January 25, 2018 United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Assessment Report for Park, Gallatin, and Broadwater South Location: Maudlow Allotment U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Butte Field Office 106 North Parkmont Butte, MT 59701 Phone: 406-533-7600 Park, Gallatin, and Broadwater South Assessment Report Page Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Background ....................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2.1 Fire History ................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.2 Fire Regime ................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.3 Sensitive Plant Species ................................................................................................................... 3 1.2.4 Climate .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Table 1: Summary of Climate Stations Information ....................................................................................... 5 Figure 1: Trident Climate Station ................................................................................................................. 5 Figure 2: Livingston Airport Climate Station ................................................................................................ 6 Figure 3: Townsend Climate Station ............................................................................................................. 6 Figure 4: Lennep Climate Station ................................................................................................................. 7 1.3 Prehistory and History of the Planning Area ..................................................................................... 7 1.4 Authorized Uses ................................................................................................................................. 8 1.4.1 Forest Products .............................................................................................................................. 8 1.4.2 Recreational Uses ........................................................................................................................... 8 1.4.3 Mineral Resources and Geology ...................................................................................................... 8 1.4.3.1 Geology ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1.4.3.2 Mineral Resources ........................................................................................................................ 9 1.4.4 Livestock Grazing .......................................................................................................................... 9 Table 2. Current Grazing Management and Allocation within PGB PA Allotments ......................................... 9 1.5 Process .............................................................................................................................................. 12 1.5.1 Format .......................................................................................................................................... 13 2.0 STANDARD #1- UPLAND HEALTH ............................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Procedure to Determine Conformance with Standard ...................................................................... 13 2.2 Affected Environment ....................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.1 Soils ............................................................................................................................................. 14 2.2.2 Vegetation .................................................................................................................................... 14 Table 3. Summary of Acres by General Cover Type within the PGB PA ...................................................... 15 2.2.3 Noxious Weeds ............................................................................................................................. 15 2.2.4 Special Status Plants ...................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.5 Forest Health and Fuels Management ............................................................................................. 16 2.2.5.1 Fuels Conditions ................................................................................................................... 16 Table 4. Description of VCC Classes ...................................................................................................... 17 2.2.5.2 Forest and Woodland Condition ............................................................................................. 17 2.3 Findings, Analysis, and Recommendations ....................................................................................... 18 Table 5. Upland Qualitative Assessment Summary, Degree of Departure from Expected and Upland Standards ..................................................................................................................................................... 19 2.3.1 Recommendations for Upland Health ............................................................................................. 21 3.0 RIPARIAN AND WETLAND AREAS .............................................................................................................. 22 3.1 Procedure to Determine Conformance with Standard ..................................................................... 22 3.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................................... 22 3.2.1 Seeps and Springs ........................................................................................................................ 23 3.3 Findings, Analysis, and Recommendations ...................................................................................... 23 Table 6 Riparian (lotic) Resources in the Park, Gallatin, and Broadwater County South Planning Area. 24 3.3.1 Recommendations for Riparian Health .......................................................................................... 28 4.0 WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................ 29 4.1 Procedure to Determine Conformance with Standard ..................................................................... 29 4.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................................... 29 4.3 Findings, Analysis, and Recommendations ...................................................................................... 30 Table 7. Water Quality Qualitative Assessment Summary for the PGB PA. .............................................. 30 4.3.1 Recommendation for Water Quality ............................................................................................... 31 5.0 AIR QUALITY .................................................................................................................................................... 32 5.1 Procedure to Determine Conformance with Standard ..................................................................... 32 5.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................................... 32 5.3 Findings, Analysis, and Recommendations ...................................................................................... 32 5.3.1 Recommendation for Air Quality .................................................................................................. 32 6.0 BIODIVERSITY .................................................................................................................................................. 32 6.1 Procedure to Determine Conformance with Standard ..................................................................... 32 6.2 Affected Environment ...................................................................................................................... 33 6.2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 33 6.2.2 Mammals ..................................................................................................................................... 33 6.2.3 Birds ........................................................................................................................................... 34 6.2.4 Reptiles and Amphibians .............................................................................................................. 34 6.2.5 Fish ............................................................................................................................................