LARRY D. COSPER Black Range District Ranger cc: Teresa Smergut, Lisa Mizuno. Forest Service

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1 United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Black Range Ranger District Voice: FAX: N. Date Street Truth or Consequences, NM Internet: File Code: Date: February 6, 2013 Dear Gila National Forest Stakeholder: Attached for your review and comments is the Proposed Action for the Environmental Analysis (EA) for the V+T Allotment. The document outlines the purpose and need, and the proposed action. Your comments will help us move forward to the next stage of the NEPA, process which will aid in identifying potential environmental issues the Forest Service may not be aware of, in relation to grazing activities on the V+T Allotment. Please have your comments submitted no later than March 8, Those who respond to this letter will continue to receive project mailings. If you do not wish to receive additional mailings regarding this project, you may simply disregard this letter and your name will be removed from this projects mailing list. In the event you would like to stay informed about this project, but have no comments at this time, simply respond requesting to be kept on the mailing list for further information regarding this project. Responses to this letter will be considered in the final analysis and will become a part of the project record. The project record will be available for public review through a formal request. Comments may be submitted by mail or facsimile to Larry Cosper, District Ranger, Black Range Ranger District, 1804 North Date Street, Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, 87901; phone (575) , fax (575) Comments may also be submitted by in word (.doc), rich text format (.rtf), text (.txt), and hypertext markup language (.html) to the following address: comments-southwestern-gila-black-range@fs.fed.us. Comments may also be hand delivered weekdays 8:00am to 4:30 pm at the above address. Each individual or representative from each organization submitting comments must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request. Comments submitted anonymously will be accepted and considered; however, those who submit anonymous comments will not have appeal standing to appeal the subsequent decision under 36 CFR Part 215. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Sean Brown, District Range Staff, at Sincerely, LARRY D. COSPER Black Range District Ranger cc: Teresa Smergut, Lisa Mizuno Caring for the Land and Serving People Printed on Recycled Paper

2 Purpose & Need: The purpose and need for the V+T Allotment Environmental Assessment is to authorize livestock grazing in a manner consistent with the Gila National Forest Plan (GNFP) and other applicable laws and regulations and to provide long-term management direction on grazing through an Allotment Management Plan (AMP). This action is needed, because on April 15, 2011, the U.S. Forest Service entered into a Settlement Agreement that stated the Gila National Forest, Black Range Ranger District, would prepare and complete a new NEPA analysis for the V+T Allotment by September 30, Proposed Action: The Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest, proposes to authorize grazing on the V+T Allotment under an adaptive management strategy. The following terms and conditions define the limits for the numbers, duration, intensity, frequency and timing of grazing. Numbers and Duration: Permit grazing for up to 1,030 cow/calf pairs (9524 AUM s per year) from March 1 to April 15 and September 15 to February 28, for up to seven months or 2,249 (9,446 AUM s per year) yearlings for six months from April 20 to October 20. The proposed action will incorporate management flexibility by providing a range of allowable numbers (0 1,030 cow/calf or 0-2,249 yearling) that reflects variations in resource conditions and management objectives over time. Within this range, annual authorized livestock numbers will be specified in annual operating provisions. Intensity: Set herbaceous forage utilization at a conservative use level, approximately 31 to 40 percent utilization (Holechek et al ), including wildlife use, throughout all areas. In addition, 25% use level would be established on riparian herbaceous and woody species promoting riparian areas to move more towards their potential. Currently there are no known riparian areas within the project area. Frequency and Timing: The current grazing system consisting of an eight pasture, annually-deferred rest-rotation grazing system is used to maintain and improve range and watershed conditions. The new grazing system would split two pastures into smaller more manageable units resulting in 10 pastures. This grazing system is designed to provide adequate rest and recovery periods for desirable forage plants vigor and reproduction. o Herd movements would be determined by utilization levels, forage conditions and water availability and would be specified in annual operating instructions. Timing of pasture moves would be dictated by amount of available forage, grazing intensity, availability of water, and management objectives specified in an allotment management plan. In order to meet the resource objectives for the allotment it would be necessary to monitor grazing intensity while livestock are present in each pasture. The best pasture system may involve turning on (or shutting off) watering points in grazed (deferred or rested) pastures. Cattle learn within a year to follow active watering points. According to Howery et al, when localized heavy grazing around watering points was controlled, perennial grass 1 Holecheck, J.L., H. Gomez, F. Molinar, and D. Galt Grazing studies: what we ve learned. Rangelands 21(2), 5 pg.

3 forage production nearly doubled with the best pasture system compared to continuous grazing. 2 o When utilization standards are met or there are indications that livestock are concentrating in any part of a pasture or on special sensitive areas, action would be taken to reduce the potential impacts by moving the livestock to other portions of the pasture or to another pasture on the allotment or removed from the allotment. Livestock Management: A new allotment management plan (AMP) would be developed. The plan will include mitigation measures and Best Management Practices to avoid or minimize effects to wildlife, soil and water quality. Monitoring of forage availability and utilization, range readiness and resource conditions will be used to determine whether management is being properly implemented and whether the actions are effective at achieving or moving toward desired conditions. o Provide supplement for livestock as follows (to strategically manage livestock distribution and forage use): Locate supplement sites 0.25 mile or more from waters except where prior written approval has been obtained from District Ranger for each grazing season. Place supplements where forage is abundant and current grazing use levels are low. Supplements should not be placed at any one location more than once during the grazing season to prevent the concentration of livestock. Limit supplement types to salt, protein, and mineral blocks to reduce risk of spreading noxious weeds and to reduce the risk of creating areas of concentrated livestock use. If there is a need to use energy supplements such as grain, hay, surplus milk products, ethanol production by-products or molasses based products; a supplemental plan will need to be developed and approved by the District Ranger prior to placing these energy type supplements on National Forest lands. o o Restore all current range infrastructures, such as fences and waters, to good condition where needed and continue to maintain the current infrastructure that is currently in good condition. Ensure all future range fence reconstruction will be designed to be wildlife friendly including appropriate installation of elk crossings, use of smooth bottom wire, standard spacing to prevent entrapment, maximum height limits, and locations. 2 Howery, Larry D., Sprinkle, James E., and Bowns, James F A Summary of Livestock Grazing Systems Used on Western Rangelands in the Western United States and Canada. The University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Report # AZ1184.

4 Current Concerns Lack of reliable water: Historically the V+T Allotment has had water issues associated with grazing. The issue is the lack of reliable water sources. A number of dirt tanks across the allotment, which fill during monsoonal rains, tend to dry quickly. The lack of water decreases the permittee s ability to distribute livestock effectively. A more permanent source of water is necessary to aid in livestock distribution and increases flexibility in the grazing rotation. Potential wolf interaction with livestock: There have been a number of wolf interactions on the Black Range Ranger District since their re-introduction. The interactions will be described in more detail in the wildlife specialist report. Because wolves are carnivores, a certain amount of interaction with livestock is expected. The primary concern for the wolf recovery is when the pack is denning and livestock depredation is more common during this critical period. When the pack is denning the hunting area is limited; therefore, if the livestock are in a pasture close to the denning site, wolf interaction with livestock is likely to increase. Maintaining flexibility while grazing will reduce conflicts and interactions between livestock operators and wolves by allowing the livestock operators the opportunity to move livestock to another pasture away from the den location resulting in decreased interaction between wolves and livestock operations. Forest and Corduroy Pastures are large and difficult to manage: Forest and Corduroy Pastures are large and difficult to manage. Construction of a fence line splitting each pasture into two smaller more manageable pastures would aid in improving livestock distribution and potentially decreasing interactions with wolves during the denning season. Drought: The arid southwest has been in drought conditions for a number of years. The adaptive management strategy allows the flexibility in management to adjust and respond properly to the drier conditions. Roads: The lack of maintenance on existing two track roads on the V+T allotment is the largest contributor to erosion and soil loss. A number of roads lack water bars and ditches. As a result the roads turn to gullies. As the road deteriorates members of the public often start a new road segment within close proximity, compounding this issue. The Gila National Forest is currently analyzing existing road structure through an EIS. Roads will not be analyzed in this EA. Proposed Improvements: The following proposed range improvements were developed in cooperation with the V+T permittee. The purpose of the improvements is to facilitate improved distribution, improve gathering and moving between pastures, and decrease the opportunity for negative interactions with wolves.

5 Wahoo Pasture: o Construct two small holding corrals at key locations in the pasture. The purpose of the corrals is to temporarily hold livestock and increase efficiency in herding. o Drill a well or pipe water from a well on private property to Stone Peak to a storage unit (8S 9W Sec19). Water will be gravity flowed from the storage tank to various drinkers. Water developments will provide permanent water and aid in livestock distribution. If the water is provided from a private well an agreement will have to be developed for future water use. o Raise Doagy Rock Header (existing improvement) 10 feet. Hardcastle Pasture: o Construct two small holding corrals at a key location in the pasture. The purpose of the corral is to temporarily hold livestock. o Construct a trap with a trigger encompassing an existing earthen stock tank. The trap and trigger will aid in gathering livestock. Boiler Pasture: o Construct two small holding corrals at key locations in the pasture. The purpose of the corrals is to temporarily hold livestock. o Construct a trap with a trigger encompassing an earthen stock tank. The trap and trigger will aid in gathering livestock. West Forest Pasture: o Construct two small holding corrals at a key location in the pasture. The purpose of the corral is to temporarily hold livestock. o Construct roughly 3.5 miles of fence to split West Forest pasture into two smaller more manageable units (see map). o Pipe water from Bear Canyon well on private property to storage (approx. 30,000 gal) at Indian Peak (approx. 4 miles of pipe). From the storage at Indian Peak gravity flow to various troughs to improve distribution in the pasture and provide permanent water (see map). An agreement will have to be developed for future water use should the private property be sold. o Pipe water from Mule Canyon well on private property to storage (approx. 30,000 gal) at the junction of FR4051I and FR944 (approx. 4 miles of pipe). From the storage at the junction of FR4051I and FR944 gravity flow to various troughs to improve distribution in the pasture and provide permanent water (see map). An agreement will have to be developed for future water use should the private property be sold. Corduroy Pasture: o Construct roughly 4 miles of fence to split Corduroy pasture into two smaller more manageable units (see map). o Construct two traps with a trigger encompassing an earthen stock tank. The trap and trigger will aid in gathering livestock

6 The trap and trigger will consist of a four strand barbed wire fence encompassing existing dirt tanks with a gate which can be set in a manner which will allow livestock to enter the trap and not exit (one way gate). The fence will be constructed to Forest Service specifications and will be wildlife friendly. Each trap and trigger will have a small corral adjacent. The corrals will have two small holding pens and a short lane to facilitate gathering and herding. The proposed fence in West Forest and Corduroy Pastures will split two large pastures into smaller more manageable pastures. The proposed water developments will supplement existing less reliable water sources to facilitate improved livestock distribution.

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