Walker Basin (S & W) Management Plan Update

United States Forest Service, Department of Agriculture, Long Valley Ranger District

Reply to: 2210 Analysis and Plans Date: September 27, 1984
Subject: Walker Basin (S&W) Management Plan - Update

To: Forest Supervisor

The following brief is submitted and attached to the updated Walker Basin Allotment Management Plan for your review and approval.

I. Proposed Action

The proposal is to continue livestock grazing on the Walker Basin Allotment (S&W) under an improved grazing system and to implement a range development program. The present management plan for the Walker Basin Allotment is outdated. An updated management plan has been prepared which combines the Winter range with the Summer range in order to best continue proper range management practices and improve range conditions. Several grazing management alternatives have been explored to determine the grazing system that will best meet the management objectives. The allotment is on the Beaver Creek and Long Valley Ranger Districts of the Coconino National Forest.

II. Objectives of the Proposal

1. Obtain maximum livestock production consistent with other resources, uses, and activities.
2. Develop a grazing management system that will:
   1. Provide for adequate seasonal grazing deferment on key forage species.
   2. Compliment the permittee's livestock operation and animal husbandry practices.
   3. Provide for proper allowable grazing use for key forage species and in key areas.
3. Manage the entire Walker Basin Allotment (both winter and summer ranges) under one allotment management plan.

III. Issues and Concerns

The Interdisciplinary Team has reviewed the proposal and can find no significant issues or concerns.

2210 (1950)-Forest Supervisor-9/27/84

IV. Public Involvement

Parties with primary interest in this proposal are the grazing permittee and the Arizona Game and Fish Department. The permittee has been involved in several meetings to discuss management objectives and management alternatives. Glen Dickins, Regional Habitat Specialist for the AG&F, has reviewed this plan and he can find no issues or concerns regarding wildlife.

V. Recommendations

The improvements slated for development in this plan are both structural and non-structural, and are categorized as follows: The structural improvements are fence reconstruction and construction, pipeline and drinkers, roadside pit-tank development. Non-structural consists of: Reseeding disturbed timber sale areas using KV funds, continuation of the juniper maintenance program, and Pinyon-Juniper fuelwood cutting and reseeding.

These improvements are similar to previous projects used for standard range and wildlife development programs. Our normal or similar developmental techniques, currently in use, have shown limited context and intensity and produce little or no adverse environmental effects, individually or cumulatively, when implemented properly.

It is therefore recommended that this management plan be accepted as a categorical exclusion, and that no environmental assessment be prepared.

ID Team

D.M. Howard, Beaver Creek District Ranger
Ralph Pope, Range Conservationist
Jeanne Wade, Range Conservationist
Samuel Wolfskill, Lone Valley District Ranger
Earl Kerns, Range Conservationist

Recommended By: D.M. Howard, District Ranger Date: 9/28/84
Beaver Creek Ranger District

Samuel J. Wolfskill, District Ranger Date: 9/28/84
Long Va1ley Ranger District

Approved By: Neil R. Paulson, Forest Supervisor Date: 1/23/85
Coconino National Forest

Last Revised: 26 April 2000