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CHAPTER II Implementation Priorities Continue present management to achieve goals outlined in the Sand Wash Basin Herd Management Area Plan, subject to available funding. Monitoring BLM personnel will periodically conduct aerial surveys to monitor total number of horses, number and size of herds, and herd movement. In addition, herd composition, productivity, and mortality estimates will be based on samples taken during horse removals. Support Engineering, surface reclamation, hydrologic, soils, and archaeologic support will be required in the design and construction of projects. Other resource specialists will assess impacts of proposed projects and will identify mitigation, if needed. Fire management support will be used to manage natural fire and prescribed bums. Soil and Water Resources Objectives . Prevent deterioration of soil conditions and stabilize and rehabilitate areas where accelerated erosion and runoff have resulted in unacceptable resource conditions. . Prevent disturbance to fragile soil areas where resulting erosion could not be controlled. . Maintain the integrity of streams and their associated riparian values on public lands that meet state water quality standards and have acceptable channel stability. . Protect from further degradation and, if feasible, improve the quality ofthose streams and their associated riparian values that do not meet state water quality standards and do not have acceptable channel stability. . Protect and maintain present groundwater quality and quantity. Planned Actions I. Soil and water resources will be protected through mitigation or restrictions applied to surface- and underground-disturbing activities, as needed, on a case- by-case basis. Water quality parameters will conform to state water quality standards. 2. The fragile soil and water areas (Vermillion Management Unit) identified below (and shown on the RMP map) are areas where soil erosion potential is known to exist. a. The fragile soil areas listed below encompass approximately 2 to 3 percent of the total acres within the resource area. (I) The area along Canyon Creek, including the adjacent steep side slopes, to approximately 1/ 2 mile either side of the creek (the actual boundary will be drawn based on topography). (2) The area along Shell Creek, including the adjacent steep side slopes, to approximately 1/2 mile either side of the creek (the actual boundary will be drawn based on topography). (3) The area along Vermillion Creek, including the adjacent steep side slopes, to approximately 1/ 2 mile to either side of the creek (the actual boundary being based on topography), down- stream to the confluence with Douglas Draw. (4) The area along Sand Wash, including the adjacent side slopes, to approximately 1/2 mile either side of the wash (the actual boundary to be drawn based on topography), from section 10, T. 9 N., R. 99 W., to the confluence with Dugout Draw. (S) The area along Yellow Cat Wash, including the adjacent side slopes, to approximately 1/2 mile either side ofthe wash (the actual boundary being based on topography), from section 12, T 9 N., R. 98 W., to the confluence with Sand Wash. (6) The area along Dry Creek, including the adjacent side slopes, to approximately 1/2 mile either side of the creek (the actual boundary to be based on topography), from section 22, T. 11 N., R. 99 W., to the confluence with Vermillion Creek. (7) The northwest facing slopes of the Vermillion Bluffs, from the Vermillion Bluffs ridgetop road downslope to the Dry Creek drainage. b. Performance objectives apply to all surface-disturbing activities within fragile soil areas. If tbe performance objectives cannot be met, surface occupancy will not be permitted on federal surface. On private surface with federal mineral ownership BLM will, if necessary, develop an acceptable surface-use program where the impact of development of federal minerals may impact off-lease lands or resources. The following performance objectives have been established for fragile soils: 16