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CHAPTER FOUR Impacts from RightsooC-Way Management. Excluding rights-of-way construction along fishery habitat would prevent siltation and streambanl< deterioration. CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON FISHERY RESOURCES (AQUATIC HABITAl) The management actions identified in this alternative would result in a rapid improvement of the majority of fishery streams in the planning area. Mineral withdrawals, 4-inch minimum stubble height requirements and elimination of timber harvest would decrease sedimentation, stabiIize streambanks and improve streambanl< cover. IMPACTS ON LIVESTOCK GRAZING MANAGEMENT IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT ACTIONS Impacts Crom Livestock Grazing Management. Livestock forage in the Planning Area would be expected to improve in quantity and quality over the life of the plan by achieving proper total forage utilization levels in riparian areas and on uplands, implementing AMPs or CRMAPs, maintaining existing treatments and projects in some units, and indirectly, by improved livestock distribution patterns by implementing 4' minimum stubble heights in riparian areas, a maximum forage utilization rate of 20-40% on all uplands, and range readiness. More intensive livestock management and use supervision would be necessary. About 8,553 AUMs would be unavailable for allocation as a result of implementing these measures on about 434,058 suitable acres. Impacts from Soli and Water Resource Management. Vegetation treatments designed to increase plant basal cover, and implementing soil erosion and watershed mitigation measures would increase forage quality and quantity and help improve livestock distribution over the life of the plan. Allocation of all additional available forage to meet watershed objectives would potentially result in some livestock grazing treatments or projects being deferred or not developed. Requiring all plans for surface disturbing activities to contain measures to minimize soil loss and disturbance would decrease potential loss of soil productivity. Potential livestock treatments on 120,151 suitable acres in units 0-22, 0-24, 0-25 and D-26 would be affected. Impacts from Riparian Zone Management. Managing livestock utilization to maintain a 4' minimum stubble height for key herbaceous forage species in riparian zones would reduce livestock allocations on several allotments. This reduction is discussed under impacts from Livestock Grazing Management above. More intensive supervision and operator management would be required in order to phase in this minimum stubble height. Requiring livestock treatments and management to meet riparian management objectives for big game winter range within riparian zones in unit 0-11 (10,907 suitable acres) and restricting treatments on an additional 8,952 suitable acres in riparian unit 0-12 for sage grouse broodrearing areas would probably increase costs and time for planning and implementation of treatments, or possibly operator's costs, for livestock management on these lands. Implementing riparian zone management actions and other mitigation would, over the life of the plan, improve and increase available forage. Impacts Crom Speclal Status Plant and AnImal Species and Habitat. Not authorizing domestic sheep grazing, or treatments or maintenance of treatments, in unit 0-1 (South Beaver Creek ACEC, in order to protect skiff milkvetch populations from trampling, sheep use, and destruction would require a change in the class of livestock for a portion of allotment 6311, and would preclude treatments on 5,902 suitable acres. Not authorizing domestic sheep, grazing in the Redcloud Peak ACEC in order to prevent destruction of Uncompahgre fritillary butterfly habitat wnuld result in a reduction of about 118 AUMs on 1,065 suitable acres, since a change of livestock class to cattle would be unlikely in this unit. Not authorizing livestock grazing on 54 acres along Red and East Elk Creeks in uuit 0-13 to maintain bald eagle habitat would continue these lands as being unavailable for allocation. 4-48