3. Lindy Spring, Rice Canyon

Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 135 R 26E Sections 7, 18 Cassia County
Allotment: #97 South Cotterel

Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper

Impacts: This area was burned in August of 1999 as part of a BLM controlled burn. The upland habitat has been severely altered through construction of massive fire lines and the use of heavy equipment. The loss of riparian growth to fire and to past utilization has been severe. Utilization impacts had led to a complete loss of riparian structure in most of the upper canyon. Remaining growth has been impacted by fire. Utilization had caused hummock formation at the spring site, degraded water quality, and altered the spring flow and channel. As water is also piped down canyon, flow is limited in the stream channel itself. Utilization has led to down cutting and loss of water table. A bulldozed pile of debris now covers one of the most productive water sites. The widespread loss of habitat, native species, riparian structure, and understory is extremely limiting to wildlife species, particularly birds.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location. Lindy Spring and adjacent upland habitat should be permanently exclosed from livestock use. Significant riparian and upland recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) will require a minimum time period of 3-6 years. Willow and other riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more before exposure to livestock utilization can be tolerated for short-duration grazing. Substantial recovery of the upland shrub community will require more than a 3-6 year period.

                    1. Massive fire line extending uphill from Lindy Spring.

                    2. Soil disturbance from heavy equipment use, NE of spring.

                    3. Fire and utilization impacts to drainage course below spring.

                    4. Combined fire and utilization impacts to spring site.