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- ,I 0iJ1537 CHAPTER 4 Wildlife and Fish Habitat Management Significant habitat quality increases would occur on 7,550 acres of water bird nesting habitat as a result of intensive wetlands management on 2;1.57 acres and the restoration of 1,825 acres of historical wetlands. Numbers of water birds produced on public lands would increase very significantly. Wetland management would produce an additional 1,550 riparian acres benefiting a multitude of riparian-dependent species including several considered sensitive. Emphasis on acquisition of state and private lands with riparian/wetland values would decelerate the decline of these habitat types because of conversion to other uses. Through restrictive use stipulations, minimized disturbance on big game crucial winter range and birthing areas, bald eagle roosting habitat, raptor nesting habitat, and waterfowl nesting habitat would decrease stress, thereby reducing mortality and birthing losses and improve the condition and health of these populations on 384,105 acres. Allocation of forage increases above 48,000 AUMs to big game species would reduce any potential conllict between livestock and wintering big game. Acquisition of state and private lands adjacent to or within crucial WIldlife areas would further reduce the potential for conllict. No surface stipulations would be placed on 54,440 acres. Seasonal limitations would be placed on 384,105 acres. These NSa and seasonal' limitations on crucial winter range would reduce stress on big game populations, reduce mortality and fetal losses, and improve the overall condition of the herds. The withdrawal in Blanca WHA (including the Emperius tract) would protect 7,750 acres of wetland habitat from mineral entry and location. Restoring and protecting 3,230 acres of riparian habitat would provide additional forage and cover for big game, waterfowl, and nongame species and also would significantly increase waterfowl production. The prey base for raptors and other predators would be improved. In-channel structures and improvements would provide food and habitat for waterfowl, big game, and nongame species. Development of grazing systems, land treatment projects, and livestock management practices would improve forage conditions, reduce conllicts between livestock and big game, and enhance distribution of most big game species on crucial winter range. Commercial forest land management on 1,094 acres of crucial big game winter range would decrease both thermal and hiding cover and could also adversely affect 40,000 acres of adjacent crucial big game winter range. Management activities would not occur between December 15 and April 30. Productive operable woodlands management on 6,982 acres of pinon-juniper would provide temporary openings, create more edge effect, and encourage species diversity. Additional public access would be generally beneficial to wildlife habitat allowing better harvest and population control for game species and wildlife viewing. ACEC designation of the Trickle Mountain WHA, the Blanca WHA, the Los Mogotes area, and the Rio Grande River Corridor (including the 8.8-mile segment recom- mended for wild and scenic designation) would have a positive effect on WIldlife values on 91,743 acres. ACEC designation on 46,862 acres of other areas would generally enhance wildlife habitat values. Management under an SRMA designation on Blanca WHA and the Rio Grande River Corridor (including the 8.8-mile segment recom- mended for wild and scenic designation) would complement both recreation and wildlife. Closing 40,104 acres to vehicle uses would eliminate disturbances or harassment of wildlife. Limiting vehicle use to designated roads and trails would reduce habitat loss on 377,745 acres. The results from completed wildlife habitat management construction on Blanca WHA/SRMA. through implemen- tation of the activity plan, would be an additional 29 surface acres of combined warm and cold water fisheries. No surface occupancy stipulations and mineral withdrawals would decrease sedimentation siltation and streambank degradation on 87,784 acres, and pipeline development could potentially lead to increased sedimentation and streamhank instability on aquatic habitat. Restoring and protecting riparian habitat would maintain the aquatic habitat in its present condition where the trend is stable. Structures placed in Ford Creek would improve pool/ riflIe ratios, stabilize streambanks, increase in-stream cover, and reduce cbannelization, streambank erosion, and sedimentation on 2.5 stream miles. Intensive grazing management on 28.4 miles of stream aquatic habitat would generally maintain aquatic conditions as a result of improved riparian habitat along the Rio Grande River Corridor (which includes the 8.8-mile segment recommended for wild and scenic designation). The potential exists to acquire additional acreage along the river corridor for aquatic habitat Disposal of aquatic habitat would not occur in this alternative. Designation of Trickle Mountain WHA, Blanca WHA, and the Rio Grande River Corridor (including the 8.8-mile segment recommended for wild and scenic designation) as ACECs would protect and enhance aquatic values. Closing some areas to aHV use along streams would maintain or improve aquatic habitat. Road construction across aquatic areas to timber sale areas could increase sedimentation, streambank degradation, and water temperatures and decrease streambank cover. i " " I ~ i i. " ,I " 4-18