Initial River Protection Tools/Mechanisms

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• Allocation of livestock forage ("AUMs") and areas available for livestock grazing on BLM-administered lands. The management of rivers and their associated values is subject to the overall desired outcomes described in an LMP. For instance, desired condition statements about maintaining or enhancing water quality could frame the future management of rivers and their watersheds. The establishment of criteria, such as plan standards or guidelines, could further define management actions to be taken or the decision-space available during consideration of specific activities that may affect river values. General management area allocations pull together desired outcomes and management criteria and may establish the overall management approach for a given area. The management of streams located within these management areas could be affected by the levels of development or management activity associated with each management area. Specific designations or land allocations made in LMPs may also directly affect the management of rivers. The designation of an RNA or ACEC provides more specific guidance on management of the particular area. For instance, an ACEC intended to protect a rare aquatic plant community could require additional scientific study, management actions to enhance wetland vegetation or desired flow regimes, or design criteria for adjacent land uses to prevent degradation of the community. Recommendations for inclusion in the NWPS or findings of suitability for inclusion in the WSRS require the agencies to manage the identified lands or stream segments and adjacent corridors to preserve Congress' option to consider legislation either to establish a new Wilderness Area or a WSR. Such recommendations or findings may be accompanied by other LMP components, such as desired outcomes or management criteria to protect identified values pending action by Congress. In the case of a finding of suitability for inclusion as a WSR, the San Juan Public Lands Center ("SJPLC") is required to manage the stream corridor to protect the ORVs identified in the LMP. If, for -6- instance, the ORV were a native fishery, actions could be required to maintain or enhance fish habitat, including water quality. Managing for habitat could include specific enhancement projects or the modification or mitigation of activities that may affect the fishery. These measures would be applied at the appropriate decision point and would be subject to valid existing rights. Other decision points of the LMP, such as required monitoring, or program- specific decisions, such as those for timber or livestock grazing, could also be affected by river or watershed-related desired outcomes and management criteria. In summary, projects and authorizations of the SJPLC are required to be consistent with a LMP. Plan direction can affect the management of rivers in several ways. Desired outcomes and management criteria may directly or indirectly address river concerns. General management area allocations may further describe combinations of management approaches and levels of management intensity that