WSP01334

• File Number: 8273.400
• Description: Colorado River Basin Salinity Control - Federal Agencies - Bureau of Land Management
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 11/1/1996
• Author: BLM
• Title: Decision Record and Finding of No Significant Impact for Adoption of Standards for Public Land Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management in Colorado
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: EIS

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STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC LAND HEALTH

STANDARD 1:. Upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates that are appropriate to soil
type, climate, land form, and geologic processes. Adequate soil infiltration and permeability allows
for the accumUlation of soil moisture necessary for optimal plant growth and vigor, and minimizes
surface runoff.

Indicators:

· Expression of rills and soil pedestals is minimal.
· Evidence of actively-eroding gulJies(incised channels) is minimal.
· Canopy and ground cover are appropriate.
· There is litter B.ccumulating in place and is not sorted by normal overland water flow.
· There, is appropriate organic matter in soil.
· There is diversity of plant species with a variety of root depths. .
· Upland swales have vegetation cover or density greater than that of adjacent uplands.
· There are vigorous, desirable plants.

STANDARD 2: Riparian systems associated with both running and standing water,function properly
and have the ability to recover from major disturbance such as fire, severe grazing, or 1 OO-year.
floods. Riparian vegetation captures sediment, and provides forage, habitat and bio-diversity.
Water quality is improved or maintained. Stable, soils store and release water slowly.

Indicators:

· Vegetation is dominated by an appropriate mix of native or desirable introduced species.
· Vigorous, desirable plants are present.
· Therei.s vegetation with diverse age class structure, appropriate vertical structure, and
adequate composition, cover, and density.
· Strearrjban~ vl!getation is present and is comprised of species and communities lhat have
.robt systems capable of withstanding high streamflow events. .
· Plant species present indicate maintenance of riparian moisture characteristics.
Ii Stream is in balance with the water and sediment being supplied by the watershed ( e.g.,
no headc!Jtting, no excessive erosion or deposition). .
· Vegetation and free water indicate high water tables.
· Vegetation colonizes point bars with a range of age classes and successional stages.
. An active floodplain is present.
· ResiduE!1 floodplain vegetation is available to capture and retain sediment and dissipate
flood energies.
· Stream channels have appropriate size and meander patterns for the streams' position in
the lands~ape, and parent materials.
· Woody 'debris contributes to the character of the stream channel morphology.

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