NEPA--Environmental Assessment

Gladstone Allotment
This allotment is administered by the Bureau of Land Management. It is located directly north of
Silverton, Colorado. Gladstone Allotment occurs at the head waters of Cement Creek. Elevations
on the allotment vary from 9,400 feet to just over 13,400 feet. This allotment contains about 12,000
acres, of which about 4,300 acres are private land consists mainly of mining claims. The terrain
consists of high ridges and steep slopes with canyons throughout rugged mountains. The cover type
on the allotment consists of subalpine vegetation with Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir plant
communities, mountain meadows, and alpine meadows dominated by numerous grasses and forbs.
In the past, a lot of mining activity occurred on the private land within this allotment. This also a
popular area for summer recreation and winter sports.
The records available do not provide historical use of this allotment. According to Actual Use
Forms that start in 1969, this allotment was grazed by one band of 884 to 1,000 sheep through 1996.
Records are missing from 1997 to 2002. Starting in at least 2003, 700 yearling ewes have been
permitted to graze Gladstone Allotment. In 1993, the current Gladstone Allotment boundary was
created to include Cement Creek that was formally part of the U.S. Basin Allotment. This boundary
adjustment allowed for more evenly distribution of grazing between the two allotments by two bands
of sheep. Currently, one band of 924 ewes with lambs are permitted on the Gladstone Allotment.
This often stocked with yearling ewes without lambs. The permitted sheep access the Gladstone
allotment by being trucked to Hancock Gulch and from corrals near the top of Red Mountain Pass.
Graysill Allotment
This allotment is located on the northwest portion of the analysis area about 30 miles north of
Durango, Colorado. Elevations vary from 10,260 to 12,500 feet. This allotment contains about
2,400 acres all on National Forest land. The cover type on the allotment consists of grassy mountain
meadows, mixed timber containing Engelmann spruce, subalpine fir, white fir, aspen, and alpine
meadows dominated by numerous grasses and forbs.
The Graysill Allotment has been used for sheep grazing since the settlement of the Animas River
Valley in the 1880’s. It had been grazed heavily and managed poorly during its early use. Records
only date back to 1940. Historically, Graysill and Corral Draw Allotments (now part of Upper
Hermosa Allotment) allotments were grazed conjointly until Corral Draw began stocking cattle.
Stocking rates of 1,800 head of sheep grazed Graysill and Corral Draw in 1940. During 1941
through 1943, grazing seasons the numbers were reduced to 1,400 head. The numbers were reduced
to 900 sheep in 1944 and 1945. During the 1946 and 1947 seasons, 800 head were permitted on the
allotments. The numbers decreased again to 750 head in 1948 through 1958. In 1959, the numbers
were increased to 900 head until the allotment became vacant. The grazing season for the Graysill
Allotment was from July 1 st through September 20 th . Graysill has been vacant since 1966. The
permitted sheep access the Graysill allotment by trailing along US Hwy 550.
Little Molas/West Needles Allotment
This allotment is located directly south of Silverton, Colorado. Elevations vary from 8,275 to
13,400 feet. This allotment contains about 2,500 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land
Management, and 19,871 acres are managed by the Forest Service; 12,201 acres are within the
Weminuche Wilderness. Another approximately 800 acres of the allotment is private land. The
terrain consists from rolling hills to high ridges and steep slopes with canyons throughout the rugged
mountains. The cover type on the allotment consists of mixed timber containing Engelmann spruce,
subalpine fir, and aspen, mountain meadows, and alpine meadows dominated by numerous grasses
and forbs.
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