NEPA--Environmental Assessment
NEPA--Environmental Assessment
NEPA--Environmental Assessment
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Table 2-2. Project Design Criteria to minimize contact between Bighorn<br />
and Domestic Sheep<br />
Alternative<br />
Risk <strong>Assessment</strong>s (in the project record) 2 3<br />
High Risk Allotments<br />
Permitted domestic sheep and goat grazing will not be authorized within high risk areas of the allotment.<br />
In most instances, domestic sheep may still be authorized within the allotment but management will<br />
ensure routing and other design criteria to avoid the high risk areas. This can be accomplished through<br />
adaptive management tools. (2.1)<br />
Moderate Risk Allotments<br />
Permitted domestic sheep and goat grazing may be authorized. However, design criteria will still be<br />
implemented to strive to reduce the potential for contact even farther. (2.2)<br />
Low Risk Allotments<br />
Permitted domestic sheep and goat grazing may be authorized. Permitted domestic sheep grazing will<br />
be focused towards these areas. However, design criteria should still be implemented to strive to reduce<br />
the potential for contact even farther. (2.3)<br />
x<br />
Alternative<br />
Minimization of Threat of Disease Transmission 2 3<br />
Follow the response protocol for confirmed contact or threat of impending contact between permitted<br />
domestic sheep and bighorn:<br />
Permittee<br />
The permittee or their agent will contact the Columbine Ranger District/Field Office range personnel<br />
immediately if bighorn come into contact or there is a threat of impending contact with domestic sheep.<br />
Contact information as well as phone numbers will be included in the Annual Operating Instructions.<br />
(2.4)<br />
Permittees authorized to graze in areas rated as “Moderate Risk”, will require herders to carry and use a<br />
“SPOT satellite messenger” to allow for the immediate notification and location of domestic sheep and<br />
bighorn contact or impending contact due to unforeseen movements of the domestic sheep and/or<br />
bighorn. Information about the “SPOT” device is available at: http://www.findmespot.com/en/ (2.5)<br />
As an immediate response, the permittee and/or the herders will be authorized to haze bighorn that are<br />
threatening to make contact with domestic sheep. This will be accomplished through an agreement<br />
between the grazing permittee and the CDOW. The agreement will include circumstances requiring<br />
hazing response, appropriate type of hazing and reporting requirements. (2.6)<br />
Forest Service/BLM<br />
When informed about potential bighorn/domestic sheep contact, the FS/BLM will contact the permittee<br />
immediately notifying them of the situation. At this point, the FS/BLM and the permittee will implement<br />
other design criteria if needed to prevent or reduce the threat of impending contact. At this time an<br />
alternate plan of grazing for the remainder of the season, “flexible management” may be implemented to<br />
strive to prevent contact from occurring. Adjustments may be extended to upcoming seasons. (2.7)<br />
Concurrently, as contact or the threat of contact is made known, the FS/BLM will contact the CDOW<br />
(contact information will be provided to the FS and the permittee prior to the grazing season). Actions<br />
that the CDOW will take is at their discretion concerning wildlife health intervention and management of<br />
the bighorn. CDOW will inform the FS/BLM if the situation is rectified and discussion/planning will occur<br />
with the permittee to implement an alternate management strategy if needed. The CDOW may<br />
implement post contact monitoring. (2.8)<br />
x<br />
34