WSP02042 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

rnz~2g '. North Park: Parcel NP- J vegetation consists of a combination cf a sagebrush vegetation type and salt shrub vegetation type as described in the RMP. This parcel has not been formally assessed for Land Health Standards but is scheduled for review in 2000. A grazing system was developed for the parcel in 1995, and has been in place for five years, Frequent observation of the area by Field Office personnel and other agency personnel indicate that this parcel is meeting Land Health Standard #3. Parcel NP-2 vegetation consists of a sagebrush vegetation type as described in the RMP. This area is unique in thaI soils are very sandy and both needle grasses and bitter brush are more prevalent than on many other sagebrush sites on BLM land. This parcel was assessed for Land Health Standards in 1998 and it was found that appro~imately 100.acres were not meeting Standard #3 and 10 acres were. Livestock grazing was found to be a major cause and grazing practices have been modified in an attempt to improve the vegetative community in the area. Parcel NP-3 vegetation consists p.rimarily of a sagebrush vegetation type with inclusions of a salt shrub vegetation type as described in the RMP. The salt shrub vegetation occurs mainly in lower subinigated areas along Soap Creek and the shores of MacFarlane Reservoir. This parcel was assessed in 1998 and found to be meeting Land Health Standard #3 (vegetation) on.2,444 acres of mostly sagebrush uplands away from Scap Creek. Approximately 345 acres located along Soap Creek were found to be "At Risk". Livestock grazing management was adjusted for the 1999 grazing season and on the Ten Year grazing permit issued in 1999 to move the 345 acres towards meeting Land Health Standard #3. Envircnmental Consequences of Proposed Action: Amending the RMP to establish land use priorities would have no impact on vegetative health or change the BLM's obligation to manage vegetation to meet Land Health Standard #3. WASTES, HAZARDOUS OR SOLID Affected Environment: There are no known hazardous wastes located on the acquired parcels. Environmental Consequences of Proposed Action: Assigning land use priorities to parcels of acquired land would not ha ve an impact on the BLM's ability to manage hazardous materials found or dumped on the parcels. . WATER QUALITY, SURFACE OR GROUND (CoJor:ldo Sland:lfds for Public Land Health. Stand.1rd.#5) Affected Environment: The RMP describes the water quality in Middle and North Parks. There is only limited information on the specific water quality of the acquired lands, and it pertains to surface water quality. Water quality is generally good, except for the naturally occurring sulphur springs in parcel MP-3 that feed parcel MP-4. There are no known water quality concerns on any of the parcels. An assessment of the surface water quality for those parcels that were assessed during the grazing permit renewal process is included with each Environmental Assessment (EA). The remaining parcels would be assessed as pan of the future grazing permit renewals or other land actions. 10