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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
EASTERN REGION (REGION 9)
MILWAUKEE, WI
FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 40 – RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
Supplement No.: R9RO 2240-2014-4
Effective Date: April 18, 2014
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: KATHLEEN ATKINSON
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 4/17/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this Handbook was 2230-2014-3 to Chapter 30.
New Document
R9 RO 2240-2014-4
4 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
R9 RO 2240-2007-2
4 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
Entire Supplement – Reissues entire supplement without any change in content.
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: X/XX/2014
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 40 – RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
2240.3 – POLICY
12. Provide a current record of range improvements and deferred maintenance costs in
the INFRA databases.
(a) Update annually or when needed.
(b) All improvements should be mapped and placed on the Forest Range Allotment
Map layer. GPS is recommended.
(c) Assign a number, date of construction, condition rating, and maintenance
recommendation to each improvement.
2241 – FINANCING RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
2241.2 – Use of Grazing Fees
2241.23 – National Forests and Land Utilization Projects in the Eastern States
1. Permittee cooperation in construction of structural and accomplishment of nonstructural range improvement will be encouraged with the use of the Grazing Fee Credit System.
Permittee contributions may be in deposited cash, labor, material, or a combination of resources.
2. Participation in the Grazing Fee Credit System is not mandatory in order to use or
hold a grazing permit. However, in the case of low budgets, permittees should be advised of the
unlikely prospect of Forest Service construction and the secondary effects upon stocking rates
and management.
2242 – STRUCTURAL RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
2242.03 – Policy
For planning and structural improvement specifications, Region 9 has adopted the Interagency
Structural Handbooks described below and referenced in Exhibit 1.
1.
2.
3.
4.
“Facilities for Handling, Sheltering And Trailing Livestock”
“Facilities for Watering Livestock And Wildlife”
“Specifications for Structural Range Improvements”
“Fences”
The Interagency Structural Handbooks provide information, guidelines and specifications for the
planning and implementation of the range improvement programs on the National Forests and
Land Utilization Projects in the Eastern Region. It is Regional policy to encourage construction
R9 RO SUPPLEMENT
EFFECTIVE DATE: X/XX/2014
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 40 – RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
of improvements that will aid in perpetuating Forest and Rangeland Health, assure proper use of
range areas, assist in coordinating grazing with other uses, and aid in efficient handling of
livestock.
All personnel should make every attempt to obtain full value, on the ground, for every dollar
spent. Consultation with allotment permittees, and careful field and office planning must precede
each project. Well-planned and properly constructed improvements result in long life with low
maintenance costs. Constructed improvements should be those listed in the development section
of approved allotment management plan.
Proven standards and progressive construction and maintenance policies must be a portion of the
range planning sequence. The construction guides in Exhibit 1 should aid Forest representatives
in constructing and maintaining structural range improvements, which not only accomplish the
desired objective, but also minimize conflicts with other resources and other multiple use
services.
Field conditions seldom, if ever, conform to textbook designs. For this reason, the use of new
methods, materials, and designs is encouraged. However, the ultimate criteria must be the
judgment of the Forest officers involved, depending upon the situation encountered on the
ground. Worthwhile contributions, along these lines, should be forwarded to the Range
Management Staff Director for dissemination to other Forests.
2242.03 Exhibit 1
Source of Range Structural Improvement Standards:
To purchase any of the
above handbooks,
contact:
The Society of Range Management;
445 Union Blvd.;
Suite 230; Lakewood, CO 80228
303-986-3892
Fax 303-986-3892
www.rangelands.org
2246 – RANGE IMPROVEMENT INVESTMENT
2246.1 – Screening and Ranking
5. Regional priority for range improvements are as follows:
a. Improvements designed to arrest deteriorated ecosystem health on open lands,
forests or watersheds where there is livestock grazing.
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DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
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FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 40 – RANGE IMPROVEMENTS
b. Improvements designed to sustain viable populations of native and desired nonnative species and to achieve objectives for Management Indicator Species, (MIS).
c. Improvements designed to improve management of forage resources within the
capability of sustainable ecosystems.
d. Improve the capability of the forests and grasslands to provide diverse, high
quality outdoor recreation opportunities along with desired sustainable levels of uses,
values, products and services.