Laserfiche WebLink
<br />Miner Creek <br />Wtiife River National Forest <br /> <br />Location: <br /> <br />Southeast of Meeker. Colorado <br /> <br />Land Owners: <br /> <br />White River National Forest <br />Blanco Ranger District <br />317 E. Market <br />Meeker. CO 81641 <br />Contact: Bill Hahnenberg. District Ranger, White River <br />National Forest. or Tom McClure. Range Conservationist, <br />at (970) 878-4039. <br /> <br />Restoration <br />Objectives: <br /> <br />Riparian restoration through changes in grazing management <br /> <br />Description: Legal: Sections 18 & 19, Township 2 South, Range 92 West. <br />Impacts fi'om overgrazing, recreational activities and big game hunting in the past <br />caused degradation to the riparian corridors of East and Middle Miller Creek. <br /> <br />Directions: From Meeker. Colorado. drive north on Highway 13 for 2 miles <br />to the intersection of Rio Blanco County Road #8 (RBC-8). Travel approximately <br />10 miles on RBC-8 to the intersection of Rio Blanco County Road 57 (RBC 57). <br />Turn south on RBC-57 and continue for 4.5 miles to the boundary of the forest. <br />Turn onto FDR 215 for approximately I mile to the intersection of East and <br />Middle Miller Creeks. <br /> <br />Goals: The goal of this restoration project was to implement a compre- <br />hensive plan to restore a healthy ecosystem to the riparian corridors and sur- <br />rounding areas. <br /> <br />Methods: Because access to three livestock allotments (GV Springs <br />Sheep, Middle Miller Creek Cattle, and East Miller Creek Cattle) led to overgraz- <br />ing of the riparian areas, two holding pastures in M iller Creek were used to hold <br />livestock while entering and exiting the grazing allotments. In 1989, a reduction <br />in holding times in the Miller Creek pastures and riparian areas was implemented <br />through Allotment Management Plans. This plan was made possible through the <br />cooperative ctforts of Sam Love (Middle Miller Allotment permittee), Tom <br />Pearce (East Miller Allotment permittee), and the U.S. Forest Service. <br /> <br />Results: Adherence to the Management Plan has helped to improve the <br />riparian areas of East and Middle Miller Creeks significantly. Vegetation is <br />rebounding which is aiding in bank stabilization. and the creeks exhibit an <br /> <br />44 <br /> <br />Driving Guide . Colorado Watershed ~~-~- <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br /> <br />II <br />