The last few weeks have been a conglomeration of different activities at the Burns District BLM.
In the earlier part of this month, we conducted a botanical clearance on 3 potential well sites. An inventory of the current plants was needed to determine if any special status species (SSS) were located on these sites. If this proved to be the case, the disturbance from the construction of a well could potentially be detrimental to the SSS habitat.
Later in the month, we conducted riparian photo monitoring. That is, we located different photo points along streams using GPS coordinates. After we hiked to these locations, we had to document the site condition, which included noting the greenline vegetation composition, soil characteristics, grazing patterns (i.e. livestock usage, wildlife foraging intensity), etc. Next, we had to take an upstream photo as well as a downstream photo that replicated the photos taken from previous years. The purpose of this is to juxtapose the current site condition against previous years’ and to determine whether or not current management decisions are fostering riparian ecological health. Accessing some of these photo trend sites has proven to be a challenge at times, as the streams are oftentimes located at the base of canyons. Nevertheless, it has been a fun activity and truly refreshing to be around water!
A floodplain of one of the riparian sites we visited.
Another riparian site we visited. It has a dense overstory cover of Salix sp. and Juniperus sp.
Today and tomorrow we are auditing a two day NEPA training class called: Cumulative Effects Analysis: Concepts, Methods, and Applications. Having done research on DEIS information and environmental quality ratings in college, it has been fascinating to see the thought processes of the government workers writing the documents. It has also verified that the same conclusions we surmised as to why the ratings have worsened over time (lack of standardization between field offices, the subjective nature of NEPA guidelines, the lack of experience because of quick worker turnovers) were recognized by the government workers as ongoing problems in the NEPA process. In addition, working on a live Environmental Assessment (EA) has offered me optimal experiential learning as a BLM employee. I’m looking forward to completing the workshop tomorrow!
Only 2 weeks left in Burns! The time has flown by.
Megan Hoff
Burns District Bureau of Land Management