of the ACEC, 

with appropriate mitigation. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: raptor nesting sites, special status plant species 

habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and locations for interpretive 

signs. 

59
ALTERNATIVES

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values public health and safety, cultural 

values, geologic features, and crucial wildlife habitats (crucial 

winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and nesting 

and breeding areas). For more information, see Table 2-12 

and Map 22. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would not apply. Additional 

seasonal closures would not apply. 

Road construction and new access may not be feasible for 

much of the ACEC. To prevent conflicts with big game and 

big game habitat, recreation users, and other resource and land 

use activities, alternative access methods may be needed (use 

of existing or designated roads or pads, seasonal travel requirements or restrictions, use of helicopters, etc.). 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Part of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be managed 

as a Class II VRM area and part would be managed as a Class 

III VRM area (Map 31 and Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

All activities would be designed to place priority consideration on elk habitat over conflicting land uses to ensure 

continued elk use in the ACEC. Steamboat Rim and the base 

of the rim would be managed to protect big game habitat, 

vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

Other Special Management Areas 

Oregon Buttes ACEC (3,450 acres in the 

planning area) 

The ACEC is within the Oregon Buttes, White Horse 

Creek, and Honeycomb Buttes WSAs and lies outside the core 

area. The ACEC would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The management objectives and actions would 

be the same as described for the Preferred Alternative except 

as discussed for the following resources. Some of the actions 

in these resource management sections may be the same as 

described in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for 

understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to communication sites to 

protect wildlife habitat, historic, geological, and visual values 

(Table 2-11). The ACEC would remain closed to surface 

disturbing activities. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Livestock water development could not be constructed in 

the ACEC. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The ACEC 

would remain closed to fluid mineral leasing (Nondiscretionary 

closure - approximately 3,450 acres of federal mineral estate). 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to mineral material sales. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, without use of explosive charges or motorized vehicles, could occur in conformance with ACEC objectives. 

60
ALTERNATIVES

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. 

South Pass Historic Landscape (45,830 acres 

in the planning area)

 The management objectives and actions would be the 

same as described for the Preferred Alternative except as 

discussed for the following resources. Some of the actions in 

these resource management sections may be the same as 

described in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for 

understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Communication sites could be considered on Pacific Butte 

with restrictions on the height (no strobe light necessary), 

visual intrusion, road access, etc. Actions on Pacific Butte 

would conform to the existing management prescriptions for 

the South Pass Historic Landscape (Appendix 3). 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments could be allowed in the 

ACEC in accordance with ACEC objectives and surface 

disturbance requirements. Functional, pre-existing water 

developments could be maintained and natural water sources 

(springs and seeps) in the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 

and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

The historic values in the landscape, crucial habitats, and 

other areas of sensitive resource values would be open to 

consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so 

long as they would be protected from irreversible adverse 

effects. Fluid mineral exploration and development activities 

would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values in the ACEC (see Table 2-12, Figure 1, 

Map 21, Map 22). 

Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur in portions of the ACEC, 

including connectivity areas. Upon completion of the 

JMHCAP, these areas would be open to leasing consideration, with necessary mitigation, which could include 

CSU, NSO, and other stipulations or conditional requirements. See the Fluid Minerals section of the overall 

planning area for a description of management actions 

involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the ACEC management objectives could 

be met, if they were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP would 

be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing 

lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be 

included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-12); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

standard reclamation practices to restore habitat and to 

reduce the long-term loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Salables (Mineral Materials)MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to mineral material sales 

in the vista. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

61
ALTERNATIVES

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect Historic resources and certain important resource 

values (see Table 2-12 and Map 21). Other resources and 

areas to be protected include but are not limited to: raptor 

nesting sites, special status plant species habitat, and locations 

for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation values, public health and safety, cultural 

and historic values, geologic features, and crucial wildlife 

habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition 

areas, and nesting and breeding areas). For more information, 

see Table 2-12 and Map 22. 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural and historic resources, 

special status species, watershed management objectives, and 

for public health and safety. However, exceptions could be 

considered for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, 

interpretive signs, or other types of actions that would be 

conducted for the benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. Access on other roads could be authorized for all 

types of vehicles, including over-the-snow vehicles. 

Seasonal closures would not be applied for protection of 

other resource values. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. 

The wild horse herd management area would not be expanded. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (20 acres 

in the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except as discussed 

for the following resources. Some of the actions in these 

resource management sections may be the same as described 

in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur in the ACEC. Upon 

completion of the JMHCAP, the ACEC would be open to 

leasing consideration, with an NSO stipulation, and other 

stipulations or conditional requirements. The ACEC would 

remain closed to surface disturbance activities associated 

with fluid mineral development. Map 21 and Map 11 show 

those portions of the ACEC that would be closed to surface 

occupancy, and that would be seasonally conditioned. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to surface disturbing 

activities that could adversely affect the ACEC values (Map 

21). 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

62
ALTERNATIVES

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

Red Desert Watershed Area (169,010 acres in 

the planning area) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general management 

actions for the overall planning area and described in the 

Green River RMP (see Appendix 3). About two thirds of the 

Oregon Buttes ACEC occurs in the Red Desert Watershed 

Area. A portion of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, and 

therefore, the core area, Split Rock, and the connectivity areas 

also occur in the watershed area. Where the Red Desert 

Watershed Area overlaps these areas, the management objectives and actions are discussed in those specific areas and not 

repeated here. In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Additional withdrawals from those identified in the Green 

River RMP (Appendix 3) would not be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments could be allowed in the core 

area, crucial big game ranges or the connectivity area. Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained 

and natural water sources (springs and seeps) would be 

protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource values; 2) to permit in an 

orderly and timely manner, the development of oil and gas 

reserves, inside and outside the core area; and 3) to conduct 1 

and 2 in a manner that conforms, where possible, with the 

management objectives for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and 

other big game populations, and protecting other sensitive 

resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The entire area would be open to fluid mineral leasing. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on about 

56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or parturition 

areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-

5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-12, Map 21, and Map 22). 

Surface disturbance conditional requirements would be placed 

on 114,130 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to consideration for fluid mineral 

leasing and development so long as they would be protected 

from irreversible adverse effects. See the Fluid Minerals 

section of the overall planning area for a description of 

management actions involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the 

extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of approval for 

APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but would not be 

limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in (see Table 2-12); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation to restore and to reduce the long-term 

loss of important habitat; or 

application of geotechnical materials for construction. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

63
ALTERNATIVES

Most of the Red Desert Watershed area would be open to 

consideration of geophysical exploration activities (USDI 

1997). Based on site specific analysis, geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use of vehicles and 

explosive charges. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-12 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Special Status Plant Species Habitat, TriTerritory Marker, and sites for interpretive signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11).

 Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be 

appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource values. These resources include but are not limited to: 

visual values, recreation values , public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, ; and crucial wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, 

and nesting and breeding areas). For more information, see 

Table 2-12 and Map 22. 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would also be closed to surface disturbing activities for the 

protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status 

species, watershed management objectives, and for public 

health and safety. However, exceptions could be considered 

for such surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive 

signs, or other types of actions that would be conducted for the 

benefit of these same resources and uses. 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the Red Desert Watershed Area, for any purpose, would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. Access on other roads could 

be authorized for all types of vehicles, including over-thesnow vehicles. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the core area would not apply. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The entire watershed area would be managed as a VRM 

Class III area. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the degree of activity 

and use in the Red Desert Watershed Area. See Reclamation 

and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections 

for related management actions. 

ALTERNATIVE B 

Overall Planning Area Management 

Where the management objectives and actions are the 

same as described for the Preferred Alternative, they generally are not repeated. Some of the actions in these resource 

management sections may be the same as described in the 

preferred alternative but are repeated here for understanding 

and clarification. 

An evaluation to acquire additional resource information 

for evaluating land and resource use proposals would not be 

conducted prior to leasing portions of the planning area. 

Monitoring would occur as described in the Monitoring section (Table 2-1 and Appendix 6). 

Cultural, Natural History, and Paleontological 

Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: NRHP-eligible sites would be 

avoided by 300 feet. 

Expansion Era Roads - Expansion Era Roads and the 

Indian Gap Trail would be preserved for their historic resource values, pursuant to Green River RMP guidance. Surface disturbing activities proposed to affect any segment of an 

Expansion Era Road or the Indian Gap Trail would be prohibited within 1/4 mile (see Appendix 3). 

Activities would avoid Native American respected places 

by 1 mile. Viewshed (vista) and noise analyses may be 

conducted to help determine appropriate avoidance distances. 

Activities would be excluded within a 1/2-mile viewshed 

(vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

(Appendix 3). Surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be prohibited within 1/2 mile of all rock art sites. A 

noise analysis may be conducted for each site. 

Surface disturbing activities would be prohibited within 

the paleosol deposition area. Exceptions may be considered 

on a case-by-case basis if adverse effects could be mitigated 

by authorized users or permittees 

See Recreation Management for guidance on back country 

byway interpretive sites, and project planning for Crookston 

Ranch and the White Mountain Petroglyphs. 

64
ALTERNATIVES

Fire Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Preferred 

Alternative except: 

The public lands within the planning area, with the exception of defined exclusion and avoidance areas, would be open 

to consideration of granting of rights-of-way, permits, and 

leases (Map 32, Map 33, and Table 2-13). Location of rightsof-way, permits, and leases would be concentrated in certain 

areas and avoided or excluded in others, to protect sensitive 

resources. In particular, these actions would avoid the big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. Portions of Indian Gap and the face 

of Steamboat Mountain (the steep slopes around the perimeter 

of Steamboat Mountain) would be closed (exclusion areas) to 

these actions. 

Major transportation and utility line rights-of-way would 

be confined to established ROW concentration areas. Areas 

designated as utility windows, ROW concentration areas, and 

existing communication sites would be preferred locations for 

future grants (Map 32 and Map 33). Additional right-of-way 

windows would be established to limit the areas disturbed by 

ROW activity, and to concentrate these types of facilities. 

Rights-of-way would be located in the windows identified. In 

particular, pipelines and other linear facilities would follow 

existing roads and pipelines, and offsite facilities (tank batteries, etc.) would be clustered or located in the same geographic 

areas. The placement of the offsite facilities may be concentrated in different areas than the linear facilities if area objectives can be met. 

In addition to existing guidance from the Green River 

RMP, transportation planning would include the locations of 

rights-of-way. Linear rights-of-way would follow existing 

roads and trails in accordance with transportation planning. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be closed to rights-of-way for 

the protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special 

status species, watershed management objectives, and for 

public health and safety. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or 

less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

existing improved roads or right-of-way concentration areas 

in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards. Activity in the 

South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, 

and White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the 

prescriptions in the Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, Essex 

Mountain, Pacific Buttes, and Continental Peak would be 

closed to communication sites to protect wildlife habitat and 

visual values. 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-14 would be pursued. Withdrawals would be pursued for the core, connectivity area, elk calving areas (all elk calving areas), the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, cultural site, and portions of White Mountain (the Native American Respected Places) (about 267,590 acres) (Map 34). Future withdrawals would also be pursued to protect important 

resource values as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated in the Preferred Alternative. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Authorized grazing use would 

not exceed the recognized permitted use. For analysis purposes, anticipated actual use would be based on the 5-year 

average actual use of 9,851 AUMs (8,861 cattle and 990 

sheep). This grazing level was held constant throughout the 

planning period. 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands and Guidelines for 

Livestock Grazing Management (S&Gs) would be implemented, and specific grazing allotment management prescriptions would be developed on a case-by-case basis. Appropriate measures would be taken to meet the standards for healthy 

rangelands. If standards are not being met, then guidelines 

would be used and appropriate action would be taken. Actions 

that would meet the objectives and benefit resources could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. For this analysis, the 

levels of livestock use may be reduced (where appropriate) as 

one of the appropriate actions taken to meet the Wyoming 

Standards for Healthy Rangelands. 

Livestock turnout dates would be delayed to provide for 

more growing season rest (i.e., mid to late June); season-long 

use would not occur. Livestock grazing plans would be 

required. 

Applications for changes in class of livestock to sheep use 

would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Changes to 

cattle use would not be considered. 

Livestock grazing suitability reviews would be conducted 

on a case-by-case basis. Livestock forage use would not be 

allocated for unsuitable areas and would be removed from the 

forage base. 

Plowing of roads in winter for livestock accessibility and 

feeding would not be allowed except in emergency situations. 

Any such activity would conform with transportation planning (see the Transportation Planning section). 

Livestock grazing use on upland key grass species would 

be limited to 1) no more than 40 percent of the current growth 

(seasonal utilization); and 2) minimum heights throughout the 

growing season (to be determined for individual key species), 

whichever is reached first. Livestock would be removed when 

either seasonal utilization or minimum height is reached in a 

given area/pasture/allotment. 

Livestock grazing management plans that address riparian 

and upland areas would be required. Riparian and upland 

areas would be managed primarily for wildlife and watershed 

needs. New riparian pastures would be established only if 

watershed resources and wildlife habitat would be enhanced. 

Livestock grazing use in riparian areas would be limited (1) 

for key riparian shrub species, to no more than 30 percent of 

the stems browsed or (2) for herbaceous plants, to a seasonal 

65
ALTERNATIVES

utilization of 40 percent or no less than a 6-inch minimum 

height, whichever occurs first. Key species and plant height 

monitoring would be conducted throughout the grazing season. 

Livestock salt licks would be located no closer than 1/2 

mile to water and no closer than 1/4 mile to sensitive plant 

species locations. 

Range improvements would be considered only when they 

would benefit wildlife and wildlife habitat. 

The connectivity area (migration corridor) is considered 

big game crucial habitat. Range improvements would be 

considered in crucial big game habitats only if they would 

benefit wildlife. 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

core area or in crucial big game winter ranges, including the 

connectivity area. Livestock water developments would be 

fenced and offsite water facilities would be developed (pipelines and troughs). Springs and seeps would be protected from 

excessive use. Livestock water developments would not be 

placed within 2 miles of active sage grouse leks. 

Vegetation treatments would be considered on a case-bycase basis. A livestock grazing plan would be prepared prior 

to treatment. Areas proposed for vegetation treatments may 

be rested one full year prior to treatment and would be rested 

two full years after treatment. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: 1) to provide for leasing, exploration, and development of fluid minerals (oil and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) while protecting other 

resource values; 2) to permit in an orderly and timely manner, 

the development of oil and gas reserves, outside the core and 

connectivity areas; and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a manner that 

conforms with the management objectives for providing suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and protecting 

sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Table 2-15 lists public lands 

and federal minerals in the planning area with fluid mineral 

lease requirements that are necessary to protect other resource 

values. 

Areas closed to leasing (discretionary closures) would 

include the core area and connectivity area, and White Mountain and Split Rock (Map 35). Approximately 220,790 acres 

of federal mineral estate would be closed to fluid mineral 

leasing. 

The remainder of the federal fluid mineral estate in the 

planning area would be open to consideration for leasing with 

conditional requirements would apply to certain areas. A no 

surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect 

certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and Map 

21). About 36,010 acres would be open to leasing with a no 

surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 347,250 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, raptor habitat, and 

game fish spawning areas (Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see 

Appendix 4 for procedures for processing authorizations in 

areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-15 and Map 36). Surface 

disturbance conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 462,560 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to further consideration for fluid mineral leasing and development so long as crucial habitats and 

other sensitive resource values would be protected from 

irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of 

federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development and 

reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells and surface disturbance reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral leasing 

and development could occur in big game crucial ranges, 

migration routes and birthing areas. Under this alternative, 

the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could occur in portions of the planning area. Upon completion of the JMHCAP, these areas 

would be open to leasing consideration, with necessary 

mitigation, which could include CSU, NSO, and other 

stipulations or conditional requirements. 

Other portions of the planning area would be closed to 

leasing to provide adequate habitat and use of that habitat 

(crucial winter range, calving/fawning, migration corridors, etc.) and protection of sensitive resources and public 

health and safety. The entire planning area would not be 

leased at the same time. In particular, portions of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, White 

Mountain, Split Rock area, and the core and connectivity 

areas would not be leased. 

As additional areas (outside the core, connectivity, White 

Mountain and Split Rock areas) become available for future 

leasing consideration, they would be considered on a case-bycase basis to determine if the planning area management 

objectives could be met, if they were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included as conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in the Green River RMP (see Table 2-15); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, and road densities may be established with an 

objective of no more than 0.5 to 1 mile of all-weather 

(improved) road per section in big game crucial habitat; 

66
ALTERNATIVES

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries to limit 

traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Areas 

closed to coal exploration would remain the same as those 

established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997) (Map 23). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be applied. Exploration activities would avoid sensitive areas (Figure 1). Areas 

closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be 

closed to exploration activities; however, exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails in accordance with 

transportation planning. 

Solid Leasables (Sodium/Trona) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: to provide suitable habitat to maintain the continued existence of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The entire planning area would 

be closed to sodium exploration activities. 

The planning area would be closed to trona water development activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The areas identified as closed 

to mineral material sales in the Green River RMP (USDI 

1997) would remain closed to mineral material sales (Table 2-

16 and Map 37). 

The core and connectivity areas, White Mountain, and the 

Split Rock area would be closed to mineral material sale 

activity. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities, elk calving areas, mountain shrub communities, 

including big sagebrush/scurfpea communities and special 

status species habitats would be closed to mineral material 

sales. Activities would avoid sensitive areas (Figure 1). Sale 

proposals would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and 

appropriate mitigation would be applied. Road construction 

and upgrading of roads for mineral material extraction would 

only be allowed if in accordance with transportation planning. 

The remainder of the planning area would be open to 

consideration of mineral material sales on a case-by-case 

basis. Sale areas and community pits would be established in 

conformance with other resource objectives. Adequate mine 

and reclamation plans for use areas would be required. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The proposed withdrawals in 

Table 2-14 would be pursued. Withdrawals would be pursued 

for the core, connectivity area, elk calving areas (all elk 

calving areas), the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, cultural site, and portions of White 

Mountain (the Native American Respected Places) (about 

267,590 acres) (see Map 34). 

Future withdrawals would also be pursued to protect important resource values as needs are identified. 

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Most of the planning area 

would be open to consideration of geophysical exploration 

activities. Based on site specific analysis, geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use of vehicles and 

explosive charges (Table 2-7). 

An interdisciplinary team review would be initiated for all 

geophysical proposals within the planning area. Exploration 

activities in sensitive areas would be limited and mitigation 

measures would be applied to protect sensitive resources 

(timing limitations, avoidance, restrictions on vehicle use and 

explosive charges, etc.). Areas closed to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be closed to vehicle use and 

explosive charges. In areas closed to surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities, the core area, and sensitive areas (Figure 

1), exploration activities, without use of explosive charges, 

could occur on existing roads and trails in conformance with 

transportation planning. 

Areas of Native American concern would be closed to 

geophysical vehicles and explosive charges. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Satisfactory reclamation of 

surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil 

and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are 

no longer needed in the core area, may be required before 

additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big 

game crucial ranges, migration routes and birthing areas in the 

core area. 

Recreation Resource Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Special Status Species Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The Special Status Plant 

ACEC, designated in the Green River RMP, would be expanded to include 2,660 acres of Lesquerella macrocarpa 

67
ALTERNATIVES

(Map 38). Known locations of Lesquerella macrocarpa would 

be exclusion areas for rights-of-way (Table 2-13). 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to protect certain important resource 

values (see Table 2-15). Resources and areas to be protected 

include but are not limited to: Boars Tusk, White Mountain 

Petroglyphs, Crookston Ranch, developed recreation sites 

and the ORV parking lot in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

raptor nesting sites, South Pass Historic Landscape (area 

visible within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail), special status 

plant species habitat, and Tri-Territory Marker. Additionally, 

surface disturbing activities would not be allowed on federal 

surface designated as no lease areas for oil and gas activity. 

Exceptions could be granted for designated right of way 

concentration areas. An NSO restriction would be applied to 

activities that may affect these areas. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: (visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, etc.); crucial wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, 

and nesting and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized 

sand dunes, and big sagebrush habitat. On areas where several 

of these resources overlap, an NSO requirement would be 

applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-15, 

Map 35, Map 21, Map 11, and Map 36. 

Based on site-specific analyses, surface-disturbing activities would be limited during wet weather, on frozen soils, and 

on slopes greater than 20 percent. 

NRHP-eligible sites would be avoided by 300 feet. 

Native American Respected Places - Activities would 

avoid Native American respected places by 1 mile. Viewshed 

(vista) and noise analysis may be conducted to help determine 

appropriate avoidance distances. 

Rock Art Sites - Activities would be excluded within a -

mile viewshed (vista-same as GRRMP) of the White Mountain Petroglyphs (Appendix 3). Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be prohibited within mile of all rock 

art sites. 

Surface disturbing activities would be prohibited within 

the entire paleosol deposition area. The area would be 

reviewed for consideration for nomination to the National 

Register of Historic Places. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would also be closed to surface 

disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, 

cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety. However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) 

in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance 

with transportation planning; 2) meet area objectives; and 3) 

do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and Realty Management section). Activity in the South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC, Oregon Buttes ACEC, and White Mountain 

Petroglyphs ACEC would follow the prescriptions in the 

Green River RMP (Appendix 3). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for any purpose, would be limited to 

only specific roads identified for winter use. However, access 

on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles 

only. 

Specific roads and trails designated “limited to designated 

roads and trails” would be identified on a case-by-case basis. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat would apply. Additional seasonal closures 

may be applied for protection of other resource values as 

needed. 

Road and trail construction or upgrading would be prohibited through woodland habitat (i.e., juniper, limber pine, 

aspen) or springs and seeps (pre-existing improved roads may 

be used). 

Transportation planning would identify appropriate access 

routes and provide maximum protection for crucial habitats 

and sensitive resources (Appendix 5). Future site specific 

activity or implementation planning would also address any 

needed requirements for motorized vehicular use, non-motorized vehicular use, and non-motorized mechanical transport 

and also address any needed requirement for transportation 

planning. 

Factors to be considered in development of transportation 

plans include: 

Historic use levels of roads and trails. 

Use of required construction specifications. 

Rehabilitating, obliterating, or barricading unused roads 

and trails, and closure or maintenance of those causing 

resource damage. The transportation plan and affected 

maps would be corrected to reflect closed roads and trails. 

Seasonal or administrative road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats (for single use/well destination roads) to limit 

traffic and disrupting activities. 

Concentrating stream and riparian area crossings to key 

locations to restrict numbers of crossings and to benefit 

resource management objectives. New crossings would 

not be allowed. Exceptions may be granted if proposed 

crossings would reduce adverse effects, benefit area objectives, and reduce miles of road (and/or frequency of use). 

Some crossings (2-tracks) would be closed. Commercial 

and service vehicles would be restricted to identified 

upgraded crossings. Bridges would be required for all 

perennial streams. 

68
ALTERNATIVES

Limiting the number and location of access routes that 

bisect wildlife habitats and migration routes. 

Limiting the number and miles of road in crucial habitats. 

Limiting the number and miles of all-weather road, and the 

level of use on these roads during crucial wildlife and 

watershed periods (November-June). 

Grouping and offsite location of ancillary facilities away 

from crucial habitats and sensitive areas. 

Limiting all-season use to primarily identified roads. 

Posting speed limits, as necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to meet planning area management objectives. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): 

Core and connectivity areas = 0.5 miles or less

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC and White Mountain area =

1.0 mile or less

All other areas of crucial elk habitat = more than 1.0 mile.

Vegetation Management 

Same as stated in the Preferred Alternative. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: VRM classes would be managed according to the classifications shown in Table 2-8. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Split Rock, and the Red 

Desert Watershed would be managed as Class II VRM areas 

(Map 39). 

Portions of White Mountain would be managed as a Class 

II VRM area (Map 39). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

Same as described in the Preferred Alternative. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as stated in the 

Preferred Alternative. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The boundary of the Divide 

Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded to include the entire planning area. No more than 100 

horses would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide 

Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate 

Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild 

Horse Herd Management (415-600 horses) Area would not 

change (Map 40). 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Avoiding fragmentation of 

habitat and maintaining the integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas, and winter ranges would be addressed by 

limiting the number of roads and access, and limiting the 

degree of activity and use in the planning area. See Transportation Management and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive 

Management sections. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities . Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. Interpretive signs 

would be used to direct ORV use around the ponds to prevent 

resource damage. 

Priority would be given to maintaining or enhancing mountain plover and sage grouse habitat. Surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to 

protect these habitats (see Vegetation Management and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management Sections). Livestock water developments would not be placed within 2 miles 

of sage grouse leks. 

In and around the “hay meadow exclosures” on Pacific 

Creek, riparian and fish habitat would be managed for trout. 

Riparian and upland vegetation types would be managed 

with emphasis on enhancing wildlife habitat, watershed values, and biodiversity values. 

See the Travel Management and Reclamation sections for 

other requirements concerning wildlife habitats. 

Core Area (Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC, eastern portion of the Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, and adjacent 

overlapping crucial big game habitat) 

Management objectives and management actions for these 

resource and land use programs are the same as described in 

the Green River RMP and for the General JMHCAP area. The 

following management objectives and management actions 

are either specifically important to the core area and are 

repeated, or are different from those for the General JMHCAP 

area. 

GENERAL MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as stated 

for the Preferred Alternative: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. Portions of Indian Gap and the face of Steamboat 

Mountain (the steep slopes around the perimeter of Steamboat 

Mountain) would be closed (exclusion areas) to these actions 

(Map 32, Map 33, and Table 2-13). 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC and Essex Mountain 

would be closed to communication sites to protect wildlife 

habitat and visual values. 

69
ALTERNATIVES

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-14 would be pursued. Withdrawals would be pursued for the core and connectivity areas, elk calving areas, the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

and the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, (about 80,410 acres) 

(Map 34). Future withdrawals would also be pursued to 

protect important resource values as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

core, or connectivity areas, or in crucial winter ranges. Functional, pre-existing water developments could be maintained 

and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in the core area 

would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals 

Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to provide 

for the maximum protection of the Steamboat elk herd and 

other big game populations, and protect other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The core and connectivity areas would be closed to fluid 

mineral leasing. Approximately 80,410 acres of federal 

mineral estate would be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 

35). 

Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

Fluid mineral leasing could not occur in core and connectivity areas to provide adequate habitat and use of that 

habitat (crucial winter range, calving/fawning, migration 

corridors, etc.) and protection of sensitive resources and 

public health and safety. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would be considered on a case-by-case 

basis to determine if the core area management objectives 

could be met, if they were to be leased and developed. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the core area that existed before approval of the JMHCAP 

would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the 

existing lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs 

would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as 

conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in (see Table 2-15); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than mile of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas and 1 mile in the Greater Sand Dunes 

ACEC; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1) where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

or 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

Areas closed to coal exploration would remain the same as 

those established in the Green River RMP (USDI 1997). 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-by-case 

basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. Exploration activities would avoid sensitive areas (Figure 1). Activities in the core area would be limited to foot traffic except for 

on existing roads and trails in conformance with transportation planning. The Steamboat Mountain area (outside area 

with coal recommendations) would be closed to exploration 

activities. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Mineral 

Materials management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

The areas identified in Table 2-16 would be closed to 

mineral material sales. 

The core area would be closed to mineral material sale. 

Locatable Minerals 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Locatable 

Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

Withdrawals would be pursued for the core and connectivity areas, elk calving areas, Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, and Native American respected 

places (about 80,410 acres) (Map 34 and Table 2-14). Future 

withdrawals from mineral location in the core area would be 

pursued to protect important resource values, as needs are 

identified. 

70
ALTERNATIVES

Geophysical 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Geophysical 

management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

In the core area, exploration activities, without use of 

explosive charges, could occur on existing roads and trails in 

conformance with transportation planning (Table 2-7). 

Areas of Native American concern would be closed to 

geophysical vehicles and explosive charges. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

core area, may be required before additional facilities or 

disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, 

migration routes and birthing areas in the core area. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities 

Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, White Mountain Petroglyphs, 

Crookston Ranch, developed recreation sites and the ORV 

parking lot in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, raptor nesting 

sites, South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible within 3-

mile buffer of Oregon Trail), special status plant species 

habitat, and the Tri-Territory Marker. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 80,410 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned on about 80,410 acres to protect 

certain important resource values. These resources include 

but are not limited to: (visual values, recreation opportunities, 

public health and safety, cultural values, geologic features, 

crucial wildlife habitats (crucial winter ranges, migration 

routes, parturition areas, and nesting and breeding areas), 

stabilized and unstabilized sand dunes, and big sagebrush 

habitat. On areas where several of these resources overlap, an 

NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more 

information, see Table 2-15 and Map 36). 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would also be closed to surface 

disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife habitat, 

cultural resources, special status species, watershed management objectives, and for public health and safety. However, 

exceptions could be considered for such surface disturbing 

activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other types of 

actions that would be conducted for the benefit of these same 

resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) 

in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance 

with transportation planning; 2) meet core area objectives; 

and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and Realty 

Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the core area, for any 

purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the core area would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): 

Core and connectivity areas = 0.5 miles or less 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC = 1.0 mile or less. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC and Split Rock would be 

managed as a Class II VRM area (Map 39). 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The boundary of the Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded. No more than 100 horses 

would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide Basin 

Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild Horse 

Herd Management Area would not change. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

core area. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and 

Disruptive Management sections for related management 

actions. 

71
ALTERNATIVES

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. Interpretive signs 

would be used to direct ORV use around the ponds to prevent 

resource damage. 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (38,650 acres in 

the planning area) 

The western portion of the ACEC is within the Buffalo 

Hump and Sand Dunes WSAs and lies outside the core area. 

The western portion would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The eastern portion of the ACEC is inside the 

core area and for consistency in management of the ACEC, the 

following discussion presents the actions for both the eastern 

and western portions of the ACEC. Some of the general 

JMHCAP proposed decisions are repeated, where they apply 

to the entire ACEC or where they are needed to complement 

understanding of the discussion. Actions that apply solely to 

either the eastern or western portion are so noted. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. The base of Steamboat Mountain and the steep slopes 

around the perimeter of Steamboat Mountain (i.e., those 

portions which are within the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC) 

would be closed (exclusion areas) to these actions (Map 32, 

Map 33, and Table 2-13). 

Within the eastern portion of the ACEC (inside the core 

area), both stabilized and active sand dunes would be closed 

to construction and development types of activities and related surface disturbance unless analysis indicates that the 

management objectives for the area could be met. In situations where there are pre-existing authorizations and ongoing 

development in the area, new linear facilities such as pipelines 

and phone lines would be laid on the surface, or buried 

adjacent to access roads, or within existing concentration 

areas containing such lines, in conformance with transportation planning. Surface pipelines would be monitored by the 

operators to identify potential hazards to public health and 

safety, particularly in the open ORV area. Identified hazards 

would be marked to improve visibility. A recreation user map 

would be developed in cooperation with oil and gas operators 

to show the location of above ground facilities (e.g., pipelines, 

well production facilities, snow fences, etc.). 

The entire ACEC would be closed to communication sites 

to protect wildlife habitat, visual values and geologic features. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing and to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be closed to rights-of-way for 

the protection of wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special 

status species, watershed management objectives, and for 

public health and safety. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or 

less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow 

existing improved roads or right-of-way concentration areas 

in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards. 

The proposed withdrawals from mineral location in the 

ACEC (Table 2-14) would be pursued. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the core area would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE (within the eastern portion of the ACEC): provide 

maximum protection to preserve and protect the integrity of 

the unique values in the ACEC and to provide maximum 

protection of the Steamboat elk herd and other big game 

populations, and protect other sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Under this alternative, in the eastern portion, the following 

could occur: 

The ACEC would be closed to fluid mineral leasing to 

maximize habitat and use of that habitat (crucial winter range, 

calving/fawning, migration corridors, etc.) and protection of 

sensitive resources and public health and safety. 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would not be leased. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP, 

would be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the 

existing lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs 

would be included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as 

conditions of approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may 

include, but would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-15); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 1 mile of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

72
ALTERNATIVES

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1) where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

or 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

About 23,980 acres would remain closed to coal exploration (USDI 1997). Exploration proposals would be reviewed 

on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation would be 

required. Exploration activities would avoid sensitive areas 

(Figure 1). Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Locatable MineralsMANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Mineral location withdrawals would be pursued for the 

entire ACEC including Crookston Ranch and the western 

portion of the ACEC, for the protection of cultural and historic 

values, visual resource values, geologic features, pond 

(flockets) areas, important wildlife habitat, and Native American respected places (about 38,650 acres) (Map 34 and Table 

2-14). Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws in the ACEC would be pursued to protect 

important resource values, as needs are identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the eastern portion of the ACEC, exploration activities, 

without use of explosive charges, could occur on existing 

roads and trails in conformance with transportation planning 

(Table 2-7). The ORV parking area would be closed. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as general Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring objectives for the overall 

planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

ACEC, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration 

routes and birthing areas, and on stabilized dunes in the 

ACEC. 

Recreation Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as general Recreation Resource management objectives for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Recreation 

Resource management actions for the overall planning area. 

In addition: 

Activities would not be permitted to disrupt access to or use 

of developed and semi-developed recreation sites. Activities 

that are incompatible with recreation sites would be managed 

to avoid these sites. 

See the Surface Disturbance section for management prescriptions relating to surface disturbing activities. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: Same as general Surface 

Disturbing and Disruptive management objective for overall 

planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: Boars Tusk, Crookston Ranch site, developed 

recreation sites, the ORV parking lot, raptor nesting sites, 

special status plant species habitat, big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation communities, and important cultural sites. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, and big sagebrush habitat. On areas where several of 

these resources overlap, an NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-15 and 

Map 36. 

73
ALTERNATIVES

In the eastern portion, areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

and to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would also 

be closed to surface disturbing activities for the protection of 

wildlife habitat, cultural resources, special status species, 

watershed management objectives, and for public health and 

safety. However, exceptions could be considered for such 

surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or 

other types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit 

of these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet core area 

objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands 

and Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition in the 

eastern portion: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited only specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): The ACEC = 1.0 mile or less. 

Vegetation Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Vegetation 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Native vegetation would be maintained and protected on 

the BLM-administered public lands to allow natural plant 

succession to continue. Revegetation of disturbed areas with 

big sagebrush and other adaptable shrubs would be required to 

maintain or improve big game habitat. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. 

The ACEC would be managed as a Class II VRM area 

(Map 39). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

In addition: 

Surface water, soils, and shallow aquifers would be protected from contamination by practices such as closed drilling 

systems or installation of pit liners. Pit liners would be 

removed prior to reserve pit reclamation. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The boundary of the Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded. No more than 100 horses 

would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide Basin 

Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild Horse 

Herd Management Area would not change. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. The integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas 

and winter ranges would be maintained. See Reclamation and 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for 

related management actions. 

The pond (flockets) areas in the sand dunes would be 

managed for enhancement of wildlife habitat and vegetation 

communities. Surface uses would be restricted in these areas. 

Special consideration would be given to management needs of 

amphibians. Fences may be constructed to control livestock 

grazing and movement in these areas. Interpretive signs 

would be used to direct ORV use around the ponds to prevent 

resource damage in the eastern portion. 

The relatively pristine portion of the eastern area that has 

no developments (approximately 8,800 acres), including the 

base of Steamboat Rim, would be managed to protect big 

game habitat, vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

To support and improve the diversity of wildlife species 

within the area, wildlife habitat on the BLM-administered 

public lands would be protected, maintained, or enhanced. 

Crucial elk winter range in the area would be maintained as an 

essential component of the elk habitat. 

Ponds in the sand dunes (flockets) would be managed for 

wildlife and vegetation enhancement. Special consideration 

would be given to amphibians. Surface uses would be 

restricted in these areas. Fencing may occur for livestock 

management. Interpretive signs would be considered to direct 

ORV use around ponds. 

Projects to improve the interdunal ponds for bird, amphibian, and mammal habitat would be considered and evaluated 

for development on the BLM-administered public lands. The 

ponds would not be used as water sources for development 

activities. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (43,310 acres in 

the planning area) 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

74
ALTERNATIVES

The existing Steamboat Mountain ACEC would be expanded to 65,630 acres (Map 38). 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The ACEC would be an avoidance area for rights-of-way. 

In particular, rights-of-way would be required to avoid the big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat. Steamboat Rim, portions of Indian 

Gap and the face of Steamboat Mountain (the steep slopes 

around the perimeter of Steamboat Mountain), Johnson Gap, 

and the big sagebrush-scurfpea vegetation type at the base of 

Steamboat Mountain) would be closed (exclusion areas) to all 

rights-of-way, no exceptions (Map 32, Map 33, and Table 2-

13). 

Where right-of-way activity cannot avoid the ACEC, transportation planning would be used to determine right-of-way 

locations. Linear rights-of-way would follow roads and trails 

in accordance with transportation planning. Existing right-ofway routes would be used whenever possible. Areas closed to 

mineral leasing and to surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be closed to the location of additional rights-ofway. Within these areas and in conformance with transportation planning, pre-existing rights-of-way as of the date of 

approval of the JMHCAP could remain in place and continue 

to be used. Small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) in these 

areas could be authorized only if they: 1) follow pre-existing 

improved roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and 

Realty Management section). 

The ACEC would be closed to communication sites to 

protect wildlife habitat and visual values. 

Withdrawals would be pursued for all of the existing 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (Map 34 and Table 2-14). 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVE: to provide for the maximum protection of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big game populations, and to 

protect sensitive resources. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Under this alternative, the following could occur: 

The ACEC would be closed to leasing to maximize habitat 

and use of that habitat (crucial winter range, calving/ 

fawning, migration corridors, etc.) and to provide for 

protection of sensitive resources and public health and 

safety. The entire ACEC would not be leased (see Table 2-

15, Map 35, and Figure 1). 

As additional areas become available for future leasing 

consideration, they would not be leased. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP would 

be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing 

lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be 

included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-15; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 0.5 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1) where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore habitat and to reduce the 

long-term loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

or 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: 

Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management objectives for the overall planning area. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

About 33,530 acres would remain closed to coal exploration (USDI 1997). Exploration proposals would be reviewed 

on a case-by-case basis and appropriate mitigation would be 

required. Exploration activities would avoid sensitive areas 

75
ALTERNATIVES

(Figure 1). Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails 

within these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. The areas identified in Table 2-16 

would be closed to mineral material sales. In addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to mineral material sales. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Withdrawals would be pursued for the existing Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC (Map 34 and Table 2-14). 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

The ACEC would be closed to the use of vehicles and 

explosive charges. Activity could occur on existing roads and 

trails in conformance with transportation planning (Table 2-

7). 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

ACEC, may be required before additional facilities or disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, migration 

routes and birthing areas in the ACEC. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and 

Map 21). Resources and areas to be protected include but are 

not limited to: raptor nesting sites, special status plant species 

habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, and locations for interpretive 

signs. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), and big sagebrush habitat. On 

areas where several of these resources overlap, an NSO 

requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-15 and Map 36. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 35) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 

1) follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet ACEC objectives; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and 

Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited only to specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the ACEC would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): the ACEC and connectivity area = 0.5 miles or 

less. 

Road construction and new access may not be feasible for 

much of the ACEC. To prevent conflicts with big game and 

big game habitat, recreation users, and other resource and land 

use activities, alternative access methods may be needed (use 

of existing or designated roads or pads, seasonal travel requirements or restrictions, use of helicopters, etc.). 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC and Split Rock would be 

managed as Class II VRM areas (Map 39; Table 2-8). 

Watershed/Water Quality Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Watershed/ 

Water Quality management actions for overall planning area. 

76
ALTERNATIVES

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The boundary of the Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded. No more than 100 horses 

would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide Basin 

Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild Horse 

Herd Management Area would not change. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

All activities would be designed to place priority consideration on elk habitat over conflicting land uses to ensure 

continued elk use in the ACEC. Steamboat Rim and the base 

of the rim would be managed to protect big game habitat, 

vegetation communities, and visual and recreation resources. 

Other Special Management Areas 

Oregon Buttes ACEC (3,450 acres in the 

planning area) 

The ACEC is within the Oregon Buttes, White Horse 

Creek and Honeycomb Buttes WSAs and lies outside the core 

area. The ACEC would be managed under the “Interim 

Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review” 

(USDI 1995). The management objectives and actions would 

be the same as described for the Preferred Alternative except 

as discussed for the following resources. Some of the actions 

in these resource management sections may be the same as 

described in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for 

understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry under 

the land laws in the ACEC would be pursued to protect 

important resource values, as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: The ACEC would remain closed to fluid mineral 

leasing (nondiscretionary closure-approximately 3,450 acres 

of federal mineral estate). 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The areas identified in Table 2-16 would be closed to 

mineral material sales. 

The ACEC would remain closed to mineral material sales 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry under 

the land laws in the ACEC would be pursued to protect 

important resource values, as needs are identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

In the ACEC, exploration activities, without use of explosive charges or motorized vehicles, could occur in conformance with ACEC objectives (Table 2-7). 

Special Status Plant ACEC Expansion 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the general 

management section of the Preferred Alternative. In addition: 

The Special Status Plant ACEC, designated in the Green 

River RMP, would be expanded to include 2,660 acres of 

Lesquerella macrocarpa (Map 38). 

South Pass Historic Landscape (45,830 acres 

in the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except as discussed 

for the following resources. Some of the actions in these 

resource management sections may be the same as described 

in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

77
ALTERNATIVES

Communication sites could not be considered on Pacific 

Buttes (Table 2-13). Actions on Pacific Butte would conform 

to the existing management prescriptions for the South Pass 

Historic Landscape (Appendix 3). 

Withdrawals would be pursued for elk calving areas in 

addition to those withdrawals listed in the Green River RMP 

(Map 34 and Appendix 3). Future withdrawals from mineral 

location and entry under the land laws in the ACEC would be 

pursued to protect important resource values, as needs are 

identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat within the ACEC (Table 2-5 

and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures for 

processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values in the ACEC (see Table 2-15, Figure 1, Map 

35, Map 21, and Map 36). 

The historic values in the landscape, crucial habitats, and 

other areas of sensitive resource values outside the connectivity area would be open to consideration for fluid mineral 

leasing and development so long as they would be protected 

from irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). See the Fluid 

Minerals section of the overall planning area for a description 

of management actions involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

the ACEC that existed before approval of the JMHCAP would 

be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing 

lease stipulations, any additional mitigation needs would be 

included (to the extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of 

approval for APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but 

would not be limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in Table 2-15; 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 0.5 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1), where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore habitat and to reduce the 

long-term loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

or 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The areas identified in Table 2-16 would be closed to 

mineral material sales. The connectivity portion of the ACEC 

would be closed to mineral material sales. That portion of the 

ACEC seen from the historic trail (vista) would remain closed 

to mineral material sales. Other mineral material sale activity 

would conform with the prescriptions established for the 

South Pass Historic Landscape in the Green River RMP. This 

activity would not detract from the relevance and importance 

values of the ACEC. Sale proposals would be considered on 

a case-by-case basis, and appropriate mitigation would be 

required. Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities, elk calving areas, and mountain shrub communities 

(including big sagebrush/scurfpea communities and special 

status species habitats) would be closed to mineral material 

sales. Road construction and upgrading of roads for mineral 

material extraction would only be allowed in accordance with 

transportation planning. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Withdrawals would be pursued for elk calving areas in 

addition to those withdrawals listed in the Green River RMP 

(Map 34 and Appendix 3). Future withdrawals from mineral 

location and entry under the land laws in the ACEC would be 

pursued to protect important resource values, as needs are 

identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Shothole activity would not be allowed along the trails. 

Other geophysical operations would be allowed within the 

historic trails corridors if site specific analysis determines that 

no effects adverse to the visual integrity of the trails would 

occur. 

78
ALTERNATIVES

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be closed to vehicle use and explosive charges. In areas 

closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities and 

sensitive areas (Figure 1), exploration activities, without use 

of explosive charges, could occur on existing roads and trails 

in conformance with transportation planning. 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect historic resources and certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and Map 21). Other resources and areas 

to be protected include but are not limited to: raptor nesting 

sites, South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible within 3-

mile buffer of Oregon Trail, and special status plant species 

habitat. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), , and big sagebrush habitat. On 

areas where several of these resources overlap, an NSO 

requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-15 and Map 36. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 35) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural and historic resources, special status species, 

watershed management objectives, and for public health and 

safety. However, exceptions could be considered for such 

surface disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or 

other types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit 

of these same resources and uses. In areas closed to leasing, 

outside the vista, small feeder utility lines (4 inch or less) in 

these areas would be prohibited, unless they: 1) follow roads 

or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with 

transportation planning; 2) meet ACEC objectives and management actions; and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the 

Lands and Realty Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the ACEC, for any 

purpose, would be limited only to specific roads identified for 

winter use. However, access on other roads could be authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

Seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): the overlapping connectivity area in the ACEC 

= 0.5 mile or less. 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The boundary of the Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded. No more than 100 horses 

would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide Basin 

Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild Horse 

Herd Management Area would not change. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC (20 acres 

in the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except as discussed 

for the following resources. Some of the actions in these 

resource management sections may be the same as described 

in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP (see Appendix 3). In addition: 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

ACEC. Functional, pre-existing water developments could 

be maintained and natural water sources (springs and seeps) in 

the ACEC would be protected. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to leasing and surface 

disturbance activities associated with fluid mineral development (Map 35). 

79
ALTERNATIVES

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The ACEC would remain closed to surface disturbing 

activities that could adversely affect the ACEC. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on big 

game winter ranges, calving or parturition areas, sage grouse 

nesting areas, and raptor habitat (Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 35) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

ACEC. See Reclamation and Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for related management actions. 

Red Desert Watershed Area (169,010 acres in 

the planning area) 

The management objectives and actions would be the same 

as described for the Preferred Alternative except as discussed 

for the following resources. Some of the actions in these 

resource management sections may be the same as described 

in the Preferred Alternative but are repeated here for understanding and clarification. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general management 

actions for the overall planning area and described in the 

Green River RMP (see Appendix 3). About two thirds of the 

Oregon Buttes ACEC occurs in the Red Desert Watershed 

Area. A portion of the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, and 

therefore, the core area, Split Rock, and the connectivity areas 

also occur in the watershed area. Where the Red Desert 

Watershed Area overlaps these areas, the management objectives and actions are discussed in those specific areas and not 

repeated here. In addition: 

Lands and Realty Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Lands and 

Realty management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Rights-of-way would avoid the big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation associations to minimize effects to big game habitat (Map 32, Map 33, and Table 2-13). 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-14 would be pursued. Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws would be pursued to protect important 

resource values, as needs are identified. 

Livestock Grazing Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Livestock 

Grazing management actions for the overall planning area. In 

addition: 

Livestock water developments would not be allowed in the 

core area, crucial big game ranges, or the connectivity area. 

Minerals Management 

Leasable Minerals-Fluid Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Fluid Minerals management actions 

for the overall planning area. In addition: 

Approximately 12,950 acres of federal mineral estate would 

be closed to fluid mineral leasing (Map 35). 

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and 

Map 21). About 5,200 acres would be open to leasing with a 

no surface occupancy requirement. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). Also see Appendix 4 for procedures 

for processing authorizations in areas with seasonal requirements. 

Fluid mineral exploration and development activities would 

be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important 

resource values (see Table 2-15, Map 36, and Figure 1). 

Surface disturbance conditional requirements would be placed 

on 169,010 acres. 

Crucial habitats and other areas of sensitive resource 

values would be open to consideration for fluid mineral 

leasing and development so long as they would be protected 

from irreversible adverse effects (Figure 1). This would be 

accomplished in part through controlled timing and sequencing of federal fluid mineral leasing, exploration, development, and reclamation in these areas. For example, satisfactory abandonment of oil and gas wells or surface disturbance 

reclamation may be required before additional fluid mineral 

leasing and development could occur in big game crucial 

ranges, migration routes, and birthing areas. See the Fluid 

Minerals section of the overall planning area for a description 

of management actions involving fluid mineral leasing exploration and development. 

Exploration and development activities related to leases in 

effect before approval of the JMHCAP would be reviewed on 

a case-by-case basis. Besides the existing lease stipulations, 

any additional mitigation needs would be included (to the 

80
ALTERNATIVES

extent allowed by regulation) as conditions of approval for 

APDs. Conditions of approval may include, but would not be 

limited to: 

surface disturbance conditional requirements identified 

in (see Table 2-15); 

transportation planning, prior to implementing any activity, with an objective of no more than 0.5 miles of allweather (improved) road per section in big game crucial 

habitat areas; 

remote control of fluid mineral production facilities to 

limit traffic into the area; 

multiple-well pads to limit the amount of use, access, 

and disturbance in the area; 

limiting the number of well pads to no more than four 

per section in sensitive areas; 

directional drilling in crucial wildlife habitats and other 

sensitive areas (Table 2-15 and Figure 1) where access 

and surface disturbance or disruptive activity would 

create irreversible adverse effects; 

clustering or centrally locating tank batteries or other 

ancillary facilities to limit traffic and disturbance; 

shrub reclamation (containerized stock, transplanting, 

etc.) where necessary to restore and to reduce the longterm loss of important habitat; 

application of geotechnical materials for construction; 

or 

unitization of potential oil and gas field areas prior to 

exploration and development. 

Solid Leasables (Coal) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same 

as general Solid Leasable Minerals management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

Exploration proposals would be reviewed on a case-bycase basis and appropriate mitigation would be required. 

Exploration activities would avoid sensitive areas (Figure 1). 

Areas closed to surface disturbing and disruptive activities 

would be closed to exploration activities; however, exploration activities could occur on existing roads and trails within 

these areas in conformance with transportation planning. 

Salables (Mineral Materials) MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: 

Same as general Mineral Materials management actions for 

the overall planning area. In addition: 

The areas identified in Table 2-16 would be closed to 

mineral material sales. Areas closed to surface disturbing and 

disruptive activities, elk calving areas, and mountain shrub 

communities (including big sagebrush/scurfpea communities 

and special status species habitats) would be closed to mineral 

material sales. In areas that remain open, sale proposals would 

be considered on a case-by-case basis, and appropriate mitigation would be required. Road construction and upgrading 

of roads for mineral material extraction would only be allowed in accordance with transportation planning. 

Locatable Minerals MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as 

general Locatable Minerals management actions for the overall planning area. In addition: 

The proposed withdrawals in Table 2-14 would be pursued. Future withdrawals from mineral location and entry 

under the land laws would be pursued to protect important 

resource values, as needs are identified. 

Geophysical MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general 

Geophysical management actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Most of the planning area would be open to consideration 

of geophysical exploration activities. Based on site specific 

analysis, geophysical exploration activities would be authorized with appropriate conditional requirements such as limiting the use of vehicles and explosive charges (Table 2-7). 

Exploration activities in sensitive areas would be limited and 

mitigation measures would be applied to protect sensitive 

resources (timing limitations, avoidance, restrictions on vehicle use and explosive charges, etc.). Areas closed to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would be closed to offroad vehicle use and explosive charges. In areas closed to 

surface disturbing and disruptive activities, the core area, and 

sensitive areas, exploration activities, without the use of 

explosive charges, could occur on existing roads and trails in 

conformance with transportation planning. 

Areas of Native American respected places would be 

closed to geophysical vehicles and explosive charges. 

Reclamation and Reclamation Monitoring 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Reclamation 

and Reclamation Monitoring actions for the overall planning 

area. In addition: 

Satisfactory reclamation of surface disturbance and abandonment of facilities, such as oil and gas wells, range improvements, roads, trails, etc., that are no longer needed in the 

Red Desert, may be required before additional facilities or 

disturbance would be allowed in big game crucial ranges, 

migration routes and birthing areas in the Red Desert. 

Special Status Plant ACEC Expansion 

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Same as stated in the Green 

River RMP. 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as stated in the general 

management section of the Preferred Alternative. In addition: 

The Special Status Plant ACEC designated in the Green 

River RMP would be expanded to include 2,660 acres of 

Lesquerella macrocarpa (Map 38). 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Activities Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Surface Disturbing and Disruptive management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

81
ALTERNATIVES

A no surface occupancy requirement would be used to 

protect certain important resource values (see Table 2-15 and 

Map 21). Sensitive resources and areas to be protected include 

but are not limited to: raptor nesting sites, special status plant 

species habitat, and Tri-Territory Marker. 

Seasonal conditional requirements would be placed on 

about 56,500 acres of big game winter ranges, calving or 

parturition areas, sage grouse nesting areas, and raptor habitat 

(Table 2-5 and Map 11). 

Surface disturbing and disruptive activities would be appropriately conditioned to protect certain important resource 

values. These resources include but are not limited to: visual 

values, recreation opportunities, public health and safety, 

cultural values, geologic features, crucial wildlife habitats 

(crucial winter ranges, migration routes, parturition areas, and 

nesting and breeding areas), stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, and big sagebrush habitat. On areas where several of 

these resources overlap, an NSO requirement would be applied (Figure 1). For more information, see Table 2-15 and 

Map 36. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing (Map 35) and to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities would also be closed to 

surface disturbing activities for the protection of wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special status species, watershed 

management objectives, and for public health and safety. 

However, exceptions could be considered for such surface 

disturbing activities as fencing, interpretive signs, or other 

types of actions that would be conducted for the benefit of 

these same resources and uses. Small feeder utility lines (4 

inch or less) in these areas would be prohibited, unless they 1) 

follow roads or right-of-way concentration areas in conformance with transportation planning; 2) meet area objectives; 

and 3) do not create safety hazards (see the Lands and Realty 

Management section). 

Travel Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Travel Management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

General winter vehicular access in the planning area, for 

any purpose, would be limited to only specific roads identified 

for winter use. However, access on other roads could be 

authorized for over-the-snow vehicles only. 

The seasonal vehicle closure for protection of elk and deer 

parturition habitat in the core area would apply. Additional 

seasonal closures may be applied for protection of other 

resource values as needed. 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road density guideline for allweather (improved) roads would be (in miles of road per 

square mile): core area and connectivity area = 0.5 miles or 

less. 

Visual Resource Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Visual Resource management actions for overall planning area. In 

addition: 

The entire watershed area would be managed as a Class II 

VRM area (Map 39). 

Wild Horse Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wild Horse 

management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

The boundary of the Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd Management Area would be expanded. No more than 100 horses 

would occupy the expansion area portion of the Divide Basin 

Wild Horse Herd Management Area. The Appropriate Management Level for the expanded Divide Basin Wild Horse 

Herd Management Area would not change. 

Wildlife Management 

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS: Same as general Wildlife management actions for overall planning area. In addition: 

Avoiding fragmentation of habitat and maintaining the 

integrity of migration corridors, birthing areas, and winter 

ranges would be addressed by limiting the number of roads 

and access, and limiting the degree of activity and use in the 

Red Desert portion of the planning area. See Reclamation and 

Surface Disturbing and Disruptive Management sections for 

related management actions. 

82
TABLE 2-1

SUMMARY COMPARISON OF ALTERNATIVES

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL RESOURCE 

OR LAND USE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, 

crucial habitats and other areas of 

sensitive resource values would be 

open to further consideration for 

various multiple use activities so 

long as crucial habitats and other 

sensitive resource values would be 

protected from irreversible adverse 

effects. This would be 

accomplished in part through 

controlled timing and sequencing of 

the various activities and related 

reclamation in these areas. For 

example, satisfactory reclamation of 

surface disturbance may be required 

before additional surface disturbing 

activities would be allowed in big 

game crucial ranges, migration 

routes, and birthing areas. Under 

this alternative, the following could 

occur: 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

83
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

S Subject to future monitoring and 

evaluation, portions of the 

JMHCAP planning area would be 

temporarily closed to mineral 

leasing, long-term surface 

disturbing and disruptive activity, 

rights-of-way, fencing, 

powerlines, pipelines, long-term 

and permanent structures or 

facilities, rangeland 

improvements, land treatments, 

mineral leasing, long-term and 

permanent land and resource use 

commitments or allocations. 

This would be done to satisfy 

immediate needs for adequate 

wildlife habitat and use of that 

habitat (crucial winter range, 

calving/fawning, migration 

corridors, etc.), protection of 

other sensitive resources, and for 

public health and safety. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

84
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

-In particular, in portions of 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, the 

White Mountain and Split Rock 

areas, and the core and connectivity 

areas, these types of actions would 

not be authorized until monitoring 

and evaluation of ongoing activity 

in these areas determine that rates 

and levels of activities and 

reclamation would allow further 

activity, would not cause 

fragmentation and abandonment of 

habitat, and would still meet stated 

management objectives. This 

determination would be based on 

the effects on elk and their 

movement patterns, elk use of 

habitat, effects on other wildlife 

species and habitats, and effects on 

other sensitive resources. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

85
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

-The evaluation would incorporate 

information from the elk study 

initiated in 1999; application of the 

standards and guidelines for healthy 

rangelands; proper functioning 

condition determinations for 

riparian areas; and other activities 

and uses. After the initial phase of 

the evaluation (about four years), a 

determination would be made on 

whether or not areas may become 

available for consideration of future 

activities. Should these areas 

become available, appropriate 

mitigation would be applied to meet 

planning area management 

objectives. If the evaluation 

concludes that planning area 

management objectives are not 

being met, these areas would remain 

unavailable. As areas become 

available for consideration of future 

activities, they would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis to determine 

if the planning area management 

objectives could be met. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

86
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

SURFACE 

DISTURBANCE 

Management Objectives: to 

protect sensitive resources and areas 

from irreversible adverse effects of 

surface disturbing activities and 

disruptive human presence (also see 

Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Sensitive 

resources and areas to be protected 

include: Boars Tusk, White 

Mountain Petroglyphs, Crookston 

Ranch, crucial habitats, developed 

recreation sites and the ORV 

parking lot in the Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, Oregon Buttes 

ACEC, raptor nesting sites, rock art 

site, South Pass Historic Landscape 

(area visible within 3-mile buffer of 

Oregon Trail), special status plant 

species habitat, Native American 

areas of concern, and the TriTerritory Marker (see oil and gas 

section). 

Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: Boars Tusk, 

White Mountain Petroglyphs, 

Crookston Ranch, developed 

recreation sites and the ORV 

parking lot in the Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, Oregon Buttes 

ACEC, raptor nesting sites, South 

Pass Historic Landscape (area 

visible within 3-mile buffer of 

Oregon Trail), special status plant 

species habitat, Native American 

areas of concern, and the TriTerritory Marker (see oil and gas 

section). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: Boars Tusk, 

White Mountain Petroglyphs, 

Crookston Ranch, developed 

recreation sites and the ORV 

parking lot in the Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC, Native American 

areas of concern, Oregon Buttes 

ACEC, raptor nesting sites, rock art 

site, South Pass Historic Landscape 

(area visible within 3-mile buffer of 

Oregon Trail), special status plant 

species habitat, and the TriTerritory Marker (see oil and gas 

section). 

87
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

Seasonal conditional requirements 

would be applied on about 347,250 

acres of big game crucial winter 

ranges, calving or parturition areas, 

sage grouse nesting areas, raptor 

nesting habitat, and game fish 

spawning areas (Table 2-5). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

88
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

SURFACE 

DISTURBANCE 

(continued) 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian 

areas, highly erodible soils, historic 

trails (1/4 mile or visual horizon), 

recreation sites (+1/4 mile buffer), 

sage grouse leks and 1/4 mile 

buffer, South Pass Historic 

Landscape (area not visible within 3 

miles of Oregon Trail), special 

status plant species potential habitat, 

VRM Class II lands, and areas 

within 100 feet of the inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 

would be avoidance areas for 

surface disturbing activities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be limited during wet weather, on 

frozen soils, and on slopes greater 

than 20%. 

Surface-disturbing activities would 

be limited during wet weather, on 

frozen soils, and on slopes greater 

than 25%. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Native American respected places 

(see Cultural section) would be 

avoidance areas for surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities. 

Avoidance distances may vary from 

100 feet to 2-1/2 miles. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be prohibited 

within 100 feet of Native 

American respected places. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be prohibited 

within 1/4 mile of Native American 

respected places. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be prohibited 

within 1 mile of Native American 

respected places. 

89
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA 

MANAGEMENT 

ACTIONS COMMON 

TO ALL LAND AND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

RESOURCE 

PROGRAMS 

SURFACE Areas closed to oil and gas leasing Same as Preferred Alternative. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

DISTURBANCE would be open only to those (continued) activities that would benefit wildlife

habitat, cultural resources, special

status species, and watershed values. 

Consideration would be given to

linear facilities that follow existing

roads in these areas in conformance

with transportation planning.

90
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

AIR QUALITY Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Special 

requirements (e.g., use authorization 

stipulations, mitigation measures, 

conditions of approval, etc.) to 

alleviate air quality impacts will be 

identified on a case-by-case basis 

and included in use authorizations, 

leases, and permits. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

CULTURAL, 

PALEONTOLOGICAL 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: 

Congressionally designated National 

Historic Trails would be managed as 

described in the Green River RMP 

(see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

The most historic examples of each 

Expansion Era Road would be 

preserved for their historic resource 

values. The effects to a portion of 

the road would need to be evaluated 

against the integrity (according to 

NRHP guidelines) of the entirety of 

the road. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

91
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CULTURAL, 

PALEONTOLOGICAL 

(continued) 

For Expansion Era roads, distance 

restrictions for surface disturbing 

activities and visual intrusions 

would be determined on a case-bycase basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited within 1/4 mile of 

any Expansion Era Road segment 

determined to possess qualities 

making that portion of the road 

eligible for inclusion within the 

NRHP. 

Special requirements (e.g., use 

authorization stipulations, 

mitigation measures, conditions of 

approval, etc.) to alleviate cultural 

resource impacts would be 

identified on a case-by-case basis 

and included in use authorizations, 

leases, and permits. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be prohibited on a 

320-acre cultural site. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

NRHP-eligible sites and a 100-foot 

buffer would be avoidance areas. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. NRHP-eligible sites and a 300-foot 

buffer would be avoidance areas. 

92
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CULTURAL, 

PALEONTOLOGICAL 

(continued) 

Native American respected places 

would be avoidance areas for 

surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities. Traditional elders would 

be consulted regarding the 

importance of specific features 

identified, and for their 

recommendations of appropriate 

avoidance distances. Avoidance 

distances may range from 100 feet 

to 21⁄2 miles depending on the 

importance of the features involved 

and their topographic setting. 

Viewshed (vista) and noise analysis 

may be conducted to help determine 

appropriate avoidance distances. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be excluded within 

100 feet of Native American 

respected places. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be excluded within 

1⁄4 mile of Native American 

respected places. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be excluded within 

1 mile of Native American 

respected places. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be excluded within 

a 1⁄2-mile viewshed (vista) of the 

White Mountain Petroglyphs. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

For all other rock art sites, activities 

would be excluded within a 1⁄2-mile 

viewshed. A vista and noise 

analysis would be done for each 

site. 

All other rock art sites would be 

addressed on a case-by-case basis. 

A vista and noise analysis would be 

done for each site. 

All other rock art sites would be 

avoided by 100 feet. A vista and 

noise analysis would not be done 

for each site. 

All other rock art sites would be 

avoided by 1⁄2 mile. A vista and 

noise analysis would not be done 

for each site. 

The paleosol deposition area would 

be reviewed for consideration for 

nomination to the National Register 

of Historic Places. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

93
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CULTURAL, 

PALEONTOLOGICAL 

(continued) 

The paleosol deposition area would 

be an avoidance area surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities. 

Exceptions may be considered on a 

case-by-case basis if adverse effects 

could be mitigated. 

Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would avoid sites located 

in the paleosol deposition area by 

100 feet. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be prohibited 

within the entire paleosol 

deposition area. 

Site-specific surveys for fossil 

resources would be conducted as 

necessary, before any surfacedisturbing activities would be 

approved. Mitigation would be 

applied on a case-by-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

FIRE Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Fire 

prescriptions identified in the “Fire 

Management Implementation Plan 

for the BLM-Administered Public 

Lands in the State of Wyoming” 

(BLM 1998) would be implemented. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Additional fire prescriptions 

including full suppression for big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

associations would be applied on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Additional fire prescriptions 

including full suppression for big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

associations would not be applied 

on a case-by-case basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

94
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

Prescribed fires would be considered 

on a case-by-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

HAZARDOUS 

MATERIALS 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Site 

specific management prescriptions 

would be developed on a case-bycase basis as necessary. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

HEALTHY RANGELANDS Management Objectives: to 

provide for the health, productivity, 

and sustainability of BLMadministered rangelands; to achieve 

the four fundamentals of rangeland 

health. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: The 

Wyoming Standards for Healthy 

Rangelands would apply to all 

resource use activities on public 

lands. Special requirements to meet 

the Standards for Healthy 

Rangelands would be identified on a 

case-by-case basis. Methods and/or 

practices would be put in place to 

implement plan objectives and to 

describe site specific conditions 

desired. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

95
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Land Ownership 

Adjustment 

Management Actions: Land 

disposal and acquisition proposals 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Consideration would be given to 

exchanges for state lands in 

Wilderness Study Areas and special 

management areas such as ACECs. 

Exchanges would conform with the 

JMHCAP objectives and actions. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Exchanges 

The proposed exchanges identified 

in the Green River RMP would be 

pursued. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Utility/Transportation 

Systems 

With the exception of defined 

exclusion and avoidance areas, 

public lands in the planning area 

would be open to consideration of 

granting of rights-of-way, permits, 

and leases. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Right-of-way activities would be 

concentrated in certain areas and 

avoided or excluded in others, to 

protect sensitive resources (Table 2­

2). 

Right-of-way activities would not 

be concentrated in certain areas and 

avoided or excluded in others, to 

protect sensitive resources (Table 

2-9). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

96
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Utility/Transportation 

Systems 

(continued) 

Rights-of-way windows would be 

established to concentrate the 

placement of right-of-way facilities 

and limit the areas disturbed. All 

rights-of-way would be placed in the 

windows identified. Exceptions 

may be considered if mitigation can 

be developed to meet area 

objectives and to alleviate impacts 

to the sensitive resources in the area. 

Rights-of-way windows areas 

would not be established to 

concentrate facilities. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Rights-of-way windows would be 

established to concentrate the 

placement of right-of-way facilities 

and limit the areas disturbed. All 

rights-of-way would be placed in 

the windows identified. Exceptions 

would not be considered. 

Areas closed to surface occupancy 

and closed to fluid mineral leasing 

would be closed to rights-of-way. 

An exception could be considered 

for small feeder lines if they follow 

existing roads (in accordance with 

transportation planning), or follow 

existing right-of-way concentration 

areas, do not create a safety hazard, 

and meet area objectives. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Communication Sites 

Where acceptable, communication 

sites would be approved on a caseby-case basis. Sharing of sites 

would be advocated, where possible. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

97
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Communication Sites 

(continued) 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Oregon 

Buttes ACEC, and Continental Peak 

would be closed to communication 

sites to protect wildlife habitat and 

visual values. Communication sites 

could be considered on Essex 

Mountain or Pacific Butte. 

Restrictions would be applied on 

height (no strobe light necessary), 

road access, and to prevent visual 

intrusion. Actions on Pacific Butte 

would conform to the management 

prescriptions in place for the South 

Pass Historic Landscape. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

be closed to communication sites. 

Sites could be considered on Essex 

Mountain and Pacific Butte. 

Oregon Buttes ACEC and 

Continental Peak would be closed 

to communication sites. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Essex 

Mountain, and Pacific Butte would 

be open for consideration of 

communications sites. Oregon 

Buttes ACEC and Continental Peak 

would be closed to communication 

sites. 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Essex 

Mountain, Oregon Buttes ACEC, 

Continental Peak, and Pacific 

Buttes would be closed to 

communication sites to protect 

wildlife habitat and visual values. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Withdrawals 

Withdrawals would be pursued to 

provide protection to important 

resource values. Withdrawals which 

no longer serve the purpose for 

which they were established would 

be revoked. Prior to revocation, 

withdrawn lands would be reviewed 

to determine if any other resource 

values require withdrawal protection 

(see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Withdrawals would be pursued for 

sites identified in the GRRMP (see 

Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

98
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Withdrawals 

(continued) 

Additional withdrawals would be 

pursued for two elk calving areas 

(about 7,440 acres), the top of 

Steamboat Mountain (about 960 

acres), cultural site (about 320 

acres), and 3 Native American 

respected places (about 280 acres) 

(Map 8, Table 2-3). 

Additional withdrawals would not 

be pursued. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Additional withdrawals would be 

pursued for the connectivity area 

(about 140,380 acres), elk calving 

areas (about 58,890 acres), core 

area (about 80,410 acres) 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (about 

43,310 acres), and a cultural site 

(about 320 acres) (Map 34, Table 

2-15). 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Access 

Access to public lands would be 

provided throughout the planning 

area. Access would be closed or 

restricted where necessary in 

specific areas to protect public 

health and safety, and to protect 

significant resource values in 

accordance with ORV designations. 

See Travel Management section. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

99
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: 1) 

improve forage production and 

ecological conditions for the benefit 

of livestock use, wildlife habitat, 

watershed, and riparian areas; 2) 

maintain, improve, or restore 

riparian habitat to enhance forage 

conditions, wildlife habitat, and 

stream quality; and 3) achieve 

proper functioning condition or 

better on riparian areas (this is the 

first priority for vegetation management) (Appendix 3). In addition: 

Maintain or improve the vegetative 

resource (particularly mountain 

shrub communities), and provide for 

the maintenance or improvement of 

wildlife habitat, watershed values 

and riparian habitat using 

appropriate vegetation and livestock 

grazing management practices to 

meet the objectives for the planning 

area (provide the necessary habitat 

for big game and other wildlife 

species). 

Management Objectives: 1) 

improve forage production and 

ecological conditions for the 

benefit of livestock use, wildlife 

habitat, watershed, and riparian 

areas; 2) maintain, improve, or 

restore riparian habitat to enhance 

forage conditions, wildlife habitat, 

and stream quality; and 3) achieve 

proper functioning condition or 

better on riparian areas (this is the 

first priority for vegetation management) (Appendix 3). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

100
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Management Actions: Authorized 

grazing use would not exceed the 

recognized permitted use. For 

analysis purposes, anticipated actual 

use would range from 

approximately 9,851 AUMs (5-year 

average 1994-1998) to the total 

permitted use of 26,032 AUMs. 

The average between the two 

amounts is 17,941 AUMs (15,814 

cattle and 2,127 sheep). 

Management Actions: Authorized 

grazing use would not exceed the 

recognized permitted use. For 

analysis purposes, anticipated 

actual use would range from 

approximately 13,038 AUMs (1998 

base year usage) to the total 

permitted use of 26,032 AUMs. 

The average between the two 

amounts is 19,535 AUMs (17,379 

cattle and 2,156 sheep). 

Management Actions: Authorized 

grazing use would not exceed the 

recognized permitted use. For 

analysis purposes, anticipated 

actual use would be 26,032 AUMs 

(22,767 cattle and 3,265 sheep). 

Management Actions: Authorized 

grazing use would not exceed the 

recognized permitted use. For 

analysis purposes, anticipated 

actual use would be based on the 5­

year average actual use (1994­

1998) of 9,851 AUMs (8,861 cattle 

and 990 sheep). 

Methods and/or practices would be 

put in place to implement plan 

objectives and to describe site 

specific conditions desired. Criteria 

would be established to define 

significant progress. Significant 

progress toward meeting the 

standards would be made within a 

reasonable time frame (subject to 

climatic variability). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Levels of livestock use may be 

reduced (where appropriate) as one 

of the appropriate actions taken to 

meet the Wyoming Standards for 

Healthy Rangelands. 

Levels of livestock use would only 

be reduced if it is the only 

appropriate action that would meet 

the Wyoming Standards for 

Healthy Rangelands. 

Levels of livestock use would not 

be reduced as the only appropriate 

action to be taken, to meet the 

Wyoming Standards for Healthy 

Rangelands. 

Levels of livestock use would be 

reduced (where appropriate) as the 

primary appropriate action taken to 

meet the Wyoming Standards for 

Healthy Rangelands. 

101
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Livestock turnout dates would be 

determined on a case-by-case basis 

to ensure adequate vegetative 

growing season rest. At a 

minimum, no livestock use would 

be allowed before range readiness. 

Range readiness would be 

determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Established turnout dates would 

continue; however, modification 

could be considered on a case-bycase basis. Early turnout would not 

occur under this alternative. 

Established turnout dates could be 

modified to allow early turnout and 

growing season-long use. 

Turnout dates would be delayed 

until mid- to late-June, to provide 

for more growing season rest. 

Applications for changes in class of 

livestock would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis and would only 

be approved where such a 

conversion would aid in achieving 

the JMHCAP objectives. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Applications for changes in class of 

livestock to sheep use would be 

considered. Changes to cattle use 

would not be considered. 

Livestock grazing suitability 

reviews would be applied on a caseby-case basis. Unsuitable areas 

would be removed from the forage 

base as appropriate. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Planning area-wide livestock 

grazing suitability reviews would 

be conducted to determine areas 

that do not qualify for the forage 

base. Unsuitable areas would be 

removed from the forage base as 

appropriate. 

Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would only be allowed for 

emergency situations. Any such 

activity would conform with 

transportation planning. 

Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

102
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Limit livestock use on upland key 

grass species to 1) no more than 

40% of the current growth (seasonal 

utilization) and 2) minimum heights 

throughout the growing season (to 

be determined for individual key 

species), whichever is reached first. 

Limit livestock use on upland key 

grass species to 1) no more than 

50% of the current annual growth 

and 2) minimum heights at the end 

of the growing season (to be 

determined for individual key 

species), whichever is reached first. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Riparian areas would be maintained, 

improved, or restored to enhance 

forage conditions, provide wildlife 

habitat, and improve stream and 

water quality. Where possible, 

additional riparian area acreage 

would be acquired to enhance 

livestock and riparian area 

management. All grazing 

management plans would include 

riparian desired plant community 

objectives (DPC). A riparian rating 

of Proper Functioning Condition 

(PFC) is the minimum level 

acceptable. Livestock grazing 

allotments with riparian areas in less 

than PFC would require a change in 

management (as determined by an 

interdisciplinary team) to achieve 

PFC. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

103
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Riparian and upland habitats would 

be managed primarily for wildlife 

and watershed needs. A livestock 

grazing plan that addresses riparian 

and upland habitats would be 

required. 

Riparian and upland habitats would 

be managed primarily for livestock 

grazing and wildlife habitat. A 

livestock grazing plan may not be 

required. 

Riparian and upland habitat would 

be primarily managed for livestock 

grazing. A livestock grazing plan 

may not be required. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Riparian pastures for livestock 

grazing would be established only if 

watershed resources and wildlife 

habitat would be enhanced. 

Riparian pastures for livestock 

grazing would not be established. 

Riparian pastures would be 

established to enhance livestock 

grazing management. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Livestock would be removed from 

an area/pasture/allotment when 30% 

of the stems are browsed on key 

riparian shrub species. Livestock 

would also be removed from an 

area/pasture/allotment when 

seasonal utilization of key riparian 

herbaceous species reaches 40% or 

utilization reaches no less than a 6­

inch height, whichever occurs first. 

Key species and plant height 

monitoring would be conducted 

throughout the grazing season. 

Livestock grazing use on riparian 

areas would be limited to 1) no 

more than 50% of the stems 

browsed on key riparian shrub 

species or 2) for herbaceous plants, 

minimum heights of 6 inches at the 

end of the growing season or 50% 

utilization. Key species and plant 

height monitoring would be 

conducted at the end of the grazing 

season. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Livestock would be removed from 

an area/pasture/allotment when 

30% of the stems are browsed on 

key riparian shrub species. 

Livestock would also be removed 

from an area/pasture/allotment 

when seasonal utilization of key 

riparian herbaceous species reaches 

35% or utilization reaches no less 

than an 8-inch height (minimum 

height), whichever occurs first. 

Key species and plant height 

monitoring would be conducted 

throughout the grazing season. 

Special management exclosures 

including the “hay meadow 

exclosures” on Pacific Creek would 

remain closed to livestock grazing. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

104
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Livestock range improvements 

outside crucial wildlife habitats 

would be considered. Within 

crucial wildlife habitats, range 

improvements would be considered 

only where they would benefit 

wildlife and wildlife habitat. The 

connectivity area would be managed 

as crucial wildlife habitat. 

No new livestock range 

improvements would be 

considered. 

Livestock range improvements 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis throughout the planning 

area. 

Livestock range improvements 

would be considered only where 

they would benefit wildlife and 

wildlife habitat. The connectivity 

area would be managed as crucial 

wildlife habitat. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the core or 

crucial winter ranges, including the 

connectivity area (migration 

corridor) only if JMHCAP 

objectives can be met. 

No livestock water developments 

would be allowed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the core, the 

connectivity area, and in crucial 

winter ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the core, 

connectivity area, or crucial winter 

ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed 

(pipelines and troughs). Natural 

water sources (springs and seeps) 

would be protected from excessive 

use. 

No similar action. Livestock water developments 

would not be fenced and offsite 

water facilities would not be 

developed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed 

(pipelines and troughs). 

Livestock water developments 

would be prohibited within 1.5 

miles of active sage grouse leks. 

No water developments would be 

authorized. 

Livestock water developments 

would be prohibited within 1/4 

mile of sage grouse leks. 

Livestock water developments 

would be prohibited within 2 miles 

of sage grouse leks. 

105
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Vegetation treatments would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

A livestock grazing plan would be 

prepared prior to treatment. Areas 

proposed for vegetation treatments 

would be rested two full years after. 

Areas proposed for prescribed 

burning would also be rested one 

full year prior to treatment unless 

vegetation cover prior to burning is 

adequate. 

No vegetation treatments would be 

authorized. 

Vegetation treatments would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

After vegetation treatments, two 

growing seasons of rest would be 

required. 

Vegetation treatments would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

A livestock grazing plan would be 

prepared prior to treatment. Areas 

proposed for vegetation treatments 

would be rested one full year prior 

to treatment and two full years 

after. 

Salt would be placed at least 1/4 

mile from historic trails. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Salt placement would be no closer 

to water than 1⁄2 mile. 

Salt would be placed at least 500 

feet from riparian areas. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Salt would be placed at least 1/4 

mile from sensitive plant species 

locations. 

Salt would be placed at least 500 

feet from sensitive plant species 

locations. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

106
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

(General) 

Management Objectives: Same as 

stated in the GRRMP (see Appendix 

3) 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

Management Objectives: to 

provide for leasing, exploration, and 

development of fluid minerals while 

protecting other resource values 

(Appendix 3). In addition: to 

permit the development of oil and 

gas reserves in an orderly and timely 

manner, inside and outside the core 

and connectivity areas, in 

conformance with the objectives to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other 

wildlife populations, and to protect 

other sensitive resources. 

Management Objectives: to 

provide for leasing, exploration, 

and development of fluid minerals 

while protecting other resource 

values (Appendix 3); to continue to 

permit the development of oil and 

gas reserves, outside the core area, 

in conformance with objectives to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other 

wildlife populations. 

Management Objectives: to 

provide for leasing, exploration, 

and development of fluid minerals 

while protecting other resource 

values (Appendix 3); to permit the 

development of oil and gas 

reserves, inside and outside the 

core area and connectivity area, in 

conformance with objectives to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other 

wildlife populations. 

Management Objectives: to 

provide for leasing, exploration, 

and development of fluid minerals 

while protecting other resource 

values (Appendix 3); to continue to 

permit the development of oil and 

gas reserves, outside the core and 

connectivity areas, in conformance 

with objectives to provide suitable 

habitat to maintain the continued 

existence of the Steamboat elk herd 

and other wildlife populations and 

to protect sensitive resources. 

107
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Management Actions: Upon 

completion of the JMHCAP, fluid 

mineral leasing, exploration and 

development would be allowed in 

portions of the planning area, 

including portions of the core and 

connectivity areas. These areas 

would be open to leasing 

consideration, with necessary 

mitigation, which could include 

CSU, NSO, other stipulations or 

conditional requirements, and 

temporary lease suspension. 

Because there are pre-existing leases 

in some of the crucial big game 

habitat areas and other sensitive 

areas, development in these areas 

could cause other areas to become 

crucial habitat or sensitive. Thus, 

some portions of the planning area 

may remain closed to leasing and 

development because other portions 

of the area with crucial habitat and 

sensitive resources are already 

leased. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

108
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Subject to future monitoring and 

evaluation, portions of the planning 

area would be temporarily closed to 

leasing to satisfy immediate needs 

for adequate habitat and use of that 

habitat (crucial winter range, 

calving/fawning, migration 

corridors, etc.), protection of 

sensitive resources, and for public 

health and safety. The entire 

planning area would not be leased at 

the same time, and exploration and 

development activities would not be 

allowed to occur at the same time 

over the entire planning area. In 

particular, unleased portions of 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, the 

White Mountain and Split Rock 

areas, and the core and connectivity 

areas would not be leased until 

monitoring and evaluation of 

ongoing exploration and 

development activity in these areas 

determine that rates and levels of 

development and reclamation would 

allow further leasing and 

development, would not cause 

fragmentation and abandonment of 

habitat, and would still meet stated 

management objectives. This 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

109
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

determination would be based on 

the effects on elk and their 

movement patterns, elk use of 

habitat, effects on other wildlife 

species and habitats, and effects on 

other sensitive resources. 

The evaluation would incorporate 

information from the elk study 

initiated in 1999; application of the 

standards for healthy rangelands, 

guidelines for livestock grazing, and 

future guidelines for other resource 

programs; proper functioning 

condition determinations for 

riparian areas; and other activities 

and uses. After the initial phase of 

the evaluation (about four years), a 

determination would be made on 

whether or not unleased areas, that 

may become available for future 

leasing consideration, would be 

offered for lease. Should these 

areas be offered for lease, 

appropriate mitigation would be 

applied to meet planning area 

management objectives. If the 

evaluation concludes that planning 

area management objectives are not 

being met, these areas would either 

remain unleased, or would be leased 

with an NSO stipulation. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

110
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

As areas become available for future 

leasing consideration, they would be 

reviewed to determine if the 

planning area management 

objectives could be met, if they 

were leased and developed. To 

facilitate this and promote 

consistency in implementing the 

JMHCAP management decisions, 

areas determined suitable for leasing 

consideration within the core and 

connectivity areas, White Mountain, 

and Split Rock areas would only be 

considered once a year. This would 

allow consideration of each of these 

areas in their entirety rather than 

piecemeal consideration of 

individual lease applications that 

may be submitted throughout the 

year. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

111
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

For oil and gas leases in effect before 

approval of the JMHCAP, exploration 

and development proposals would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis and 

mitigation requirements (conditions of 

APD approval) would include but not be 

limited to: 

-surface disturbance prescriptions 

identified in the GRRMP; 

-transportation planning prior to any 

activity with an objective of no more 

than 2 miles of road per square mile in 

crucial habitat areas; 

-remote control of wells to limit traffic 

into the area; 

-“pad” drilling (multiple wells per pad) 

to limit the amount of use, access, and 

disturbance in the area; 

-limiting the number of pads per section 

in sensitive areas to a maximum of four 

per section (based on analysis and 

current lease stipulations, it may be less 

in some areas); 

-directional drilling in crucial habitat 

areas where access and disturbance 

would cause irreversible adverse 

effects; 

-central placement of tank batteries to 

limit traffic and disturbance; 

For oil and gas leases in effect before 

approval of the JMHCAP (outside the 

core area only), exploration and 

development activities would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and 

mitigation requirements (conditions of 

APD approval) would include but not 

be limited to: 

-surface disturbance prescriptions 

identified in the GRRMP; 

-some transportation planning; 

-prohibiting surface disturbing 

activities in the core area; 

-surface disturbance prescriptions for 

sensitive areas identified in the 

GRRMP; 

-central placement of tank batteries 

where these actions would primarily 

benefit the extraction of the oil and gas 

resource; 

-standard reclamation practices; 

-application of geotechnical materials 

for construction. 

For oil and gas leases in effect before 

approval of the JMHCAP, exploration 

and development activities would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and 

mitigation requirements (conditions of 

APD approval) would include but not 

be limited to: 

-surface disturbance prescriptions 

identified in the GRRMP; 

-some transportation planning; 

-no prescriptions for sensitive areas 

would be applied; 

-remote control of wells to limit traffic 

into the area; 

-directional drilling, or “pad” drilling 

to limit the amount of use, access, and 

disturbance in the area, 

-limiting the number of pads per 

section on a case-by-case basis; 

-central placement of tank batteries 

where these actions would primarily 

benefit the extraction of the oil and gas 

resource; 

-standard reclamation practices; 

-application of geotechnical materials 

for construction. 

For oil and gas leases in effect before 

approval of the JMHCAP, exploration 

and development activities would be 

reviewed on a case-by-case basis and 

mitigation requirements (conditions of 

APD approval) would include but not 

be limited to: 

-surface disturbance prescriptions 

identified in the GRRMP; 

-transportation planning prior to any 

activity with an objective of no more 

than 1 mile of road per square mile in 

crucial habitat areas; 

-remote control of wells to limit traffic 

into the area; 

-“pad” (multiple wells per pad) drilling 

to limit the amount of use, access, and 

disturbance in the area; 

-limiting the number of pads per 

section in sensitive areas to a 

maximum of two per section; 

-directional drilling in crucial habitat 

areas where access and disturbance 

would cause irreversible adverse 

effects; 

-central placement of tank batteries to 

limit traffic and disturbance; 

-shrub reclamation (containerized 

stock) where necessary to restore 

habitat to maintain a balance and 

reduce the long-term loss of needed 

habitat; 

112
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

-shrub reclamation (containerized 

stock) where necessary to restore 

habitat to maintain a balance and 

reduce the long-term loss of needed 

habitat; 

-application of geotechnical 

materials for construction; 

- provide for unitization of areas 

prior to exploration and 

development. 

-application of geotechnical 

materials for construction; 

-provide for unitization of areas 

prior to exploration and 

development. 

No leasing on about 37,240 acres. No leasing on about 80,410 acres. No leasing on about 0 acres. No leasing on about 220,790 acres. 

No surface occupancy (NSO) 

constraints on new oil and gas 

leasing would apply to about 56,040 

acres (Table 2-4). 

No surface occupancy (NSO) 

constraints on new oil and gas 

leasing would apply to about 

30,580 acres (Table 2-10). 

Same as No Action. No surface occupancy (NSO) 

constraints on new oil and gas 

leasing would apply to about 

36,010 acres (Table 2-16). 

Seasonal restrictions would be 

applied primarily to protect wildlife 

resources (347,250 acres) and for 

watershed protection (avoiding 

excessive soil movement, runoff, 

etc.). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

416,160 acres. 

Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

320,580 acres. 

Same as No Action. Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

462,560 acres. 

Exploration and development 

activities would be prohibited on 

slopes of 20% or greater. 

Exploration and development 

activities would be prohibited on 

slopes of 25% or greater. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

113
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented. Road densities would 

be established, as necessary. 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented. Road densities 

would not be established. 

No transportation planning would 

be implemented. Road densities 

would not be established. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

NRHP-eligible sites and a 100-foot 

buffer would be avoidance areas. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. NRHP-eligible sites and a 300-foot 

buffer would be avoidance areas. 

As appropriate, mitigation 

requirements to protect other 

resources would be included as 

stipulations on oil and gas leases 

and as conditions of APD approval 

for oil and gas exploration and 

development activities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Coal 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Coal 

exploration activities would be 

reviewed and needed mitigation 

would be applied on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Areas closed to surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities would be 

closed to coal exploration activities. 

However, exploration activities 

could occur on existing roads and 

trails in accordance with 

transportation planning. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

114
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Sodium 

Management Objectives: to 

provide for both short - and longrange development of federal 

sodium resources in an orderly and 

timely manner (see Appendix 3). In 

addition, to provide for exploration 

activities outside the core area, in 

conformance with objectives to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations. 

Same as GRRMP (see Appendix 3). Same as No Action Alternative. Management Objectives: to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations. 

Management Actions: Areas 

closed to sodium exploration in the 

GRRMP would remain closed. 

Sensitive areas would be avoidance 

areas for exploration. Areas closed 

to surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to 

exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on 

existing roads and trails in 

accordance with transportation 

planning. 

Areas closed to sodium exploration 

in the GRRMP would remain 

closed. The remainder of the 

planning area would be open to 

consideration of exploration on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. The entire planning area would be 

closed to sodium exploration 

activities. 

The planning area would be closed 

to surface facilities such as plants, 

refineries, or waste water ponds. 

Trona water well locations could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

The planning area would be closed 

to the placement of waste water 

ponds. 

Same as No Action Alternative. The planning area would be closed 

to all sodium exploration and 

development and all trona water 

development activities. 

115
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Salables 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: With the 

exception of those areas closed to 

mineral material sales, the planning 

area would be open to consideration 

of mineral material sales on a caseby-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Within the core, connectivity, White 

Mountain, and Split Rock areas, the 

sale of mineral materials would 

only be allowed when in support of 

project development within these 

areas. Road construction and 

upgrading of existing roads for 

mineral material extraction would 

only be allowed if in accordance 

with transportation planning. 

No similar action. No similar action. The core, connectivity, White 

Mountain, and Split Rock areas 

would be closed to mineral 

material sales. Road construction 

and upgrading of existing roads for 

mineral material extraction would 

be prohibited. 

Outside the core, connectivity, 

White Mountain, and Split Rock 

areas, the sale of mineral materials 

would be considered case by case. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

116
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Salables 

(continued) 

The top of Steamboat Mountain 

proper would be closed to mineral 

material sales. In the remainder of 

the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the 

sale of mineral materials would only 

be allowed when in support of 

project development within the area. 

Road construction and upgrading of 

existing roads for mineral material 

extraction would only be allowed if 

in accordance with transportation 

planning. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to mineral 

material sales. The remainder of 

the core area would be open to 

consideration of mineral material 

sales on a case-by-case basis. 

A portion of Steamboat Mountain 

proper (in SE1⁄4 S. 10, W1⁄2W1⁄2 S. 

11, N1⁄2N1⁄2 S.15 T.23 R.102) 

would be open to mineral material 

sales. The remainder of Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC would be closed 

to mineral material sales. The 

remainder of the core area would 

be open to consideration of mineral 

material sales on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Locatable Minerals 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: With the 

exception of areas withdrawn from 

mineral location, the planning area 

would be open to the staking of 

mining claims and operations under 

the mining laws for locatable 

minerals. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

The proposed withdrawals 

identified in the GRRMP would be 

pursued. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

117
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Locatable Minerals 

(continued) 

Additional withdrawals from 

mineral location would be pursued 

for two elk calving areas (about 

7,440 acres), the top of Steamboat 

Mountain (about 960 acres), a 

cultural site (about 320 acres), and 3 

Native American respected places 

(about 280 acres) (Map 8, Table 2­

3). 

Additional withdrawals would not 

be pursued. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Additional withdrawals from 

mineral location would be pursued 

for the connectivity and core areas 

(about 140,380 acres), elk calving 

areas (about 58,890 acres), 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (about 

43,310 acres), and a cultural site 

(about 320 acres) (Map 34, Table 

2-15). 

Mining claim activities, other than 

casual use, would require filing a 

notice for surface disturbance of 5 

acres or less within any calendar 

year (43 CFR 3809). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Mining claim activities for surface 

disturbances greater than 5 acres 

would require a "Plan of 

Operations" (43 CFR 3809). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

In ACECs, WSAs, and areas closed 

to ORV use, a plan of operations 

would be required for any surface 

disturbance associated with valid 

mining claim activity, regardless of 

acreage involved. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

All locatable minerals actions would 

comply with the BLM bonding 

policy for surface disturbing 

activities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

118
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Geophysical Exploration 

Management Objectives: Same as 

described in the GRRMP (Appendix 

3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Based on 

site specific analysis, geophysical 

exploration could be allowed. 

Appropriate conditional 

requirements such as limiting the 

use of vehicles and explosive 

charges would be applied on a caseby-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Geophysical activities would be 

limited as defined in Table 2-7. 

Activities in sensitive areas would 

be limited and measures would be 

applied to protect sensitive 

resources. In areas closed to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities, 

the core area, and sensitive areas, 

geophysical exploration activity 

could occur on existing roads and 

trails in conformance with 

transportation planning. 

Geophysical activities would be 

restricted as defined in Appendix 3. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Geophysical activities would be 

limited as defined in Table 2-7. 

Additionally, activities inside the 

core area would be limited to foot 

traffic except on existing roads and 

trails. Outside the core area, 

geophysical activities would be 

limited to foot traffic in sensitive 

areas. In areas closed to surface 

disturbing and disruptive activities, 

geophysical exploration activity 

could occur on existing roads and 

trails in conformance with 

transportation planning. 

119
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

MONITORING Management Objectives: to 

ensure attainment of the 

construction, operation, 

maintenance, reclamation, and 

seasonal condition objectives 

associated with surface disturbing 

and disruptive activities; to ensure 

attainment of the vegetative 

resource management objectives for 

watershed, wetland/riparian, wildlife 

habitat, and livestock grazing; to 

ensure attainment of nondisruptive 

requirements; and to conform with 

the decisions of the Green River 

RMP. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: An 

interdisciplinary monitoring plan 

would be developed to monitor the 

effectiveness of planning area 

decisions. Site specific monitoring 

plans would be developed for 

specific projects and proposals. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

120
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

RECLAMATION AND 

RECLAMATION 

MONITORING 

Management Objectives: to 

achieve soil stability and to 

reestablish native vegetative ground 

cover on reclaimed areas; reduce 

runoff and erosion; restore plant 

communities; improve wildlife 

habitat condition; and restore visual 

quality to meet established visual 

resource management objectives on 

all areas of surface disturbance (see 

Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: The BLM 

State Reclamation Plan and the 

Rock Springs District Reclamation 

Plan would be implemented. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

RECREATION 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

121
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

RECREATION 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Management Actions: 

Management of the Tri-Territory 

Loop and Red Desert back country 

by-ways would include coordination 

with state and local governments 

and other interested parties, and 

interpretive and directional signing. 

Example sites for interpretive signs 

include: Chicken Springs overlook 

and the dugway onto Steamboat 

Mountain for a view of the Red 

Desert. Corridor management plans 

would be prepared for back country 

by-ways. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

A recreation and cultural resource 

project plan would be developed for 

expansion of the parking/camping 

area and facilities for the Sand 

Dunes ORV area. This project plan 

would also address increased visitor 

use in the Sand Dunes ORV area, 

interpretation of the Crookston 

Ranch historic site, and proposed 

fencing to protect the Crookston 

Ranch site and associated riparian 

area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

122
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

RECREATION 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

A recreation and cultural resource 

project plan would be prepared for 

the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC to protect sensitive resources. 

This project plan would address 

fencing, access (vehicle and foot 

traffic) parking, and interpretive 

facilities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

A connecting route for the 

Continental Divide National Scenic 

Trail (special recreation management area) (i.e., the Continental 

Peak-South Pass Side Trail) would 

be managed for hiking, equestrian, 

and motorized and nonmotorized 

vehicular use. Use by motorized 

vehicles would be in conformance 

with the ORV designations. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Activities would not be permitted to 

disrupt access to or use of developed 

and semi-developed recreation sites. 

Activities that are incompatible with 

recreation sites would be managed 

to avoid these sites. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

SPECIAL STATUS 

SPECIES MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

123
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

Management Actions: Same as the 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). See also 

Surface Disturbance management 

prescriptions and Table 2-4. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

SPECIAL STATUS 

SPECIES MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

The Special Status Plant Species 

ACEC would not be expanded to 

include Lesquerella macrocarpa. 

This species would continue to be 

managed as a special status plant 

species. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Special Status Plant Species 

ACEC would be expanded to 

include Lesquerella macrocarpa 

(2,660 acres). 

Actual plant locations of 

Lesquerella macrocarpa would be 

right-of-way avoidance areas. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Actual plant locations of 

Lesquerella macrocarpa would be 

right-of-way exclusion areas. 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Management Objectives: To 

provide opportunity for off-road 

vehicle use in conformance with 

other resource management 

objectives (see Appendix 3). In 

addition, to provide motorized 

vehicle and non-motorized vehicle 

use along appropriate routes in 

conformance with other resource 

management objectives. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

124
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Management Actions: 

Nonmotorized vehicle transport 

requirements would be the same as 

the requirements for motorized 

vehicles, unless otherwise excepted. 

Exceptions would be evaluated and 

determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Examples of possible exceptions 

could be the use of game carts, 

wheelchairs, animal-drawn carts or 

wagons, or other activities that 

would not create resource damage. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Implement the ORV designations 

identified in the GRRMP (Appendix 

3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Public lands in the planning area 

would remain either "open", 

"limited," or "closed" to vehicular 

travel as designated in the GRRMP. 

A few specific roads and trails may 

be closed to vehicle use. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Over-the-snow vehicles would 

generally be required to follow the 

ORV designations for motorized 

vehicles. Possible exceptions could 

be considered on a case-by-case 

basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

125
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Non-motorized vehicle use or nonmotorized mechanical transport 

(e.g., the use of game carts) in areas 

designated as closed to motor 

vehicle use would be considered on 

a case-by-case basis. Any use of 

non-motorized vehicles allowed in 

WSAs must meet the nonimpairment criteria. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to designated 

roads and trails,” would be 

identified on a case-by-case basis as 

time allows. Seasonal closures 

would be considered for roads in 

crucial wildlife habitat. Longstanding seasonal closures in crucial 

wildlife habitat would continue to 

apply. 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to 

designated roads and trails,” would 

be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. Seasonal 

closures for roads in crucial 

wildlife habitat would not be 

considered. Long-standing 

seasonal closures in crucial wildlife 

habitat would continue to apply. 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to 

designated roads and trails,” would 

be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. Seasonal 

closures for roads in crucial 

wildlife habitat would not be 

considered. Long-standing 

seasonal closures in crucial wildlife 

habitat would be eliminated. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Winter access, for any purpose, 

would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. 

Where access on other roads is 

necessary, routes would be 

determined on a case-by-case basis 

and would be limited to over-thesnow vehicles only. 

Winter access, for any purpose, 

would be limited to only specific 

roads identified for winter use. 

Where access on other roads is 

necessary, routes would be 

determined on a case-by-case basis 

and would be open to all types of 

vehicles. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

126
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Road and trail construction or 

upgrading would be prohibited in 

woodland habitats (i.e., juniper, 

limber pine, aspen) or through 

spring sources (pre-existing 

improved roads may be used). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Road and trail construction or 

upgrading could be allowed in 

woodland habitats and through 

spring sources. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes and to 

provide maximum protection for 

crucial habitats and sensitive 

resources. BLM construction 

standards would be used and could 

include consideration of the 

following: 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes. BLM 

construction standards would be 

used and could include 

consideration of the following: 

Transportation planning would be 

initiated to consider appropriate 

access when benefits to 

development activities would 

occur. BLM construction standards 

would be used and could include 

consideration of the following: 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes and to 

provide maximum protection for 

crucial habitats and sensitive 

resources. BLM construction 

standards would be used and could 

include consideration of the 

following: 

-Closure and rehabilitation of 

unused roads and trails, and closure 

or maintenance of those roads 

causing resource damage. The 

transportation plan and affected 

maps would be corrected to reflect 

closed roads and trails. 

-Same as Preferred Alternative. -Same as Preferred Alternative. -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

-Road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats (for all single use 

destination roads/trails) to limit 

traffic and disrupting activities. 

-Same as Preferred Alternative. -Road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats would not be 

implemented. 

-Same as Preferred Alternative. 

127
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

-Concentrating stream and riparian 

area crossings in key locations to 

avoid adverse effects. Exceptions 

may be granted if crossings would 

reduce adverse effects, benefit area 

objectives, and reduce miles of 

road (and/or frequency of use). 

Bridges may be required on Pacific, 

Jack Morrow, Parnell, and Rock 

Cabin creeks. 

-Limiting the number and location 

of stream and riparian area 

crossings. 

-No similar action. -Construction of stream or riparian 

area crossings would not be 

allowed and some pre-existing 

crossings may be closed. 

Exceptions may be granted if 

crossings would reduce adverse 

effects, benefit area objectives, 

and reduce miles of road (and/or 

frequency of use). Bridges would 

be required for perennial stream 

crossings. 

-Limit access routes that bisect 

crucial habitats and big game 

migration routes. 

-Same as Preferred Alternative. -Limits would not be placed on the 

routes that bisect crucial habitats 

and big game migration routes. 

-Same as Preferred Alternative. 

-Application of road base material 

(gravel). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

-Grouping and location of ancillary 

facilities away from crucial habitats 

and sensitive areas. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

-Application of speed limits, as 

necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to 

meet area objectives. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

128
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

-In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be: 

(in miles of road per square mile) 

core and connectivity areas �2.0 

mi;

 White Mountain area � 2.0 miles; 

all other crucial elk habitat �2.0 

miles. 

-Road density guidelines would 

not be applied. 

-Same as No Action Alternative. -In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be: (in 

miles of road per square mile) 

core and connectivity areas �0.5 

mi; 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC and 

White Mountain area � 1.0 mile; 

all other crucial elk habitat �1.0 

mile. 

VEGETATION 

MANAGEMENT/ 

WOODLANDS 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Desired 

plant communities would be 

achieved through site specific 

activity or implementation plans 

such as livestock grazing allotment 

management plans and watershed 

management plans. Different plant 

communities may have different 

DPC objectives. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Desired plant community objectives 

would reflect primarily wildlife 

habitat, watershed, and biodiversity 

values. Particular emphasis would 

be placed on maintaining or 

enhancing sage grouse habitat. 

All desired plant community 

objectives would not necessarily 

emphasize the habitat objectives in 

this plan. 

All desired plant community 

objectives would reflect primarily 

livestock management and 

commodity uses. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

129
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

VEGETATION 

MANAGEMENT/ 

WOODLANDS 

(continued) 

Vegetation treatments would be 

designed to protect water quality 

and reduce erosion, and to maintain 

or enhance mountain shrub and 

woodland communities. Treatments 

in aspen communities would be 

fenced. 

Vegetation treatments would be 

designed to protect water quality 

and dissipate erosion. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

VISUAL RESOURCE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: VRM 

classes would be managed 

according to the classifications in 

Table 2-8. 

VRM classes would be managed 

according to the classifications in 

Table 2-8. 

VRM classes would be managed 

according to the classifications in 

Table 2-8. 

VRM classes would be managed 

according to the classifications in 

Table 2-8. 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be managed as a Class 

II VRM area. 

The southern portion of the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

be managed as a Class II VRM area 

and the northern portion of the 

ACEC would be managed as a 

Class III VRM area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed as a Class III 

VRM area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed as a Class II 

VRM area. 

Portions of White Mountain would 

be managed as a Class II VRM area. 

Portions of White Mountain would 

be managed as a Class III VRM 

area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Split Rock area would be managed 

as a Class II VRM area. 

Split Rock area would be managed 

as a Class III VRM area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

130
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

VISUAL RESOURCE 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

The Eden Valley area would be 

managed as a Class III VRM area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. The Eden Valley area would be 

managed as a Class IV VRM area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

WATERSHED 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Management Actions: Same as 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). In 

addition, energy dissipating and 

flow control structures (e.g., water 

bars, catchment ponds) would be 

included in construction project 

designs to protect steep slopes and 

highly erosive soils. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Road and well pad densities would 

be established, where necessary, to 

protect watershed values, and 

wildlife and fisheries habitat. 

Road and well pad densities would 

not be established. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

No permanent facilities would be 

allowed in riparian areas, 

floodplains, or wetlands. Possible 

exceptions (e.g., linear rights-ofway) would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

WILD HORSE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

131
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

WILD HORSE 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Management Actions: Same as the 

GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Management Actions: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3), 

except: 

The Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd 

Management Area and appropriate 

management level (i.e., 415 to 600 

horses) would remain unchanged. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Divide Basin wild horse herd 

management area would be 

expanded. No more than 100 

horses would be allowed in the 

expansion area. The appropriate 

management level for the Divide 

Basin WHHMA (415 to 600 

horses) would remain unchanged. 

WILDLIFE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Objectives: Same as 

the GRRMP (see Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

132
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

WILDLIFE 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Management Actions: Permanent 

and high profile structures (such as 

well pads, roads, buildings, storage 

tanks, overhead powerlines, etc.) 

would not be allowed within 825 

feet of active raptor nests, with the 

exception of active eagle nests for 

which the distance would be 1,970 

feet. The distance may vary 

depending upon the species 

involved, prey availability, natural 

topographic barriers, line-of-sight 

distances, and other resources or 

situations involved such as cultural 

values, steep slopes, etc. 

Exceptions could be considered on a 

case-by-case basis for linear actions 

such as pipelines, seismic activity, 

etc. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Seasonal use requirements for 

surface disturbing and disruptive 

activity would be applied in crucial 

and important habitats as necessary. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

BLM would cooperate with the 

Wyoming Game and Fish 

Department in preparation of studies 

for the introduction and reintroduction of native and nonnative wildlife and fish species. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

133
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAM PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

WILDLIFE 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat 

would be addressed by limiting the 

number of roads, access, and use 

throughout the planning area. The 

integrity of migration corridors, 

birthing areas, and winter ranges 

would be maintained. 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat 

would be addressed by limiting use 

in the core area only. 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat 

would not be addressed. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes 

would be managed to enhance 

wildlife habitat and vegetation. 

Special consideration would be 

given to habitat for amphibians. 

Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes 

would be managed to maintain 

wildlife habitat and vegetation. No 

special consideration would be 

given to habitat for amphibians. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Priority would be given to 

enhancing mountain plover and sage 

grouse habitat. Conditional 

requirements, in addition to those on 

(Table 2-4), may be applied. 

Priority would be given to 

maintaining sage grouse and 

mountain plover habitat. The 

conditional requirements on Table 

2-10 would be applied. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Riparian and fish habitat in and 

around “hay meadow exclosures” on 

Pacific Creek would be managed 

only for trout. 

Riparian and fish habitat in and 

around “hay meadow exclosures” 

would be managed for all wildlife 

species. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Riparian and upland vegetation 

types would be managed with 

emphasis on enhancing wildlife 

habitat, watershed, and biodiversity 

values. 

Riparian and upland vegetation 

types would be managed with 

emphasis on maintaining wildlife 

habitat, watershed, and biodiversity 

values. 

Riparian and upland vegetation 

types would be managed with 

emphasis on resource values other 

than wildlife habitat. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

134
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

GENERAL JMHCAP AREA

 RESOURCE OR LAND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B USE PROGRAM 

Livestock water developments New livestock water developments Livestock water developments Livestock water developments 

would be prohibited within 1.5 would be prohibited. would be prohibited within 1/4 would be prohibited within 2 miles 

miles of sage grouse leks. mile of sage grouse leks. of sage grouse leks. 

135
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Reclamation; 

Special Status Species; 

and 

Vegetation 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management objectives and management actions are either specifically important to the core 

area and are repeated, or are different from those for the general JMHCAP area. 

FIRE Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Fire prescriptions for full 

suppression for big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

associations would be applied on a 

case-by-case basis. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

136
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

137
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Utility/Transportation 

Systems 

With the exception of exclusion and 

avoidance areas, the core area 

would be open to consideration of 

rights-of-way. Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be an avoidance area. 

Portions of Indian Gap and the face 

of Steamboat Mountain would be 

closed (exclusion areas) to rights-ofway. 

With the exception of exclusion 

and avoidance areas, the core area 

would be open to consideration of 

rights-of-way. The Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC, including Indian 

Gap and the face of Steamboat 

Mountain, would be an avoidance 

area for rights-of-way. 

With the exception of exclusion 

and avoidance areas, the core area 

would be open to consideration of 

rights-of-way. The Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC, including Indian 

Gap and the face of Steamboat 

Mountain, would be open to 

consideration of rights-of-way. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Withdrawals from mineral location 

would be pursued for the top of 

Steamboat Mountain (about 960 

acres) and 2 Native American 

respected places (about 180 acres). 

No similar action. No similar action. Withdrawals from mineral location 

would be pursued for the core area, 

connectivity area, and the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (about 

80,410 acres) and elk calving areas 

(about 27,540 acres). 

138
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Utility/Transportation 

Systems 

(continued) 

Transportation planning would 

include right-of-way locations. 

Linear rights-of-way would follow 

existing roads and trails in 

accordance with the transportation 

plan. Areas closed to surface 

occupancy and closed to fluid 

mineral leasing would be closed to 

rights-of-way. An exception could 

be considered for small feeder lines 

if they follow existing roads (in 

accordance with transportation 

planning), or follow existing rightof-way concentration areas, do not 

create a safety hazard, and meet 

area objectives. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

MANAGEMENT 

Communication Sites 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to communication 

sites. Communication sites could be 

considered on Essex Mountain with 

restrictions on height (no strobe 

light necessary), road access, and to 

prevent visual intrusion. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to communication 

sites. Sites could be considered on 

Essex Mountain. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

and Essex Mountain would be open 

for consideration of 

communications sites. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

and Essex Mountain would be 

closed to communication sites. 

139
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would only be allowed in 

emergency situations. Any such 

activity would conform with 

transportation planning. 

Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Livestock range improvements 

outside crucial wildlife habitats 

would be considered. Within 

crucial wildlife habitats, range 

improvements would be considered 

only where they would benefit 

wildlife and wildlife habitat. 

No new livestock range 

improvements would be 

considered. 

Livestock range improvements 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis throughout the planning 

area. 

Livestock range improvements 

would be considered only where 

they would benefit wildlife and 

wildlife habitat. 

140
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the core or 

crucial winter ranges, including the 

connectivity area (migration 

corridor) unless JMHCAP objectives 

can be met. 

No livestock water developments 

would be allowed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the core, the 

connectivity area, and in crucial 

winter ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the core, 

connectivity area, or crucial winter 

ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed 

(pipelines and troughs). Natural 

water sources (springs and seeps) 

would be protected from excessive 

use. 

No similar action. Livestock water developments 

would not be fenced and offsite 

water facilities would not be 

developed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed 

(pipelines and troughs). 

141
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

Management Objective [This 

management objective is different 

from that for the GRRMP and the 

general JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: 1) to provide for 

leasing, exploration, and 

development of fluid minerals (oil 

and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource 

values; 2) to permit in an orderly 

and timely manner, the development 

of oil and gas reserves in the ACEC; 

and 3) to conduct 1 and 2 in a 

manner that conforms with the 

management objectives for 

providing suitable habitat to 

maintain the continued existence of 

the Steamboat elk herd and other 

big game populations, and 

protecting other sensitive resources. 

Management Objective [This 

management objective is 

different from that for the 

GRRMP and the general 

JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: to provide suitable 

habitat to maintain the continued 

existence of the Steamboat elk herd 

and other big game populations, 

and protect other sensitive 

resources. 

Management Objective [This 

management objective is 

different from that for the 

GRRMP and the general 

JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: 1) to provide for 

leasing, exploration, and 

development of fluid minerals (oil 

and gas, coalbed methane, etc.) 

while protecting other resource 

values; 2) to permit in an orderly 

and timely manner, the 

development of oil and gas 

reserves in the ACEC, inside the 

core area; and 3) to conduct 1 and 

2 in a manner that conforms, where 

possible, with the management 

objectives for the planning area (to 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and protect 

other sensitive resources). 

Management Objective [This 

management objective is 

different from that for the 

GRRMP and the general 

JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: to provide for the 

maximum protection of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and to protect 

sensitive resources. 

142
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, 

portions of the core area would be 

open to leasing consideration with 

necessary mitigation, which could 

include CSU, NSO, other 

stipulations or conditional 

requirements, and temporary lease 

suspension. Because there are preexisting leases in some of the 

crucial big game habitat areas and 

other sensitive areas, development 

in these areas could cause other 

areas to become crucial habitat or 

sensitive. Thus, some portions of 

the core area may remain closed to 

leasing and development because 

other portions of the area with 

crucial habitat and sensitive 

resources are already leased. 

The core area would be closed to 

leasing. 

The core area would be open to 

leasing consideration with 

necessary mitigation. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

143
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Subject to future monitoring and 

evaluation, portions of the core area 

would be temporarily closed to leasing 

to satisfy immediate needs for adequate 

habitat and use of that habitat (crucial 

winter range, calving/fawning, 

migration corridors, etc.), protection of 

sensitive resources, and for public 

health and safety. The entire core area 

would not be leased at the same time, 

and exploration and development 

activities would not be allowed to occur 

at the same time over the entire core 

area. In particular, unleased portions of 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC, Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC, and the remainder 

of the core area would not be leased 

until monitoring and evaluation of 

ongoing exploration and development 

activity determine that rates and levels 

of development and reclamation would 

allow further leasing and development, 

would not cause fragmentation and 

abandonment of habitat, and would still 

meet stated management objectives. 

This determination would be based on 

the effects on elk and their movement 

patterns, elk use of habitat, effects on 

other wildlife species and habitats, and 

effects on other sensitive resources. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

144
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

The evaluation would incorporate 

information from the elk study 

initiated in 1999; application of the 

standards for healthy rangelands, 

guidelines for livestock grazing, and 

future guidelines for other resource 

programs; proper functioning 

condition determinations for 

riparian areas; and other activities 

and uses. After the initial phase of 

the evaluation (about four years), a 

determination would be made on 

whether or not unleased areas, that 

may become available for future 

leasing consideration, would be 

offered for lease. Should these 

areas be offered for lease, 

appropriate mitigation would be 

applied to meet core area 

management objectives. If the 

evaluation concludes that core area 

management objectives are not 

being met, these areas would either 

remain unleased, or would be leased 

with an NSO stipulation. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

145
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

As areas become available for future 

leasing consideration, they would be 

reviewed to determine if the core 

area management objectives could 

be met, if they were leased and 

developed. To facilitate this and 

promote consistency in 

implementing the JMHCAP 

management decisions, areas 

determined suitable for leasing 

consideration within the core and 

connectivity areas would only be 

considered once a year. This would 

allow consideration of each of these 

areas in their entirety rather than 

piecemeal consideration of 

individual lease applications that 

may be submitted throughout the 

year. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

146
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

For oil and gas leases in effect 

before approval of the JMHCAP, 

exploration and development 

proposals would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis and mitigation 

requirements (conditions of APD 

approval) would include but not be 

limited to: limiting road miles, 

number of well pads to 4 per 

section, directional drilling, or 

offsite facilities. 

For oil and gas leases in effect 

before approval of the JMHCAP, 

exploration and development 

activities would not occur. 

Existing leases would not be 

developed. It is recognized that 

development on existing leases can 

take place, but for purposes of 

analysis, it is assumed that 

development in the core area 

would continue to be deferred. 

For oil and gas leases in effect 

before approval of the JMHCAP, 

exploration and development 

proposals would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis and mitigation 

requirements (conditions of APD 

approval) would include but not be 

limited to: offsite facilities and 

directional drilling. 

For oil and gas leases in effect 

before approval of the JMHCAP, 

exploration and development 

proposals would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis and mitigation 

requirements (conditions of APD 

approval) would include but not be 

limited to: limiting road miles, 

limiting the number of well pads to 

2 per section, directional drilling, 

offsite facilities, and unitization of 

areas prior to exploration and 

development. 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Coal 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

147
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

Coal exploration proposals in the 

core area (including Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC) would be 

considered on a case-by-case basis; 

appropriate mitigation would be 

applied. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to coal exploration 

activities. The remainder of the 

core area would be open to 

consideration of coal exploration. 

Coal exploration activities in the 

core area (including the Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC) would be limited 

to existing roads and trails. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

148
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Coal 

(continued) 

In the core area, areas closed to 

surface disturbing and disruptive 

activities would be closed to coal 

exploration activities; however, 

exploration activities could occur on 

existing roads and trails in 

accordance with transportation 

planning. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Sodium 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

The core area would be closed to 

surface facilities such as plants, 

refineries, or waste water ponds. 

Trona water well locations could be 

considered on a case-by-case basis. 

The core area would be open to 

surface facilities such as plants and 

refineries. Trona water well 

locations could be considered on a 

case-by-case basis. The core area 

would be closed to the placement 

of waste water ponds. 

Same as No Action Alternative. The core area would be closed to 

all trona water development 

activities. 

149
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

MINERALS 

MANAGEMENT 

Salables 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

The top of Steamboat Mountain 

proper would be closed to mineral 

material sales. In the remainder of 

the Steamboat Mountain ACEC and 

the remainder of the core area, the 

sale of mineral materials would only 

be allowed when in support of 

project development in the 

immediate area of the project. Road 

construction and upgrading of 

existing roads for mineral material 

extraction would only be allowed if 

in accordance with transportation 

planning. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to mineral 

material sales. The remainder of 

the core area would be open to 

consideration of mineral material 

sales on a case-by-case basis. 

A portion of Steamboat Mountain 

proper (in SE1⁄4 S. 10, W1⁄2W1⁄2 sec 

11, N1⁄2N1⁄2 sec.15 T. 23 N., R. 102 

W.) would be open to mineral 

material sales. The remainder of 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

be closed to mineral material sales. 

The remainder of the core area 

would be open to consideration of 

mineral material sales on a caseby-case basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

150
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

RECREATION Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management of the Tri-Territory 

Loop back country by-way would 

include coordination with state and 

local governments and other 

interested parties, and interpretive 

and directional signing. Example 

sites for interpretive signs include: 

Chicken Springs overlook and the 

dugway onto Steamboat Mountain 

for a view of the Red Desert. A 

corridor management plan would be 

prepared for the Tri-Territory Loop 

back country by-way. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

151
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

SURFACE DISTURBING 

AND DISRUPTIVE 

ACTIVITIES 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: Special Status 

Plant Species habitat, Tri-Territory 

Marker, raptor nesting sites, 

stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, ORV parking lot, Boars 

Tusk, Crookston Ranch, and Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC. 

Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: raptor nesting 

sites, Special Status Plant Species 

habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, ORV 

parking lot, Boars Tusk, and 

Crookston Ranch. 

Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: raptor nesting 

sites, Special Status Plant Species 

habitat, Tri-Territory Marker, ORV 

parking lot, Boars Tusk, and 

Crookston Ranch. 

Sensitive resources and areas to be 

protected include: Special Status 

Plant Species habitat, Tri-Territory 

Marker, raptor nesting sites, 

stabilized and unstabilized sand 

dunes, ORV parking lot, Boars 

Tusk, and Crookston Ranch. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 12,100 acres. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 110 acres. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 2,910 acres. 

Seasonal conditional requirements 

would be applied on the entire core 

area (about 80,410 acres). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be conditioned on the entire core 

area(about 80,410 acres). 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be conditioned on about 37,840 

acres. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

152
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

SURFACE DISTURBING 

AND DISRUPTIVE 

ACTIVITIES 

(continued) 

Native American respected places 

would be avoidance areas for 

surface disturbing activities. 

Avoidance distances may range 

from 100 feet to 21⁄2 miles. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited within 100 feet of 

Native American respected places. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited within 1/4 mile of 

Native American respected places. 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited within 1 mile of 

Native American respected places. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

would be open to only those 

activities that would benefit wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special 

status species, and watershed values. 

Consideration would be given to 

linear facilities that follow existing 

roads in these areas in conformance 

with transportation planning. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

153
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to designated 

roads and trails,” would be 

identified on a case-by-case basis as 

time allows. Seasonal closures 

would be considered for roads in 

crucial wildlife habitat. Longstanding seasonal closures in crucial 

wildlife habitat would continue to 

apply. 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to 

designated roads and trails,” would 

be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. Seasonal 

closures for roads in crucial 

wildlife habitat would not be 

considered. Long-standing 

seasonal closures in crucial wildlife 

habitat would continue to apply. 

Specific roads and trails, to be 

designated as “limited to 

designated roads and trails,” would 

be identified on a case-by-case 

basis as time allows. Seasonal 

closures for roads in crucial 

wildlife habitat would not be 

considered. Long-standing 

seasonal closures in crucial wildlife 

habitat would be eliminated. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes and to 

provide maximum protection for 

crucial habitats and sensitive 

resources. BLM construction 

standards would be used and could 

include consideration of the 

following: 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes. BLM 

construction standards would be 

used and could include 

consideration of the following: 

Transportation planning would be 

initiated to consider appropriate 

access when benefits to 

development activities would 

occur. BLM construction 

standards would be used and could 

include consideration of the 

following: 

Transportation planning would be 

implemented to provide for 

appropriate access routes and to 

provide maximum protection for 

crucial habitats and sensitive 

resources. BLM construction 

standards would be used and could 

include consideration of the 

following: 

154
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

- -Closure and rehabilitation of 

unused roads and trails, and 

closure or maintenance of those 

roads causing resource damage. 

The transportation plan and 

affected maps would be corrected 

to reflect closed roads and trails. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

- -Road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats (for all single use 

destination roads/trails) to limit 

traffic and disrupting activities. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Road closures/gating in crucial 

habitats would not be 

implemented. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

- -Concentrating stream and 

riparian area crossings in key 

locations to avoid adverse 

effects. Exceptions may be 

granted if crossings would reduce 

adverse effects, benefit area 

objectives, and reduce miles of 

road (and/or frequency of use). 

Bridges may be required on Jack 

Morrow, Parnell, and Rock Cabin 

creeks. 

- -Limiting the number and 

location of stream and riparian 

area crossings. 

- -No similar action. - -Construction of stream or 

riparian area crossings would 

not be allowed and some preexisting crossings may be 

closed. Exceptions may be 

granted if crossings would 

reduce adverse effects, benefit 

area objectives, and reduce 

miles of road (and/or frequency 

of use). Bridges would be 

required for perennial stream 

crossings. 

- -Limit access routes that bisect 

crucial habitats and big game 

migration routes. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Limits would not be placed on 

the routes that bisect crucial 

habitats and big game migration 

routes. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

155
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

TRAVEL MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

- -Application of road base 

material (gravel). 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

- -Grouping and location of 

ancillary facilities away from 

crucial habitats and sensitive 

areas. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

- -Application of speed limits, as 

necessary, to protect wildlife and 

public health and safety, and to 

meet area objectives. 

- -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. - -Same as Preferred Alternative. 

-In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in miles 

of road per square mile): 

core and connectivity areas �2.0 

miles;

 all other crucial elk habitat �2.0 

miles. 

-Road density guidelines would not 

be applied. 

-Same as No Action Alternative. -In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in 

miles of road per square mile): 

core and connectivity areas 

�0.5 mile; 

all other crucial elk habitat 

�1.0 mile. 

Road and trail construction or 

upgrading would be prohibited in 

woodland habitats (i.e., juniper, 

limber pine, aspen) or through 

spring sources (pre-existing 

improved roads may be used). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Road and trail construction or 

upgrading could be allowed in 

woodland habitats and through 

spring sources. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

156
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

VISUAL RESOURCE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be managed as a Class 

II VRM area. 

The southern portion of the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

be managed as a Class II VRM 

area and the northern portion of the 

ACEC would be managed as a 

Class III VRM area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed as a Class III 

VRM area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed as a Class II 

VRM area. 

The Split Rock area would be 

managed as a Class II VRM area. 

The Split Rock would be managed 

as a Class III VRM area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

157
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

WATERSHED 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Road and well pad densities (and 

densities for overall surface 

disturbance) would be established 

where necessary, to protect 

watershed values, and wildlife and 

fisheries habitat. 

Road and well pad densities (and 

densities for overall surface 

disturbance) would not be 

established. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

No permanent facilities would be 

allowed in riparian areas, 

floodplains, or wetlands. Possible 

exceptions (e.g., linear rights-ofway) would be considered on a 

case-by-case basis. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

158
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

WILD HORSE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

The Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd 

Management Area and the 

appropriate herd management level 

would remain unchanged. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd 

Management Area would be 

expanded. No more than 100 

horses would be allowed in the 

expansion area. The appropriate 

herd management level for the 

Divide Basin WHHMA would 

remain unchanged. 

WILDLIFE 

MANAGEMENT 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance in 

the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the core area, the following is 

repeated: 

159
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP)

RESOURCE OR LAND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B USE PROGRAMS

CORE AREA Actions that are specific to the core area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

WILDLIFE 

MANAGEMENT 

(continued) 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat 

would be addressed by limiting the 

number of roads, access, and use 

throughout the area. The integrity 

of migration corridors, birthing 

areas, and winter ranges would be 

maintained. 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat 

would be addressed by limiting the 

number of roads, access, and use in 

the core area. 

Preventing fragmentation of habitat Same as Preferred Alternative. 

would not be addressed in the core 

area. 

Priority would be given to Priority would be given to Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

enhancing mountain plover and sage maintaining sage grouse and 

grouse habitat. Conditional mountain plover habitat. The 

requirements in addition to those on conditional requirements on Table 

Table 2-4 may be applied. 2-10 would be applied. 

Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

would be managed to enhance would be managed to maintain 

wildlife habitat and vegetation. wildlife habitat and vegetation. No 

Special consideration would be special consideration would be 

given to habitat for amphibians. given to habitat for amphibians. 

Riparian and upland vegetation Riparian and upland vegetation Riparian and upland vegetation Same as Preferred Alternative. 

types would be managed with types would be managed with types would be managed with 

emphasis on enhancing wildlife emphasis on maintaining wildlife emphasis on resource values other 

habitat, watershed, and biodiversity habitat, watershed, and biodiversity than wildlife habitat. 

values. values. 

Livestock water developments New livestock water developments Livestock water developments Livestock water developments 

would be prohibited within 1.5 would be prohibited. would be prohibited within 1/4 would be prohibited within 2 miles 

miles of sage grouse leks. mile of sage grouse leks. of sage grouse leks. 

160
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Management Objective: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Reclamation; 

Special Status Species; 

and 

Vegetation 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as those for the general JMHCAP area 

or for the core area. The following management objectives and management actions are either specifically important to the Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC and are repeated, or are different from those for the core area. The western portion of the ACEC is within the Buffalo Hump and 

Sand Dunes WSAs and lies outside the core area. The western portion would be managed under the “Interim Management Policy for Lands 

Under Wilderness Review” (USDI 1995). The eastern portion of the ACEC is inside the core area. For consistency in management of the 

ACEC, the following discussion presents the actions for the entire ACEC. Actions that apply solely to either the eastern or western portion are 

so noted. 

Greater Sand Dunes 

ACEC 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance in 

the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ Lands and 

Realty Management 

Portions of Indian Gap and the face 

of Steamboat Mountain would be 

closed (exclusion areas) to rights-ofway. 

Indian Gap and the face of 

Steamboat Mountain would be an 

avoidance area for rights-of-way. 

Indian Gap and the face of 

Steamboat Mountain would be 

open to consideration of rights-ofway. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/Lands and 

Realty Management 

Withdrawals 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. Withdrawals would be pursued for 

the entire Greater Sand Dunes 

ACEC. 

161
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Livestock Grazing 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the ACEC, 

unless JMHCAP objectives can be 

met. 

No livestock water developments 

would be allowed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the ACEC. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Fluid Minerals 

Management Objective (within the 

eastern portion of the ACEC) [This 

management objective is different 

from that for the GRRMP and the 

general JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: 1) to provide 

maximum protection to the relevant 

and important ACEC values, 

provide suitable habitat to maintain 

the continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and protect other 

sensitive resources; and 2) to 

provide for continued ORV use and 

public health and safety by closing 

the eastern portion of the ACEC to 

leasing, exploration, and 

development of fluid minerals (oil 

and gas, coalbed methane, etc.). 

Management Objective (within 

the eastern portion of the ACEC) 

[This management objective is 

different from that for the 

GRRMP and the general 

JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: 1) to provide 

suitable habitat to maintain the 

continued existence of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and protecting 

other sensitive resources and 2) to 

provide for public health and 

safety. 

Management Objective (within 

the eastern portion of the ACEC). 

This management objective is the 

same as stated for the core area for 

this alternative. 

Management Objective (within 

the eastern portion of the ACEC) 

[This management objective is 

different from that for the 

GRRMP and the general 

JMHCAP area for this 

alternative]: to provide maximum 

protection to preserve and protect 

the integrity of the unique values in 

the ACEC and to provide 

maximum protection of the 

Steamboat elk herd and other big 

game populations, and protect 

other sensitive resources. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Oil and Gas 

The eastern portion of the ACEC 

would be closed to oil and gas 

leasing. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. The eastern portion of the ACEC 

would be open to oil and gas 

leasing consideration. 

Same as the Preferred Alternative. 

162
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Western Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Oil and Gas 

The western portion of the ACEC 

would be closed to oil and gas 

leasing (see Map 9). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Mineral Materials 

The ACEC, including Crookston 

Ranch and Boars Tusk, would 

remain closed to mineral material 

sales. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Geophysical 

Boars Tusk and Crookston Ranch 

would remain closed to the use of 

geophysical vehicles and explosive 

charges. The ORV parking area 

would also be closed. 

Boars Tusk and Crookston Ranch 

would remain closed to the use of 

geophysical vehicles and explosive 

charges. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Recreation 

Recreation management emphasis in 

the ACEC would include a variety 

of recreation uses. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

163
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Recreation 

A recreation and cultural resource 

project plan would be developed for 

expansion of the parking/camping 

area and facilities for the Sand 

Dunes ORV area. This project plan 

would also address increased visitor 

use in the Sand Dunes ORV area, 

interpretation of the Crookston 

Ranch historic site, and proposed 

fencing to protect the Crookston 

Ranch site and associated riparian 

area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Recreation 

Activities would not be permitted to 

disrupt access to or use of developed 

and semi-developed recreation sites. 

Activities that are incompatible with 

recreation sites would avoid these 

sites. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Surface Disturbance 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 180 acres to 

protect Native American respected 

places. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Surface Disturbance 

Seasonal conditional requirements 

would be applied on about 14,800 

acres (Map 11). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

164
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Surface Disturbance 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be conditioned on about 14,800 

acres (see Map 12). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Surface Disturbance 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

would be open to only those 

activities that would benefit wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special 

status species, and watershed values. 

Consideration would be given to 

linear facilities that follow existing 

roads in conformance with 

transportation planning. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Travel Management 

In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in miles 

of road per square mile): 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC � 

2.0 miles. 

Road density guidelines would not 

be applied. 

Same as No Action Alternative. In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in 

miles of road per square mile): 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC � 

1.0 mile. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Travel Management 

Alternative access methods may be 

needed in the eastern portion of the 

ACEC: use of pre-existing or 

designated roads and trails, seasonal 

travel requirements or restrictions, 

use of helicopters. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

165
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

GREATER SAND 

DUNES ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Travel Management 

The long standing seasonal vehicle 

closure would continue to apply in 

the eastern portion of the ACEC. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. The long standing seasonal vehicle 

closure would be eliminated, and 

year-long road access would be 

allowed in the eastern portion of 

the ACEC. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Watershed 

Surface water, soils, and shallow 

aquifers would be protected from 

contamination. Practices such as 

closed drilling systems or 

installation of pit liners would 

apply. Pit liners would be removed 

prior to reserve pit reclamation. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Entire Greater Sand 

Dunes ACEC/ 

Watershed 

Road and well pad densities (and 

densities for overall surface 

disturbance) would be established 

where necessary, to protect 

watershed values and wildlife and 

fisheries habitat. 

Road and well pad densities (and 

densities for overall surface 

disturbance) would not be 

established. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Eastern Portion Greater 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ 

Watershed 

Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes 

would not be used as water sources 

for development activities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

166
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B USE PROGRAMS 

GREATER SAND

DUNES ACEC Actions that are specific to the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

(continued) 

Entire Greater Sand Wildlife habitat would continue to Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Dunes ACEC/ be protected and enhanced. Crucial 

Wildlife Management elk winter range would be

maintained as an essential

component of the Steamboat

Mountain-Sands Herd Unit elk

habitat.

Eastern Portion Greater The base of Steamboat Rim would Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Sand Dunes ACEC/ continue to be managed to protect Wildlife Management big game habitat, vegetation

communities, and visual and

recreation resources.

Entire Greater Sand Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes Ponds (flockets) in the sand dunes Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Dunes ACEC/ would be managed to enhance would be managed to maintain Wildlife Management wildlife habitat and vegetation. wildlife habitat and vegetation. No

Special consideration would be special consideration would be

given to habitat for amphibians. given to habitat for amphibians. 

167
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Management Objective: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Reclamation; 

Special Status Species; 

and 

Vegetation 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as those for the general JMHCAP area 

or for the core area. The following management actions are either specifically important to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC and are repeated, 

or are different from those for the core area. 

Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance in 

the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described in the GRRMP 

and for the core area. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be an avoidance area for 

rights-of-way. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would not be an avoidance area for 

rights-of-way. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Where rights-of-way cannot avoid 

the ACEC, transportation planning 

would define right-of-way locations. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

168
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

(continued) 

Portions of Steamboat Rim, the 

steep slopes of Steamboat Mountain, 

Johnson Gap, and the 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation at the 

base of Steamboat Mountain would 

be closed to rights-of-way. 

No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

Communication Sites 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be closed to 

communication sites. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC, would be open for 

consideration of communications 

sites. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

Withdrawals 

Withdrawals from mineral location 

would be pursued for the top of 

Steamboat Mountain (about 960 

acres) and 2 Native American 

respected places (about 180 acres). 

No similar action. No similar action. Withdrawals from mineral location 

would be pursued for the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (about 

43,310 acres). 

Livestock Grazing Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the ACEC, 

unless JMHCAP objectives can be 

met. 

No livestock water developments 

would be allowed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the ACEC. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

169
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Minerals The top of Steamboat Mountain 

proper would be closed to mineral 

material sales. In the remainder of 

the Steamboat Mountain ACEC, the 

sale of mineral materials would only 

be allowed when in support of 

project development in the 

immediate area of the project. Road 

construction and upgrading of 

existing roads for mineral material 

extraction would only be allowed if 

in accordance with transportation 

planning for the ACEC. 

The Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

would be closed to mineral 

material sales. 

A portion of Steamboat Mountain 

proper (in SE1⁄4 sec. 10, W1⁄2W1⁄2 

sec. 11, N1⁄2N1⁄2 sec.15 T. 23 N., 

R.102 W.) would be open to 

mineral material sales. The 

remainder of Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be closed to mineral 

material sales. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

Minerals 

Oil and Gas 

Portions of the Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be closed to oil and 

gas leasing. 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be closed to oil and 

gas leasing. 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be open for oil and 

gas leasing consideration. 

Same as No Action Alternative. 

170
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Minerals 

Oil and Gas 

(continued) 

Upon completion of the JMHCAP, 

portions of the core area would be 

open to leasing consideration with 

necessary mitigation, which could 

include CSU, NSO, other 

stipulations or conditional 

requirements, and temporary lease 

suspension. Because there are preexisting leases in some of the 

crucial big game habitat areas and 

other sensitive areas, development 

in these areas could cause other 

areas to become crucial habitat or 

sensitive. Thus, some portions of 

the core area may remain closed to 

leasing and development because 

other portions of the area with 

crucial habitat and sensitive 

resources are already leased (see 

Core area discussion). 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

Surface Disturbance Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 7,845 acres 

to protect various resource values 

(Table 2-4). 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 5 acres 

(Table 2-10). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Surface disturbing activities would 

be prohibited on about 2,825 acres 

(Table 2-17). 

Seasonal conditional requirements 

would be applied on about 43,310 

acres (Table 2-4). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

171
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Surface Disturbance 

(continued) 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be conditioned on about 43,310 

acres (Table 2-4). 

Surface disturbing activities would 

be conditioned on about 15,520 

acres (Table 2-10). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Areas closed to oil and gas leasing 

would be open to only those 

activities that would benefit wildlife 

habitat, cultural resources, special 

status species, and watershed values. 

Consideration would be given to 

linear facilities that follow existing 

roads in these areas in conformance 

with transportation planning. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Travel Management In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in miles 

of road per square mile): 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC � 

2.0 miles. 

Road density guidelines would not 

be applied. 

Same as No Action Alternative. In all crucial elk habitats, the road 

density guideline for all-weather 

(improved) roads would be (in 

miles of road per square mile): 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

�0.5 mile. 

Alternative access methods may be 

needed, including but not limited to 

the use of existing or designated 

roads or pads, seasonal travel 

requirements or restrictions, use of 

helicopters. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

172
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND 

USE PROGRAMS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B 

STEAMBOAT 

MOUNTAIN ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

Visual Resource 

Management 

The entire Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be managed as a Class 

II VRM area. 

The southern portion of the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

be managed as a Class II VRM 

area and the northern portion of the 

ACEC would be managed as a 

Class III VRM area. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Wild Horses The Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd 

Management Area and the 

appropriate herd management level 

would remain unchanged. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Divide Basin Wild Horse Herd 

Management Area would be 

expanded. No more than 100 

horses would be allowed in the 

expansion area. The appropriate 

herd management level for the 

Divide Basin WHHMA would 

remain unchanged. 

Wildlife Management Priority would be given to elk 

habitat over conflicting land uses to 

ensure continued elk use of the area. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Any additional forage that becomes 

available in the ACEC would be 

allocated to wildlife use. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

173
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

CORE AREA (JMHCAP) 

RESOURCE OR LAND PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B USE PROGRAMS 

The vegetation and habitat Same as Preferred Alternative. The vegetation and habitat Same as Preferred Alternative. 

management objectives described management objectives for the 

for the Steamboat Mountain ACEC Steamboat Mountain ACEC would 

would apply to the crucial elk not apply to the crucial elk winter 

winter range and parturition area range and parturition area overlap. 

overlap. 

STEAMBOAT

MOUNTAIN ACEC Actions that are specific to the Steamboat Mountain ACEC or that are different from the general JMHCAP area or the core area 

(continued) 

Wildlife Management No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. The following management action 

(continued) is different from those for the 

GRRMP and the general JMHCAP 

area for this alternative: 

The Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC would be expanded (to 

65,610 acres) to include the 

portions of the core area 

outside the Steamboat and 

Greater Sand Dunes ACECs 

(where crucial elk winter range 

and parturition areas overlap). 

174
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

OREGON BUTTES 

ACEC Actions that are specific to the Oregon Buttes ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3) 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Fire; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Livestock Grazing; 

Reclamation; 

Recreation; 

Special Status Species; 

Surface Disturbing 

Activities; 

Travel Management; 

Vegetation; and 

Watershed 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management actions are specifically important to the Oregon Buttes ACEC and are repeated. 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Oregon Buttes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Oregon Buttes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Oregon Buttes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Oregon Buttes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

The Oregon Buttes ACEC would 

be closed to communication sites. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

175
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

OREGON BUTTES 

ACEC Actions that are specific to the Oregon Buttes ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

(continued) 

Additional withdrawals would be No similar action. No similar action. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

pursued, if and as determined 

necessary 

176
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

SOUTH PASS 

HISTORIC 

LANDSCAPE ACEC 

Actions that are specific to the South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Management Objectives: Same 

as GRRMP (Appendix 3) 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Reclamation; 

Special Status Species; 

and 

Vegetation 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management actions are specifically important to the ACEC and are repeated. 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the South Pass Historic 

Landscape ACEC, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the South Pass Historic 

Landscape ACEC, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

management JMHCAP area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the South Pass Historic 

Landscape ACEC, the following is 

repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Oregon Buttes ACEC, the 

following is repeated: 

177
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

Communication sites could be 

considered on Pacific Butte with 

restrictions on the height, visual 

intrusions, road access, etc. 

Actions on Pacific Butte would 

conform to the management 

prescriptions in place for the South 

Pass Historic Landscape. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Pacific Buttes would be closed to 

communication sites. 

SOUTH PASS 

HISTORIC 

LANDSCAPE ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

(continued) 

Withdrawals (two elk calving 

areas) would be pursued for 

wildlife protection. 

No similar action. No similar action. Withdrawals (two elk calving areas 

and the connectivity area) would 

be pursued for wildlife protection. 

Minerals Management 

Fluid Minerals 

Portions of the South Pass Historic 

Landscape ACEC in the 

connectivity area would be 

temporarily closed to satisfy 

immediate needs for adequate 

habitat and use of that habitat 

(crucial winter range, 

calving/fawning areas, migration 

corridors, etc.), protection of 

sensitive resources, and for public 

health and safety. The entire 

ACEC would not be leased at the 

same time, and exploration and 

development activities would not 

be allowed to occur over the entire 

The portion of the South Pass 

Historic Landscape ACEC that 

overlaps the connectivity area 

would be open to leasing 

consideration with the prescriptions 

identified in the Green River RMP 

for protection of the integrity of the 

South Pass Historic Landscape. 

Same as No Action Alternative. The portion of the South Pass 

Historic Landscape ACEC that 

overlaps the connectivity area 

would be closed to leasing 

consideration. 

178
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

area at the same time. In 

particular, the connectivity area in 

the ACEC would not be leased 

until monitoring and evaluation of 

ongoing exploration and 

development activity determine 

that rates and levels of 

development and reclamation 

would allow further leasing and 

SOUTH PASS 

HISTORIC 

LANDSCAPE ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the South Pass Historic Landscape ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Minerals Management 

Fluid Minerals 

(continued) 

development, would not cause 

fragmentation and abandonment of 

habitat, and would still meet stated 

management objectives. This 

determination would be based on 

the effects on elk and their 

movement patterns, elk use of 

habitat, effects on other wildlife 

species and habitats, and effects on 

other sensitive resources. 

179
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

In addition to the fluid mineral 

leasing restrictions established in 

the Green River RMP for 

protection of the integrity of the 

South Pass Historic Landscape, 

other leasing restrictions may also 

be identified through monitoring 

and evaluation. 

No similar action. No similar action. No similar action. 

180
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

SPECIAL STATUS 

PLANTS ACEC Actions that are specific to the Special Status Plant Species ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Fire; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Livestock Grazing; 

Reclamation; 

Recreation; 

Special Status Species; 

Surface Disturbing 

Activities; 

Travel Management; 

Vegetation; and 

Watershed 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management actions are specifically important to the Special Status Plant Species area and 

are repeated, or are different from those for the general JMHCAP area. 

Management Actions: 

Management Actions for the 

Special Status Plants ACEC would 

be the same as described in the 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Because of particular importance 

in the Special Status Plants ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Special Status Plants ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Special Status Plants ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Special Status Plants ACEC, 

the following is repeated: 

181
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

SPECIAL STATUS 

PLANTS ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Special Status Plant Species ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

The BLM-administered lands 

occupied by Lesquerella 

macrocarpa would be closed to: 1) 

surface disturbing activities or any 

disruptive activity that could 

adversely affect the plants or their 

habitat; 2) the location of mining 

claims (withdrawal from mineral 

location and entry under the land 

laws would be pursued); 3) 

mineral material sales; 4) all offroad vehicular use, including those 

vehicles used for geophysical 

exploration activities, surveying, 

etc.; and 5) the use of explosives 

and blasting (USDI 1997). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

182
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B Programs 

SPECIAL STATUS

PLANTS ACEC Actions that are specific to the Special Status Plant Species ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area

(continued)

The Special Status Plants ACEC Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The following management 

would not be expanded to include actions are different from those 

the BLM-administered land areas for the GRRMP and the general 

occupied by the large-fruited JMHCAP area for this 

bladderpod (Lesquerella alternative: 

macrocarpa). 

The Special Status Plants 

ACEC would be expanded to 

include the BLMadministered public land areas 

occupied by the large-fruited 

bladderpod (Lesquerella 

macrocarpa). Approximately 

5 sites involving about 2,660 

acres could be added to the 

ACEC. Additional acres may 

be added to the ACEC, if 

more of these special status 

(candidate) plant species or 

their essential habitat areas 

are found on BLMadministered public lands. 

BLM-administered lands occupied Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. BLM-administered lands 

by Lesquerella macrocarpa would occupied by Lesquerella 

be avoidance areas for rights-of­ macrocarpa would be 

way (USDI 1997). exclusion areas for rights-ofway (USDI 1997). 

183
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

WHITE MOUNTAIN 

PETROGLYPHS ACEC Actions that are specific to the White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Fire; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Livestock Grazing; 

Reclamation; 

Recreation; 

Special Status Species; 

Surface Disturbing 

Activities; 

Travel Management; 

Vegetation; and 

Watershed 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management objectives and management actions are specifically important to the ACEC and 

are repeated. 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC, the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC, the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC, the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC, the following is repeated: 

Fluid Minerals The White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC would be open to fluid 

mineral leasing with an NSO 

requirement. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The White Mountain Petroglyphs 

ACEC (part of the connectivity 

area) would be closed to fluid 

mineral leasing. 

184
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

WHITE MOUNTAIN 

PETROGLYPHS ACEC 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the White Mountain Petroglyphs ACEC or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Recreation A recreation project and cultural 

resource plan would be prepared 

for the White Mountain 

Petroglyphs ACEC to protect 

sensitive resources. This plan 

would address proposed fencing, 

access (vehicle and foot traffic), 

parking, and interpretive facilities. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

185
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED Actions that are specific to the Red Desert Watershed area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Management Objectives: Same as 

GRRMP (Appendix 3). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Air Quality; 

Cultural/Paleontological; 

Fire; 

Hazardous Materials; 

Healthy Rangelands; 

Livestock Grazing; 

Reclamation; 

Recreation; 

Special Status Species; 

Surface Disturbing 

Activities; 

Travel Management; 

Vegetation; and 

Watershed 

Management objectives and management actions for these resource and land use programs are the same as described in the Green River RMP 

or for the general JMHCAP area. The following management actions are specifically important to the Red Desert Watershed area and are 

repeated. 

Management Actions: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Red Desert Watershed area, 

the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Red Desert Watershed area, 

the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Red Desert Watershed area, 

the following is repeated: 

Management actions would be the 

same as described for the general 

JMHCAP management area for this 

alternative. 

Because of particular importance 

in the Red Desert Watershed area, 

the following is repeated: 

186
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Red Desert Watershed area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

Rights-of-way would avoid big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

types and the Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC. The face of Steamboat 

Mountain would be closed to 

rights-of-way. 

Rights-of-way would avoid the 

entire Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 

Rights-of-way would not avoid the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Lands and Realty 

Management 

Withdrawals 

Withdrawals would be pursued for 

a portion of the Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC. 

Withdrawals would not be pursued 

for the Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Withdrawals would be pursued for 

all of the Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC. 

Livestock Grazing Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would only be allowed in 

emergency situations. Any such 

activity would conform with 

transportation planning. 

Plowing of roads in winter for 

livestock accessibility and feeding 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Livestock range improvements 

outside crucial wildlife habitats 

would be considered. Within 

crucial wildlife habitats, range 

improvements would be considered 

only where they would benefit 

wildlife and wildlife habitat. 

No new livestock range 

improvements would be 

considered. 

Livestock range improvements 

would be considered on a case-bycase basis. 

Livestock range improvements 

throughout the watershed area 

would be considered only where 

they would benefit wildlife and 

wildlife habitat. 

187
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Red Desert Watershed area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Livestock Grazing 

(continued) 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the core or 

crucial winter ranges, including the 

connectivity area (migration 

corridor) unless JMHCAP 

objectives can be met. 

No livestock water developments 

would be allowed. 

Livestock water developments 

would be allowed in the core, the 

connectivity area, and in crucial 

winter ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would not be allowed in the core, 

connectivity area, or crucial winter 

ranges. 

Livestock water developments 

would be fenced and offsite water 

facilities would be developed 

(pipelines and troughs). 

No similar action. Livestock water developments 

would not be fenced and offsite 

water facilities would not be 

developed. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Livestock Grazing 

(continued) 

Natural water sources (springs and 

seeps) would be protected. If 

necessary, they would be fenced 

and offsite water facilities 

(pipelines and troughs) could be 

developed. 

Natural water sources (springs and 

seeps) would be protected. Offsite 

water facilities (pipelines and 

troughs) would not be developed. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Fluid Minerals Portions of the core and portions of 

the connectivity, Split Rock, and 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC that 

overlap the Red Desert Watershed 

would be closed to fluid mineral 

leasing consideration (about 3,400 

acres). 

Portions of the core (and those 

portions of the connectivity, Split 

Rock, and Steamboat Mountain 

ACEC within the core) that overlap 

the Red Desert Watershed would 

be closed to fluid mineral leasing 

consideration (about 2,060 acres). 

The entire Red Desert Watershed 

would be open to fluid leasing 

consideration. 

All portions of the core, 

connectivity Split Rock, and 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC areas, 

that overlap the Red Desert 

Watershed would be closed to fluid 

mineral leasing consideration 

(about 12,950 acres). 

188
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED 

(continued) 

Fluid Minerals 

(continued) 

Other portions of the connectivity area 

within the Red Desert Watershed area 

would be temporarily closed to satisfy 

immediate needs for adequate habitat 

and use of that habitat (crucial winter 

range, calving/fawning, migration 

corridors, etc.), protection of sensitive 

resources, and for public health and 

safety. The entire watershed area 

would not be leased at the same time, 

and exploration and development 

activities would not be allowed to 

occur over the entire watershed area at 

the same time. In particular, the 

connectivity area in the Red Desert 

Watershed area would not be leased 

until monitoring and evaluation of 

ongoing exploration and development 

activity determine that rates and levels 

of development and reclamation would 

allow further leasing and development, 

would not cause fragmentation and 

abandonment of habitat, and would 

still meet stated management 

objectives. This determination would 

be based on the effects on elk and their 

movement patterns, elk use of habitat, 

effects on other wildlife species and 

habitats, and effects on other sensitive 

resources. 

The portion of the connectivity area 

that overlaps the Red Desert watershed 

area would be open to fluid mineral 

leasing consideration with the 

prescriptions identified in the Green 

River RMP. 

Same as No Action Alternative. The portion of the connectivity area 

that overlaps the Red Desert watershed 

area would be closed to leasing 

consideration. 

189
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Red Desert Watershed area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Mineral Materials Mineral material sales would not 

be allowed in big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

communities and portions of the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 

Mineral material sales would not 

be allowed in the Steamboat 

Mountain ACEC. 

Mineral material sales would be 

allowed in big sagebrush/scurfpea 

vegetation communities and the 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 

Mineral material sales would not 

be allowed in big 

sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation 

communities or in the entire 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 

Surface Disturbance “No surface occupancy” (NSO) 

constraints would prohibit surface 

disturbing activities on about 9,040 

acres (Table 2-4). 

“No surface occupancy” (NSO) 

constraints would prohibit surface 

disturbing activities on about 5,200 

acres (Table 2-10). 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as No Action Alternative. 

Seasonal restrictions would be 

applied primarily to protect 

wildlife (56,500 acres). 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

122,620 acres. 

Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

114,130 acres. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Controlled surface use (CSU) 

constraints would apply to about 

169,010 acres. 

Travel Management Road densities for all weather 

(improved) roads would be 

established. 

Road densities for all weather 

(improved) roads would not be 

established. 

Same as No Action Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. 

Visual Resource 

Management 

The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed under Class II 

and Class III VRM classifications. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Red Desert Watershed area 

would be managed under Class II 

VRM classifications. 

190
TABLE 2-1 (continued) 

SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS OUTSIDE THE CORE JMHCAP AREA 

Resource or Land Use 

Programs Preferred Alternative No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B 

RED DESERT 

WATERSHED 

(continued) 

Actions that are specific to the Red Desert Watershed area or different from the general JMHCAP area 

Wild Horses The Great Divide Basin wild horse 

herd management area would not 

be expanded. 

Same as Preferred Alternative. Same as Preferred Alternative. The Great Divide Basin wild horse 

herd management area would be 

expanded. Herd management 

levels would not change. 

191
TABLE 2-2

RIGHTS-OF-WAY AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE1

Right-of-Way Avoidance Areas Estimated Acres2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 10 

Big Sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation associations and mountain shrub

 communities 21,500 

Connectivity Area 140,380 

Core Area, including Steamboat Mountain ACEC 80,410 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed recreation sites, ORV parking lot) 50 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile to 2.5 miles) 28,470 

Paleosol deposition area (individual sites)3 18,200 

Rock Art Sites (1/2 mile)4 280 

Estimated Total 289,300 

Right-of-Way Exclusion Areas 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (communication sites) 43,310 

Continental Peak (communication sites) 90 

Indian Gap 690 

Face of Steamboat Mountain 9,400 

Estimated Total 53,490 

1

 In accordance with transportation planning.

2

 Actual acreage to be determined.

3

 Only those cultural properties discovered within the identified area would be avoided by 100 feet.

4

 Petroglyphs and vistas total 760 acres.

TABLE 2-3 

WITHDRAWALS TO BE PURSUED 

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 

Existing 

Site Estimated Acres1 Withdrawal 

Overlap2 

Cultural Site 320 

Elk Calving Areas (2 northern areas) 7,440 Coal 

Native American Respected Places (White Mountain and Steamboat) 280 

Steamboat Mountain Area 960 Coal 

Estimated Total 9,000 

1

 Actual withdrawal acreage to be determined.

2

 Data is unavailable at this time to delineate the actual overlap with existing withdrawals identified for revocation in the Green River

RMP.

187
TABLE 2-4

AREAS OF FLUID MINERAL LEASE CONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE 

(approximate acres)1 

Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category2 Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface 

Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

General Planning Area: 

No Leasing 3 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 37,240 18,420 3,110 17,190 38,720 

TOTAL NO LEASING 37,240 18,420 3,110 17,190 38,720 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)3 

Boars Tusk 90 90 0 0 90 

White Mountain Petroglyphs + 1⁄2 mile vista 480 0 480 0 480 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 29,380 18,670 5,850 4,940 29,460 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 50 50 0 0 50 

Oregon Buttes ACEC 3,450 0 0 3,450 3,450 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 83 17 25 41 83 

Rock Art Site + 1⁄2 mile vista 280 0 280 0 280 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 23,640 0 330 24,270 24,600 

Special status plant species habitat4 2,680 2,520 0 160 2,680 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 56,040 21,350 6,950 28,400 56,700 

Seasonal Restrictions3 

Crucial Antelope Winter Range 74,970 22,910 51,990 70 74,970 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 100,990 95,720 5,270 0 100,990 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 172,740 141,230 22,170 9,700 173,100 

Elk Calving Areas 58,890 49,470 350 9,790 59,610 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 23,100 23,100 0 0 23,100 

Raptor Habitat 43,150 11,800 13,130 18,220 43,150 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 114,660 18,360 58,910 38,160 115,430 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 347,250 187,050 95,800 66,860 349,710 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions3 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 10 5 5 0 10 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)5 41,170 21,270 11,510 9,920 42,700 

Historic Trails (1/4 mile or visual horizon)6 8,500 4,430 0 4,290 8,620 

Native American areas of concern (21⁄2-mile vista) 8,700 7,140 1,560 0 8,700 

Paleosol Deposition Area 18,200 0 18,200 0 18,200 

Sage Grouse Leks and 1/4 mile buffer 8,170 1,420 4,410 2,660 8,490 

Slopes greater than 20% 70,310 41,700 2,900 26,350 70,950 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area not visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 22,190 0 890 22,250 23,140 

Special status plant species potential habitat7 4,970 0 0 4,970 4,970 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 332,390 145,120 39,720 152,510 337,350 

Within 100' of inner gorge of

 intermittent/ephemeral streams 12,470 5,130 3,810 3,550 12,490 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 416,160 184,440 79,620 158,250 422,310 

188
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category2 Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Core Area: 

No Leasing 3 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 13,810 14,130 0 0 14,130 

TOTAL NO LEASING 13,810 14,130 0 0 14,130 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)3 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 12,010 12,010 0 0 12,010 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed 50 50 0 0 50

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs, bluffs

 roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 10 10 0 0 10 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 12,100 12,100 0 0 12,100 

Seasonal Restrictions3 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 71,180 71,820 0 0 71,820 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Elk Calving Areas 27,540 27,930 0 0 27,930 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 22,520 22,520 0 0 22,520 

Raptor Habitat 2,330 2,330 0 0 2,330 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 860 860 0 0 860 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions3 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)5 9,410 9,980 0 0 9,980 

Native American areas of concern (21⁄2-mile) 4,150 4,150 0 0 4,150 

Slopes greater than 20% 21,370 21,410 0 0 21,410 

Special status plant species potential habitat7 90 90 0 0 90 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 63,140 63,630 0 0 63,630 

Within 100' of inner gorge of intermittent/

 ephemeral streams 1,010 1,010 0 0 1,010 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC: 

No Leasing 3 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 8,000 8,320 0 0 8,320 

TOTAL NO LEASING 8,000 8,320 0 0 8,320 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)3 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 7,840 7,840 0 0 7,840 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs, bluffs, 

roosts, outcrops, and pinnacles) 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 7,845 7,845 0 0 7,845 

Seasonal Restrictions3 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 43,070 43,710 0 0 43,710 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Elk Calving Areas 10,260 10,260 0 0 10,260 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 12,030 12,030 0 0 12,030 

Raptor Habitat 1,400 1,400 0 0 1,400 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

189
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category2 Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions3 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)5 3,380 3,680 0 0 3,680 

Native American areas of concern (21⁄2-mile) 800 800 0 0 800 

Slopes greater than 20% 14,940 14,960 0 0 14,960 

Special status plant species potential habitat7 50 50 0 0 50 

VRM Class II Lands 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Within 100' of inner gorge of intermittent/

 ephemeral streams 630 630 0 0 630 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

1

 Lease parcels are designed on aliquot parts. The actual acreage for the lease may vary. 

2

 All activities would be subject to intensive mitigation including offsite placement of facilities, remote control monitoring, restricted or 

prohibited surface use including road construction, multiple wells from a single pad, central and batteries/facilities, pipelines and powerlines 

concentrated in specific areas, etc. 

Activity may be restricted or prohibited in crucial wildlife habitats. Seasonal constraints may be placed on all activities (exploration, production, 

maintenance) and year round access may not be feasible. Actual locations, roads, etc., will be limited and activity will not be allowed 

throughout the lease. Production facilities may need to be placed offsite. 

Although closed to leasing and related oil and gas activity, any other surface disturbing or disrupting use would follow the surface disturbance 

prescriptions. 

Subject to future evaluation, portions of the planning area would be closed to leasing to provide adequate habitat and use of that habitat 

(crucial winter range, calving/fawning, migration corridors, etc.) and protection of sensitive resources and public health and safety. The entire 

planning area would not be leased at the same time. In particular, portions of Steamboat Mountain ACEC, White Mountain, Split Rock area, 

and the core and connectivity areas would not be leased until an evaluation of these areas determines that rates and levels of development 

and reclamation would allow further leasing and still meet stated management objectives. The evaluation would assess the fluid mineral 

exploration and development activity and its effects on elk and their movement patterns, elk use of habitat (potential fragmentation), and 

effects on other wildlife species and habitats, and other sensitive resources. No leasing would occur in the Greater Sand Dunes ACEC. 

The evaluation would incorporate information from the elk study initiated in 1999; application of the standards and guidelines for healthy 

rangelands; proper functioning condition determinations; and other activities and uses. At the end of the evaluation (about three years), a 

determination would be made on whether currently unleased areas, and currently leased areas that may become available for future leasing 

consideration, would be offered for fluid mineral leasing. Should these areas be offered for lease, appropriate mitigation would be applied to 

meet planning area management objectives. If the evaluation concludes that planning area management objectives are not being met, these 

areas would either not be leased, or would be leased with an NSO stipulation. 

3

 Refer to Appendix 2. These requirements apply to all surface disturbing activities. 

4

 As new populations are identified, their locations will be added to this total. 

5

 Surface disturbing activities that could adversely affect water quality, and wetland and riparian habitat will avoid the area within 500 feet of or 

on 100-year floodplains, riparian areas, wetlands, or perennial streams. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas will be closed 

to any new permanent facilities. Activities could be allowed if a site specific analysis determines that no adverse impacts would occur (see the 

Watershed Management section). 

6

 All activity will conform with requirements of Class II visual values. 

7

 Acres will change as floristic inventories identify actual areas with potential. Searches will be required prior to surface disturbance activities. 

Note: Mountain plover habitat has not been identified. Little is known about their nesting habitat. Conditions of Approval could be applied as 

appropriate (see Appendix 12). 

190
TABLE 2-5

SEASONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL SURFACE DISTURBANCE AND DISRUPTIVE ACTIVITIES

ALL ALTERNATIVES

Affected Areas Restricted Time Frames Restricted Area 

Big Game Crucial Winter Ranges Nov. 15 - April 30 Antelope, elk, and mule deer 

crucial winter ranges 

Parturition Areas May 1 - June 30 Designated parturition areas 

Sage Grouse Leks and Nesting Areas Feb. 1 - July 31 Up to 2-mile radius of lek 

Golden Eagle Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Osprey Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Swainson's Hawk Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Ferruginous Hawk Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one mile radius 

Coopers Hawk Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Burrowing Owl Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Merlin Nest Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Other Raptors Feb. 1 - July 31 Within one-half mile radius 

Mountain Plover April 10 - July 10 Within 656 feet (200 meters) 

TABLE 2-6

AREAS CLOSED TO MINERAL MATERIAL SALES

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE

Areas Closed Estimated Acres 

Crucial habitats and other sensitive resource values 29,380 

Elk calving areas 58,890 

Mountain Sagebrush Communities (including sagebrush/scurfpea communities) 21,500 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC1, 2 1,710 

Estimated Acres 235,100 

NOTE: Surface collecting (picking materials off the ground by hand) would be considered in these areas on a 

case-by-case basis. 

1

 Top of Steamboat Mountain would be closed (lava material only). No pits would be developed in the Steamboat Mountain ACEC. 2

 Mineral material disposal would only occur when in support of project development in this area and the core area. Appropriate mitigation 

would be applied to insure this activity would not detract from the important resource values of the respective areas. New road construction 

and upgrading of existing roads for mineral material extraction would only be allowed if in accordance with transportation planning. 

191
TABLE 2-7

AREAS CLOSED TO GEOPHYSICAL VEHICLES & EXPLOSIVE CHARGES

PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE and ALTERNATIVE B

Areas Closed Estimated Acres 

Core Area1 80,410 

Cultural Site 320 

NSO Areas1 56,550 

Special Status Plant Species Locations 2,680 

Estimated Total2 139,960 

1

 Exploration activities without the use of explosive charges could occur on existing roads and trails in conformance with transportation planning. 

2

 Acres are actually less than presented due to overlapping resource concerns. 

TABLE 2-8

VRM CLASSES

(By Alternative - Approximate Acres)

VRM Class No Action Alternative Alternative A Alternative B Preferred Alternative 

Class I 0 0 0 0 

Class II 274,790 274,790 383,850 332,390 

Class III 108,680 103,770 8,610 60,070 

Class IV 192,680 197,590 183,690 183,690 

Rehabilitation Areas1 0 0 0 0 

1

 By definition, rehabilitation is necessary to bring these areas up to one of the four other classes. 

TABLE 2-9

RIGHTS-OF-WAY AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE

Right-of-Way Avoidance Areas Estimated Acres1 

Native American areas of concern (100 feet) 42

Paleosol deposition area (100 feet of individual sites)2 18,200

Estimated Total 18,242 

Right-of-Way Exclusion Areas 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (Communication sites) 43,310

Continental Peak (Communication sites) 90

Estimated Total 43,400 

1

 Actual acreage to be determined.

2

 Only those cultural properties discovered within the identified area would be avoided by 100 feet.

192
TABLE 2-10

AREAS OF FLUID MINERAL LEASE CONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE 

(approximate acres)1 

Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface 

Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

General Planning Area: 

No Leasing 

Core Area 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

TOTAL NO LEASING 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Boars Tusk 90 90 0 0 90 

White Mountain Petroglyphs + 1⁄2 mile vista 480 0 480 0 480 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 50 50 0 0 50 

Oregon Buttes ACEC 3,450 0 0 3,450 3,450 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 83 17 25 41 83 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 23,640 0 330 24,270 24,600 

Special status plant species habitat3 2,680 2,520 0 160 2,680 

Native American areas of concern (100') 40 5 35 0 40 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 30,580 2,735 865 27,920 31,520 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Antelope Winter Range 74,970 22,910 51,990 70 74,970 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 100,990 95,720 5,270 0 100,990 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 172,740 141,230 22,170 9,700 173,100 

Elk Calving Areas 58,890 49,470 350 9,790 59,610 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 23,100 23,100 0 0 23,100 

Raptor Habitat 43,150 11,800 13,130 18,220 43,150 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 114,660 18,360 58,910 38,160 115,430 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 347,250 187,050 95,800 66,860 349,710 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 10 5 5 0 10 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 41,170 21,270 11,510 9,920 42,700 

Historic Trails (1/4 mile or visual horizon)5 17,890 4,330 8,940 4,770 18,040 

Sage Grouse Leks and 1/4 mile buffer 8,170 1,420 4,410 2,660 8,490 

Slopes greater than 25% 27,820 17,130 2,540 8,340 28,010 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area not visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 22,190 0 890 22,250 23,140 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 4,970 0 0 4,970 4,970 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 274,790 96,510 30,730 152,510 279,750 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 12,470 5,130 3,810 3,550 12,490 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 320,580 124,530 44,100 157,210 325,840 

Core Area: 

No Leasing 

Core Area 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

TOTAL NO LEASING 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

193
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed 50 50 0 0 50

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 110 110 0 0 110 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 71,180 71,820 0 0 71,820 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Elk Calving Areas 27,540 27,930 0 0 27,930 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 22,520 22,520 0 0 22,520 

Raptor Habitat 2,330 2,330 0 0 2,330 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 860 860 0 0 860 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 9,410 9,980 0 0 9,980 

Slopes greater than 25% 9,780 9,790 0 0 9,790 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 90 90 0 0 90 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 25,250 25,740 0 0 25,740 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 1,010 1,010 0 0 1,010 

Areas of Native American Concern (100') 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 37,840 38,540 0 0 38,540 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

No Leasing 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

TOTAL NO LEASING 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 5 5 0 0 5 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 43,070 43,710 0 0 43,710 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Elk Calving Areas 10,260 10,260 0 0 10,260 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 12,030 12,030 0 0 12,030 

Raptor Habitat 1,400 1,400 0 0 1,400 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 3,380 3,680 0 0 3,680 

Slopes greater than 25% 7,160 7,160 0 0 7,160 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 50 50 0 0 50 

VRM Class II Lands 7,090 7,090 0 0 7,090 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 630 630 0 0 630 

194
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Areas of Native American Concern (100') 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 15,520 15,830 0 0 15,830 

1

 Lease parcels are designed on aliquot parts. The actual acreage for the lease may vary. 

2

 Refer to Appendix 2. These requirements apply to all surface disturbing activities. 

3

 As new populations are identified, their locations will be added to this total. 

4

 Surface disturbing activities that could adversely affect water quality, and wetland and riparian habitat will avoid the area within 500 feet of or on 

100-year floodplains, riparian areas, wetlands, or perennial streams. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas will be closed to any 

new permanent facilities. Activities could be allowed if a site specific analysis determines that no adverse impacts would occur (see the Watershed 

Management section). 

5

 All activity will conform with requirements of Class II visual values. 

6

 Acres will change as floristic inventories identify actual areas with potential. Searches will be required prior to surface disturbance activities. 

Note: Mountain plover habitat has not been identified. Little is known about their nesting habitat. Conditions of Approval could be applied as 

appropriate (see Appendix 12). 

TABLE 2-11

RIGHTS-OF-WAY AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

ALTERNATIVE A

Right-of-Way Avoidance Areas Estimated Acres1 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 10 

Native American areas of concern (1⁄4 mile) 610 

Paleosol deposition area (100 feet of individual sites)2 18,200 

Estimated Total 18,820 

Right-of-Way Exclusion Areas 

Continental Peak (Communication sites) 90 

Estimated Total 90 

1

 Actual acreage to be determined.

2

 Only those cultural properties discovered within the identified area would be avoided by 100 feet.

195
TABLE 2-12

AREAS OF FLUID MINERAL LEASE CONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

ALTERNATIVE A 

(approximate acres)1 

Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface 

Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

General Planning Area: 

No Leasing 

TOTAL NO LEASING 0 0 0 0 0 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Boars Tusk 90 90 0 0 90 

White Mountain Petroglyphs + 1⁄2 mile vista 480 0 480 0 480 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 50 50 0 0 50 

Oregon Buttes ACEC 3,450 0 0 3,450 3,450 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 83 17 25 41 83 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 23,640 0 330 24,270 24,600 

Special status plant species habitat3 2,680 2,520 0 160 2,680 

Native American areas of concern (100') 40 5 35 0 40 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 30,580 2,735 865 27,920 31,520 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Antelope Winter Range 74,970 22,910 51,990 70 74,970 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 100,990 95,720 5,270 0 100,990 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 172,740 141,230 22,170 9,700 173,100 

Elk Calving Areas 58,890 49,470 350 9,790 59,610 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 23,100 23,100 0 0 23,100 

Raptor Habitat 43,150 11,800 13,130 18,220 43,150 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 114,660 18,360 58,910 38,160 115,430 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 347,250 187,050 95,800 66,860 349,710 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 10 5 5 0 10 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 41,170 21,270 11,510 9,920 42,700 

Historic Trails (1/4 mile or visual horizon)5 8,500 4,430 0 4,290 8,620 

Sage Grouse Leks and 1/4 mile buffer 8,170 1,420 4,410 2,660 8,490 

Slopes greater than 25% 27,820 17,130 2,540 8,340 28,010 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area not visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 22,190 0 890 22,250 23,140 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 4,970 0 0 4,970 4,970 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 274,790 96,510 30,730 152,510 279,750 

Within 100' of inner gorge of

 intermittent/ephemeral streams 12,470 5,130 3,810 3,550 12,490 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 320,580 124,530 44,100 157,210 325,840 

Core Area: 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Crookston Ranch 40 50 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed 50 50 0 0 50

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 

196
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 110 110 0 0 110 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 71,180 71,220 0 0 82,220 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Elk Calving Areas 27,540 27,930 0 0 27,930 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 22,520 22,520 0 0 22,520 

Raptor Habitat 2,330 2,330 0 0 2,330 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 860 860 0 0 860 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 9,410 9,980 0 0 9,980 

Slopes greater than 25% 9,780 9,790 0 0 9,790 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 90 90 0 0 90 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 25,250 25,740 0 0 25,740 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 1,010 1,010 0 0 1,010 

Areas of Native American Concern (100') 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 37,840 38,540 0 0 38,540 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC: 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops, and pinnacles) 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 5 5 0 0 5 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 43,070 43,710 0 0 43,710 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Elk Calving Areas 10,260 10,260 0 0 10,260 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 12,030 12,030 0 0 12,030 

Raptor Habitat 1,400 1,400 0 0 1,400 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Backcountry byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 3,380 3,680 0 0 3,680 

Slopes greater than 25% 7,160 7,160 0 0 7,160 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 50 50 0 0 50 

VRM Class II Lands 7,090 7,090 0 0 7,090 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 630 630 0 0 630 

Areas of Native American Concern (100') 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 15,520 15,830 0 0 15,830 

1

 Lease parcels are designed on aliquot parts. The actual acreage for the lease may vary. 

2

 Refer to Appendix 2. These requirements apply to all surface disturbing activities. 

3

 As new populations are identified, their locations will be added to this total. 

4

 Surface disturbing activities that could adversely affect water quality, and wetland and riparian habitat will avoid the area within 500 feet of or on 

100-year floodplains, riparian areas, wetlands, or perennial streams. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas will be closed to any 

new permanent facilities. Activities could be allowed if a site specific analysis determines that no adverse impacts would occur (see the Watershed 

Management section). 

5

 All activity will conform with requirements of Class II visual values. 

6

 Acres will change as floristic inventories identify actual areas with potential. Searches will be required prior to surface disturbance activities. 

197
Note: Mountain plover habitat has not been identified. Little is known about their nesting habitat. Conditions of Approval could be applied as 

appropriate (see Appendix 12). 

TABLE 2-13

RIGHTS-OF-WAY AVOIDANCE AND EXCLUSION AREAS

ALTERNATIVE B1 

Right-of-Way Avoidance Areas Estimated Acres2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 10 

Big Sagebrush/scurfpea vegetation associations and mountain shrub

 communities 21,500 

Connectivity Area 140,380 

Core Area, including Steamboat Mountain ACEC 80,410 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed recreation sites, ORV parking lot) 50 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 5,490 

Paleosol deposition area (entire area) 18,200 

Rock Art Sites (1⁄2 mile)3 280 

Estimated Total4 160,370 

Right-of-Way Exclusion Areas 

Special Status Plant (Lesquerella macrocarpa)

5 2,660 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC (communication sites) 43,310 

Essex Mountain (communication sites) 140 

Continental Peak (communication sites) 90 

Pacific Buttes (communication sites) 1,010 

Indian Gap 690 

Face of Steamboat Mountain 9,400 

Estimated Total4 57,300 

1

 In accordance with transportation planning. 

2

 Actual acreage to be determined. 

3

 Petroglyphs and vistas total 760 acres. 

4

 Acres do not add due to overlapping areas. 

5

 The actual plant sites are closed to surface disturbing rights-of-way. The existing two-track roads could be considered for non-surface 

disturbing uses. 

198
TABLE 2-14 

WITHDRAWALS TO BE PURSUED 

ALTERNATIVE B 

Site 

Connectivity Area 

Core Area 

Cultural Site 

Elk Calving Areas 

South Pass Historic Landscape 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC 

White Mountain (Native American Respected Places) 

Estimated Total3 

Estimated Acres1 

140,380 

80,410 

320 

58,890 

4,790 

43,310 

280 

113,550 

Existing 

Withdrawal 

Overlap2 

Coal 

Coal 

1

 Actual withdrawal acreage to be determined. 

2

 Data is unavailable at this time to delineate the actual overlap with existing withdrawals identified for revocation in the Green River RMP. 

3

 Acres do not add due to overlapping sites. 

199
TABLE 2-15

AREAS OF FLUID MINERAL LEASE CONDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL

ALTERNATIVE B 

(approximate acres)1 

Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface 

Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

General Planning Area: 

No Leasing 

Core Area 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Connectivity Area 140,380 64,280 30,700 47,880 142,860 

TOTAL NO LEASING 220,790 146,500 30,700 47,880 225,080 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Boars Tusk 90 90 0 0 90 

White Mountain Petroglyphs + 1⁄2 mile vista 480 0 480 0 480 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 50 50 0 0 50 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 5,490 2,820 2,670 0 5,490 

Oregon Buttes ACEC 3,450 0 0 3,450 3,450 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops and pinnacles) 83 17 25 41 83 

Rock Art Site + 1⁄2 mile buffer 280 0 280 0 280 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 23,640 0 330 24,270 24,600 

Special status plant species habitat3 2,680 2,520 0 160 2,680 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 10 0 0 10 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 36,010 5,530 3,510 27,920 36,960 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Antelope Winter Range 74,970 22,910 51,990 70 74,970 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 100,990 95,720 5,270 0 100,990 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 172,740 141,230 22,170 9,700 173,100 

Elk Calving Areas 58,890 49,470 350 9,790 59,610 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 23,100 23,100 0 0 23,100 

Raptor Habitat 43,150 11,800 13,130 18,220 43,150 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 14,660 18,360 58,910 38,160 115,430 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 347,250 187,050 95,800 66,860 349,710 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 10 5 5 0 10 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 41,170 21,270 11,510 9,920 42,700 

Historic Trails (1/4 mile or visual horizon)5 8,500 4,330 0 4,290 8,620 

Paleosol Deposition Area 18,200 0 18,200 0 18,200 

Sage Grouse Leks and 1/4 mile buffer 8,170 1,420 4,410 2,660 8,490 

Slopes greater than 20% 70,310 41,700 2,900 26,350 70,950 

South Pass Historic Landscape (area not visible

 within 3-mile buffer of Oregon Trail) 22,190 0 890 22,250 23,140 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 4,970 0 0 4,970 4,970 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 383,850 184,140 39,730 164,940 388,810 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

intermittent/ephemeral streams 12,470 5,130 3,810 3,550 12,490 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 462,560 220,520 79,620 168,560 468,700 

200
Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Core Area: 

No Leasing 

Core Area 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

TOTAL NO LEASING 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Crookston Ranch 40 40 0 0 40 

Greater Sand Dunes ACEC (developed 50 50 0 0 50

 recreation sites and ORV parking lot) 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 2,820 2,820 0 0 2,820 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 2,910 2,910 0 0 2,910 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 71,180 71,820 0 0 71,820 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Elk Calving Areas 27,540 27,930 0 0 27,930 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 22,520 22,520 0 0 22,520 

Raptor Habitat 2,330 2,330 0 0 2,330 

Sage Grouse Nesting Areas (1 3/4 mile from lek) 860 860 0 0 860 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Back Country Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 9,410 9,980 0 0 9,980 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 2,820 2,820 0 0 2,820 

Slopes greater than 20% 21,370 21,410 0 0 21,410 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 90 90 0 0 90 

Steamboat Mountain Crucial Overlap 37,120 37,510 0 0 37,510 

VRM Class II Lands 63,140 63,630 0 0 63,630 

Within 100' of inner gorge of

 intermittent/ephemeral streams 1,010 1,010 0 0 1,010 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 80,410 82,220 0 0 82,220 

Steamboat Mountain ACEC: 

No Leasing 

Core Area 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

TOTAL NO LEASING 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

No Surface Occupancy (NSO)2 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 2,820 2,820 0 0 2,820 

Raptor nesting (occupied nests, cliffs,

 bluffs, roosts, outcrops, and pinnacles) 5 5 0 0 5 

TOTAL NO SURFACE OCCUPANCY 2,825 2,825 0 0 2,825 

Seasonal Restrictions2 

Crucial Deer Winter Range 43,070 43,710 0 0 43,710 

Crucial Elk Winter Range 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Elk Calving Areas 10,260 10,260 0 0 10,260 

Mule Deer Parturition Areas 12,030 12,030 0 0 12,030 

Raptor Habitat 1,400 1,400 0 0 1,400 

TOTAL SEASONAL RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Controlled Surface Use Restrictions2 

Backcountry Byway Interpretive Sites 5 5 0 0 5 

Floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas

 (within 500' of 100-year floodplains and waters)4 3,380 3,680 0 0 3,680 

Native American areas of concern (1 mile) 2,820 2,820 0 0 2,820 

Federal Hydrocarbon Potential 

Category Surface (Federal Surface and Subsurface Acres) 

Acres High Moderate Low Total 

Slopes greater than 20% 14,940 14,960 0 0 14,960 

Special status plant species potential habitat6 50 50 0 0 50 

VRM Class II Lands 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

Within 100' of inner gorge of 

201
 intermittent/ephemeral streams 630 630 0 0 630 

TOTAL CONTROLLED SURFACE USE RESTRICTIONS 43,310 43,950 0 0 43,950 

1 Lease parcels are designed on aliquot parts. The actual acreage for the lease may vary. 

2

 Refer to Appendix 2. These requirements apply to all surface disturbing activities. 

3

 As new populations are identified, their locations will be added to this total. 

4

 Surface disturbing activities that could adversely affect water quality, and wetland and riparian habitat will avoid the area within 500 feet of or on 

100-year floodplains, riparian areas, wetlands, or perennial streams. The 100-year floodplains, wetlands, and riparian areas will be closed to any 

new permanent facilities. Activities could be allowed if a site specific analysis determines that no adverse impacts would occur (see the Watershed 

Management section). 

5

 All activity will conform with requirements of Class II visual values. 

6

 Acres will change as floristic inventories identify actual areas with potential. Searches will be required prior to surface disturbance activities. 

Note: Mountain plover habitat has not been identified. Little is known about their nesting habitat. Conditions of Approval could be applied as 

appropriate (see Appendix 12). 

TABLE 2-16

AREAS CLOSED TO MINERAL MATERIAL SALES

ALTERNATIVE B

Areas Closed Estimated Acres 

Core Area 80,410 

Connectivity Area 140,380 

Elk Calving Areas 58,890 

Mountain Sagebrush Communities (including sagebrush/scurfpea communities) 21,500 

Split Rock 12,340 

Tri-Territory Marker 10 

White Mountain 32,890 

Estimated Acres 1 346,420 

NOTE: Surface collecting (picking materials off the ground by hand) would be considered in these areas on a case-by-case basis. 1

 Actual acres would be less due to overlapping resource values.

202