Final environmental assessment and plan for the Arrow Creek, Upper River, Whiskey Ridge landscape : MT060-02-12

2004·24.8 MB·English

by  United States. Bureau of Land Management. Lewistown District

United States Department of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Lewistown Field Office April 2004
FINAL
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
AND PLAN FOR THE ARROW CREEK/UPPER RIVER/
WHISKEY RIDGE LANDSCAPE
MT060-02-12
HD
243
.M9
A77
2004
The Bureau ofLandManagement is responsibleforthe stewardshipofourpublic lands. It is committed to manage, protectand improvetheselands in a
mannerto serve the needsoftheAmerican people forall times. Management isbasedontheprinciples ofmultiple use and sustainedyield ofournation’s
resources within aframeworkofenvironmental responsibilityand scientific technology. These resources include recreation; rangelands; timber; minerals;
watershed; fish and wildlife; wilderness; air; and scenic, scientific andcultural values.
BLM/MT/PL-04/008
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GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING THIS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
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To better understand this document, carefully study this page. We haye written this enyironmental
6
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assessment to; .
• Proyide the Bureau of Land Management’s Lewistown Field Manager with sufficient
information to make an informed, reasoned decision in accordance with the National
Enyironmental Policy Act (NEPA).
• Describe issues that were identified during public comment periods.
• Deyelop goals and objectiyes to improye or maintain conditions of natural resources and
improye oyerall management.
• Disclose the alternatiyes and the enyironmental and economic consequences of each
alternatiye to members of the public and affected parties so that they may express their
opinions to the Field Manager.
• Reissue new ten year grazing permits/leases and implement standards and guidelines for
rangeland health.
Chapter 1: The introduction proyides a yery brief description of the Landscape including the location
of the planning area and the purpose and need for the assessment. This chapter also
explains the direction and conformance with existing land use plans and lists the issues and
objectiyes specific to the Landscape.
Chapter 2: This chapter describes a range of alternatiyes (actions) that haye been considered to
address issues, goals and objectiyes. Specific information on indiyidual grazing allotments
can be found in this chapter.
Chapter 3: This chapter briefly describes the past and current conditions of the releyant resources in
the landscape that would be meaningfully affected. Information on soils, yegetation,
hydrology, economics etc. can be found in this chapter.
Chapter 4: This chapter presents the impacts that would occur as a result of implementing each
alternatiye. This chapter discusses the potential enyironmental, social, and economic
consequences of taking and of not taking action.
Chapter 5: This chapter describes the BLM’s coordination and public inyolyement efforts with the
public, other goyernment agencies, and affected stakeholders.
Chapter 6: This chapter displays the comments receiyed from the public and other agencies on the
draft enyironmental assessment/plan. A response is proyided for each comment.
Appendix : Proyides additional technical data, maps, tables and specific information on resources in
the planning area. A summary of the appendix can be found in the table of contents.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction and Background 1
1.1 Location 1
1 .2 Background and Need for Proposed Action 1
1 .3 Direction from and Conformance with Land Use Plans 2
1 .4 Issues and Objectives Specific to the planning area 3
1 .5 Issues Considered but Not Addressed 3
1 .6 Issue Objectives Summary 4
2.0 Proposed Action and Alternatives 5
2.1 Alternative 1 - Continuation of Current Management 6
2.2 Alternative 2 - Proposed Action 6
2.3 Alternative 2 - No Action 29
2.4 Management Common to All Alternatives 30
3.0 Affected Environment 32
4.0 Environmental Consequences 50
4.1 Alternative 1 Impacts - Continuation of Current Management 50
4.2 Alternative 2 Impacts - Proposed Action 54
4.3 Alternative 3 Impacts - No Livestock Grazing 70
5.0 Consultation and Coordination 74
6.0 Comments and Responses 75
Appendices
Appendix A Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management A-1
Appendix B Standards for Rangeland Health B-1
Appendix C Monitoring and Evaluation C-1
Appendix D Upland Health Assessments 2000 and Upland/Riparian
Monitoring Schedule D-1
Appendix E Riparian Health Assessments E-1
Appendix F Corrective Adjustments for Resource Protection F-1
Appendix G Plant list G-1
Appendix H Allotment Management Plans and Current Grazing Systems H-1
Appendix Noxious Weeds List 1-1
I
Appendix J Land Use Plan Guidance J-1
Appendix K Allotment Information K-1
Appendix L Riparian Monitoring Schedule L-1
Appendix M Summary of Standards for Rangeland Health Determinations M-1
Appendix N; References N-1
Appendix Maps
Upper River Land Unit
M 1.1 Landscape Map
M 1.2 Range Allotments/Proposed Improvements
Arrow Creek Land Unit
M 2.1 Landscape Map
M 2.2 Range Allotments/Proposed Improvements
M 2.3 Prairie Dog Towns
Whiskey Ridge Land Unit
M 3.1 Landscape Map
M 3.2 Range Allotments/Proposed Improvements
M 3.3 Bighorn Sheep Distribution
M
3.4 Fire History
M 3.5 Rx Fire projects
Chapter 1.0 Introduction and Background
Section Content
1.1 Location
1 .2 Background and Need for Proposed Action
1 .3 Direction from and Conformance with Land Use Plans
1 .4 Issues and Objectives Specific to the Landscape.
1.4.1 Riparian Health
1.4.2 Upland Health
Weeds
1.4.3
1 .5 Issues Considered but not Addressed
1 .6 Issue Objectives Summary
1.1 Location
The Arrow Creek/Upper RiverAA/hiskey Ridge Landscape (hereafter referred to as the planning
area) encompasses three portions of public land:
• Arrow Creek Land Unit: Large blocks of public land adjacent to or near the Arrow Creek
drainage from Arrow Creek Bench downstream to Deadman Coulee.
• Upper River Land Unit: Scattered tracts of public land on the south side of the Missouri
River from Morony Dam downstream to Coal Banks landing.
• Whiskey Ridge Land Unit: Scattered tracts of public land in the Whiskey Ridge area and
several isolated parcels of public land near the Judith River.
The planning area is located in Chouteau and Fergus Counties, Montana. Major tributaries in
the planning area include Arrow Creek, Dog Creek, and the Judith River. The Missouri River
forms the northern boundary of the Landscape. The planning area contains approximately
31,500 acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (public land).
Appendix M-1 M-2, & M-3 displays detailed maps of the area.
,
Location Map of the Planning Area
Page
1
1 .2 Background and Need for Proposed Action
The Judith-Valley-Phillips Resource Management Plan (RMP) (1994), the West Hi-Line
Resource Management Plan (1988), the Wild and Scenic River Plan Update (1995) and the
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Interim Guidance (hereafter referred to as the
Interim Monument Guidance) specifies land use plan decisions and objectives to be
implemented in the planning area. The Judith Valley-Phillips RMP specifies that implementation
of riparian/wetland decisions will consider management of streams, water sources and uplands.
Management direction in the West Hi-Line Plan is limited to a very small portion of the planning
area in the north portion of the Whiskey Ridge Unit. The Fire/Fuels Management Plan
Environmental Assessment/Plan Amendment for Montana and the Dakotas (July 2003) updates
direction for fire and fuels management to emphasize sustaining the ecological health and
function of fire-adapted grasslands, shrublands, and forestlands; and reducing the risk and cost
of severe wildland fires.
Public lands administered by the Lewistown Field Office (LFO) were prioritized for
implementation of land use plan decisions based on multiple use criteria. The Arrow
Creek/Upper RiverAA/hiskey Ridge Landscape was given a high priority for management and
land use plan decision implementation.
A need exists for an environmental assessment when renewing 10-year grazing permits. This
environmental assessment will review the allotments in the landscape for compliance with the
standards and guidelines for rangeland health (Appendices A & B).
1.3 Direction from and Conformance with Land Use Plans
The Judith Valley-Phillips RMP, West-Hi Line RMP, the Upper Missouri Wild and Scenic River
Plan Update (WSRPU, 1995) and the State Director’s Interim Monument Guidance set forth the
land use decisions and conditions guiding management of public land and minerals within this
planning area. All uses and activities within the area must conform to the decisions, terms and
conditions described in these plans. Appendix J describes the guidance contained in these
plans that is pertinent to the planning area. The West-Hi Line RMP and the Wild and Scenic
River Plan Update is only applicable to the Wild and Scenic portions of the landscape (northern
portion of the Whiskey Ridge landscape unit).
The plans listed above were amended in 1997 by a decision based on the Standards for
Rangeland Health and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS). This decision required the development of local standards and guidelines for
each district. Standards for rangeland health were developed for the Lewistown District by the
Central Montana Resource Advisory Council (hereafter referred to as the RAC) with the benefit
of public participation (Appendix B).
All plans mentioned have been amended by the Fire/Fuels Management Plan and
Environmental Assessment/Plan Amendments for the Montana and the Dakotas (July 2003).
The amendments replace or include language to bring these plans up to date with the National
Fire Plan and the 2001 Federal Fire Policy. The plans listed above are available to the public at
the Lewistown Field Office.
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1.4 Issues and Objectives Specific to the Planning Area
1.4.1 Riparian Health
Issue The riparian area standard is not being met for some of the riparian areas on public
:
lands. Livestock are a significant factor in some cases.
Short-term objective Maintain the 20.7 miles of riparian areas that are in proper functioning
:
condition (PFC) or are making significant progress toward PFC. Make significant progress
toward achieving PFC on the 3.2 miles of riparian areas in functioning-at-risk (FAR) condition
where livestock are a significant factor within the next grazing year.
Long-term objective Maintain the 20.7 miles of riparian areas that are currently meeting the
:
standard and improve all riparian areas to PFC within 10 years where livestock are a significant
factor.
1.4.2 Upland Health
Issue The upland health standard is not being met for some of the upland areas on public
:
lands. Livestock are a significant factor in some cases and other areas are affected by
encroaching pines. Forest health has been compromised in portions of the Whiskey Ridge
landscape unit due to drought and increased stand densities from lack of fire.
Short-term objective Maintain the 36 allotments that are meeting the upland standard and take
:
actions that will ensure significant progress is made toward meeting the upland standard on the
three allotments that are not meeting the upland standard because of livestock grazing.
Long-term objective: Maintain or improve upland areas so that all allotments are meeting the
upland health standard or are making significant progress within 10 years, where livestock
management is a significant factor. In the Whiskey Ridge unit, use prescribed fire to reduce
pine encroachment into open parks; enhance shrub growth for wildlife benefit; and in forested
areas, reduce stand densities to improve grass, forb, and shrub coverage, and improve forest
health.
Indicators include those listed in standards for rangeland health (section 3.5 and appendix B)
with particular emphasis on plant species composition, ground cover, plant vigor, plant
community diversity and soil surface stability. All indicators would be applied based on the site
potential of each ecological site.
Weeds
1.4.3
Issue Noxious weed populations are present on public and private lands. The highest
:
populations are found along Arrow Creek and the banks and islands of the Missouri River. New
infestations include isolated populations of tamarisk (salt cedar) in Dog Creek and Arrow Creek
and dalmation toadflax near Arrow Creek.
Objective Control the known noxious weed sites and any new infestations found. Eradicate
:
any new populations of category 3 weeds (highly invasive weeds that are not well established).
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1 .5 Issues Considered but Not Addressed
The following issues are not addressed in this plan. All will be addressed in the upcoming
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Resource Management plan (Monument
RMP):
• recreation
• access
• OHV and travel plan
• lands (exchanges and purchases)
• mining
• oil and gas field development plan
• cultural (archeological and historical)
Impacts to recreation and cultural resources from changes in grazing management and range
improvements projects are considered in this assessment. However, this assessment does not
address overall management of recreation, cultural resources or any of the other resources or
activities listed above.
1.6 Issue Objectives Summary
The following table lists issues and describes how the various alternatives would address each
issue.
ISSUE UPLAND RIPARIAN WEEDS
VEGETATION VEGETATION
ALT #1 Approximately 10% of the Not meeting objectives on Current weed control
Continue planning area is not 3.2 stream miles in three efforts are not keeping
Current meeting the upland allotments due to livestock pace with weed
mgmt. health standard. grazing. expansion. Objective is
not being met.
ALT #2 All allotments would meet All allotments would meet The weed objective
Proposed the rangeland health the riparian objectives. would be met.
standard or make
action
significant progress in 10
years.
ALT #3 All allotments would All allotments would meet The weed objective
No make significant progress the riparian objectives would not be met.
Grazing towards meeting the without the need for
standard in the short exclosure fences.
term. After 7-10 years a
downward trend would
begin to occur on some
allotments from lack of
grazing.
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