OCR Text |
Show RANGE IFISIHIItAIEES CUJffil TIMBER Livestock grazing accounts for the largest land classification and use on the Fishlake National Forest. Grazing use can conflict with forest resources such as wildlife, fisheries, and recreation. As a Timber resources on the Fishlake National Forest are very limited although timber management does provide vegetation for the enhancement of other resources such as wildlife and range. Also, many small timber operators acquire their raw materials from the Fishlake National Forest lands. About 47 percent of the Forest grows trees. The intensive management of timber occasionally causes conflicts with other resources . . . i.e., roads associated with timber sales make the Forest more accessid ble to vehicles, thus impacting wildlife and causing soil erosion; thinning of dense timber stands may remove natural barriers used for range management; improper timber harvest can have adverse effects on water quality; old timber clearcuts are unsightly. An effort is currently underway to reestablish trees on these areas. Also, current harvesting practices do not include large clearcuts. How should the Fishlake National Forest manage its tree resource? most rangeland development projects are result, designed to benefit wildlife habitat. Intensive management programs can be designed to protect streams, increase wildlife forage, and control livestock numbers in areas of frequent concentrated recreation use. Range conditions have generally improved over the last 20 years. Elk numbers have increased significantconflicts are becoming evident. ly and How should the Fishlake National Forest manage the forage resource for livestock and wildlife demands? off-roa- RECREATION Recreation use of the Fishlake National Forest continues to increase steadily. Plans for energy development in surrounding areas would increase population, thus increasing Forest use. This poses a serious impact on recreation resources. Recreation use of the Forest has created some conflicts such as vehicles causing watershed .damage throughout the Forest. Camping and picnic sites occupy the same areas preferred by livestock, thus reducing grazing capacity of range areas. Dispersed recreation use results in disturbance of livestock management. Gates in range fences are left open, and stock are harassed by people and their motor vehicles. Dispersed recreation use results in disturbance of wildlife. This is especially serious in key winter range and traditional resting and cover areas. To what extent should the Fishlake National Forest be managed for developed recreation? To what extent should the Fishlake National Forest be managed for dispersed recreation? off-roa- WILDLIFE AND FISH The Forest Service wildlife management role is that of protection and development of habitat for game and nongame wildlife species and fish. Fishery statistics show the Forest to have 76 perennial streams totaling 688 miles, and 62 lakes and and reservoirs totaling 4,547 surface acres. The Forests Fish Lake and other fishing locations are major attractions, experiencing about 150,000 recreation visitor days annually drawing people from 20 states. The Forest provides habitats for rainbow, cutthroat, brown, brook, and lake trout. Elimination of riparian habitat along streams by livestock grazing, threatens fisheries. Other conflicts that exist between wildlife resources and other uses of National Forest land are: competition between livestock and big game for forage; development and human occupancy of d vehicle use; and key game areas; disturbance of game areas by use of private land forage by big game animals. To what extent will we manage the wildlife and fish habitat for game and nongame species? d off-roa- MINERALS Minerals within the Forest are coal, limestone, clay, uranium, gold, silver, lead, aluminum, sand and gravel, and light-weigaggregate. In addition, geothermal, oil, and gas resources have been explored. The greatest demands currently placed on the Fishlake National Forest are for energy exploration and development. These demands will create conflicts with other uses of the Forest such as disruption of grazing systems; surface mining verses preservation of archeological sites; surface mining verses damage to watersheds; and mining access verses retension of roadless areas. Extensive mineral development will also result in population increases, which will create additional demands for goods and services from National Forest lands. How should we respond to increasing demand for minerals and energy developments on the Fishlake National Forest? WATER Water is perhaps the most important single resource on the Forest in this semi-ari- d part of Utah. The existence of population here is dependent upon a continuing supply of high quality water. In addition to irrigation and industrial uses, nearly 20 com- munities derive their water from Fishlake the National Conflicts that continue to exForest. supplies ist between watershed and other resource uses are human occupancy of areas adjacent to lakes and streams which affects water quality. Overgrazing, in some areas, causes erosion; and mining activities may remove valuable topsoil, which makes revegetation difficult. How does the Fishlake National Forest accommodate the increasing demand for more water and improved quality? ht I |