Laserfiche WebLink
<br />,+::a. <br />1-" <br />~ <br />(Jl <br /> <br />This activity funded plowing and seeding of 400 acres of sagebrush-dominated rangeland <br />in the San Juan Basin. Excellent herbaceous cover was achieved, which will improve the ability <br />of the site to infiltrate precipitation, thus keeping water on-site, and reducing the loss of saline <br />sediments and dissolved solids. Tebuthiuron treatment of another 9,710 acres of sagebrush <br />(selective thinning) has improved the water handling ability of another San Juan River tributary. <br />In the Kanab Resource Area of southern Utah, a water pipeline for improved livestock distribution <br />and prescribed burning and seeding project have contributed to salt savings. Two detention ponds <br />in Richfield have also helped. In the Rawlins District of Wyoming, the George Dew rangeland <br />dike removes a large portion of the sediment and salt which was being passed by the channel <br />system. <br /> <br />Riparian Activity: The BLM will manage riparian-wetland and aquatic zones to achieve <br />healthy and productive conditions for long-term benefits and values, with the objective of restoring <br />and maintaining riparian-wetland areas so that 75 percent or more of the areas are in proper <br />functioning condition by 1997. The BLM riparian assessment techniques reports riparian area <br />condition, trend and health into one of four categories: (1) proper functioning; (2) functional-at- <br />risk; (3) nonfunctional; and (4) unknown. Currently, this program activity provides a salt-load <br />reduction of approximately 900 tons. <br /> <br />In Colorado, improvement in plant cover by establishment of riparian pasture and off- <br />channel livestock watering has created a salt savings. Utah has also implemented protective <br />riparian management practices with salt- saving benefits. <br /> <br />Wild Horses and Burros Activity: Wild horses and burros typically occupy rangeland areas <br />on the public lands in common with livestock and wildlife, The long-term numbers of each group <br />that can be properly sustained in each area is determined through the land use planning process, <br />based upon habitat requirements such as water and forage. Currently, this program activity <br />provides a salt-load reduction of approximately 60 tons. <br /> <br />The ability to attain a thriving, natural, ecological balance (as required by the Wild Free- <br />Roaming Horse and Burro Act) is primarily dependent on the ability of the BLM to control these <br />populations through the removal of excess animals. Removal of 350 head along the Lower <br />Colorado River corridor has benefitted plant cover by reducing forage consumption in the Cibola, <br />Havasu, Black Mountain, and Gold Butte Herd Management Areas. Salt load reductions will <br />affect tributaries into Lake Mead. A reduction of 100 head has been completed in Spring Creek, <br />southwestern Colorado, allowing for vegetative recovery. <br /> <br />Wildlife Activity: This activity includes all facets of managing and protecting wildlife and <br />fisheries habitat on the public lands with the objective of ensuring optimum habitat and a natural <br />abundance and diversity of fish and wildlife resources. BLM also manages wetlands and other <br />important waterfowl habitats on the public lands to help perpetuate a diversity and abundance of <br />waterfowl. Currently, this program activity provides a salt-load reduction of approximately 840 <br />tons. <br /> <br />In the Pariette Wetlands, the BLM has implemented measures which encourage the <br />trapping and overbank storage of saline sediments. Vegetative chopping (roto-chopping) of <br /> <br />4-10 <br />