CHAPTER 1: GRASSLANDWIDE
DIRECTION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains direction that applies grasslandwide, unless more stringent or restrictive
direction is found in Chapters 2 or 3. The grasslandwide and forestwide direction includes
Regional goals, grassland and forest goals, objectives, and standards and guidelines. Additional
direction can be found in appendices, which reference national goals, policies, statutes,
regulations, and agreements.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Land and resource management direction consists of goals, objectives and management
requirements (standards and guidelines) for national grasslands and national forests. The goals
and objectives provide broad, overall direction regarding the type and amount of goods and
services national grasslands and national forests will provide. The management requirements set
minimum standards that must be met or exceeded while achieving the goals and objectives.
Management requirements establish broad multiple-use management direction and generally
apply to all areas of the national grasslands and national forests.
Goals are concise statements that describe desired conditions expected to be achieved sometime
in the future. They are generally timeless and difficult to measure. Goals describe the ends to be
achieved, rather than the means of doing so.
Objectives are concise, time-specific statements of measurable planned steps taken to
accomplish a goal. Objectives are generally achieved by implementing a project or activity.
However, objectives are not targets. Targets are dependent upon budgets, which may or may not
reflect management plan emphasis areas.
The reader may note that some resources, management programs or responsibilities are only
briefly mentioned or not mentioned at all in this chapter. Chapter 2 contains additional direction
for the grassland and forest units. The Grassland Supervisor will strive to plan and implement
projects that contribute to achieving the grassland and forest goals and objectives in a manner
consistent with standards and guidelines and applicable legal requirements.
Many variables affect the achievement of goals and objectives that cannot be fully assessed.
There are numerous legal mandates, Congressional intent as directed by annual budgets, and
political issues over which the national grasslands and forests have little or no control. Given
this situation, Forest Service leadership will determine what mix of activities is most appropriate
in any given year and use every opportunity to move toward the overall management intent
prescribed by the goals and objectives.
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The goals and objectives presented here are tiered to the USDA Forest Service Government
Performance and Results Act Strategic Plan: 1997-2002. This strategic plan presents the goals,
objectives and activities that reflect the Forest Service’s commitment to a sustainable natural
resource base for the American people.
All of these goals and objectives fall under the overall mission of the USDA Forest Service:
To sustain the health, productivity and diversity of the land to meet the needs of present and
future generations.
The phrase "Caring for the Land and Serving People" expresses the spirit of this mission.
Implicit in this statement is the agency’s collaboration with people as partners in caring for the
nation’s forests and rangelands.
The Forest Service’s mission, and strategic goals and objectives are derived from the laws
defining and regulating the agency’s activities. The goals and objectives describe tangible
progress toward achieving the agency’s mission through implementing land and resource
management plans. These plans guide on-the-ground natural resource management to ensure
sustainable ecosystems and to provide multiple benefits.
The Forest Service is committed to achieving the following goals and objectives.
GOAL 1: ENSURE SUSTAINABLE ECOSYSTEMS
This goal focuses on achieving ecosystem health and sustainability through conserving and
restoring ecosystem structure, composition and processes, or ecological integrity. A guiding
principle is that all lands, public and private, contribute to ecological integrity. Protection,
restoration and maintenance of ecological integrity can only be accomplished through
cooperation and collaboration among all stakeholders.
Goal 1.1: Endangered, Threatened, and Sensitive Species - Conserve or restore populations of
endangered, threatened, and sensitive species through recovery and management efforts,
including the protection, conservation, and restoration of important terrestrial and aquatic
habitats.
Objectives:
1. As scientific information becomes available, jointly develop with US Fish and Wildlife
Service conservation and recovery strategies for plant and animal species listed as threatened
or endangered under ESA, and implement established recovery or conservation strategies
within 3 years.
2. As scientific information becomes available, develop and implement at least one
conservation strategy each year for a Forest Service Regional sensitive species.
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3. Within 15 years, demonstrate positive trends in populations, habitat availability, habitat
quality, or other factors affecting threatened, endangered, and sensitive species.
Goal 1.2: Species of Concern - Conserve populations of species of concern through
management efforts, including the protection, conservation, and restoration of important
terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Objectives:
1. Within 15 years, conserve populations of species of concern by demonstrating positive trends
in habitat availability and quality, or other factors affecting species of concern.
2. As unique plant and wildlife communities are identified, inventory them and develop
associated management strategies to conserve them.
Goal 1.3: Protected Areas - Conserve special environmental, cultural, social, and/or scientific
values in protected areas (Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, Research Natural Areas, Special
Interest Areas).
Objectives:
1. Within 5 years, protect features and communities of special concern within Wildernesses,
Research Natural Areas, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Special Interest Areas.
2. Within 5 years, develop a management and monitoring plan for each Research Natural Area.
Goal 1.4: Watershed, Riparian, and Aquatic Systems - Provide for robust health of soils,
streams, riparian areas, lakes, and wetlands.
Objectives:
1. Within 15 years, improve 20 percent of 6th level watersheds from Class II to Class I, or from
Class III to Class II. Impaired watersheds are a priority for improvement.
2. Within 15 years, achieve a 20 percent reduction in acres of detrimentally impacted soils.
3. Within 15 years, achieve a 20 percent reduction in the amount of degraded water bodies.
4. Within 15 years, move at least 80 percent of unsatisfactory riparian areas towards proper
functioning condition (PFC).
5. Within 15 years, implement management practices that will move at least 80 percent of the
riparian areas and woody draws toward healthy, self-perpetuating plant and water
communities (as defined in project level analysis) that will have desired diversity and density
of understory and overstory vegetation compared to site capability.
Goal 1.5: Rangeland Ecosystems - Maintain rangeland potential by managing for native plant
communities and desired soil surface characteristics.
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Objectives:
1. Within 10 years, implement practices that will move all upland landscapes toward desired
vegetative composition and structure as described in Geographic Area direction.
2. Within 10 years, comply with the range infrastructure direction (fence standards, gate
standards, water development densities, and average pasture size) defined in the standards
and guidelines and Geographic Area direction.
Goal 1.6: Forest Ecosystems - Provide a variety of vegetation types, patterns, and structural
components to meet desired landscape conditions.
Objective:
Within 15 years, move at least 20 percent of forested landscapes toward a functioning mosaic of
vegetation types, ages, sizes and other characteristics, that is consistent with desired conditions
described in Geographic Area direction.
Goal 1.7: Ecological Integrity - Maintain or enhance desired biological and physical ecosystem
components, and apply management practices that emulate the frequency, intensity, and duration
of ecological processes (e.g., fire, rest, and herbivory) to achieve desired landscape conditions.
Objectives:
1. Within 10 years, implement management practices on the planning area to achieve desired
percentage of rest, as described in Geographic Area direction.
2. Within 3 years, implement prescribed fire in a manner consistent with desired conditions and
Geographic Area direction.
3. Within 10 years, reduce or limit further expansion of areas affected by noxious weeds.
4. Within 3 years, develop and implement a certified noxious weed-free forage program in
consultation with appropriate state agencies.
5. Within 3 years, implement an integrated pest management program for noxious weeds
prevention and control.
Goal 1.8: Wildlife and Fish Habitat - Conserve habitat capable of supporting viable
populations of existing native and desired non-native species.
Objective:
Within 15 years, provide sufficient habitat to support desired population trends for Management
Indicator Species.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 4
Goal 1.9: Hazardous Substances Sites - Restore and protect aquatic and terrestrial resources
through remediation of hazardous substances sites.
Objective:
Within 15 years, take response actions on hazardous substances sites (CERCLA and
non-CERCLA).
Goal 1.10: Water Quantity - Provide instream flows that support the achievement and
maintenance in perpetuity of those federal purposes for National Forest System lands (i.e., safe
drinking and swimming, aquatic life and habitat, recreation and aesthetics, and the natural
conveyance of water and sediment) that depend on such flows.
Objective:
Within 15 years, identify and protect necessary stream flows for at least 10 percent of the stream
segments identified as having high resource values in the watershed reconnaissance.
Goal 1.11: Air Quality - Conserve air quality related values (soil, water quality, flora, fauna,
visibility) over Class I and Class II airsheds.
Objective:
In a timely manner, review Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) permit applications,
and make recommendations where needed to reduce impacts to air quality related values for all
Class I and Class II airsheds.
GOAL 2: PROVIDE MULTIPLE BENEFITS FOR PEOPLE WITHIN THE
CAPABILITIES OF ECOSYSTEMS
Within the limitations of maintaining ecosystem health and conserving biological diversity,
forests and rangelands are managed to meet people’s needs for uses, values, products and
services.
Goal 2.1: Recreation Opportunities - Maintain or enhance the diversity and quality of
recreation experiences within acceptable limits of change to ecosystem stability and condition.
Objectives:
1. Within 15 years, maintain or reconstruct to standard at least 80 percent of the trails rated poor
or critical.
2. Provide readily available off and on-site information on recreation opportunities for
developed and historic sites.
3. Within 5 years, provide appropriate directional signing to key recreation sites.
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4. Within 10 years, develop or update and implement site plans, as funding allows, for all
developed recreation sites. Site plans should address reconstruction or improvement of
existing facilities, development of new facilities, and vegetation management (including
noxious weeds).
5.
Within 10 years,
develop at least 40 miles of new trails.
construct 1 new campground on the Sheyenne National Grasslands;
construct 1 to 2 boat launch and take-out sites on the Little Missouri River;
construct at least one new pond at least 50 acres in size on the Little Missouri
National Grasslands or the Grand River National Grassland;
· construct 1 new picnic area on Grand River National Grassland.
·
·
·
·
6. Within 3 years, inventory conditions at high use dispersed recreation site. Within 10 years,
implement rehabilitation or revegetation practices as necessary.
7. Provide interpretive information in response to customer surveys.
Goal 2.2: Wilderness and Special Area Opportunities - Provide opportunities for recreational,
aesthetic, and educational experiences in protected areas (Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers,
Research Natural Areas, Special Interest Areas) that are consistent with the values of those areas.
Objective:
Within 3 years, revise or develop wilderness and research natural area plans to emphasize
recreational, aesthetic, and educational experiences consistent the values of those areas and
other plan direction.
Goal 2.3: Heritage Education and Resource Use - Conserve heritage resources, and make them
available for the education, use, or enjoyment of current and future generations.
Objectives:
1. Annually inventory acres and evaluate sites in support of management actions and activities
as agreed with State Historic Preservation Offices and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
2. Within 5 years, develop preservation plans with State Historic Preservation Office and Tribal
Historic Preservation Offices for at least 20% of all National Register of Historic Places
(NRHP) listed heritage sites and heritage districts in conjunction with State Historic
Preservation Office and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
3. Within 5 years, provide interpretation for NRHP sites where appropriate and consistent with
developed preservation plans.
4. Within 3 years, develop management plans for protection of traditional cultural properties in
consultation with American Indian tribes and traditional communities, and thereafter as sites
are identified.
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5. Within 10 years, update prehistoric, ethnographic and historic overviews.
6. Within 3 years, develop a comprehensive heritage strategy and implementation schedule for
management of heritage resources to include compliance with laws and delivery of public
services (Sec 106 and Sec 110 of NHPA).
Goal 2.4: Miscellaneous Products - Contribute to satisfying demand for miscellaneous
products (special forest products or other products, such as mushrooms, floral products, and
medicinal plants) through environmentally responsible harvest and collection methods on
National Forest System lands.
Objective:
Over the life of the plan, make a wide range of miscellaneous products available for collection in
a manner consistent with desired conditions.
Goal 2.5: Grazing - Contribute to satisfying demand for livestock products through
environmentally responsible grazing on National Forest System lands.
Objectives:
1. Provide a sustainable supply of forage for livestock on suitable rangelands.
2. Within 10 years, revise allotment management plans to move towards desired conditions.
Goal 2.6: Mineral and Energy Resources - Contribute to satisfying demand for mineral and
energy resources through environmentally responsible development on National Forest System
lands.
Objectives:
1. Respond in a timely manner to oil and gas leasing, exploration, or developments requests.
2. Over the life of the plan, ensure reclamation provisions of operating plans are completed to
standard.
Goal 2.7: Geologic and Paleontologic Resources - Conserve geologic and paleontologic
resources and make them available for the education, use, or enjoyment of current and future
generations.
1. Within 15 years, inventory and evaluate 20 percent of high potential paleontologic
formations.
2. Within 15 years, develop conservation plans for significant geologic and paleontologic sites.
3. Within 15 years, provide interpretation for at least 20 percent of important geologic and
paleontologic sites, consistent with the conservation plans.
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Goal 2.8: Scenery - Maintain or enhance the quality of scenic resources to provide the desired
landscape character.
Objective:
Implement practices that will meet or move the landscape toward scenic integrity objectives.
Goal 2.9: Special Uses - Provide opportunities for environmentally responsible special uses of
National Forest System lands, e.g., road rights-of-way, water lines, outfitters and guides.
Objectives:
1. In a timely manner, approve special-use proposals that are consistent with desired conditions
and standards and guidelines.
2. Within 3 years, ensure outfitter-guide, resort, and concessionaire operations are meeting or
exceeding expectations for customer service, and are in compliance with the terms of their
permits or contracts.
Goal 2.10: Wildlife and Fish Resource Use - Conserve habitat capable of supporting harvestable
surplus populations of appropriate wildlife and fish species, and of providing viewing
opportunities.
Objectives:
1. Within 15 years, identify wildlife/fish/plant viewing sites and protect, develop, and interpret
important sites.
2. Within 10 years, improve habitat to help support harvestable fish and wildlife populations by
moving upland landscapes towards desired vegetative composition and structure as described
in Geographic Area direction.
GOAL 3: ENSURE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS
An effective organization is needed to achieve the agency’s mission. Objectives relate to
generating scientific information, protecting and maintaining resources and facilities for agency
and public use, and fulfilling basic land-stewardship responsibilities to help ensure sustainable
ecosystems and provide multiple benefits to people.
The agency is also committed to a customer-service ethic focused on serving the needs of
customers, including low-income, minority and historically under-served communities. This
commitment includes having an innovative workforce that is representative of the American
society as a whole.
Goal 3.1: Capital Infrastructure - Develop a safe, efficient, and effective infrastructure that
supports public and administrative uses of National Forest System lands.
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Objectives:
1. Within 5 years, identify travel opportunities and restrictions, including designating
travelways, to meet land management objectives. Provide reasonable access for use of
National Forest System Lands. Provide site specific maps and information showing closures,
restrictions and opportunities for motorized and non-motorized use.
2. Within 15 years, annually maintain at least 20 percent of the Forest Development
transportation system roads.
3. Within 15 years, complete at least 10 percent of high-priority facility reconstruction projects.
4. Within 5 years, manage to standard at least 20 percent of buildings, bridges, and other
facilities.
Goal 3.2: Land Ownership - Adjust land ownership patterns to facilitate restoration, protection
and management of National Forest System lands.
Objectives:
1. Within 5 years, develop an approved land ownership adjustment plan.
2. Take advantage of opportunities in approved land ownership adjustment plans to dispose of,
purchase, or exchange lands where needed.
Goal 3.3: Boundary and Title Management - Protect National Forest System resources and land
title through legally defensible boundary lines.
Objective:
Within 15 years, survey and mark 30 percent of National Forest System land boundaries.
Goal 3.4: Public and Organizational Relations - Cooperate with individuals and organizations,
and local, state, tribal, and federal governments to promote ecosystem health and sustainability
across landscapes. This includes the following:
·
Provide opportunities for American Indian tribes to participate in planning and
management of National Forest System Lands, especially where tribes have claimed
special geographic, historical, or cultural significance or ties to the landscape.
·
Cooperatively work with federal, state, county agencies, grazing associations, and other
non-government organizations for control of noxious weeds, insects, and predators.
·
Create partnerships with other agencies, accredited educational and research institutions,
state geologists, state paleontologists, and other appropriate public and private sector
organizations to further the goals of research, education, protection, and interpretation of
the fossil resource.
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·
Cooperate with the appropriate state agencies in balancing desired wildlife and fish
population objectives with desired habitat conditions.
·
Partner in the management of avian habitats and wetland ecosystems for waterfowl and
wetland wildlife by cooperating in the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and
the Partners in Flight Program.
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STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES
This direction applies across the national grasslands and forests, unless more stringent or
restrictive direction is found in the geographic area direction in Chapter 2 or the management
area prescriptions in Chapter 3. Additional direction is found in appendices, which include more
detailed information, or national and regional policies.
Standards are actions that must be followed or are required limits to activities in order to
achieve grassland or forest goals and objectives. Site-specific deviations from standards must be
analyzed and documented in management plan amendments.
Guidelines are advisable actions that should be followed to achieve grassland or forest goals
and objectives. Deviations from guidelines must be analyzed during project-level analysis and
documented in a project decision document but do not require management plan amendments.
PHYSICAL RESOURCES
A. Air
1. Conduct all land management activities in such a manner as to comply with all applicable
federal, state, and local air-quality standards and regulations including: Federal Clean Air Act,
as amended, 1990 (42 USC 7401-7671); North Dakota Air Pollution Control Law, (33-15-02);
and South Dakota Air Pollution Control Program (Title 74, #36). Standard
2. Meet requirements of the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD), State
Implementation Plans (SIP) and applicable Smoke Management Plans. Standard
3. Ensure emissions from grassland and forest management activities are within Class I and
Class II increments. (See Appendix A regarding Class I Areas) Standard
(See Geology and Minerals, Leasable Minerals section to find air standards and guidelines
related to mineral operations.)
B. Water
1. Manage land treatments to conserve site moisture and to protect long-term stream health
from damage by increased runoff. Standard
2. Manage land treatments to maintain enough organic ground cover in each land unit to
prevent harmful increased runoff (exceptions may occur in special habitat situations (e.g. prairie
dog habitat)). Standard
3. Allow only those land treatments that maintain or improve long-term stream health in the
water-influence zone next to perennial and intermittent streams, lakes and wetlands. Standard
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4. Design and construct all stream crossings and other instream structures to pass normal
flows, withstand expected flood flows, and allow free movement of resident aquatic life and
maintain hydrologic function. Standard
5. Conduct actions so that stream pattern, geometry, and habitats are maintained or improved
toward robust stream health. Standard
6. Protect ground cover, soil structure, water budgets and flow patterns in wetlands.
Standard
7. Maintain enough water in perennial streams to sustain existing stream health. Return some
water to de-watered perennial streams when needed and feasible. Standard
8. Manage water-use facilities to prevent gully erosion of slopes to prevent sediment and
bank damage to streams. Standard
9. Construct roads and other disturbed sites to minimize sediment discharge into streams,
lakes and wetlands. Standard
10. Place new sources of chemicals and pathogenic pollutants where such pollutants will not
reach surface or ground water. Standard
11. Apply runoff controls to disconnect new pollutant sources from surface and ground
water. Standard
12. Use methods to apply chemicals that minimize risk of unintended entry to surface and
ground water. Standard
13. Design activities to protect and manage the riparian ecosystem. Maintain the integrity of
the ecosystem including quantity and quality of water. Standard
14. Locate activities and facilities away from the water’s edge or outside the riparian areas,
woody draws, wetlands and floodplains unless alternatives have been assessed and determined to
be more environmentally damaging. If necessary to locate activities or facilities in these areas,
then:
·
Deposit no waste material (silt, sand, gravel, soil, slash, debris, chemical or other material)
below high water lines, in riparian areas, in areas immediately adjacent to riparian areas or in
natural drainageways (draws, land surface depressions or other areas where overland flow
concentrates and flows directly into streams or lakes).
·
Prohibit the depositing of soil material in natural drainageways.
·
Locate the lower edge of disturbed or deposited soil banks outside the active floodplain.
·
Prohibit stockpiling of topsoil or any other disturbed soil in the active floodplain.
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·
Locate drilling mud pits outside riparian areas, wetlands and floodplains. If location is
unavoidable in these areas, seal and dike all pits to prevent leakage.
·
Rehabilitate gravel pits to simulate a natural riparian/aquatic situation if permitted in riparian
zones.
·
Do not allow new roads to parallel streams when road location must occur in riparian areas
except where absolutely necessary. Cross streams at right angles. Locate crossings at points
of low bank slope and firm surfaces. Standard
(See the Geology and Minerals Appendix F for information on siting oil and gas facilities.)
C. Soils
1. Limit roads and other disturbed sites to the minimum feasible number, width and total
length consistent with the purpose of specific operations, local topography and climate.
Standard
2. Stabilize and maintain roads and other disturbed sites during and after construction to
control erosion. Standard
3. Reclaim roads and other disturbed sites when use ends, as needed, to prevent resource
damage. Standard
4. Manage land treatments to limit the sum of severely burned and detrimentally compacted,
eroded and displaced land to no more than 15 percent of any land unit. Standard
5. Maintain or improve long-term levels of organic matter and nutrients on all lands.
Standard
6. Prohibit soil-disturbing activities (e.g., road construction, well pad construction) on slopes
greater than 40 percent and on soils susceptible to mass failure. Guideline
(See the Geology and Minerals Appendix F for information on siting oil and gas facilities. Also
see Water Conservation Practices Handbook for further information.)
D. Geology and Minerals
General
1. Require operators to obtain water for mineral operations from private sources, except
where: a) private sources are not available; b) water is available from National Forest System
land ponds or wells; and c) such use would not significantly conflict with established uses.
Standard
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2. Prohibit rig stacking and storage of equipment not being used. Standard
3. Obliterate and rehabilitate special use and single use roads within one year from the end
of their use period unless a documented decision is made to keep the road for other management
needs. Guideline
4. Allow rock hounding (hunting and collecting rocks and minerals, not including fossils)
on National Forest System lands without a permit, (unless specified otherwise in geographic or
management area direction) providing the activity does not interfere with existing rights and that
specimens are used for personal, non-commercial uses. The maximum amount of collected rocks
and minerals per person per day should not exceed 25 pounds, and the total maximum weight in
a calendar year per person should not exceed 250 pounds. Permits may be issued, however, for
larger amounts. Guideline
(See Noxious and Undesirable Plant Species section for direction regarding plant species to use
for revegetation. See the Infrastructure section for direction on facilities. Also see Geology and
Minerals Appendix F for further information.)
Geophysical Operations
5. Prohibit geophysical operations that cause surface disturbance in Research Natural Areas,
Special Interest Areas, American Indian traditional use area, and known National Register
eligible sites where there are not suitable mitigation measures. Standard
6. Minimize surface and other resource disturbance from geophysical operations. Do not
allow new road construction, unless alternatives have been assessed and determined to be more
environmentally damaging. Guideline
7. Allow geophysical operations within developed recreation sites; however, type, timing,
seasonal, or location restrictions will be applied to avoid conflicts with recreationists, and to
maintain the recreational setting of the developed site. Guideline
Oil and Gas Operations
(Existing leases will be honored. Leasing stipulation considerations are discussed by individual
geographic and management areas elsewhere in this plan. Also, see Fish, Wildlife and Rare
Plants, Recreation, and Scenery Management sections for additional direction.)
8. Promote use of closed circulation systems. Discourage the use of open reserve pits for oil
and gas drilling operations. In cases where the use of pits for drilling operations is justified,
analyze and monitor construction and use for minimal potential for leakage and structural failure
(including pit solidification). Guideline
9. Prohibit the use of production pits. Standard
10. Do not allow field offices unless operator can show that they are essential to production
operations. When operator can demonstrate need for such facilities, they will be limited in size
and design to serve only those purposes for which they are necessary. Guideline
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11. Provide information to the public to identify hydrogen sulfide hazards from oil
production. Guideline
(See the Developed Recreation Sites section for other standards and guidelines that may apply to
mineral operations.)
Energy and Mineral-Related Special Uses
12. Minimize disturbance by co-locating roads, pipelines, gathering lines, and power lines
for energy resource development. Guideline
13. Authorize commercial produced water disposal wells with a special use permit with
appropriate fees for surface use. Standard
(See the Special Uses section for other standards and guidelines that may apply to mineral
operations.)
Locatable
14. Authorize occupancy and other building construction for mining purposes on claims only
if warranted and justified. Such construction and occupancy will be permitted under an approved
plan of operations. Standard
E. Paleontological Resources
1. Allow collection of paleontological resources with authorization (permit or area
designation). Standard
2. Allow collection of on-top-the-surface petrified wood for personal, non-commercial use,
without charge but with a free-use permit, or without a permit in designated areas, according to
the following stipulations (See 36 CFR 228.62[e]):
·
No known heritage values, scientific values, or other prohibitive restrictions occur at the site.
·
The maximum amount of collected petrified wood per person per day does not exceed 25
pounds, and that the total maximum weight in one calendar year per person does not exceed
250 pounds. Permits may be issued, however, to museums, educational institutions and
similar groups for larger amounts. Standard
3. Prohibit the commercial collection of fossils. Standard
4. Protect from disturbance or mitigate from disturbance key paleontological resources
(Classes 3, 4 and 5 of the Fossil Potential Classification) to conserve scientific, educational,
interpretive and legacy values. (See Paleontological Appendix J for details). Standard
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5. Survey and post land boundaries where paleontological sites have Fossil Potential
Classification sensitivity ranking of 3, 4 or 5, as funding allows (See Paleontological Appendix J
for details). Guideline
6. Conduct paleontologic surveys prior to ground-disturbing activities according to the
process outlined in Appendix J. Standard
BIOLOGICAL RESOURCES
F. Fish, Wildlife, and Rare Plants
Animal Damage Control
1. Require mitigation measures to protect National Forest System resources when animal
damage control activities are conducted by other governmental entities. Emphasize public
safety; threatened, endangered, and sensitive species conservation; water quality protection; or
other resource values. Standard
2. Prohibit pesticide spraying where it would have adverse effects on species at risk, species
of concern, or on the food base of insectivorous birds or other wildlife. Guideline
3. Do not allow pesticide use for grasshopper control where outbreaks are due to livestock
management problems. Allow baiting where chronic hotspots cannot be corrected through
livestock grazing strategies and where consistent with other resource objectives. Guideline
General
4. Maintain habitat improvements, such as tree and shrub plantings and wetland exclosures,
that are effectively meeting fish and wildlife objectives. Guideline
Raptors
5. Protect all raptor nests (including owl nests) unless known to be inactive for at least the
last 5 years. Base the extent of the protection on proposed management activities, human
activities existing before nest establishment, species, topography, vegetation cover, and other
factors. Standard
Management direction for selected raptor species is as follows:
Bald Eagle
6. If a winter roost area or nest site is discovered, ensure that the necessary habitat
components are maintained, including maintenance and regeneration of woodlands. Standard
7. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of bald eagle winter roosting areas from
November 15 through February if disturbance could cause an adverse effect. These activities
would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range developments, trail or road
construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in high human density and/or
noise. Standard
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8. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of a bald eagle nest from February 1 through July
31 if disturbance could cause nest abandonment or failure. This includes the construction of
support facilities for existing developments. Standard
Peregrine Falcon
9. If a nest site is discovered, ensure that necessary habitat components are maintained.
Standard
10. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of an peregrine falcon nest from February 1
through July 31 if the disturbance could cause nest abandonment or failure. These activities
would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range developments, trail or road
construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in high human density and/or
noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing developments. Standard
Ferruginous Hawk
11. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of an ferruginous hawk nest from March 1
through July 31 if disturbance would likely cause nest abandonment or failure. These activities
would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range developments, trail or road
construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in high human density and/or
noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing developments. Standard
Merlin
12. Prohibit human activities within 1/2 mile of a merlin nest from March 15 through July 15
if disturbances would likely cause nest abandonment or failure. These activities would typically
include ground-disturbing construction, seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in high
human density and/or noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing
developments. Standard
13. Do not construct or place structures or facilities within 1/4 mile of a nest if it would likely
result in degradation of nesting habitat, nest abandonment or failure. Standard
Burrowing Owls
14. Prohibit human activities within 1/4 mile of a burrowing owl nest from May 1 through
July 31 if disturbance would likely cause habitat degradation, nest abandonment or failure.
These activities would typically include ground-disturbing construction, seismographic surveys,
or other activities resulting in high human density and/or noise. This includes the construction of
support facilities for existing developments. Standard
15. Do not construct or place structures or facilities within 1/8 mile of a nest if it would likely
result in degradation of nesting habitat, nest abandonment or failure. Standard
Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Goshawk, Ferruginous Hawk, Prairie Falcon, Swainson’s
Hawk, Golden Eagle
16. Do not construct or place structures or facilities within 1/2 mile of a nest if it would likely
result in degradation of nesting habitat, nest abandonment or nest failure. Standard
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 17
Wetlands
17. Manage natural and constructed wetland basins for a diversity of wetland plant
communities and wetland-dependent wildlife species by providing a mosaic of shoreline and
emergent vegetation conditions across the landscape consistent with geographic area vegetation
direction. Guideline
Upland Game Birds and Waterfowl
19. In areas where tall, dense nesting cover is desired for upland game birds, waterfowl and
other ground-nesting birds, provide adequate residual cover by carrying over grass from previous
growing season into spring. Criteria for helping determine where to provide quality residual
nesting cover follows:
·
Presence of moderate to highly productive range sites,
·
Proximity to prairie grouse display grounds,
·
Proximity to cooperative waterfowl/wetland development projects and other major wetland
complexes,
·
Proximity to private croplands and other winter foraging habitat. Guideline
20. Permit haying and mowing only where desired vegetation conditions are being met.
Haying and mowing on National Forest System lands should be delayed until July 15 or later to
protect ground-nesting birds. Guideline
21. Delay livestock turn-on dates until June 15 or later in areas grazed in the previous
grazing season to provide quality nesting cover for upland game birds. (See Appendix H)
Guideline
22. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of a sharp-tailed grouse display ground from
March 15 through May 15 if disturbance would likely cause abandonment of display grounds.
These activities would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range
developments, trail or road construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in
high human density and/or noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing
developments. Guideline
23. Do not construct or place structures or facilities within 1/4 mile of a sharp-tailed grouse
display ground if it would likely cause abandonment of the display ground. Guideline
Big Game
24. Provide adequate cover to maintain screening, through time, along roads where timber
management activities are taking place so as to minimize disturbance of deer and elk. Guideline
25. Promote thick and brushy understories and midstories in prairie woodlands where quality
deer fawning habitat is desired. Guideline
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 18
26. Design and build structures, such as roads and canals, so that they do not create
unreasonable or unnecessary movement barriers or hazards for big game and other wildlife.
Guideline
Bighorn Sheep
27. Prevent interaction between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats on National
Forest System lands. Guideline
28. Restrict new developments, including new facilities, roads and trails, and concentrations
of human activities within a 1-mile sight distance of bighorn sheep lambing area areas if they
would adversely impact production. Restrictions on activities may be required during lambing
season (April 1 through June 15). Dates for restrictions may vary because of climatic conditions.
Guideline
Fisheries
29. Where feasible, design water impoundments to provide quality recreational fisheries
and/or waterfowl habitats. Guideline
Species at Risk and Species of Concern
Bald Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Ferruginous Hawk, Merlin
(See the section on Raptors)
Western Prairie Fringed Orchid
30. Consult the most current management standards and guidelines (See Appendix N)
covering burning, mowing, livestock grazing, noxious weed control, and other management
activities and land uses. Standard
Swift Fox
31. Prohibit the use of M-44s (sodium cyanide) on National Forest System lands for predator
control in active swift fox habitat. Standard
32. Work with Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service and state agencies to prohibit the
use of leg-hold traps without pan-tension devices for predator control and fur harvest in active
swift fox habitat on National Forest System lands. Guideline
33. Prohibit human activities within 1/4 mile of swift fox dens from March 1 through July 30
if they would likely cause den abandonment or displacement of fox from the local area. These
activities would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range developments, trail
or road construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in high human density
and/or noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing developments.
Guideline
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 19
Sage Grouse and sagebrush/greasewood plant communities
34. Prohibit human activities within 2 miles of sage grouse display grounds from March 1
through June 15 if they would likely cause disruption of breeding or abandonment of display
grounds. These activities would typically include ground-disturbing construction (i.e., range
developments, trail or road construction, etc.), seismic surveys, or other activities resulting in
high human density and/or noise. This includes the construction of support facilities for existing
developments. Standard
35. Prohibit construction or placement of structures or facilities within 1/4 mile of a sage
grouse display ground if they are likely to cause disruption of breeding or abandonment of the
display ground. Standard
36. Prohibit sagebrush spraying or prescribed burning in any areas known to support
wintering or nesting populations of sage grouse. Areas of taller sagebrush (16-32 inches, 20-40
percent cover) are usually preferred for nesting. Guideline
37. Prohibit sagebrush spraying or prescribed burning in areas with less than 15 percent
sage crown cover (800-1000 plants per acre of 8-24 inch height). Guideline
38. Apply any sagebrush spraying or prescribed burning in irregular patterns in order to fit
the terrain and to leave buffer strips against meadows, stream courses and timber. It is often
desirable to leave untreated sagebrush patches at swales and ridges, rock outcroppings and
watering sites. Guideline
39. In areas with a significant sage grouse population, prohibit sagebrush spraying or
prescribed burning within 100 yards of meadow edges, along cover routes that lead to important
meadow areas, or within 1/4 mile of the perimeter of areas used for strutting or nesting.
Guideline
40. Manage for sagebrush/greasewood stands of 250 acres or more. When spraying or
burning within these stands, treat no more than 80 acre blocks of sagebrush in areas of significant
sage grouse use, unless on-site investigations determine that treatment of larger areas will not be
detrimental to sage grouse populations or habitat. Guideline
40a. Maintain between 15% - 40% live shrub canopy cover in areas of significant sage
grouse use or where sage grouse habitat is desired, except on burned or sprayed
sagebrush/greasewood stands. Guideline
41. Encourage re-establishment of sagebrush in areas where sagebrush habitat is desired.
Include some combination of legume and composite species for sage grouse in seeding projects.
Guideline
41a. Within sagebrush and greasewood stands, maintain a minimum of 20% residual
herbaceous canopy cover. This canopy cover should be composed of native perennial grasses
and native forbs. Guideline
42. Within the overall vegetation objectives, promote optimum vegetation composition and
structure in sagebrush and wet meadow habitats within 2 miles of sage grouse display grounds
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 20
and, where desired, in other potential sage grouse nesting and brooding habitat using the
following standards and guidelines:
a) Maintain small openings within sagebrush/greasewood stands at a maximum ratio of 1
acre of opening (usually grass/forb) to 3 acres of shrub. Guideline
b) Delay grazing from the beginning of the growing season until July 15th, unless the
average height of desirable herbaceous vegetation exceeds 7 inches. Grazing should not
reduce the average height below 7 inches until after July 15th. Standard
c) Maintain 60% or more of the potential herbaceous cover within the
sagebrush/greasewood stands into the next growing season or maintain high herbaceous
structure as defined in Appendix I. Standard
Greater Prairie Chicken
43. Prohibit human activities within 1 mile of prairie chicken display grounds from March
15 through May 15 if disturbance would likely cause abandonment of display grounds. These
activities would typically include ground-disturbing construction or other activities resulting in
high human density and/or noise. Standard
44. Prohibit structural development within 1/4 mile of prairie chicken display grounds if
disturbance would likely to cause abandonment of display grounds. Standard
45. Within the overall vegetation objectives, promote optimum vegetation composition and
structure within 1 mile of prairie chicken display grounds and, where desired, in other potential
prairie chicken nesting and brooding habitat (See Appendix H). Guideline
46. Discourage tree planting in prairie chicken habitat. Guideline
Mountain Plover
47. Prohibit human activities within a mountain plover use area, rookery, or 1/4 mile of
mountain plover nests from March 1 through July 31 if disturbance would likely cause nest
abandonment or failure. Standard
48. Do not poison prairie dogs within 1/2 mile of nests or nesting areas found during the last
5 years in prairie dog colonies. Standard
Black-tailed Prairie Dog Colonies
49. Limit rodenticide use from October 1 through December 31 to reduce risks to migratory
birds and other wildlife species. Standard
50. Prohibit use of burrow fumigants. Standard
51. For areas other than Management Area 3.63, limit the use of rodenticides to one or more
of the following situations:
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 21
·
Human health and safety risks occur in the immediate area.
·
Prairie dog colonies occur on isolated National Forest System tracts less than 3,000 acres
unless adjacent landowners do not object to additional colonization or biophysical features
constrain additional colonization.
·
Unwanted colonization on adjoining lands is occurring and the most likely source of prairie
dogs appears to be colonies located along the property boundary on National Forest System
lands. Guideline
52. Regulate shooting in prairie dog colonies from March 1 through July 31 where
significant risks have been identified for species at risk or species of concern or where shooting
is preventing or slowing a desired prairie dog population expansion. Dates of restrictions may
vary for different wildlife species needing protection. Coordinate and consult with the
appropriate state wildlife agency prior to implementation of shooting restrictions. Guideline
53. Emphasize the use of vegetation management and other non-chemical methods in
managing for desired levels of colony growth and establishment. Guideline
54. Re-evaluate prairie dog management if the total acreage of active prairie dog colonies
expands to the following levels:
Great Plains Dry Steppe Province Units (5% of potential prairie dog habitat)
Little Missouri National Grassland
37,000 acres
Cedar River/Grand River National Grasslands
7,000 acres
Prairie Parkland Province Unit
Sheyenne National Grassland
not applicable
Standard
Cavity-Nesting Species
55. To conserve habitat for at-risk cavity-nesting species, prohibit harvest of dead trees
greater than 10 inch diameter in riparian areas and in other prairie woodlands (does not apply to
Sheyenne National Grassland). Guideline
Bats
56. Minimize human disturbance to protect the microhabitats and the dependent species at
caves, mines, riparian, wetland and other occupied habitats where bat populations or other
cave-dependent species have been documented. When closing mines or caves in the course of
establishing resource protection or in response to safety concerns, minimize disturbance to
resident or seasonal bat or other cave-dependent species populations. Provide access to bats and
other species endemic to the cave or mine and maintain microclimate conditions important to
those species. Where bat concentrations are located outside of caves or mines, manage human
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 22
disturbance to protect those populations. Retain large living or dead cottonwood trees (and/or
other large tree species) in riparian areas as important roosting habitat for bats. Guideline
DISTURBANCE PROCESSES
G. Fire
Fire Suppression
1. Develop an Appropriate Management Response (AMR) for each management area
outlined in the Fire Management Plan for each forest and national grassland. Until the AMR is
developed, protect life, property, and resource values from wildfire in a cost-efficient manner
that maximizes the benefits of shared resources and developing technologies. Guideline
2. Minimize impacts to paleontological and heritage resources, streams, stream banks,
shorelines, lakes and associated vegetation, and key threatened and endangered species habitat
from wildfire suppression efforts in the following ways:
·
Prohibit the use of earth-moving equipment on known paleontological or heritage sites.
·
Discourage the application of fire-retardant chemicals over riparian areas, wetlands and open
water.
·
Prior to using earth-moving equipment, consult appropriate specialists for guidance.
Guideline
3. Encourage the use of minimum impact suppression tactics. Guideline
Fuel Treatment
4. Use the Fire Protection Assessment (FPA) (to be developed) for purposes of identifying
and prioritizing fire management program activities. Guideline
5. Reduce the threat of wildfire to public and private developments by following standards in
the National Fire Protection Association Publication 299, Protection of Life and Property from
Wildfire, and reduce the fuel loading to acceptable standards. Guideline
H. Insects and Diseases
1. Manage insects and diseases using integrated pest management techniques. Treatment
activities will be based on risks to human health and the value of and risks to wildlife habitat,
adjacent lands, public lands and other resources. Priority should be given to areas where values
to be protected exceed the cost of protection. Guideline
2. Set priorities for controlling insects and disease based on the following:
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 23
·
Prevent the introduction of new invaders;
·
Conduct early treatment of new infestations;
·
Contain and control established infestations. Guideline
3. Set priorities for the treatment of insects and disease based on the following:
·
Rate of spread of the species;
·
Invasions within special management areas, such as Research Natural Areas and
Wildernesses, activity corridors, and high use areas;
·
Probability of successful treatment(s) in meeting desired conditions. Guideline
I. Livestock Grazing
1. Allow permitted bison grazing. Require amendments to grazing agreements to allow a
change of class of livestock to include bison. Evaluate bison grazing to include the following
criteria: associated health issues; fence requirements; handling facilities; and human safety.
Standard
2. Cooperate with states in ensuring healthy livestock (including bison), such as testing for
diseases (e.g., Brucellosis) and vaccinating for other diseases prior to placement on public lands.
Standard
3. Implement adaptive management guidelines for droughts to attain desired conditions and
to meet management objectives (See Appendix D). Guideline
4. Adjust management to account for other natural disturbance processes, such as fire, flood
and grasshoppers. Guideline
5. Manage livestock grazing in riparian/woody draw areas that maintain or improve these
habitats. The following practices should be implemented: Guideline
·
Avoid season-long grazing in riparian/woody draw areas.
·
Avoid activities, such as feeding, salting, herding, or watering, that concentrate livestock into
riparian/woody draw areas.
·
Control the timing, duration, and intensity of grazing in riparian areas to promote
establishment and development of woody species, based on local growing conditions.
·
Exclude livestock from riparian areas that are "Not Functioning" (as rated by the Proper
Functioning Condition protocol) due to livestock impacts and where improvement is likely to
occur without livestock grazing.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 24
·
Prioritize the removal or relocation of fences or water developments that adversely affect
riparian/woody draw areas.
6. Meet rest requirements based on the following (but not limited to):
· Where high structure is required for habitat for unique plant and animal communities, and
Management Indicator Species;
·
Where increased fuel loads are desired for prescribed burning; or
·
Where ungrazed areas are desired for monitoring potential vegetation or for research needs;
or
·
Where ungrazed areas are desired for biological diversity. Guideline
7. As a minimum, when allotment management plans are revised, adjust animal unit
equivalents to account for the variations in liveweight of livestock (See Appendix C). Guideline
8. Discourage the use of guard dogs for livestock protection where conflicts with other
public users are likely. Guideline
9. Prohibit domestic sheep lambing on National Forest System lands when conflicts with
other public uses may occur. Guideline
10. Prohibit feed storage or regular and routine winter feeding of domestic livestock.
Guideline
11. Prohibit livestock grazing in developed recreation sites unless it can be accommodated
before or after the recreation-use season and unless it enhances the management of the site.
Guideline
12. Prioritize for removal any fences or water developments where secondary range or high
structure is desired. Guideline
(See Infrastructure for standards and guidelines relating to capital investments on lands with
moderate to high mineral development potential.)
J. Noxious and Undesirable Plant Species
1. Once appropriate consultation with state agencies has taken place, allow only noxious
weed-free products for feed or revegetation projects. This includes certified, heat-treated, or
other appropriately processed products. Standard
2. Use genetically local (at the sub-section level) native plant species in revegetation efforts
where technically and economically feasible. To prevent soil erosion, non-native annuals or
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 25
sterile perennial species may be used while native perennials are becoming established.
Guideline
3. Manage noxious and undesirable plant species using integrated management techniques,
including chemical, biological, and mechanical control. Guideline
4. To prevent the spread of noxious weeds and undesirable plant species, include necessary
provisions in contracts and permits for use of National Forest System lands and resources.
Standard
5. Set priorities for controlling noxious weeds based on the following:
·
Prevent the introduction of new invaders;
·
Conduct early treatment of new infestations;
·
Contain and control established infestations. Guideline
6. Set priorities for the treatment of noxious weeds based on the following:
·
Rate of spread of the species;
·
Invasions within special management areas, such as Research Natural Areas and
Wildernesses, activity corridors, and high use areas;
·
Probability of successful treatment(s). Guideline
7. Allow haying only where noxious weeds are either not present or are pre-treated to
prevent seeding, unless needed as a method to control noxious weeds. If used as a control
method, ensure proper disposal of the hay. Guideline
MANAGED RECREATION
K. Recreation
General
1. Protect instream flows at special recreation features. Use the following categories to rank
streams and stream reaches based on the recreation features and values described:
·
High priority features: scenic areas and overlooks, visitor centers, canoeing areas, scenic
byways, native threatened, endangered, and sensitive species, rivers designated under the
Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Wilderness water resources under threat of degradation, and
similar features where flowing water is critical to a quality recreational experience.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 26
·
Moderate priority features: recreation areas, including roads, trails, campgrounds and picnic
grounds next to streams where flowing water contributes to a quality recreational experience
and to aesthetic values. Standard
2. Manage activities to be consistent with the adopted Recreation Opportunity Spectrum
class. Guideline
3. Manage recreational use to stay within the capacity for the Recreation Opportunity
Spectrum (ROS) objective (Table 1-1). Guideline
Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) Objective Table 1-1
ROS Class/Capacity Range
Primitive
On trails - PAOT/mile
Areawide - PAOT/M acres
Semi-Primitive Non-motorized
On Trails - PAOT/mile
Areawide - PAOT/M acres
Semi-Primitive Motorized
On Trails - PAOT/mile
Areawide - PAOT/M acres
Roaded Natural
On Trails - PAOT/mile
Areawide - PAOT/M acres
Rural
On Trails - PAOT/mile
Areawide - PAOT/M acres
Low
Moderate
1.0
2.0
2.0
7.0
3.0
8.0
9.0
50.0
3.0
8.0
9.0
10.0
3.0
80.0
9.0
1200.0
3.0
800.0
9.0
5000.0
NOTES:
LOW applies to flat and gentle topography
MODERATE applies to rolling, dissected topography, grass and pole-size and mature ponderosa pine.
PAOT = Persons at one time.
4. Close, rehabilitate, or mitigate sites when dispersed campsite conditions are such that
either widespread bare mineral soil is exposed or soil erosion is obvious (Frissel-Cole Class 4),
as funding allows. Guideline
(See Infrastructure for standards and guidelines relating to capital investments on lands with
moderate to high mineral development potential.)
Developed Recreation Sites
5. When planting native trees, shrubs and ground cover, use species known to be compatible
with the site and site uses. Guideline
6. Reduce the threat of wildfire and the risk of damage to recreational facilities according to
the standards found in the National Fire Protective Association’s Publication 299, "Protection of
Life and Property from Wildfire." Guideline
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 27
7. Treat noxious weeds when there will be the least impact to the general public. Guideline
8. Where needed to meet user needs or to protect resources, consider providing hardened
sites. Guideline
9. Close facilities if public safety or sanitation cannot be provided. Standard
10. Consider closing facilities if operation of the site is not deemed to be comparatively cost
effective. Guideline
11. Design recreational facilities to blend with the elements found in the natural landscape.
Guideline
12. Use standard design of facilities when constructing or reconstructing recreation sites.
Guideline
13. Make facilities at trailheads or along trails consistent with the Recreation Opportunity
Setting and provide for parking, trail information and appropriate sanitation facilities, as needed.
Guideline
14. Allow oil and gas leasing within developed recreation sites; however, no
ground-disturbing oil and gas activities are permitted. Standard
Outfitters and Guides
15. Consider the following criteria before making a decision to issue an outfitting and
guiding service permit:
·
Recreation analysis identifies additional recreational opportunities that can be utilized by the
public if outfitter and guide services become available.
·
There will not be significant conflict with other permitted outfitters and guides as a result of
the activities associated with the permit.
·
The issuance of the permit will not result in greater restrictions on the non-outfitted public to
use and enjoy the national forests or national grasslands.
·
Other resource considerations, including the biological needs of wildlife, are considered and
found compatible with the proposed action.
·
Private land is unavailable to accommodate the type of recreational use proposed by the
applicant.
·
The inability of the public to utilize the recreational opportunities on National Forest System
lands is not a result of access problems brought about by the action of the applicant or his or
her collaborator.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 28
·
The permit furthers national grassland and forest goals. Guideline
16. Require all outfitters and guides conducting activities with high risk or frequency of
serious injury, such as snowmobiling or all-terrain vehicle use, to have a valid advanced first aid
certification or equivalent, approved qualifications. Standard
L. Scenery Management
1. Manage activities to be consistent with the scenic integrity objective(s), as referenced by
the Adopted Scenic Integrity Objective map. Guideline
2. Meet the scenic integrity objectives of high and moderate within 1 year after completion
of a project. Meet low scenic integrity objective within 3 years after completion of a project.
Guideline
3. Rehabilitate all existing projects and areas that do not meet the scenic integrity objectives
specified for the management area. Consider the following when setting priorities for
rehabilitation:
·
Relative importance of the area and the amount of deviation from the scenic integrity
objectives.
·
Length of time it will take natural processes to reduce the visual impacts so that they meet the
scenic integrity objective.
·
Length of time it will take rehabilitation measures to meet scenic integrity objectives.
·
Benefits to other resource management objectives to accomplish rehabilitation. Guideline
(Also see the sections on Special Uses and Recreation)
ADMINISTRATION
M. Land Ownership
1. Consider the following when opportunities to acquire lands occur:
·
Lands with important or unique resources, such as water frontage, wetlands, flood plains and
associated riparian ecosystems, cave resources, essential big-game winter range, threatened
or endangered species habitat, Forest Service sensitive species habitat, important
paleontological or geologic sites, important historical, heritage resources or traditional
cultural properties, outstanding scenic values, or critical ecosystems when these resources are
threatened by change of use, or when management may be enhanced by public ownership.
·
Lands that include prairie dog colonies or that present opportunities to allow expansion of
colonies that already exist on nearby National Forest System lands are a high priority.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 29
·
Important botanical, wildlife and fishery management areas. This includes lands supporting
rare plant communities.
·
Lands with important value for outdoor recreation purposes.
·
Lands needed to protect resource values by eliminating or reducing fire risks or soil erosion.
·
Non-federal lands in mineralized areas that have low potential for future mineralized patents,
and where the minerals will be donated to the United States.
·
Reduction of Forest Service administrative costs and improvement of management
efficiency. This includes: reducing miles of landline boundaries and number of corners,
special uses, title claims, rights-of-way grants and easements, numbers of allotments and
intermingled ownership livestock pastures, and other factors that decrease administrative
costs and improve management efficiency.
·
The acquisition would reduce conflicts between Forest Service, tribal lands and private
landownership objectives, especially when conflicts are adversely impacting National Forest
System management. This includes reducing conflicts involving the management of prairie
dog colonies along National Forest System lands.
·
Give priority to acquiring lands in Congressionally designated Wilderness and other
classified areas.
·
Concentrate acquisitions within or around existing blocks of public ownership of at least
2,000 to 3,000 acres.
·
Excepting unique situations, discourage exchanges between national grassland and
proclaimed national forest lands.
·
Lands that would correct maladjustments of land use. Guideline
2. Consider the following to identify lands for possible disposal:
·
Lands in developed areas that have lost or are losing their national grassland character.
·
Lands suitable for development by the private sector, if developments, such as residential,
agricultural, industrial, or recreational, are in the public interest.
·
Isolated parcels of any size, such as parcels having no legal public or administrative access
and the effort to acquire such access is not cost-efficient or otherwise reasonable.
·
Lands less than 3,000 acres and not contiguous to larger blocks of public lands.
·
Reserved or acquired road rights-of-way parcels that are substantially surrounded by lands
not owned by the United States, and are no longer needed for rights-of-way purposes.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 30
·
Lands encumbered by special-use permits and occupied by substantial structural
improvements that no longer serve a greater public need. Guideline
3. Consider the following before making land adjustments:
·
Although lands with important or unique resources may be disposed of, consider reservation,
mitigation and compensation values gained in acquired lands. Important or unique resources
may include water frontage, wetlands, flood plains and associated riparian ecosystems, cave
resources, essential big-game winter range, threatened or endangered species habitat,
important paleontological or geologic sites, important historical, heritage resources or
traditional cultural properties, outstanding scenic values, or critical ecosystems.
·
Avoid land adjustments that could result in a trend toward federal listing or loss of population
viability for species of concern. Sensitive species habitat can be conveyed if conveyance
would not result in a trend toward federal listing or adversely impact the population viability
of the species, or if mitigation and compensation values gained in acquired lands are to be
considered, or if effects could be mitigated. Guideline
4. Obtain reasonable public and administrative access to all National Forest System lands in
the following ways:
·
Require reciprocal grants, where needed, when granting rights-of-way easements across
National Forest System lands.
·
Reserve in land disposal actions, existing and designated inventoried rights-of-way that are
needed for implementation of the management plan and to protect them for future
construction and occupancy. Standard
5. Prior to management prescription allocation, consider managing acquired lands in
accordance with management prescriptions of adjacent lands. Guideline
6. Recognize preexisting rights, such as mineral rights and private property access.
Standard
N. Heritage Resources
1. Consult with American Indian traditional religious leaders during design of projects with
potential to affect cultural rights and practices to help ensure protection, preservation, and use of
areas that are culturally important to them. Standard
2. Consider American Indian traditional cultural plant use when designing vegetative
management activities. Guideline
3. Leave human remains undisturbed unless there is an urgent reason for their disinterment.
In case of accidental disturbance of historic graves or re-internment, take steps outlined in
Appendix M. Follow appropriate state or tribal policies regarding re-internment of human
skeletal remains encountered during earth moving activities where appropriate. Standard
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 31
4. Protect heritage resources from damage by activities or vandalism through project design,
specified protection measures, monitoring, and coordination. Guideline
5. During the conduct of activities designed to enhance and interpret significant heritage
sites for the education and enjoyment of the public, avoid degrading the heritage property or
causing conflicts with other resource considerations. Guideline
6. Prohibit ground-disturbing activities on National Register listed or nominated sites or
heritage districts where the heritage values are important for reasons other than archaeological
research. Standard
O. Plant Collecting
(The following direction does not apply to the harvest of trees for timber or firewood.)
1. Ensure plant collecting does not jeopardize the continued vigor or existence of a plant
population or associated plant communities. Standard
2. Require permits to collect sensitive plants or parts of sensitive plants. Standard
3. Protect the distribution and species viability of plants associated with medicinal and
traditional cultural values. Guideline
4. Protect American Indian traditional plant collecting areas. Guideline
P. Special Uses
1. Place all new pipelines underground. Guideline
2. Route roads, pipelines, gathering lines, and technically required overhead power lines in a
manner as to minimize visual impacts and conform to approved corridors. When these facilities
leave corridors, they should be subordinate in the landscape. Guideline
3. Design and construct such power lines to minimize the risk of raptor electrocution.
Standard
4. Do not allow continuous or dusk-to-dawn lighting at facilities. Exceptions may be made
for the lighting of towers or lines to facilitate flight safety, and staffed, around-the-clock
operations. Guideline
5. Disapprove land-use authorizations on National Forest System lands identified for
disposal if that occupancy may affect disposal action. Standard
6. Act on special-use applications according to the following priorities:
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 32
·
Land and land-use activity requests relating to public safety, health and welfare, e.g.,
highways, power lines and public service improvements.
·
Land and land-use activities contributing to increased economic activity associated with
National Forest System resources, e.g., oil and gas and energy minerals.
·
Land and land-use activities that benefit only private users, e.g., road permits, rights-of-way
for power lines, telephones, waterlines, etc. Guideline
7. Disapprove any special-use applications that can be reasonably met on private or other
federal lands unless it is clearly in the public interest. Guideline
8. Bury electrical utility lines of 33 KV or less and telephone lines. Standard
9. Use National Forest Landscape Management Volume 2, Chapter 2, Utilities 1 for
principles and concepts. Guideline
10. Consolidate occupancy of transportation or utility corridors and sites whereever possible
and compatible. Guideline
11. Allow haying and mowing only when grazing or prescribed fire are not viable methods
to accomplish desired vegetation objectives. Guideline
12. Issue special-use permits for haying on road easements only to the holder of the
easement. Allow haying or mowing on road rights-of-way only for reasons of public safety or
fuel reduction. The permittee may not sell or profit from the haying operation. Guideline
13. Do not locate utility corridors in Experimental Forests, Special Interest Areas,
developed recreation sites, Research Natural Areas, certain wildlife habitat areas,
paleontological, archeological and historical sites, American Indian traditional use areas, active
coal mining units, Wild and Scenic Rivers, nationally classified trails, municipal water supply
areas, and municipal watersheds, unless studies indicate that impacts from the corridor can be
mitigated. Guideline
14. Ensure utility corridors are consistent between adjoining National Forest System lands,
regions, and other federal, tribal and state land management agencies. Guideline
(See Geology and Minerals, Energy and Minerals Related to Special Uses for standards and
guidelines regarding mineral operations.)
Q. Infrastructure
1. Allow motorized use on new or existing travelways (See Appendix G, Glossary), or as
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 33
designated on the travel map, unless a documented decision shows1: (Note: Motorized use may
occur on or within 300 feet of designated travelways. As a minimum, designated travelways will
include most Forest Service administrative roads.)
·
Motorized use conflicts with Management Plan objectives;
·
Motorized use is incompatible with the recreation opportunity spectrum class;
·
Travelways are located in areas closed to motorized use and are not ‘‘designated routes;’’
·
Motorized use creates user conflicts that result in unsafe conditions related to weather
conditions;
·
Physical characteristics of travelway(s) preclude any form of motorized use;
·
Travelways do not serve an existing or identified future public need; or
·
Financing is not available for maintenance necessary to protect resources. Standard
2. On all lands outside of designated travelways, motorized use is prohibited (except for
authorized administrative use, such as grazing administration, noxious weed control, or fire
control) unless the Forest Visitor Map or a Forest Order indicates that such use is specifically
allowed. Standard
3. Allow motorized wheelchair use in a non-motorized area so long as that wheelchair
meets the legal definition of being "designed solely for use by a mobility impaired person for
locomotion that is suitable for use in an indoor pedestrian area". (Title V, Section 507(c) (2) of
the Americans with Disabilities Act). Standard
4. Do not invest in new facilities on lands meeting the criteria for disposal. Guideline
5. Keep drinking water safe for human consumption at Forest Service facilities or at
facilities under special-use permit by the Forest Service. Standard
6. Newly acquired facilities will not be retained unless sufficient maintenance funding is
available or cooperative maintenance can be secured, and a substantial government benefit can
be demonstrated. Guideline
7. Require a special-use permit for motorized access to private land where access for the
general public is not available. Guideline
_________________________
1Travel opportunities and restrictions, including designating travelways, to meet land
management objectives to be identified within 5 years; see Goal 3.1: Capital
Infrastructure, Objective 1.
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 34
8. Install gates along all existing range allotment and pasture fences at intervals to provide
reasonable access (not exceed 1 mile), as funding allows. Install gates along all new fences at
intervals not to exceed 1 mile and at fence corners. Guideline
9. Provide a minimum of 12-foot openings for gates to allow access for firefighting
equipment, as funding allows. Guideline
10. Install user-friendly gate closures, as funding allows (See Appendix E for details).
Guideline
11. Use cattle guards or hinged metal gates on popular and designated travel routes, as
funding allows. Place a gate adjacent to each cattle guard. Guideline
12. Build new and reconstructed fences to the specifications listed in Appendix B to provide
for big game (adults and young) movement during all seasons, where desired. Guideline
13. Do not construct any woven wire fences. Guideline
14. Prioritize for reconstruction those fences that do not meet big game specifications.
Prioritize removal of existing woven wire fences. Mitigate existing fences that do not meet big
game specifications. Guideline
15. Leave interior gates that are not along transportation corridors open when not needed to
control livestock. Guideline
16. See the following publications for fence construction for livestock, including bison:
Facilities for Handling, Sheltering and Trailing Livestock, September 1987, Society For Range
Management; Fences, July 1988, Society For Range Management; and Facilities for Watering
Livestock and Wildlife, January 1989, MTDC 89-1. Guideline
17. Restrict capital investments on lands with non-federal mineral estate ownership in areas
of moderate to high mineral development potential if purpose of capital investment would
conflict with mineral development. Guideline
18. Perform site-specific mineral evaluations prior to making substantial capital investments,
such as recreation developments, on Federal mineral estate in areas of moderate to high potential
for valuable mineral deposits. Depending on conclusions from mineral evaluation and potential
for mineral development, consider alternate location for capital investment, withdrawal of
locatable minerals, or restrictions on surface occupancy for leasable minerals. Guideline
Grasslandwide Direction 1 - 35