1. Birch Creek (Lower Little Birch)

Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 16S R 22E Sections 23, 26 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group

Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper

Impacts: The cumulative livestock impacts at this location have altered the physical features of this perennial stream and riparian zone. Livestock grazing has led to wide-scale loss of the riparian structure, loss of riparian regeneration, and loss of the riparian understory. Remnant riparian vegetation has been heavily impacted. The riparian greenline has been extensively replaced by non-riparian species. Trampling has led to erosion and loss of original channel features. Fisheries values have been impacted. Grass and sedge species are providing some stabilization, but the lack of deep-rooted, woody species leaves the banks subject to erosion during run-off periods and from trampling impacts.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location. Significant riparian recovery (dependent on regenerative capability) and bank stabilization would require more than the 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. The current lack of species that might allow for regeneration and recovery could be helped through mitigation efforts.

List of Figures:

1. Continued erosion; loss of riparian species; vegetation
impacts from fire and utilization combined.