CHAPTER 2: DESCRIPTION OF THE
ALTERNATIVES
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| Table A: Forage Utilization and Mulch Management Requirements | ||||
| Precipitation | Plant Community | Slope, Elevation | Minimum Residual Dry Matter* (lbs/ac) |
Maximum Utilization of Key Perennials, #, ## |
| 4-10 Inches | California annual grassland | <25% 25-45% >45% |
200 250 350 |
25-40% |
| 10-40 Inches | California annual grassland, Oak woodlands |
<25% 25-45% >45% <15%, 1000-2500 >15%, >2500 |
400 600 800 700-900** 1000-1200** |
30-45% |
| 8-30 Inches | Sagebrush grassland, Pinyon-juniper woodland, Cool season pasture |
NA | NA | 30-40% |
| 4-40 Inches | Riparian areas, wetlands | NA | 4-6 inch stubble height # | 35-45% herbs, 10-20% shrubs, 0-20% trees |
* Minimum to be present at fall green/winter green-up.
** Higher minimum is for sites that are: in unsatisfactory condition, grazed during active growth, not rested, or on steeper slopes.
# Stubble height and percent utilization levels are initial values that should be adjusted to consider timing of grazing use and plant phenology, resource conditions and a site's resiliency at the allotment, pasture or site-specific location. Perennial plant utilization levels and stubble heights are based on a literature review by Jerry L. Holechek, Policy Changes on Federal Rangelands: A Perspective, or A Wall Street Perspective on Management of Federal Rangelands. National Public Lands Advisory Council, November 19, 1991. Golden CO.
## On sites in unsatisfactory condition and/or trend, perennial plant utilization should be no more than 15-25% current annual growth where less than one period of rest is provided per growing season of use.
Guideline 15: Locate new livestock handling and/or management facilities outside of riparian/wetland areas. For existing livestock handling facilities inside riparian area, ensure that facilities do not prevent attainment of standards. Limit livestock trailing, bedding, watering, loading, and other handling efforts to those areas and times that will not retard or prevent attainment of standards.
Guideline 16: Implement grazing systems that will promote compliance with the Water Quality Standards.
2.52 UKIAH RAC RECOMMENDED STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
Standards and Guidelines for Rangeland Health
in The Ukiah District
Preamble
The standards for rangeland health and guidelines for livestock grazing on BLM administered lands are written to accomplish the four fundamentals of rangeland health, insofar as they are affected by livestock grazing practices. These fundamentals are:
A. Watersheds are properly functioning;
B. Ecological processes are in order;
C. Water quality complies with state standards; and,
D. Habitats of protected species are in order.
Additionally, the standards and guidelines must be consistent with those of adopted regional conservation strategies which affect the Northwestern California public lands under the purview of the Ukiah Resource Advisory Council. The Northwest Forest Plan (NFP)(USDI, USDA, 1994) encompasses the entire range of the northern spotted owl and provides a set of land allocations and standards and guidelines for management activities. It contains both terrestrial and aquatic conservation strategies. Range management standards and guidelines are directed toward attainment of aquatic conservation strategy objectives through management of riparian reserves. The Interim Strategies for Managing Anadromous Fish-producing Watersheds in Eastern Oregon and Washington, Idaho, and Portions of California (PACFISH) (USDI, USDA, 1995) extends riparian standards and guidelines as in the NFP to all anadromous watersheds beyond the range of the northern spotted owl.
The RAC and BLM staff reviewed these standards and guidelines during development of the Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing to ensure that the Aquatic Conservation Strategy objectives of the NFP and Riparian Management Objectives of PACFISH were consistent, and that the standards and guidelines were consistent with the BLM's Redding and Arcata Resource Management Plans.
A "standard" serves as the criterion to determine if management actions are resulting in the maintenance or attainment of healthy rangelands per the four fundamentals of rangeland health. Standards are expressions of physical and biological conditions or degree of function required for healthy sustainable rangelands. Guidelines serve as the vehicle to implement management actions related to livestock grazing to accomplish the rangeland health standards. Guidelines will indicate the types of grazing methods and practices determined to be appropriate to ensure that the standards can be met.
Standards and guidelines will apply to all BLM lands within the geographic area for which they are written. Using the standards and guidelines, the local BLM managers, in consultation with grazing permittees and other interested parties, will determine terms and conditions for each grazing allotment. These terms and conditions are the specific grazing practices that are appropriate for that allotment.
BLM lands vary so greatly in topography, climate, soils, water availability, size and distribution of parcels and other factors that the local managers must have the flexibility needed to determine which grazing practices will work best in each area, and to change those practices when necessary to achieve the desired rangeland conditions.
Where desired plant community (DPC) objectives have ben determined through the BLM planning and NEPA processes, the DPCs will be a measure in meeting the standards of rangeland health.
Where historical grazing has been compatible with meeting the standards for soils, species, riparian areas or water quality, no permanent changes should be mandated in the existing grazing patterns without substantial scientific evidence that changing the grazing pattern will improve the ability to achieve the standards.
For any standard, guideline, term or condition to work, it must be capable of being achieved, based on sound science or good common sense, and be measurable, understandable, and economically feasible. There is no use in setting standards that cannot be met.
UKIAH STANDARDS FOR HEALTHY RANGELANDS
STANDARD: SOILS
Soils exhibit characteristics of infiltration, fertility, permeability rates and other functional biological and physical characteristics that are appropriate to soil type, climate, desired plant community, and land form.
Meaning That:
Precipitation is able to enter the soil surface at appropriate rates; the soil is adequately protected against accelerated erosion; and the soil fertility is maintained at appropriate levels.
As Indicated By:
* Ground cover (vegetation and other types of ground cover such as rock) sufficient to protect sites from accelerated erosion.
* Litter/residual dry matter evident, accumulating in place, and showing negligible movement by water.
* A diversity of plant species, including native plants, with a variety of root depths, is present and plants are vigorous during the growing season. (Rangeland Health, National Research Council, 1994, page 130, table 4-8).
* There is minimal evidence of accelerated erosion in the form of rills, gullies, pedestaling of plants or rocks, flow patterns, physical soil crusts/surface sealing, or compaction layers below the soil surface.
* Biological (microphytic or cryptogamic) soil crusts, if present, are intact.
STANDARD: SPECIES
Healthy, productive, and diverse populations of native plant and animal species, particularly special status species, are maintained and/or being restored.
Meaning That:
As Stated.
As Indicated By:
* A variety of age classes are present for desired plant species (Rangeland Health, National Research Council 1994, page 130 table 4-8).
* Plant vigor is adequate to maintain desirable plants and ensure reproduction and recruitment of plants when favorable climatic events occur.
* The spatial distribution of plant and animal species and their habitats allows for reproduction and recovery from localized catastrophic events.
* A diversity of plant species with various developmental stages and rooting depths are present to extend the photosynthetic period and increase energy capture.
* Evidence of beneficial natural disturbances.
* Non-native, noxious and invasive species are at acceptable levels.
* Special status species and other local species of concern are healthy and in numbers that appear to ensure stable to increasing populations; habitat areas are large enough to support viable populations or are connected adequately with other similar habitat areas.
* Adequate organic matter (litter and standing dead plant material) is present for site protection and decomposition to replenish soil nutrients and support nutrient cycling.
* Where appropriate, biological soil crusts (also called microphytic or cryptogamic soil crusts) are present and not excessively fragmented.
* Species composition contributes to the desired plant community objectives.
STANDARD: RIPARIAN
Riparian/wetland vegetation, structure and diversity, and stream channels and floodplains are, or are making significant progress toward functioning properly and achieving late seral stages.
Meaning That:
The vegetation and soils interact to capture and pass sediment, sustain infiltration, maintain the water table, stabilize the channel, sustain high water quality, and promote biodiversity appropriate to soils, climate, and landform.
As Indicated By:
* Naturally occurring vegetation cover will protect banks and dissipate energy during high flows.
* Age-class and structure of woody/riparian vegetation is diverse and appropriate for the site. Recruitment of preferred species is adequate for sustaining the community.
* Where appropriate, habitat is sufficient to provide for plant and animal riparian dependent species. There is diversity and abundance of insects and amphibians.
* Where appropriate, there is adequate woody debris.
* A diversity of plant species with various developmental stages and rooting depths is present (Rangeland Health, National Research Council 1994, page 112, and table 4-8 on page 130). Root masses are sufficient to stabilize stream banks and shorelines.
* Plant species present indicate that soil moisture characteristics are being maintained.
* Shallow-rooted, invader plant species are not displacing native species.
* Adequate organic matter (litter and standing dead plant material) is present to protect the site and to replenish soil nutrients through decomposition (Rangeland Health, National Research Council 1994, page 130, table 4-8).
* Point bars are becoming vegetated over time.
* Adequate stream bank stability, morphology, pool frequency, stream width depth ratio, and minimal substrate sediments and bare ground.
Exceptions and exemptions from riparian standard, where the standard may not be applicable:
Structural facilities constructed for livestock/wildlife water or other purposes which are not natural wetland and/or riparian areas. Examples are: water troughs, stockponds, flood control structures, tailings ponds, water gaps on fenced or otherwise restricted stream corridors, etc.
STANDARD: WATER QUALITY
With the exception of off-stream artificial impoundments, surface and groundwater quality complies with California, Tribal and Federal water quality standards (WQS).
Meaning That:
BLM actions do not contribute to pollution that violates the quantitative or narrative standards of the California water quality standards (WQS)). Approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) are used to protect water quality or restore water quality to water bodies not fully supporting designated beneficial uses, e.g. water quality limited segments.
As Indicated By:
* Chemical constituents, water temperature, nutrient loads, fecal coliform, and turbidity do not exceed WQS.
* Dissolved oxygen levels, and aquatic organisms and plants (e.g., macroinvertebrates, fish, and algae) indicate support for beneficial uses.
UKIAH GUIDELINES FOR LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT
RIPARIAN HABITATS
Guideline 1: Management for riparian dependent special status species, where they occur, is primary.
Guideline 2: Season of use should be short term and allow for plant regrowth and reproduction. The residual or regrowth should provide sufficient herbaceous forage biomass to meet the requirement of plant vigor maintenance, plant and wildlife habitat, stream shading, bank protection and sediment entrapment. Specific grazing dates will be set in lease terms and conditions.
Guideline 3: Locate salt blocks and supplemental feed well away from riparian zones.
Guideline 4: Locate all livestock handling and management facilities outside of riparian areas.
Guideline 5: Limit livestock trailing and watering to those areas and times that will not retard or prevent attainment of standards. Avoid trailing in vernal pools and wetlands whenever possible.
Guideline 6: Make temporary changes to livestock grazing management practices, including increases or decreases in stocking rates and seasons of use in response to important episodic events (drought, flood, fire, good germination, etc.).
Guideline 7: Degraded riparian areas may require complete rest or other change in management practices to initiate the recovery process.
Guideline 8: Limit or exclude livestock grazing in identified culturally sensitive areas where grazing is detrimental to such sites.
Guideline 9: BLM will work with livestock grazing lessees to utilize prescribed fire, fencing, rest-rotation, holistic resource management, integrated pest management, and other innovative management practices where appropriate to protect riparian health.
Guideline 10: Native species are recommended for all revegetation and enhancement projects unless they are not available in sufficient quantities or are incapable of maintaining or achieving properly functioning conditions or biological health.
GUIDELINES FOR ANNUAL UPLANDS
| TABLE B: Residual Dry Matter (RDM) Guidelines. Definition is pounds/acre by slope and precipitation. |
|||
| Precipitation | Slope 0-25% | Slope 26-45% | Slope 46% and Up |
| 10" - 40" 40" - 60" 60+" |
500 lbs. 750 lbs. 1,000 lbs. |
600 lbs. 1,000 lbs. 1,500 lbs. |
800 lbs. 1,250 lbs. 2,000 lbs. |
Annual Upland Rangelands
Guideline 11: If necessary to meet desired plant community (DPC), or if there is a probability to promote or enhance native perennial plant communities (including special status plants) to check degradation, then adjust grazing management practices, such as: season of use, RDM, stocking level, distribution, pasture rotation, or other range management practices.
Guideline 12: Continuous season-long grazing is allowed if it has been demonstrated that it can be consistent with achieving a healthy, properly functioning ecosystem.
Guideline 13: Alter livestock grazing or initiate erosion control practices in areas where soil is compacted or prone to accelerated erosion.
Guideline 14: BLM will work with livestock grazing lessees to utilize prescribed fire, fencing, rest-rotation, holistic resource management, integrated pest management, and other innovative management practices where appropriate.
Guideline 15: Make temporary changes to livestock grazing management practices, including increases or decreases in stocking rates and seasons of use in response to important episodic events (drought, flood, fire, good germination, etc.).
Guideline 16: Limit or exclude livestock grazing in identified culturally sensitive areas where grazing is detrimental to such sites.
Guideline 17: Degraded areas may require complete rest or other change in management practices to initiate the recovery process.
Guideline 18: The plan for grazing an any allotment must consider other uses (recreation, wildlife, mineral resource development, etc.) and be coordinated with other users of the public lands so that overall use does not detract from the goal of achieving rangeland health.
Guideline 19: Encourage grazing management practices that sustain biological diversity across the landscape by providing a mosaic of seral stages and vegetation corridors, and minimizing habitat fragmentation.
Guideline 20: Implement aggressive action to reduce the invasion of exotic plant species into native plant communities. Control the spread of noxious weeds through various methods such as grazing management, fire management, and other vegetative management practices.
Guideline 21: Utilize prescribed fire and natural prescribed fire to promote a broad vegetative diversity of healthy plant communities, while creating a mosaic network of interconnected vegetative resources.
Guideline 22: Native species are recommended for all revegetation and enhancement projects unless they are not available in sufficient quantities or are incapable of maintaining or achieving properly functioning conditions of biological health.
Perennial Rangeland Guidelines
Guideline 23: No authorized livestock grazing in new allotments which are native perennial grasslands until guidelines specific to these perennial species are developed and adopted.
2.53 SUSANVILLE RAC RECOMMENDED STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing
Susanville Resource Advisory Council
Preamble
Healthy Rangelands contribute to the social and economic well being of rural communities in Northeastern California and Northwestern Nevada, and they provide, over the long term, the most reliable harvest of rangeland resources. The objective of rangeland resource planning is to integrate BLM resources with other resources to achieve the mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield management of renewable resources in an environmentally sound and cost effective manner.
The Standards of rangeland health are expressions of physical and biological condition or degree of function required for healthy, sustainable rangelands. The Standards are applied on a landscape scale. Some standards may not apply to all acres. For example, a mosaic of vegetation types and age classes may produce the diversity associated with healthy rangelands; however, some individual vegetation communities within the mosaic may lack diversity.
The Standards always relate to the capability or potential of a specific site. The land will not be expected to produce vegetation or support habitats not attainable due to climate, soils or other limiting attributes. In instances where site capability or potential has changed due to man-caused or natural disturbance, recognition will be given to the modified capability when setting or assigning a standard to (for) the site. The Standards are designed to establish the threshold for healthy rangelands. In some circumstances, an exception to the Standards or Guidelines may be necessary or unavoidable; however, these instances should be under extreme conditions only, and fully justified (documented) in order to be acceptable.
The Guidelines for grazing management are the types of grazing management methods and practices determined to be appropriate to ensure that standards can be met or that significant progress can be made toward meeting the standard. The Guidelines were designed to provide direction, yet offer flexibility for implementation through activity plans and Terms and Conditions for grazing permits. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) must operate within the constraints of other regulatory requirements that may affect how standards and guidelines are applied for livestock grazing, for example the Wild and Free Roaming Wild Horse and Burro Act (1971).
SUSANVILLE STANDARDS FOR RANGELAND HEALTH
Standard 1: Upland Soils
Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates that are appropriate to soil type, climate and landform, and exhibit functional biological, chemical and physical characteristics.
Meaning that:
Precipitation is able to enter the soil surface and move through the soil profile at a rate appropriate to soil type, climate and landform; the soil is adequately protected against human caused wind or water erosion, and the soil fertility is maintained at/or improved to the appropriate level.
Criteria to Meet Standard:
* Evidence of wind and water erosion, such as rills and gullies, pedestaling, scour or sheet erosion, deposition of dunes is either absent or if present does not exceed what is natural for the site.
* Vegetation is vigorous, diverse in species composition and age class, and reflects the potential natural vegetation or desired plant community for the site.
Standard 2: Streams
Stream channel form and function are characteristic for the soil type, climate and landform.
Meaning that:
Channel gradient, pool frequency, width to depth ratio, roughness, sinuosity and sediment transport are able to function naturally and are characteristic of the soil type, climate and landform.
Criteria to Meet Standard:
* Gravel bars and other coarse textured stream deposits are successfully colonized and stabilized by woody riparian species.
* Stream bank vegetation is vigorous and diverse, mostly perennial, and holds and protects banks during high stream flow events.
* The stream water surface has a high degree of shading, resulting in cooler water in summer and reduced icing in winter.
* Portions of the primary floodplain are frequently flooded (inundated every 1-5 years).
Standard 3: Water Quality
At a minimum, water quality is adequate for desired beneficial use of water resources on public lands.
Meaning that:
All waters are suitable for original use or desired beneficial use.
Criteria to Meet Standard:
* (Refer to riparian and wetland and stream criteria)
Standard 4: Riparian and Wetland Sites
Riparian and Wetland areas are in properly functioning condition.
Meaning that:
The riparian and wetland vegetation is controlling erosion, stabilizing stream banks, shading water areas to reduce water temperature, filtering sediment, aiding in floodplain development, dissipating energy, delaying floodwater and increasing recharge of ground water that is characteristic for these sites. Vegetation surrounding seeps and springs is controlling erosion and reflects the potential natural vegetation for the site.
Criteria to Meet Standard:
* Riparian vegetation is vigorous and mostly perennial, diverse in species composition, age class and life form sufficient to stabilize stream banks and shorelines.
* Riparian vegetation and large woody debris are well anchored and capable of withstanding high stream flow events.
* Negligible accelerated erosion as a result of human related activities is evident.
* Age class and structure of woody riparian and wetland vegetation are appropriate for the site.
Exceptions and Exemptions to Standard 4 (where Standard 4 is not applicable)
* Structural facilities constructed for livestock/wildlife water or other
purposes are not natural wetland and/or riparian areas. Examples are: water
troughs, stock ponds, flood control structures, tailings ponds, water gaps
on fenced or otherwise restricted stream corridors, etc.
Standard 5: Biodiversity
Healthy, productive and diverse populations of native plant and animal species,
including special status species are maintained.
Meaning that:
Native and other desirable plant and animal populations are diverse, vigorous,
able to reproduce, and support nutrient cycles and energy flows.
Criteria to Meet Standard:
* A variety of age classes are present for most species.
* Vigor is adequate to maintain desirable levels of plant and animal species
to ensure reproduction and recruitment of plants and animals when favorable
events occur.
* Distribution of plant species and their habitats allow for reproduction
and recovery from localized catastrophic events.
* Natural disturbances such as fire are evident, but not catastrophic.
* Non-native plant and animal species are present at acceptable levels.
* Habitat areas are sufficient to support viable populations and are connected
adequately with other similar habitat areas.
* Adequate organic matter (litter and standing dead plant material) is present
for site protection and decomposition to replenish soil nutrients and maintain
soil health.
SUSANVILLE RAC GUIDELINES FOR LIVESTOCK GRAZING
The following guidelines are meant to apply to one or more of the standards
for rangeland health.
Guideline 1: A stubble height threshold will be present on all stream-side
areas at the end of the growing season, or at the end of the grazing season
if grazing occurs after fall dormancy. The residual or regrowth should provide
sufficient herbaceous forage biomass to meet the requirement of plant vigor
maintenance, bank protection and sediment entrapment.
Utilization of stream-side herbaceous and woody plants should be limited
to a specified amount of the current growth, and/or livestock should be
removed to allow sufficient time for plant regrowth.
a. Late season use (summer or fall grazed pastures) requires
more restrictive utilization based on site specific situations.
b. Special situations such as fragile fisheries habitats or easily
eroded stream banks may require more restrictive utilization thresholds.
c. Hoof action impacts or chiseling on stream banks will not exceed
specified thresholds so that stream bank stability is maintained or improved.
Guideline 2: Desired seral states will be determined through the
Allotment Management Plan development process; generally the goal will be
to achieve Potential Natural Communities in the riparian zone.
Guideline 3: Periods of rest from livestock grazing or other avoidable
disturbances must be provided during/after periods of stress on the land
(e.g: fire, flood, drought) and during critical times of plant growth.
Guideline 4: Plans for grazing on any allotment must consider other
uses (recreation, archaeological sites, wildlife, horses and burros, mineral
resource extraction, etc.) and be coordinated with the other users of public
lands so that overall use does not detract from the goal of achieving rangeland
health.
Guideline 5: Intensity, frequency, season-of-use, and distribution
of grazing shall provide for growth and reproduction of desired plant species,
and the achievement of the potential natural vegetation or desired plant
community.
Guideline 6: Grazing permits will include site-specific, measurable
terms and conditions.
Guideline 7: Design and work towards implementation of a grazing
management strategy for livestock for each grazing unit (pasture) within
I (Improvement) and M (Maintenance) category allotments, to maintain or
improve rangeland health. This may consist of, but not be limited to, season-of-use,
rotation, or by setting utilization levels for desirable plants. Each management
plan implemented will incorporate the factors necessary to maintain the
health of desirable plants.
Guideline 8: Determination of grazing use by livestock must provide
for the habitat requirements of fish and wildlife.
Guideline 9: Grazing management practices must sustain biological
diversity across the landscape. A mosaic of seral stages, vegetation corridors,
and minimal habitat fragmentation must be maintained.
Guideline 10: Aggressive action to reduce the invasion of undesirable
exotic plant species into native plant communities will be taken. The spread
of noxious weeds will be controlled through appropriate methods such as
grazing management, fire management and other management practices.
Guideline 11: Prescribed fire and (natural) prescribed fire will
be utilized to promote a mosaic of healthy plant communities, and vegetative
diversity.
Guideline 12: Grazing and other management practices shall take advantage
of transitional opportunities (e.g.: drought, flood, fire) to enhance or
establish populations of desirable tree, shrub, herbaceous and grass species.
Utilization levels will be established for desired seedlings, saplings,
and/or mature plants to promote their presence in the plant community.
Guideline 13: Development of springs, seeps and other water related
projects shall be designed to promote rangeland health. Wherever possible,
water sources shall be available year long for use by wildlife.
Guideline 14: Transitional Guidelines
Due to the extended period of time that will likely be needed to initiate
allotment specific analyses for terms and conditions on individual permits,
the following guidelines will be applied immediately upon implementation
of the Standards and Guidelines. The transitional guidelines represent the
minimum necessary guidelines to prevent the most abusive grazing practices
from occurring. Range site specific exemptions to the Standards and Guidelines
would only be allowed in the most extreme situations (refer to Preamble,
paragraph 3). Transitional Guidelines will be appended to the existing land
use plans.
a. Each livestock grazing permit will be modified to include transitional
terms and conditions setting maximum allowable use limits, unless objective,
measurable utilization standards already are in effect. The following thresholds
will be enforced:
1. Riparian (permanently saturated areas or perennial streams)
Threshold: Maximum 60% utilization of herbaceous vegetation to be measured
by the Landscape Appearance Method.1
Goal: Stability of the vegetative community.
Indicator: No net loss of wetlands from livestock trampling.
2. Uplands
Threshold: Maximum 50% utilization of perennial or native herbaceous
and browse species to be measured by the Landscape Appearance Method.
3. Crucial (Essential) Deer Habitat
Threshold: Maximum 20% utilization of annual growth on key browse species
prior to October 1, in identified concentration areas. This will be measured
by the Landscape Appearance Method.
b. Monitoring to determine compliance with utilization levels will be accomplished
through a locally determined methodology as directed in the Rangeland Monitoring
handbook, MS H-4400-1, California State Office, Octover 19, 1988; and will
be in consultation with permittees and interested publics. Monitoring methods
will be simple and easily accomplished. Permittees and others will be able
to do the monitoring. BLM will be responsible for monitoring key areas.
Data collection techniques will be agreed upon and cooperatively identified.
c. The transitional terms and conditions will remain in effect until a current,
site-specific analysis is completed.
Guideline 15: Rangeland monitoring to determine utilization of forage
resources and trend of rangeland health will be conducted in each allotment
based on current accepted practices and techniques. Monitoring methodologies
will be applicable to local conditions and developed in consultation with
permittees and interested publics.
2.6 ALTERNATIVE 2: STATE-WIDE CONSISTENCY
/ CONSOLIDATED STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
STATE-WIDE STANDARDS
STANDARD: SOILS
Soils exhibit characteristics of infiltration, fertility, permeability and
other functional physical and biological characteristics that are appropriate
to soil type, climate and landform.
Meaning That:
Precipitation is able to enter the soil surface and move through the soil
profile at appropriate rates; the soil is adequately protected against accelerated
wind or water erosion; the soil fertility is maintained at or moving toward
appropriate levels; and the soil is capable of supporting the desired plant
community.
As Indicated By:
* Ground cover (vegetation, litter and other types of ground cover such
as rock fragments) is sufficient to protect sites from accelerated erosion.
* Evidence of wind or water erosion such as rills, gullies, pedestals and
sheet or scour erosion or depositional evidence such as alluvial fans or
dunes, does not exceed natural rates for the site.
* Vegetation is vigorous, diverse in species composition and age class,
exhibits a variety of rooting depths, and reflects or is moving toward the
desired plant community for the site.
* The physical condition of the soil such as the presence of surface crust,
compacted soil layers, or condition of the soil structure is appropriate
for the soil type.
* The occurrence and distribution of a biological crust (referred to as
microphytic or cryptogamic) is appropriate for the soil type.
STANDARD: RIPARIAN and WETLAND AREAS:
Riparian2 and wetland3 areas will
be in properly functioning condition and meeting management goals. Any riparian
or wetland areas in functioning-at risk or nonfunctional condition must
be in an upward trend.
Meaning That:
The vegetation, soils, and stream channel morphology interact to maintain
natural flow regime, capture and pass sediment, maintain the water table,
sustain high water quality, maintain channel type characteristics and promote
biodiversity.
Stock ponds, water troughs, and tailing ponds that have been constructed
for purposes other than plant or wildlife habitat are not covered by this
riparian wetland standard. However, these waters may be managed per objectives
contained in land use plans. Since this standard is measured at the river
reach scale, small water gaps in fences or otherwise restricted stream reaches
need not meet this standard unless it is determined that problems at the
water gap are affecting a large portion of the reach.
As Indicated By:
* Where appropriate, naturally occurring vegetation cover is at a high enough
percentage to protect stream banks and dissipate energy during high flows.
* Age-class and structure of tree and or shrub riparian vegetation is diverse
and appropriate for site. Recruitment of preferred species is adequate for
sustaining the community.
* There is minimal cover of invader/shallow rooted species.
* Point bars are successfully colonized by riparian plant species.
* Where appropriate, stream channel has a high percentage of canopy cover:
resulting in cooler water in summer, reduced icing in winter, and more food
for aquatic species.
* Where appropriate, there is adequate woody debris.
* Where appropriate, habitat is sufficient to provide for plant and animal
riparian dependent species. There is diversity of insects and amphibians.
STANDARD: SPECIES HABITAT
Habitats are maintained or enhanced to support healthy, productive and diverse
populations of native plant and animal species in their appropriate habitats,
including special status species.
Meaning That:
Native and other desirable plant and animal species are diverse, vigorous,
able to reproduce, and support nutrient cycles and energy flows.
As Indicated By:
* A variety of age classes are present for most plant species.
* Plant vigor is adequate to maintain desirable plants and ensure reproduction
and recruitment of plants when favorable climatic events occur.
* Distribution of cover of plant species and their habitats allow for reproduction
and recovery from localized catastrophic events.
* Distribution and quality of habitats allow for reproduction and recovery
of animal populations from localized catastrophic events.
* A diversity of plant species with various phenological stages and rooting
depths are present on sites, as appropriate.
* Adequate organic matter (litter and standing plant material) is present
for site protection and decomposition to replenish soil nutrients and support
nutrient cycling.
* Where appropriate, biological soil crusts (also called microphytic or
cryptogamic soil crusts) are present and are not excessively fragmented.
* Noxious and invasive species are contained at acceptable levels,
* Populations of non-native plants and animals are at acceptable levels.
* Populations of special status species present and other managed species
are healthy and in numbers that support long term viability.
* Habitats are sufficient to support viable populations of special status
species present and are connected where possible across the landscape.
* Natural disturbances, such as fire, are evident but not catastrophic.
STANDARD: WATER QUALITY:
Water will have characteristics suitable for existing or potential beneficial
uses.
Meaning That:
There are a number of existing laws, regulations, executive orders, policies,
and agreements addressing the protection of water quality. This standard
is consistent with all of these, specifically recognizing the authority
of the states and Indian tribes in water quality issues within their administrative
boundaries. Input by and coordination and consultation with the state water
quality agency to define what constitutes compliance for water bodies within
the area or activity under consideration is required. Input by and consideration
with Indian tribes is required where tribal uses of the water could be effected
by BLM management activities. A Management Agency Agreement (MAA) will be
developed with the State of California which will make implementation of
the above more effective and efficient.
As Indicated By:
* Achieving water quality monitoring goals identified in BLM's management
plans developed in accordance with the 1993 MOU or subsequent agreements
including the MAA. These goals may include numeric or narrative criteria
for chemical, physical, or biological water quality constituents or physical
and biological indicators.
STATE-WIDE GUIDELINES
The guidelines and preambles identified by each RAC for the RAC Standards
and Guidelines Proposals (Alternative 1) will remain the same for this alternative
except for the following additions and modifications:
Guideline 1: (For all RAC areas) Manage livestock grazing to protect
identified sensitive cultural areas.
Guideline 2: The Residual Dry Matter (RDM) to remain after grazing
on annual grasslands in both the Bakersfield and Ukiah RAC areas on rangelands
with slopes less than 25% and in annual precipitation zones between 10 and
40 inches will be 400 pounds per acre.
| TABLE C: Residual Dry Matter (RDM) Guidelines. Definition is pounds/acre by slope and precipitation. |
|||
| Precipitation | Slope 0-25% | Slope 26-45% | Slope 46% and Up |
| 4" - 10" 10" - 40" 40" - 60" 60+" |
200 lbs. 400 lbs. 750 lbs. 1,000 lbs. |
250 lbs. 600 lbs. 1,000 lbs. 1,500 lbs. |
350 lbs. 800 lbs. 1,250 lbs. 2,000 lbs. |
2.6 ALTERNATIVE 3: NO ACTION (FALL-BACK
STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FROM THE REGULATIONS)
In accordance with the regulations published on February 22, 1995 in
the Federal Register and identified in part 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations
Subpart 4180, the following standards and guidelines will be in effect after
February 12, 1997, until such time that State or regional standards and
guidelines are developed and in effect.
There is not a "no action" alterative in the strictest interpretation,
in that the regulations clearly direct there will be standards and guidelines
developed or the fall-back standards and guidelines will be in effect. As
there are no existing standards and guidelines for the BLM in California
meeting all the fundamentals of rangeland health, the existing situation
will change. This alterative will be considered as a no action alternative
for analysis purposes, serving as a base for the analysis. The fall-back
standards and guidelines were a decision product from the national "Rangeland
Reform 94" rulemaking and environmental impact statement.
FALL-BACK STANDARDS
SOILS:
Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates that are appropriate
to soil type, climate and land form.
RIPARIAN / WETLAND:
Riparian-wetland areas are in properly functioning condition.
STREAM FUNCTION:
Stream channel morphology (including but not limited to gradient, width/depth
ratio, channel roughness and sinuosity) and functions are appropriate for
the climate and land form.
NATIVE SPECIES:
Healthy, productive and diverse populations of native species exist and
are maintained.
FALL-BACK GUIDELINES
Guideline 1: Management practices maintain or promote adequate amounts
of ground cover to support infiltration, maintain soil moisture, and stabilize
soils.
Guideline 2: Management practices maintain or promote soil conditions
that support permeability rates that are appropriate to climate and soils.
Guideline 3: Management practices maintain or promote sufficient
residual vegetation to maintain, improve, or restore riparian-wetland functions
of energy dissipation, sediment capture, groundwater recharge and stream
bank stability.
Guideline 4: Management practices maintain or promote stream channel
morphology (e.g., gradient, width/depth ratio, channel roughness and sinuosity)
and functions that are appropriate to climate and landform.
Guideline 5: Management practices maintain or promote the appropriate
kinds and amounts of soil organisms, plants and animals to support the hydrologic
cycle, nutrient cycle, and energy flow.
Guideline 6: Management practices maintain or promote the physical
and biological conditions necessary to sustain native populations and communities.
Guideline 7: Desired species are being allowed to complete seed dissemination
in one out of every three years (Management actions will promote the opportunity
for seedling establishment when climatic conditions and space allow).
Guideline 8: Conservation of Federal threatened or endangered. Proposed,
Category 1 and 2 candidate, and other special status species is promoted
by restoration and maintenance of their habitats.
Guideline 9: Native species are emphasized in the support of ecological
function.
Guideline 10: Non-native plant species are used only in those situations
in which native species are not readily available in sufficient quantities
or are incapable of maintaining or achieving properly functioning conditions
and biological health.
Guideline 11: Periods of rest from disturbance or livestock use during
times of critical plant growth or regrowth are provided when needed to achieve
healthy, properly functioning conditions (The timing and duration of use
periods shall be determined by the authorized officer).
Guideline 12: Continuous, season-long livestock use is allowed to
occur only when it has been demonstrated to be consistent with achieving
healthy, properly functioning ecosystems.
Guideline 13: Facilities are located away from riparian-wetland areas
wherever they conflict with achieving or maintaining riparian-wetland function.
Guideline 14: The development of springs and seeps or other projects
affecting water and associated resources shall be designed to protect the
ecological functions and processes of those sites.
Guideline 15: Grazing on designated ephemeral (annual and perennial)
rangeland is allowed to occur only if reliable estimates of production have
been made, an identified level of annual growth or residue to remain on
site at the end of the grazing season has been established, and adverse
effects on perennial species are avoided.
2.8 ALTERNATIVE 4: RAPID IMPROVEMENT /
RAPID RECOVERY STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
Summary
All alternatives analyzed in this EIS involve similar management actions.
As required in the regulations, "appropriate action" would be
taken "as soon as practicable but not later than the start of the next
grazing season" after a problem is known.
Alternative 4, in contrast to the other alternatives, would ensure that
any identified problems are corrected as fast as possible rather than taking
a gradual, incremental, approach toward improved management. Alternative
4 is designed to promote sharp improvement in trend toward rangeland health
within one to three years on favorable sites (e.g. riparian areas or wetlands).
Appropriate action could include exclusion of livestock; changes in allowable
forage utilization, the season of use, the timing or duration of that use;
a combination of these or other actions; or any other management action
that would accomplish the goal of properly functioning and healthy rangelands.
Depending upon the site's potential, many sites may fully recover within
this time period, others may require a longer time period.
As a first step under this alternative, an assessment of every allotment
would be undertaken to determine where the standards are not being met.
If current livestock grazing practices are resulting in rangeland and riparian
areas not meeting one or more of the standards, BLM will adjust livestock
grazing before the next grazing season. Monitoring of all allotments would
be continued annually, and BLM would make continued adjustments annually
if necessary to ensure that trends are sharply upward, and that management
is resulting in the most rapid progress possible toward rangeland health.
Livestock grazing would be reestablished in any livestock exclusion areas
only when rangeland health is achieved, and can be maintained on a long-term
basis with continued livestock grazing. Range improvements such as fencing
may be used to correct a small problem but major development projects (due
to the logistics of project design, construction, cultural clearances, obtaining
funding, etc.) would not be considered as immediate solutions in this alternative.
Some public comments suggested strict quantitative measures for reducing
livestock grazing under alternative 4. We have not incorporated those quantitative
measures because they would remove appropriate management flexibility of
the authorized officer and in some cases would exceed BLM's legal authority.
Implementation of Alternative 4 would require substantial modifications
of BLM's rangeland management and other program activities to accommodate
an accelerated assessment and increased monitoring commitment and an accelerated
schedule for achieving rangeland health. Due to the accelerated nature of
the actions in this alternative, we would expect greater short term economic
impacts to users than would occur under the other alternatives.
RAPID IMPROVEMENT STANDARDS
The standards for this alternative, except for the Water Quality Standard,
are identical to the standards for Alternative 2, the State-wide Alternative.
The standards for Soils, Riparian and Wetland Areas, and Species Habitat
are incorporated by reference, and the full text is not repeated here.
STANDARD: WATER QUALITY:
Surface and groundwater quality complies with California or Nevada, and
other appropriate (e.g. Tribal) water quality standards.
Meaning That:
Each state designates beneficial uses for water supplies, and has a set
of objectives, management practices and/or procedures to be followed to
ensure that water quality is sufficient so that the water can be used for
the designated purpose. BLM will work with the states to establish appropriate
beneficial uses for public waters, and follow the state regulations to ensure
that water quality on public lands meets the criteria for the designated
beneficial uses of that water.
As Indicated By:
* Chemical constituents,water temperature, nutrient loads, fecal coliform,
turbidity, and total dissolved oxygen levels are all within the appropriate
range for the beneficial uses.
* Aquatic organisms and plants (e.g., macroinvertebrates, fish, algae and
plants) indicate that conditions are appropriate for the beneficial uses.
RAPID IMPROVEMENT GUIDELINES
The following guidelines contain all of the necessary tools and direction
to ensure rapid improvement and recovery of rangelands in at-risk or non-functioning
condition. Implementation will follow site-specific analysis and determination
of the best method to correct the problem in the shortest length of time.
Guideline 1: If monitoring or verified observation indicates that
one or more of the standards is not being met, and if there is evidence
that current grazing practices are causing or contributing to this unsatisfactory
condition, then grazing management will be adjusted or changed before the
following grazing season.
Adjustments shall be designed to show rapid, substantive and measurable
progress towards desired ecological conditions. Adjustments shall include,
but need not be limited to:
- a. Reductions or changes in season of use in the affected area; or,
- b. Reductions or changes in allowed utilization in the affected area; or,
- c. Reductions or changes in stocking rate (up to and including total livestock exclusion); or
- d. Changes to the grazing system; or
- e. Changes to the class of livestock; or
- f. Any combination of the above.
- b. Reductions or changes in allowed utilization in the affected area; or,
Changes may include any and all management practices that will accomplish
the goals of meeting properly functioning and healthy rangelands, including
practices recommended or suggested from new scientific studies that may
be developed after these standards and guidelines are adopted. A couple
of examples of management practices that may be used are locating salt blocks
away from riparian areas, paving water gaps to alleviate or prevent erosion,
or locating handling facilities away from riparian areas.
Guideline 2: If monitoring or verified observation indicates that
one or more of the standards is not being met, and if there is evidence
that current grazing practices are causing or contributing to this unsatisfactory
condition, then the following utilization limits recommended by Holechek
(Holechek, et al, 1995, pg 195-198) for utilization of key herbaceous species
will be applied.
Adjustments (more or less restrictive) to these limits may be made based
upon monitoring, and the desired resource conditions. These desired resource
conditions should be documented in an AMP or comparable plan. Downward adjustments
to these limits may be made if monitoring indicates that significant progress
is not being made toward meeting one or more of the standards.
| Table D: UTILIZATION GUIDELINES | |
| Community Type | Percent Use of Key Herbaceous Species* |
| Salt desert shrubland | 25 - 35 |
| Semi-desert grass and shrubland | 30 - 40 |
| Sagebrush grassland | 30 - 40 |
| California annual grassland | 50 - 60 |
| Coniferous forest | 30 - 40 |
| Mountain shrubland | 30 - 40 |
| Oak woodland | 30 - 40 |
| Pinyon-juniper woodland | 30 - 40 |
| Alpine tundra | 20 - 30 |
* Ranges in good condition and/or grazed during the dormant season can withstand the higher utilization level. Those in poor condition or grazed during active growth should receive the lower utilization level.
Note: Percent utilization can be converted to approximate minimum allowed stubble heights or residual dry matter by using average values for height and dry weight of key species (see Kinney and Clary, 1991; or Clary and Webster, 1989, for example).
Guideline 3: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, adequate amounts of vegetative ground cover, including standing plant material and litter, will be maintained or promoted to support infiltration, maintain soil moisture storage, and stabilize soils.
Residual Dry Matter (RDM) to remain on annual grasslands after grazing is shown on Table E.
| TABLE E: Residual Dry Matter (RDM) Guidelines. Definition is pounds/acre by slope and precipitation. |
|||
| Precipitation | Slope 0-25% | Slope 26-45% | Slope 46% and Up |
| 4" - 10" 10" - 40" 40" - 60" 60+" |
200 lbs. 400 lbs. 750 lbs. 1,000 lbs. |
250 lbs. 600 lbs. 1,000 lbs. 1,500 lbs. |
350 lbs. 800 lbs. 1,250 lbs. 2,000 lbs. |
Guideline 4: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, subsurface soil conditions will be maintained or promoted that support permeability rates appropriate to climate or soils.
Guideline 5: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, riparian / wetland functions including energy dissipation, sediment capture, groundwater recharge, and stream bank stability will be maintained, improved, and restored.
Guideline 6: A 4-6 inch minimum stubble height will remain at the end of the grazing season in most riparian areas. Minimum stubble heights greater than 6 inches will be set for critical fisheries, easily eroded streambanks, or unhealthy riparian areas (those not fully meeting standards, or those "functioning at risk").
Adjustments (more or less restrictive) to these limits may be made based upon monitoring, and the desired resource conditions. These desired resource conditions should be documented in an AMP or comparable plan. Increases to the minimum stubble height may be made if monitoring indicates that significant progress is not being made toward meeting one or more of the standards.
Guideline 7: When implementing guidelines 1, 2 and 6, stream channel morphology (e.g. gradient, width / depth ratio, channel roughness and sinuosity) and functions appropriate to the climate and landform will be maintained and promoted.
Guideline 8: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, the appropriate kinds and amounts of soil organisms, plants and animals to support the hydrologic cycle, nutrient cycle, and energy flow will be maintained or promoted.
Guideline 9: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, the opportunity for seedling establishment of appropriate plant species will be promoted when climatic conditions and space allow it. Additionally, opportunistic management will be employed. After exceptionally wet or dry years, or following fire, flood or other extraordinary events, livestock grazing may be reduced or eliminated in order to avoid interfering with recruitment of species which germinate or sprout in response to such events, or are unusually sensitive to damage from such events.
Guideline 10: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, water quality will be maintained or enhanced to meet management objectives, such as meeting wildlife needs.
Guideline 11: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, habitats will be maintained, enhanced or restored to meet the needs of, and promote the conservation of, Federal threatened or endangered, Proposed, Category 1 and 2 candidate, and other special status species.
Guideline 12: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, the physical and biological conditions necessary to sustain native populations and communities of plants and animals will be maintained or promoted.
Guideline 13: Aggressive action will be taken to discourage the spread and infestation of weeds by livestock, such as the use of weed-free hay, livestock purging periods (Sheley 1995), and appropriate grazing management.
Guideline 14: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, native species will be emphasized in the support of ecological function.
Guideline 15: When implementing guidelines 1 and 2, non-native species will be utilized only in those situations in which locally-collected native species are not available in sufficient quantities, or are incapable of maintaining or achieving properly functioning conditions and biological health.
Rangeland Health Standards & Guidelines EIS Chapter 2
1 The Landscape Appearance Method is described in the Interagency Technical Reference for Utilization Studies and Residual Measurements, 1996.
| Page last updated: 2002-11-26 11:30:01.03 | ||
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