Livestock Management. Effects Direct effects of livestock grazing may include mortality of toads from trampling. Toad trampling has been observed in areas of high cattle, sheep, or human use (Xxxxx Xxxx, USGS/BRD, pers. comm., 1996; and Xxxxxxx 1998). Indirect effects may include reduced survival of eggs and tadpoles resulting from suffixation (increased siltation and water temperatures), hydrologic changes from stock pond development, predation (loss of cover) and poisoning (from fecal contamination). A long-term indirect effect of improper livestock grazing is that of degrading riparian and wetland areas vital to boreal toad existence. Riparian vegetation functions as a "living filter" to trap sediment, nutrients, chemical, and organic waste that are carried from the surrounding land during and following storms. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, and grasses) dissipates water energy by slowing the speed of surface runoff and increasing water absorbency into the soil and root systems. This increased capacity for streambank storage helps maintain year-round stream flow. Loss of this storage capacity results in lower than normal or intermittent stream flows. Recommendations Assumptions - Domestic livestock concentrate in riparian habitat and are widespread throughout the range of boreal toads. High densities of toads alleviates some concern with respect to loss of a few individuals from a particular deme though these concentrated use areas merit special consideration and protection. Concerns about trampling are primarily related to contact between animals in breeding or toadlet rearing habitat. Habitat alteration from livestock grazing is presently not believed to be a primary cause of boreal toad declines. This assumption is based on consideration of the boreal toad's occurrence at higher elevation boreal forests that receive light cattle use except perhaps in openings and wet areas where livestock and toads may concentrate. Boreal toads share more overlap with domestic sheep that prefer similar habitats. However, today, domestic sheep grazing is comparatively sparse compared to stocking 20 years ago or more. Toads were considered ubiquitous in the 1940's through 60's at a time when livestock numbers on National Forests were high relative to today. Though scientists have speculated that there may be no single factor contributing to the toads decline (Xxxx et al. 1989; Xxxxxxxxx and Xxxxx 1991; Xxxxx 1993) it is logical to avoid activities that aggravate or exacerbate current declines. ...
Livestock Management. Any person who may be affected by a BLM grazing management action or decision under 43 CFR Part 4100 may file with the OI Board a written request for science review that shall be conducted pursuant to rules established by the OI Board. Requests for review must be made within 10 days of receipt of a signed determination or other documentation indicating the existence of an issue appropriate for science review. A request for review of preliminary documentation does not preclude an additional request applicable to the subsequent proposed decision. No request may be filed later than 10 days after receipt of a proposed decision.
Livestock Management. Effects Direct effects of livestock grazing may include mortality of toads from trampling. Toad trampling has been observed in areas of high cattle, sheep, or human use (Xxxxx Xxxx, USGS/BRD, pers. comm., 1996; and Xxxxxxx 1998). Indirect effects may include reduced survival of eggs and tadpoles resulting from suffixation (increased siltation and water temperatures), hydrologic changes from stock pond development, predation (loss of cover) and poisoning (from fecal contamination). A long-term indirect effect of improper livestock grazing is that of degrading riparian and wetland areas vital to boreal toad existence. Riparian vegetation functions as a "living filter" to trap sediment, nutrients, chemical, and organic waste that are carried from the surrounding land during and following storms. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, and grasses) dissipates water energy by slowing the speed of surface runoff and increasing water absorbency into the soil and root systems. This increased capacity for streambank storage helps maintain year-round stream flow. Loss of this storage capacity results in lower than normal or intermittent stream flows. Recommendations
Livestock Management. Xxxx wolves can adversely affect livestock directly, by killing or injuring individual animals, or indirectly, by modifying livestock behavior and physiological processes. Most wolf attacks involve one or two individual cattle (Muhly and Musiani 2009) and wolves prey on calves more frequently than adult cattle (Sime et al. 2007, Xxxxxxx et al. 2010). To minimize wolf/livestock interaction and protect potential wolf xxxxxxx areas, the Property Owners will implement the following conservation measures:
