Standards for Healthy Public Rangelands

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Standard #1
Within the potential of the ecological site (soil type, landform, climate, and geology), soils are stable and allow for water infiltration to provide for optimal plant growth and minimal surface runoff.

This Means That:
The hydrologic cycle will be supported by providing for water capture, storage, and sustained release. Adequate energy flow and nutrient cycling through the system will be achieved as optimal plant growth occurs. Plant communities are highly varied within Wyoming.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Water infiltration rates
• Soil compaction
• Erosion (rills, gullies, pedestals, capping)
• Soil micro-organisms
• Vegetative cover (gully bottoms and slopes)
• Bare ground and litter 

Standard #2
Riparian and wetland vegetation has structural, age, and species diversity characteristic of the stage of channel succession and is resilient and capable of recovering from natural and human disturbance in order to provide forage and cover, capture sediment, dissipate energy, and provide for groundwater recharge.

This Means That:
Wyoming has highly varied riparian and wetland systems on public lands. These systems vary from large rivers to small streams and from springs to large wet meadows. These systems are in various stages of natural cycles and may also reflect other disturbance that is either localized or widespread throughout the watershed. Riparian vegetation captures sediments and associated materials, thus enhancing the nutrient cycle by capturing and utilizing nutrients that would otherwise move through a system unused.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Erosion and deposition rate
• Channel morphology and floodplain function
• Channel succession and erosion cycle
• Vegetative cover
• Plant composition and diversity (species, age class, structure, successional stages, desired plant community, etc.)
• Bank stability
• Woody debris and instream cover
• Bare ground and litter

Standard #3
Upland vegetation on each ecological site consists of plant communities appropriate to the site which are resilient, diverse, and able to recover from natural and human disturbance.

This Means That:
In order to maintain desirable conditions and/or recover from disturbance within acceptable timeframes, plant communities must have the components present to support the nutrient cycle and adequate energy flow. Plants depend on nutrients in the soil and energy derived from sunlight. Nutrients stored in the soil are used over and over by plants, animals, and microorganisms. The amount of nutrients available and the speed with which they cycle among plants, animals, and the soil are fundamental components of rangeland health. The amount, timing, and distribution of energy captured through photosynthesis are fundamental to the function of rangeland ecosystems.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Vegetative cover
• Plant composition and diversity (species, age class, structure, successional stages, desired plant community, etc.)
• Bare ground and litter
• Erosion (rills, gullies, pedestals, capping)
• Water infiltration rates

Standard #4
Rangelands are capable of sustaining viable populations and a diversity of native plant and animal species appropriate to the habitat. Habitats that support or could support threatened, endangered, species of special concern, or sensitive species will be maintained or enhanced.

This Means That:
The management of Wyoming rangelands will achieve or maintain adequate habitat conditions that support diverse plant and animal species. These may include listed threatened or endangered species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife-designated), species of special concern (BLM-designated), and other sensitive species (State of Wyoming- designated). The intent of this standard is to allow the listed species to recover and be delisted.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Noxious weeds
• Species diversity
• Age class distribution
• All indicators associated with the upland and riparian standards
• Population trends
• Habitat fragmentation

Standard #5
Water quality meets State standards.

This Means That:
The State of Wyoming is authorized to administer the Clean Water Act. BLM management actions or use authorizations will comply with all Federal and State water quality laws, rules and regulations to address water quality issues that originate on public lands. Provisions for the establishment of water quality standards are included in the Clean Water Act, as amended, and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended. Regulations are found in Part 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations and in Wyoming's Water Quality Rules and Regulations. The latter regulations contain Quality Standards for Wyoming Surface Waters.

Natural processes and human actions influence the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of water. Water quality varies from place to place with the seasons, the climate, and the kind substrate through which water moves. Therefore, the assessment of water quality takes these factors into account.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Chemical characteristics (e.g., pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen)
• Physical characteristics (e.g., sediment, temperature, color)
• Biological characteristics (e.g., macro- and micro-invertebrates, fecal coliform, and plant and animal species)

Standard #6
Air quality meets State standards.

This Means That:
The State of Wyoming is authorized to administer the Clean Air Act. BLM management actions or use authorizations will comply with all Federal and State air quality laws, rules, regulations and standards. Provisions for the establishment of air quality standards are included in the Clean Air Act, as amended, and the Wyoming Environmental Quality Act, as amended. Regulations are found in Part 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations and in Wyoming Air Quality Standards and Regulations.

Indicators May Include But Are Not Limited To:

• Particulate matter
• Sulfur dioxide
• Photochemical oxidants (ozone)
• Volatile organic compounds (hydrocarbons)
• Nitrogen oxides
• Carbon monoxide
• Odors
• Visibility

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