Medford Bureau of Land Management
3040 Biddle Road
Medford, Oregon 97501
Howard Prairie Allotment –
STANDARDS OF RANGELAND HEALTH ANALYSIS
July 2009
Table of Contents
Introduction
Overview of the Evaluation area and principle findings
Assessment
The Existing Environment and an Overview of Rangeland Health Assessment Process
Figures
Figure 1 – Nested Frequency Data
Figure 2– Actual Use Data
Maps
Map 1- Howard Prairie Allotment map
Tables
Table 1- Elevational zones within the Howard Prairie Allotment
Table 2 - Known or Suspected Special Status Species (Terrestrial Wildlife)
Table 3 - Bird Species of Conservation Concern
Table 4 - Special Status Species (Aquatic Wildlife)
Table 5- Rangeland Health Field Assessment - Location 1 Wet Meadow Summary
Table 6 – Rangeland Health Field Assessment - Location 2 Wet Loamy Terrace Summary
Assessment Participants (Name and Discipline):
Steve Slavik
Ted Hass
Steven Godwin
Kevin Kocerak
Mike Derrig
Dulcey Schuster
-Rangeland Management
- Soils
- Terrestrial Wildlife
- Aquatic Wildlife/Fisheries
- Hydrology
- Botany
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INTRODUCTION
This is an Oregon/Washington Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Standards of Rangeland Health Evaluation
that addresses the Howard Prairie Allotment (10116). The analysis area is 320 acres with 60 cows permitted from
October 16-November 15, totaling 61 Animal Unit Months (AUMs). The Howard Prairie Allotment is located on
Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) land and the grazing lease is managed by the Bureau of Land Management under a
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA No. 83-168) dated March 31, 1983. Under the agreement, the grazing lease
issued by BLM shall be issued for the BLM’s lease period, but shall include such special stipulations as
determined necessary for BOR to protect the land or facilities for Reclamation project purposes. The lands in this
lease are withdrawn for reclamation purposes except for the 32 acres in Section 23. In the event these are needed
for the specific purposes for which they are withdrawn, they will be cancelled from the lease. The late season of
use on this allotment reduces (or eliminates) conflicts between cattle grazing and recreation use associated with the
Lily Glenn horse camping facility that is adjacent and used in conjunction with this piece of BOR land.
Map 1. Howard Prairie Allotment map
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Vegetation
The eastern portion of this allotment is dominated by dense stands of conifer forest comprised primarily of
ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and white fir (Abies concolor). Dominant graminoids in this portion of the
allotment include blue wild rye (Elymus glaucus), and Alaska oniongrass (Melica subulata), with dominant forb
species such as insideout flower (Vancouveria hexandra), broadleaf starflower (Trientalis latifolia), and prince’s
pine (Chimaphila menziesii).
The remaining portion of the allotment is dominated by wet and semi-wet meadow plant communities with a small
area of ponderosa pine and white fir forest in the northwest corner of the Bureau of Reclamation owned land. Open
wetland areas incorporate grasses such as meadow barley (Hordeum brachyantherum), colonial bentgrass (Agrostis
capillaris), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa) and seeded pasture grasses. Shallow soils define open
meadows that may be dominated by California oatgrass (Danthonia californica) on clayey sites or Idaho fescue
(Festuca idahoensis), Secund’s bluegrass (Poa secunda) and Lemmon’s needlegrass (Achnatherum lemmonii) on
soils with more sand or silt. Non-native grasses such as bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) and cheatgrass (Bromus
tectorum) are also documented to occur in this area. Other open meadows may be dominated by shrubs such as
common snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus), rose spiraea (Spiraea douglasii), and several species of buckbrush.
Soils
The soils identified in this allotment are Farva, Kanutchan, Pinehurst, and Sibannac series. These soils are found
on slope ranging from 5 to 30 percent.
The Farva soil is moderately deep, well drained soil is on hillslopes. Permeability is moderately rapid and available
water capacity is about 3 inches. The effective rooting depth is 20 to 40 inches. Runoff is medium, and the hazard
of water erosion is moderate.
The Kanutchan soil is deep, somewhat poorly drained soil is in basins. Permeability is very slow and available
water capacity is about 7 inches. The effective rooting depth is limited by the water table, which is within a depth
of 1.5 feet from December through May. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water erosion is slight.
The Pinehurst soil is very deep, well drained soil is on plateaus. Permeability is moderately slow and available
water capacity is about 10 inches. The effective rooting depth is 60 inches or more. Runoff is slow, and the hazard
of water erosion is slight.
The Sibannac soil is very deep, poorly drained soil is in basins. Permeability is moderately slow and available
water capacity is about 12 inches. The effective rooting depth is limited by the water table, which is within a depth
of 1 foot from January through June. Runoff is slow, and the hazard of water erosion is slight.
Hydrology
This allotment lies within the Grizzly Creek watershed, which drains to Jenny Creek and ultimately the Klamath
River. The allotment occupies the upper portion of Howard Prairie Reservoir, a portion of which is seasonally
inundated. There are approximately 1.7 miles of perennial and 2.6 miles of intermittent and ephemeral streams on
BLM/BOR managed land within the allotment. In addition, there is approximately 0.1 miles of perennial and 0.4
miles of intermittent/ephemeral located on private land. All the streams are unnamed and drain into Howard
Prairie Reservoir. Elevation within the allotment ranges from 4,560 to 4,600 feet. Cool wet winters, and hot dry
summers characterize the climate. During the winter months, the moist, westerly flow of air from the Pacific
Ocean results in frequent storms of varied intensities. Winter precipitation usually occurs as snow, which
ordinarily melts during the spring runoff season from April through June. Average annual precipitation within the
allotment is approximately 32 inches.
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Nested Frequency Data
The collection of trend data using the Nested Frequency Method began in 1990. Data was subsequently collected
in 2001, 2005 and 2008.
Figure 1. Nested Frequency Data
Species showing significant change in the frequency of occurrence include a decrease in Lemmon’s needlegrass
(Achnatherum lemmonii), California brome (Bromus carinatus), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) these
species are native, perennial bunchgrasses. An invasive, non-native annual grass cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and
a native annual grass small fescue (Vulpia microstachys) have increased. Yellow rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus
viscidiflorus) a native subshrub and two forbs; western buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis) and streambank bird’s
foot trefoil (Lotus cupreus) increased. Other species showing change that were not significant include increases in
other shrub and forb species. The percent bare ground appears (from the transect photos) to have decreased. The
plant community at this site is shifting; as seen by the number of species that are changing in frequency. The trend
for this site is unknown.
Utilization Data
Utilization data is collected using the key species method (using ocular estimates of forage removed by weight)
and mapping use zones (TR 4400-3, 1996). A six class delineation is used (No Use: 0-5 percent, Slight Use: 6-20
percent, Light Use: 21-40 percent, Moderate Use: 41-60 percent, Heavy Use: 61-80 percent, Severe Use: 81-100
percent).
The utilization patterns in the allotment can be categorized as most of the grazing use occurring around Howard
Prairie Reservoir. Utilization data has not been collected since 1995. Utilization mapping data collected in 1989,
1991 and 1995 shows Moderate Use around the reservoir and Slight and Light Use away from the reservoir.
Utilization mapping data collected in 1992 shows Light Use around the reservoir and Slight away from the
reservoir.
Actual Use Data
Actual use data has been collected since 1985, however data is missing for the years 1985-1986, 1990-1991, 1996,
and 2001-2002. A review of the actual use data shows that the allotment has not been grazed for 3 out of the last
seventeen years. The average actual use is 31 AUMs in the years that the allotment has been grazed or where
actual use data is available. Unauthorized livestock have been found in the allotment periodically with livestock
moving into the allotment from the Deadwood (by way of the Keno Access Road), Keene Creek, and Deadwood
5
USFS Allotments.
Figure 2. Actual Use Data
ASSESSMENT
Rangeland Health Assessments are being completed on each allotment prior to consideration of grazing lease
renewal. These assessments are conducted by an interdisciplinary team of resource specialists who assess
ecological processes, watershed functioning condition, water quality conditions, special status species, and wildlife
habitat conditions on an allotment. Assessments include field visits to the allotments and evaluation of all available
data. All available data will be used to make an overall assessment of rangeland health as described in the
Standards for Rangeland Health and Guidelines and Livestock Grazing Management for Public Lands
Administered by the Bureau of Land Management in the States of Oregon and Washington (Standards and
Guidelines) (USDI 1997), in light of the Fundamentals of Rangeland Health at 43 CFR § 4180.1.
The Standards and Guidelines identify five specific standards that are used to determine the degree to which
“ecological function and process exist within each ecosystem.” Standards address the health, productivity, and
sustainability of the BLM-administered public rangelands and represent the minimum acceptable conditions for the
public rangelands. The guidelines are management practices that will either maintain existing desirable conditions
or move rangelands toward statewide standards within reasonable timeframes.
This assessment summarizes existing resource conditions on the Howard Prairie Allotment using information
derived from rangeland field assessments; BLM monitoring data; and all other available data in relation to the five
specific standards described in the Standards and Guidelines (USDI 1997).
Primary Supporting Data:
Data used by the BLM to support this assessment includes, but is not limited to, the following studies and
monitoring projects.
Rangeland Health Field Assessments: Field assessments using the protocol described in Technical Reference
1734-6: Interpreting the Indicators of Rangeland Health (USDI and USDA 2005) were conducted July 14, 2008 at
a wet loamy terrace and a wet meadow ecological site on the Howard Prairie Allotment.
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Botany Surveys: Botany Surveys were conducted on the Howard Prairie Allotment in 2007 using the Intuitive
Controlled Survey. This method includes a complete survey in habitats with the highest potential for locating
Special status species. The surveyor traverses through the project area enough to see a representative cross section
of all the major habitats and topographic features, looking for the target species while en route between different
areas. Most of the project area will have been surveyed. When the surveyor arrives at an area of high potential
habitat (that was defined in the pre-field review or encountered during the field visit), a complete survey for the
target species was made.
Proper Functioning Condition (PFC): These surveys are conducted using the Ashland Resource Area Stream
Survey Protocol. Location, flow duration, channel classification/morphology data for streams, wetlands, and other
hydrologic features; instream large wood; impact description and restoration opportunities, especially related to
livestock, transportation, and vegetation throughout the allotment is collected. Properly functioning condition
(PFC) is assessed during the surveys.
Wildlife Surveys: Wildlife surveys for Great Gray Owls have occurred in this allotment. These owls were
detected within 0.5 miles of this allotment, but not within the allotment boundary.
Standard 1 Watershed Function - Uplands
To meet this standard, upland soils exhibit infiltration and permeability rates, moisture storage, and
stability that are appropriate to soil, climate, and landform.
This standard focuses on the basic physical functions of upland soils that support plant growth, the maintenance or
development of plant populations and communities, and promote dependable flows of quality water from the
watershed.
To achieve and sustain rangeland health, watersheds must function properly. Watersheds consist of three principle
components: the uplands, riparian/wetland areas and the aquatic zone. This standard addresses the upland
component of the watershed. When functioning properly, within its potential, a watershed captures, stores and
safely releases the moisture associated with normal precipitation events (equal to or less than the 25 year, 5 hour
event) that falls within its boundaries. Uplands make up the largest part of the watershed and are where most of the
moisture received during precipitation events is captured and stored.
While all watersheds consist of similar components and processes, each is unique in its individual makeup. Each
watershed displays its own pattern of landform and soil, its unique climate and weather patterns, and its own
history of use and current condition. In directing management toward achieving this standard, it is essential to treat
each unit of the landscape (soil, ecological site, and watershed) according to its own capability and how it fits with
both smaller and larger units of the landscape.
A Rangeland Health Assessment was conducted on the allotment at a wet loamy terrace and a wet meadow
ecological site in July of 2008. Looking only at indicators pertaining to Soil/Site Stability revealed that 18
indicators (90%) were rated none to slight, 2 indicators (10%) was rated slight to moderate, and zero were rated,
moderate, moderate to extreme, or an extreme to total departure (Table 5, 6).
The combination of late-season surveys, moderate-to-high levels of recreation activity and land management
practices could cause seasonal fluctuations in this assessment process, and therefore could cause inaccuracies in
reporting results (when applied to multiple seasons). No monitoring plots exist in the forested areas in the eastern
and northwestern portions of this allotment, and botany surveys conducted in 2007 in portions of these areas
reported nothing of note regarding grazing or its impact in these areas.
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Standard 2 Watershed Function - Riparian/Wetland Areas
To meet this standard, riparian-wetland areas are in properly functioning physical condition appropriate to
soil, climate, and landform.
Riparian-wetland areas are grouped into two major categories: 1. lentic, or standing water systems such as lakes,
ponds, seeps, bogs, and meadows; and 2. lotic, or moving water systems such as rivers, streams, and springs.
Wetlands are areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration to
support, and which under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted to life in
saturated soil conditions. Riparian areas commonly occupy the transition zone between the uplands and surface
water bodies (the aquatic zone) or permanently saturated wetlands.
Properly functioning condition of riparian and wetland areas describes the degree of physical function of these
components of the watershed. Their functionality is important to water quality in the capture and retention of
sediment and debris, the detention and detoxification of pollutants, and in moderating seasonal extremes of water
temperature. Properly functioning riparian areas and wetlands enhance the timing and duration of stream flow
through dissipation of flood energy, improved bank storage, and ground water recharge. Properly functioning
condition should not be confused with the Desired Plant Community (DPC) or the Desired Future Condition
(DFC) since, in most cases, it is the precursor to these levels of resource condition and is required for their
attainment.
Functioning Condition Assessments were conducted in the riparian areas of the allotment in 2002 (BLM Stream
Surveys). These assessments refer to a consistent approach for considering hydrology, vegetation, and
erosion/deposition (soils) attributes and processes to assess the condition of riparian areas.
The Howard Prairie Allotment has an estimated 4.8 miles of stream channels with 4.3 stream miles on Federal
Land (BLM and BOR) (GIS data). Of these, 0.64 miles (3,379 feet) have been assessed for PFC: 1,689 feet (51%)
were rated Functional at Risk with an upward trend (improving), 106 feet (3%) are Functional at Risk with a
downward trend (degrading), and 1,584 feet (46%) are Non Functional. Additionally, a spring found on BOR land
was rated as Non-Functional. Surveys also showed 47% of the stream reaches had high fine sediment levels
(greater than 30%). Grazing and horse traffic were identified as reasons for the non-functional ratings.
Standard 3 Ecological Processes
To meet this standard, healthy, productive, and diverse plant and animal populations and communities
appropriate to soil, climate, and landform are supported by ecological processes of nutrient cycling, energy
flow and the hydrologic cycle.
This standard addresses the ecological processes of energy flow and nutrient cycling as influenced by existing
plant and animal communities. While emphasis may be on native species, an ecological site may be capable of
supporting a number of different native and introduced plant and animal populations and communities while
meeting this standard. This standard also addresses the hydrologic cycle which is essential for plant growth and
appropriate levels of energy flow and nutrient cycling.
The ability of plants to capture sunlight energy, to grow and develop, plays a role in soil development and
watershed function. Nutrients necessary for plant growth are made available to plants through the decomposition
and metabolization of organic matter by insects, bacteria and fungi, the weathering of rocks and extraction from
the atmosphere. Nutrients are transported through the soil by plant uptake, leaching and by rodent, insect and
microbial activity. They follow cyclical patterns as they are used and reused by living organisms.
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The ability of rangelands to provide habitat for wildlife and satisfy social and economic needs depends on the
buildup and cycling of nutrients over time. Interrupting or slowing nutrient cycling can lead to site degradation, as
these lands become increasingly deficient in the nutrients plants require.
Because of past livestock use, fire frequency, or other past extreme or continued disturbances, some plant
communities are incapable of meeting this standard. For example, shallow-rooted winter-annual grasses that
completely dominate some sites do not fully occupy the potential rooting depth of some soils, thereby reducing
nutrient cycling well below optimum levels. In addition, these plants have a relatively short growth period and thus
capture less sunlight than more diverse plant communities. Plant communities like those cited in this example are
considered to have crossed the threshold of recovery and often require great expense to be recovered. The cost of
recovery must be weighed against the site’s potential ecological/economic value in establishing treatment
priorities.
Plant composition and community structure:
Plant community structure can be described in two levels: plant series and plant association. Series is assigned by
determining which species comprise “the dominant, most shade-tolerant, regenerating tree species on the
site…Plant associations are described primarily by the presence or absence, or abundance of plant species” (USDA
1996). Plant series found within the Howard Prairie Allotment forested and open areas include the Douglas Fir
(PSME), Ponderosa Pine (PIPO) and White Fir (ABCO) series, and associations within the allotment are generally
within these series (e.g. PSME-PIPO, ABCO-PSME or ABCO-BENE2). Dominant shrubs include rose spiraea
(Spiraea douglasii), snowberry (Symphorus albus), Saskatoon serviceberry (Amalanchier alnifolia), rabbitbrush
(Chrysothamnus sp.) and oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor). Common early-season forbs in the forested areas
include white inside-out flower (Vancouveria hexandra), anemone (Anemone sp), Pacific woodrush (Luzula
comosa), wakerobin species and sweetcicely (Osmorhiza chilensis). Later season forbs can include inside-out
flower, Pacific woodrush, sweetcicely, wild strawberry (Fragaria vesca) and native and non-native graminoids.
Early-season forbs in the open meadowed areas include lupine species (Lupinus sp.), false hellebore (Veratrum
californicum), bulbous bluegrass (Poa bulbosa) and shortspur seablush (Plectritis congesta). Late-season species
in these areas include carex species, various native and exotic graminoids, several species of buckwheat
(eriogonum sp.), and Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum).
Both the forested and open meadow areas within this allotment support a diverse mix of plant communities.
However, invasive plant species are present throughout the non-conifer areas, particularly cheatgrass, which is an
invasive annual grass, and bulbous bluegrass, an invasive perennial grass. In addition to reducing habitat quality
for wildlife, exotic grasses have shallower root systems and shorter life cycles than native perennial grasses, and
thus have reduced capacity to hold the soil and retain water and nutrients. Current low stocking rates are not likely
to contribute to additional conversion of native plant communities to exotic annual grasslands, as most areas
considered to be susceptible to conversion have already demonstrated substantial shifts in plant community
composition. More recent invasion by bulbous bluegrass (introduced as a consequence of range seedings) and its
preference for gentle slopes is an indirect measure of livestock influence on bulbous bluegrass invasion (Hosten et
al. 2007d).
Wildlife community structure: While livestock influence deer and elk movement, it is not known if this alters
native ungulate community structure or population. Richness and diversity of small mammals is not influenced by
livestock grazing in riparian, woodland, and mixed conifer communities. However, small mammal biomass is less
in areas of moderate to severe utilization levels versus ungrazed or lightly grazed areas (Johnston and Anthony. In
review a, b).
Ungulate use appears to lead to an increase in abundance of ground nesting birds, but may not favor overall
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reproductive success by these species. This may result from a decrease in the cover of shrubs which provides more
nest sites for ground-nesting birds. Ungulate use has a negative influence on abundance of shrub-nesting birds
including migratory neo-tropical birds (Alexander et al. 2008). It is not known if the increased abundance of shrubs
found in formerly open, fire-mediated plant communities (Hosten et al. 2007c) compensates for livestock influence
on shrub-nesting bird species
Ungulate utilization has been shown to negatively influence butterflies with grass host plants (Runquist. In prep.).
Standard 4 Water Quality
To meet this standard, surface water and groundwater quality, influenced by agency actions, complies with
State water quality standards.
The quality of the water yielded by a watershed is determined by the physical and chemical properties of the
geology and soils unique to the watershed, the prevailing climate and weather patterns, current resource conditions,
the uses to which the land is put and the quality of the management of those uses. Standards 1, 2 and 3 contribute
to attaining this standard.
States are legally required to establish water quality standards and Federal land management agencies are to
comply with those standards. In mixed ownership watersheds, agencies, like any other land owners, have limited
influence on the quality of the water yielded by the watershed. The actions taken by the agency will contribute to
meeting State water quality standards during the period that water crosses agency administered holdings.
The Northwest Forest Plan, specifically the Aquatic Conservation Strategy (ROD) (1995) and the Medford District
Resource Management Plan (RMP) (1995) are designed to meet the objectives of water quality and proper riparian
function and health. Grazing specific Best Management Practices (BMP’s) (RMP/ROD, Appendix D) are
currently being implemented on the allotments as the primary method to achieve Oregon water quality standards.
Grizzly Creek for 3 miles below Howard Prairie Reservoir to its confluence with Jenny Creek is listed as water
quality impaired, 303(d), for exceeding summer temperature criteria. Since water originating within and above the
allotment is stored in Howard Prairie Reservoir and released for irrigation and other purposes, grazing has no effect
on stream temperatures within the listed reach of Grizzly Creek. The allotment largely consists of wet and semiwet meadows. In addition, part of the allotment is seasonally inundated from water stored behind Howard Prairie
Reservoir. Low gradient stream channels in meadow systems and associated riparian vegetation are vulnerable to
grazing impacts, particularly late in the season when upland grass species become less palatable.
Water quality impacts within the allotment have been documented in recent stream surveys. Channel incision and
bank instability, particularly in the northeast potion of the allotment were noted in surveys conducted in October,
2006. There are also numerous springs present. Some of these adverse impacts appear to be related to horse use in
the area and additional water delivered to upper Grizzly Creek from the South Fork Canal.
Standard 5 Native, T&E, and Locally Important Species
To meet this standard, habitats support healthy, productive, and diverse populations and communities of
native plants and animals (including special status species and species of local importance) appropriate to
soil, climate, and landform.
Federal agencies are mandated to protect threatened and endangered species and will take appropriate action to
avoid the listing of any species. This standard focuses on retaining and restoring native plant and animal (including
fish) species, populations and communities (including threatened, endangered and other special status species and
species of local importance). In meeting the standard, native plant communities and animal habitats would be
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spatially distributed across the landscape with a density and frequency of species suitable to ensure reproductive
capability and sustainability. Plant populations and communities would exhibit a range of age classes necessary to
sustain recruitment and mortality fluctuations. The plant communities on this allotment are floristically diverse,
healthy, and support a wide variety of animal species consistent with the surrounding soil, landscape and climate.
Species are recognized as "special status" if they are (1) species listed or proposed for listing under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA), and (2) species requiring special management consideration to promote their conservation and
reduce the likelihood and need for future listing under the ESA, which are designated as Bureau sensitive by the
State Director(s). All Federal candidate species, proposed species, and delisted species in the 5 years following
delisting will be conserved as Bureau sensitive species.
Plant community composition (general): The Rangeland Health Assessment Summary of Findings indicates that,
within the Wet Loamy Terrace Ecological Site, there was a Slight to Moderate departure in 5 of the 17 indicators,
including those indicators relating to plant community composition, functional/structural groups, annual
production and invasive plants. The Wet Meadow Ecological Site had a None to Slight departures in all 17
Indicators.
Bureau Special Status wildlife
Livestock grazing indirectly impacts wildlife by changing vegetation composition, structure, and function.
Livestock operations result in a reduction of forage available to native herbivores (e.g. deer and elk), as well as
reductions in vegetative ground cover for ground nesting birds, burrowing rodents, and other wildlife species
dependent on ground cover for protection, food, and breeding sites. Proper livestock grazing management has
helped to avoid negative impacts to these habitats which can be disturbed by overutilization and excessive
hoof/soil impacts.
Several habitat types/plant communities occur in the Howard Prairie allotment and this is reflected in the diversity
of terrestrial wildlife species that are present.
The plant communities that support wildlife in this allotment are grouped into various zones based primarily on
elevation. The zone found in the Howard Prairie allotment is the White Fir Zone (high elevation). The
representative plant community for this zone is presented in Table 1 (USDI 1995).
Table 1. Elevational zones within the Howard Prairie Allotment
Zones
Representative Plant Communities
White Fir Zone White Fir, Ponderosa Pine, Sugar Pine
Bureau Special Status and Special Emphasis Wildlife
The terrestrial wildlife species of special concern in the Howard Prairie Allotment are classified in two categories;
Special Status Species and Birds of Conservation Concern (including Game Birds Below Desired Condition).
Special/unique habitats that support various wildlife species occur within this allotment. These special habitats
include riparian areas, lakeshore, and meadows (USDI 1995a).
Special Status species known or likely to be present on the allotment are displayed in Table 2.
Table 2. Known or Suspected Special Status Species (Terrestrial Wildlife)
Species
Species Status
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Known /
Suspected
Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina)
Mardon Skipper (Polites mardon)
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus)
FT
FC
BS
BS
Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes)
BS
Northwestern Pond Turtle (Actinemys marmorata
marmorata)
Coronis Fritallary (Speyeria coronis coronis)
Oregon Shoulderband Snail (Helmithoglypta hertleini)
Chase Sideband Snail (Monadenia chaceana)
Franklin’s Bumblebee (Bombus franklini)
FT - Federal Threatened
FC - Federal Candidate
BS - Bureau Sensitive
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
BS
BS
BS
BS
BS
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
Suspected
Birds of Conservation Concern and Gamebirds Below Desired Condition
BLM recently issued interim guidance for meeting BLM’s responsibilities under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act
and Executive Order (EO) 13186. Both the Act and the EO promote the conservation of migratory bird
populations. The interim guidance was transmitted through Instruction Memorandum (IM) No. 2008-050. The IM
relies on two lists prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in determining which species are to receive
special attention in land management activities. The lists are Bird Species of Conservation Concern (BCC) found
in various Bird Conservation Regions and Game Birds Below Desired Condition (GBBDC). Table 3 displays those
species that are known or likely to present on the allotment.
Table 3. Bird Species of Conservation Concern
Species
black-throated gray warbler (Dendroica nigrescens)
flammulated owl (Otus flammeolus)
grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum)
northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis)
olive-sided flycatcher (Contopus cooperi)
rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)
wood duck (Aix sponsa)
mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos)
mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
band-tailed pigeon (Columba fasciata)
BCC - Bird of Conservation Concern
GBBDC - Game Birds Below Desired Condition
Species Status
BCC
BCC
BCC
BCC
BCC
BCC
BCC
GBBDC
GBBDC
GBBDC
GBBDC
Livestock grazing primarily affects wildlife by changing vegetation composition, structure, and function. Grazing
can result in a reduction of forage available to native herbivores (e.g. deer and elk), as well as reductions in
vegetative ground cover for ground-nesting birds, rodents, and other wildlife species dependent on ground cover
for protection, food, and breeding sites. Grazing also reduces water quality in seeps, springs, and streams used by
native wildlife. The presence of livestock can also change local distribution and habitat use by native species due
to interspecific behavioral traits. Generally, the extent of impacts to individual T&E species and their habitats are
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unknown.
Some of the species of special interest found in the allotment are not greatly affected by grazing. The suite of
species that would not be affected or affected only to a minor degree includes the following: black-throated gray
warbler, flammulated owl, northern spotted owl, northern goshawk, olive-sided flycatcher, pallid bat and fringed
myotis. Grazing has little or no impacts on these species because it does not physically reduce their numbers nor
does it reduce feeding, breeding and sheltering opportunities. These species are primarily associated with the
conifer stands within the allotment.
Bald eagle nests are known to be located near Howard Prairie Lake and may, on occasion, occur within this allotment,
but are unlikely to be impacted by grazing as neither their treetop nest sites nor the fish and waterfowl upon which they
feed are subject to significant impacts from grazing.
Known breeding locations for northern spotted owls occur within one mile of the Howard Prairie Allotment. Northern
spotted owls are unlikely to be affected by the current livestock grazing because their preferred habitat is dense forest,
and grazing is light to non-existent in these areas.
Fisher occupy forested habitat near the Howard Prairie Allotment. Fisher are unlikely to be impacted by grazing as
they primarily utilize forested areas and depend upon large wood for denning sites, and small to medium sized
mammals for prey. Denning sites and prey species are unlikely to be impacted by grazing.
Some species of special interest are susceptible to the physical aspects of grazing, e.g., trampling, rubbing, and
water quality degradation while others are sensitive to the removal of forage. Those in the former group include
northwestern pond turtle, and Siskiyou short-horned grasshopper. The northwestern pond turtle, our only Bureau
Sensitive listed reptile, is likely to occur within the Howard Prairie allotment. Northwestern pond turtles spend the
majority of their life cycle in aquatic environs, but must leave the water to dig terrestrial nests and lay their eggs.
These turtles often overwinter in upland settings. Both of these activities may be impacted by heavy grazing, and
post-holing by livestock.
The Siskiyou short-horned grasshopper (a Bureau Sensitive Species) is known to occur within 3 miles of the
boundary of this allotment. It is often associated with blue elderberry for the egg-laying phase of its life cycle, but
may use other suitable shrub species as well. Suitable habitat occurs at many locations within the Howard Prairie
Allotment. Cattle have been documented to impact elderberry and other shrubs through use as rubbing objects.
Siskiyou short-horned grasshoppers are actively feeding and reproducing from July through September and are
likely to be impacted by reduction of shrub vegetation and by consumption or trampling of grass and forb
resources upon which they depend for food and protective cover. Due to the late season of use (i.e. October 16 –
November 15) for this allotment, the impact to Siskiyou short-horned grasshoppers would be limited to damage to
eggs and egg-laying substrates (e.g. blue elderberry branches).
Those species in the latter group (i.e., affected by forage removal) include rufous hummingbird, mourning dove,
mardon skipper, coronis fritillary, band-tailed pigeon, willow flycatcher, deer, and elk. Rufous hummingbird,
mourning dove, mardon skipper, and coronis fritallary are likely affected by grazing due to the removal of plants
used for nectaring. Willow flycatchers are impacted by removal and suppression of willows and other shrubs in
which they nest. Grasses used by mardon skipper and herbaceous vegetation (violets) used by coronis fritillary for
ovipositing can also be removed or trampled, and heavy grazing facilitates the invasion of non-native species
(Xerces 2007, Hosten 2007a).
The mardon skipper butterfly is a Bureau Sensitive Species and is listed as a Federal Candidate species under the U.S.
Endangered Species Act. Mardon Skippers are known to occur within 2 miles of this allotment. Twelve known sites
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occur in the Ashland Resource Area. The “primary threat” listed for each of these sites is “grazing.” Mechanisms
through which livestock may impact this species include trampling, eating food sources, and facilitating invasion of
non-native plants (Xerces, 2007).
Franklin’s bumblebee (a Bureau Sensitive Species) was once locally common throughout the Rogue Basin in
southern Oregon. Now known to only one site confirmed active in 2006 (Robbin Thorp Pers. comm.), the species
is in steep decline. This bee species favors open areas with abundant flowering shrub and forb species and rodent
burrows used for nesting. Consumption of such shrubs and forbs, and trampling of suitable nesting sites limits the
ability of this species to successfully maintain a population at formerly suitable sites.
The grasshopper sparrow is likely to be directly affected by grazing. A ground nesting bird, the grasshopper
sparrow depends on forbs, grasses and shrubs for protection. Its diet consists of insects and seeds, both of which
are negatively impacted by consumption of the vegetation in the open grassland habitat that this bird requires.
Several other bird species on these lists (e.g. olive-sided flycatcher, mourning dove, and band-tailed pigeon)
depend on either seeds or insects for their diet and may also be affected by grazing in this same manner.
There is little diet overlap between livestock and deer with greater overlap of preferred forage between livestock
and elk. There is a tendency of both deer and elk to avoid areas being grazed by cattle (Hosten, P. E. et al. 2007b).
Grazing in this allotment reduces forage, but, due to the small size proximity to other suitable forage, is unlikely to
affect native ungulate populations or movements.
Special Status Species (Aquatic)
Jenny Creek redband trout are the only Bureau Sensitive Fish Species within the allotment boundary. The Bureau
of Land Management lists the Jenny Creek redband trout as “Sensitive” on the Special Status Species List (USDI
2008). The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife categorize the Jenny Creek redband trout population as
“vulnerable.” These fish are found in Howard Prairie Lake, the South Fork Canal and Grizzly Creek in T38 3E
section 14. Currently, the redband trout population in this area is in poor condition due to genetic dilution from
hatchery fish released into the lake. Redband trout need cool water temperatures, hiding cover, clean spawning
gravels, rearing pools, and an adequate food supply for good fish production.
Table 4. Special Status Species (Aquatic Wildlife)
Species
Redband Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss spp.)
Status
Sensitive
Riparian surveys were conducted on Grizzly Creek and the South Fork Canal in 2002. Overall these streams were
found to be in poor condition. Grizzly Creek was rated as Non Functional and South Fork Canal was not given a
rating because it is a manmade ditch that transfers water from South Fork Little Butte Creek to Howard Prairie
Reservoir. The fish habitat is poor in the canal because of bank erosion from high flows. Furthermore there is little
to no shade along the ditch. The South Fork Canal flows into Grizzly Creek in the upper northeast corner of T38
3E section 14. Grizzly Creek was rated as non functional due to grazing impacts and down cutting. A majority of
the flow in Grizzly Creek is augmented by the canal for much of the year. Stream surveys noted unstable banks
and active bank erosion in Grizzly Creek from down cutting and extensive cattle and horse grazing. These reaches
were visited in May 2009 and it appeared conditions had improved. It appeared willows were growing back in
many places along Grizzly Creek, however shade was still lacking for much of the stream reach. The stream was
down cutting from high flows in the South Fork Canal Creek. Horse trails was causing moderate erosion at a
bridge crossing and just upstream of the mouth of Grizzly Creek.
The Fredenberg pebblesnail (Fluminicola n. sp. 11) which formerly had status under the Northwest Forest Plan
14
(USDA 1999) as a Survey and Manage species was observed several miles upstream of the Howard Prairie
allotment. All pebblesnail populations are considered at risk because of their endemism, their sensitivity to habitat
disturbance, and their life history trait of only breeding once in a lifetime. Pebblesnails are associated primarily
with cold springs and headwaters of streams. The Howard Prairie Allotment has several springs, however
pebblenails have not been confirmed within the allotment.
Special Status Species (Botanical)
Bureau Special Status Fungi, Lichens, and Bryophytes:
The allotment was surveyed for Bureau Sensitive Status lichens and bryophytes in the spring of 2007. No known occurrences of sensitive fungi, lichens or byrophytes are present within the allotment area. Federally Listed, and Bureau Sensitive Status Vascular Plants:
The allotment was surveyed for Bureau Sensitive Status and federally listed plants in the spring of 2007 and there are no known occurrences. The allotment is outside the range of federally listed plants (Limnanthes floccosa, Lomatium cookii, Fritillaria gentneri, and Arabis macdonaldiana) habitat defined by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, 2003). Noxious Weeds:
“Noxious Weed” describes any plant classified by the Oregon State Weed Board that is injurious to public health,
agriculture, recreation, wildlife, or any public or private property (Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious
Weed Program). The definition of a B-Designated weed is one “of economic importance which is regionally
abundant, but which may have limited distribution in some counties” and treatment methods are determined on a
case-by-case basis (Oregon Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Program). Field surveys in the Howard
Prairie allotment have identified one species classified as a B-designated weed, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum
perforatum). The Medford District BLM does not typically mitigate for this species.
There are populations of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) and other exotic grasses found throughout some of the open
dry to semi-wet areas within the allotment. Exotic grass infestations are of concern because they alter the
ecological functioning of native plant communities, reduce the value of wildlife habitat, and provide inferior forage
for wildlife and livestock (D’Antonio and Vitousek, 1992). Populations of bulbous bluegrass, an exotic perennial,
also occur in the non-conifer dry to semi-wet habitats, and populations are primarily located in areas with current
disturbance (i.e. equestrian activity, cattle grazing, and other recreation activity). Nested frequency data does not
indicate a trend for this species, because it does not occur at the trend plot location. The areas most likely to
experience conversion from native perennial grasslands to exotic annual/perennial grasslands have already
undergone conversion within the Howard Prairie allotment.
RANGELAND HEALTH ASSESMENT SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
Rangeland Health is defined as the degree in which the integrity of the soil, vegetation, water, and air as well as the
ecological processes of the rangeland ecosystem are balanced and sustained (USDA 1997). This qualitative
assessment along with quantitative monitoring data is an attempt to look at how well ecological processes such as
the water cycle (capture, storage, and safe release of precipitation), energy flow (conversion of sunlight to plant
and then animal matter), and nutrient cycle (the cycle of nutrients through the physical and biotic components of
the environment) are functioning. The product of this qualitative assessment is not a single rating of rangeland
health, but and assessment of three interrelated attributes: Soil/site stability, Hydrologic function, and Biotic
integrity. Attributes are rated based on what would be expected for the site or a “reference state” based on soils,
climate and topography compared to the current state. The attributes are split into seventeen indicators that are
rated as none to slight, slight to moderate, moderate, moderate to extreme, and extreme to total departures from the
reference state. (see Tables 5, 6)
15
Rangeland health assessments were completed at two ecological sites on the Howard Prairie allotment; Wet Loamy
Terrace and Wet meadow. These ecological sites were chosen by using GIS (Global Information Systems)
mapping that defined vegetative communities and soils followed by field surveys to determine a representative
location to complete the assessment. The assessments were completed with an IDT (Interdisciplinary team).
Location 1: Wet Meadow Summary
The overall rating for this location is a None to Slight departure from what would be expected for this site. All
seventeen indicators (100%) were rated None to Slight and none of the indicators were rated Slight to Moderate,
Moderate, Moderate to Extreme, or Extreme to Total.
Photo 1. Photo taken at the Wet meadow ecological site
Table 5. Rangeland Health Field Assessment Indicator Summary-location 1
Location 1: Wet Meadow
Indicator
Degree of Departure from Ecological Site Description
Extreme
Moderate to
Extreme
1. Rills
2. Water Flow Patterns
3. Pedestals and/or Terracettes
4.Bareground
5. Gullies
6. Windscoured Blowouts
7. Litter movement
16
Moderate
Slight to
Moderate
None to Slight
8. Soil surface resistance to erosion
9. Soil surface loss or degradation
10. Plant community composition and
distribution relative to infiltration
11. Compaction Layer
12. Functional/Structural groups
13. Plant mortality/ decadence
14. Litter amount
15. Annual Production
16. Invasive Plants
17. Reproductive capability of Perennial
plants
Location 2: Wet Loamy Terrace Summary
The overall rating for this location is a Slight to Moderate departure from what would be expected for this site.
Twelve indicators (71%) were rated None to Slight, five indicators (29%) was rated Slight to Moderate and none
of the indicators were rated Moderate, Moderate to Extreme, or Extreme to Total.
Photo 2. Photo taken at the Wet Loamy Terrace ecological site
17
Table 6. Rangeland Health Field Assessment Indicator Summary-location 2
Location 2: Wet Loamy Terrace
Indicator
Degree of Departure from Ecological Site Description
Extreme
Moderate to
Extreme
1. Rills
2. Water Flow Patterns
3. Pedestals and/or Terracettes
4.Bareground
5. Gullies
6. Windscoured Blowouts
7. Litter movement
8. Soil surface resistance to erosion
9. Soil surface loss or degradation
10. Plant community composition and
distribution relative to infiltration
11. Compaction Layer
12. Functional/Structural groups
13. Plant mortality/ decadence
14. Litter amount
15. Annual Production
16. Invasive Plants
17. Reproductive capability of Perennial
plants
18
Moderate
Slight to
Moderate
None to Slight
References
Alexander, J.D., Stephens, J.L. and N.E Seavy. In prep. Livestock utilization and bird community
composition in mixed-conifer forest and oak woodland in southern Oregon.
D’Antonio, C. M. and Vitousek, P. M. 1992. Biological Invasions by Exotic Grasses, the Grass/Fire Cycle, and
Global Change. Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, 23:63-87.
Hosten, P. E., G. Hickman, and F. Lang. 2007c. Patterns of vegetation change in grasslands,
shrublands, and woodlands of southwest Oregon. USDI Bureau of Land Management, Medford District.
http://soda.sou.edu/bioregion.html
Hosten, P. E., H. Whitridge, and M. Broyles. 2007b. Diet overlap and social interactions among
cattle, horses, deer and elk in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument, southwest Oregon. USDI Bureau of Land
Management, Medford District. http://soda.sou.edu/bioregion.html
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small mammals in two forest types in southern Oregon.
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US Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management, Portland, OR. 2003. Oregon and Washington Bureau
of Land Management Special Status Species List.
U.S. Department Of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, Ashland Resource Area. 1999.
Unpublished data, Stream Surveys.
US Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. Portland, OR 1997. Standards for Rangeland Health
and Guidelines for Livestock Grazing Management for Public Lands Administered by the Bureau of Land
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Oregon (Summer 2007). 76 pp.
20
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