WRAC and TPFR Background and Current Status

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1 WRAC and TPFR Background and Current Status Compiled by Chad Hayward, Big Piney BTNF Range Program Manager and Jill Randall, Pinedale WGFD Habitat Biologist Wyoming Range Allotment Complex (WRAC) Background On September 1, 2004 Bridger Teton National Forest (BTNF) signed a Record of Decision (ROD) for a FEIS authorizing closure of four allotments (Pickle Pass, Grizzly Cr, Corral Cr and Upper Greyback/Phosphate) due to overlap with big horn sheep Core Area. This decision also removed three additional allotments from scheduled use (Mule Cr, N. Horse Cr and Prospect Peak) and placed them in vacant forage reserve status in the event that the current permittee were to ever waive his permit back to the BTNF without preference. Prior to 2005 grazing season, Bill Tallaiferro did waive his permit on all seven allotments back to BTNF without preference, allowing for the creation of the WRAC Forage Reserve. The WRAC ROD is available for details of this action. Also see the map at the end of this document identifying these allotments and current monitoring locations. Vegetation Monitoring Requirements According to the ROD, to address watershed objectives (ground cover) and vegetation concerns Mule Cr, N. Horse Cr and Prospect allotments will remain vacant until the following conditions are met: 1) 80% ground cover or greater, and 2) 5% canopy cover for one of five identified key species in tall forb communities: Sticky geranium (Geranium visossimum), Fernleaf liqusticum (Liqusticum filicnum), Single flowered sunflower (Helianthella uniflora), Tobacco root (Valeriana edulis) and Mountain brome (Bromus carinatus). These conditions need to be met on all study sites in the forage reserve prior to the forage reserve being made available because all allotments would be required to run sheep for one season. Due to the slow nature of change in tall forb communities, all established long-term trend monitoring points will be monitored cooperatively on 5-year intervals in the potential forage reserve allotments and on 10-year intervals in the closed allotments. Once conditions allow for use of the forage reserve, it will be made available to current BTNF sheep permittees to accommodate permitted use if a prescribed fire, wildfire or other resource concerns require alternative pasture. D2-38 Mule Cr. Monitoring Point, monitored in

2 Current Monitoring Conditions Wyoming Range Allotment Complex Allotment Site Name Year % Ground Cover Upper Greyback* D % % % Grizzly Cr* D % % Pickle Pass* D % % Corral Cr* D % % % % Mule Cr D % % % Mule Cr D % % % % N. Horse Cr D % % % % % N Horse Cr D % % % Prospect Peak D % % % % * BH Sheep Closure 2

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4 Triple Peak Forage Reserve (TPFR) Background On September 14, 2006 BTNF created Triple Peak Forage Reserve by closing five allotments (North Piney, Bare Mountain, Triple Peak, South Fork Sheep Cr and Martin Cr) to scheduled use. This was possible due to a buyout of Jim Magagna s permits on September 21, 2006, spearheaded by Trout Unlimited. Future management direction for this forage reserve is outlined in an Allotment Management Plan. Within the TPFR, the 5,115 acres of Lake Creek drainage will have a primary management objective to benefit Colorado River cutthroat trout. Additionally, lands over 9700 foot elevation are not currently available for use as a forage reserve and must meet vegetation monitoring requirements prior to their availability. Other lands in the TPFR are currently available to other BTNF permittees who need to find alternate pasture for one band of sheep due to wildfire, prescribed fire or other resource concerns for no more than 3 out of 10 years. Vegetation Monitoring Requirements Watershed objectives (ground cover) and vegetation requirements are in place for lands over 9700 elevation in order to expedite recovery. These areas will remain vacant until the following conditions are met: 1) 80% ground cover or greater and 2) 5% canopy cover for one of five identified key species in tall forb communities: Sticky geranium (Geranium visossimum), Fernleaf liqusticum (Liqusticum filicnum), Single flowered sunflower (Helianthella uniflora), Tobacco root (Valeriana edulis) and Mountain brome (Bromus carinatus). These conditions need to be met on all study sites within each allotment prior to the AMUs over 9700 being made available. Condition and trend data will be collected from each monitoring site at a minimum 5-year cycle until all monitoring points reach the ground cover and species composition requirements. D2-51 Bare Mtn. Monitoring Point, monitored in 2013 D2-52 Triple Peak Monitoring Point, monitored in

5 Triple Peak Forage Reserve Allotment Site Name Year % Ground Cover N. Piney Cr D % % % % % Bare Mtn D % % % % % Bare Mtn D % % Bare Mtn* D2-Menace % % Triple Peak D % % % Triple Peak D % % S. Fork Sheep Cr D3-TPFR % % * Over 9700 ft 5

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7 2018 Monitoring Locations 7