14. Sawpit Canyon
Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 12S R 29E Sections 16, 17 Cassia County
Forest Division: Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Aspen/Conifer
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to a loss of riparian structure along the flow from the spring, which fills a trough near the road. Impacts to aspen regeneration and severe understory removal have occurred at the site and in adjacent habitat. Remnant riparian growth is severely impacted.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until substantial aspen regeneration, riparian recovery, and understory recovery has been achieved. Recovery of the aspen and riparian shrub species takes 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Aspen and riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Severe utilization of site; loss of riparian species, understory, and aspen regeneration.
