NEPA--Environmental Assessment

Depending on the alternative selected, the applicable design criteria become a part of the projectlevel
decision and the resultant Allotment Management Plans. The list of design criteria has been
organized into logical categories. Each bullet statement applies to a specific action alternative as
indicated by an “x” in the far right columns.
Table 2-1. Project Design Criteria for General Management
of Permitted Domestic Sheep
Alternative
Livestock Herding* 2 3
Livestock will be herded using the “open herding system” and distributed across the allotment(s) in order
to achieve proper grazing utilization of key forage species. (1.1)
x x
Repeated trailing by sheep across areas is to be avoided. (1.2) x
The “close herding” of sheep and the driving of bands to camp during the noon hour or at night are
prohibited. (1.3)
x x
Move sheep to a new grazing area every 5-7 days. (1.4) x
Snow bank areas will be avoided until they are dry enough to prevent livestock trampling impacts. (1.5) x x
Permittees will spend as much time as needed to move livestock away from areas of concern (meadows,
riparian areas, key areas, and so forth) and into areas of normally light use, provided that such herding
does not result in increased potential for contact. This benefits permittees since it allows livestock to
make use of forage that otherwise will not be grazed before allowable use standards are met in the key
areas and the livestock are required to be removed from a pasture. (1.6)
Livestock grazing will be managed in riparian areas and willow carrs (a wetland willow thicket) to
maintain or achieve mid-seral or higher condition to provide cover and forage for prey species within
Canada lynx habitat (from Ruediger et al. 2000). (1.7)
Livestock will be moved away from water sources after animals have finished drinking. The sheep will
not be trailed to and from water. (1.8)
All trailing on federal land for ingress and egress to the permitted allotment will be within the period of
use specified in the permit. (1.9)
Livestock grazing systems will be designed to maximize the opportunity for plant regrowth and recovery,
by focusing on the frequency of defoliation, the intensity of defoliation, and the timing and duration of
livestock use. (1.10)
Grazing schedules will be developed so that areas are used at different times of the year if at all
possible. Grazing schedules will be developed in the Annual Operating Instructions based on the
Grazing Response Index and/or an evaluation of grazing and trailing from the previous season and the
resource conditions of the current season. Negative GRI scores are to be avoided and will be corrected
by changing any or all of the following: the season of use, allowable use standard, residual stubble
height, stocking rate, timing of livestock use. (1.11)
x x
x x
x
x x
x
x
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