Background
The Owyhee Canyonlands, located in southwestern Idaho, are an ecologically significant area within the Columbia River Basin. A recently completed scientific assessment identified the Owyhee Canyonlands as part of the largest block of intact shrub steppe habitat within the entire Columbia River Basin (Quigley et al. 1996). To provide a base for conservation work in this area of national significance, The Nature Conservancy of Idaho purchased the 45 Ranch in November 1996. The ranch includes 240 acres of deeded land and nearly 70,000 acres of adjacent public lands grazing allotment.
There is no Bureau of Land Management grazing plan, or allotment management plan for the 45 Ranch public lands allotment. The current season-of-use is March 1 to February 28. In the draft Resource Management Plan for the Owyhee Resource Area the BLM proposed a stocking rate reduction of 63% for the 45 Ranch allotment (BLM -Lower Snake River District 1996). A rangeland inventory conducted by the BLM on the allotment determined the animal unit months (AUMs) available for livestock use. The AUM numbers are as follows:
Active Preference 5yr. Avg. Alt. C from draft Owyhee RMP
2217 2106 832
Further, the draft RMP classified the ecological condition of the allotment into the following ecological condition ratings:
- 20% early seral (poor)
- 55% mid seral (fair)
- 25% late seral (good)
The draft RMP also reported that a fish habitat inventory determined that 91% of the streams surveyed within the resource area were found to be in unsatisfactory condition, and all stream reaches along the South Fork Owyhee River were reported to be in unsatisfactory condition.
Goals
The goal of TNC is to work collaboratively with our lessee and other partners to improve the ecological condition of the uplands and the riparian zones on the 45 Ranch allotment through improved livestock management.
Our specific ecological goals include:
- The protection and enhancement of the population of California bighorn sheep located within and adjacent to the 45 Ranch allotment.
- Improving the mid seral portions of the allotment that are considered "fair" and moving them into late seral, or good condition, resulting in 80% of the allotment in"good" condition.
- Improving the condition of the riparian and wetland habitat located throughout the allotment by moving all riparian habitat areas to a late seral, or good condition.
Process
After evaluating and discussing various collaborative efforts, including the Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) process we have determined the following process will more quickly move us towards our stated goals:
- We propose to utilize a small team of interested and motivated parties to develop and propose modifications to the existing grazing program that would help us achieve these goals.
- The modifications that might be discussed include, but are not limited to, such issues as the timing, location and rotation of livestock through the allotment.
- We propose to implement these modifications as soon as it's deemed feasible, but no later than spring 1999.
- We propose to monitor the effects of these changes to the grazing program to document their effect, either positive or negative, on furthering our ecological goals. The monitoring program will begin with a thorough riparian habitat inventory during 1998.
- After the monitoring has indicated the modifications to the grazing program are moving us closer to our goals, we propose to submit to the BLM a grazing plan for implementation on the 45 allotment that incorporates these modifications. We recognize that proposing a change in the allotment management will initiate a broader public involvement process. We may re-evaluate the need for a CRM process at this time.
- Ideally the proposed grazing plan would be approved by the BLM prior to the end of the two year "grace period,' that follows finalization of the RMP.
Proposed 45 Ranch Collaborative Team
- Trish Klahr, The Nature Conservancy
- Lester and Leona Hatch, lessees
- Glenn Secrist, Idaho Department of Agriculture
- Linda Hestag, consultant, Idaho Roundtables
- Herb Meyer, Foundation for North American Wild Sheep
- Pat Kane, Bureau of Land Management
References
BLM-Lower Snake River District. 1996. Draft Ovvyhee Resource Management Plan and draft Environmental Impact Statement. Boise Field Office, Boise, ID. Volume 1(of 3).
Quigley,T.M., R.W. Haynes, and R. T. Graham. 1996. Integrated Scientific Assessment for Ecosystem Management in the Interior Columbia Basin and portions of the Klamath and Great Basins. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR 303pp. |
