17. Unnamed Spring (State Meadow)
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office/State of Idaho
Legal Location: T 16S R 22E Section 27 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have caused down-slope movement of the hydric region through soil creep. The only wet region is currently just east of the road that passes along the west side of the meadow. The location of the surface moisture has changed immensely from the previous summer. Loss of surface flow has occurred as well. There is no riparian structure present. Trampling and disturbance is very evident; vegetation has been forced into pedestal formations within the hydric zone.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently withdrawn or excluded from this location. If excluded, many acres of adjacent upland habitat should also be included within the facility. This site is not a suitable site for livestock watering and should be allowed to recover solely as wildlife habitat. Sage Grouse are in the area and an active lek is just southwest of this location.
List of Figures:
1. View of wet meadow/spring and soil creep of hydric region.
2. Livestock impacts to hydric soil in meadow.
