BUM LIBRARY
88057809
United States Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Las Cruces District Office
Caballo Resource Area
February 1994
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN AND
RANGELAND PROGRAM SUMMARY
ANNUAL UPDATE FY 1993-FY 1994
QH
76.5
.N6
W548
1994
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for the balanced
management of the Public Land and resources and their various
values so that they are considered in the combination that will best
serve the needs of the American people. BLM management is
based upon the principles of multiple use and sustained yield; a
combination of uses that takes into account the long term needs of
future generations for renewable and nonrenewable resources.
These resources include recreation, range, timber minerals,
watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness and natural, scenic,
scientific and historical values.
BLM-NM-PL-94-0004- 1 600
United States Department of the Interior
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
Las Cruces District Office
1800 Marquess St.
Las Cruces, New Mexico 88005
February 1994
Dear Reader:
This Resource Management Plan (RMP) and Rangeland Program Summary (RPS) Annual
Update is part of the Caballo Resource Area's effort to keep the public informed of our
ongoing multiple-use management programs. Open and effective communication and
cooperation are fundamental to successful management of our public land. The intent of the
Summary is to provide you information on the progress we have made during Fiscal Year
(FY) 1993 and actions planned for FY 1994.
The Caballo Resource Area has made significant progress this past year in implementing
positive management actions and planning future activities. To all those who are involved in
helping us in this process, we wish to express our thanks and appreciation. We look forward
to another productive year and encourage you to participate in the management of our public
land.
Sincerely,
Timothy M. Murphy
Area Manager
Caballo Resource Area
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TABLE OF CONTENTS / :
PAGE
CABALLO RESOURCE AREA PROFILE i
INTRODUCTION 1
Highlights 1
Changing the RMP 2
RESOURCE PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
Lands 3
Minerals 4
Rangeland Management 4
Wildlife Habitat Management and Endangered
Species Management 8
Cultural Resources 10
Recreation 11
Wilderness H
Law Enforcement 12
APPENDICES
Appendix A - Environmental Assessments A-l
Appendix B - Rangeland Improvements B-l
TABLES
Table 1 Completed and Planned Analysis/Interpretation/Evaluation
Decision or Agreement 5
Table 2 1993-94 McGregor Range Grazing Contracts 7
^
S*
CABALLO RESOURCE AREA PROFILE
FOR SIERRA AND OTERO COUNTY
LANDHOLDERS/MANAGERS
SIERRA COUNTY
OTERO COUNTY
TOTAL
Public Land
1,109,905
1,251,594
2,361,499
Withdrawn Land
538,036
944,752
1,482,788
Other Federal Land
467,587
497,296
964,883
Indian Land
0
460,255
460,255
State Trust Land
361,195
449,908
811,103
Private Land
509,805
451,531
961,336
TOTAL FEDERAL
2,115,528
2,693,642
4,809,170
TOTAL ACREAGE
2,986,528
4,055,336
7,041,864
FEDERAL MINERAL ESTATE
1,749,514
1,972,856
3,722,370
RESOURCE USES
SIERRA COUNTY
OTERO COUNTY
TOTAL
Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (AC EC)
Acres
Developed Recreation Sites
(Three Rivers)
Annual Recreation Visits (FY 1993)
Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs)
Acres
Livestock Grazing
Allotments
Animal Unit Months (AUMs)
Operators
Allotment Management Plans
Oil and Gas Leases
Acres
Existing Recreation and Public
Purposes Grants
Existing Rights-of-Way
Wildlife Habitat Management
Habitat Management Plans
Acres
Coordinated Resource Management Plans
Acres
Special Status Species
0
0
0
0
0
0
120
98,591
131
17
2
3,173
133
1
417,000
0
0
31
2
7,550
1
20,000
2
42,323
105
200,171
104
9
52
68,189
19
247
1
271,000
1
19,760
51
2
7,550
1
20,000
2
42,323
225
298,762
235
26
54
71,362
24
380
2
688,000
1
19,760
64*
Note: 'Some species occur in both counties, some do not. The total species in the Resource Area is less than the sum of the county species.
INTRODUCTION
This is the fourth White Sands
Resource Management Plan (RMP)
Update for the Caballo Resource
Area. The purpose of this
document is to update the public
on implementation of the Bureau of
Land Management's (BLM's)
White Sands RMP. The RMP for
the Caballo Resource Area (Sierra
and Otero Counties) was completed
in October 1986. Because
implementation of the RMP will
continue over a number of years, a
RMP update document will be
issued each year. The annual
document will present information
concerning the progress made in
the previous fiscal year, and the
actions planned for the current
fiscal year to implement the RMP.
This document presents the
accomplishments for Fiscal Year
(FY) 1993 and the planned actions
for FY 1994.
The implementation actions
(completed and planned) contained
in this update are presented by
resource program in the same
sequence as the RMP (October
1986). The majority of the
resource implementation actions
are presented in simple list format
with a short description.
PROGRAM NOTES are presented
for resource programs which
require more detailed discussion
and provide information on routine
actions.
The "Planned Actions" listed are
actions that have been identified in
the RMP for implementation in
FY 1994. Project-specific
developments (rangeland
improvements and sign
placements) are not listed as
planned actions because these
actions are site specific and were
not specifically identified in the
RMP.
All scheduled planned actions are
projections based on current
priorities and the budget for the
fiscal year. If priorities and
budget allocations shift during the
fiscal year, the schedule for the
planned actions may also change.
A list of the Environmental
Assessments (EAs) which were
completed in FY 1993 is also
provided (see Appendix A). All
EAs are available for public
review at the Caballo Resource
Area Office.
HIGHLIGHTS
On April 14, 1993, the New
Mexico State Director designated
the Lake Valley Back Country
Byway. The Byway is located
south of Truth or Consequences,
New Mexico in BLM's Las
Cruces District and includes
portions of Highways 152 and 27.
The Byway is designed to
interpret mining and grazing
history of the Lake Valley area.
The Lake Valley Byway is an
extension of the "Trails to the
West" program that began in
FY 1992. During FY 1994, three
interpretive vehicle pullouts will be
constructed, and an informational
sign will be installed on each
pullout along the Byway route.
Architectural stabilization designs
were completed for the Lake
Valley schoolhouse and chapel.
Work on stabilizing a critical
corner of the Lake Valley
schoolhouse was completed. In
addition, seven New Mexico State
University (NMSU) public history
graduate students began work on
various projects associated with
Lake Valley: a Lake Valley Back
Country Byway brochure, a Lake
Valley Self-Guided Tour brochure,
and a traveling "museum kit"
suitable for fourth and fifth grade
curriculums.
The U.S. Bureau of Mines
completed field work for the
mineral inventory in the Caballo
Resource Area during FY 1993.
Coordination is in progress to
develop a final report.
Two Recreation and Public
Purpose (R&PP) patents were
issued to Otero County; one for a
fire station and the other for a 20-
acre park. Through the Rio Bonito
Exchange, 8,927 acres of public
land in the Caballo Resource Area
were conveyed to the private
sector. On McGregor Range,
1,007 acres of State trust land
were acquired by exchange.
Work on the White Sands RMP
amendment to consider six new
Areas of Critical Environmental
Concern (ACECs) was initiated.
A pre-plan was developed which
identified the following areas to be
considered for ACEC designation:
Sacramento Escarpment (expansion
of the current designation), Alkali
Lakes area, Cornudas Mountain,
Wind Mountain, Alamo Mountain
and Three Rivers. The formal
undertakings of the amendment
including public involvement will
be conducted in mid-FY 1994. A
North McGregor Coordinated
Resource Management Plan was
initiated. Vegetation/habitat
inventory work began using
satellite imagery to support the
development of vegetation
management goals and objectives.
The EA/EIS for the Fort Bliss
Roving Sands 1993 and subsequent
exercises was reviewed and
commented on. Affects of the
1993 exercise were field checked
and input provided to improve
environmental protection.
Coordination on the exercises is
ongoing.
Law enforcement conducted patrol
activities in Sierra and Otero
Counties including McGregor
Range. Resource area-wide
activities consisted of 263 days of
patrol and contacts with over
1,700 public land users.
As part of the Extended
Monitoring Plan, 40 allotments
were monitored to collect data for
range conditions (ecological
status), forage production, or
forage utilization. Fourteen
allotments, totalling 221,966 acres,
were studied for range condition
(ecological status). Trend in range
condition (ecological status) was
static on 149,233 acres and upward
on 72,733 acres. A total of 84
allotments were visited by range
conservationists to conduct use
supervision to assure compliance
with terms and conditions of the
permit/leases.
The rainfall on McGregor Range
was sporadic, however, by late
August an average amount of 5 to
7 inches was received. Use
supervision and range monitoring
studies conducted indicated
normal forage production, and the
stocking rate for the 1993-94
grazing period was below
average. A total of 27,000
animal unit months (AUMs) is
contracted to graze McGregor
Range from October 1993
through July 1994.
CHANGING THE RMP
The White Sands RMP is the
guiding document for
management of the public land
resources in the Caballo Resource
Area for the next 10 to 20 years.
There are three techniques for
changing the plan: plan
maintenance, amendment, and
revision. Plan maintenance
includes correcting errors in the
text, updating data bases, and
correcting mapping errors. No
decisions are changed through the
maintenance processes. Plan
amendments are major changes
which affect one or more of the
RMP decisions. Plan revision
involves a complete rewrite of the
RMP.
In FY 1993, there were no plan
amendments scheduled for
completion. A plan amendment
will be initiated to consider six
new ACECs in Otero County.
The anticipated date of
completion for this effort is
FY 1995. One additional plan
amendment may be scheduled
during FY 1994 to address
cultural resources management at
Lake Valley.
RESOURCE PROGRAMS IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONS
LANDS
Accomplishments
• Nine rights-of-way (ROWs)
were processed in FY 1993.
• 1,007 acres of State trust land
on McGregor Range were
acquired by exchange.
• 8,927 acres of public land in
the Caballo Resource Area
were conveyed to the private
sector through the Rio Bonito
Exchange.
• Two Recreation and Public
Purpose (R&PP) patents were
issued; one for a fire station to
Otero County and one for a
20-acre park to Otero County.
• Land lines (survey) and land
status data were entered into
the Geographic Information
System for Sierra and Otero
Counties. This is 100 percent
complete.
• A request for an 80-acre sale is
being processed.
• Three ROWs were obtained
from the New Mexico State
Highway Department to place
kiosks for the designated Lake
Valley Back Country Byway.
Planned Actions
• 960 acres of public land in the
Caballo Resource Area have
been identified for exchange in
the Phase II Rio Bonito
Exchange.
• Two R&PP leased parcels will
go to patent; a fire station for
Sierra County and a rifle range
for Otero County.
• One R&PP lease will be issued
for the City of Truth or
Consequences, New Mexico
Rifle Range. An R&PP lease
will be issued to the City of
Alamogordo for the Desert
Foothills Park.
• The 30-acre parcel for the
addition to the City of Truth or
Consequences landfill will be
withdrawn. The old Truth or
Consequences landfill request
for purchase will be
withdrawn.
• Holloman Air Force Base is
sponsoring draft legislation to
transfer up to 1,212 acres of
public land to the Base for use
in conjunction with a planned
waste water treatment facility.
PROGRAM NOTES
The Caballo Resource Area will
continue to work on unauthorized
use within Otero and Sierra
Counties. The Resource Area
anticipates 12 rights-of-way to be
completed along with the routine
public demand work.
Compliance examinations will be
ongoing.
MINERALS
Accomplishments
• The U.S. Bureau of Mines
completed field work for the
mineral inventory in the
Caballo Resource Area during
FY 1993. Coordination is in
progress to develop a final
report.
• A great deal of time was spent
responding to public inquiries
regarding implementation of
the amendment to the 1872
Mining Law regarding the
payment of rental fees for
mining claims and related
matters.
Planned Actions
• Initiate coordination with the
State of New Mexico
Abandoned Mine Lands
(AML) Program for an
evaluation of safety needs
regarding old mine workings at
Lake Valley. This is a
continuation of the Lake Valley
Byway/Minerals Showcase -
Trails to the West initiative.
• Continue coordination with
AML to complete an inventory
of unsafe areas in the Jarilla
Mountains and to develop
plans to secure hazardous
areas.
PROGRAM NOTES
Routine public demand workload
processed through FY 1993:
24 Mining Notices Processed
2* Mining Plans in Process
15 Mineral Materials
Sales/Permits
22 Oil and Gas Lease parcels
were reviewed for National
Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) documentation.
The Omnibus Budget Act was
enacted on August 10, 1993.
This Act contained a provision
for a $100 claim maintenance fee
and a $25 location fee to be
collected on all unpatented mining
claims and sites through 1998.
RANGELAND
MANAGEMENT
Note: *A Plan of Operations was
received from Adwest Minerals
and is being reviewed. Adwest
proposes to mine feldspar at Wind
Mountain. The environmental
assessment (EA) for the Plan of
Operations for reopening the
Copper Flat Mine was completed.
The decision has been made to
require an environmental impact
statement (EIS). The proponent,
Gold Express Corporation, has
been notified.
The Caballo Resource Area
administers 225 grazing permits
and leases covering 2,361,499
acres of public land. Active
grazing preference for these
permits and leases totals 298,762
AUMs. The price of an AUM
for the grazing season (March 1 -
February 28) in 1992-93 was
$1.92 and for 1993-94 is $1.86,
and has been set at $1.98 for
1994-95.
Monitoring Program
The White Sands RMP assigned
each grazing allotment into one of
the following categories:
Category "M" allotments
generally are in satisfactory
resource condition; Category "I"
allotments generally have the
potential to improve resource
conditions and resolve resource
conflicts; Category "C"
allotments generally have low
resource production potential and
are producing near their potential.
Selected "M" allotments were
also created and generally are in
satisfactory resource condition;
however, resource conflicts may.
be occurring.
TABLE 1
COMPLETED AND PLANNED ANALYSIS/
INTERPRETATION/EVALUATION (AIE)
DECISION OR AGREEMENT
ALLOTMENT
YEAR
AIE
DECISION/
AGREEMENT
MANAGEMENT
CATEGORY
07014
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
07037
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TOM
09008
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TOM
09032
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
09040
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TOM
09042
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
09051
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
09052
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
09056
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
09058
1993
COMPLETE
AGREEMENT
I TO M
07022
1994
PLANNED
M
09036
1994
PLANNED
M
09045
1994
PLANNED
M
09046
1994
PLANNED
M
09059
1994
PLANNED
M
The General Management
Guidance contained in the RMP
essentially addresses the Selected
"M" allotments the same as "I"
allotments. Currently, there is a
total of 111 "M" allotments, 25
Selected "M" allotments, 65 "I"
allotments, and 24 "C"
allotments.
Livestock grazing capacities for
each "I" and Selected "M"
allotments are to be evaluated.
Last year an interdisciplinary
Analysis/Interpretation/Evaluation
(AIE) process was developed to
determine not only proper grazing
capacities, but to determine
whether the goals and objectives
of the RMP are being effectively
achieved under current
management. If the AIE
concludes that the current
stocking rate is proper, and the
goals and objectives of the RMP
are being met, then the allotment
will be placed into the "M"
category.
If the stocking rate requires an
adjustment, and the goals and
objectives are not being met, then
the allotment will remain in the
"I" category and management
actions will be implemented to
resolve the conflicts.
In conjunction with the AIE
process, an Extended Monitoring
Plan was developed which
identifies the schedule for
establishing baseline data,
conducting use supervision,
finalizing the AIE process, and
issuing a Decision or Agreement
for each allotment. Those
allotments in which an AIE was
completed in 1993 and planned
for in 1994 are listed in Table 1.
Decisions or Agreements which
establish allotment goals and
objectives will be issued the
following year after the AIE is
completed. In 1993, Agreements
were issued on 10 allotments as
shown in Table 1.
As part of the Extended
Monitoring Plan, 40 allotments
were monitored to collect data for
range condition (ecological
status), forage production, and
forage utilization. Of this,
14 allotments totaling 221,960
acres were studied for range
condition (ecological status).
Trend in range condition
(ecological status) was static on
149,233 acres and upward on
72,733 acres. A total of 84
allotments were visited by range
conservationists to conduct use
supervision to assure compliance
with terms and conditions of the
permit/leases.
Grazing Activity Plans
In 1993, two activity plans were
developed on Allotments 06020
and 07022 encompassing a total
of 83,300 acres of public land.
Both activity plans were
interdisciplinary, not only
addressing grazing management,
but also wildlife, watershed and
riparian values. In 1994, it is
planned to develop grazing
activity plans on Allotments
16091 and 09036 encompassing
46,370 acres of public land.
Rangeland Improvements
The
development
of the
rangeland
improvements
is integral to
the
implementatio
n of the
rangeland
management
program on public land.
Rangeland improvements allow
BLM to apply management
techniques such as pasture rest or
deferment, improved grazing
distribution, and brush control.
Such improvements facilitate the
achievement of resource
objectives. All rangeland
improvements are analyzed for
their economic and environmental
effects prior to implementation to
ensure that resource objectives
are achieved.
Implemented rangeland
improvements for FY 1993 and
those planned for FY 1994 are
shown in Appendix B, and on
pages 9 and 10 under Wildlife
Accomplishments.
McGregor Range
Based on the Military Lands
Withdrawal Act of 1986 (Public
Law 99-606), BLM has continued
to manage the natural resources
within McGregor Range pursuant
to the Federal Land Policy and
Management Act of 1976. Based
on a Memorandum of
Understanding with the
Department of Army and a RMP
Amendment to the White Sands
RMP for McGregor Range, BLM
manages the livestock grazing
program and maintains all
rangeland improvements
associated with this program on
271,000 acres of the Range.
Livestock are allowed to graze on
the Range through a yearly
competitive auction of grazing
contracts for 14 grazing units.
These contracts are bid on an
AUM basis which is derived for
each grazing unit from rangeland
monitoring studies. Eleven
contracts cover a 9-month period
from October through June which
allows for a 3-month growing
season deferment, July through
September, each year. This year,
three grazing units were
contracted for 18 month periods
from October 1993 through
March 1995. Although grazed
through the summer of 1994,
each of these units will receive
6 months of deferment from April
through September 1994. This
back-to-back spring-summer rest
is designed to benefit cool season
grasses, forbs, and shrubs.
Fees collected from the grazing
contracts are used to maintain
rangeland improvements and
conduct on-the-ground
management and use supervision.
Most of this effort is spent
maintaining the 120 miles of
water pipeline that provides the
only permanent source of water
in the grazing area of McGregor
Range.
Table 2 summarizes the grazing
contracts for the 1993-94 season.
Grazing Unit 6 no longer exists,
however, the numbering of units
was kept due to familiarity of
units on the ground. In 1993-94.
Units 4 and 5 were not offered.
Water in these units continues to
be available for wildlife.
In 1992, BLM received an
appropriation of $380,000 to
replace portions of the pipeline
critical to maintaining permanent
sources of water for livestock and
wildlife. Seventeen miles of the
main pipeline were replaced with
2 and 3-inch steel pipe which will
increase amounts and efficiency ■
of delivering water onto the
mesa. Also, an additional 15
miles of plastic pipe have been
replaced in the foothill areas,
which is critical habitat for up to
4,000 mule deer.
TABLE 2
1993-94 MCGREGOR RANGE
GRAZING CONTRACTS
UNJT#
LENGTH OF
CONTRACT
YEAR
INITIATED
AUMS
$/AUM
TOTAL
1
18 Months
1992
4,496
$4.50
$20,232.00
2
9 Months
1993
2,252
$8.80
$19,817.60
3
9 Months
1993
2,252
$7.25
$16,327.00
4
Not Offered
-
--
-
~
5
Not Offered
-
--
-
--
7
9 Months
1993
2,702
$10.25
$27,695.50
8
18 Months
1993
3,584
$8.10
$29,030.40
9
8 Months
1993
4,412
$5.90
$26,030.80
10
18 Months
1993
3,584
$10.00
$35,840.00
11
5 Years
9 Months Each
1990
3,150
$4.00
$12,600.00
12
9 Months
1993
901
$10.15
$9,145.15
13
18 Months
1993
4,488
$10.25
$46,002.00
14
9 Months
1993
2,252
$8.25
$18,579.00
15
9 Months
1993
901
$11.55
$10,406.55
TOTALS
34,974
$271,706.00
In past years, approximately
35,000 AUMs were contracted
for grazing on McGregor Range.
The 1993 summer rainfall was
sporadic, but by late August an
average amount of 5 to 7 inches
was received. Use supervisions
and range monitoring studies
conducted indicated normal
forage production, and the
stocking rate for the 1993-94
grazing period was below average
as indicated in Table 2. A total
of 26,898 AUMs (approximately
3,000 cattle) is contracted to
graze on McGregor Range from
October 1993 through June 1994.
The units with 9-month grazing
contracts will then be deferred
from grazing through the growing
season, July 1994 through
September 1994 prior to
contracting grazing in October
1994. A total of 8,076 AUMs
will continue to graze as part of
the 18-month contracts from July
1994 through March 1995.
These grazing units will then
receive spring plus summer
growing seasons (6 months)
deferment prior to being
contracted again in October 1995.
Planned Actions
The Coordinated Resource
Management Plan is being
developed for the foothills area
that is represented by the
pihon/juniper vegetation type.
This encompasses 50,000 acres in
the northeast portion of
McGregor Range. The major
focus of the plan will be to assess
current conditions, develop
objectives for wildlife habitat,
watershed values and range
resources, and to prescribe
management actions to meet these
objectives.
BLM will continue to replace and
maintain water pipelines for use
by wildlife and livestock. An
emphasis in 1994 will be to
replace water toughs. Plans are
being made to rebuild 4 miles of
fence and maintain 100 miles of
road in 1994. Use supervision
and rangeland monitoring will
continue to ensure compliance
with contracts and that proper use
levels of forage are not exceeded.
BLM will continue to review and
comment on the Army's EIS for
Roving Sands, and other
proposals brought forward by the
Army. The proposed Roving
Sands action is an annual military
exercise of simulated surface to
air warfare conducted partially on
McGregor Range. Our effort
will be to ensure that the resource
management objectives contained
in the McGregor Range RMP
Amendment continue to be met,
and the Black Grama ACEC and
the Culp Canyon Wilderness
Study Area (WSA) are protected.
WILDLIFE HABITAT
MANAGEMENT/SPECIAL
STATUS SPECIES
MANAGEMENT
Accomplishments
• Monitored the Percha Creek
Riparian Exclosure. A high
intensity storm washed out the
structure during the summer.
• Thirty wildlife projects were
maintained.
• Two reservoir exclosures were
completed using volunteer help
(New Mexico State University
Chapter of The Wildlife
Society). Two others are
ready for construction. The
project was funded by Sikes
Act Habitat Stamp funds.
• Two existing butyl rubber
range/wildlife catchments were
surveyed and re-designed as
corrugated metal catchments to
be constructed in FY 1994.
This project will be funded by
BLM 8100 funds and Sikes Act
funds.
• Three riparian exclosures were
surveyed and designed.
• The first of three annual aerial
surveys for mule deer was
conducted on the Brokeoff
Mountains and the Cornucopia
Hills. The project was
primarily funded by Sikes Act
Stamp funds.
• The effects of wildfire on the
Otero Mesa grasslands were
monitored. Annual vegetative
production (herbage weight)
nearly doubled on burned
areas.
• Input was provided to several
grazing activity plans and
allotment analysis efforts.
Wildlife and riparian
management objectives were
incorporated into these plans
where needed.
• Five special status species
plants (Sacramento Mountain
prickly poppy, Todsen's
pennyroyal, Duncan's
corycactus, Villard's
pincushion cactus, and gypsum
scalebroom) were monitored to
detect management conflicts.
A new colony of Todsen's
pennyroyal was found. No
conflicts were found.
• Inventory for the Guadalupe
Mountain mescal bean in the
Brokeoff Mountains was
dropped due to designation as
candidate Category 3 (no
longer a candidate for listing).
Approximately 1,000 acres of
inventory for Guadalupe
rabbitbrush, another candidate
Category 2 species, was
substituted. Two plants
tentatively identified as
Guadalupe rabbitbrush were "
found.
• Preliminary planning to
consider six new ACECs was
initiated; however, most work
was deferred to FY 1994. A
pre-plan was developed which
identified the following areas
to be considered for ACEC
designation: Sacramento
Escarpment (expansion of the
current designation), Alkali
Lakes area, Cornudas
Mountain, Wind Mountain,
Alamo Mountain, and Three
Rivers. The formal
undertakings of the amendment
including public involvement
will be conducted in mid-
FY 1994.
• Wildlife input was provided for
the initial phases of the
northeast McGregor
Coordinated Resource
Management Plan. A
vegetation/habitat inventory
was initiated, using satellite
imagery, to support the
development of vegetation
management goals and
objectives. The inventory is
scheduled to be complete in
November 1993.
• Conduct an extensive inventory
of all riparian areas within the
Resource Area to obtain basic
biologic and management
information, and to rate the
condition of each area as
functional, functional at risk,
or non-functional. Most field
work for this project was
completed in October 1993.
Planned Actions
Some of the following actions
may be dropped due to lack of
funding or personnel to complete
them.
• Establish pole planting tests
(riparian tree species) in
Coyote and San Andres
Canyons.
• Survey and design a reroute of
the county road in Coyote
Canyon in coordination with
Otero County, the State Land
Office, and New Mexico
Department of Game and Fish
(NMDGF).
• Conduct an aerial survey of
mule deer on the Brokeoff
Mountains and Cornucopia
Hills in coordination with
NMDGF. This is a Sikes Act
Project.
• Complete the preparation of
the wildlife portion of the
north McGregor Coordinated
Resource Management Plan
and the related
vegetation/habitat remote
sensing inventory.
• Monitor the Percha Creek
riparian area.
• Construct three wildlife water
units on the Jornada del
Muerto for pronghorn
antelope, small game, and
non-game species. Survey and
design two additional water
units. Construction will be
done in-house, using volunteer
labor. This is a Sikes Act
Project.
• Construct two reservoir
exclosures on the Jornada del
Muerto. Survey and design
two additional exclosures.
Construction will be done in-
house, using volunteer labor.
This is a Sikes Act Project.
Reconstruct two large rain
water catchments on Caballo
Mountain using volunteers.
This is a combined 8100 and
Sikes Act Project.
Conduct initial testing of the
new BLM Special Status
Species Tracking Database.
• The NMDGF has proposed a
February 1994 pronghorn
antelope transplant to augment
the existing population in the
Jornada del Muerto. We will
conduct studies to determine
existing population densities,
habitat suitability, and habitat
capability. The BLM and
NMDGF have been
coordinating the proposal with
area ranches since October
1993. Up to 100 antelope are
proposed for release.
• Conduct a fisheries inventory
of Tierra Blanca Creek.
• Design an inventory for
aplomado falcons on Otero
Mesa to characterize habitat
and detect use of the area by
these falcons.
• Conduct an inventory of
willow flycatchers on Tierra
Blanca, Percha, and Palomas
Creeks following U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
protocol.
Conduct an aerial inventory of
the Texas portion of the
gypsum scalebroom population
as funding allows. This
information will provide
perspective in the management
of this plant on public land.
• Construct nine exclosures to
monitor the impacts of grazing
on gypsum scalebroom as per
the Guadalupe Ranch
Coordinated Resource
Management Plan.
PROGRAM NOTES
Emphasis within the Caballo
Resource Area Wildlife Program
is shifting toward the basic
management needs of riparian
habitats, general habitat
conditions on grazing allotments,
and management of special status
species within the framework of
ecosystem management. The
existing boundaries between
traditional wildlife habitat and
special status species management
activities and other programs are
dissolving, allowing for a truly
more interdisciplinary ecosystem
approach.
Caballo Resource Area has
completed the second year in the
Wildlife Pilot District Program.
This program has provided
increased funding to demonstrate
the benefits of improved
capability in wildlife and special
status species management.
CULTURAL RESOURCES
Accomplishments
• The final session of the Three
Rivers Rock Art Recording
Field School was completed.
• Completed construction of the
Three Rivers Petroglyph Park
Fence, including the BLM
portion of Three Rivers.
• A contract was awarded to
document the several years of
field recording at the Three
Rivers Petroglyph Site.
• The Lake Valley Cultural
Resource Management Plan
was completed.
• An Intra-Agency Agreement
was initiated between the BLM
and the National Park Service
for stabilization projects at
Lake Valley. Stabilization
designs were completed for the
schoolhouse and chapel.
• A 4-week project to stabilize
the southwest corner of the
Lake Valley Schoolhouse was
completed.
• Interpretive signs for the Lake
Valley Back Country Byway
were designed.
• Under guidance of the Caballo
Resource Area Archeologist,
seven NMSU public history
graduate students began work
on various projects associated
with Lake Valley: a Lake
Valley Back Country Byway
brochure, a Lake Valley Self-
Guided Tour brochure, and a
traveling "kit museum" suitable
for fourth and fifth grade
curriculums.
Planned Actions
• Finalize the report
documenting the Three Rivers
Rock Art Field Schools.
• Perform a cultural resources
inventory at the Three Rivers
Petroglyph Site to record and
determine spatial extent and
locations of associated
archeological sites.
• Continue stabilization of
buildings at Lake Valley.
Publish and implement Lake
Valley projects designed by
NMSU students.
• Finalize the Caballo Resource
Area portion of the Butterfield
Trail Cultural Resource
Management Plan.
PROGRAM NOTES
The Caballo Resource Area
Cultural Resource Management
Program supports the other
Resource Area programs by
conducting archeological surveys
as part of the environmental
assessment process. The
Resource Area's proactive
cultural resources emphasis is on
Three Rivers Petroglyph Site and
Lake Valley. Three Rivers
Petroglyph Site, located in Otero
County, north of Alamogordo, is
an established public recreation
area with picnic facilities,
restroom, trails, interpretive signs
and brochure, and resident camp
hosts. Lake Valley is an historic
mining town in Sierra County and
is a major attraction along the
recently designated Lake Valley
Back Country Byway.
10
RECREATION
Accomplishments
• Designation of the Lake Valley
Back Country Byway in Sierra
County.
• Awarded contract for
construction of interpretive
road pullouts along the Lake
Valley Back Country Byway.
• Awarded contract for
construction of the Three
Rivers camp host shelter.
• Four Special Recreation
Permits were issued and
monitored for guide and
outfitting, hiking, motorcycle
racing, and horse racing.
• Held the McGregor Deer
Hunt, 197 deer hunters
participated with 61 percent
success for deer hunters.
• Held the McGregor Antelope
Hunt, 58 antelope hunters
participated with 53 percent
success.
• Annual Hunt Patrol was
conducted in FY 1993.
Planned Actions
• Develop a brochure for Lake
Valley Back Country Byway.
• Conduct McGregor deer and
antelope hunts in coordination
with the NMDGF and the U.S.
Army.
• Conduct the annual Hunt
Patrol in FY 1994.
• Continue recreation fee
collection at Three Rivers
Petroglyph Site and Picnic
Area.
• Maintain public information
signs in the Cornudas area
showing off-road vehicle
(ORV) limitations.
• Maintain public information
signs in the Cuchillo
Mountains to show ORV
limitations.
• Continue working to improve
the access permit system for
McGregor Range (with U.S.
Army). Work is continuing
with the Army to return permit
processing to the BLM for all
citizens, and to improve
convenience and service to the
public. At this time, permits
are available at the BLM office
in Las Cruces for Las Cruces
residents; all others must go to
Fort Bliss for permits. Once a
permit is processed by BLM or
the Army, authorized
McGregor Range users are to
comply with Fort Bliss access
rules.
• Maintain interpretive road
pullouts and all kiosk/signs in
a safe and attractive state.
PROGRAM NOTES
The Caballo Resource Area, in
partnership with the Prairie Dawg
Motorcycle Club of Alamogordo,
has been awarded a $5,000 grant
under the National Recreation
Trail Fund (NRTF) program.
The grant will be used to fund
area improvement projects that
will benefit all users.
WILDERNESS
Planned Action
• Wilderness Study Areas will be
patrolled and monitored to
ensure compliance with the
BLM's Interim Management
Policy.
PROGRAM NOTES
WSAs will continue to be
managed in compliance with the
Interim Management Policy and
Guidelines for Land Under
Wilderness Review. The
Brokeoff Mountains WSA
encompassing 31,386 acres and
the Culp Canyon WSA
encompassing 10,937 acres have
been signed and are monitored
every other month. The southern
portion of the Jornada del Muerto
that extends into Sierra County is
also monitored.
11
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Accomplishments
• Conducted patrol activities in
Sierra and Otero Counties,
including McGregor Range.
Resource Area activities
consisted of 263 days of patrol
and contacts with over 1,700
public land users.
• Conducted enforcement
activities, including 82 written
and verbal warnings and 4
citations issued.
Planned Action
• Continue to conduct patrol
activities in the areas of public
land that see the most use and
frequency of unauthorized use,
and conduct investigations as
needed.
(?
"^
How to Report Violators
Caf youf iwwi tlawnlowniantorland
management agency or oaf (tofl fraa):
1-800-NEtGHBORy;
PROGRAM NOTES
The activities that are most
focused upon by the Rangers in
their patrols include damage and
theft to archaeological/historical
sites, mineral material theft,
recreational activities including -
off-road vehicles and hunting,
illegal trash and hazardous
materials dumping, and denial of
access to public land.
12
CABALLO RESOURCE AREA
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS
FISCAL YEAR 1993
DATE
NUMBER
E A NAME
COMPLETED
NM-037-93-001
Escondida Tank
23-Oct-92
NM-037-93-002
Hay Meadow Fire Rehabilitation
18-Nov-92
NM -037 -93 -003
Hille Well
24-Nov-92
NM -037- 93- 004
Stewart Pipelines
24 -Nov -92
NM-037-93-005
Holloman Air Force Base — 1
03-Dec-92
NM- 037 -93 -006
Water Well Canyon
18-Dec-92
NM-037-93-007
Mine Shaft Well
18-Dec-92
NM-027-93-008
McGregor Range Unit #8
13-Oct-92
NM-037-93-009
U.S. West Communications
Buried Cable ROW
28-Dec-92
NM-037-93-010
Sierra Electric Coop. Torres Ranch
12-Jan-93
NM-037-93-011
NMSHTD Free Use Permit
03 -Feb -93
NM-037-93-012
Otero County Electric Cooperative
28-Jan-93
NM-037-93-013
Canalejas Canyon Improvements
ll-Feb-93
NM-037-93-014
Holloman Air Force Base
28-Jan-93
NM-037-93-015
Oil and Gas Lease Sale Parcels
Ol-Jan-93
NM-037-93-016
Pickard Fence
23-Feb-93
NM-037-93-017
Golondrina Pipeline Permit (Section 4)
03-May-93
NM-037-93-018
High Lonesome Pipeline
03-Mar-93
NM-037-93-019
Flying X Burn
17-Mar-93
NM-037-93-020
R. C. Tank Pipeline and Storage
29 -Mar -93
NM -037 -93 -021
Lake Valley Backcountry
06-Apr-93
NM-037-93-022
Sierra Valley Construction
24-May-93
NM-037-93-023
Change in Kind of Livestock From
Cattle to Bison
08-Jul-93
NM-037-93-024
INS/DOJ/Border Patrol Communication Site
15-Jul-93
NM -037- 93 -025
Prelo Access - ROW
14-Jul-93
NM-037-93-026
Brushy Catchment Reconstruction
14-Jul-93
NM-037-93-037
Highway Fence Turnout
21-Jul-93
NM -037-93-038
Hunter Pipeline
21-Jul-93
NM-037-93-039
Lake Valley Schoolhouse and
Chapel Stabilization
28-Jul-93
NM-037-93-040
Lewis Corrals and Pipeline
21-Jul-93
NM -037-93-041
Border Patrol Drag Road System ROW
18-Aug-93
NM -037- 93-042
Oil and Gas Lease Parcels
(U.S. Forest Service)
23-Aug-93
NOTE: EA Nos. 027 through 036 were inadvertently omitted in the numbering process.
A-l
APPENDIX B
RANGE IMPROVEMENTS IMPLEMENTED IN FY 1993
AND PROPOSED FOR FY 1994
FY
ALLOTMENT
CATEGORY/ NUMBER
ALLOTMENT NAME
PLAN
CHEMICAL
CONTROL
(ACRES)
CONTROL
BURNS
(ACRBS)
WATERS
(NO.)
DRINKER /STORAGB
PIPELINES FENCES
(# MILES] (# MILES)
EROSION
CONTROL
(ACRES)
ESTIMATE
BLM
COSTS
ESTIMATE
RANCHER
COSTS
1993
I
06083
SAN ANDRES RANCH
AMP
1
1
0.60
3.00
$7,272
$8,870
1993
1
16017
BUCKHOR N RANCH
AMP
3
1
6.00
10.00
$19,803
$27,770
1993
I
06020
BAR CROSS RANCH
AMP
1
1.50
$6,026
1993
1
07080
THREE R I VERS R ANCH
AMP
4
1
4.50
$20,320
$9,100
1993
M
07081
HAY DRAW
0.50
$1,009
1993
I
07066
CHARLES WALKER
AMP
lc/
$9,812 a/ $1,815
1993
I
16048
LOWER CABALLO
AMP
1,400
$21,420
1993
1
16108
CUCMLLO SOUTH
AMP
2,150 b/
$22,491
$9,792
1993
C
16025
CANALEJAS CANYON
1
0.10
$1,100
1993
M
06139
KNIFE CREEK
4
4
5.00
$18,000
1993
1
06148
COYOTE RANCH
AMP
1
$300
1993
1
06080
FLYING X RANCH
AMP
685
1
1
1.50
$13,510 a/ $3,200
1993
M
16004
TiERRABLANCA
AMP
2
$8,000
a/ $1,200
1993
I
16067
MESCAL SPRINGS
AMP
1
$3,052
1993
M
16047
SECO CREEK
1
$6,000
*
TOTAL "
3,550
685
13
16
19-10
13.60
$122,628
$97,234
1994
I
16017
BUCKHORN RANCH
AMP
5.50
$11,354
$9,252
1994
I
16048
LOWER CABALLO
AMP
2.25
$8,215
$4,414
1994
1
16064
KELLY CANYON
AMP
1.30
$3,259
$2,831
1994
1
16108
CUCWLLO SOUTH
AMP
lc/
30(1
$16,421
1994
I
07022
SALADO CREEK
AMP
6
5.00
$12,561
$14,990
1994
1
09030
MULBERRY
1,640
$25,100
1994
1
06020
BAR CROSS
AMP
4,340
$74,880
$1,620
1994
I
06018
CABALLO MOUNTAIN
AMP
2 c/
$25,200
*
1994
I
09052
ALVA SMITH
1
2.00
$4,643
$11,901
O
TOTAL **
5,980
10
1605
300
$181,633
$45,008
NOIES: * PRIMARY WILDLIFE PROJECTS
AMP - ALLOTMENT MANAGEMENT PLAN
a/- PENDING COMPLETION
b/ - 680 ACRES ON PRIVATE LAND
el - REPLACING WORN FACILITY
— — —
, ,.1
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D
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s
W
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W^
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H OS
3
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OS
3
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3
a 1
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i
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OH 76.5 .N6 W548 1994
y ID: 88057809
Resource management plan am
rangeland program
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LIBRARY
BLDG'.50,ST-136
DFNVER FEDERAL CENTER
P.O. BOX 25047
DENVER, COLORADO 80225
,"">>
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEM|^^.
LAS CRUCES DISTRICT OFFICE^/%> \
1800 Marquess %
Las Cruces, NM 88005
(505) 525-4300
CABALLO RESOURCE AREA
V
%
%
Timothy M. Murphy
Area Manager
525-4372
Corina Pacheco
Staff Assistant
525-4375
John Weiner
Ranger
525-4406
Rocky Arries
Ranger
525-4307
RANGE STAFF
Miles Brown
Supervisory Range Conservationist
525-4315
Betts Donaldson
Range Clerk
525-4330
Ray Aguilar
Range Conservationist
525-4301
James Christensen
Range Conservationist, McGregor Range
525-4322
Doug Coalson
Range Conservationist
525-4323
Eli Gutierrez
Maintenance Worker, McGregor Range
525-4322
Walter Lujan
Range Conservationist
525-4362
Tom Phillips
Range Conservationist
525-4377
Ray Sanchez
Range Conservationist, McGregor Range
525-4392
MULTI-RESOURCES STAFF
Tim Sanders
Bernie Creager
Margie Guzman
Theresa Hanley
Mike Howard
Lorraine Salas
Roy Placker
Joe Sanchez
Judith Waggoner
Multi-Resources Staff Chief
Realty Specialist
Wildlife Biologist
Archeologist
Lead Wildlife Biologist
Realty Specialist
Wildlife Biologist
Natural Resource Specialist
Realty Specialist
525-4393
525-4325
525-4339
525-4342
525-4348
525-4388
525-4379
525-4391
525-4403
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
[U IRKAl ) < >l: LAND MANAl IKMHNT
I .AS i HI l< Is nisiHIc 'I OH 1(1
I WW MARQt IhNSSI
I ASUU Hl-S. NM KRW H7I
nllK IAI BUSINESS
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