1970 Multiple Use Survey Report
Walker Basin Environmental Analysis

Long Valley Ranger District
Coconino National Forest

Region 3

Stage 1

Prepared by: Peter P. Tatschl, Range Conservationist Date: 4-8-70

Approval Recommended by: Richard D. Beaubien, District Ranger Date: 4-9-70

Approved by: Don D. Seaman, Forest Supervisor Date: 4/27/70

Introduction and Description

Purpose: To coordinate the use of the grazing resource with other National Forest uses and activities on the Walker Basin Allotment.

Management Zones: The allotment is within the Intermediate and Woodland Zones. Also included is the Travel Influence Zone of FH-3 which is in the extreme northeastern part of the allotment.

Land Status: Southwest Forest Industries, Inc. own 3,876 acres within the allotment. The permittees own 240 acres within the allotment. The Southwest lands are managed by the Forest Service under a Memorandum of Understanding with Southwest Forest Industries.

Size: The Walker Basin (S) Allotment has a gross acreage of 24,879 acres.

Grazing Permittee: V Bar V Cattle Company, Rimrock, Arizona.

Physiography: The soils are derived from volcanic parent material. A soil survey has been completed for the area. The topography is gently rolling to relatively flat. Sam's Butte and Hollingshead are two areas that are rough and unsuitable for grazing. There are other small scattered areas over the allotment which are also unsuitable. Some drainages tend to bluff-up for short distances but then flatten out to open drainages. All of the allotment is characterized by out-croppings of malapai rocks. The area drains into the Verde River, then into the Gila-Salt River drainage system.

There is a lack of desirable cool-season and warm-season growing grass species within nearly the entire allotment.

Other: The range allotment analysis field work was completed in 1968.

General Location Map: A detailed map is bound with the Range Analysis.

Evaluation of Proposed Management and Development of National Forest Resources, Uses, and Activities

1. Air: Slash disposal in pinyon-juniper clearing projects could affect air quality.
2. Natural Beauty: Range development projects from fences to pinyon-juniper clearing will affect natural beauty.
3. Recreation: There are no developed or proposed recreation areas within the Walker Basin Allotment. Even though there is a lack of camping facilities, conflicts between recreation and range can occur. The rapid increase of overland travel by dune buggies and Honda riders will soon cause us many problems.
4. Timber: Most of the allotment has been cut over in the early 1950's. The area will probably be logged during the years 1976-1981. Regeneration cuts might be planned for some of the allotment. Livestock grazing can affect the establishment of new stands of reproduction in cut-over areas.
5. Watershed: Down stream water values could be impaired by the poor condition of the range. Potentially severe erosion could occur in many of these overused areas.
6. Wildlife: The principal big game species on the allotment are elk, deer, and turkey. A few antelope are present but insufficient in numbers to be hunted. There is probably some competition for forage between big game species and permitted cattle. The actual amount of competition has not been determined.
   Type conversion projects and range fence construction will affect wildlife habitat.
7. Soils: Poor range conditions affect soil quality. Soil productivity affects the success of pinyon-juniper control.
8. Fire: Livestock water developments increase available water for fire suppression activities. Slash burning from type conversion projects could increase fire hazard.
9. Water: The Salt River Project is notified of all proposed water impoundment projects.
10. Insects and Disease: Slash developing from clearing sites for tanks or fence line could cause an increase in Ips concentration.
11. Transportation: FH-3 which crosses a section of the allotment is covered by the Travel Influence Zone. Numerous system and non-system roads traverse the allotment. Access to West Clear Creek trails is through this allotment. Gates left open by other forest users can cause problems in the rotation management of the allotment.
12. Range: Poor range condition is prevalent throughout most of the allotment. Poor distribution and improper pasture use, coupled with poor weather conditions, can cause this deterioration of the range. Invasion by Ponderosa Pine, pinyon and juniper also decreases range productivity.
13. Landownership Adjustments: Sections 3, 5, 7, and 11, T14N, R9E are in the process of exchange from Southwest Forest Industries, Inc. to National Forest land.

Recommendations

Recommend approval of the Walker Basin Environmental Analysis and this Stage I Multiple Use Report and Survey with the following stipulations:

1. Burn slash from pinyon-juniper projects when smoke would be best dispersed and during a period when forest users would be least affected.
2. Lay out range development and range improvement projects with concern for the aesthetic quality of the area.
3. Start a concentrated campaign through the public news media aimed at educating the public about the detrimental effects of overland travel on National Forest resources.
4. Correlate the Walker Basin Management Plan with any timber regeneration cuts made within the allotment. Allow for rotation flexibility in pastures subject to regeneration cuts.
5. Regulate grazing use to restore ground cover and reduce erosion hazard.
6. 1. Make an attempt to determine the amount of grazing competition between cattle and elk on the Walker Basin allotment (S).
   2. Construct range improvements so as not to impede wildlife movements.
   3. Use browse species in seeding mixtures when reseeding type conversion projects.
   4. Allow for wildlife habitat needs in pinyon-juniper removal projects.
7. Highly productive soil types should be given first consideration in reseeding projects.
8. 1. Have an approved burning plan prior to burning slash from control projects.
   2. When possible, allow for fire control access to range water developments.
9. Notify Salt River Project of proposed water developments.
10. 1. Pile slash from clearing sites for stock tanks away from small trees.
    2. Burn piled slash in pine areas to keep disease epidemics from breaking out.
11. 1. Follow the District Multiple Use Plan concerning Travel Influence Zones when range development projects are anticipated in that area.
    2. Provide cattleguards where range fences cross system roads.
    3. Provide iron gates where range fences cross non-system roads.
12. 1. Develop and implement an objective management plan for the Walker Basin Allotment (S) which will eventually return the range condition to fair or better.
    2. Improve livestock distribution through salting, riding, water development and water lot fencing.
    3. Implement pinyon-juniper control projects, where needed, to improve range condition.
13. Continue grazing on the sections exchanged from Southwest Forest Industries, Inc. to the Forest Service.

Last Revised: 3 August 2001