7. Mill Canyon, Mill Flat

Land Manager: Sawtooth National Forest
Legal Location: T 11S R 29E Sections 25, 26, 35, 36 Cassia County
Forest Division: Sublette

Dominant Plant Community Type: Aspen-Conifer

Impacts: Livestock utilization has severely impacted this spring site and adjacent habitat. The spring flow now fills a trough; impacts to the watering site and adjacent grass meadows have been severe. Soil compaction, trampling of hydric soils, and vegetation removal has occurred. Utilization has also led to understory removal, and impacts to the adjacent aspen and conifer community. Impacts also extend into the shrub/aspen habitat across the main canyon to the northeast. Aspen regeneration has been seriously impacted in adjacent habitat locations.

Recommendations: It is recommended that livestock be permanently withdrawn from this location. Mill Flat is an improved recreation site; recreation values and use should preclude the area from livestock grazing.

                    1. Severe utilization levels at recreation site and loss of aspen/conifer understory.

                    2. Severe utilization levels of meadow and adjacent understory.