1. Eyrie Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 30E Section 10 Oneida County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: Livestock utilization has severely impacted this location. Multiple water troughs sit directly within the spring flow, leading to concentrated impacts. Trampling of hydric soils, soil compaction, vegetation removal, and loss of riparian and aspen regeneration has occurred. Erosion is occurring along the spring flow. Water quality has been degraded. Understory removal in adjacent aspen and conifer habitat ranges from heavy to severe. Lack of understory and riparian vegetation is limiting to wildlife species, particularly to birds.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from this spring site. Recovery of aspen and riparian shrubs will require 3-6 years or more. Water developments should be moved away from the area.
List of Figures:
1. Troughs, utilization impacts within spring site.
2. Utilization impacts to hydric zone and vegetation.
