20. Wilson Spring
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 15S R 22E Section 17 Cassia County
Allotment: #4027 Goose Creek Group
Dominant Plant Community Type: Sagebrush-Juniper/Bitterbrush
Impacts: Wilson Spring was previously protected from livestock access by a tiny exclosure that included only the spring and a small amount (about 15 feet) of habitat on each side of the source. A former trough in the area had been removed by the BLM after allotment permittees failed to maintain it. The exclosure, spring site, and surrounding upland habitat were all burned in an escaped BLM controlled burn in August of 1999. Although not hosting a riparian structure, this spring had been an important water source for wildlife for many years.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently withdrawn from this spring and the adjacent canyon habitat with the possible exception of supervised trailing on the county road. This canyon area has been severely impacted by fire. Substantial recovery of the native shrub and sagebrush communities will take more than 3-6 years.
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