OCR Text |
Show excluding cattle from immediate source areas where high water quality is desired. Grazing operations entail several other categories of potential impact on water resources. Foremost among these is the effect of livestock on soil stability and consequent increased erosion and sedimentation rates in grazed drainages. A considerable body of literature on this subject clearly establishes that poorly managed livestock grazing can result in severe damage to water resources and aquatic habitats, including channel widening, bank erosion, and lowered stream velocity ( Platts 1981). Changes in channel configuration and bottom texture are typical where sediment deposition increases, and these are accompanied by alterations in the aquatic communities. Such impacts are probably most profound when an area is grazed for the first time. III. K. 2. Management alternatives. Alternative A: No Action This alternative would continue the present practice of addressing water developments for livestock on a case- by- case basis with no uniform evaluation criteria established parkwide. Inconsistencies in the approval of rangeland water developments have occurred and could continue. Also, the impact of range management practices on water resources is inadequately documented insofar as operations in the recreation area are concerned. While years of grazing on the recreation area have already caused many of the impacts discussed above, any proposed change in grazing operations has the potential to improve or diminish NRA water resources with respect to their present condition. Under Alternative A, neither the current condition of park waters nor the effect of a change would be adequately documented. Alternative B: Establish water resource management guidelines for grazing ( preferred alternative) Under this alternative, guidelines for rangeland water developments on the recreation area would be established, providing instruction for NPS and BLM managers and the range allottees on the types of projects consistent with NPS management objectives for the recreation area. The guidelines would also be incorporated into a forthcoming Grazing Management Plan for the recreation area. The following criteria are proposed: 1. Livestock grazing in the recreation area will be managed with an objective to conserve and protect the quantity and quality of water resources. 52 |