Aldos Silver City • Entered by Marcia Stout on June 16, 2024
Riparian – Grazing Monitoring
May 1, 2024 – May 31, 2024
Participants and Hours
| Pre Planning hours | 1.5 |
| Post Admin hours | 3.5 |
| Activity Hours | 17.5 |
| Participants | 5 |
| Total Hours | 92.5 |
Key Issue: Livestock Grazing Management
Activity Type: Stewardship (monitoring, sampling, planting, etc.)
Key Partners: Gila National Forest
Landscape/area: Gila National Forest (2658321 acres)
Measurable Outcomes
Outcome 1: Trail/land monitored (5 surveys)
Outcome 2: Hiked (19.5 miles)
Short Description of Activity
On May 7 three members of our broadband monitoring team monitored within the Saliz Canyon exclosure area below Saliz Pass. Right near the start we encountered at least 18 cattle including calves close by downstream from us. We decided it best that we turn around so that the cattle did not continue further downstream. Although we have observed somewhat fresh cattle sign in this area on previous monitoring trips, this is the first time we saw cattle. On May 20, three members of our monitoring team conducted an overnight monitoring foray. We first monitored along the San Francisco River close to Cienega Canyon north of Reserve. We had not monitored in this area for some time and observed approximately 8 cattle within the exclosure. We then drove to Quemado to meet with the Quemado District Ranger regarding key areas to monitor for livestock. After that we drove to the San Francisco River just north of Luna and monitored along a section of the river there before camping. The following morning we monitored along Stone Creek which flows into the San Francisco River. We were pleased that we did not observe recent cattle sign in either of these areas. When meeting with the Quemado District Ranger, we did learn that some cattle will be allowed in the Stone Creek area from July to Oct. 2024. This coincides with planned restoration of Stone Creek and we were concerned about that. We communicated our concern of this timing for cattle grazing to forest service staff. Also on May 20, two members of our team monitored in the Gila River Bird Area. All cows were supposed to be out of adjacent pastures by May 15. We saw no cows or very fresh sign, but plenty of fairly fresh sign, trampling, and ATV tracks that indicated to us that they had just been rounded up and removed from the exclosure. We checked several areas that have been a problem in the past.
Reflection/Evaluation
Regarding the Gila birding area, we are hoping that all cows have been removed from anywhere near the exclosure and that we will not see any until fall. This has not been the case in prior years. Meeting with the Quemado District Ranger was productive in that it strengthened connections to key staff and the relevant information they can provide. In response to our concern about timing of allowed grazing and restoration at Stone Creek, while the grazing or restoration work can’t be postponed this year – the planting of riparian plants can be postponed until after the cattle are removed later this year. The contractor is planning to negotiate with FS to either eliminate grazing or postpone it again when it is allowed in 3 years. We received prompt responses from GNF staff in most cases following our emails reporting cattle observed within exclosures. (Glenwood District indicated they would look for the cattle the following day in Saliz Canyon.)
Photos/Uploads
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Photo Captions
1. Observing cattle within San Francisco River exclosure, near Cienega Canyon, Reserve District
2. Approaching elk exclosures along Stone Creek to check condition of gates etc.
3. Late afternoon monitoring along San Francisco River before camping at Head of the Ditch campground
4. Scouting out a high rim area overlooking Heifer Basin below. This spot was recommended to us as a place to monitor, with binoculars, for potential trespass livestock below. It would be a wonderful place to camp during our longer monitoring trips.