decision notice appendix ii i – mitigation and...

Decision Notice – Appendix III of 22

DECISION NOTICE APPENDIX III – MITIGATION AND MONITORING PLAN FOR RIPARIAN AREAS

The following Table details the mitigation and monitoring plan for riparian areas that are non-functioning or functioning at risk.

DN Appendix III Table 1. Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for Riparian Areas that are Non-functioning (NF) or Functioning At-Risk (FAR)

Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type

Mitigation Monitoring

Burnt Fork Allotment

Mitigation Applicable to all Burnt Fork Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • Reduce stocking rate by 23 percent; • Reduce duration to minimize mechanical streambank impacts from livestock by not exceeding 30 days of

grazing in any one pasture; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 3 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution/clearing stock driveways • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual conditions.

Monitoring Applicable to all Sage Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are functional. Streambank disturbance protocol will be conducted on stream types most sensitive to hoof impacts which includes Rosgen types E, B4, and B5 in order to assess if the prescribed stocking rate reductions, limiting a duration to no more than 30 days, and the actual utilzation levels are compatible with the goal of not exceeding streambank disturbance level of 30% using R1 Streambank Disturbance Protocol (2006). Each pasture having FAR conditions will have one long-term trend method established. One Long term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect (GNF Riparian Long-Term Trend Protocol, 2013) will be established in the Northwest unit and one long-term photo point (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) will be established in each of the South and Northeast units as futher detailed below.

Burnt Fk/ South

BF03 (Lotic) 0.35 FAR Moderate/

B4/5

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years after establishment the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. This site was chosen since the grazing distribution use pattern indicates this is where most of the grazing occurs on FAR sites on this unit. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Some bank trampling was noted where accessible to livestock, but was not continuous or excessive. The monitoring objective is to determine if there is improvement in having a diverse age-class distribution of riparian-wetland vegetation and if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Burnt Fk/ Northeast

BF04 (Lotic) 0.26 FAR

Low to Moderate/

B3/4

Streambank alteration monitoring on the B4 portion of the reach will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Long term monitoring conducted at BF11 location will represent overall changes for “at-risk” riparian areas in the Northeast unit, including this reach. BF11 was selected to represent the Northeast unit since it is the most sensitive to disturbance of the four “at-risk” reaches. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Bank trampling where accessible was noted. Fines were excessive in reach, some likely natural, some due to bank loss from trampling. Point bars were not revegetating with riparian vegetation.

Burnt Fk/ Northeast

BF05 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.08 FAR n/a

Monitoring conducted at BF11 location will represent overall changes for “at-risk” riparian areas in the Northeast unit, including this reach. BF11 was selected to represent the Northeast unit since it is the most sensitive to disturbance of the four “at-risk” reaches. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Trampling and trailing had obliterated channel form and herbaceous community along upper end of the reach. was noted.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Burnt Fk/ Northeast

BF07 (Lotic) 0.35 FAR Low/ B3

Monitoring conducted at BF11 location will represent overall changes for “at-risk” riparian areas in the Northeast unit, including this reach. BF11 was selected to represent the Northeast unit since it is the most sensitive to disturbance of the four “at-risk” reaches. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Bank trampling were noted throughout with soil loss between rocks. Rocks provide armoring, not vegetation. Width/depth ratio was high throughout. Riparian could extend inward with a narrower channel.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Burnt Fk/ Northeast

BF11 (Lotic) 0.28 FAR Moderate/

B4/5

Streambank alteration monitoring will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years after establishment the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Of the four “at-risk” riaprian areas in the Northeast unit, this location is the most sensitive to disturbance and was selected to represent the Northeast unit’s other “at-risk” riparian areas (BF04, BF05, and BF07) for monitoring changes due to this decision. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Bank trampling and trailing were noted. Shrubs were the main bank stabilizers. The monitoring objective is to determine if riparian is extending inward with a narrower channel, if upland species in old lower banks are being replaced by riparian species adequate to protect banks and dissipate energy during high flows, if there is improvement in woody debris adequate to dissipate energy, and if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel.

Burnt Fk/ Northwest

BF09 (Lotic) 0.27 FAR

Highly Variable/

E5/B3

Streambank alteration monitoring on the E5 portion of the reach will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect (GNF, 2013,Long-term Trend Riparian Protocol) will be established. Within 4-7 years after establishment the the transects will be re-read. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to slightly up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Periodic trampling was noted, but not continuous. A lot of blowdown and dense vegetation limits access by livestock. The monitoring objective is to determine if riparian is extending inward with a narrower channel, if upland species in old lower banks are being replaced by riparian species adequately to protect banks and dissipate energy during high flows, if there is improvement in a diverse age-class distribution, and if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel.

Hogan Creek On/Off Allotment Mitigation Applicable to all Hogan Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

• Reduce stocking rate by 36 percent; • Reduce duration to minimize mechanical streambank impacts from livestock by not exceeding 30 days of

grazing in any one pasture; • All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 3 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution

Monitoring Applicable to all Hogan Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded. Streambank disturbance protocol will be conducted on stream types most sensitive to hoof impacts which includes Rosgen types E, B4, and B5 in order to assess if the prescribed stocking rate reductions, limiting a duration to no more than 30 days, and the actual utilzation levels are compatible with the goal of not exceeding streambank disturbance level of 30% using R1


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


• Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual conditions. Streambank Disturbance Protocol (2006). The Fingers unit will have one long-term trend photo point (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) established as detailed below.

Hogan Cr On-Off /‘ Fingers

H01 (Lotic) 0.94 FAR

Low to Moderate/

B3/4/5

Streambank alteration monitoring of the B4/5 portion of the reach will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years after establishment the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be upward due to reduced grazing pressure (48% reduction required by the state). Banks appear to be healing, but bank vegetation still includes upland species. The monitoring objective is to determine if riparian is extending inward with a narrower channel, if upland species are being replaced by riparian species adequately to protect banks and dissipate energy during high flows, if there is improvement in a diverse age-class distribution, and if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel.

Rock Creek Allotment Mitigation Applicable to all Rock Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas


grazing in any one pasture; • All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 4 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual condition • Potential for Allotment to become vacant and designated only for periodic use as a forage reserve.

Monitoring Applicable to all Rock Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded. Routine compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure that the fence that excludes livestock from PFC site R06 is maintained. Seeley unit will have a long-term photo point (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) established as futher detailed below.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Rock Cr/ Seeley

R05 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.08 FAR n/a

Within three years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established if permittee remains on the allotment. Within 4-7 years after establishment the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year, if allotment remains active. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is static. This riparian system has a mix of lotic and lentic characteristics. Lotic characteristics include linear gradients sufficient to produce flowing water, sinuosity (at least for the valley bottom), and potential for infrequent flash flood events. However, unlike higher elevation, snowmelt dominated stream systems with large drainage areas, the low discharge, spring dominated flow regime of this system does not produce a significant annual spike in the hydrograph and may be more representative of lentic systems. Due to the lack of significant annual bankfull flows, channel characteristics are not well defined along most or all of this reach. Thus, the function of riparian vegetation in stabilizing streambanks under annual peakflow events is reduced, although still important for infrequent flash flood events. Lentic issues include surface/subsurface flow patterns and processes. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if the riparian zone is widening, and if surface or subsurface flow patterns are being altered by hoof action..

Rock Cr/ Seeley

R06 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.12 NF n/a

Livestock will be excluded from the spring and short stream reach area by constructing proposed Seeley Spring Exclosure Fence.

The Selected Alternative 3 excludes livestock from this reach. Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure fences are being maintained.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Sage Creek Allotment

Mitigation Applicable to all Sage Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • A 10% drought reserve decrease from the capacity of Sage Creek is incorporated into the number of AUMs that

will not be exceeded; this will likely equate to actual grazing utilization levels in key areas being much less than the maximum allowable levels given the methods used to determine AUM capacity.

• Reduce duration to minimize mechanical streambank impacts from livestock by not exceeding 30 days of grazing in any one pasture;

• All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 7 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual condition

Monitoring Applicable to all Sage Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded. Streambank disturbance protocol will be conducted on stream types most sensitive to hoof impacts which includes Rosgen types E, B4, and B5 in order to assess if the prescribed stocking rates, limiting a duration to no more than 30 days, and the actual utilzation levels are compatible with the goal of not exceeding streambank disturbance level of 30% using R1 Streambank Disturbance Protocol (2006). Routine compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure that fences that exclude livestock from PFC sites S01, S06, S08, S14, S15, and S16 are maintained. Each pasture will have one long-term trend method established. One long term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect (GNF Riparian Long-Term Trend Protocol, 2013) will be established in the Smith/Roberts Bench unit and three long-term photo points (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) will be established, - one in each of the Upper Sage, Harsten, and Howe Units as futher detailed below.

Sage Cr/ Smith/Roberts Bench

S01 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.26 NF n/a

Area will be closed to grazing by proposed fences that will exclude livestock including 1.20 mile Roberts Bench Boundary Fence in the Sage Creek Allotment, 0.91 mile Northwest Division Fence and the 2.93 mile South Boundary Fence in the proposed Red Butte Allotment.



Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Sage Cr/ Water Gap

S06 (Lotic) 0.36 FAR

Low to Moderate/

B3/4/5

Existing area generally closed to livestock use. Under certain conditions such as drought, area can be grazed for a short period of time with written permission from the Forest Service.



Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Sage Cr/ Upper Sage

S07 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.33 FAR n/a Reduce stocking rate by 17 percent within pasture

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years upon full implementation of the decision, the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is upward due to recent management changes in the late 1990s. This riparian system has a mix of lotic and lentic characteristics. Lotic characteristics include linear gradients sufficient to produce flowing water, sinuosity (at least for the valley bottom), and potential for infrequent flash flood events. However, unlike higher elevation, snowmelt dominated stream systems with large drainage areas, the low discharge, spring dominated flow regime of this system does not produce a significant annual spike in the hydrograph and may be more representative of lentic systems. Due to the lack of significant annual bankfull flows, channel characteristics are not well defined along most or all of this reach. Thus, the function of riparian vegetation in stabilizing streambanks under annual peakflow events is reduced, although still important for infrequent flash flood events. Lentic issues include surface/subsurface flow patterns and processes. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if ripaian is widening, and if surface or subsurface flow patterns are being altered by deisturbance of hoof action.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Sage Cr/ Upper Sage


Low to Moderate/

B3/4

This stream reach is partially on private land and partially on National Forest land that excludes livestock.


Sage Cr/ Harsten Flat

S09 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.46 FAR na Harsten Flat was private property grazing pasture until 2005 when the Forest Service purchased it.

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years upon full implementation of the decision, the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is upward due to recent management changes in the late 1990s. This riparian system has a mix of lotic and lentic characteristics. Lotic characteristics include linear gradients sufficient to produce flowing water, sinuosity (at least


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


for the valley bottom), and potential for infrequent flash flood events. However, unlike higher elevation, snowmelt dominated stream systems with large drainage areas, the low discharge, spring dominated flow regime of this system does not produce a significant annual spike in the hydrograph and may be more representative of lentic systems. Due to the lack of significant annual bankfull flows, channel characteristics are not well defined along most or all of this reach. Thus, the function of riparian vegetation in stabilizing streambanks under annual peakflow events is reduced, although still important for infrequent flash flood events. Lentic issues include surface/subsurface flow patterns and processes. Perennial flow with minimal potential for peaks from snowmelt runoff. Longest reach (from SW) is highly incised. One spring (NE) was excavated and reshaped about 3-4 years ago by the previous landowner. This likely provided a significant sediment load to downstream reaches. See S08 for evidence of this sediment load. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if riparian is widening, and if surface or subsurface flow patterns are being altered by hoof action.

Sage Cr/ Smith/Roberts Bench


Low to Moderate/

B4/5

Road 2073 will be closed to motorized traffic thus avoiding vehicle travel across the stream in three places. Stocking rate will be reduced by 16 percent within pasture.

Streambank alteration monitoring will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect will be established. Within 4-7 years after full implementation of the decision the transects will be re-read. This location was selected for this more comprehensive method due to it’s sensitivity to disturbance, low vigor, compacted areas and road crossings. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend may be static to upward based on management changes in the late 1990s. Banks appear to be healing, but bank vegetation still includes upland species. The monitoring objective is to determine if the riparian zone is extending inward with a narrower channel, if upland species are being replaced by riparian species adequately to protect banks and dissipate energy during high flows, if there is improvement in a diverse age-class distribution, if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, and if upland watershed


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


conditions are not contributing to riparian degradation (i.e. from road surface drainage and upstream crossings from vehicles and ATVs.

Sage Cr/ Howe


Highly Variable/ B/G4/5

Stocking rate will be reduced by 18 percent within pasture.

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years upon full implementation of the decision, the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is static to upward due to recent management changes in the late 1990s. A significant flood event occurred in late May/early June of 2011; due to excessive spring rain that saturated soils and multiple, long duration rain on snow events. Upland species are more prevalent at bank edge and adjacent floodplain than in campground. Private land upstream is heavily grazed with significant loss of bank vegetation and stability resulting in bank erosion throughout. This reach may have downcut over the decades due to loss of beaver, heavy historical grazing, loss of woody species including aspen/cottonwood. Portions of the channel are incised which may limit suitability for rush/sedge species. The monitoring objective is to determine whether reach conditions are improving following degradation from past upland watershed management. Following the flood, there was excessive flood plain deposition from upstream sources on private lands from bank erosion, road surface drainage, and blown out crossings. Deposition was observed to be aggrading the flood plain which may in turn increase channel entrenchment and reduce floodwater access to floodplains. Another monitoring objective is to determine if there is improvement in diverse age-class distribution of riparian vegetation.

Sage Cr/ Lower Sage


Highly Variable/ B/G4/5

Area will be closed to grazing by construction of proposed 0.50 mile Sage Creek Exclosure Fence.



Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Sage Cr/ Lower Sage


Very High to High/

G3/4

Area will be closed to grazing by construction of proposed 0.50 mile Sage Creek Exclosure Fence.


Sage Cr/ S16 0.12 FAR Highly Area will be closed to grazing by construction of The Selected Alternative 3 excludes livestock from this reach. Compliance


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Lower Sage (Lotic) Variable/ B/G/D

proposed 0.50 mile Sage Creek Exclosure Fence.

monitoring will be conducted to ensure fences are being maintained.

Red Butte Allotment

Mitigation Applicable to all Red Butte Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • A 23% decrease from the capacity of Red Butte (10% drought reserve plus 13% additional decrease to be

conservative on newly acquired lands with no pervious livestock use data) is incorporated into the number of AUMs that will not be exceeded; this will likely equate to actual grazing utilization levels in key areas being much less than the maximum allowable levels given the methods used to determine AUM capacity.


• All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 6 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time every year; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual condition

Monitoring Applicable to all Red Butte Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded. Streambank disturbance protocol will be conducted on stream types most sensitive to hoof impacts which includes Rosgen types E, B4, and B5 in order to assess if the prescribed stocking rate, limiting a duration to no more than 30 days, and the actual utilzation levels are compatible with the goal of not exceeding streambank disturbance level of 30% using R1 Streambank Disturbance Protocol (2006). Routine compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure that fences that exclude livestock from sites S03 and S04 are maintained. The North Fork unit will have one long-term channel morphology and vegetation trend transect established (GNF Riparian Long-Term Trend Protocol, 2013) and one long-term trend photo point (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) established as futher detailed below.

Red Butte/ North Fork^

S02 (Low Flow

Spring 0.29 FAR/N

F n/a The proposed North Fork stock tank will be constructed on upland to draw livestock away from stream reach

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established in the mid to upper portion of the reach where FAR/NF conditions exist. Within 4-7 years upon full implementation of the decision, the


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Fed)

photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is static. This riparian system has a mix of lotic and lentic characteristics. Lotic characteristics include linear gradients sufficient to produce flowing water, sinuosity (at least for the valley bottom), and potential for infrequent flash flood events. However, unlike higher elevation, snowmelt dominated stream systems with large drainage areas, the low discharge, spring dominated flow regime of this system does not produce a significant annual spike in the hydrograph and may be more representative of lentic systems. Due to the lack of significant annual bankfull flows, channel characteristics are not well defined along most or all of this reach. Thus, the function of riparian vegetation in stabilizing streambanks under annual peakflow events is reduced, although still important for infrequent flash flood events. Drainage area is small and potential to develop annual high magnitude peakflow events from snowmelt runoff is limited. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if riparian is widening, and if surface or subsurface flow patterns are being altered by disturbance of hoof action.



Highly Variable/ E/B3/4/5

Majority of stream reach is closed to grazing by proposed 0.63 mile North Fork Drift Fence (the remaining 0.1 mile portion of stream reach is on the proposed Red Butte Allotment near the confluence of reach S02.. The proposed North Fork stock tank will be constructed on upland to draw livestock away from stream reach.

The majority of the reach is fenced to exclude livestock. However, a short 0.2 mile segment is still accessible to livestock. Streambank alteration monitoring on the E or B4/5 portion of the reach will be conducted where the goal is to not exceed 30% annual bank alteration. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect will be established on the accessible portion of the reach (near the confluence with S02). Within 4-7 years after full implementation of the decision the transects will be re-read. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apparent trend is upward due to recent rest from land purchase. There is bank trampling throughout, but is not continuous or excessive. There is a lot of old blowdown and some steep slopes which limits access by livestock. Current channel type is similar to potential. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there has been improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if riparian is widening, and if surface or subsurface flow patterns are being altered by hoof disturbance.


S04 (Low Flow

Spring Fed)

0.15 NF n/a

Exclude livestock from spring and short stream reach area by constructing proposed 0.14 mile North Fork Spring Exclosure Fence and piping water out of the stream channel to the adjoining upland stock tank. Construct proposed North Fork stock tank on upland to draw livestock away from stream reach.



Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type



Two long-term trend methods will be used to evaluate a small representation of riparian areas that are properly functioning. One will be to document recovery after exclusion of livestock (Sage Creek S14) and one to evaluate livestock accessible area in Burnt Fork (BF06) as described in the Table below.

DN Appendix III Table 2. Mitigation and Monitoring Plan for Riparian Areas that are in Properly Functioning Condition

Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Burnt Fork Allotment

Mitigation Applicable to all Burnt Fork Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • Reduce stocking rate by 23 percent; • Reduce duration to minimize mechanical streambank impacts from livestock by not exceeding 30 days of

grazing in any one pasture; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 3 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution/clearing stock driveways • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual conditions.

Monitoring Applicable to all Burnt Fork Allotment PFC Riparian Areas

Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are maintained. The Northeast unit will have one long-term trend photo point (Hall, 2002,USDA Photo Point Monitoring Handbook) established as futher detailed below.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Burnt Fk/ Northeast BF06 PFC

Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend permanent photo point will be established. Within 4-7 years after establishment the photo point will be re-taken at the same time of year. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apprent trend is up due to reduced grazing pressure in recent years. Shrub dominated with sedge ground cover. Banks are fully vegetated. The monitoring objective is to determine if willow component is being maintained.

Hogan Creek On/Off Allotment

Mitigation Applicable to all Hogan Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • Reduce stocking rate by 36 percent; • Reduce duration to minimize mechanical streambank impacts from livestock by not exceeding 30 days of

grazing in any one pasture; • All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 3 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual conditions.

Monitoring Applicable to all Hogan Creek Allotment PFC Riparian Areas Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are maintained.

Rock Creek Allotment Mitigation Applicable to all Rock Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas


grazing in any one pasture;

Monitoring Applicable to all Rock Creek Allotment PFC Riparian Areas Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are maintained.


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


• All non-functioning riparian areas will be fenced to exclude livestock; • Utilization is not to exceed 55%-60%; • 4 pasture deferred rotation to avoid use of an area at the same time of year over time; • Grazing would not be authorized before range readiness • Improve livestock distribution by increased herding/mineral distribution • Permit provisions allow changes in authorized use based on annual condition • Potential for Allotment to become vacant and designated only for periodic use as a forage reserve.

Sage Creek Allotment Mitigation Applicable to all Sage Creek Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas

• A 10% drought reserve decrease from the capacity of Sage Creek is incorporated into the number of AUMs that will not be exceeded; this will likely equate to actual grazing utilization levels in key areas being much less than the maximum allowable levels given the methods used to determine AUM capacity.



Monitoring Applicable to all Sage Creek Allotment PFC Riparian Areas Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are maintained. A long-term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect (GNF, 2013, Long-term Trend Riparian Protocol) will be established as detailed below.

Sage Cr/ Howe

S14 (Lotic) PFC

The Selected Alternative 3 excludes livestock from this reach. Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure fences are being maintained. Within two years of the decision, a long-term trend channel morphology and vegetation transect will be established. Within 4-7 years after full implementation of the decision the transects will be re-read. Existing riparian data (project record) indicates that the apprent trend is up. A significant flood event occurred in late May/early June of 2011. Likely due to excessive spring rains that saturated soils and multiple, long duration rain on snow events. Flood flows were compounded along this reach due to an old rock dam (10-12’ high) that was totally breached during the flood event. Trend was downward as a result of the flood event, but now upward as the system recovers from the flood impacts. This reach is more resilient and should recover more rapidly than the reaches downstream. Upland species more prevalent at bank edge and adjacent floodplain than in campground. Private land upstream is heavily grazed with significant loss of bank vegetation and stability resulting in bank erosion throughout. This reach may have downcut over the decades due to loss of beaver, heavy historical grazing, loss of woody species including aspen/cottonwood. In addition, existing bedrock control on channel morphology is evident and also palyed an important role in the channel’s existing geomorphic state. The monitoring objective is to determine if if there is improvement in width/depth ratios of the channel, if riparian is widening, if there is improvement in a diverse age-class distribution of riparian vegetation, and if upland watershed is not contributing to riparian degradation.

Red Butte Allotment


Allotment /Pasture

Reach /Pond

ID Miles PFC

Rating Sensitivity/

Stream Type


Mitigation Applicable to all Red Butte Allotment NF and FAR Riparian Areas • A 23% decrease from the capacity of Red Butte (10% drought reserve plus 13% additionl decrease to be

conservative on newly acquired lands with no perviouw livestock use data) is incorporated into the number of AUMs that will not be exceeded; this will likely equate to actual grazing utilization levels in key areas being much less than the maximum allowable levels given the methods used to determine AUM capacity.



Monitoring Applicable to all Red Butte Allotment PFC Riparian Areas Compliance monitoring will be conducted to ensure maximum utilization levels are not exceeded and that fences and water developments are maintained.


If the annual grazing use indicator is met, current management will continue, including short and long-term monitoring as indicated in the Tables above. Long-term monitoring indicators are used to assess if management objectives for riparian resource conditions and values are being achieved. This data will be used over time to determine the effectiveness of annual grazing use indicators in achieving the desired conditions. If the desired condition objective is not being achieved, there is a need to change management and/or modify either the type or value of annual grazing use indicator being used. If the desired condition objective is achieved, it may be possible to modify either the value or type of annual grazing use indicator and still maintain the desired condition. An example would be relaxing the numerical value or changing the type of annual grazing use indicator being used.

If the grazing use exceeds the established annual grazing use maximum level, the Forest Service, in consultation with the permittee(s) and others as appropriate, would evaluate: 1) the potential cause for exceeding the standard, and 2) the significance of the excessive grazing use relative to its impact on the achievement of the desired resource conditions. It will be determined if the failure to meet the annual grazing use indicator was a unique occurrence or whether there is routine difficulty in meeting annual grazing use standards. A onetime occurrence due to unforeseen circumstances or a nonroutine occurrence may not be significant and may not require further evaluation or management adjustments. Routine difficulty in meeting the annual grazing use indicator may indicate the need for further evaluation and/or management adjustments.

If further evaluation is warranted, comparison of the current condition with the desired condition can be made. If there is a large departure between current conditions and desired resource conditions, management actions may be required to achieve the annual use indicator.

While the evaluation of current versus desired conditions should be made using of long term monitoring data, this information may not be available. In that case, the best available information would be used. A simple and rapid qualitative analysis to compare current conditions with desired conditions may be conducted. While long term trend and condition information is preferred, the lack of such information should not delay the evaluation of the current rangeland condition and needed management adjustments. Management adjustments should be temporary modifications until quantitative long-term condition and trend information is available to support permanent changes.

If the evaluation concludes that current conditions are close to desired resource conditions, then failure to achieve the annual grazing use indicator during that grazing season may not be significant in terms of achieving long-term objectives. In this case, management adjustments may not be necessary. Existing management and monitoring to achieve desired conditions would continue. The exception to this situation may be where available information indicates that the long term trend is negative, and management adjustments are needed.

If the evaluation concludes that there is a significant gap between current and desired conditions and there is no indication of a positive trend, then there is a need for management adjustments. If management adjustments are warranted, the Forest Service would develop actions in collaboration with the permittee(s) and others, as appropriate. The actions would be implemented through annual authorizations or operating instructions. Once management adjustments are developed and assigned, the Forest Service, in collaboration with permittee(s) and others, as appropriate, must assess if the management adjustments were implemented as designed during the following grazing period.

If the management adjustments were implemented by the permittee, then it would be determined whether these adjustments achieved the annual grazing use indicator during the following grazing period. If the management adjustments were effective in achieving the annual grazing use indicator, then management and monitoring would continue as planned. If they were not effective, then the Forest Service, in collaboration with permittee(s) and others, as appropriate, must determine what additional management actions are needed.

If the management adjustments were not implemented, the Forest Service would need to determine if the failure resulted from a design problem or changed condition, outside the control of the permittee. If the failure to implement management adjustments was outside the control of the permittee, the Forest Service and/or permittee would revisit the design or selection of the management adjustment.


If failure to implement the management adjustment was not related to the design or inability to implement the action by the permittee, the Forest Service would evaluate whether a Notice of Non-Compliance is warranted. If the resource manager determines that an administrative action is not warranted, additional changes in management direction should be considered.

If failure to implement management adjustments is an issue of permittee performance and compliance, then issue a Notice of Non-Compliance following direction at FSH 2209.13, Section 16.4.

DN Appendix III Figure 1. Annual Use Indicators Decision Tree

decision notice appendix ii i – mitigation and...

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