APPENDIX B 

WINNEMUCCA DISTRICT OFFICE BEST 

MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND STANDARD 

OPERATING PROCEDURES 

GUIDELINES/TECHNIQUES/PRACTICES 

Table of Contents 

INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................................................. 1

RESOURCES................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

AIR QUALITY .................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

SOIL RESOURCES....................................................................................................................................................................... 2

WATER RESOURCES................................................................................................................................................................. 2

VEGETATION-FORESTRY AND WOODLAND PRODUCTS...................................................................................... 2

Guidelines for Forestry......................................................................................................................................................... 2

Standard Operating Procedures...................................................................................................................................... 2

Best Management Practices............................................................................................................................................. 2

Guidelines for Christmas Tree and Firewood Harvesting................................................................................... 2

VEGETATION-WEEDS................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Standard Operating Procedures...................................................................................................................................... 3

Best Management Practices............................................................................................................................................. 5

Vegetation Treatments..................................................................................................................................................... 8

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL ....................................................................................................................... 8

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Wildlife Damage Management 

(WDM) Activities.................................................................................................................................................................... 8

VEGETATION-RANGELAND.................................................................................................................................................... 8

Standard Operating Procedure........................................................................................................................................ 8

VEGETATION-RIPARIAN HABITAT AND WETLANDS................................................................................................ 9

Best Management Practices............................................................................................................................................. 9

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT / SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES.................................................................. 9

Standard Operating Procedures...................................................................................................................................... 9

WILD HORSE AND BURRO.................................................................................................................................................... 10

Standard Operating Procedures - Administration/Implementation................................................................... 10

Standard Operating Procedures – Resource Projects.......................................................................................... 10

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices - Outfitter/Guide Permits ............... 11

Use of Domestic Livestock .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Recreation (Race) Use .............. 12

WILDLAND FIRE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT..................................................................................................... 12

Standard Operating Procedures/ Best Management Practices- Fuels Management ............................... 12

Standard Operating Procedures - Fire Suppression.............................................................................................. 13

Standard Operating Procedures – Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) ........................ 14

CULTURAL/ PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES and TRIBAL CONSULTATION....................................... 14

Standard Operating Procedures.................................................................................................................................... 14

VISUAL RESOURCES............................................................................................................................................................... 15

Best Management Practices or Standard Operating Procedures...................................................................................... 15

LIVESTOCK GRAZING ............................................................................................................................................................. 19

Standard Operating Procedures.................................................................................................................................... 19

Best Management Practices........................................................................................................................................... 19

Best Management Practices - Vegetation/Riparian Zone Management Guidelines.................................. 20

MINERALS AND ENERGY...................................................................................................................................................... 21

Best Management Practices - Fluid Mineral Leasing............................................................................................ 21

Exploration............................................................................................................................................................................. 21

Pre-Construction ................................................................................................................................................................. 22

Well Pad and Facility Construction............................................................................................................................... 22

Utilization................................................................................................................................................................................ 23

RENEWABLE ENERGY............................................................................................................................................................ 23

Standard Operating Procedures.................................................................................................................................... 23

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS.................................................................................................................................... 24

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS i 
Standard Operating Procedures.................................................................................................................................... 24

Best Management Practices........................................................................................................................................... 24

LANDS AND REALTY ............................................................................................................................................................... 24

Standard Operating Procedures.................................................................................................................................... 24

Best Management Practices........................................................................................................................................... 24

RECREATION ............................................................................................................................................................................... 25

WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS and LANDS with WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS.............................. 25

Standard Operating Procedure...................................................................................................................................... 25

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices - Wildlife Damage Management 

Activities ................................................................................................................................................................................. 25

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY........................................................................................................................................... 26

SUMMARY...................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

SOURCES & GENERAL REFERENCES........................................................................................................................... 27

Instruction Memorandums and Technical Documents.................................................................................. 27

Land Use Planning........................................................................................................................................................... 27

Manuals and Handbooks.............................................................................................................................................. 27

Reports.................................................................................................................................................................................. 27

Standards and Guidelines............................................................................................................................................ 28

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS ii 
APPENDIX B 

GUIDELINES/TECHNIQUES/PRACTICES 

INTRODUCTION 

Best management practices (BMPs) are often used by land managers to imply a practice that has 

been specifically developed to mitigate impacts.1

 Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are used by 

land managers where broader, national or statewide guidance is insufficient to be applied at the 

district office level.2

 The following guidelines, techniques and practices (collectively referred to as 

management guidelines) are a general summary of the Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca 

District Office’s BMPs and SOPs and were compiled from a variety of sources. These guidelines are 

by no means a comprehensive list. The goal of these guidelines, when utilized in conjunction with 

other management plans applicable to public land resources and resource uses, is to assist the land 

manager in achieving desired outcomes or conditions as outlined in the Winnemucca District Office 

(WDO) Resource Management Plan in order to reduce adverse environmental effects. Any number 

of these guidelines can be applied and/or altered as necessary, to make progress towards, or to 

achieve, the desired outcome or condition. While the overall vision embraces the use of these 

guidelines to reduce/minimize impacts on the environment, they are not to be considered a land use 

plan decision unless specifically designated and identified as being a mandatory action in the WDO’s 

Resource Management Plan (RMP). Only changes in specific and identified mandatory actions 

would require an amendment to the RMP to that affect. 

The following management guidelines are identified by resource. Since a number of these 

management guidelines can be applied to a variety of situations, there may be a duplication or 

similarity of and between these guidelines. Furthermore, although these management guidelines, 

techniques, and practices may be identified for specific situations or actions (e.g. wind energy rightof-ways, livestock grazing, forestry, or road construction) they are not exclusive to those actions 

unless otherwise specified. 

 

1 Best management practices (BMPs) ~ a suite of techniques that guide, or may be applied to, management actions to aid 

in achieving desired outcomes. BMPs are often developed in conjunction with land use plans, but they are not 

considered a land use plan decision unless the land use plan specifies that they are mandatory. They may be updated or 

modified without a plan amendment if they are not mandatory. (BLM Handbook H1601-1; Glossary) 

2 Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs)~a written procedure, or set of written procedures, providing direction for 

consistently and correctly performing routine operations. These written procedures set forth methods expected to be 

followed during the performance of the particular task. The SOPs for the Bureau of Land Management, Winnemucca 

District Office, are approved by the land use manager and are adopted as policy for the Winnemucca District Office. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 1 
Appendix B 

RESOURCES 

AIR QUALITY 

Air quality standards are governed by the Clean Air Act of 1990 (as amended) (42 U.S.C. Chapter 

85) The Environmental Protection Agency is charged with setting National Ambient Air Quality 

Standards, currently found at http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html. At the state level, the Nevada 

Department of Environmental Protection has established its standards, available at 

http://ndep.nv.gov/baqp/baqpollu.html. Further guidance may be found in the State of Nevada 

Best Management Practices Handbook: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/bmp05.htm (State of Nevada 

BMPs)3 

SOIL RESOURCES 

Soil standards are governed by the State of Nevada BMPs. 

WATER RESOURCES 

Water quality standards are governed by the State of Nevada BMPs, but, during times of drought or 

flooding, certain lands may be temporarily closed to certain uses that may impact water sources or 

be impacted by flooding waters. 

VEGETATION-FORESTRY AND WOODLAND PRODUCTS 

Guidelines for Forestry

Standard Operating Procedures

No fuel wood cutting of live trees will be allowed for cottonwood, willow, alder, limber pine, white 

bark pine, and curl leaf mahogany, unless resource objectives allow otherwise. 

Best Management Practices

1. Avoid heavy equipment use in stands of cottonwood, willow, alder, limber pine, white bark 

pine, and curl leaf mahogany. If heavy equipment use is necessary, allow on a case by case 

basis and mitigate for adverse impacts. 

2. Allow dead and down collection of cottonwood, willow, alder, limber pine, white bark pine, 

and curl leaf mahogany for personal use. 

3. Protect seed and important wildlife habitat trees in Pinyon/Juniper stands. 

4. Manipulate pinyon, juniper stands utilizing mechanical, biological, and chemical treatments.

Allow tree harvesting for woodland products and biomass reduction. 

Guidelines for Christmas Tree and Firewood Harvesting

1. Vehicle use is restricted to existing roads and trails. Do not drive off road. 

2. Do not damage adjacent trees. 

3. When cutting down standing trees, cut the stump 12” or less, or as close to the ground as 

possible. 

4. Scatter lopped branches at least 50 feet from the stump. 

5. Do not top a larger tree to obtain a Christmas tree. 

 

3 This handbook will be referenced throughout these guidelines. Further references will not include web address. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 2 
Appendix B 

6. Do not cut trees that have been posted as “SEED TREE DO NOT FALL” or 

“WILDLIFE TREE DO NOT DISTURB” 

7. Do not harvest any trees within 100 feet of a spring or creek unless trees are identified for 

selective removal to meet resource objectives. 

8. Please pack out your trash as well as trash left by others. 

VEGETATION-WEEDS 

Standard Operating Procedures

1. On BLM and BLM-authorized projects, e.g., all ROWs, SRPs, and APDs, adopt the 

following stipulations: 

a. Check body, undercarriage of off-road vehicles, and other equipment for plant material 

and clean before leaving weed infested areas. 

b. Clean vehicles and equipment (remove soil and plant parts) prior to entering and/or 

leaving a project area. Utilize standard contract provisions to ensure that contractors 

adhere to this guideline. 

c. Identify sites where equipment can be cleaned. Clean equipment before entering BLM 

lands. 

d. Locate and manage vehicle and equipment wash stations to limit weed and invasive 

species spread into native plant communities. 

e. Inspect and treat weeds that establish at equipment cleaning sites. 

f. Keep main travel corridors free of noxious weeds to prevent spread and avoid or 

minimize all types of travel through weed-infested areas. If travel is necessary, restrict 

such activity to those periods when the spread of seed or propagules is least likely. 

g. Schedule and coordinate roadside maintenance activities in consultation with weed

specialists. 

h. Inspect and document inspections on travel ways for weeds and treat as necessary. 

i. Evaluate options, including closure, to regulate the flow of traffic on sites where desired 

vegetation needs to be established. Sites could include road and trails rights-of-way, and 

other areas of disturbed soils. 

j. Minimize roadside sources of weed seed that could be transported to other areas. 

k. Avoid all types of travel through weed-infested areas. 

l. Before the project begins, conduct a survey to locate noxious and invasive weeds. 

m. Design projects to avoid infestations, to the extent practicable. 

n. Monitor and treat weeds during long-term projects to prevent their establishment and 

spread. 

o. After the project is over, reestablish vegetation (weed-resistant vegetation, where 

needed), monitor and treat weeds for three years, and revegetate as needed to ensure 

revegetation success and prevent weed re-invasion. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 3 
Appendix B 

2. Check body, undercarriage of off-road vehicles, and other equipment for plant material and 

clean before leaving weed infested areas. 

3. Clean vehicles and equipment (remove soil and plant parts) prior to entering and/or leaving 

a project area. 

4. Determine the need for, and when appropriate, identify sites where equipment can be 

cleaned. Clean equipment before entering BLM lands. 

5. Locate and manage vehicle and equipment wash stations to limit weed and invasive species 

spread into native plant communities. 

6. Inspect and treat weeds that establish at equipment cleaning sites. 

7. Schedule and coordinate roadside maintenance activities in consultation with weed

specialists. 

8. Inspect and document inspections on travel ways for weeds and treat as necessary. 

9. Ensure that weed prevention is considered in project activities regardless of discipline. 

10. Locate project staging areas for refueling, maintenance equipment, materials and operating 

supplies in weed-free areas. 

11. Remove mud, dirt, and plant parts from project equipment before moving it into a project 

area. 

12. Monitor site(s) for weeds after soil disturbing activities and treat as needed. 

13. The BLM shall identify on the project area map units that are infested with specific noxious 

weeds species of concern. 

14. When determined to be necessary operator shall develop a site-specific plan for noxious 

weed and exotic plant prevention and control. Such plan shall be subject to BLM approval. 

Upon BLM approval, the noxious weed and exotic plant prevention and control plan shall 

become a part of the authorization of the proposed project, and its provisions shall be 

enforceable under the terms of the authorization. 

15. The operator shall be responsible for the prevention and control of noxious weeds and/or 

exotic plants of concern on the project area. The operator may also be responsible for 

prevention and control of noxious weed and exotic plant infestations which are not within 

the project area, but which are determined by the BLM to have originated within the project 

area. 

16. The operator shall provide prevention and control measures prescribed by the Bureau of 

Land Management. Noxious weeds and invasive weeds of concern are defined as those 

species recognized by the state of Nevada under NAC 555.010 or other species of concern 

the BLM may designate. 

17. Operator must clean off-road equipment prior to moving between project areas that are 

known to be infested with noxious weeds and other project areas, if any, which are free of 

such weeds. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 4 
Appendix B 

18. Mitigate and reduce weed spread during prescribed fire activities which includes inventory of 

weeds prior to burning. Treat high risk areas before burning. Pre- and post-treat high risk 

weed infestations. 

19. Re-establish vegetation on all disturbed soil from construction, reconstruction, and 

maintenance activities. 

20. Use certified weed-free and/or weed-seed-free hay or straw where certified materials are 

required and/or are reasonably available. 

21. Buy only weed free seed and conduct required seed testing before use. 

22. Use weed free straw or mulch in re-vegetation activities. 

23. Inspect gravel pits and fill sources to identify weed-free sources. Inspect and treat sand, 

gravel, and fill material to prevent unwanted spread of noxious weeds and non-native 

species. 

24. Inspect material sources on site, and ensure that they are weed-free before use and transport. 

Treat weed-infested sources for eradication, and strip and stockpile contaminated material 

before any use of pit material. 

25. Track weeds which may affect known populations of BLM sensitive plants. Work with weed

coordinator and take potential control measures if necessary. 

26. Retain bonds until reclamation requirements are completed, including weed treatments, 

based on inspection and documentation. 

Best Management Practices

1. Executive Order 13112 enhances and orders coordination of Federal activities to control and 

minimize the economic, ecological, and human health impacts caused by invasive species. 

The Executive Order also established a National Invasive Species Council to oversee a 

management plan detailing the goals and objectives of the efforts of the involved Federal 

agencies. 

2. The Federal Plant Protection Act 2000 (Title IV of Publ. 106-224) prohibits introducing any 

animal, plant or material that is considered harmful to this country’s agriculture. The U.S. 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), Plant Protection and Quarantine Division, is the 

enforcement authority for this Act. 

3. Keep main travel corridors free of noxious weeds to prevent spread and avoid or minimize 

all types of travel through weed-infested areas. If travel is necessary, restrict such activity to 

those periods when the spread of seed or propagules is least likely. 

4. Evaluate options, including closure, to regulate the flow of traffic on sites where desired 

vegetation needs to be established. Sites could include road and trail rights-of-way, and other 

areas of disturbed soils. 

5. Minimize roadside sources of weed seed that could be transported to other areas. 

6. Avoid all types of travel through weed-infested areas. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 5 
Appendix B 

7. Determine prevention and maintenance needs and measures to be included at the onset of 

project, operation and reclamation plans at all phases including project layout, design, 

alternatives evaluation and project decision. 

8. Incorporate actions such as project inspection, documentation, and weed prevention, 

including the use of herbicides, if needed, into planning documents. 

9. Environmental analysis for projects and maintenance programs will need to assess weed

risks, analyze potential treatment of high-risk sites for weed establishment and spread, and 

identify prevention practices. 

10. Consider seasonal impacts of management actions (e.g. growing vs. dormant season 

disturbance effects) when developing objectives and strategies. 

11. Begin project operations in areas without non-native or noxious weed species. 

12. Before initiating ground-disturbing activities, identification and inventories of noxious weeds 

and other invasive species should be completed within and adjacent to project areas as well 

as along access routes and potential invasion vicinity. High-risk noxious weed infestations 

should be avoided when possible. 

13. Treat or have weeds treated on projects used by contractors before activities commence. 

14. Coordinate project activities with any nearby herbicide application to maximize cost 

effectiveness of weed treatments. 

15. Determine need for, and when appropriate, identify sites where equipment can be cleaned. 

16. If operation occurs within an infested area, workers need to inspect, remove, clean, and

properly dispose of weed seed and plant parts found on clothing and equipment before 

leaving projected site. 

17. Inspect and document the area where material from treated weed-infested sources is used, 

annually for at least three years after project completion, to ensure that any weeds 

transported to the site are promptly detected and controlled. 

18. Avoid or minimize all types of travel through weed-infested areas, or restrict to those 

periods when spread of seed or propagules are least likely. 

19. Minimize soil disturbance to the extent practical, consistent with project objectives. 

20. Retain native vegetation in and around project activity and keep soil disturbance to a 

minimum, consistent with project objectives. 

21. Where project disturbance creates bare ground, consistent with project objectives, reestablish vegetation to prevent conditions to establish weeds. 

22. Use caution when transporting vegetative materials and wood products from project sites to 

minimize the spread of invasive and non-native pests. 

23. Unless the entire project area is already infested with specific noxious weed species of 

concern, operator shall ensure that prior to moving on to project site, all off-road 

equipment, which last operated in areas known by the BLM to be infested with specific 

noxious weeds of concern, is free of soil, seeds, vegetative matter, or other debris that could 

contain or hold seeds. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 6 
Appendix B 

24. Operator shall employ whatever cleaning methods are necessary to ensure that off-road 

equipment is free of noxious weeds. 

25. Vehicles and equipment exposed to contamination and requiring less than a complete 

detailed cleaning include any vehicle or equipment that is only minimally exposed to the 

natural environment because of its operational requirements. 

26. Ensure revegetation efforts are effective. 

27. Schedule management activities (e.g. range management/grazing) when they may be most 

detrimental to populations of noxious weeds and non-native species without harming 

preferred species. 

28. Utilize domestic animals to contain the target species in the treatment areas prior to weed 

seed set 

29. Avoid creating soil conditions that promote weed germination and establishment. 

30. Minimize soil disturbance which may encourage establishment of non-native plants or 

noxious weed species. 

31. Use sterile or non-persistent exotic plants at low planting densities as nurse crops for local 

natives to preclude the migration of noxious weeds into adjacent natural areas. 

32. Design vegetation treatments that create small-scale openings in order to minimize the 

‘footprint’ of disturbance that can contribute to noxious weed establishment and spread. 

33. Maintain stockpiled, un-infested material in a weed-free condition. 

34. Prevent the introduction and spread of weeds caused by moving infested sand, gravel, 

borrow, and fill material. 

35. Dispose of noxious weed and non-native vegetation properly to prevent unwanted spread. 

36. Avoid or remove sources of weed seed and propagules to prevent new weed infestations and 

the spread of existing weeds.

37. Ensure that rental equipment is free of weed seed and propagules before the contracting 

officer’s representative accepts it. 

38. Avoid acquiring water for dust abatement where access to the water is through weedinfested sites. 

39. Re-vegetate disturbed soil (except travel ways on surfaced projects) in a manner that 

optimizes plant establishment for that specific site. Define for each project what constitutes 

disturbed soil and objectives for plant cover re-vegetation. 

40. Re-vegetation may include topsoil replacement, planting, seeding, fertilization, liming, and 

weed-free mulching as necessary. 

41. Use native material where appropriate and feasible. 

42. Use local seeding guidelines to determine detailed procedures and appropriate mixes. To 

avoid weed-contamination, a certified seed laboratory needs to test each lot against the allState noxious weed list, and provide documentation of the seed inspection test. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 7 
Appendix B 

43. Inspect and document all limited term ground-disturbing operations in noxious weed 

infested areas for at least three (3) growing seasons following completion of the project. 

44. Provide information, training and appropriate weed identification materials to people 

potentially involved in weed introduction, establishment, and spread on BLM lands, 

including agency managers, employees, permit holders, and recreational visitors. 

45. Seed and straw mulch to be used for site rehabilitation (for wattles, straw bales, dams, etc.) 

all need to be inspected and certified that they are free of weed seed and propagules. 

46. To prevent conditions favoring weed establishment, re-establish vegetation on bare ground 

caused by project disturbance as soon as possible using either natural recovery or artificial 

techniques as appropriate to the site objectives. 

47. Reestablish native vegetation on sites if natural regeneration is unlikely. Use native 

vegetation that is genetically adapted (e.g. from the same seed zone and of similar elevation) 

to the area treated when conducting revegetation activities. 

48. Mitigate and limit impacts to habitats with existing and healthy native plant populations. 

Retain native vegetation in and around project areas to the maximum extent possible 

consistent with project objectives. 

49. Where possible, provide interim revegetation in areas being actively disturbed. 

Further guidance is provided by the Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides; Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement (2007) and BLM Handbook 9000 

Vegetation Treatments

Vegetation treatments are governed by the Vegetation Treatments Using Herbicides; Programmatic 

Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (2007); and BLM Handbook 9000. 

CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Wildlife Damage 

Management (WDM) Activities 

1. No control is allowed on public lands within a mile of any community, major mine, 

developed recreation site, or any residence, except for the purpose of human health and safety or 

as requested specifically by a cooperator. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Wildlife 

Services (APHIS-WS) will notify the Winnemucca District (WD) before any damage control is 

implemented within the restricted area(s), and exceptions would be approved on a case-by-case 

basis. No M-44’s or other nonspecies-specific toxicants are to be used within these areas, in 

accordance with EPA label use restrictions (i.e., within seven miles). 

2. All EPA use restrictions and requirements for toxicants are to be followed where control 

devices are used on public lands. The WD must be notified before any toxicants are deployed, 

and a map of the treatment area must be provided. Adequate signs must be provided and 

maintained. 

3. Toxicants and M-44 cyanide devices are not allowed in wilderness areas.

VEGETATION-RANGELAND 

Guidance may come from various sources. See individual resources. 

Standard Operating Procedure

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 8 
Appendix B 

When making decisions about proposed projects/actions in known sagebrush habitat, existing plans 

and guidance would be used by interdisciplinary teams and considered in the decision making 

process. This guidance includes the conservation actions/guidelines identified in the Western 

Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies – Guidelines to Manage Sage-Grouse Populations and 

Their Habitats, the Greater Sage-Grouse Conservation Plan for Nevada and Eastern California and 

PMU Plans developed by the North Central and Washoe-Modoc local area planning groups. 

VEGETATION-RIPARIAN HABITAT AND WETLANDS 

Best Management Practices

1. Minimize crossing of streams (intermittent and perennial) and wetlands with vehicles and 

heavy machinery. 

2. Locate residue piles (sawdust, field chipping residue, etc.) away from drainages where runoff 

may wash residue into water bodies or wetlands. 

3. Maintain appropriate vegetative/riparian buffers around water bodies to protect water

quality. 

4. Manage riparian areas to provide adequate shade, sediment control, bank stability, and 

recruitment of wood into stream channels. 

5. Locate project staging areas for refueling, maintenance equipment, materials and operating 

supplies in areas not designated as riparian and/or stream bank management zones. 

6. Determine the best locations and design for roads, the slope of roads, and the approach to 

stream crossings through proper planning. 

7. Do not locate roads/trails parallel to streams. Where roads must cross streams, cross 

perpendicularly and then the roads/trails must immediately exit the buffer zone. 

8. Appropriate improvements, such as culverts, must be placed at stream crossings to keep 

vehicles/equipment out of the stream flow and to prevent direct sedimentation of streams. 

9. Maintain a minimum of 6 inch stubble height at the end of October on stream bank (lotic) 

riparian. 

10. Maintain a minimum of 4 inch stubble height at the end of October on wet meadows (lentic) 

systems. 

Further guidance may be provided by the State of Nevada BMPs 

FISH AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT / SPECIAL STATUS SPECIES 

Standard Operating Procedures

1. Fences constructed will comply with applicable wildlife fence standards (Fences - BLM 

Manual Handbook H-1741-1). Existing fences that impede big game movement or that 

otherwise conflict with wildlife may be modified to comply with applicable wildlife fence 

standards on a case-by-case basis. 

2. The WDO will consult agency species management plans and other conservation plans as 

appropriate to guide management and devise mitigation measures when needed. Examples 

of these plans include but are not limited to the Intermountain West Regional Shorebird 

Plan, North American Landbird Conservation Plan, North American Waterbird 

conservation Plan, National and Nevada Partners in flight Bird Conservation Plans, Nevada 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 9 
Appendix B 

Bat Conservation Plan, and the Nevada State Wildlife Action Plan (Comprehensive Wildlife 

Conservation Strategy). 

Best Management Practices

1. Coordinate with the NDOW on BLM projects and BLM authorized projects that are 

proposed within 0.5 mile of a small capacity water development and 2.0 mile of a large 

capacity wildlife water development. Projects determined to have a detrimental affect on 

wildlife using wildlife water developments will be avoided or rerouted if possible. 

2. Coordinate with NDOW on migratory bird inventories when migratory bird inventories are 

proposed by BLM or required of third parties. 

3. Coordinate with NDOW when pygmy rabbit inventories are proposed by BLM or required 

of third parties. The inventories should be completed using standardized protocols such as 

those developed by Ulmschneider et. al., 2004. 

4. Wildlife water developments proposed in Wilderness Study Areas would have to meet the 

non-impairment criteria. 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Wildlife Damage 

Management Activities

1. No aerial control activities within a half-mile of active eagle nests between February 1 and 

August 1. General areas of known active eagle nesting sites will be developed by APHIS-WS, 

in coordination with Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW). 

2. The WD will identify through the APHIS-WS annual work plan process other areas of 

public lands considered special resource use areas on which control activities must be 

avoided, except as requested by NDOW, or other protective restrictions may apply. 

Examples include special status species habitats (e.g., sage-grouse leks and nesting areas). 

See also Vegetation – Riparian and Wetlands 

WILD HORSE AND BURRO 

Standard Operating Procedures - Administration/Implementation

1. Standards and Guidelines for Management of Wild Horses and Burros of the Sierra Front – 

Northwest Great Basin Area (2007); 

2. Wild Horse and/or Burro Gathers Standard Operating Procedures (12/07); 

3. Wild Horse Fertility Control Treatment Standard Operating Procedures (12/07) 

Standard Operating Procedures – Resource Projects

1. All new or reconstructed water exclosures within HMAs or in areas known to be used by 

WH&Bs will follow the horse fencing standards as identified in Wildlife Water Catchment 

Construction in Nevada, Technical Note 397 (9/03). 

2. To protect wild horses and burros, flag all new or repaired fencing (wire) every 16 feet with 

flagging that is at least 1 inch wide and has at least 12 inches hanging free from the top wire 

of the fence. 

3. Require rebar to be welded between the rails of cattle guards if the cattle guard or similar 

device is to be installed in or near Herd Management Areas to decrease the risk of wild horse 

and/or burro entrapment. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 10 
Appendix B 

4. If a project involves heavy or sustained traffic, require road signs for safety and protection of 

wild horses and burros. 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices - Outfitter/Guide Permits

1. The Permittee shall inform all staff and clients that wild horses and burros (WH&Bs) are 

protected by Federal law and will prevent harassment of WH&Bs from permitted activities. 

Prohibited acts include but are not limited to: maliciously injuring or harassing a wild horse 

or burro; removing or attempting to remove a wild horse or burro from public lands; 

destroying a wild horse or burro; selling or attempting to sell a wild horse or burro; and, 

commercially exploiting a wild horse or burro. Crimes are punishable by fine and/or 

imprisonment. Examples of violations might include harassment by ATV, injury or death by 

a bullet or arrow, and illegal capture. 

2. Stay at least 100 feet away from wild horses or burros. 

3. Try not to place yourself between members of a band or between adjoining bands. 

4. Observe wild horses and burros quietly so wild behavior is not disrupted. 

5. If you are approached by wild horses or burros while riding horseback, stay calm, maintain 

control of your animal, and leave the area as soon as you can. Ride with others whenever 

possible. 

6. Mares, especially if in season, may attract wild stud horses to you or your camp. Keep 

domestic horses secure at all times. Ride with others who are experienced and skilled at 

resolving unwanted wild horse or burro interactions. 

7. Do not feed or try to attract animals towards you. 

8. Keep dogs under control so they do not disturb or chase wild horses or burros. 

9. Report sick or injured animals, or violations, to the BLM. 

10. Please do not attempt to assist or handle sick or injured animals. 

11. Still or motion picture photography for personal use is allowed (however, photography for 

commercial purposes may require a permit). Contact the local BLM office. 

Use of Domestic Livestock

1. Adequate water for livestock and dogs may not be available along your route. Springs and 

other water sources identified on maps may be dry at any time. 

2. Bring a sufficient quantity of drinking water for your livestock (15 gal or more/day/animal). 

3. Feed weed-free certified hay or pellet feed (www.weedfreefeed.com). 

4. Secure your livestock adequately (use portable panels or corrals). 

5. Be sure your domestic riding stock are current with annual vaccinations. 

6. Do not bring sick or diseased riding animals into HMAs. Wild horses on the range are not 

vaccinated against any diseases. 

7. Do not drive across, camp on, or stake livestock out to graze on riparian areas. 

8. Water livestock only at springs or streams with stable banks and dry soils. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 11 
Appendix B 

9. Keep livestock secured away from camp sites and spread manure before leaving. 

10. Explore the area prior to hauling in a trailer to assess access. Pulling horse or other trailers 

off of State or County designated roads should only be done with prior operator knowledge 

of the road. Many roads are narrow, rough, steep, or impassable. Turning around may be 

difficult or impossible, especially with a trailer. 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Recreation (Race) Use

1. The permittee shall do everything possible to insure that event participants and spectators do 

not harass or collect wildlife, plants, livestock, wild horses or burros, or archaeological 

features or artifacts; 

2. Before the main race begins, the permittee will complete a pre-race sweep to ensure there are 

no recreation users, wild horses/burros, livestock, or other obstacles on and/or within 100 

yards of the course; 

3. In the event of a horse or burro/racer collision, the race organizer will notify BLM 

personnel immediately. The BLM personnel will notify a BLM horse specialist immediately 

with the given details and exact location of the collision; 

4. In the unlikely event that a foaling mare or newborn foal is encountered, every effort should 

be made to detour the race course away from that location. 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices – Wildlife Damage 

Management Activities

1. All aerial control activities in wild horse and burro use areas must be conducted in 

compliance with all applicable Nevada State Statutes, the provisions of the 1971 Wild and 

Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act, as amended, and its associated regulations (43 Code 

of Federal Regulations, 4700). No harassment of wild horses and burros is permitted under 

these provisions; maliciously or negligently injuring a wild horse or burro is also expressly 

prohibited. 

2. During the foaling season (March 1 to June 30), a flyover survey to determine whether wild 

horses or burros are present will be conducted before any WDM activities. This survey will 

be conducted at a minimum of 500 feet above ground level. If wild horses or burros are 

determined to be present, flyover surveys will be adjusted as needed to prevent any 

disturbance or harassment of the animals. 

3. If flyover surveys determine wild horses or burros are not present, WDM activities can be 

conducted. 

4. If flyover surveys determine wild horses or burros are present, no WDM activities can take 

place that would disturb or harass these animals. 

5. All persons involved with WDM activities should be briefed on the regulations and penalties 

relating to harassment of wild horses or burros before animal control operations. 

WILDLAND FIRE ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT 

Standard Operating Procedures/ Best Management Practices- Fuels Management

1. Construct fuel breaks or green strips to protect WUI communities and important wildlife 

habitat and to provide for firefighter safety, using mechanical, chemical, biological, and 

prescribed fire treatment. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 12 
Appendix B 

2. Construct fuel breaks and green strips in areas containing a good understory of native 

perennials in order to successfully compete with and deter the establishment of annual 

species. 

3. Where possible, construct fuel breaks/green strips to blend with the surrounding 

topography. 

4. Seed green strips in areas that do not have a good understory of desirable native perennials 

that can successfully compete with annual species. 

5. Where practicable, use large-scale landscape planning to connect fuel breaks and avoid small 

piecemeal projects. 

6. Maintain fuel breaks and green strips to ensure that they effectively change fire behavior. 

7. Avoid grazing of seeded species during the first growing season following seeding. 

Standard Operating Procedures - Fire Suppression

1. Avoid whenever possible burning out unburned islands of native vegetation. 

2. Avoid surface-disturbing suppression activities in riparian areas whenever possible. 

3. Do not construct fire lines using heavy equipment in riparian stream zones, and do not apply 

fire retardant to water. 

4. Avoid the application of retardant or foam within 300 feet (91.5 m) of the stream channel or 

waterway, when possible. Aerial application and use of retardants and foams should be 

consistent with national policy guidelines established by the National Office of Fire and 

Aviation, as amended. 

5. If is the unit administrator determines that retardant or surfactant foam must be used within 

300 feet (91.5 m) of a waterway or stream channel due to threats to life or property, and if 

alternative line construction tactics are not feasible because of terrain constraints, congested 

areas, or lack of ground personnel, or if potential damage to natural resources outweighs 

possible loss of aquatic life, the unit administrator should determine whether there have 

been any adverse effects on federally listed species. If the action agency determines that 

adverse effects were incurred by federally listed species or their habitats, then the action 

agency must consult with the USFWS, as required by 50 CFR, 402.05 (Emergencies), as soon 

as practicable. 

6. Close lands temporarily to other uses in areas where fire suppression is being implemented. 

In addition to the general suppression constraints, the following constraints are to be 

implemented within the vicinity of special status aquatic species habitats: 

7. Stream flow should not be impounded or diverted by mechanical or other means in order to 

facilitate extraction of water from the stream for fire suppression efforts. 

8. The intake end of the draft hose should be screened to prevent entry of fish. Screen opening 

size should be a maximum of 3/16 inch (4.7 mm). 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 13 
Appendix B 

9. Water extraction should not exceed the ability of the stream inflow to maintain water levels 

that exist at the time initial attack began. If the water level drops below this predetermined 

level, all water removal should cease immediately until water levels are recharged. 

10. For streams currently occupied by Lahontan cutthroat trout or aquatic special status species, 

water should not be allowed to be extracted from ponds or pools if stream inflow is minimal 

(for example, during droughts) and extracting water would lower the pond or pool level. 

11. When possible, fire control lines should not cross or terminate at the stream channel. 

12. Control lines should terminate at the edge of the riparian zone at a location determined 

appropriate to meet fire suppression objectives, based on fire behavior, vegetation/fuel 

types, and firefighter safety. 

Standard Operating Procedures – Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ES&R) 

1. Stabilize areas that have low potential to naturally revegetate and that have high wind and 

soil erosion potential. Treatments include the following: 

a. Installing water bars and other drainage diversions, culverts along fire roads, dozer lines, 

and other cleared areas; 

b. Seeding and planting to provide vegetative cover; 

c. Spreading mulch to protect bare soil and discourage runoff; 

d. Repairing damaged roads and drainage facilities; 

e. Clearing stream channels of structures or debris that is deposited by suppression 

activities; 

f. Installation of erosion control structures; 

g. Installation of channel stabilization structures; 

h. Close areas to livestock and wild horse and burro grazing to promote success of natural 

re-vegetation or establishment of seeded species; 

i. Lands may be temporarily closed to other uses during emergency stabilization and

rehabilitation practices if activities inhibit treatment. 

j. Repair or replace range improvements and facilities; and 

k. Monitor ES&R treatments. 

Fire Prevention and Mitigation

1. Post fire prevention signs based on National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS). 

2. Provide fire prevention and mitigation outreach information and education to communities. 

3. Reduce the potential for human-caused fires by issuing fire restrictions. 

CULTURAL/ PALEONTOLOGICAL RESOURCES and TRIBAL CONSULTATION 

Standard Operating Procedures

1. Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.4(g) the holder of a BLM authorization to carry out land use 

activities on Federal lands, including all leases and permits, must notify the BLM, by 

telephone and written confirmation, immediately upon the discovery of human remains, 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 14 
Appendix B 

funerary items, sacred objects, or objects of cultural patrimony. Pursuant to 43 CFR 10.4(c) 

and (d), activities must stop in the immediate vicinity of the discovery. The discovery must 

be protected from the authorized activity for a period of 30 days or unless otherwise notified 

by the BLM. 

2. All BLM activities, and BLM authorized activities, shall comply with Cultural Resources

Inventory General Guidelines (1989); BLM Cultural Resource Manual 8100; American 

Consultation Manual, 8160 and the current State Protocol Agreement between Bureau of 

Land Management, Nevada, and Nevada State Historic Preservation Office. 

VISUAL RESOURCES 

Best Management Practices or Standard Operating Procedures

1. Refer to Visual Contrast Rating Worksheet Form 8400-4. 

2. Refer to Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas Exploration and Development

(commonly referred to as The Gold Book). 

3. The following considerations can be helpful in choosing a project location: 

• Visual contrasts or impacts decrease as the distance between the viewer and the 

proposed development increases, so projects should be located as far away from 

prominent viewing locations as possible; 

• The human eye is naturally drawn to prominent topographic features, so projects should 

not be located on or near such features; 

• The shape and placement of projects should be designed to blend with topographic 

forms and existing vegetation patterns; and 

• Both topographic features and vegetation should be used to screen proposed 

development. 

4. Techniques that help reduce surface disturbance are as follows: 

• Collocating several projects within the same right-of-way; 

• Placing underground utilities either along the edge or under the surface of an existing 

road; 

• Placing several underground utilities within the same trench; 

• Establishing limits of disturbance that reflect the minimum area required for 

construction; 

• Consolidating development of a similar nature within a common structure; 

• Planning projects so that they use existing infrastructure, whenever possible; 

• Maximizing slope when it is aesthetically and technically appropriate; 

• Locating construction staging and administrative areas in less visually sensitive areas; and 

• Requiring restoration of disturbed areas no longer required after construction has been 

completed 

5. Every landscape has the basic elements of form, line, color, and texture. Repeating these 

elements reduces contrasts between the landscape and the proposed activity or development 

and results in less of a visual impact. 

6. The following considerations can be helpful in making color selections: 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 15 
Appendix B 

• Natural surfaces are usually well textured and have shade and shadow effects that darken 

them; surfaces of structures are usually smooth and reflect light even if dull-finish paint 

is used; so, as a general rule, colors on smooth man-made structures need to be two or 

three shades darker than the background colors to compensate for the shadow patterns 

created by naturally textured surfaces that make colors appear darker. 

• The color selection for all structures should be made to achieve the best blending with 

the surrounding landscape in both summer and winter. 

• Galvanized steel on utility structures should be darkened to prevent glare. Low luster 

paints should be used wherever possible to help reduce glare. (It is almost impossible to 

remove all sun glare.) 

• Color (hue) is most effective within 1,000 feet. Beyond that point, color becomes more 

difficult to distinguish, and tone or value determines visibility and resulting visual 

contrast. 

• Surface disturbance of western mineralized soils can result in strong color contrasts. In 

many situations, this suggests that the area should be avoided as a location for the 

proposed development or that color selections for the man-made facilities or disturbance 

might need to reflect the lighter color soil revealed by the disturbance. 

• Colors should be selected from a distance that permits viewing of the entire landscape 

surrounding the proposed development. 

• Colors that blend with or are in harmony with the existing colors of the earth, rocks, and 

vegetation are usually more visually pleasing and attract less attention than colors that are 

chosen to match the color of the sky. 

7. Another effective method of reducing the visual impact from a proposed activity or 

development is to retain as much of the existing vegetation as possible and where practical 

to use the existing vegetation to screen the development from public viewing areas. Some 

other techniques are as follows: 

• Design vegetative openings to repeat natural openings in the landscape. Edges that 

are scalloped and irregular are more natural looking; straight line edges should be 

avoided; 

• Minimize the impact on existing vegetation by: 

− Partially clearing the limits of construction rather than clearing the entire area 

(leaving islands of vegetation results in a more natural look), 

− Using irregular clearing shapes, 

− Feathering/thinning the edges of the cleared areas to reduce strong lines of 

contrast; to create a more natural look along an edge, retain a good mix of 

tree/shrub species and sizes, and 

− Disposing of all slash. 

8. The visual impact from new structures placed on the existing landscape can be reduced by 

using the following: 

• Repeating form, line, color, and texture; 

• Minimizing the number of structures and combining different activities in one 

structure wherever possible; 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 16 
Appendix B 

• Using earth-tone paints and stains; 

• Using self-weathering metals; 

• Chemically treating wood so that it can be allowed to self weather; 

• Using natural stone in wall surfaces; 

• Burying all or part of the structure; 

• Selecting paint finishes with low levels of reflectivity; 

• Using rustic designs and native building materials; 

• Using natural-appearing forms to complement landscape character; and 

• Screening the structure from view with natural landforms and vegetation. 

9. The scars left by excessive cut and fill during construction in our western landscapes often 

leave long-lasting negative visual impacts. This is especially true of activities that disturb the 

highly mineralized soils of the arid West. Once the dark surface soil layer is disturbed, 

exposing the much lighter color of the subsurface soil, a strong contrast is created that may 

take years to recover. 

There are a number of ways to reduce the contrasts created by earthwork construction. 

Proper location and alignment are probably the most important factors. Fitting the proposed 

development to the existing landforms in a manner that minimizes the size of cuts and fills 

will greatly reduce visual impacts from earthwork. Other earthwork design techniques, such 

as balancing cut and fill or constructing with all fill or all cut should be considered, where 

appropriate, as methods to reduce strong visual impacts. Other strategies are as follows: 

• Hauling in or hauling out excessive earth cut or fill in sensitive viewing areas; 

• Rounding or warping slopes (shaping cuts and fills to appear as natural forms); 

• Bending slopes to match existing landforms; 

• Retaining existing rock formations, vegetation, and drainage, whenever possible; 

• Split-face rock blasting (cutting rock areas so that the resulting rock forms are 

irregular in shape, as opposed to making uniform “highway” rock cuts); 

• Toning down freshly broken rock faces using asphalt emulsions and rock stains; 

• Using retaining walls to reduce the amount and extent of earthwork; 

• Retaining vegetation by using retaining walls, reducing surface disturbance, and 

protecting roots from damage during excavation; 

• Avoiding soil types that will generate strong contrasts with the surrounding 

landscape when they are disturbed; and 

• Prohibiting dumping of excess earth/rock on downhill slopes. 

10. Strategies for restoration and reclamation are akin to the design strategies for earthwork, as 

well as the design fundamentals of repeating form, line, color, and texture and reducing 

unnecessary disturbance. The objectives of restoration and reclamation include reducing 

long-term visual impacts by decreasing the amount of disturbed area and blending the 

disturbed area into the natural environment, while still providing for project operations. 

Though restoration and reclamation are a separate part of project design, they should not be 

forgotten or ignored. It is always a good idea to require a restoration/reclamation plan as 

part of the original design package. All areas of disturbance that are not needed for operation 

and maintenance should be restored as closely as possible to previous condition. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 17 
Appendix B 

Several strategies that can enhance any restoration or reclamation effort are as follows: 

• Striping, saving, and replacing topsoil (six-inch surface layer) on disturbed earth 

surfaces; 

• Enhancing vegetation by 

− Mulching cleared areas, 

− Furrowing slopes, 

− Using planting holes on cut/fill slopes to retain water, 

− Choosing native plant species, 

− Fertilizing, mulching, and watering vegetation, 

− Replacing soil, brush, rocks, forest debris over disturbed earth surfaces when 

appropriate, thus allowing for natural regeneration rather than introducing an 

unnatural looking grass cover; and 

• Minimizing the number of structures and combining different activities in one 

structure wherever possible. 

11. Projects and activities associated with linear alignments include rights-of-way, roads, trails, 

pipeline developments, and underground and overhead utility lines. The visual impact of a 

linear project depends largely on where it is located and how it is molded to the natural 

terrain. Proper location can often contribute significantly to reducing line and color impacts, 

making other measures either unnecessary or less costly and easier to accomplish. 

Finding the best route for linear alignments involves the following: 

• Identifying and analyzing all possible corridor alignments and selecting the one most 

feasible for the proposed project and 

• Locating the proposed project within the selected corridor after a thorough analysis 

of all environmental, socioeconomic, and engineering factors. 

There are several major considerations for determining an alignment: 

• Topography is a crucial element in alignment selection. Visually, it can be used to 

subordinate or hide man-made changes in the landscape. Projects located at breaks in 

topography or behind tree groupings are usually of much less visual impact than 

projects on steep side slopes. By taking advantage of natural topographic features, 

cut and fill slopes can be greatly minimized; 

• Topographic breaks frequently exhibit a natural line element that the proposed 

alignments can repeat or blend with to strengthen the design. This line element is 

partly established by a visual shadow zone, which will further reduce the contrast of 

the project; 

• Soils are especially important when selecting an alignment and should be analyzed 

for stability and fertility, and a revegetation program should be planned; 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 18 
Appendix B 

• Hydrological conditions can strongly affect the visual impact of buried and surface 

construction. The risks of surface and subsurface erosion within the corridor should 

be analyzed and evaluated; 

• Crossings with other linear features or structures should be designed to minimize 

their visual impact: 

• When possible, crossings should be made at right angles, 

• Structures should be set as far back from the crossing as possible, and 

• In areas with tree and shrub cover, the rights-of-way and structures should be 

screened from the crossing area. 

It is important to remember that when a system is planned and designed: 

• Other services that will be needed to support the system must be analyzed and 

included in the design considerations. For example, a construction access road, 

electrical power with a backup system, and sanitation facilities are usually needed for 

most projects. At times, the visual impact of the support facilities is the deciding 

factor for the specific location of the main project. 

• How the system is to be maintained must also be considered. 

• A rehabilitation plan should be developed. All areas of disturbance that are not 

needed for operation and maintenance should be restored as closely as possible to 

previous conditions. 

Determining the engineering design, landscape design, and visual considerations for a linear 

alignment must be accomplished together to ensure that all three are addressed and included 

in the final design solution. 

LIVESTOCK GRAZING 

Standard Operating Procedures 

1. Allow regrowth before winter or ungrazed fall growth – recovery of root carbohydrates. 

2. Usually it is necessary to protect seedings from grazing for one full year and through the 

growing season of the second year. Some seedings established during adverse weather cycles 

may need protection for a longer period. 

3. Development of springs and seeps or other projects affecting water and associated resources 

shall be designed to maintain the associate riparian area and assure attainment of standards. 

4. Adhere to guidelines listed in the State of Nevada BMPs. 

Best Management Practices

1. Livestock grazing could be used as an intensively managed prescriptive grazing practice to 

control cheatgrass and noxious or invasive weeds. 

2. In spring, graze for a short duration earlier in the season so that sufficient soil moisture 

remains for plant recovery. 

3. Implement short duration grazing (up to 3 weeks) (more animals/smaller pastures) where 

infrastructure permits during the growing season. Avoid re-grazing the same plants in one 

growing season. 

4. Rotate livestock use areas year to year - not in the same place at the same time each year. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 19 
Appendix B 

5. Graze during the dormant season to allow plants to recover every year. 

6. Allow for rest/recovery periods before or after grazing during critical growth period. 

7. Maintain range developments to maintain or improve distribution. 

8. Avoid use most years in areas of valuable woody plants during times when they are selected. 

9. Avoid selective use on key species by rest following heavy dormant season use. 

10. Graze established seedings to avoid decadent plants and poor nutrient cycles; particularly in 

Crested Wheatgrass seedings. 

11. Avoid the following grazing management practices: 

a. Long seasonal use with no recovery time 

b. Heavy use - stresses plants, 

c. Little or no re-growth before winter - little stubble for root crown protection

d. Use at the same time every year - repeating the stress 

e. No rest or growing season recovery - little recovery with long seasons of use 

f. Little or ineffective herding 

g. Salt placed in the same locations year after year 

h. Livestock left behind after pasture moves 

i. Grazing during the critical growth period year after year 

12. Seedings generally should not be grazed until the plants are well established. 

13. Use rotation or deferment to vary the timing of grazing to allow for periodic rest of upland 

vegetation during critical growth periods. 

14. Provide occasional rest to allow whole growing season for recovery. 

15. When using livestock to control cheatgrass or noxious or invasive weeds, match animal 

dietary preference or tolerance to the target species. 

16. Use the target weed’s biology when developing a grazing strategy. 

17. Manage heavy grazing on target weed species to account for any intermixed desirable 

species. 

18. Manage animals’ post treatment grazing to contain weed seeds. 

Best Management Practices - Vegetation/Riparian Zone Management Guidelines

1. Achieve proper functioning condition by managing livestock grazing with appropriate 

riparian management practices. 

2. Graze earlier in the season when cattle use uplands. 

3. Plants should be grazed only once or twice per year. 

4. Avoid hot season grazing of riparian areas. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 20 
Appendix B 

5. Allow re-growth before winter by grazing early enough for substantial plant re-growth 

during the growing season to slow spring flows and retain soil. 

6. For maintenance or improvement of willows, allow two growing seasons rest prior to late

season use. 

7. Maintain/provide alternate water sources for better distribution. 

8. In addition to the grazing management practices to avoid listed above, the following should 

also be avoided. 

a. Hot season grazing in big pastures with little riparian - poor distribution; 

b. Few waters and only riparian waters – poor distribution; 

c. Heavy use - stresses plants, tramples banks, and/or consumes last year’s wood; 

d. Little or no regrowth before winter - little stubble for sediment. 

MINERALS AND ENERGY 

Actions involving minerals and energy are governed by: 

1. Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines to Oil and Gas Exploration and Development”

(also known as “The Gold Book”) (2006). 

2. Mineral Materials Disposal Handbook H-3600-1 (2002). 

3. Solid Minerals Reclamation Handbook H-3042-1. 

4. State of Nevada BMPs; Chapter 9 (Internet Web site: 222.ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/bmp05.htm). 

5. 43 CFR 8900 et seq. 

Best Management Practices - Fluid Mineral Leasing 

Exploration

1. Temporary gates would be installed for use during the course of operations, unless the fence 

was immediately repaired. On completion of operations, fences would be restored to at least 

their original condition. 

2. During periods of adverse conditions affecting soil moisture caused by such climatic factors 

as thawing, heavy rains, snow, flooding, or drought, all activities off existing maintained 

roads that create excessive surface rutting may be suspended. 

3. Off-road vehicle travel would be limited to that necessary to complete the geophysical 

operations. 

4. The use of specialized low surface impact equipment (wide- or balloon-tired vehicles, ATVs) 

or helicopters may be required for any activities in off-road areas to protect the fragile soils 

or other resource values. 

5. Powder magazines would be located at least a mile from traveled roads, unless otherwise 

authorized after analysis or review. Loaded shot holes and charges would be attended at all 

times. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 21 
Appendix B 

6. All trash, flagging, and lath will be removed and hauled to an authorized disposal site. No oil 

or lubricants would be drained onto the ground surface. 

7. The underside of all heavy equipment must be cleaned by water before being driven onto 

public lands. Driving through or parking on noxious weed infestations would be avoided. 

8. All topsoil from all disturbances would be stockpiled for use in reclamation projects. 

9. Vegetation that is removed would be stockpiled, shredded, and used as mulch during site 

rehabilitation. 

10. Drill hole cuttings would be returned to the hole if possible, or at a minimum, it would be 

raked and spread out so as not to impede regrowth of vegetation or to create erosion 

problems. 

Pre-Construction

1. Existing roads should be used to the extent possible. Additional roads, if needed, would be 

kept to an absolute minimum and the location of routes must be approved by the AO before 

construction. 

2. All access roads would be constructed and maintained to BLM road standards (BLM 1985a). 

3. Off-road travel would be restricted to terrain with less than 30 percent slopes, 20 percent if 

highly erodible. 

4. Proposed surface disturbance and vehicular travel would be limited to the approved well

location and access route. 

Well Pad and Facility Construction

1. Every pad, access road, or facility site must have an approved surface drainage plan. 

2. Drainage from disturbed areas would be confined or directed so that erosion of undisturbed 

areas would not be increased. 

3. No runoff water (including that from roads) would be allowed to flow into intermittent or 

perennial waterways without first passing through a sediment-trapping mechanism. Erosion 

control structures may include water bars, berms, drainage ditches, sediment ponds, or 

devices. 

4. Access road construction for exploratory wells should be planned such that a permanent 

road could later be constructed in the event of field development. 

5. Construction of access roads on steep hillsides and near watercourses would be avoided 

where alternate routes provide adequate access. 

6. Access roads requiring construction with cut and fill would be designed to minimize surface 

disturbance and take into account the character of the landform, natural contours, cut 

material, depth of cut, where the fill material would be deposited, resource concerns, and 

visual contrast. 

7. Fill material would not be cast over hilltops or into drainages. Cut slope ratios should 

normally be no steeper than 3:1 and fill slopes no steeper than 2:1. 

8. Low water crossings would be used whenever possible. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 22 
Appendix B 

9. Well site layout should take into account the character of the topography and landform. 

Deep vertical cuts and steep long fill slopes should be avoided. All cut and fill slopes should 

be constructed to the least percent slope practical. 

10. Trash would be retained in portable trash cages and hauled to an authorized disposal site for 

disposal. Burning would not be allowed on the well site. 

11. Cattle guards would be installed and maintained whenever access roads were through pasture 

gates or fences. Maintenance includes cleaning out under cattle guard bases, when needed. 

12. Mud, separation pits, and other containments used during the exploration or operation of 

the lease for the storage of any hazardous materials would be adequately fenced, posted, or 

covered. 

Utilization 

1. Operations would be done in a manner that prevents damage to or interference or 

disruption of water flows and improvements associated with all springs, wells, or 

impoundments. 

2. Companies controlling roads that provide access into crucial wildlife areas may be required 

to close the road with a lockable gate to prevent general use of the road during critical 

periods of the year when resource problems are experienced (for example, during hunting 

seasons and winter). 

3. The use of closed road segments would be restricted to legitimate authorized agents of the 

lessee or their subcontractor(s), the land managing agency, and other agencies with a 

legitimate need (for example, NDOW and other law enforcement agencies). 

4. Closing and reclaiming unnecessary roads may be required to reduce fragmentation and

restore habitat integrity, while reducing the potential for wildlife disturbances. 

5. Road closures may be implemented during crucial periods (e.g., wildlife winter periods, 

spring runoff, calving and fawning seasons, saturated soil conditions). 

6. Petroleum products, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, helicopter fuel, crankcase oil, lubricants, 

and cleaning solvents used to fuel, lubricate, and clean vehicles and equipment would be 

stored in approved containers. 

7. Hazardous materials would be properly stored in separate containers to prevent mixing,

drainage, or accidents. Hazardous materials would not be drained onto the ground or into 

streams or drainage areas. 

8. Totally enclosed containment would be provided for all solid construction waste. Trash, 

garbage, petroleum products, and related litter would be removed to an authorized sanitary 

landfill approved for the disposal of these classes of waste. 

RENEWABLE ENERGY 

Standard Operating Procedures

1. Authorize ROWs by applying appropriate BMPs (BLM Wind Energy Development EIS, 

June 2005), land use restrictions, stipulations, and mitigation measures. 

2. An Environmental Assessment is required for applications for monitoring sites in known 

Sage-Grouse Population Management Units. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 23 
Appendix B 

TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS 

Standard Operating Procedures

1. Continue coordination with counties and other agency road entities to promote utilization of 

Best Management Practices for road maintenance they perform within WDO boundaries. 

2. Maintain an inventory of existing road and trail systems. 

3. BLM Manual 9113.16 and BLM Handbook 9113-2 will be used to guide all maintenance and 

road construction designs and requirements. Include definitions for functional road 

classification and maintenance levels for Bureau roads. 

4. All highway ROWs and other road authorizations would contain noxious and invasive weed 

stipulations that include prevention, inventory, treatment, and revegetation or rehabilitation. 

Road abandonment would include at least three years of post abandonment monitoring and 

treatment. 

Best Management Practices

1. In order to ensure public access and safety, BLM WDO shall continue an active road 

maintenance program employing the use of redesign, blading, brush removal for sight 

distance as appropriate, scarification, graveling, water barring, low water crossings, spur 

ditching, seeding and installation /cleaning of culverts. 

2. National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirements – No new NEPA analysis would 

be required for road maintenance activities within the defined maintenance 

disturbance/easement footprint, which is defined as previously disturbed or maintained. 

Disturbance outside of the defined maintenance disturbance/easement footprint or road 

realignment would be subject to additional NEPA compliance. 

LANDS AND REALTY 

Standard Operating Procedures

Power lines shall be constructed in accordance to standards outlined in "Suggested Practices for 

Raptor Protection on Power Lines, The State of the Art in 1996," (Avian Power Line Interaction 

Committee (APLIC), 1996, Edison Electric Institute and the Raptor Research Foundation, Inc., 

Washington, D.C.). Right-of-way applicants shall assume the burden and expense of proving that 

proposed pole designs not shown in the above publication are “raptor safe.” Such proof shall be 

provided by a raptor expert approved by the Authorized Officer. 

ROWs and other lands and realty authorizations, including power lines, pipelines, transmission

corridors, energy development sites and related development, and gravel pits, would contain noxious 

and invasive plant management terms or stipulations for all ground-disturbing actions. These would 

include conducting a pre-disturbance noxious weed inventory, designing to avoid or minimize 

vegetation removal and weed introduction or spread, managing weeds during the life of the ROW or 

authorization to prevent or minimize weed introduction or spread, abandoning the ROW or 

authorization to establish competitive vegetation on bare ground areas, and monitoring revegetation 

success and weed prevention and control for a reasonable number of years. 

Best Management Practices

Coordinate with the NDOW early in the sale process on proposals to sell public land encumbered 

by a small capacity wildlife water development. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 24 
Appendix B 

RECREATION 

Guidance for recreation use can be found in the Land Use Planning Handbook H-1601-1 Appendix 

C Section II-C; the Recreation Permit Administration Handbook H-2930-1 and 3 CFR 2930. 

Special Recreation Permits would contain noxious weed management stipulations (e.g., pre-event 

inventories to avoid infested areas, event management to avoid or isolate activities that could cause 

weed introduction or spread, monitoring and treatment of infestations exacerbated by the activity, 

and other appropriate noxious weed management stipulations). 

Lands may be temporarily closed to other uses during recreation performed under a special 

recreation permit (e.g., equestrian endurance rides or motorcycle events). 

WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS and LANDS with WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS 

Standard Operating Procedure

All Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) will be managed in accordance with the Interim Management 

Policy and Guidelines for Lands under Wilderness Review H-8500-1 (IMP). 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices - Wildlife Damage 

Management Activities 

1. APHIS-WS will notify the WD before any control activity is implemented in a wilderness 

area to ensure that all proposed actions are in accordance with BLM 6300 Wilderness 

Regulations and BLM Manuals H-8560 and 8560-1. 

2. District-wide wilderness maps will be used for general reference. Maps with a scale of at least 

one-half inch to the mile will be used in the field during APHIS-WS activities to determine 

wilderness boundaries. 

3. Wildlife damage control in BLM Wilderness Areas may be necessary to protect federally 

listed threatened or endangered species, to prevent transmission of diseases or parasites 

affecting other wildlife and humans, to manage reintroduced indigenous wildlife species, or 

to prevent serious losses of domestic livestock. Control of nonindigenous species also may 

be necessary to reduce conflicts with indigenous species. Acceptable control measures 

include lethal and nonlethal methods, depending on need, justification, location, conditions, 

efficiency, and applicability of state and federal laws. These control measures must be 

consistent with Section 4(c) of the Wilderness Act of 1964 to ensure that prohibited uses are 

avoided and must be the minimum amount of control necessary to resolve wildlife damage 

problems. APHIS-WS, BLM, NDOW (or other approved state agency) will implement 

control measures, in accordance with cooperative agreements or memoranda of 

understanding. 

4. Wildlife damage control measures involving the use of motorized vehicles, motorized 

equipment, or mechanical transport in wilderness areas must be approved by the WD on a 

case-by-case basis. 

5. Toxicants and M-44 cyanide devices are not allowed in wilderness areas. 

6. Interim Management Policies must be adhered to at all times in WSAs, and the WD must be 

notified before any WDM activity is implemented. WDM activities in Wilderness Areas and 

WSAs must be directed at the offending animal. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 25 
Appendix B 

PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY 

Standard Operating Procedures and Best Management Practices - Wildlife Damage 

Management Activities

1. No control is allowed on public lands within a mile of any community, major mine,

developed recreation site, or any residence, except for the purpose of human health and 

safety or as requested specifically by a cooperator. APHIS-WS will notify the WD before any 

damage control is implemented within the restricted area(s), and exceptions would be 

approved on a case-by-case basis. No M-44s or other nonspecies-specific toxicants are to be 

used within these areas, in accordance with EPA label use restrictions (that is, seven miles). 

2. Control activities, such as distance and signs, next to state or federal highways and countymaintained roads must be consistent with the NDOW trapping regulations. 

3. All EPA use restrictions and requirements for toxicants are to be followed where control 

devices are used on public lands. The WD must be notified before any toxicants are 

deployed, and a map of the treatment area must be provided. Adequate signs must be 

provided and maintained. 

4. All equipment (including traps, snares, and M-44s) and warning signs will be removed from 

bird-hunting areas, identified in coordination with NDOW, no later than one week before 

the opening day of the hunting season. 

5. The WD will identify through the APHIS-WS annual work plan process other areas of 

public lands considered special resource use areas on which control activities must be 

avoided, except as requested by NDOW, or other protective restrictions may apply. 

Examples are special status species habitats (e.g., sage-grouse leks and nesting areas). 

SUMMARY 

The BMPs/SOPs listed in this handbook are not "one size fits all" and do not encompass all the 

effective BMPs/SOPs currently required and/or available. These BMPs/SOPs expand and 

supplement the basic guidelines and minimum requirements of the BLM Manuals; Practices 

Regulations. However, several common themes related to the mitigation of environmental impacts 

were expressed throughout the previous sections. They include: 

1. The need for proper planning related to timing, spatial extent, and duration are critical to 

minimize environmental impacts. 

2. The value of consulting with specialists (e.g. cultural resource offices and weed managers) to 

make educated and accurate management decisions. 

3. The importance of considering more than one factor (e.g. wildlife, water quality.) when

developing and/or implementing management activities. 

4. The necessity of contingency revegetation plans in cases where natural reestablishment of 

native vegetation may not be feasible due to lack of seed source or impacts from competing 

non-native/invasive vegetation. 

5. The need to give special emphasis to the protection of sensitive resources (e.g. listed species 

habitats, cultural resources, etc.). 

6. The importance of developing inventory and monitoring strategies. 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 26 
Appendix B 

Regardless of the project proposed or outcomes desired, managers involved in integrated vegetation 

management should consider these six thematic best management practices as well as the protection 

of human health and safety throughout all stages of planning and implementation. 

SOURCES & GENERAL REFERENCES 

The following list identifies additional resources that BLM may consult, on a case-by-case basis, for 

additional BMP guidance applicable in the WDO planning area: 

Instruction Memorandums and Technical Documents

BLM Instruction Memorandum No. 2007-021. Integration of Best Management Practices into 

Application for Permit to Drill Approvals and Associated Rights-of-Way. 

BLM Best Management Practices (BMPs) Information Sheets (2004). 

(http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib/blm/wo/MINERALS__REALTY__AND_RESOURCE_P

ROTECTION_/bmps.Par.73748.File.dat/WO1_WO_BMPs_Technical_Information_Sheets.pdf)

Land Use Planning

BLM, Record of Decision - Implementation of a Wind Energy Development Program and 

Associated Land Use Plan Amendments, (December 2005). 

http://www.windeis.anl.gov/documents/ docs/WindPEISROD.pdf

BLM, Final Programmatic EIS Record of Decision to Evaluate Wind Energy Development on 

Western Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land Management (2005). 

BLM, Record of Decision for Vegetation Treatment on BLM Lands in Seventeen Western States 

(2007). 

Manuals and Handbooks

BLM Manual 9113.16 

BLM Handbook 9113-2 

EPA, Inactive Mine Site Characterization and Cleanup Handbook, EPA 910-8-00-001, U.S. EPA, 

August 2000 

Nevada Division of Environmental Protection and the Nevada Division of Conservation Districts, 

Handbook of Best Management Practices (1994). 

State of Nevada Best Management Practices Handbook (1994) 

Reports

BLM, Programmatic Environmental Report for Vegetation Treatments on BLM land (2005) 

EPA, Drinking Water Academy Bulletin, Managing Septic Systems to Prevent Contamination of 

Drinking Water, July 2001, EPA-816-F-01-030 

USDA FS, Drinking Water from Forests and Grasslands: A Synthesis of Scientific Literature,

General Technical Report SRS-39, September 2000 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 27 
Appendix B 

Standards and Guidelines

BLM Visual Resource Management for Fluid Minerals. Best Management Practices/Participants 

Notebook Field Reference Guide, 2007. 

BLM and US Forest Service, Surface Operating Standards and Guidelines for Oil and Gas 

Exploration and Development (commonly referred to as The Gold Book). 4th edition, 2007. 

General Water Quality Best Management Practices, Pacific Northwest Region, U.S. Forest Service,

November 1988 

Low-Volume Roads Engineering, Best Management Practices Field Guide. Developed by Gordon 

Keller & James Sherar. 

Nevada Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC). Standards and Guidelines for 

Management of Wild Horses and Burros of the Sierra Front-Northwest Great Basin Area 

Nevada Northeastern Great Basin Resource Advisory Council (RAC), the Sierra Front 

Northwestern Great Basin RAC, and the Mojave-Southern Great Basin RAC, as chartered by the 

Department of the Interior. 2007. OHV Administration Guidelines for Nevada Public Lands, 

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/res/resource_advisory/sierra_frontnorthwestern/standards_and_guidelines.html. Accessed October 22, 2007 

RAC Standard and Guidelines for Rangeland Health. 

http://www.blm.gov/nv/st/en/res/resource_advisory/sierra_frontnorthwestern/standards_and_guideline.html 

Standards and Guidelines for Management of Wild Horses and Burros of the Sierra FrontNorthwest Great Basin Area. 

Standards and Guidelines for Livestock Management in the Nevada’s Sierra Front-Northwestern

Great Basin Area 

State of Nevada Best Management Practices Handbook: http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/bmp05.htm 

U.S. Dept. Transportation, Best Management Practices for Erosion and Sediment Control (current 

edition). 

Low-Volume Roads Engineering, Best Management Practices Field Guide, (2003) developed by Gordon 

Keller & James Sherar of the US Forest Service. This document presents recommended practices 

for low-volume roads (defined as having an average daily traffic (ADT) of less than 400 vehicles per 

day, and usually has design speeds of less than 50mph. 

Useful Web sites: 

http://www.epa.gov/air/criteria.html 

http://ndep.nv.gov/baqp/baqpollu.html 

http://ndep.nv.gov/bwqp/bmp05.htm 

May 2010 Winnemucca District Office – Draft RMP/EIS 28