NEPA--Environmental Assessment

egulated by fixed livestock numbers or seasons of use. It can be compared to a performance-based
contract that is written with specifications for the end results, rather than written with detailed
specifications on how to accomplish the job.
Under adaptive management, the proposed action is a set of specific initial actions that are chosen as
the starting point believed to best meet or move toward desired conditions in rangeland health,
vegetation composition and abundance, and watershed conditions relative to livestock grazing within
the landscape, and is designed to meet Forest Plan standards and guidelines. This initial course of
proposed action is described below:
The proposed action would reissue eight grazing permits on the following active allotments:, Deer
Park, Elk Creek, Engine Creek/Deer Creek Eureka/California Gulch, Gladstone, Maggie Gulch,
Picayne/Mineral Point, and Red Mountain.
Four vacant allotments would be closed to grazing; Little Molas/West Needles, Minnie Gulch,
Needles Mountains, and West Lime.
Two vacant allotments would be designated as forage reserves: Flume and Graysill.
Incorporate Design Criteria as described below.
Design Criteria for Alternative 3
Design Criteria Those design criteria as indicated in Tables 2-1 and 2-2 (p.29+) by an “x” in the
Alternative 3 column are included as part of Alternative 3. These criteria apply to all active
allotments across the landscape at all times.
Site-Specific Design Criteria for Alternative 3
The design criteria above are applicable to the entire project area. During 2008 field analysis, some
specific locations were identified as having a “need for change”. These sites were determined to
have a need for change if they do not currently meet the Desired Condition. See Figure 2-1.
Deer Park Allot
• Grazing rotations will be designed to minimize conflict with recreation use to the extent possible
in the following areas: Spencer Basin and Highland Mary Lakes, especially during high traffic
times, holiday weekends, wildflower season etc. (S-S.1)
• Reduce the time spent on the west side of the Highland Mary Lakes Basin – in order to do so,
make up more days on other areas of the allotment like Spencer Basin, Kendall Gulch, Deer
Park, and the area on the east side of the Highland Mary lakes. ( S-S.2)
• Move the allotment boundary with Elk Creek Allotment to the top of the basin east of Highland
Mary lakes so that the Deer Park band can use the east side of the lakes basin. (S-S.3)
• No bedding within ¼ mile of the lakes (S-S.4)
After 2-3 grazing seasons, re-visit the bed grounds. If still not in satisfactory condition:
• Change ingress/egress route to Kendall Gulch, improving rotation scheme. (S-S.5)
• And/or change the class of livestock to yearlings. (S-S.6)
After 2-3 more grazing seasons, re-visit the bed grounds, If still not in satisfactory condition:
• Remove the Highland Mary Lakes basin from grazing and reduce the total grazing season by
appropriate number of days. (S-S.7)
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