The Sublette Mountains are located northeast of Malta and Sublette, Idaho. The Raft River Valley and Interstate 84 are on the west side, the Rockland Valley and Curlew National Grasslands are to the east and south of the range. The Black Pine Mountains are situated to the southwest. The Snake River and Snake River Plain are north of the range, the town of American Falls to the northeast. The Sublette Mountains are included within the Sublette Division of the Sawtooth National Forest. BLM and Idaho State lands adjoin the forest lands. See Figure M-1. Much of the land that adjoins the Sublette Division and adjacent public land, particularly on the east side, is held in private ownership. Sublette Reservoir is located primarily on private land.

The Sublette Mountains and adjacent lands form part of the eastern most edges of the Western Basin and Range ecosystem subregion (Ecoregions of the United Sates, USDA Forest Service, 1994). Elevations of the Sublette Mountains and adjacent public lands range from less than 5,000 feet to over 7,300 feet. The Sublette Mountains are a part of the Basin and Range system of faults and fault block mountains. The sedimentary rocks of the Sublettes are considered to be younger than those of the Black Pine Mountains to the southwest (Roadside Geology of Idaho, Alt and Hyndman, 1991).

Higher elevations are generally inaccessible from the end of December to the end of May. Precipitation is variable, ranging from less than 15 inches in a dry year to more than 18 in a wet year.

The recreational values of the Sublette Mountains are high. There are several improved campgrounds that are heavily used during the summer and fall. Past use has been so concentrated in some areas that they have been withdrawn from use for restoration purposes. Camping, hunting, fishing and many other forms of recreation are enjoyed by the public. Boating and various forms of water sports take place on the Sublette Reservoir.

The Sublette Mountains and adjacent lands support a variety of habitats and plant communities. Sensitive plant species such as the Simpson's Hedgehog Cactus (Pediocactus simpsonii) are found within the Sublette Range (CDC Data Base, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2000). Much of the region is a combination of sagebrush-grass and shrub-grass communities. Native grasses and forbs (herbaceous plants) are present within these shrub-steppe communities. Extensive cryptobiotic communities of lichens and mosses exist on rock formations in many of the canyon areas. Cryptogamic soil crusts form an important part of the coniferous and shrub communities. Conditions of these biotic crusts are indication of ecosystem health (Morphological Groups: a framework for monitoring microphytic crusts, Eldridge and Rosentreter, 1999).

Extensive aspen groves and Aspen-Conifer communities are found at the north end of the mountain range, on north-facing slopes, on moist sites, along drainages, and at higher elevations in the southern portion of the range. These aspen forests are considered to be prime habitat for wildlife, of high scenic value, and an extremely valuable watershed component (Aspen Community Types of the Intermountain Region, Mueggler, 1988).

Watershed values of the Sublette Division and adjacent lands are high. Although annual precipitation levels are not as great as the Albion Mountains, the uplands support a number of perennial streams that are important sources of water for fish, wildlife, riparian zones, and recreation. Waters at lower elevations are utilized for agricultural purposes. Water from the streams and springs are also being used for livestock purposes on the forest division and adjacent public lands.

Wildlife values and potential values of the Sublette Division and adjacent public lands are high. The streams of the Sublette Range are historic habitat for Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout. Rainbow Trout populations currently rely on the streams above the reservoir for spawning. Livestock impacts to Sublette Creek below the reservoir have resulted in a 303-D listing of the lower creek (Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2000). Terrestrial gastropods (snails) are present in the Sublette Mountains. Local populations are usually an endemic and separate species from those in other locations. These small animals are important in food chains and also perform valuable functions in their environment. Gastropods are very sensitive to habitat changes and are subject to extirpation from disturbances such as livestock grazing (Mollusks; Underdogs and Indicators, Freist, T., 2000).

The Sublette Division and adjacent public lands also support a wide variety of mammal and bird species. Moose, Elk, Mule Deer, and many other mammals live within the region. Snowshoe Hares inhabit the north end of the Sublette Division (Sawtooth National Forest, 1999). The Sublette Division has the potential for remnant lynx populations, with areas of potential denning and foraging habitat. Livestock use can impact the suitability of lynx habitat (Idaho's Canada Lynx: Pieces of the Puzzle, Lewis and Wenger, 1998).

The Sublette Division hosts habitat suitable for tree-roosting bats such as the Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) and Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans). The Silver-haired Bat needs small bodies of water in close proximity to coniferous forests. Both bats are on the Idaho state sensitive list as bat population numbers are continuing to decline. Loss of quality foraging habitat is a major factor in bat population loss (BLM Bat Habitat and Mine Safety Seminar, Bradley, 1999).

Sagebrush obligates in the Sublette Mountains, birds which rely on the sagebrush-steppe habitat, include the Vesper Sparrow and Sage Grouse. Documented Sage Grouse and Sharp-tailed Grouse lek sites are within the Sublette Mountain region. (Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 2000). Other sensitive bird species in the region include Flammulated Owls, Common Loons, and Northern Goshawks. Northern Goshawks are actively nesting within the Sublette Division (CDC Data Base, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1999, 2000).

Habitat conditions have profound short and long-term effects on which species are able to successfully use a location. Mammal and bird observations were recorded during the surveys performed at a variety of riparian locations. This data is included in Appendix F for the benefit of interested land managers or members of the public. The presence or non-presence of species, presence of habitat-generalists, and other clues provided by the frequency observations can aid in determining the health of a riparian system or identifying needed changes. Although short-term data is not definitive for these locations, it is indicative and has been made available as a management resource.

The Sublette Division and adjacent public lands are currently being used for livestock grazing purposes. Livestock utilization of riparian habitat can lead to adverse impacts of vegetation, watershed, and wildlife values if proper guidelines and standards are not applied. A survey has been performed of representative seeps, springs, and riparian zones in the Sublette Division and on adjacent public lands in order to determine the condition of riparian habitats following the 1999 grazing season. Each of the following summaries contains a short description of impacts, recommendations for action, and photographic documentation. The recommendations reflect current (year 2000) riparian recovery times recommended by the USDA Forest Service Intermountain Region and Rocky Mountain Research Station scientists.

*Wildlife frequency data originally preceeded the summary section. Due to the large volume of data collected and to avoid contusion, frequency charts are now located in Appendix F.