Resource Report. for Range. Ochoco East OHV Trail Environmental Impact Statement

Transcription

1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service June1, 2010 Resource Report for Range Ochoco East OHV Trail Environmental Impact Statement Lookout Mountain Ranger District Ochoco National Forest Crook County, Oregon Prepared by: Holly Myers 3160 NE Third Street Prineville, OR

2 General Project Description of Project Area The Ochoco East OHV Project Area is approximately 301,574 acres and is located on the Ochoco National Forest in Crook County and Wheeler County. Historically, and currently the trail area has been grazed by livestock (both sheep and cattle). The Project Area is located within portions of twenty-eight allotments and Wild Horse Management Area. Table 1.describes the 28 allotments adjacent to, and intersecting the project area. Twenty-five of the allotments are active allotments, one of which is a sheep allotment. Remaining active allotments are currently grazed by cattle. The Little Summit Allotment is comprised of private lands and lands administered by the United States Forest Service. The other allotments are administered solely by the United States Forest Service. Livestock grazing is permitted throughout the project area by both domestic cattle and sheep, which primarily utilize herbaceous vegetation. To facilitate the management of these allotments, water developments and fences have been constructed over the years. A majority of the water developments are associated with spring sources or stock ponds. Water developments benefit both wildlife and livestock. Invasive species occur in and adjacent to the project area, including Bureau of Land Management and private lands. The use of OHVs has provided for access to remote areas throughout the Ochoco National Forest, which increased the chance for dispersal of invasive species. All types of vehicles can carry weed seeds in the undercarriage, which can drop out during travel. For the purpose of discussing livestock grazing, all of the area located within the allotments will be included in discussion. History of Grazing on Allotments The project area has been grazed since the late 1800 s and early 1900 s by sheep, cattle, and horses with the main objective of providing forage for livestock. Only the Reservoir Allotment is grazed by sheep, however historically several allotments were grazed by sheep. Starting in the mid 1900 s allotments began to be converted to cattle allotments, mainly to benefit the economic standing. Grazing was used to remove herbaceous vegetation from tree plantations, utilization of introduced grass species and reduce fine fuels for fire consumption (2210 Range File, Burn Allotment). Records show that the Reservoir Allotment has always been grazed by sheep and wild horses. Allotment Information- Current Management The project area is made up of twenty-eight allotments. A deferred rotation grazing system has been used on most of the cattle allotments. A deferred rotation grazing system means to allow for a deferment for each pasture on a rotating basis (Holechek et al. 2004). Trailing and herders are used to manage the sheep allotment. See Table 1.for Allotment Information.

3 Table 1. Allotment Information Allotment Total Acres In Kind/Class Permitted Season of AUMs Acres Project Area Number Use Antler Cattle-cow/calf /16-09/ Badger 29,942 29,942 Cattle-cow/calf /21-09/30 2,248 Bearskull/Cottonwood 43,226 6,365 Closed 0 Big Summit 24,750 24,750 Cattle-cow/calf /16-09/30 1,883 Brush Creek 10,521 10,521 Cattle-cow/calf /01-09/ Buck Cattle-cow/calf 16 07/11-09/25 54 Burn 4,671 3,174 Cattle-cow/calf /15-08/ Crystal Springs 7,190 7,190 Cattle-cow/calf /17-08/ Deep Creek 17,577 17,577 Cattle-cow/calf /16-09/ Derr 12,474 12,474 Cattle-cow/calf /01-09/ Elkhorn 15,020 15,020 Cattle-cow/calf /30 1,340 Fox Canyon 13,007 13,007 Cattle-cow/calf /15-09/30 1,031 Gray Prairie 10,935 10,935 Cattle-cow/calf /15-09/30 1,544 Happy 18,624 18,624 Cattle-cow/calf /21-09/30 1,018 Indian Creek Cattle-cow/calf 30 07/15-09/ Little Summit 15,704 15,704 Cattle-cow/calf /21-09/ Lookout 2,625 2,345 Closed 0 Lost Horse 6, Cattle-cow/calf /16-09/ Marks Creek 10,542 10,542 Cattle-cow/calf /01-09/30 1,449 North Fork 6,034 6,034 Cattle-cow/calf /15-09/ Pisgah 5,079 5,079 Cattle-cow/calf /16-08/ Prairie Parcels (Shady Cr.) Cattle-cow/calf 22 05/01-06/15 45 Prairie Parcels (Brush) Cattle-cow/calf 22 07/15-10/15 89 Pringle 7, Cattle-cow/calf /21-09/ Reservoir 34,173 34,173 Sheep-ewe/lamb 2,200 06/16-09/30 2,354 Roba 18,266 18,266 Cattle-cow/calf /16-10/15 1,250 Rock Creek 6,428 6,428 Vacant 0 Snowshoe 2,710 2,710 Cattle-cow/calf /12-09/ Wolf Creek 42,231 23,901 Cattle-cow/calf /16-10/15 4,135 Information for pasture turn on dates, turn off dates and numbers were taken from the Grazing Permits at Lookout Mountain Ranger District and Paulina Ranger District. Cattle Allotments All cattle allotments in the project area range from 1 pasture allotments to 8 pasture allotments. Most allotments containing more than 1 pasture are on a deferred rotation. Grazing season varies from April 15 th to October 15 th. A combination of cow/calf pairs, yearlings, and bulls graze the landscape, with authorized AUMs per allotment. Range readiness criteria are required to be met prior to turn-on. See Appendix A for Range Readiness Criteria. Sheep Allotment- Reservoir The Reservoir allotment is not split into pastures, but is managed by the trailing of two bands of sheep. The permit authorizes 2,200 ewe/lamb pairs from June 16th through September 30 th, for a

4 total of 2,354 AUMs. There are two bands of sheep (each 1,100 pairs) that trail through the allotment; the Canyon Creek Band and Reservoir Band. Herders are with the sheep for the entire grazing season. Sheep are permitted to water at each location only once and only bed in each location only once. In the past actual turn-out dates and permitted numbers have been consistent with the permit. Range readiness criteria were always met prior to turn-out (2210 Range File, Reservoir Allotment, Inspection Notes). Wild Horses The Wild Horse Management Area falls within the same area as the Reservoir allotment and is managed for 55 to 65 animals. A wild horse is any untamed horse which resides in or has temporarily strayed from a recognized Wild Horse Territory. In 1975 a Wild Horse Management Plan and Environmental Assessment was developed for the Ochoco National Forest. The objective is, to provide protection, management and control of wild, free roaming horses in order that we might perpetuate a sound biological unit consistent with the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971 (2260 Range File, Ochoco Wild Horse Management). The plan states that the wild horse should be managed for 55 to 65 animals. If population numbers rise above 65 animals, methods of capture and control are utilized to keep a stable population. The wild horse herd does not fall within the Burn and Crystal Springs Allotments, however wild horses are commonly found in both. Wild horses have often resided in Hohn Springs pasture of the Burn Allotment and in the Coyle Creek pasture of the Crystal Springs Allotment. There are several factors that possibly contribute to the migration of wild horses out of the Herd Management Area (HMA). Key factors are fence maintenance, lack of winter range and offroad vehicles. Wild horses have been able to move out of the HMA by the means of unmaintained fence. Currently the HMA does not contain enough winter range to accommodate the herd and horses naturally move to lower elevations where winter range is accessible. These areas are typically outside of the HMA. Horses may be also moving to escape harassment from off-road vehicles, which are commonly used within the HMA. Information on wild horse data was taken from the Wild Horse File for the Herd Management Area, which is located on the Lookout Mountain Ranger District, Ochoco National Forest. Range Improvements- Cattle and Sheep Allotments Throughout the project area there are several range improvement including fences, water developments and exclosures. All range improvements help in keeping livestock distributed throughout the allotment. Permittees are responsible for pasture fence line, allotment boundary fence line and water developments. Permittees maintain fences prior to turn-out every year. Most exclosure maintenance belongs to the Forest Service. Several water developments have been recorded as needing maintained or placed in a different location for resource concern. See Table 5. for allotment and range improvement details that may be effected by proposed trails.

5 Existing Upland Range Condition The Ochoco East OHV Project Area are mainly comprised of dry mountain meadows, open mixed conifer stands, low/rigid sagebrush scab stringers and transitory rangeland consisting of ponderosa pine/fir/lodgepole timber types. Dominant grass species include: Kentucky bluegrass, elk sedge, tufted hairgrass, and brome spp. Dominant tree and shrub species include: ponderosa pine, big sagebrush and bitterbrush. Some areas are showing considerable encroachment from juniper. Condition and trend (C&T) studies have recently been evaluated in the Big Summit Allotment, Brush Creek Allotment, Burn Allotment, Crystal Springs Allotment, Deep Creek Allotment, Happy Allotment, Lost Horse Allotment, Reservoir Allotment and Roba Allotment. The majority of transects showed a fair to good forage rating. C&T studies completed in the Derr and North Fork Allotments showed poor forage ratings. See Table 2. for Summary of C&Ts. There has been a change in the upland forest vegetation within the analysis area due to several factors: livestock grazing, fire suppression, introduction of noxious plants, and decrease in timber harvest. The combination of these factors has lead to a decrease in upland forage production and transitory range (USDA FS 2008). Conifer encroachment is occurring in both aspen stands and meadows, resulting in a loss of both community types. Table 2. Summary of C & Ts in Ochoco East OHV Project Area Allotment Cluster Plant Association Ecological Status Trend Forage Condition Big Summit C & T 1 (CS) Stiff sagebrush/sandberg Mid/Early Static Excellent bluegrass C & T 1 (Donn) Stiff sagebrush/sandberg bluegrass Mid Static Good Brush Creek C & T 1 Moist Mountain Meadow Mid Down Poor C & T 2 Ponderosa pine/pinegrass Mid Upward Fair Burn C & T 1 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid NA Fair C & T 2 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid NA Fair C & T 3 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid NA Fair C & T 4 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid NA Fair C & T 5 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid NA Fair Crystal Springs C & T 1 Dry Mountain Meadow Mid Upward Fair Deep Creek C & T 1 Ponderosa pine/pinegrass Static Fair C & T 2 Stiff sagebrush/sandberg bluegrass NA Static Fair Derr C & T 1 Dry Mountain Meadow NA Upward Poor C & T 2 Stiff sagebrush/sandberg NA Upward Poor

6 bluegrass Little Summit C & T 1 C & T 2 Stiff sagebrush/sandberg bluegrass Low sage/sandberg bluegrass NA Static Poor NA Static Poor Lost Horse C & T 2 Wet Mountain Meadow Very Early Upward Fair North Fork C & T 3 Ponderosa pine/idaho fescue Early Not Very Poor apparent C & T 4 Low sagebrush/idaho fescue Early Static Poor *NA= Not Available; Analysis of the C&T plots for Happy Allotment and Roba Allotment were not broken out by plot site, but data summary from Westside EA from indicates that the upland vegetation is currently in fair to good condition with a slight upwards trend. Effects Analysis Direct/Indirect Effects: Effects Common to All Alternatives Livestock grazing would continue to occur within the Ochoco East OHV Project Area. Current stocking rates and management practices would remain the same. Wildhorse occupancy would continue to occur within the analysis area and a population would be managed for 55 to 65 horses. Table 3. Loss of Rangeland on for Forage by Alternative Acres No Action Proposed Action Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Vehicle I II II I II III I II III I II III Class Total Acres Total Vehicle Class: Class I- ATV (50 wide trail); Class II-Jeep or Small Truck (80 wide trail); Class III- Motorcycle (24 wide trail).

7 Table 4. Loss of Rangeland on for Forage by Alternative & Allotment Acres No Action Proposed Action Alternative 3 Alternative 4 Vehicle Class I II II I II III I II III I II III Badger Allotment Total Acres Bearskull/Cottonwood Allotment Total Acres Big Summit Allotment Total Acres Crystal Spring Allotment Total Acres Deep Creek Allotment Total Acres

8 Derr Allotment Total Acres Elkhorn Allotment Total Acres Happy Allotment Total Acres Little Summit Allotment Total Acres Marks Creek Allotment Total Acres Pisgah Allotment

9 Total Acres Reservoir Allotment Total Acres Roba Allotment Total Acres Rock Creek Allotment Total Acres Snowshoe Allotment Total Acres Wolf Creek Allotment Total Acres

10 Table 5. Identified Range Improvements that are Adjacent to, or Intersect the Trail Improvements No Action Proposed Action Alternative 3 Alternative 4 # of Troughs or Ponds # of Fence Crossings # of Corrals # of Cattle guards 0 Total 0 *Troughs indicated are at least within ¼ mile of trail. Effects to No Action. Under this alternative there would be no dedicated trail system for off-road motorized recreation. Current management plans would continue to guide management of the project area. Travel by non-highway legal vehicles would be permitted only on the existing trail system at Green Mountain and on roads identified as mixed-use on the Motor Vehicle User Map. Taking no action would leave range vegetation in its current trend and livestock distribution would remain the same in the uplands. There would be no loss of suitable range for the development of a trail system. There would be less opportunity for livestock-ohv (Off HighwayVehicle) interactions throughout the project area, which can benefit distribution of livestock. This could have positive impacts to permittees and their operation. Range improvements including troughs, ponds, exclosures and pasture fences would not be at risk of damage by trail user groups. Additional cattle-guards will not be needed. Effects to Action Alternatives: Direct and Indirect Effects Under these alternatives a system of trails and areas will be designated by class of vehicle and season of use. Trails will be designated in 25 active allotments. Rehabilitation or restoration activities will take place in previously damaged areas and interconnecting unauthorized or usercreated routes to promote recovery, and to prevent confusion about which routes are open and which are not. Non-motorized use would not be prohibited on proposed motorized trails. The proposed action and alternatives 3 and 4 would decrease available forage for livestock. The implementation of new routes would remove suitable range, which can be a source of forage

11 (See Table 3 and 4 for Loss of Forage in Acres). Livestock may be displaced by high use times on the trail system and distribution throughout the project area could also be negatively affected with the increase of ORH use in a localized area. If livestock distribution is decreased, localized areas in uplands and riparian areas may receive greater grazing utilization. The proximity of the trail to several livestock water developments may cause livestock to avoid the area when approached by OHV users. This will change the distribution of livestock and utilization patterns, which will require additional monitoring and potentially require a change in the existing Allotment Management Plan (AMP). Trail system routes will not go through the Herd Management Area (HMA), resulting in no decrease of available forage in the HMA for wildhorses. Direct and indirect effects under action alternatives are minimal for invasive species. Potential for noxious weed infestations will decrease with vehicle access restricted to designated areas. There will continue to be unauthorized use by users, which can potentially create in an increase in the spread of noxious weeds in rangelands if vehicles are not clean. The increase in weed festations can decrease native vegetation, which provides forage for livestock. Range improvements such as troughs, fences, water tanks, and cattle guards not only help manage livestock, but wildlife as well. A major concern with increased use on the trail system adjacent to range improvements is vandalism or user group conflicts. Improvements are used to disperse domestic livestock throughout the allotment. Design elements have been included into the Proposed Action to avoid or reduce the likelihood of damage to improvements. Livestock may avoid trail users entirely, or be harassed by OHVs, which could potentially lead to the destruction of fences or injury to livestock. Direct and indirect effects for administration of grazing permits should be minimal. Permittees that operate in the project area have been able to access range improvements for maintenance, spread salt, and check the herd for distribution. By restricting travel to designated routes only, permittees may have an increase in labor under this alternative due to the need to pack salt and access improvement by foot or horseback. Permitted off road travel to access range improvements may be authorized under certain conditions for range permittees, and will have to be planned ahead and authorized through the Line Officer. See Appendix B for Mitigations that Address Livestock Safety/Harassment Effects. Cumulative Effects to No Action There will be no cumulative effects associated with the proposed OHV trail and livestock grazing will occur under alternative 1 (No Action). By the nature of the no action alternative, the current authorized uses and impacts associated with those uses will not change (refer to the general project description).

12 Cumulative Effects to Action Alternatives Cumulative effects are a result from the potential of an increase in recreational use by ORV s on designated routes in the Ochoco East project area. The proximity of trail users to existing water developments may be expected to cause avoidance of these areas by livestock. Combining OHV use and livestock grazing on allotments may lead to increased livestock use in areas that are generally utilized less or not at all. Travel patterns of cattle may be altered and new cattle trails may be created, which will lead to new areas of soil compaction. Vegetation and forage species composition can be expected to change over time. Appendix A: Range Readiness

13 Range readiness is based on soil and vegetation readiness (USDA FS 1984). Because the season of use is the same for Alternatives 2, 3, and 4, the same range readiness definitions will be used. They are provided below. The actual season for livestock use may be less than permitted in order to meet Forest Plan goals and objectives/desired conditions. The number of days livestock spend on each allotment may be adjusted annually based on variations in weather and range readiness or unpredictable events such as wildfire and drought. The actual season of use may also be adjusted annually based on variations in weather and range readiness. The dates listed in each allotment description are target dates for grazing. The season of use may occur sooner or later than indicated based on annual conditions. The length of grazing also depends on meeting utilization standards. Range Readiness, Alternatives 2, 3 & 4 Range readiness criteria are as follows: Vegetation Sandberg bluegrass seed heads conspicuous or headed out. Idaho fescue leaves 3-5 inches in height or seed heads showing. Bluebunch wheatgrass should have 5-8 inches of leaves or seed stalks showing. Kentucky bluegrass should be headed out. Soil Dry sites should be fairly dry and firm. Wet meadows should have most of the area dry enough to withstand breaking the sod. Appendix B: Mitigations that Address Livestock Safety/Harassment Effects 1. Place cattle guards in place of gates where OHV trails cross existing pasture fences. 2. Increase distance of trail from water developments if trail is within 100 ft. of development. This will reduce the potential of collisions between livestock and off-road vehicles and the potential of vandalism to water developments and livestock. 3. Provide education literature about livestock management at staging areas. 4. If rangeland conditions change due to OHV pressure on livestock movement, DMAs (designated monitoring areas) should be moved to more representative areas if needed. 5. OHV use for maintaining grazing allotment improvements off the trail system will be by prior authorization as part of AOI (Annual Operating Instructions). This will be approved by the Line Officer.

14 Literature Cited Lookout Mountain Ranger District Range File-Burn Allotment Lookout Mountain Ranger District Range File- Reservoir Allotment Lookout Mountain Ranger District Range File, Ochoco Wild Horse Management USDA Forest Service Burn Allotment and Crystal Springs Allotment Resource Report for Range. Prineville, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.