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I I I I N tQ ~ I m I I I I I I I I I I I I I I characterized by rough topography. It covers 26,844 acres. It is likely that storm flows produced from this zone are fairly contain low amounts of sediment and salt. This zone contains 10 of the 22 pinion-juniper and Douglas fir plant communities as discussed in the resource area EIS (1983). Elevations in the Upper watershed range from about 6000 feet to 8000 feet, precipitation varies from 12 to 25 inches annually. Because of the better soil and moisture conditions, the productivity of the Upper Watershed is likely the greatest in the project area. The potential for any work is very limited because of the rough topography. This is also why the area is predominantly used by wildlife, with limited cattle use in the spring. This area is not recommended for land treatment planning because it does not contribute to the sediment or salt yield problem. UNIT 4 - Badlands - This unit contains 5,241 acres and is a true badland topography. It is characterized by very steep and rough topography with exposed Mancos shale cliffs and sandstone-armored talus slopes. It not only dominates the landscape, but creates the high energy runoff that is significant in sediment and salt yield. There is almost no vegetation on the steep slopes and, therefore, little potential for planting on the bare Mancos slopes. On the armored sandstone slopes the shadscale- saltbush/Indian ricegrass plant community is in stable range condition. consequently there is little potential for land treatment measures in this area. UNIT 5 - Mancos Pediment - The Mancos Pediment is one of the larger zones on the project area, encompassing 59,116 acres. It ranges in elevation from about 4400 feet to 6000 feet, with precipitation varying from 6 inches to 10 inches. stokes (1986) defines a pediment as a broad, flat, or gently sloping, rock- floored erosion surface, typically developed by subaerial agents, including running water, and underlain by bedrock (or occasionally older alluvial deposits) that may be bare with a slightly concave upward longitudinal profile. The BLM range trend plot in the SE 1/4, NE 1/4, of section 12, T21S, R21E, typifies much of the Mancos Pediment. It is on sandstone bedrock and is in stable range condition. The ecological sites in the Mancos Shale unit include: the Desert Alkali Fan, Desert Loamy Clay, and the Desert Loam ecological sites. The Mancos Shale unit is utilized for forage for sheep in the winter and antelope throughout the year. Improvement potential through vegetation treatment is limited because of low precipitation and poor soil development. UNIT 6 - Sagers Flat - The Sagers Flat Zone of the project area covers 15,017 acres and is within the Saltbush Zone. As the name implies, it is a flat, depositional zone, south and west of the 8 ll.