17. Sublette Creek, BLM
Land Manager: BLM, Burley Field Office
Legal Location: T 13S R 29E Section 3 Cassia County
Allotment: #5325 Sublette
Dominant Plant Community Type: Shrub-Grass/Juniper
Impacts: Cumulative impacts from livestock utilization have led to loss of riparian structure and replacement of the riparian greenline with non-riparian species at this location. Trampling within the channel has led to widening and loss of thermal capabilities, which impacts fisheries values. Understory removal and impacts to the adjacent shrub community have occurred. Riparian regeneration has been severely impacted. Older growth and remnant riparian species have been heavily utilized.
Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be withdrawn from this location until substantial riparian recovery, riparian regeneration, understory recovery, and channel stabilization has been achieved. Recovery of riparian shrub species will take 3-6 years or more, depending on regenerative capability. Riparian shrubs need to achieve a height of 6 feet or more in order to withstand short duration grazing.
List of Figures:
1. Cumulative impacts to channel and vegetation.
2. Utilization impacts to channel, loss of riparian greenline.
