NEPA--Environmental Assessment

Silverton Grazing Risk Assessment
sheep individuals and populations using the upper Animas River Basin. Monitoring activities could
include coordinated ground counts, aerial counts, radio/GPS collars, etc. Implement a system for
immediate cross-agency sharing of bighorn sighting reports to keep all parties informed about bighorn
use of the upper Animas River Basin.
Annually, in conjunction with CDOW and the permittee, review the effectiveness of Design Criteria
implementation and new information such as recent bighorn sightings. Update the allotment Risk
Assessment if necessary, and make adjustments to upcoming grazing accordingly. These adjustments
may include adjacent BLM and/or USFS administrative units, depending on availability and feasibility.
Feasibility includes the permittees’ needs as well as the administrative availability of allotments on other
administrative units. Adjustments will be focused on reducing the risk of interactions if the risk has
increased to an unacceptable level.
Sheep and goat allotments with mapped overlap of bighorn summer range will be evaluated for closure
when/if permits are relinquished back to the FS/BLM.
Herding:
Alternative
Minimization of Threat of Disease Transmission 2 3
At least one herder is required to be with the sheep. The main flock will never be left unattended, except
at night, and short periods when the herder is accomplishing other tasks in the immediate area. A
herder must remain in the camp during the night.
Trailing of domestics will happen as much during the middle of the day to avoid bighorns as possible. In
certain areas this will not be possible due to conflicts with recreation users.
Sick or diseased domestic sheep and goats – pre turnout:
It is imperative that permittees maintain a high certainty of domestic animal health in their permitted
stock. Permittees/Herders will take appropriate measures to prevent turnout of sick or diseased domestic
sheep and goats on grazing allotments, on trailing routes, or in weed control or pack-stock situations. It
should also be recognized that “healthy-appearing” domestic sheep and goats may still carry pathogens
(harmless to them) that can be transmitted to wild sheep.
Sick or diseased domestic sheep and goats – post turnout:
Injured, sick or diseased livestock will not be left behind but will be removed or terminated and disposed
of according to the “Disposal of Dead Livestock” requirements above and in accordance with State
Statute. Sick or diseased animals will be removed or otherwise eliminated when identified.
Sick or diseased bighorn sheep:
Sick bighorn sheep or carcasses must be reported as soon as possible to the Columbine Ranger
District/Field Office range personnel. Agency personnel will then notify the CDOW as soon as possible.
Salting:
Every effort should be made to deny bighorn access and consequent attraction to the domestic sheep
salting activities. Leaving available salt or excess salt residue in the soil or on rocks or tubs presents a
salt source that may attract bighorn and may even train bighorn to follow the domestic sheep bands in
search of salt.
Blocks of salt will be allowed and, if used, will be kept with the domestic sheep at all times. Salt will not
be left behind when the domestic sheep are moved.
Salt or supplement will be placed only on rocky knolls, well-drained sites or in timber where excessive
trampling will not destroy plant growth. Salt or supplement will not be placed closer than ¼ mile to
streams, springs, water developments, or other wetlands without prior approval of the Agency Officer.
Salt or supplement will not be placed near trailheads, on open roads, in natural travel routes, passes,
parks, meadows, in areas of concentrated public use, or in other areas where such placement is liable to
result in conflicts with other public land users. Salt or supplement will not be placed within tree
regeneration areas where the smallest trees are less than three feet tall.
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D-27