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

CHAPTER FOUR

game species. Land treatment projects which result
in decreasing sagebrush cover below 25% would
eliminate these areas from use by sage grouse for
nesting or strutting grounds, and would decrease
sage grouse wintering habitat, and possibly grouse
populations. Construction of projects desigued to
decrease soil erosion and improve water quality
would improve sage grouse broodrearing habitat,
crucial elk and deer winter range and nesting
habitat for non-game species.

Impacts from Riparian Area Management. Moving
watering facilities from riparian areas where impacts
are occurring would improve these areas for sage
grouse brood rearing, thermal habitat for elk, deer,
and non-game habitat, and would improve livestock
distribution. Moving facilities at least 1J8 mile from
riparian zones would result in the greatest amount
of improvement.

Limiting road construction in riparian zones to an
absolute minimum, requiring road crossings to be
perpendicular when permitted, and moving or
modifying existing roads contributing to excessive
erosion would prevent loss of big game crucial
winter range, important sage grouse habitat, and
reduce disturbance to wildlife from human activity.

Reclaiming or restoring riparian areas would result
in improved forage and cover for young sage grouse
and many non-game species.

Impacts from Special Status Plant and Animal
Species and Habitat. Limiting OHV use to
desiguated routes in the South Beaver Creek
ACEC, unit E-8, for skiff milkvetch management,
would result in less disturbance yearlong from OHV
use on 1,960 acres of elk and deer crucial winter
range, and on sage grouse habitat.

Impacts from Uvestock Grazing Management.
Development of intensive grazing systems with an
emphasis on increasing herbaceous vegetation
within sagebrush communities would increase cover
for sage grouse nesting habitat, structure for non-
game and forage for pronghorn antelope.

Limiting total forage utilization to maintain a 4'
stubble height along about 83 total miles of riparian
areas in units E-2, E-l3, E-14, and E-15 on various

allotments would improve cover and forage quality
for elk, deer, sage grouse and especially young sage
grouse, pronghorn antelope, and non-game wildlife,
as would managing forage utilization on uplands to
no more than 40-60%, including within treated
areas. Sage grouse populations would also increase
as a result of these actions.

Not authorizing domestic sheep grazing in allotment
6112 in Unit E-2, and all of unit E-10 would
prevent the transfer of disease to bighorn sheep
from domestic sheep and would provide more
forage for big game. Not authorizing any livestock
grazing in the North Willow Creek riparian zone
and in allotment 6200 in unit E-? would provide
forage and improve forage conditions on big game
winter range, prevent disease transfer to bighorn
sheep from domestic sheep and would eliminate
livestock trespass into the Sapinero State Wildlife
Area. Eliminating domestic sheep grazing in unit
E.3 and E-8, cattle grazing along Cochetopa Creek
riparian area in E-3, and all grazing in E-4 (except
for trailing), E-9, and along 1J4 mile of Tomichi
Creek and Los Pinos Creek in unit E-15 would
improve and provide more habitat, cover, and
forage for a variety of wildlife species.

Seasonal restrictions on domestic sheep grazing in
allotment 6056 in GMU 64 (unit E-l2) and in all of
unit E-14 would provide more forage and cover for
big game and sage grouse during critical periods.
Excluding treatments, restricting treatments and
livestock grazing administration, implementing
changes in grazing systems, and better vegetation
management, would enhance effectiveness of
wildlife management objectives on about 154,655
acres within the Planning Area.

Temporary forage allocation reductions or other
adjustments in grazing systems, seasons of use and
class, allotment categorization, and possibly to
livestock improvements that could be made in order
to achieve proper forage utilization levels or ranges
on uplands or riparian zones could result in long-
term increases in forage quality and cover for a
variety of wildlife species and habitats.

Continued fall cattle grazing within big game crucial
winter ranges in riparian zones would reduce forage
for wintering elk and deer. Continued livestock

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