ATTACHMENT 1

Note: The following is the full text of the Standards as it appears in each Resource Management Plan in Colorado.

Humans use and derive benefits from public lands administered by BLM in Colorado in many ways: to earn a livelihood, to recreate, for education, for science, and to enjoy and appreciate open spaces and irreplaceable cultural heritage resources. Healthy public lands and the uses of those lands contribute to the health and economic well-being of Colorado communities. In turn, healthy human communities create healthy public lands by conserving, protecting, and properly utilizing public land resources and by effectively resolving conservation issues. Healthy public lands and healthy human communities are interrelated; therefore, social, economic, and environmental considerations must be properly balanced.

The interdependent relationship between human communities and their public land brings together people of diverse backgrounds and interests. Open, honest, and sincere interactions, in a spirit of trust and respect, are essential to achieving and maintaining healthy public lands. While all individuals have a voice in public land management goals, the responsibility to maintain healthy public lands ultimately falls with the users of those lands.

To help determine what constitutes healthy public lands, Standards for Public Land Health, by which the health of the land is measured, need to be established. This document defines such standards for BLM lands in Colorado.

Standards and guidelines can be an effective communication tool, providing a common understanding of expected resource conditions and acceptable management practices. Although the standards are the measures by which health of the land will be assessed, the results of these assessments are not well-suited for direct reporting of accomplishments. Any reporting of progress associated with application of these standards will need to consider and address the following factors:

- Standards and guidelines for each state will be different.

- To be meaningful, public land health assessment must be determined based upon all standards and not solely upon each individual standard.

- It will be many years before a full assessment of public land health is completed. Initially, statistics concerning public land health may be skewed due to the priority setting process which directs management attention to lands where problems exist.

Standards describe conditions needed to sustain public land health, and relate to all uses of the public lands. The standards are written in a two-part format. The standard is first described in a statement. Then indicators which relate to the standard are identified. The indicators help define the standard and describe features which are observable on the land. Additional indicators may also be applicable to some sites, and some indicators may not apply to every specific site. While a site should match the indicators it is not necessary for each site to perfectly match all the indicators to comply with the standard.

The appropriate use of resources will be determined by the authorized officer on a case by case basis, in consultation, coordination and cooperation with local cooperators and the interested public and in accordance with law and regulation.

Standards are observed on a landscape scale. It is not possible for each acre to achieve every standard. For example, a mosaic of vegetation types and age classes may produce the diversity associated with a healthy landscape; however, some individual vegetation communities within the mosaic may lack diversity.

Standards always relate to the potential of the landscape . Climate, landform, geologic, and biologic characteristics are factors that affect potential. Each landscape has a specific ability to provide values important to humans such as timber, livestock forage, water, wildlife, and minerals. Therefore, the potential of a site can also be altered through a wide variety of human socio-economic factors. When this occurs, a new potential exists. The authorized officer, through the consultation process, will evaluate the site based on its new potential . Comparative analysis of nearby landscapes, (that appear to have similar climate, geology, landform, biologic and socio-economic characteristics), is considered the most reliable means to identify the potential landscape.

It is common for landscapes with nearly identical potential to differ, in their appearance, and in the values they provide. Variability results from both natural plant succession patterns, and human uses. While the climax plant community is significant as an indicator of potential , the climax community does not automatically provide the comparative basis for evaluating the standard. In many circumstances local goals will identify a different plant community which provides the most optimum values. When this occurs, the plant community identified in the local goal replaces the climax community as the foundation for evaluating the standard.

Often, existing information will be sufficient to determine public land health. It is not always necessary to collect measurable baseline data for each standard on each site to determine public land health. However, baseline data is important to establish so that changes can be observed and measured. The BLM's authorized officer will determine the amount and type of data each situation requires in consultation, coordination and cooperation with local cooperators and the interested public. In areas where the standards are not being achieved, current uses and management actions will be reviewed and modified if necessary to assure significant progress toward achieving a healthy ecosystem.

STANDARD 1: Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates that are appropriate to soil type, climate, land form, and geologic processes. Adequate soil infiltration and permeability allows for the accumulation of soil moisture necessary for optimal plant growth and vigor, and minimizes surface runoff.

Indicators:

Expression of rills, soil pedestals is minimal.

Evidence of actively-eroding gullies (incised channels) is minimal.

Canopy and ground cover are appropriate.

There is litter accumulating in place and is not sorted by normal overland water flow.

There is appropriate organic matter in soil.

There is diversity of plant species with a variety of root depths.

Upland swales have vegetation cover or density greater than that of adjacent uplands.

There are vigorous, desirable plants.

STANDARD 2: Riparian systems associated with both running and standing water, function properly and have the ability to recover from major disturbance such as fire, severe grazing, or 100-year floods. Riparian vegetation captures sediment, and provides forage, habitat and bio-diversity. Water quality is improved or maintained. Stable soils store and release water slowly.

Indicators:

Vegetation is dominated by an appropriate mix of native or desirable introduced species.

Vigorous, desirable plants are present.

There is vegetation with diverse age class structure, appropriate vertical structure, and adequate composition, cover, and density.

Streambank vegetation is present and is comprised of species and communities that have root systems capable of withstanding high streamflow events.

Plant species present indicate maintenance of riparian moisture characteristics.

Stream is in balance with the water and sediment being supplied by the watershed ( e.g., no headcutting, no excessive erosion or deposition).

Vegetation and free water indicate high water tables.

Vegetation colonizes point bars with a range of age classes and successional stages.

An active floodplain is present.

Residual floodplain vegetation is available to capture and retain sediment and dissipate flood energies.

Stream channels with size and meander pattern appropriate for the stream's position in the landscape, and parent materials.

Woody debris contributes to the character of the stream channel morphology.

STANDARD 3: Healthy, productive plant and animal communities of native and other desirable species are maintained at viable population levels commensurate with the species and habitat's potential. Plants and animals at both the community and population level are productive, resilient, diverse, vigorous, and able to reproduce and sustain natural fluctuations, and ecological processes.

Indicators:

Noxious weeds and undesirable species are minimal in the overall plant community.

Native plant and animal communities are spatially distributed across the landscape with a density, composition, and frequency of species suitable to ensure reproductive capability and sustainability.

Plants and animals are present in mixed age classes sufficient to sustain recruitment and mortality fluctuations.

Landscapes exhibit connectivity of habitat or presence of corridors to prevent habitat fragmentation.

Photosynthetic activity is evident throughout the growing season.

Diversity and density of plant and animal species are in balance with habitat/landscape potential and exhibit resilience to human activities.

Appropriate plant litter accumulates and is evenly distributed across the landscape.

Landscapes composed of several plant communities that may be in a variety of successional stages and patterns.

STANDARD 4: Special status, threatened and endangered species (federal and state), and other plants and animals officially designated by the BLM, and their habitats are maintained or enhanced by sustaining healthy, native plant and animal communities.

Indicators:

All the indicators associated with the plant and animal communities standard apply.

There are stable and increasing populations of endemic and protected species in suitable habitat.

Suitable habitat is available for recovery of endemic and protected species.

STANDARD 5: The water quality of all water bodies, including ground water where applicable, located on or influenced by BLM lands will achieve or exceed the Water Quality Standards established by the State of Colorado. Water Quality Standards for surface and ground waters include the designated beneficial uses, numeric criteria, narrative criteria, and antidegradation requirements set forth under State law as found in (5 CCR 1002-8), as required by Section 303(c) of the Clean Water Act.

Indicators:

Appropriate populations of macroinvertabrates, vertebrates, and algae are present.

Surface and ground waters only contain substances (e.g. sediment, scum, floating debris, odor, heavy metal precipitates on channel substrate) attributable to humans within the amounts, concentrations, or combinations as directed by the Water Quality Standards established by the State of Colorado (5 CCR 1002-8).

The standards are designed to maintain or achieve healthy public lands while allowing for the development of local goals and objectives. For example, on sites of similar potential a desired plant community designed to provide deer winter range would differ from one designed for cattle summer range, yet both could achieve the standards. Local goals and specific objectives consistent with standards will be developed by BLM in consultation, cooperation and coordination with local cooperators and the interested public.

Recognizing that social and economic factors must be considered in achieving healthy public lands, the authorized officer will coordinate, consult and cooperate with the local cooperators and interested publics during all phases of implementing standards and guidelines, whether it be for an allotment, group of allotments, or watershed. BLM will strive to make use of collaborative approaches involving the various interested publics within an affected allotment, group of allotments, or watershed. The Resource Advisory Council (RAC) may be requested by any party to assist in reaching agreement in resolving disputes. As greater understanding of ecosystems, including socio-economic factors, becomes available, it will be applied to our management of public lands.

The section below describes the general process for applying the Colorado standards and guidelines in the field. If mutual agreement on a course of action is reached at any point during this process, such agreement may eliminate the need for some of the process steps described.

It is unreasonable to assume that standards and guidelines will be applied to all public lands immediately upon adoption. Therefore, it is imperative that a logical system for prioritizing work be adopted. Following are some criteria that the authorized officer uses to prioritize areas such as allotments, watersheds, or other landscapes:

Are there situations where legal requirements must be met?

Is there information to indicate resources at risk, or that the severity of resource damage demands immediate attention? (monitoring results, allotment categorization, professional judgement, results of ESI or other inventory data, etc.)

Is use conflict present?

Is there public concern or interest for possible resources at risk?

What is scheduled for completion according to the RMP implementation schedule?

Where can efficiencies with limited resources be realized?

Where are the best opportunities to effect positive change toward public land health?

Are there permits or other resource use authorizations that need to be acted upon (e.g.grazing, right-of-ways, timber sales, etc.)?

The following steps describe a typical sequence for assessing public land health and trend on established priority areas. The authorized officer will:

1. Using public scoping, identify issues and values in detail; identify existing management objectives from sources such as the Resource Management Plan (RMP), and activity plans.

2. Assess public land health and if possible determine the trend relating to public land health.

3. Determine the relationship between existing land uses and the assessed health of the land.

4. If needed, establish measurable objectives or redefine/modify existing management objectives that will result in desired conditions. (Note: If significant changes to RMP decisions are needed, an amendment to the RMP will be needed.)

5. Identify which land use actions will achieve the desired objectives and resource conditions.

NOTE: This document addresses the livestock grazing guidelines; guidelines that relate to other land uses will be consulted or developed as necessary to deal with the appropriate objectives.

6. Identify specific management practices, in conformance with the guidelines, and attach as terms and conditions on grazing permits, or as stipulations on specific projects or actions.

7. Establish an evaluation schedule to determine if the standard is being achieved or if significant progress is being made.

- If the evaluation indicates that objectives are being achieved or there is movement towards the objective, continue with management practices.

- If the evaluation indicates no movement or movement away from the objectives, reassess the objectives and management actions. Determine the objectives and management actions necessary to assure significant progress toward achieving the standards. Amend plans and permits as necessary.

The authorized officer will take immediate administrative action to implement appropriate guidelines upon a determination that the following three circumstances all apply:

1. Public land health is unacceptable;

2. Existing management is not likely to produce significant progress towards public land health; and

3. The consultation process has failed to yield a negotiated resolution.

If needed, future modifications to the Standards and Guidelines may be made. Typically, a proposal for modification is presented to the local Designated Field Official (DFO). The DFO then forwards the proposal for modification to other DFOs throughout the state for consideration in consultation with the RACs. (A copy of the proposal for modification is also submitted to the State Director). The DFOs considering advise from the RACs then submit to the State Director recommendations regarding the proposal for modification. The State Director decides if the proposal for modification has merit. If so, a determination is made whether the modification is a maintenance change to the Resource Management Plans or requires a plan amendment. Maintenance changes require no action except to make a notation in the RMPs (43 CFR 1610.5-4). Actions requiring a RMP amendment will require NEPA analysis and conformance with 43 CFR 1610.5.

Activity Plan - A more detailed and specific plan for management of a single resource program to achieve specific objectives undertaken only when needed to implement the more general resource management plan (RMP) decisions. Activity planning is now accomplished with Integrated Activity Plans (IAP), or Coordinated Resource Management Plans (CRMP).

Allotment - An area of land designated and managed for the grazing of livestock by one or more livestock operators. It generally consists of public lands, but may include parcels of private or State-owned lands. The number of livestock and period of use are stipulated for each allotment.

Allotment Management Plan - A written plan for livestock grazing management, including supportive measures if required, designed to attain specific multiple-use management, sustained yield, economic and other goals in a grazing allotment.

Best Management Practices - Best Management Practices (BMPs) are methods, measures, or practices to prevent or reduce water pollution, including, but not limited to, structural and nonstructural controls and operation and maintenance procedures. Usually BMP's are applied as a system of practices rather than a single practice. BMPs are selected on the basis of site-specific conditions that reflect natural background conditions and political, social, economic, and technical feasibility.

Biodiversity or Diversity - The variety of plants and animals that occupy a landscape.

Climax - The natural plant community that occurs at the end of the plant successional path, in the absence of disturbances or physical site deterioration.

Desired Plant Community - A plant community that meets the goals established for a landscape.

Ecosystem - Living organisms and non-living substances, interacting to produce and exchange material between the living and non-living parts.

Endemic Species - A species or subspecies native to a particular location with narrow limits of habitat variability.

Goal - A general description of a desired future condition. (e.g. improve watershed conditions, achieve a desired plant community)

Grazing Permit - A document authorizing use of public lands within an established grazing district.

Habitat Management Plans - A type of activity plan relating to wildlife habitat.

Heritage Resources - Any prehistoric, historic, landscape, site, building, structure, or object, normally greater than 50 years of age and includes artifacts, records, and material remains associated therewith.

Interested Public - An individual, group or organization that has submitted a written request to the authorized officer to be provided an opportunity to be involved in the decision making process for the management of livestock grazing on specific allotments or has submitted written comments to the authorized officer regarding the management of livestock grazing on a specific allotment.

Landscape - A defined area that forms a management unit or basis of analysis.

Land Treatments - Controlled burning, mechanical, biological, or chemical manipulation of the land.

Local Cooperator - An individual who directly influences the management of public lands, and who's cooperation is needed to alter existing conditions. BLM permit holders are local cooperators.

Objective - A measurable description of a desired future condition that specifies, what is to be accomplished, location, and time frame.

Plant and Animal Communities - Those plant and animals which occur on public land; the definition excludes people, livestock, and crops.

Potential - The ecological condition of an area that is possible due to physical, biological, social, and economic factors.

Preliminary Assessment - An analysis of a tract of land that provides general information on the status of the land. This assessment does not provide in-depth issue analysis.

Public Lands - Those tracts of land owned by the people of the United States, that are administered by the Bureau of Land Management.

Riparian - An area of land directly influenced by permanent water. It has visible vegetation or physical characteristics reflective of permanent water influence. Lakeshores and streambanks are typical riparian areas. Excluded are such sites as ephemeral streams or washes that do not have vegetation dependent on free water in the soil.

Trend - The direction of change in health of the land, observed over time.