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0J1536 The 15-acre isolated tract on Kerber Creek would remain in poor condition because of limited BLM land ownership and related manageability problems. No surface occupancy restrictions in all riparian zones would prevent degradation from occurring. Riparian condition would remain static on 3,230 acres. The protective withdrawals on the Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area (WHA) and the Rio Grande River Corridor would preclude mining activity and maintain riparian condition on 1,250 acres. The 43 CFR 3809 regulations would protect riparian zones from undue and unnecessary damage, thereby preventing any degradation on the remaining 1,980 acres. The net effect would be to maintain riparian condition. Since mineral sales would not be allowed in riparian zones, plant condition would remain the same on 3,230 acres. Changes in grazing practices and control of livestock trespass in some allotments would result in an improvement in riparian condition on 335 acres. Grazing allotment management plans would maintain existing good or excellent condition on inventoried streams within the allotments. Adequate fencing on all springs and reservoirs accessible to livestock would improve and expand riparian vegetation by a small amount and increase species diversity. Development of historic wetlands for wildlife and fisheries habitat would improve and/or expand riparian vegetation on 1,370 acres in the following areas: Blanca WHA, Dry Lakes, Mishak Lakes, and flat Top ponds. Increased emphasis on acquisition of riparian areas would enhance management capabilities by consolidating ownership and provide additional acres of riparian vegetation. Acquisition and restoration of historic wetlands (1,000 acres) in the Dry Lakes and Mishak Lakes areas would increase the potential for development of important riparian zones in the planning area. Disposal of isolated tracts in the San Luis Lakes, Mishak Lakes, Del Norte West, and Bonanza areas would not be a significant impact on the total riparian resource. Riparian condition and trend would be maintained since no surface-disturbing activity would be allowed. Designation of the Trickle Mountain Wildlife Habitat/Ford Creek Riparian Area, Blanca Lakes Wildlife Habitat/ Recreation Area, and Rio Grande River/Box Corridor as areas of critical environmental concern (ACECs) would prevent degradation from occurring and might stimulate expansion and/or improvement of riparian vegetation in these areas. OHV closures in all WSAs would protect 45 acres of riparian vegetation. 0 HV restrictions in riparian areas would protect the vegetation to some extent. Restrictions, however, are often disregarded; therefore, new trails and roads would ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES occur through riparian zones, especially during the big game hunting seasons. Development of recreation sites in the Rio Grande River Corridor would result in a long-term loss of some riparian vegetation. Protection of Cleome multicaulis, which is dependent on saturated soils, would preserve small areas of riparian vegetation. Enhancement of habitat for this plant would expand riparian zones by a small amount. Any improvement or expansion of bald eagle feeding habitat would improve or increase riparian vegetation. Livestock Grazing Management Forage production would potentially increase by an estimated 10,000 AUMs on the allotted lands based on expected grazing management improvements during the 20- year life of the plan. These potential new AUMs would be provided to meet wildlife forage needs as they become available. The net effect would likely be beneficial to wildlife habitat management within the resource area. During the life of the plan, there could also be an estimated 30,000 more acres (of the 42,400 acres of unallotted lands) that very likely would become suitable production acres. This potentially would provide for an approximate additional 1,500 AUMs that would be allocated to wildlife habitat management based on documented needs. This would be done after complete and regular monitoring and appropriate NEPA documentation (probably an environmental assessment). Grazing practices needed to meet riparian objectives could result in additional limitations to livestock operators, temporary loss oflicensed A VMs, and increased operational costs to permittees. Forage increases would occur on 5,332 acres as a result of continued wetland habitat management on 2,257 acres and implementation of wetland habitat management on an additional 3,075 acres. Increases would be allocated to wildlife use after wetland habitat management objectives are met. Seasonal limitations on approximately 384.105 acres (74 percent) and closures on approximately 40,104 acres (8 percent) to OHV use would improve livestock forage and would reduce management problems (e.g., livestock harassment). The overall net effect to livestock grazing management in the resource area could potentially be an increase in available forage by 1,500 AUMs over the life of this land use plan. ~ I " I , I: Ii I 4-17