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nrFI~99 Monitoring Individual actions with the potential for adversely affecting known populations of sensitive plants and selected remnant vegetation associations will be monitored at the construction phase, as deemed necessary on a case-by-case basis, to ensure compliance with the no-surface-occupancy stipulation or other pertinent mitigation. Monitoring programs, which have been developed in conjunction with the Colorado Natural Areas Program, will continue on selected important plant species populations and plant association occurrences. New monitoring may be established on additional populations/occurrences as determined by BLM. All monitoring is contingent upon future funding levels. Data obtained from monitoring studies will be used to determine the effectiveness of BLM's measures and to develop future management recommendations. Support Other resource specialists will develop management plans for ACECs, will assess impacts of proposed projects in or near known Colorado BLM sensitive plant locations, and will identify mitigative measures, if needed. Cadastral survey will locate public land boundaries. Wild Horses Wild horse management will continue according to decisions approved in the Sand Wash Herd Management Area Plan. The plan designates the areas on which horses will be managed and states how the maintenance of a viable herd will be achieved. The following section summarizes the major aspects of wild horse management applicable to the Sand Wash Herd. Objectives . To protect wild free-roaming horses in the Sand Wash Basin from unaullIorized capture, branding, harassment, and destruction. . To manage herds of wild horses as an integral part of the public lands ecosystem under the principle of multiple use. . To manage wild horse habitat to achieve and maintain a thriving natural ecological balance. . To maintain currect data about wild horse populations and their habitat. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DECISIONS . To remove excess wild horses periodically to maintain appropriate management levels on the herd manage- ment area. . To remove wild horses that stray from Sand Wash as soon as practical. Planned Actions I. Habitat condition in Sand Wash Basin will be managed to maintain an appropriate management level of 130 to 160 wild horses. 2. An annual census will be taken to monitor the growth of Ihe horse herd. Surplus wild horse will be removed once herds reach 250 head or when special situations, sucb as drought, threaten the horses with water or forage shortages. 3. A monitoring program will be established to determine annual utilization of key forage plants and vegetation trends within the Sand Wash Basin. 4. The Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area Plan will continue to be used to guide the management of wild horses in Ihis area. Resource Conditions and Rationale . Maintaining grazing animals at a level consistent willI forage production will allow for a viable wild horse population, livestock for red meat production, and productive wildlife populations without damage to the range resource. . Improved range conditions will provide improved habitat for wild horses. Increased desirable forage will provide improved nutrition for wild horses and will improve soil erosion conditions within the herd area. . Maintenance of the free-roaming beba vior of wild horses would help maintain normal band integrity and herd interactions. In addition, it is one method of providing an interchange of the gene pool and lessening the occurrence of interbreeding willIin the herd unit. . Maintenance of a healthy, viable breeding population will ensure the survival of wild horses within the herd management area. . Protection of wild horses from harassment and unauthorized capture is required by the Wild and Free- Roaming Horse and Burro Act (Public Law 92-195) and is necessary to maintain a healthy, viable population. 15