2014-10-15_PERMIT FILE - C1982056A (7)

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Houndstongue - Spring spraying (full coverage and spot) with mix of Escort, 2,4 -D amine, and Activator 90 (Plateau is alternative chemical) Meadow knapweed — Not present Salt cedar (tamarisk) — Not present Russian olive - Not present For large areas or significant weed infestations, TCC may utilize a weed - control contractor to achieve overall control (typically over several years) and then utilize in -house resources (Environmental Staff, student interns, summer students, contract labor) for ongoing maintenance control activities. TCC maintains an ATV with spray -tank, spray bar, and hand - sprayer, as well as several backpack tank sprayers for weed control. Chemical control activities are overseen by a U.S. -EPA Certified Pesticide Applicator and pesticide storage, handling, and use procedures and personal protective equipment are utilized to prevent potentially hazardous personal or environmental exposures. Where control of extensive weed infestations results in limited vegetative cover or bare - ground, the affected areas will be either be inter - seeded or ripped and seeded, dependent on site - specific conditions. Evaluation of control effectiveness Generally, in conjunction with the spring Environmental Management surveys, areas of previously identified and treated noxious weed infestations are inspected and the effectiveness of control measures is evaluated based on reduction or elimination of weed infestations. TCC's grazing lessees and any weed - control contractors also provide similar information, based on their field observations. This information is utilized in the management planning process to determine the need for continued treatment and to modify treatment method(s), if indicated, to improve their effectiveness. • DETERMINING REVEGETATION SUCCESS Grazing Land reclaimed as pastureland may be grazed by livestock during the liability period in order to augment the livestock production capability of the adjacent ranch operation. If such grazing is conducted, a grazing management plan will be implemented which will include flexible stocking rates and current livestock management practices to ensure the appropriate level of annual forage consumption. The guidelines suggested by the SCS (1976) will be used to formulate the proposed grazing management program. Intensity and duration of use will be based upon growing conditions at the time grazing activities are initiated. Exact stocking rates are impossible to predict at this time. Stocking rates will be calculated using the accepted assumption that a mature cow of approximately 1,000 pounds and a calf as old as 6 months equals one animal unit. For a mature ewe or ram, the animal -unit equivalent of 0.20 will be used. Wildlife allowances shall be 0.20 animal units for a mature mule deer and 0.55 animal units for each mature elk. Flexibility in the size and composition of the livestock operation will allow for optimum usage of vegetation during years of sub - normal and above - average forage production. Distribution of livestock for uniform forage utilization will be accomplished using one or more of the following: herding, fencing, watering facilities, or the placement of forage supplements. Vallentine (1971) reviewed the literature relative to water development and grazing distribution and concluded: "Cattle should not have to travel more than one - quarter to one -half mile from forage to water in steep, rough country, or more than one mile on level or gently rolling range. However, sheep and horses can travel longer •distances." Vallentine reported that during spring and summer months when forage is green, water distribution was found to have little effect on big game distribution. RN08 -05 2.05 -114.3 03/12/10