EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/28/2017
DURATION: This amendment iseffective until superseded or removed. / 2231
Page 1 of 5
FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
Chapter 2230 – GRAZING AND LIVESTOCK USE PERMIT SYSTEM
/ FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
pike-san isabel nf – Cimarron-comanche NG
(region 2)
pueblo, co
FSM 2200 – RANGE MANAGEMENT
Chapter 30–GRAZING AND LIVESTOCK USE PERMIT SYSTEM
Amendment No.: 2200-2017-1
Effective Date: February 28, 2017
Duration: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: Erin Connelly, Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: February 14, 2017
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to this title was 2200-94-3 to FSM 2200.
Summary of Changes / Version or Amendment / Number of PagesNew Document / PSICC Supplement No. 2200-2017-1 / 5
Superseded Document(s) by Issuance Number and Effective Date / PSICC Supplement No. 2200-94-3Effective April 15, 1994 / 4
Digest
2231.22a–Changes base property qualification requirements for hold a Pike or San Isabel National Forest–Cimarron or Comanche National Grasslands Term Grazing Permit.
TITLE 2200 - RANGE MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2230 - GRAZING AND LIVESTOCK USE PERMIT SYSTEM
2231 - GRAZING PERMITS WITH TERM STATUS (EXCEPT GRAZING AGREEMENTS)
2231.22 - Qualification Requirements.
2231.22a - Term Permits. Pike and San Isabel National Forest – Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands term permittees must own a single parcel of at least 40 acres, containing water and livestock handling facilities.
Comanche and Cimarron National Grassland term permittees will comply with base property requirements of the adjacent grazing association.
Members of Grazing Associations with grazing agreements must comply with land ownership requirements specified in the agreement.
2231.4 - Application for Term Grazing Permits
Annual applications to validate existing term permits will not be required unless there is a change in numbers or season from grazing permit. The permit will be annually validated by the issuance of a bill for collection and payment thereof.
2231.61 - Modification of Grazing Permit
2231.61a Modification Which Results in Increase in Number or Period of Use. An increase in permitted livestock numbers will be granted on allotments in fair or better condition with a stable to upward trend where excess forage is available on a sustained yield basis for use by livestock. Increases under such conditions are contingent upon a viable management plan implemented and signed by the permittee.
Course of Action. The estimated capacity for the allotment must be reliably established and the capacity will include big game forage needs. The entire allotment must be reviewed on the ground by the District Ranger or his range staff and the permittee. The management system (tentative or existing) must be agreed to and documented in the allotment management plan by all parties. Staff assistance from the Supervisor's Office should be requested when the District personnel need training or positions are vacant.
Documentation Required. The following documents must be prepared in advance for justification of increase in permitted numbers. They may be included as part of the revised allotment management plan. Exceptions can be approved on a case by case basis.
1. Current allotment map or maps showing range types, condition, grazing units, roads, trails, existing improvements, proposed improvements, and any other significant feature or development. (A tentative map without range types would be acceptable as long as this has been properly done on aerial photographs. A topographic map is recommended.)
2. Three years of production-utilization data will be needed to arrive at a reliable estimated capacity for an allotment. Research indicates that stocking at 90 percent of estimated grazing capacity appeared to be the most sound from the standpoint of long term economics and providing a desirable margin of forage cushion. The type and intensity of production-utilization study used will depend upon the vegetative type, condition class, amount of utilization, and management system in effect. Data should be collected in all areas being grazed, however, certain areas, such as bottom lands or meadows which are favored by livestock should receive the most intense study.
3. Actual use records. It is important to know that actual use is close to permitted use to avoid the possibility of increasing a permit for speculative purposes.
4. Recent information on condition and trend gathered from range exclosures and permanent or paced transects.
5. Wildlife forage and cover needs, specific to the species using the allotment. These forage needs will be a factor in determining utilization standards. Input should be obtained from appropriate State Wildlife personnel, the Forest Wildlife Biologist, and others as necessary.
Follow-up Action. The sequence of the follow-up action is the responsibility of the District in all permit adjustment cases. The allotment will be inspected regularly and utilization data collected until the increased stocking rate is verified. Utilization standards will be specified in the allotment management plan. The standards should be specific to locations and plant species.
When Additional Range is Added to Allotment. When an allotment boundary is modified to include additional suitable range the following action will be taken:
1. A tentative capacity will be determined through range analysis procedures.
2. Stocking will be permitted based on the tentative capacity determined above.
3. Utilization data will be collected annually for at least three years to establish the actual capacity. Utilization standards will be specified in the allotment management plan.
4. The permittee will be notified in writing by the District Ranger prior to stocking the additional range, that the initial stocking rate is tentative until utilization data verifies capacity estimates.
2231.61b - Modification Which Results in Reduction of Numbers or Period of Use.
Every effort will be made to inform the permittee of the problem and to involve the permittee in the studies from the very start. As a minimum, this involvement should consist of joint range inspections and a review of the study methods and results.
Course of Action. The permittee should be involved in the search for alternative solutions when utilization exceeds the established standards. Where the permittee is concerned about maintaining the resources, a solution can usually be found. Document those cases where a mutually satisfactory settlement is finalized.
Documentation Recommended. The following items are recommended for consideration in establishing and recording the reasons for downward permit adjustment:
1. Summary of problems, studies, and data including discussion of alternatives. Documentation that the permittee has been informed of the situation and alternative solutions.
2. Current allotment map showing range types, condition, grazing units, and existing improvements.
3. Production-utilization data, including photographs and a map showing location of areas where data was collected. Utilization standards, which are specified in the allotment management plan, will be compared to actual utilization data collected.
4. Allotment analysis - compare with previous analysis for trend establishment.
5. Current allotment management plan including annual operating instructions.
6. Actual use records.
7. Multiple use and ecosystem considerations (consider all resource needs).
8. Appropriate historical letters, range inspection reports, range improvements developed in efforts to resolve problems, nonuse agreements, etc.
9. Outcome of cooperative efforts by the permittee and the Forest Service in resolving the problem.
Appropriate Administrative Review Regulations are found in 36 CFR 211.18.
2231.61c. - Other Modifications. Permanent permit modification to allow changes in class or kind of livestock will not be done until appropriate utilization data is collected to establish actual capacity. Annual permit modification will be allowed until such time that the necessary data has been collected.
2238.1 - Application of Grazing Fees
2238.12 - Extension of Use. District Rangers are authorized to approve and bill for annual extensions of grazing permits for the purpose of utilizing surplus forage.
Decisions to grant extensions will be guided by the following:
a. Ensure that all other resource needs are being met.
b. Extensions will only be granted following field inspections of the allotment near the end of the grazing season. Inspections will be documented and observations recorded in the 2210 Allotment Folder.
The application for the seasonal extension can be either written or verbal. The permittee will be notified of the approval or disapproval of the seasonal extension by letter.
Extensions of five or more days will be billed for at the established rate. Extensions are authorized when a Bill for Collection is issued and payment thereof has been received. Ensure payment is received prior to the use of the extension.