WSP07926

• File Number: 8200.766
• Description: Gunnison River General
• State: CO
• Basin: Gunnison
• Water Division: 4
• Date: 3/1/1991
• Author: BLM
• Title: Gunnison Resource Area - Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement - Draft - Chapter 4 to end
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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uplands would indirectly enhance riparian areas by
reducing the quantity and timing of water and
sediment delivery. Acquisition of water rights,
including instream flows, would improve the
dependability of surface and sub-surface water.

Impacts from Livestock Grazing Management.
Implementing total forage utilization limits would
initiate an improvement in the vigor and production
of grasses, forbs and shrubs. The majority of
streambanks in poor condition would stabilize and
begin healing as a result of the increase in grasses
that would occur.

Implementation of a total forage utilization leve~
including utilization by livestock within riparian areas
in good to excellent condition, most of which are
currently ungrazed by livestock, would result in some
physical damage to plants and stream banks.
Livestock grazing at this utilization level would also
modify the composition of plant communities in these
riparian zones.

Impacts rrom Forest Management. Timber harvests
and associated activities in riparian areas would cause
damage to and loss of soils and vegetation due to the
construction of roads and skid trail. Roads and skid
trails would erode, channeling amounts of runoff and
sediment loads greater than riparian systems can
accommodate without damage. The removal of trees
in riparian areas would change the ecological status
through the reduction and alteration of the diversity
of plant and animal species.

Impacts rrom Recreati~n Management. The
construction of recreatIon facilities and the
subsequent increased visitor use in and adjacent to
riparian areas would eliminate riparian vegetation on
approximately 50 acres. Increased acreage open to
OHV use (135,789 acres) could result in additional
vegetation damage or other riparian zone impacts.

Impacts rrom Disposal of Puhlic Lands. Disposal of
63 tracts identified for potential disposal would not
result in a substantial loss of riparian areas or
vegetation.

Impacts from Acquisition of Non-Federal Lands.
Acquisition of private lands containing riparian

ALTERNATIVE C IMPACTS

vegetation would enhance riparian management on
public land and would prevent development of these
areas.

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON RIPARIAN ZONES

This alternative would result in a stabilization of, and
in some areas and improvement in, the condition of
riparian zones. The majority of this improvement
would be the result of implementing total forage
utilization limits in riparian areas.

IMPACTS ON SPECIAL STATUS PLANT
AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND HABITAT

IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT
ACTIONS

Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management.
Potential mining activity within Uncompahgre fritillary
butterfly habitat could result in the accidental loss of
habitat in the disturbed areas.

Impacts from Oil, Gas, and Geothermal
Management. No significant impacts are anticipated
from one or two wells. If any development were to
occur, accidental loss of habitat in the disturbed areas
could result.

Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management.
Disposal of mineral material on occupied or potential
habitat of skiff miIkvetch (9,900 acres) and the
Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly (3,743 acres) could
result in the accidental destruction of these species
and their habitat as a result of surface disturbance.

Impacts from Recreation Management. Off-highway
vehicle use along South Beaver Creek and in the
Silver Creek drainage would result in the accidental
destruction of skiff miIkvetch and Uncompahgre
fritillary butterfly habitat.

Impacts from AcquisitIon of Non-Federal Lands.
Acquiring private lands which contain skiff miIkvetch
populations would increase populations on public land
by 35%.

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