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"'r! .......... :~ (.lli. .~ , - -;. J Management Decisions MANAGEMENT UNIT 1 186,810 Acres of Public Surface; 39 percent of the Planning Area Managsmsnt Unit 1 consists of 186,810 acrss of public land located primarily on the northeast- facing slopes of the Uncompahgre Plateau north of Colorado Hlghwey 90. The area's rangs of elevations gives It a high value for both summer and winter livestock grazing. Public lands within the managsment unit will be managed as "I" category (150,114 acres), "M" category (25,727 acres), and "C" category (8,950 acres) grazing allotments. Also, 2,019 acres that are pressntly unallotted for livestock use will be available for grazing application. The management unit will be managed to Im- prove vegetation conditions and forage availability for livestock grazing. Land treatment projects and other facilities designed to Improve livestock forage and distribution will be dsveloped. Intensive monitorIng studies will be established and maintained on all "I" and "M" category allotments. Existing AMPs will bs up- dated as needed and new AMPs will be dsveloped for allotments without plans. As ad- ditional forage becomes available, livestock will have priority for allocation. Relinquished, can- celled, or acqUired livestock grazing permits will be reissued according to regUlations. 011 and Gas. Federal 011 and gas estate will be open to leasing. Seasonal stipulations on seis- mic and drilling activities will be In effsct from Dscembsr 1 through April 30 on 64,815 acres (federal sUrface) and 560 acres (spllt-estats) of crucial dssr and elk winter range, and on 3,757 acres (federal surface) and 63 acres (spilt-estate) used by bald eagles for hunting habitat. Varian- ces to this ssasonal stipulation may be granted (see Appendix A). Locatable Minerals. The Bureau of Rsclama- tlon (BOR) withdrawal on Fruitland Mesa and both the BOR Dominguez withdrawal and the Chapter Two BLM powerslte classifications along the Gun- nison River downstream of Delta will be recom- mended for rsvocatlon to allow for minerai exploration and developmsnt, facllltats resource management, and permit long-tsrm land use plannIng. SOll9 and Water Resources. Non-conflicting (does not conflict with the objective of the management unit) erosion control obJectives, projects, and mitigating measures will be Incor- porated Into new and existing AMPs. In-channel structurss and land treatmsnt prolscts designed to reduce runoff and soli erosion will be developed. Wildlife Habitat. Non-conflicting wildlife habitat managemsnt obJectives, projects, and mitIgating measures will be Incorporated Into new and existing AMPs. Existing wildlife habitat projects will be maintained. Bighorn sheep may be transplanted Into the Winter Mesa area \I they will not conflict with current and future livestock grazing forags allocations. Wildllfs will have first priority for all additional forags made available as a result of rangeland Improvement projects designed to Improve wildlife habitat funded by non-BLM sources. Forestry. Woodland harvest areas will be managed for Increased forage production and will be compatible with AMPs. Recreation. River access will be dsveloped at the Escalante Bridge. Maps and Informational materials on river use will be provided. The BLM will manage recrsatlon use In a manner that will minimize recreational Impacts on Interspersed and adjacent private land. OIt-Road Vshlcles. A total of 7,240 acres In the Winter Mesa/Roubldeau Creek area will be closed to ORV use. Vehicle use on crucial desr and slkwlnter range (64,815 acres) will be limited to desIgnated roads and trails from December 1 through April 30 If necessary to reduce stress on wintering dear and elk. The remainder of the management unit will be open to ORV usa. 13