Where field assessment indicates that cattle congregation on Crown land could potentially affect water quality, prescriptions must be developed and implemented by the Forest Service and range licensees to reduce and eliminate the impacts. Water quality is affected where ATVs expose mineral soil, allowing surface runoff of sediment-laden water to enter streams. As part of the level 1 IWAP, Forest Service recreation officers will provide an assessment of whether there are locations in a watershed where ATV recreation occurs. If such locations exist, they must be examined in the field and assessed for sediment impacts. Where field assessment indicates that ATV recreation on Crown land is contributing to water quality degradation in a watershed, the Forest Service should develop prescriptions to reduce and eliminate the impacts.
Placer mining can potentially have severe impacts on water quality.
Where placer mining is occurring in a watershed, the specific locations must be assessed in the field for sediment impacts.