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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Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management.
Damage and removal of the riparian vegetation type
as a result of surface disturbance associated with
mineral material disposal would be rninimi7ed by
mitigating measures that would limit disturbance to
the short-term.

Impacts from Soil and Water Resources
Management. Vegetation treatments designed to
reduce accelerated soil erosion on uplands would
enhance riparian areas by reducing the quantity and
timing of water and sediment delivery. Acquisition of
water rights, where appropriate, including instream
flows, would improve the overall condition of riparian
areas by improving tbe dependability of surface and
sub.surface water.

Impacts from Livestock Grazing Management.
Intensive livestock management in riparian zones and
restricting livestock use to proper utilization levels
would improve plant species diversity, cover, structure
and production.

Impacts from Forest Management. Eliminating or
mitigating commercial timber harvests within riparian
areas would protect these areas from rutting,
compaction, streambank deterioration and
channelization.

Impacts from Recreation Management. The
construction of recreation facilities and the
subsequent increased visitor use in and adjacent to
riparian areas would eliminate riparian vegetation on
approximately 25 acres in the planning area.

Impacts from Disposal of Public Lands. Disposal of
riparian vegetation included in the 27 tracts of public
land identified for potential disposal would not result
in a substantial loss of riparian zone management.

Impacts from AcquisitIon of Non-Federal Lands.
Acquisition of non-federal lands containing riparian
vegetation would enhance riparian management on
public land and would prevent development of these
areas.

CURRENT MANAGEMENT IMPACTS

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON RIPARIAN ZONES

Mineral witbdrawals, analyzing and setting limits on
livestock grazing, and timber harvesting restrictions
would combine to stabilize or improve the condition
of most of the riparian areas within the planning area.

IMPACTS ON SPECIAL STATUS PLANT
AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND HABITAT

IMPACTS FROM PROPOSED MANAGEMENT
ACTIONS

Impacts from Locatable Minerals Management.
Potential mining activity within Uncompabgre fritillary
butterfly habitat could result in the accidental loss of
habitat in the disturbed areas. This same accidental
loss could result to populations and potential habitat
of skiff milkvetch.

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

Impacts from Saleable Minerals Management.
Surface disturbance associated with disposal of
mineral material on 10,192 acres of potential habitat
of skiff milkvetch and the Uncompahgre fritillary
butterfly could result in the accidental destruction of
these species and tbeir habitat.

Impacts from Recreation Management. Off-highway
vehicle use along Soutb Beaver Creek drainage would
result in the accidental destruction of skiff milkvetch.

Impacts from AcquisitIon of Non-Federal Lands.
Acquiring private lands which contain skiff milkvetch
would increase the population on public lands by
35%.

CUMULATIVE IMPACTS ON SPECIAL STATUS
PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES AND HABITAT

The quality and quantity of special status plants and
animal species and babitat would be maintained under
this alternative. Accidental loss could occur due to
any form of resource disturbance or land use.

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