NEPA--Environmental Assessment

Proposed Action _________________________________
The proposed action is to continue to permit livestock grazing by incorporating adaptive
management strategies on eight active allotments (Deer Park, Elk Creek, Engine Creek/Deer Creek,
Eureka/California Gulch, Gladstone, Maggie Gulch, Picayne/Mineral Point, and Red Mountain), to
close four allotments (Little Molas/West Needles, Minnie Gulch, Needle Mountains, and West
Lime), and to convert two allotment to forage reserve status (Flume and Graysill). Also included in
the proposed action are specific actions included in Site-Specific Design Criteria, and other general
Design Criteria as described in Chapter 2.
Adaptive Management is defined as, “The process of making use of monitoring information to
determine if management changes are needed, and if so, what changes, and to what degree,”
(Quimby 2006). The proposed action is designed to meet or move toward desired conditions in
rangeland health, vegetation, and watershed conditions relative to livestock grazing within the
landscape, and is designed to meet Forest Plan/RMP direction, standards, and guidelines.
Chapter 2 presents a more detailed description of the proposed action on p.28.
Decision Framework ______________________________
Given the purpose and need, the deciding official reviews the proposed action and the other
alternatives in order to make the following decisions:
1. Will livestock grazing proceed as proposed, as modified, or not at all – on all or part of the
Silverton Landscape? The Silverton Watershed Allotment is within the physical boundaries
of the project area, but has previously been closed to grazing and is not being re-considered
for grazing in this analysis.
2. If livestock grazing proceeds: Where will on-the-ground activities occur, and what types of
associated activities will occur?
3. What mitigation measures or design criteria and monitoring requirements will the FS/BLM
apply to the project?
4. If Adaptive Management is chosen, how will monitoring be used to guide when adaptive
options will be activated?
The responsible official may choose an alternative in its entirety, may modify an alternative, or may
craft a decision merging specific components from different alternatives.
Public Involvement _______________________________
The proposal was listed in the San Juan Public Lands Quarterly Schedule of Proposed Actions
beginning in January 2009, which was available on-line and through quarterly mailings. Two
permittee scoping meetings were held on January 30, 2009 and March 19, 2009 for those who hold
livestock grazing permits on this landscape. The proposal was also provided to the public and other
agencies for comment during scoping beginning in February 2009, through a scoping letter and press
release and which resulted in newspaper articles. In addition, as part of the public involvement
process, the Forest Service sent notification to area Tribes, Chapter Houses, and Pueblos.
Written scoping responses were received from 24 sources. Using the comments and concerns from
the public, organized groups, other agencies, and internal specialists, the interdisciplinary team
developed a list of issues to address in this analysis.
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