Annual Grazing Plan 1977 Winter Allotment

Coconino National Forest
Beaver Creek Ranger District
Rimrock, AZ 86335
2210

January 11, 1977

Mr. William M. Sullivan
V-V Cattle Company
Star Route
Rimrock, AZ 86335

Dear Bill:

This letter will serve as our Annual Plan of Grazing for 1977 on the Walker Basin Allotment per our discussion with you at the time of taking your grazing application on December 9, 1976.

The following livestock numbers and seasons of use, as indicated on the Bill for Collection which you will receive, are permitted on the Walker Basin (W) Allotment in 1977:

76	cattle   ( ) from January 1 through May 31 and from November 1 through December 31
338	cattle () frown January 1 through May 31 and from November 1 through December 31
7	horses from January 1 through March 31 and from November 1 through December 31

In 1977 management on the Walker Basin (W) Allotment will be as follows:

1. Shipping Lane

On January 2, 1977, the gates into the Shipping Lane were opened and cattle started to the lower country via this unit. It is intended only to move cattle through the lane to the lower units. The lane must be cleared of all livestock by January 15, 1977.

2. Russell and Wickiup Units

As cattle are moved out of the lane they will be placed in these units. The cattle will be divided approximately 50 - 50 with about 200 head going into each unit. The gates between these units will remain closed. Cattle will remain in these units until approximately April 1.

3. Walker Basin Unit

Livestock will move to the upper portions of the Allotment and ultimately to summer range via Walker Basin. As previously stated, cattle may be started into this unit around April 1. By April 15, all cattle should be located in the Cedar Flats and Twin Buttes Units.

4. Cedar Flats and Twin Buttes Units

By April 15 all cattle should be out of the lower country and located in the Cedar Flats Unit. If the proposed tank on Big Hill is completed and has water, approximately 50 to 75 head of livestock can be located in the Five-Mile Pass - Big Hill area. If Five-Mile Pass Tank and the proposed tank do not have water, no cattle will be placed in the Twin Buttes Unit. While cattle are in the Cedar Flats Unit they will be encouraged to utilize the area north of Long Canyon. Consequently, salt placement should be located in this area. All gates between these units will remain closed until May 25. At this time gates may be opened and cattle allowed to start toward Buckhorn. All cattle will be removed from winter range by June 5, 1977.

5: Bull Pasture

Bulls will utilize the bull pasture until they are placed with the cattle in the spring.

6. Horse Pasture

Seven head of permitted horses will use the horse pasture for the period January 1 through March 31 and November 1 through December 31.

In addition to the above management considerations, the following, as we discussed, will be applicable while cattle are on winter range:

1. You will present all livestock for counting as they are removed from the lane and placed in the Wickiup and Russell Units.

2. Unless otherwise authorized in writing, all gates between units will remain closed.

3. Approximately six (6) head, depending on how the count comes out, of cattle need to be rebranded to . This may be done at Buckhorn as cattle move through. However, since this problem has cone up for the last two years, the rebranded cattle must be visually inspected by Larry or me before turning them onto summer range.

When cattle return to winter range this fall, the bulls may go to the upper end of the shipping lane. Approximately 150 head of livestock will go into the Twin Buttes Unit. The remainder of the mother cows will be placed in the Cedar Flats Unit. Again, some of these cattle should be encouraged to stay on the north side of Long Canyon through salting and riding. We suggest that by placing some of your younger cattle in these light use areas they will stay better than the older cows. Cattle will remain here until December 31.

In 1977 we plan to accomplish the following:

1. Construction of Anniversary and Big Hill Stock Tanks. The Forest Service will contribute $2,000.00 per tank. The permittee will be responsible for paying all additional costs.

2. Waterlot Windmill Tank as soon as we can get the Environmental Analysis Report completed and approved.

3. If you want or need the salt bunkers at Windmill and Lookout Tanks, they should be removed by June 1, 1977. If they are not removed, we will assume that you do not want them and will burn them. -.

Bill, during the past few months we have discussed livestock accountability on the Allotment. More specifically, we stated that under the present two-permit system, livestock numbers for each brand will have to be within permitted numbers. As you know, this is the second year that you have had approximately six (6) head too many of cattle. We have enclosed a copy of livestock classification form for each brand. These are included for your information and should be kept for reference. Again, unless in the future one combined permit is executed for the Allotment, livestock numbers must be kept within term permit numbers.

Salt should be used as a tool of management to aid in distribution. It should be placed on feed and away from water and other areas of normal concentration.

As in the past, extreme caution should be taken with branding fires. If fire conditions become severe this summer, fire restrictions and/or a Forest closure may be implemented. In any case, we will keep you advised of such conditions and issue you a permit to conduct normal ranch activities.

All fences for which you are responsible will be maintained prior to moving cattle.

Sincerely,

Robert B. Gillies, Jr.
District Ranger

Enclosures: Forms 2200-1

cc: S.O.
       Range Notebook

LRPotts:dal

Last Revised: 12 September 2002