the winter range providing for mule and whitetail deer and antelope, the WMA has a far reaching 

 influence for these species as well. Game bird species are year around residents of the WMA. 



MINERAL-OIL/GAS 



At present there are no mining, oil or gas activities on the WMA. The majority of the mineral 

 rights and oil and gas leasing rights are under federal government jurisdiction. However, when 

 FWP purchased the property, 51.52% of the private mineral rights were also assigned to FWP. 

 The potential for exploration exists. Requests will be considered as received in compliance with 

 the Montana Environmental Policy Act and cooperatively with the BLM. DNRC land 

 (approximately 10,000 acres) associated with the WMA is leased for agricultural purposes only 

 and FWP has no control over minerals. 



LIVESTOCK GRAZING 



Livestock grazing on the WMA is and will continue to be conducted under a rest-rotation 

 grazing system incorporating the principles developed by Hormay (1970). This system involves 

 the grazing of cattle through each pasture on a three year rotation of early use (mid- June to seed 

 ripe mid- August), late use (seed ripe to October), and then complete rest. 



Presently, the status of this grazing system and coordination with adjacent public land managing 

 agencies (USPS, BLM) is not finalized. In 1999 and 2000, FWP will be completing a planning 

 process which will develop a long term grazing management plan based on the objectives 

 developed for the WMA listed on page 13. In addition, FWP intends to enter into an "exchange 

 of use" agreement with DNRC lands leased to the Association in order to manage a 3,600 acre 

 inholding within the WMA for habitat protection. 



LIVESTOCK WATER DEVELOPMENTS 



Approximately 14 miles of water lines supplied by two separate springs make up a complex and 

 lengthy pipeline system that flows into 17 tanks for livestock water. This network of pipes and 

 tanks are crucial to the success of an efficient livestock grazing program on the WMA. Many 

 areas of the WMA which include the lower reaches of the Dry Hollow drainage and high ridges 

 that separate Ledford Creek from Robb Creek, Robb Creek fi-om Dry Hollow and Dry Hollow 

 fi'om Spring Brook have no water that is naturally available to livestock through the grazing 

 season. In addition to supplying water where none is available, water tanks placed in the 

 appropriate locations will increase the opportunity to disperse livestock throughout the pasture 

 system and reduce the grazing pressure in riparian areas. 



HOGBACK SPRING 



This spring, it's development and water line starts on land that is owned by the United States 

 Forest Service. This line initially feeds two tanks on the Forest Service pasture then continues V2 

 mile to the north before crossing the boundary of the WMA. This water line will then continue 



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