Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2017-0010-EA Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan Prepared by U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Elko District, Wells Field Office 3900 E. Idaho St. Elko, NV 89801 (775) 753-0200 Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan EA Table of Contents 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 1 Location of Project Area.............................................................................................................. 8 Purpose and Need for Action ..................................................................................................... 10 Land Use Plan Conformance and Consistency with Other Authorities ..................................... 10 2. Proposed Action and Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 12 No Action Alternative ............................................................................................................... 12 Alternative A: Proposed Action Alternative.............................................................................. 13 2.2.1. Population Management ........................................................................................................ 13 2.2.2. Population Growth Suppression Methods ............................................................................. 14 2.2.3. Population Growth Suppression Methods ............................................................................. 14 Alternative B ............................................................................................................................. 18 Alternative C ............................................................................................................................. 19 Management Actions Common to Alternatives A, B and C ..................................................... 19 2.5.1. Helicopter Drive Trapping .................................................................................................... 19 2.5.2. Bait/Water Trapping .............................................................................................................. 21 2.5.3. Gather-related Temporary Holding Facilities (Corrals) ........................................................ 22 2.5.4. Transport, Off-range Corrals, and Adoption Preparation ...................................................... 22 2.5.5. Adoption ................................................................................................................................ 23 2.5.6. Sale with Limitations ............................................................................................................ 23 2.5.7. Off-Range Pastures ............................................................................................................... 23 2.5.8. Euthanasia or Sale without Limitations ................................................................................ 24 2.5.9. Public Viewing Opportunities ............................................................................................... 24 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated .................................................................................... 24 2.6.1. Field Darting Horses with ZonaStat-H (Native PZP) ........................................................... 24 2.6.2. Control of Wild Horse Numbers by Fertility Control Treatment Only Exclusively ............. 25 2.6.3. Chemical Immobilization ...................................................................................................... 26 2.6.4. Use of Wrangler on Horseback Drive-trapping .................................................................... 26 2.6.5. Designate the HMAs to be Managed Principally for Wild Horse Herds Under 43 C.F.R. 4710.3-2. ............................................................................................................................................. 26 2.6.6. Raising the Appropriate Management Levels for Wild Horses ............................................ 26 Table of Contents i Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan EA 2.6.7. Remove or Reduce Livestock Within the HMAs .................................................................. 27 2.6.8. Wild Horse Numbers Controlled by Natural Means ............................................................. 28 2.6.9. Gathering the Complexes to Upper Range of AML .............................................................. 29 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Effects ............................................................................. 30 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 30 3.1.1. General Description .............................................................................................................. 31 3.1.2. Supplemental Authorities ...................................................................................................... 31 3.1.3. Past, Present, and Reasonably Foreseeable Future Actions (PPRFFAs) ............................... 37 Analysis of Affected Resources ................................................................................................ 41 3.2.1. Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................ 41 3.2.2. Fisheries and Aquatic Species ............................................................................................... 43 3.2.3. Invasive, Non-native Species ................................................................................................ 46 3.2.4. Livestock Grazing ................................................................................................................. 51 3.2.5. Migratory Birds ..................................................................................................................... 56 3.2.6. Public Health and Safety ....................................................................................................... 62 3.2.7. Soils ....................................................................................................................................... 65 3.2.8. Special Status Species (SSS) ................................................................................................. 69 3.2.9. Terrestrial Wildlife ................................................................................................................ 81 3.2.10. Vegetation ......................................................................................................................... 90 3.2.11. Wetlands/Riparian Zones ................................................................................................ 110 3.2.12. Wild Horses and Burros .................................................................................................. 120 3.2.13. Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas ........................................................................ 177 4. Consultation and Coordination ......................................................................................................... 187 Native American Consultation ................................................................................................ 187 Statewide Annual Public Hearing for Motorized Vehicles ..................................................... 187 List of Preparers ...................................................................................................................... 187 5. References ......................................................................................................................................... 189 6. Appendix I: Standard Operating Procedures for Population Level Fertility Control Treatments ......... 1 7. Appendix II: Standard Operating Procedures for Field Castration (Gelding) of Wild Horse Stallions 1 Pre-surgery Animal Selection, Handling and Care ...................................................................... 1 Gelding Procedure ....................................................................................................................... 2 8. APPENDIX III: Gather Operations Standard Operating Procedures.................................................... 1 Helicopter Gather Methods used in the Performance of Gather Contract Operations ................. 1 Table of Contents ii Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan EA 8.1.1. Water and Bait Trapping Standard Operating Procedures ..................................................... 16 9. Appendix IV: Wild Horse Gather Observation Protocol ................................................................ 1 10. APPENDIX V: Bluebell WSA Operating Requirements for the Shafter Well Gather Site .............. 4 11. Appendix VI: Operating Requirements for Noxious Weeds and Non-Native Invasive Plants ......... 1 12. APPENDIX VII: Species List ........................................................................................................... 1 13. APPENDIX VIII: Population Modeling ........................................................................................... 1 14. APPENDIX IX Comments ..............................................................................................................