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CHAPTER D Monitoring Rangeland monitoring studies will be initiated imme- diately on all allotments to yield infonnation needed to make decisions on liveslOck slocking rates. These studies will be prioritized according to critical resource conflicts and existing resource damage. The level of monitoring on the lower priority allotments will depend on funding and staff mg. Support Surface reclamation, hydrologic, soils, and archaeology support will be required in the planning of range projects. The support of Zone engineers will be needed to conduct feasibility studies, contract out project work, or complete the projects using Zone equipment and personnel. Other resource specialists will assess impacts of proposed projects and identify mitigation, if needed. Fire management support will be used for managing natural fire and prescribed burns. Cadastral survey will locate any needed public land boundaries. Wildlife Habitat Objectives . Improve those rangelands that are key wildlife habitats and have the potential for increased forage production for wildlife grazing by improving soil and water resources. Maintain those rangelands that are at their desired plant communities. . Detenoine stocking rates for wildlife and livestock that result in proper use of the public rangelands within the 13 conflict allotments. Issue decisions or enter into agreements to establish forage use and grazing capacity. The BLM will consult with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, affected grazing permittees, and other interested parties. Planned Actions I. Forage will be provided on BLM land 10 maintain approximately 66,400 mule deer, 6,500 elk, 6,300 pronghorn, and 70 bighorn sheep. This will contribute to total resource area big game populations of 110,660 mule deer, 21,700 elk, 8,350 pronghorn, and 70 bighorn sheep until further monitoring studies are completed and proper slOCking rates are established. 2. BLM will immediately begin monitoring studies on M and I category allotments, including 13 conflict allotments (allotment numbers 4203, 4206, 4207, 4209, 4210,4219,4225,4302,4431,4432,4520, 4521,and 4522), to yield infonoation needed to make decisions on wildlife numbers. Priorities for monitoring studies will be determined by the worst forage conditions, as established from the 1981-1983 surveys. The level of monitoring will depend on funding and personnel. 3. Wildlife-use adjustments will be implemented through consultation and coordination with the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) if monitoring data indicate that adjustments are necessary. Negotiation to implement changes in wildlife use will proceed as soon as data are available to support that change. 4. Wildlife habitat will be maintained or improved through mitigation or restrictions applied to all wildlife habitat- disturbing activities. 5. Wildlife habitat will be maintained or improved by using seasonal restrictions on activities to maintain wildlife production areas and important wildlife habitat (see Table 4). TABLE 4 DATES ALLOWED FOR RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN AREAS OF WILDLIFE CONCERNS Type of Wildlife Concern Dates Activity Allowed Greater sandhill crane nesting and staging area buffer woes Sage grouse strutting ground buffer zone Critical raptor nest buffer wnes Bald eagle habitat Sharptail grouse dance ground buffer zone Mule deer and elk migration routes Mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghoro antelope, mountain lion, elk critical winter range Elk calving Pronghorn antelope fawning, bighorn sheep lambing Ocr. 15 ' Feb. 28 June I ' Feb. 28 Aug. t ' Jan. 31 April 15 - Oct. 31 June 15 ' March 15 May 15 - Oct. IS and Dee, 1 ' March 15 April IS - Nov. 30 July I ' April 15 July I - April 30 12