Ranch Management Plan

Sands Ranch

Ranch Management Plan

Sands Properties LLC

Introduction

The Sands Ranch is located in Cochise and Pima Counties, on the west side of the San Pedro River and about 5 miles north of Huachuca City. State Highway 90 divides the east pastures from the west pastures and the headquarters.

The entire ranch is in Major Land Resource area (MLRA) 41, Southeastern Arizona Basin and Range. About one-half of the ranch is in Common Resource Area (CRA) 41-3, Semi-desert Grasslands, 12-16 inch precipitation zone; the other half is in CRA 41-1, Mexican Oak-Pine Forest and Oak Savannah, 16-20” precipitation zone. Elevations on the ranch range from a low of 3940 feet where the easternmost part slopes toward the San Pedro River, to a high of almost 8500 feet on the Mescal Allotment with the Forest Service.

The dominant ecological sites on the east side of the ranch are Limy Upland, Limy Fan, and Sandy Loam Upland. On the west side Loamy Upland, Limy Slopes, and various Hills sites predominate. However, there are several other important ecological sites on the ranch. See Ecological Site map for details.

This livestock operation is primarily a cow/calf operation with calves sold at weaning time and holding only replacement breeding stock. The grazing leases and land ownership are summarized in the table below:

Owner/Agency / Lease Number / Lease Name / Acres
Forest Service / 00318 / Mescal Allotment / 17,572
BLM / 5277 / Sands Allotment / 1080
State Land Dept. / 05-1181 / 28536
Pima County / 6625
Sands Ranch / N/A / N/A / 8872

The ranch has been operated for the last several decades as a cow-calf operation. While the bulls are not out year long, the breeding season and therefore the calving season has gradually lengthened over time. The cows have been wintered on the Mescal Allotment between November 1 and April 30 and have summered on the adjacent State, County, BLM and Private lands from May 1 to the end of October. Calves have been weaned in the late fall or early winter and sold off the ranch.

In the fall of 2010 the ranch began a long term plan to deal with several problems that had been identified as impediments to profitability. From a range standpoint, the summer range on the ranch has been severely reduced by the encroachment of woody species and a reduction in grass cover. This problem has been amplified by a concurrent loss of water developments and infrastructure. In addition the cow herd has become less productive from both a genetic and a herd health standpoint. The decision was made to cut the herd significantly in order to begin to deal with the herd health issues as well as to provide a window of opportunity to address the brush encroachment and infrastructure issues.

The cow herd currently consists of 525 cows and will be expanded to 600 head in the fall/winter of 2010-2011 either through additional purchases or by retaining heifers. It is anticipated that this stocking rate will be approximately maintained for the next 3-5 years, as the CRM plan is implemented.

Sands Ranch has been operating for (Also need a short history of the ranch)

Goals

The over-arching goal of this CRM plan is to maintain a healthy balance of cattle, native plant communities, and native wildlife on the land that allows each to thrive. Specific goals of each plan participant are outlined below.

Sands Ranch:

1.  To maintain a permanent, stable, and productive livestock operation which provides for efficient, sustained use of the forage crop.

2.  To prevent any accelerated loss of soil, water, plant or animal resources.

3.  To maintain or improve the condition of the soil, water, plant and animal resources on the ranch.

4.  To maintain or improve the natural ecological processes.

5.  To maintain or improve other human uses and quality of life on the ranch.

Pima County:

1.  Ensure the long-term survival of the full spectrum of plants and animals that are indigenous to Pima County, through maintaining or improving the habitat conditions and ecosystem functions necessary for their survival

2.  Achieve sustainable use of natural resources and consistency with habitat needs for implementation of a Multiple-Species Conservation Plan (MSCP) by maintaining functionally healthy habitats for both wildlife and livestock

Forest Service:

1.  Provide for ecosystem diversity by maintaining or improving viable populations of al native and desirable non-native wildlife, fish, and plant species through improved habitat management.

2.  Restore rangeland to at least moderately high ecological condition, with stable soil and hydrologic conditions and a stable-to-upward biotic trend

Do you want other general FS goals listed here?)

Bureau of Land Management:

(Need input, if you want specific goals listed)

State Land Dept.:

(John has indicated that ASLD will go with the group goals – delete header, or add a short statement to that effect?)

Objectives

For the purpose of this plan, an objective is a specific statement of measurable results to be achieved to meet a stated goal, within the identified time period of 3-5 years. Specific objectives of each plan participant are outlined below.

Sands Ranch

1.  Increase the forage diversity and production of the ranch

2.  Continue the identified and measured upward trend of the upland ecological sites.

3.  Maintain the economic viability of the ranch.

4.  Improve the calving percentage of the herd to 70-75%, and have replacement heifers calve at 2 years of age.

5.  Address the problem of invading woody species.

6.  Make repairs and improvements to the water distribution system a high priority.

7.  Create a plan for prescribed burning as an additional method of vegetation management

Pima County (Do we want the entire list here, or edit it somewhat? Some of these are goals, really, and others perhaps do not really have a place here.)

A.  Cultural Resources

1. Maintain a comprehensive inventory of cultural and historic resources

2. Protect historic structures from further degradation

3. Protect prehistoric resources from looting

4. Actively renovate historic structures, as funds are available

B.  Visual Resources

1. Preserve scenic landscape views

2. Prohibit or mitigate activities or projects that would have long-term impacts on the viewshed

C.  Water Resources

1. Protect and enhance riparian areas

2. Develop a monitoring program for riparian resources

3. Monitor wells for water quality and availability

4. Minimize utilization of surface waters for livestock operation

D.  Grazing

1. Achieve ecologically sustainable ranching through adaptive management and in compliance with our Range Management Standards and Guidelines

2. Improve current range condition trend

3. Create or maintain rest-rotation practices

E.  Wildlife

1. Maintain and enhance wildlife habitat on the ranch

2. Provide year-round strategic waters for wildlife use

3. Survey and monitor special status species, as identified in the SDCP

4. Maintain and enhance habitat for Pima County Priority Vulnerable Species on the ranch

5. Create the potential for reintroduction of select species

F.  Invasive Species

1. Document occurrences of invasive species

2. Eliminate these species to the extent practicable

G.  Roads and Recreation

1. Maintain public access across the ranch

2. Evaluate the road system based on management and resource needs

3. Designate recreation uses in appropriate areas and sign them

4. Partner with the AGFD Access program and the Adopt-a-Ranch program

H.  Fire

1. Allow natural fires to burn in select areas that could benefit from fire

2. Utilize prescribed burns on fee lands to improve habitat condition and reduce wildfire danger

I.  Environmental Compliance

1. Complete environmental assessments for all projects with ground disturbing impacts

2. Minimize the use of pesticides and herbicides

Forest Service (This is taken from the AMP – do we need all of it in this document?)

·  Livestock stocking is consistent with annual forage production and use is monitored annually. Management controls livestock use and distribution so that sufficient herbaceous vegetation is retained to protect soils and provide herbaceous wildlife cover; zones of heavy use are minimized. Management plans provide sufficient flexibility to allow management to adapt to changing resource conditions.

·  Areas of historic heavy livestock use have increasing ground cover and litter and stable soils.

·  Ecological sites within the allotment have stable soils, functional hydrology and support functional biotic communities. All areas are at or moving toward their ecological potential. Lower elevation sites are dominated by warm season perennial grasses and are increasing in diversity of grasses, forbs and shrubs.

·  Native vegetation in riparian bottoms is a diverse mix of perennial grasses, forbs, shrubs and trees. Recruitment of young trees is occurring and trees and shrubs show no evidence of high-lining or hedging. Riparian bottoms throughout the allotments provide suitable year-round habitat for species dependent on herbaceous cover.

·  Occupied habitats for threatened, endangered, sensitive and management indicator species are maintained or improved and recovery objectives are being met.

·  All grazing improvements on all allotments are in proper working order and are contributing toward improved livestock distribution and pasture reliability.

State Land Dept. (John has indicated that group objectives are sufficient. Do we want a short note to that effect, or just remove the header?)

BLM (need input if BLM wants specific objectives listed – not necessary, but nice)

Wildlife Management

General Recommendation from the Arizona Game and Fish Department

1)  Game management. Integrate the following AGFD Species and Management Guidelines into the grazing plan to ensure quality habitat is available for game and other wildlife species:

·  Mearns’ quail

·  White-tailed deer

·  Mule deer

·  Pronghorn

2)  Species surveys. As funding opportunities or other resources become available, conduct surveys (literature and field) for mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, invertebrate, and plant species present on the ranch.

3)  Species focus. Actively manage for native species (animals and plants), with special attention to special status species (e.g., those Federally listed, recognized as Species of Greatest Conservation Need under the State Wildlife Action Plan, and/or identified on the most recent search of the Department’s Online Environmental Review Tool.

4)  Water sources.

·  Modify and maintain water sources (i.e., troughs, tanks) to ensure access and availability to wildlife all year long, even when livestock are not present.

·  As ranch water system is improved, keep year-round wildlife water as a priority.

·  Protect springs, seeps, and other sensitive natural special features (e.g., rock outcroppings, caves) from livestock with secure fencing. As necessary develop alternative sources of water for livestock to protect these sensitive areas.

·  Install durable and permanent wildlife escape ramps in all livestock water troughs and tanks. Alternatively, cover the tops of tanks to prevent accidental wildlife drowning, provided water is available to wildlife nearby (for example, at the trough).

·  Wherever possible, modify the fencing surrounding artificial water sources (i.e., tanks, troughs) to allow unimpeded access for wildlife species.

5)  Roads. Repair and re-grade dirt roads where significant erosion and cutting have occurred. Repair existing erosion damage as necessary and feasible (e.g., backfill, gabion installation, re-grading, etc.). Utilize best management practices to repair damaged dirt roads, such as those techniques outlined by Zeedyk.

(Zeedyk, B. 2006. "A Good Road Lies Easy on the Land..." "Water Harvesting from Low-Standard Rural Roads”.)

6)  Fencing. Remove unnecessary internal fencing. Modify existing fences to meet AGFD recommendations for “wildlife friendly” livestock fences.

Pima County Vulnerable Species (it has been suggested that this list be an attachment in the Appendix)

19 PRIORITY VULNERABLE SPECIES WITH MODERATE TO HIGH MODELED HABITAT AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOF OCCURRENCE ON SANDS RANCH

Common Name

/

Scientific Name

/

Modeled Habitat/Probability of Presence (High, Med, Low, Probable)

MAMMALS

Allen’s Big-eared Bat /

Idionycteris phyllotis

/ H,M,L/M
Arizona Shrew /

Sorex arizonae

/ H,M,L/L
California Leaf-nosed Bat /

Macrotus californicus

/ H,M,L/M-H
Lesser Long-nosed Bat /

Leptonycteris curasoae yerbabuenae

/ H,M/H
Mexican Long-tongued Bat /

Choeronycteris mexicana

/ H,M,L/H
Pale Townsend’s Big-eared Bat /

Plecotus townsendii pallescens

/ H,M,L/H
Southern Yellow Bat /

Lasiurus xanthinus=ega

/ H,M,L/L
Western Red Bat /

Lasiurus blossevillii

/ H,M/L-M

BIRDS

Abert’s Towhee /

Pipilo aberti

/ M,L/M
Bell’s Vireo /

Vireo bellii

/ L,M/L
Rufous-winged Sparrow /

Aimophila carpalis

/ No modeled habitat/P
Swainson’s Hawk /

Buteo swainsoni

/ H,M/H
Western Burrowing Owl /

Athene cunicularia hypugaea

/ H,M,L/L-M

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES

Chiricahua Leopard Frog /

Lithobates [=Rana] chiricahuensis

/ H,M,L/H
Desert Box Turtle /

Terrapene ornata luteola

/ H,M/M-H
Ground Snake /

Sonora semiannulata

/ H,M/M
Lowland Leopard Frog /

Lithobates [=Rana] yavapaiensis

/ L/M
PLANTS
Huachuca Water Umbel /

Lilaeopsis scaffneriana var. recurva

/ L-M/M
Needle-spined Pineapple Cactus /

(Echinomastus [=Sclerocactus] erectocentrus var. erectocentrus

/ L-M/L

Range Improvements

Current Range Improvements

During the winter of 2010 the ranch completed the following improvements, with assistance from some of the agencies involved in this CRM plan:

·  Replaced the pipeline to French Joe from Gravel Pit well and installed 10,000 gallons of storage.

·  Extended the pipeline from French Joe to Dry Canyon and installed 5,000 gallons of storage.

·  Extended the French Joe pipeline under Hwy 90 to Ramsey storage on N Flat in Pasture # 1a.

·  Put a pump and 16,000 gallons of storage at the New Water well on N Flat in Pasture 1a.

·  Obtained well video logs for Cottonwood, Copper Sands and N Flat wells.

·  Purchased a new diesel generator unit for more reliable water pumping ability.

·  Completed 400 acres of brush management in the Middle Pasture (Pasture # 4).

·  Rebuilt existing division fences on the Flat east of Hwy 90, to separate Pastures 1a and 1b.

Proposed Range Improvements during the Next 3-5 Years

·  Complete 8,000-10,000 acres of brush management to address woody plant invasion. These acres have been generally identified and mapped out during the inventory process.

·  Continue to repair and improve the water system according to the recently-completed ranch water inventory and priority list. Use solar power where feasible to improve reliability and reduce the amount of time needed to maintain the waters.