Walker Basin (W) Allotment
Management Plan for 1969-1974

Beaver Creek Ranger District
Coconino National Forest
Region 3

Prepared by: Edwin L. McCutchen, Forester, Date 5/21/69
Approved by: Gerald L.Mundell, District Ranger, Date 5/21/69
Approved by: William M. Sullivan, Permittee, Date 5/21/69
Approved by: Don D. Seaman, Forest Supervisor, Date 7/8/69

General

The Walker Basin C&H Allotment is basically a yearlong allotment. However, the summer-winter operations are split between the Long Valley and Beaver Creek Districts, respectively. This plan of managment will consider only the winter range (Beaver Creek District).

Present obligations on the Walker Basin (W) Allotment are 490 cattle for the period 11/1-5/31. A non-use agreement for range protection is in effect for the period 11/1/69-10/31/74. Number to be grazed during the non-use period are as follows:

Present indications are that the numbers obligated during the non-use period are in excess of the estimated current grazing capacity by approximately 20 percent.

During the past few years considerable range improvement work, both structural and non-structural, has been completed. Presently the allotment is divided into units as follows:

Objectives

This plan will cover the five year non-use period. Management objectives for this period are specific and tangible:

1. Complete the seed and chain phase of the Cedar Flat Unit revegetation project.
2. Improve wildlife habitat by including browse species in the seed mixtures for Cedar Flat.
3. Provide at least two consecutive growing seasons rest for germination and seedling establishment on the Cedar Flat Unit.
4. Continue management under a deterred rotation system with emphasis on balancing utilization between grazing units.
5. Improve utilization within grazing units through the use of good salting techniques and riding/herding to break up cattle concentrations.
6. Settle non-use agreement now in effect at a level of stocking commensurate with range conditions.

Management System

For the past few years the Walker Basin (W) Allotment has been under a deferred-rotation management system. Seeding and chaining the Cedar Flat unit, proposed for the fall of 1969, must necessarily alter this system to provide at least two complete spring growing seasons rest for seedling establishment. A third growing season's rest may be necessary if germination does not occur during the first two. This will not be considered unless a truly meaningful additional stand can be expected.

Removing the Cedar Flat Unit from the grazing capacity of the allotment for a minimum of two years will put a tremendous burden on the permittee and on the remainder of the allotment. Since the allotment is estimated to be 20 percent overstocked and the Cedar Flat Unit makes up about 20 percent of the capacity, the rest of the allotment, at its present level of stocking must sustain 100 percent of the cattle on 60 percent of the forage.

In order to seek balance between numbers and capacity during the Cedar Flat revegetation period and minimize the possibility of undue damage to grazing wildlife and watershed resources the permittee will, 1) remove replacement heifers to an off-forest operation. 2) to facilitate simultaneous animal and range management the bulls will be fed in the west end of the Bull Pasture with the remainder of the pasture available, to other cattle, and 3) remove sufficient number of cows and/or supplemental feeding to reduce utilization to a maximum of 50 percent. In event conducive climatic conditions prevail and ample forage is available, the Bull Pasture will not be opened to the cow herd.

The grazing system to be used during the life of this plan is graphically illustrated on Form 2200-18, Grazing System Management Unit Allocations. The first two years provide for resting the Cedar Flat Unit for seedling establishment following seeding and chaining. During the remaining three years the management will revert to a deferred rotation system of management. Through necessity, the rotation schedule will remain flexible to provide for fixed factors, such as traversing rough terrain, and variable factors, such as abnormal weather conditions. However, it must be emphasized that the objective is to complete movements between units within 2 weeks (one week either side of the target date).

Salting Plan

The permittee shall continue his efforts of using salt and supplemental food as a tool of management. This includes placement of salt and supplemental feed away from water, heavily used areas and browse areas. Supplemental salt controlled feeds must be within a reasonable distance of water supply. Emphasis should be directed toward salting areas of heavy forage production, lightly used areas and areas between waters. In no case will salt be placed on permanent water without prior approval of the District Ranger.

Administration

Prior to the grazing season of each year, the Forest Service and the permittee will mutually develop an Annual Management Plan. From this plan will be drawn the basic rotation schedule range practices and improvements to be completed in the coming year.

Appendix

Maintenance of Range Improvements

The permittee will carry out routine maintenance on these improvements assigned to him. Routine maintenance is defined as follows:

• Fences - Posts , wire and stays shall be replaced annually as needed to maintain a high quality fence which will turn cattle.
• Stock Tanks - Clean out silt deposits and repair dams as needed.
• Trails - Insure that trails are adequately drained and maintained.

Improvements requiring heavy maintenance will be spelled out in the annual management plan.

Development Program

The completion of Walker Basin Road #4-214 is essential to the expeditious use of the management units and livestock shipment.

• Management Unit Allocations

Last Revised: 7 August 2001