Native Vegetation of Idaho E.W

202 Rangelands 8(5), October 1986 munities of the salt desert ranges could be evolved. Such a faulty or haphazardlyapplied as answersto complex prob- knowledge was the visionof Dr. Lee Sharp. His quest may lems. Rangemanagement appeared at times to be gripped in have been decadesahead of itstime, butto seek such know- a paralysis induced by the shrill complaints directed at any ledgeis atributeto uncommonknowledge of rangeland resour- managementplan. ces. Resourcemanagers may have been forced into positions RangeImprovement by seeding exotic wheatgrasseslarge- of inertia as range science searchedfor new direction, but ly ended by the mid 1960's because of concern by some during the last two decades the rangelands of the Snake environmentalists about the conversion of degraded sage- River Plains have remained dynamic. Much of thechange in brush communities to wheatgrass stands. The emerging sagebrush ranges has literally been fueled by cheatgrass. field of wildlife management lashed out at range improve- Reoccuring wildfiresand resulting annual grass dominance ment as aconvenient cause forthe decline in population size refused to stand still whilesociety established a policy for of various game species on rangelands. Present day knowl resource management. edge of the population dynamics of some of these species Perhapswe need to ride upto theShoshone Basin and sit suggestscauses for changes in numbers are far more com- in the saddle on the high ridges where J.E. Bower looked plex than can be explained by localized range improvement. down and saw thepristine sagebrush/bunchgrasscommuni- The sagebrush/bunchgrassrangelands of the Snake River tiesof the SnakeRiver Country. Such a view may help crys- Country went from nobody's land in the 1930's to every- talize a policywhere the perpetuation ofthe basic assemb- body's land in the 1970's. Rangeland managerswere often lage of soils and plant communities in equilibrium with the bombarded by a hostof conflicting demands concerning the potential of theenvironment is the overriding principleupon uses and manipulation of rangelands. In frustration, some whichresource managementmust be built. turned to simplistic grazing systems that were inherently Native Vegetation of Idaho E.W. Tisdale

Knowledge of the vegetation of the State is still incom- plete, although much progress has been made during the POTEP(T1AL VEGETATION pastthree decades. We now havefairly adequate data for the OFIWHO forest, sagebrush-grass, and grassland communities, but information for others, including the salt-desert shrub, LEGEMD mountain and is still P)C NThWEST GRAS9N1 brush, alpine riparian types, sketchy. GRCGRASS LGAASS Classification of the state's vegetation in recent years has ESCS- NOcflS€4= PT been done mainly in categories and nomenclature used in SGERRJSM GRASS the International BiologicProgram. In this system theforma- ST—SEflT GRRIJS WOLAND tion denotes the broadest class, such as forest or grassland, I/lAS _MSPCR and regionis used to describe a of communities with SAS'TI MR group FONEST similar appearance and regional climate such as conifer = COMFESOUS forest or Seriesare ofcommunities sagebrush-grass. groups OFI€R FEATLPES characterized by a single dominant species, and habitat LAS FR10 types are smaller units with relatively uniform biotic and — .aasao abiotic composition and structure. Series, which represent easily recognized and fairly extensive communities, were chosen as the most appropriate level for description in this article.

The Physical EnvIronment Idaho is a large state (53 millionacres), extending about 500 miles from its northern toits southern border. Four major physlographic regions, i.e.: Northern Rocky Mountain, Mid- dle Rocky Mountain, Columbia Intermontane,and Basinand Range are represented.Seventy-five percent of the state is mountainous, and the only large areas of level terrain occur —..—..—..—...t onthe SnakeRiver Plainsin the southern part. A great variety FIg.1. Mapof main vegetationtypes and other landscapefeatures of of surface rock materials occur, including argillites, quart- are due zites Idaho.Boundaries approximate totheir actual irregularity and metasedimentsin the northern part; granitic mate- and the scale ofthe figure. rials in the central and Columbia basalt and other Batholith; of bess and ash add volcanics cover much of the western and southern portion. deposits volcanic surface material over Alluvialsediments also occur on the SnakeRiver Plains,and much of the northern and western portions. Climate varies greatly, mainly in response to physiogra- Theauthor IsProfessor Emeritus, Department of Range Resources, Univer- phic influences and latitude. The northern part has annual sityof Idaho. Rangelands 8(5), October 1986 203 precipitation ranging from 30 to 60 inches in the forested million acres. The forests are mainly coniferous, although areas to 13 to 22 inches in the canyons of the Snake and deciduous trees occur in riparian sites and aspen (Populus Salmon Rivers. Southern Idaho is generally much drier, and tremuloides) dominatescertain areasin southeasternIdaho. large areasof the Snake River plains receive 10to 12 inches The coniferous forest series occur along a gradient of or less. Half or more ofthe annualprecipitation occursin the moisture and temperature which covers a wide climatic wintermonths in most ofthe State, and the mid-summersare range. The most mesic series is that dominated by western extremely dry. Temperaturesvary greatly with elevation, but hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), the mostshade tolerantand are generally milder than those in comparable areaseast of moisture-demandingof the conifers. Slightlyless moistsites the Rockies. are occupied by the western redcedar (Thu/ua plicata)ser- A great variety of soils hasdeveloped in responseto parent ies, with a wider range of temperature and moisture toler- material and climatic influences. Many soils are rockyand/or ance. The moist and relatively mild climate of both series is shallow, butmost are relativelyproductive withinthe limits of available moisture. Some, such as the granitic soils of the Idaho batholith are highly erosive when the natural plant cover is disturbed.

FIg. 3. Large pondorosa pine growingas successional species in Douglas-fir type. Tree reproduction is mainly ofDouglas-fir. indicated by thelush growth oftrees, and by thenature of the Fig. 2. Western redcedar type with some western hemlock and understory which contains many disjunct species, common western larch included. in West Coastal forests, but not found inland except in this Vegetation Types northern Idaho area. The understory is rich in ferns, shrubs and forbs fern oak In broadest the including lady (Athyriumfilix-femina), terms, vegetation ofthe state may be visu- fern (Gymnocarpum dryopteris), menziesia for- alized as of conifer forests in the northern (Menziesia consisting mainly ruginia), queen's cup (Clintoniauniflora), and gold-thread and central parts, with shrub vegetation in the southern por- and a band of in the west (Coptisoccidentalis) tion, grassland central part. Other Another series with high moisture confined types include woodland, and requirements juniper riparian alpine vegeta- to nothern Idaho is formed by mountain hemlock (Tsuga tion (Fig. I). mertensiana) which occurs in scattered stands at higher elevations. Common include Forest Vegetation understory species beargrass (Xerophyl!um tenax) and wood rush (Luzula hitchcockii). Forest is oneof the major formations, occupying about 20 Some conifer series have awider distribution in the State. 204 Rangelands 8(5), October 1986

The grandfir (Abies grandis) series, for example, occurs in species tend to maintain themselvesfor long periods due to all but the southeastern section. It occupies sites with some the longevity of the individuals. ofthe mild climatic characteristics of the hemlock and west- ern redcedar types, but with less available moisture. Shrub Vegetation High elevationsthroughout the State are occupied by the This formation occupies virtually all of the Snake River subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa). Its habitat is marked by low plain and adjacent foothills, and some of the communities temperatures and a very short growing season.The under- extend much farther North. Thetotal areaof potential shrub story is well developed and contains species such as huc- vegetation is about the same as the forested lands, but the kleberries (Vaccinium spp.) and bluejoint (Calamagrostis shrub typeshave been morealtered by land use.The forma- canadensis). The upper part of this type, just below timber- tion includes the extensive sagebrush-grass region, along line, often contains open heath and grassy balds. with a number of smaller types. Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii) forms awide-ranging series which occursin all forested parts ofthe State. It occu- pies sites whichare drierthan those supporting grand fir and warmerthan those occupied by subalpine fir. Thetree stands are generally more open than in the series described so far and support well-developed understories dominated by shrubssuch as ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus) or grasses suchas Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoens/s). Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) occursextensively as a fire successional species but also forms a climax series in certain habitats. These generally have shallow, excessively drained soils, occurring in areas cooler than those of the Douglas-fir type and drier than those ofthe grand fir series. Lodgepole pine is well adapted to cold-air drainages. Com- mon understory species includedwarf huckleberry (Vacci- n/urn) species, elk sedge (Carex geyer!), and Idaho fescue. The ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) series occupies sites drier than areasdominated by Douglas-fir, and usually constitutes the shrub or lowest forest zone,just above grass- FIg. 4. Basin big sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass community. land types. It is well developed in the central and southwest- Note open standof sagebrush and abundant grasscover. ern parts ofthe state, but becomesscarcer and finallyabsent in the eastern parts due to lower temperatures in the dry forest areas. Ponderosa pine stands are fairly open with well-developed understories dominated by shrubs such as ninebark and bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), and by Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass (Agropyron spicatum) (Elytrigia spicata of some authors). Less extensive coniferous series include one dominated by limber pine (Pinus flex//is). This type occurs on dry sites scattered across the east central and southeastern parts of the state and intermingles with the Douglas-fir series, with the pine occurringon the rockier, drier sites. It often occu- pies the loweredge ofthe forest zone and may border on the sagebrush-grass types as seen in Craters of the Moon National Monument. Another coniferous series is formed by Engelmannspruce (Picea engeirnanni),which forms stands along stream courseswith cold-airdrainage. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) occupies exposed sites at upper timber- FIg. 5. Low sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass community. The line, and contactsthe subalpine fir and lodgepole pinetypes grass is equalin heightto the sagebrush. at lowerelevations or cooler sites. Sagebrush-GrassRegion A feature of the coniferousforests is the extent to which Most of the southern part of the state was occupied by most of the series dominants can occur and grow well in sagebrush-grass prior to white settlement, and sagebrush otherseries in a successional role. Ponderosapine is com- stands still occupysome 12.5 million acres.The composition mon in the Douglas-fir and grand fir series; and Douglas-fir is more variablethan for it in the suggestedby generalappearance, western red cedar and grand fir types. White pine includes 8 species and severalsubspecies and varieties of (Pinus monticola)and western larch (Larix occidentalis), do each with its own and not sagebrush, ecological requirements form climax communities but occur as successional associatedvegetation. Theunderstory in undisturbed condi- members of several series, the western hemlock especially tion is well-deve'oped and dominated by perennial grasses and western red cedar. The presenceof successional spe- cies is due to disturbance by fire or othercauses, and these Rangelands 8(5), October 1986 205

developed at shallow depth. This type is most extensive in thewestern and central partsof the sagebrushregion, where it alternates with big sagebrush, in a pattern determined by differences in effective soil depth. The understory grasses are similar to those in the big sagebrushtypes. The blacksagebrush (Artemisia nova) series is confined to the driest part of the sagebrush region, usually on shallow calcareous soils derived from limestone. The type is most extensive in the eastern partof the sagebrush region, where it borders thesalt-desert shrub. Bluebunch wheatgrassis the principal associated species. Theearly sagebrush(Artemisia Iongiloba) series is another low-growing type, occurringon shallow soils with strongly developedclaypans. Stands ofthis series are mostly small in size and occur mainly in thecentral and western part of the sagebrush region. Types of very limited extent are dominated by stiff sage- brush (A. rigida) and Owyhee sagebrush (Artemisia pap- FIg. 6. Canyongrasslands on the lower SnakeRiver. Thebluebunch posa), respectively.Stiff sagebrush is limited tosoils that are wheatgrassand Idaho fescue series—both occur on different very shallow over basalt in the extreme western edge of the aspectsand elevationsof this landscape. state and extends north beyond the sagebrush region into such as bluebunch wheatgrass, sandberg bluegrass (Poa suitablespots in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass region. secunda), and Idaho fescue. Owyhee sagebrush is a dwarf species which forms a type Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is a variable and restricted to shallow depressions or shallow, intermittent widely distributed species which dominates communities water courseswhere extra moisture is available early in the over a wide range of precipitation (8-24 inches); and eleva- growing season. tion (800-11,000 ft). Fortunately, recognition of subspecies and varieties has to define the relation- Salt-desert Shrub Region helped ecological This name is used to describe a of communities ships of this species. Currently four subspecies: tridentata, group and are which occur in areas of low precipitation and saline or wyomingensis, vaseyana spiciformis recognized. soils. The dominant Each ofthese subspeciesforms series character- droughty species are low-growing vegetation shrubs or semi-shrubs, members of the ized by differences in composition ofthe understory grasses mostly goosefoot and forbs. Basin trident (Chenopodiaceae) family. This vegetation occurs in the big sagebursh (subsp. ate) occupies area the xeric sites with low to moderate but soils; same geographical as more sagebrush com- precipitation deep munities and with them. The Wyoming big sage (subsp. wyomingersis) occurs on areas intermingles type occupies ofsimilar but shallower foothill or moun- about 1.6 millionacres; much of it has beenaltered by heavy precipitation soils; back to the earlier of the livestock tain big sage (ssp. vaseyana)grows in areasof higher eleva- grazing dating years tion, with higher precipitation and lower temperatures and industry. hasone and The ecology ofthis type is notwell understood, in spiteof subalpine variety; spiciformbig sage (ssp.spici- studies of individual The shad- formis) is restricted to high elevation sites in the south- many species. dominants, eastern cornerof the state. The and foothill sub- scale (Atriplexcon fertifolia), saitsage(Atriplex nuttallilsub- Wyoming winterfat red species form the most extensive types of big sagebrush in species falcata), (Ceratoides lanata), molly Idaho. (Kochia americana), and greasewood (Sarcobatus vermicu- occur or in mixtures and most stands contain Thethree-tip sagebrush(A rtemisia tripartita)series occurs latus), singly in the eastern of the few herbaceousspecies. In the current state of knowledge it mainly part sagebrush region, appar- is not clear to what extent these stands" entlyfavored by the lower temperatures and higherpercen- "pure represent of summer rainfallin that area. is noted natural dominance ofwell-adapted specieson harshsites, or tage Three-tip sage extent associated have been removed for its to afterfire or other It occurs in to what species by ability sprout injury. have been in the shadscale relatively small, scattered stands, and no obvious site char- grazing. Stands found, mainly acteristics it from certain type, that have a well-developed cover of grasses such as separate big sagebrush types. and Indian rice Silver sagebrush (Artemisia cana subspecies viscidula) squirrel-tail (Sitanion hystrix) grass (Ory- representsthe western formof a predominantly Great Plains zopsis hymenoides). In it dominates a confined to stream species. Idaho, type Mountain Brush Region banks and dry meadows. Communities of this nature are This term is used for a loose of which in extent and most been altered grouping species small have greatly by occur in moister parts of the shrub formation. This group grazing. includes shrubs of relatively low stature such as bitterbrush, Low sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula) is oneof agroup of and snowbrush which harsh sites within the snowberry (Symphoricarpos spp.) (Ceano- low-growing species occupy thus velutinus), aswell as largerforms suchas serviceberry sagebrush region. The low sagebrush series occurs over a wide but is confined to soils which are (Amelanchier alnifolia), bittercherry (Prunus emarginata), range climatically, chokecherry (Prunusvirginiana var melanocarpa)and moun- either shallow to bedrock or have a strongly restrictive layer 206 Rangelands 8(5), October 1986 tam mahogany (Cercocarpus ledifolius). This type usually determined by a combination of elevation and aspect. The occursbetween the sagebrush and forest communities, but Hood's sedge (Carex hoodii) series is confined to relatively Italso mingles to someextent withthe foothill and subalpine small areas at high elevation (6,500-8,000ft). It occurs on sagebrush series. Most stands of this type support a well- shallow stony soilsin stands often interspersedwith conifer- developed herbaceous understoryincluding bluebunch wheat- ousforest. Thevegetation is dominated by severalspecies of grass, Idaho fescue, mountain brome (Bromus carinatus) dryland sedge, along with a number of grasses including and a great variety of forbs. The total area is only about Idaho fescue, mountain brome and timber oatgrass (Dan- one-half million acres, but the type has forage and cover thonia intermedia). value disproportionate to its size. The Idahofescue series is an extensivetype which occurs as low as 1,300ft. on north slopes and up to 6,500feet on JuniperWoodlands south slopes, with a range of precipitation from 15 to 20 Thejuniper region is representedby two species,western inches or more. Thedense cover includes bluebunch wheat- juniper(Juniperus occidentalis) and Utah juniper (Junipe- grass, Junegrass (Koeleria cristata), and a large number of rus osteosperma). Pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla) is res- perennialforbs, including species of balsamroot(Balsamor- tricted to small areas close to the Utah border. Western hiza), lupine (Lupinus), and aven (Geum). juniperIs confined to thesouthwest cornerof the state, and The bluebunch wheatgrassseries occurson still drier and Utah juniperis restricted to thesouthcentrai and southeast- warmer sites, in a precipitation range of 12 to 18 inches, and ern parts. Old establishedstands ofwestern juniper are fairly at elevations from 700 to4,500 ft. The vegetation is strongly open, with understories of bluebunch wheatgrass, Idaho dominated by the wheatgrass, usually growing in strictly fescue, bltterbrush, etc. Many younger stands, however, bunch form.Sandberg bluegrass is the onlyother perennial represent invasion into adjacent sagebrush communities, grass of common occurrence. Forbs are less common then generally foothill sagebrush, where thejuniper forms dense in thefescue series, butseveral species ofAstragalus, Loma- stands withsparse understories.This invasion appearsto be tium and Phlox are characteristic of different subtypes due mainly to fire suppression since white settlement, but Limited areas of the canyon bottoms and lower slopes may also be influenced bya longer termtrend towards mois- supportother perennial grasses: sand dropseed (Sporobo- ter climate. The Utah juniper type generally occurs under lus cryptandrus), red threeawn (Aristida Iongiseta), and drier conditions, and varies fromstands with well-developed needle-and-thread(Stipa comata). The ecological status of understories of shrub and grass to dense stands with little these species is notfully understood, butsand dropseedand associated vegetation. There is some invasion of adjacent needle-and-thread may be climax on sandy soils. Red sagebrush stands but not tothe extent shown in thewestern threeawn is an unpalatable species which behaves as an juniper. increaser on most sites. Grassland Formation Mountain Grasslands Despite earlier ideas of a large grassland belt extending This type is smaller in area, and less studied than the across the southern part of Idaho between the sagebrush Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass. Series dominated by green and forest regions, true grasslands are of limited extent. fescue (FestucaviriuIa),,sheep fescue (Festuca ovina),and These are of two types, the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass Idaho fescue respectively have been recognized. The green region which extends in a narrow band along the western fescue type occurs on "balds" surrounded by coniferous edge of central and north-central Idaho, and Mountain forest and is confined to the northern part of the state. The Grassland which occursscattered throughoutmuch of the sheep fescue series is strictly a high elevation community, mountainous portions. The whole grassland formation is and grades into true alpine vegetation. estimated to occupyabout 1.3 millionacres. Alpine Vegetation Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass Region Thealpine formation, defined by its position abovetimber- The area occupied by this type in ldaho Consistsof two line, occurs in areasabove 10,000feet elevation in southern sections, the Palouse Prairie on the Columbia Plateau area, and central Idaho, and at slightly lower elevations in the and theCanyon Grasslandsof the Snakeand Salmon Rivers northern part. Thearea of land abovethese elevations is not and their tributaries. The Palouse Prairie section is exten- extensive,but the vegetationoccupying it exhibits tremend- sively cultivated, with few remnants.Most ofthese remnants ousvariety. Studies madeto date have recorded many vege- fit thepattern of PalousePrairie in Washington but include a tation types, but little has been done to determine the rela- type dominated by rough fescue (Festuca scabrella). This tionships ofthese communities tosite characteristics and to type usually occurs close to the forest edge, on sites which each other. In many cases it appears that the nature of the appear to be slightly cooler and moister than those domi- parent rock and microtopography are dominant influences. nated by Idaho fescue. Common types include those dominated by low growing The Canyon Grasslands, due primarily to steep topo- herbs suchas cushion phlox (Phlox pulvinata), Ross's aven graphy, have remained largely intact. Three major vegeta- (Geum rossli), and sheep cinquefoil (Potentilla ovine). Low tion series occur along a moisture-temperature gradient shrub types include white mountain-aven (Dryas octope- tala), snow willow (Salix nivalis), and heathers (Phyllodoce spp.) Purple pinegrass(Calamagrostis purpurascens) and a Range/ends8(5), October 1986 207 number of sedges (Carex spp.) also form common types. lems of water quality and soil erosion in the type. Community dominants include a wide range of life forms Rlparlan Vegetation and many species. Cottonwoods (P0pu/us trichocarpa and This is defined as vegetation requiring soil moisture in P. angustifolia), alders (Alrius incana and A. rhombifo!!a), addition to that supplied by local precipitation. Typically, it and whitebirch (Betula papyrifera) formcommon treetypes. occursalong stream banks, in meadows,and the bottoms of Shrub communities are dominated by species of willow narrow valleys.This habitat is intermediatebetween uplands (Sa/ix), red osier dogwood (Cornusstolonifera), and water andtruly aquatic sites. Likethe alpine formation, theriparian birch (Betula occidentalis). Beaked sedge (Carex rostrata) type is relatively small in area, extremely varied, and has forms acommon type, as doseveral other sedges, baltic rush received little detailed study. This is unfortunate, since there (Juncusbalticus), and tufted hairgrass(Deschampsia caespi- is currentlymuch concern over land use and related prob- tosa).

Curlew National Grassland

Frank Beitia and Frank Gunnell

The Curlew National Grassland of the Caribou National some good storehouses along with a trailer house on the Forest consists of 47,600acres of land inthe extremesouth- same location. I was, to say the least, very much impressed ern portion of Idaho. It is representativeof the basin and with the remarkabletransition from whathad been marginal range-type topography and is predominantly covered with farming to what looked like prosperous grazing land." sagebrush and crested wheatgrass. Over 35,000 acres of In 1954, 47,600 acres of the land lying within the Curlew native range was cultivated and farmed in the early 1900's. Valley were turned over tothe Forest Service to be adminis- This land is capable ofproducing vegetation such as alfalfa, tered as National Grasslandwithin the Department of Agri- small burnett species,and introduced wheatgrassesas apart culture. Since the establishment of the project some of the of grassland agriculture. Sagebrush, bitterbrush, service- original land has been returned to private ownership and a berry, native grasses, and forbs occupy the unfarmed land. considerable acreageadjacent to Curlew Valley is adminis- The lands currentlywithin the Curlew National Grassland tered by the Bureau of Land Management. The Curlew were acquired from private individuals under Title 111 of the National Grassland has been managed to promote the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act. During the late 1920's development of Grassland agriculture. These lands have and early 1930's these lands failed to provide a sustained been intensivelymanaged forthe multiple-useand sustained- livelihood. In many places the land was badly eroded. The yield of the associated resources and productswith assist- Soil Conservation Serviceadministered the lands from 1938 ance from the Soil Conservation Service, Intermountain to 1954and carried out an intensive rehabilitation program. Forest and Range Experiment Station, universities, Idaho Originally there was approximately 168,000 acres in and Department of Fish and Game, Agricultural Research Ser- adjacent to Curlew Valley that comprised the original land vice, and the local livestock operators. utilization project. The Bankhead-JonesFarm Tenant Act directed thatthese In April 1965, well-known author and range specialist acquired lands should promote the development of grass- Perry Plummer made a tour of the Curlew National Grass- land agriculture and sustained-yield managementof the for- land and documented the following: "The trip was highly age, fish and wildlife, water, and recreation resources in interesting for me since I had participated in the establish- areas of which they are a part. The practices used should ment ofsome experimental seedingplots in thegeneral area demonstrate sound and practical principles of land use and inthe late 1930's. This was theperiod when the Resettlement serve as models to show how responsive government can Administration was relocating manyof the marginalfarmers positively affect economical, cooperative planning and to other areas. Dust storms were then characteristic. The managementat the local level. Grazing Associations under contrast in mymind betweenthen and now was tremendous. terms of appropriate agreementsare used to carry out many Waving stands of perennial grass had replaced the fields of these objectives. abandoned to Russian thistle and old stubble. The sand Much of the federally owned land is intermingled with dunes along some of the fences have apparently vanished. associatedprivate and otherlands into fenced logical opera- All the vacant houseshad beenremoved, and theonce dusty ble pastures, which creates an atmospherefor the develop- lanes wetraveled had been replacedwith either gravel or oil ment of sound land conservation and utilization practices. roads. The CCC camp buildings at Grandine had been all These lands serve as a range management laboratory for removed; however, the Forest maintains what appear to be testing latest techniques in grassland agriculture and to

Authors are Branch Chief, Caribou National Forest, and DistrictRanger, Malad RangerDistrict, USDA-ForestService, Malad City, Idaho 83252.