Report

DREW CREEK, DIAMOND ROCK, AND DIVIDE CATTLE ALLOTMENTS, TILLER RANGER DISTRICT, UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST, DOUGLAS AND JACKSON COUNTIES, OREGON. Part 1 of 1

2005

Overview

PURPOSE: The re-issuance of term grazing permits for six cattle and horse allotments in the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest, Douglas and Jackson counties, Oregon is proposed. The study area is situated in the Umpqua River and Rogue River basins. The permits would cover the Drew Creek, Diamond Rock, Divide, Summit, Acker Divide, and Whisky Camp allotments. Livestock grazing has historically been a component of the District's multiple-use program, contributing to the social and economic well-being of several permittees, who rely on public range resources for subsistence. Key issues identified during scoping include those associated with socioeconomic impacts, costs and revenues of the Forest Service and permittees, degradation of natural resources (including habitat for species at risk), and Forest Service administrative and permittee operational practices. Four alternatives, including a No Action Alternative (Alternative 4), were considered in the draft EIS. The proposed action, which is also the preferred alternative in this supplement to the draft EIS (Alternative 2) would adjust the grazing system to by reducing allotment acreage and livestock numbers, permitting livestock grazing on landforms that are most resilient to livestock impacts in order to minimize potential resource problems and allow the easiest management of cattle on the range. The extent of area within allotments would be reduced from 26,074 acres to 8,952 acres. The action would permit 346 cow/calf pairs, amounting to 1,903 head-months, to graze on five Tiller District livestock allotments. These allotments would include the Divide, Drew Creek, Diamond Rock, Summit, and Acker Divide allotments and cover 51,950 acres; grazing would be allowed May 1 to October 31. The northern boundary of the Divide allotment would be modified to better contain cattle from straying outside the allotment into the adjoining earth flow areas and unique and mosaic habitats. POSITIVE IMPACTS: The length of stream channel within allotments would decline significantly, improving the quality of the eliminated channels. Key watersheds acreage within allotments would decline as well. Management effort on the part of permit holders would drop, as would cost of operating permit lands. Management effort and costs incurred by the Forest Service would also be reduced. Management conflicts with the Squaw Flats Research Natural Area would be eliminated. Unique/mosaic habitat would be enhanced. Habitat within and along three streams would improve. Soil productivity problems in Jackson and the Upper South Umpqua watersheds would be eliminated, and problems in the Elk Creek watershed would be lessened. Bank stability and stream morphology would improve and stream sedimentation would decline. Ash swale wildlife habitat would continue to improve in the area. Oak, riparian, and wetland habitat would be enhanced, and noxious weeds would decline. Conflicts between recreationists and ranchers would decline, and risk of damage to cultural resources would also fall. NEGATIVE IMPACTS: The number of permittees and employment opportunities related to livestock grazing would decline significantly, affecting the traditional rural lifestyle of the area. Grazing-related revenues would drop significantly. Grazing damage to conifer plantations would result in some economic losses. LEGAL MANDATES: National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.) and Public Law 104-19. PRIOR REFERENCES: For the abstract of the draft EIS, see 01-0265D, Volume 25, Number 3.

• Subject: Bank Protection / Biologic Assessments / Cultural Resources / Economic Assessments / Erosion Control / Forests / Grazing / Impact Monitoring Plans / Livestock / National Forest Management Act of 1976, Compliance / Oregon / Public Law 104-19, Compliance / Range Management / Ranges / Recreation Resources / Sediment / Soils Surveys / Streams / Subsistence / Umpqua National Forest / Vegetation Surveys / Watersheds / Wetlands / Wildlife Habitat / Wildlife Surveys