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Cabin-Harry Neil Springs Restoration Project
5/23/2016
Project Area
The project occurs on the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest on the Raft River
mountain range, roughly 27 miles south of Malta, Idaho on the One Mile/Yost Cattle and Horse (C&H)
Allotment (Map 1). The location of the springs is in T14N, R14W, Sections 17, 22, and 27. Salt Lake
Meridian.
Introduction
The One Mile/Yost C&H Allotment is in the upper reaches of George Creek and One Mile Creek in the
Raft River watershed. Forest staff has observed degraded spring conditions and livestock water
developments placed with in Riparian Conservation Areas (RCAs) on portions of the One Mile/Yost
C&H grazing allotment during the 2015 grazing season. In response, the Forest Service and permittees
would like to remove the troughs from within the RCAs, relocate them in the adjacent uplands, and fence
the associated Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs)/ springs. These sources of water support
unique meadow and wet meadow habitat for a number of important plant and wildlife species.
Purpose and Need
The purpose and need of the project is to protect GDEs to meet Forest Plan Standards by removing or
reducing impacts from livestock while continuing livestock grazing on the allotment.
The Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan) outlines desired
wetland conditions in Management Area and Forest level direction. First, there is a desire to improve
conditions of RCAs when implementing or reconstructing range improvement projects (p. III-48,
RAST03). The project follows this direction by removing existing water developments from the two
RCAs and fencing the water sources to remove impacts from the GDE and its associated RCA. Second,
the Forest Plan directs that management actions will neither degrade nor retard attainment of properly
functioning soil, water, riparian, and aquatic desired conditions (p. III-22, SWST04). Currently, the
degraded conditions have impaired soil conditions and lack sufficient vegetation vigor and rooting depth
that can filter water and retain water in subsoil area. The project is needed to improve the current soil and
water conditions. Finally, the Forest Plan has overarching direction to “Manage livestock grazing within
riparian areas to accommodate the maintenance or restoration of aquatic and riparian processes and
functions”. (p. III-47). These wetlands have experienced intensive livestock use and although they make
up a small percentage of area, have substantially high value as a water source and unique habitat features.
Scope of Analysis
This analysis will analyze the effects associated with livestock grazing, protective fencing and associated
water developments to restore the springs in the upper reaches of the One Mile/Yost C&H Allotment. It
is expected that the environmental documentation would be completed under a Categorical Exclusion.
Category 18 (36 CFR 220.6(e)(18)), as described in the Forest Service Handbook Chapter 30 (FSH
1909.15 Sec. 31.12), outlines restoration actions to wetlands, streams, and riparian areas that include
modifying water control structures and fencing to allow waters to flow into natural channels and
floodplains and restore natural flow regimes.
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Proposed Action
Approximately 1.2 miles of fence would be constructed around three spring areas to protect
approximately 24 acres. Table 1 displays the approximate fence distances, locations, and proposed
building materials. Maps 2-4 show the fence layout and spring locations. If approved, the project could
begin to be implemented after the decision is signed; depending on funding and Forest priorities. .
Table 1. Three groundwater dependent ecosystems identified for improved management.
Location Fence
Distance
(mi)
Area
Fenced
(acres)
Location
(Lat/Long)
Materials
Harry Neil
Spring
0.1 0.3 41.937386° N,
-113.468648° W,
Four-strand wire fencing
Cabin Springs 0.5 8.1 41.922146° N,
-113.437934° W
Four-strand wire fencing,
let-down style
Lower Cabin
Spring
0.6 15.3 41.917692° N,
-113.434433° W
Four-strand wire fencing,
let-down style
The Harry Neil Spring would have the trough removed from the stream channel and one 1500 gallon
trough would be moved to an upland area east of the channel. The small fence around the spring source
would be removed and the entire spring meadow complex, including the stock pond below the spring
would be fenced to restore wetland characteristics at the site and maintain adequate water for beneficial
uses.
The large water trough at Cabin Springs would be removed from the current location to reduce the
impacts to the wetland meadow and restore natural wetland characteristics while maintaining adequate
water for beneficial uses. Livestock water would be provided through a buried pipeline in three-1500
gallon troughs located 0.1 mile away from the spring, in the adjacent upland community. The fence in this
area would follow below FS Road 011 and out into the upland sagebrush and continue around the upland
meadow (see Maps 2-3 below). Approximately 0.3 miles below Cabin Springs there is Lower Cabin
Spring that would also be fenced from livestock.
Resource Concerns
The Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) has identified the following potential resource concerns that may arise
from the project along with proposed Best Management Practices (BMP”s) for the project.
Incidental Livestock Use in fenced areas.
Wildlife impacts due to new fences.
To ensure incidental use does not impede recovery of the springs in this project, the following additional
management indicators are proposed to be monitored when use occurs: (1) minimum 8” stubble height on
key hydric species, (2) maximum 10% browse use, (3) maximum <20% utilization on forage grasses by
livestock on all spring locations. If approved, the management of livestock would be incorporated into
Part III of the current and future term grazing permit(s) along with maintenance standards and
responsibilities of the proposed improvements on One Mile/Yost C&H Allotment. These improvements
would need to be kept functional at all times livestock graze in the pastures which contain them.
There is particularly high concern for the effects to wildlife from the fencing. The project addresses this
concern with the following mitigation:
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The new fences would be designed to allow wildlife passage (specifications are below).
The area fenced would be large enough to include not only the riparian zone but a portion of the
sagebrush/upland component to provide hiding cover for those wildlife species entering the
fenced area.
Installing fence markers to increase visibility for Sage-grouse. Wildlife escape ramps would be
placed in troughs.
Integrated Design Features and Monitoring Requirements Design features were developed based on standard operating procedures, Best Management Practices
(BMPs), Forest Plan standards and guides, and other procedural direction to eliminate or mitigate
potential impacts during project implementation. Specific monitoring requirements were also developed
to address non-routine information needs in the project area. The following is a list of these features and
requirements:
Fence
Four-strand wire, 12½ ga. with smooth bottom strand, top three strands are barbed wire; wire
spacing from ground: 18”, 24”, 30”, 42”; line posts space 16½ ft apart with a maximum of 10
metal to one line post on flat ground: green t-posts, 133 wt, and full pressure treated wood or
2-7/8” steel pipe posts; braces with pressure treated wood or 2-7/8” steel pipe posts posts; wood
vertical stays. Specifications meet federal and state recommendations for wildlife friendly
fences. See USDA Handbook 5E42d31- Range Structural Equipment and Wyoming Game and
Fish, Fencing Guidelines for Wildlife, Revised Version Habitat Extension Bulletin No. 53, 2004
Fence specifications are based on moderate snow level, wire spacing for big game (elk, deer,
moose, antelope, bighorn sheep) passage; effective exclusion of livestock based on anticipated
pressure; cost effectiveness versus other fencing materials/standards (i.e., 3 strand fence or wood
jackleg and railing) and minimizing perching opportunities for birds of prey. A four wire let-
down fence with the same spacing may be necessary to increase the life of the fence in this area
given the potential for heavy snow.
Gates would be constructed along each fence as a part of this project. These gates would be left
open when livestock are not adjacent to the exclosure to allow for easier wildlife access to the
area.
Chainsaw or lopping shearers would be used for fence line clearing where needed. Mechanized
post setting and wire stringing may be used with an ATV/UTV, 4x4 pick-up or tractor. Off-road
travel would be required to deliver and disperse fence materials but minimal ground disturbance
would reduce potential for noxious weed spread. Authorizations for off road travel would be
requested and authorized by the District Ranger with specifics of vehicles to be used, routes of
travel and dates of use described.
Water Developments
Trenching for the water development pipeline would be done with a ripper tooth on a tractor
approximately 12-24” deep.
Troughs would be cribbed, floated and include wildlife escape ramps. The wildlife escape ramps
would meet USDA Forest Service specifications. Cribs would be flush with the trough to reduce
potential issues associated with bat foraging at troughs.
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Monitoring
To help determine the success and effectiveness resulting from reducing livestock use at the
GDE’s photo points would be established and maintained at a 5 – 7 year interval and a Sage-
grouse Habitat Assessment for riparian habitat would be conducted in those sites that are found to
be in Sage-grouse habitat.
The project area will be monitored for noxious weeds before implementation of the project. After
the project is completed monitoring will continue for a minimum of three years and any
infestations that are detected will be treated. The Sawtooth National Forest Plan states:
NPST03 “To prevent invasion/expansion of noxious weeds, the following provisions will be
included in all special use authorizations, timber sale contracts, service contracts, or operating
plans where land-disturbing activities are associated with the authorized land use (additional
direction may be found in timber sale and service contract provisions and in Forest Service
handbooks):
a) Revegetate areas, as designated by the Forest Service, where the soil has been exposed by
ground-disturbing activity. Implement other measures, as designated by the Forest
Service, to supplement the influence of re-vegetation in preventing the invasion or
expansion of noxious weeds. Potential areas would include: construction and
development sites, underground utility corridors, skid trails, landings, firebreaks, slides,
slumps, temporary roads, cut and fill slopes, and travel ways of specified roads.
b) Earth-disturbing equipment used on National Forest System lands--such as cats, graders,
and front-loaders--shall be cleaned to remove all visible plant parts, dirt, and material that
may carry noxious weed seeds. Cleaning shall occur prior to entry onto the project area
and again upon leaving the project area, if the project area has noxious weed infestations.
This also applies to fire suppression earth-disturbing equipment contracted after a
WFDSS has been completed.
(Modified as part of 2012 Forest Plan amendment for WCS.)
NPST09 “The Forest shall comply with the intent and direction established in the above
provisions or clauses in a manner similar to that required of contractors or permittees.
References
USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Sawtooth National Forest Land and Resource Management
Plan. Amended June 2012.
Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Fence Guidelines for Wildlife. NO. 53. Habitat Extension
Services. 2004. Available [ONLINE] @
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/web2011/Departments/Wildlife/pdfs/BULLETIN_NO530001795.pdf [Dec. 8th,
2015]
Missoula Technology & Development Center. Fences, 5E42D31-Range Structural Equipment.
July1988/1999 Re-print.
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Map 1. Project location and allotment boundary.
ONE MILE/YOST ALLOTMENT BOUNDARY
¹ 0 1 2 0.5
Miles
! !
UTAH
IDAHO
^
Burley Twin Falls
Cabin-Harry Neil Springs Restoration Project
Area Map
Minidoka Ranger District- Raft River Division
Sawtooth National Forest
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Map 2. Cabin-Harry Neil Springs Restoration Project Locations
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Map 3. Cabin Springs Proposed Action.
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Map 4. Harry Neil Proposed Action.