2. Birch Creek, Spring (Little Birch)
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 16S R 22E Section 32 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper
Impacts: This spring site had been heavily trampled by livestock up until the end of the 1999 grazing season. Compaction, disturbance to the hydric region, disruption of flow, loss of understory, and impacts to riparian vegetation had been long-term. The BLM is now fencing this spring and adjacent habitat, as well as some of the adjacent upper Birch Creek riparian zone.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from this spring and adjacent habitat. The current exclosure will do so if completed and maintained. Significant riparian recovery will occur over time, increasing the wildlife values at this location.
List of Figures:
1. BLM exclosure under construction.
2. Past utilization impacts to hydric zone and vegetation.
