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Water:

The Lifeblood of the West
The West "is a land where life is written in water." Those words, inscribed in the Colorado State Capitol and written by Colorado poet laureate Thomas H. Ferril, eloquently convey the importance of water to the West. In this otherwise arid region, riparian-wetland areas managed by the BLM contain water and other elements vital to plants, wildlife, and people. [The term "riparian" refers to ecosystems adjacent to streams and lakes that are strongly affected by water. "Wetlands" are areas that are inundated or saturated by water long enough to influence the type of vegetation present. Wetlands include bogs, marshes, shallows, muskegs, wet meadows, estuaries, and swamps.] An estimated 65 percent of the West's wildlife depends on riparian areas for their survival. That is why the BLM is carrying out its Riparian-Wetland Initiative for the 1990's, which helps advance the environmental restoration efforts of Interior Secretary Babbitt. This initiative also complements the Clean Water Action Plan, launched by Vice President Gore on October 18, 1997--the 25th anniversary of the Clean Water Act of 1972.

The BLM's Riparian-Wetland Initiative

The BLM administers 180,000 miles of riparian-lined streams and 16 million acres of wetlands. While riparian-wetland areas comprise only about 9 percent of the BLM's land base, their environmental and economic values far exceed this percentage.

The principal objective of the BLM's Riparian-Wetland Initiative for the 1990's is to restore riparian-wetland areas to their "proper functioning condition," which occurs when sufficient vegetation, floodplain, or large woody debris is present to dissipate high waterflow that causes erosion.

Under this initiative, the BLM is working to achieve four main goals:

  • To restore and maintain riparian-wetland areas so that 75 percent or more of these areas are in proper functioning condition. The BLM undertakes hundreds of projects each year to protect, restore, or improve riparian-wetland areas. In 1997, the agency initiated 684 on-site projects that included off-stream water developments (such as troughs outside the riparian area); fence construction; tree, shrub, and grass plantings; prescribed burns; and noxious weed control.

  • To protect and acquire key riparian-wetland areas and to bring about maximum benefits for the public. The BLM protects these areas by mitigating the effects of surface disturbance by completing Environmental Assessments of proposed activities on public land. Additionally, the BLM acquires riparian-wetland areas through exchanges, donations, purchases, and easements.

  • To raise public awareness about the environmental,
    recreational, and economic values of riparian-wetland areas.     The agency is working to do this by disseminating riparian-wetland information to the media and general public through publications, brochures, press releases, and other forms of communication.

  • To accelerate the restoration of riparian-wetland areas by working with public and private partners at the State, local, and national level. Since riparian-wetland ecosystems do not begin or end at land-ownership boundaries, restoring complex ecosystems requires cooperation between resource users and land managers. Accordingly, the BLM discusses riparian-wetland issues with local public land users and private landowners, then incorporates their views and needs into its long-term management plans.

The BLM has also created an interdisciplinary team of specialists from natural resource agencies and universities who have expertise in hydrology, vegetation, soils, biology, and range management. Similarly, an interagency National Riparian Service Team--staffed by the BLM and the U.S. Forest Service--trains hundreds of people at workshops each year about riparian-wetland management issues.

By continuing its work with a host of public and private partners, the BLM will achieve healthy conditions on riparian-wetland areas throughout the West.

 
Cathedral Bluffs Allotment, East Douglas Creek, CO
Douglas Creek Colorado in 1991

1991 - This property was highly susceptible to soil erosion and invasion by weedy species of vegetation due to past overgrazing. In 1984, allotment management and implementation of range improvement projects were introduced.

Douglas Creek Colorado in 1996

1996 - Conditions on the allotment improved dramatically as a result of aggressive management. The stream channel has narrowed, and willows and cottonwoods have reestablished themselves. As a result of improved rangeland conditions, calf weights have increased an average of 150 pounds. The cooperative efforts between the previous owners, the ranch manager, and the BLM led to the owners receiving BLM's "Riparian Stewardship Award," and the Colorado chapter for the Society of Range Management's "Excellence in Grazing Award."

Gordon Canyon, AZ
Gordan Canyon Arizona in 1987

1987 - Results of season-long grazing

Gordon Canyon Arizona in 1992

1992 - After 5 years of exclusion

Bully Creek, Vale, OR

Bully Creek in Vale Oregon in 1982

1982- Results of season-long grazing

Bully Creek in Vale Oregon in 1988

1988- After 6 years of spring use with no reductions in the number of livestock

Little Bear Creek, Central OR
Little Bear Creek in Central Oregon in 1977
1977 - Results of season-long grazing
Little Bear Creek in Central Oregon in 1987
1987 - After 10 years of winter use with no reduction in the number of livestock
  ...with a host of public and private partners, the BLM will achieve healthy conditions on riparian-wetland areas throughout the West.

Recreation Opportunities | CONTENTS | Alaska