10. Pine Canyon, Pine Spring
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 13S R 30E Sections 14, 23 Oneida County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Aspen-Conifer
Impacts: Livestock utilization has severely impacted this location. Wildlife and plant values have been severely degraded. Understory removal, soil compaction, and trampling of hydric soils and the spring channels have been severe. Understory removal among aspens and conifers adjacent to the springs and spring flow has been severe. Loss of riparian structure and impacts to aspen regeneration has been extensive. Water quality has been severely degraded.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently excluded from these springs and a large area of adjacent habitat. Substantial recovery of the riparian structure, riparian and aspen regeneration, and understory recovery will take 3-6 years or more depending on regenerative capability. This site would benefit from mitigation efforts such as the planting of appropriate riparian species.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization impacts to spring site, loss of aspen regeneration.
2. Utilization impacts to spring flow, loss of riparian species and understory.
