Environmental Evaluation Boise District Bureau of Land Management •>;. \ Itl CD REGION X 1200 SIXTH AVENUE SEATTLE WASHINGTON 98101 ------- ENVIRONMENTAL EVALUATION BOISE DISTRICT BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Prepared by: Elbert Moore Natural Resource Specialist Report Number: Region X-4 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION X SEATTLE, WASHINGTON October, 1973 ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. Introduction 1 Summary of Findings and Recommendations 2 II. Recreation and Public Purposes Uses 9 Solid Waste 9 Sanitary Waste 18 Water Supply 19 III. Natural Resources Management 25 Range Management 25 Pesticides Uses 29 Timber Management 31 Mining 36 Road Construction 40 IV- Other Activities 43 Desert Land Entries 43 Environmental Emergency Procedures 50 Surveillance and Monitoring 51 V. Appendices 57 Appendix A 59 BLM and Idaho Department of Health Procedure for Establishing a Solid Waste Site on BLM Land Appendix B 61 Federal Facility Inventory Form - Solid Waste Disposal Sites Appendix C 75 Developed Recreation Sites ------- TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONT.) Appendix D Instructions for Review of Pest Control Programs Appendix E Planned Pest Control Program FY 1974 Appendix F Surveillance Network Stations on or Adjacent to BLM Land 111 ------- LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. BLM Planning System 5 2. Recreation and Public Purposes Leases for Solid Waste Disposal Sites 10 3. Recreation Sites - Water Supplies Sampled for Total Coliforms 21 4. Annual Grazing Statistical Report 26 5. Pending Applications for Desert Land Entries 45 IV ------- LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1. Location Map of Boise District 3 2. Cycle of R & PP Application 14 3. R & PP Dump Site at Glenns Ferry 53 4. BLM Dump at Cove Recreation Site 53 5. Indiscriminate Dump in Indian Cove 54 6. Wood Stave Reservoir at Silver City 54 7. Overgrazed Area Bruneau Arm 55 8. Road Failure Related to Timber Management 55 9. Mining Activities 56 10. Mining Activities 56 11. Location of Group Desert Land Entries 46 ------- INTRODUCTION This report summarizes observations made during a field evalu- ation of the Boise District, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The purpose of the study was to examine the BLM environmental control programs and to assess their effectiveness in terms of conditions in the field. Primary objectives of the evaluation were (a) to gain a better understanding of environmental conditions, overall operations, and problems faced by the BLM at the field level, (b) to identify areas where the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and BLM can work to- gether to deal with resource management related environmental prob- lems, (c) to establish EPA contacts at the field level, and (d) to increase environmental awareness on the part of the land manage- ment agency field personnel. The evaluation covered District operations involving air quality, water supply, water quality, solid waste disposal, pesticides uses} environmental emergency procedures and surveillance and monitoring. Five weeks were spent in the District for the evaluation (October - one week, November - three weeks, and December - one week). It was not possible nor intended to do a comprehensive study of each District activity. The field objective was to identify major problems or potential problems and to attempt to assess in broad terms the im- plications of their impacts. Discussions and field reviews of some ------- activities were conducted with District and Resource Area Manager's staffs. Some field observations were also made alone. The Boise District manages the public domain lands in South- west Idaho (Figure 1). The largest contiguous land area is in Owyhee County in the southwest corner of the State. The Boise metropolitan area is located near the center of the District. The District in- cludes 2,025,000 hectares (five million acres) of public land. The District is divided into the Bruneau, Cascade, Owyhee and Jarbidge Resource Areas for management. All District operations are con- ducted from the Boise office. The District's resource management programs include timber, watershed, livestock forage, minerals, recreation, lands and wild- life. Approximately 402 kilometers (250 miles) of the Snake River are within the boundaries of the District. Many smaller tributaries of the Snake River also traverse BLM land. District and Resource Area Managers responsibilities are to ensure that the basic resources, land, water and air are managed according to statutory mandates. Major environmental problem areas on the District are associated with solid waste management, mining, desert land entries and water supplies at recreation sites. Primary problems associated with these activities are as follows: 1. Solid waste disposal sites administered under the Recreation ------- &. ;>!>>ViV as *'/*;•'; %**« &&& FIGURE I STATE OF IDAHO BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ------- 4 and Public Purposes Act. Widespread indiscriminate dumping on BLM land. 2. Mining-related problems such as road construction off claims, large excavations without restoration, exploration without filing a claim and abandoned mines. 3. Some desert land entries have resulted in increased in- X discriminate dumping, water quality problems related to agricul- tural runoff, and exclusion of land uses occurring on lands in a natural state such as wildlife habitat. 4. Inadequate surveillance of water supplies, including field surveys of facilities and monitoring. District personnel are aware of the major problem areas, but are constrained in solutions by legal, budgetary and manpower limi- tations. Legislative revisions are necessary to adequately resolve mining and desert land entry problems. The District's environmental control programs are being strengthened through the following actions: 1. The Management Framework Planning (MFP) process is being used to develop long range management plans. Maintenance and im- provement of environmental quality are major considerations in the MFP process. Resource management decisions are based on the plan- ning process outlined in Table 1. 2. Significant resource management decisions such as timber sales and changes in grazing or other land uses are preceded by a ------- TABLE 1 BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT - PLANNING SYSTEM Phase Steps Initial Analysis Divide the District into planning units. Resource Analysis Inventory Resources and Existing Land Uses,. Estimate the maximum opportunity for each single land use. Framework Plan Identify the conflicts between single use opportunities. Develop multiple use proposals by minimizing the conflicts. Make broad guidance (Framework) decisions based on the multiple use proposals. Activity Plans Prepare detailed action plans within the framework decision. ------- 6 District interdisciplinary team review of alternatives and assess- ment of impacts of the proposed action. 3. Grazing allotment plans are being developed on a priority basis to improve livestock management, and minimize resource dam- ages associated with grazing. Summary of the major recommendations are presented below. These and other recommendations are at the conclusion of the vari- ous sections. It is recommended that: 1. BLM assume a leadership role in area-wide solid waste management planning in Southwest Idaho. 2. Existing solid waste disposal sites be brought into com- pliance with Federal solid waste guidelines, and a current inven- tory of unauthorized or trespass dumps be developed, along with a priority listing of dumps to be closed. 3. One individual be designated to coordinate the water supply operation, maintenance, sampling, inspection and reporting programs for recreation and administrative sites. 4. Mining operations which are violating established water quality standards be identified, and the standards used to regu- late discharges. 5. The environmental impact statement process be used to the extent possible to minimize adverse effects of mining ------- 7 activities on BLM land, and for all group desert land entries of more than 400 hectares (1,000 acres). 6. Agencies responsible for administering State and Federal environmental laws, specifically the Idaho Department of Environ- mental and Community Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency be consulted in preparing the environmental analysis record or impact statements for major projects or actions. ------- RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES USES Solid Waste The Recreation and Public Purposes Act authorizes the con- veyance of public domain lands with certain exceptions and condi- tions to qualified applicants. Nonprofit organizations may pur- chase or lease lands for public or quasi - public purposes if they meet qualifications as determined by the Secretary of the Interior. Nearly 92 percent of the public domain land to which the Recreation and Public Purposes Act and related laws apply is under the jurisdiction of the BLM. Public purposes may include public health and education projects for publicly owned facilities such as schools, waterworks, sewage plants, and sanitary landfills. Available land may be leased for twenty-five cents an acre, payable in advance, with a minimum annual rental of $10.00. Solid waste disposal is one of the major environmental prob- lems in the District. Public lands have historically been used by individuals, groups, and units of government for refuse disposal. The District issues Recreation and Public Purposes Leases for re- fuse disposal sites. Recreation and public purposes uses are given a high priority. The current inventory (September 14, 1972) of Recreation and Public Purposes (R & PP) dump sites in the District list twenty- two sites (Table 2). Some of the leases are old and have expired. ------- TA&LE 2 RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES LEASES FOR DUMPS Leases Ada County* Ada County Canyon County *Request for renewal Leases City of Idaho City Ada County City of Horseshoe Bruneau Serial No. 1-016849 1-1990 1-3588 of the lease Cascade Serial No. 1-2949 1-3215 1-2201 Resource Area Lease Date 12/16/66 9/1/68 2/15/72 Resource Area Lease Date 4/8/70 10/26/71 4/10/69 R & PP Dumps ites - Sept. Renewal 12/16/71 9/1/73 2/15/77 Period 5 years 5 years 20 years R & PP Dumpsites - Sept. Renewal 4/8/75 10/26/76 4/10/74 Period 15 years 20 years 5 years 14, 1972 Location T. 1 N., R. 1 W Section 3, Lot 1 T. 1 N., R. 1 W. Section 3, SEHNE T. 1 S.,- R. 1 W. Section 18, S^sNE 14, 1972 Location T. 6 N., R. 5 E. Section 27, W£W T. 4 N., R. 2 E. Section 7, NEW T. 7 N., R. 2 E. 42.58 acres 40.00 acres 80.00 acres 20.00 acres 40.00 acres Bend lot 1, Sec. 33, described as follows: Beginning at the NW corner of Sec. 33 T. 7 N., R. 2 E., B.M., thence south 77°43' east, 1530 feet to the true point of beginning; thence south 88°43' east, 500 feet; thence south 0°04' west, 1000 ft.; thence N.88°43' W., 500 ft.; thence N.0°04' E., 1000 ft. to the true point of beginning ------- Canyon County2 1-015448 7/12/66 7/12/71 5 years T. 3 N., R. 4 W., B.M. Ada County Applications Gem County Canyon County Canyon County 1-010658 1-5814 1-3886 1-4601 5/25/61 5/25/76 20 years (New Application) 25 years (Need Environmental Analysis Re- cord (already classified) 20 yrs. (New Application) 25 years Section 8, V^Ek T. 4 N., R. 2 E Section 7, NWJ^E^ T. 6 N., R. 3 W., B.M. Section 9, NWJsNWH, SW^NM^, NVUsSw\ T. 6 N., R. 5 W. Section 27, SW^NE^ T. 5 N., R. 3 W., B.M. Section 12, SWHjSWJi 80.00 acres 40.00 acres 120.00 acres 40.00 acres 40.00 acres 1 . Request to assign dump to Idaho County 2. Request for 25 year renewal Leases Twin Falls County ^ p City of Glenns Ferry^ Twin Falls County J.O.C. Club Village of Hagerman Jarbidge Serial No. 1-016679 1-017447 1-015899 1-08210 1-010729 Resource Area R & PP Dumps ites - Sept. Lease Date Renewal Period 5/18/66 5/18/71 5 years 1/11/67 1/11/72 5 years 5/18/66 5/18/76 5 years 8/29/60 8/29/70 20 years 12/7/62 12/7/72 20 years 14, 1972 Location T. 14 S., R. 14 E., B.M. Section 19, WJsNEyWsSE^' T. 5 S., R. 10 E., B.M. Section 21 , NW^SW^ T. 12 S., R. 13 E., B.M. Section 11, NVPsNEJsNWH T. 5 S., R. 8 E., B.M. *^or "M nn 9fi UUNFlcNFL- OCV* L> 1 V/l 1 t-\J 5 WSIlU^ylLTi T. 8 S., R. 13 E., B.M. Section 11, W^NEyWH; , EJjNV 5.00 acres 40.00 acres 10.00 acres 20.00 acres I^NWH 40 acres ------- Applications Owyhee County Owyhee County 1-4892 New case. No approval T. 6 S., R. 6 E., B.M. from Health Dept. 20 years Section 19, 1-5058 New case. No approval from Health Dept. 20 years T. 6 S., R. 7 E., B.M. Section 5, 1. Request for renewal of lease 2. Request for renewal of lease 3. Compliance check due 10/1/70. Want to close out and rehabilitate due to new freeway. May need to establish a new site. Owyhee Resource Area R & PP Dumps ites - Sept. 14, 1972 Leases Owyhee County Applications Owyhee County Owyhee County Owyhee County Period Location 20 years T. 2 N., R. 5 W., B.M. Section 17, Serial Lease No. Date Renewal 1-2846 5/11/70 5/11/75 1-3732 Classified, lease not issued. Needs T. 2 N., R. 4 W., B.M. additional work, no approval from Section 21, Health Dept. 20 year's 1-3817 New case. Need development T. 2 S., R. 2 W., B.M. plan and land report. No Section 34, NEJsSWJz; approval from Health Dept. 20 years 1-3731 New case. No approval T. 1 S., R. 3 W., B.M. from Health Dept. 25 years Section 13, 20.00 acres 20.00 acres 80.00 acres 80.00 acres 40.00 acres 40.00 acres ------- 13 The District has received several applications for renewal for con- tinued use of some sites. Most of the renewal requests lack the minimum information required by the BLM to initiate a land classi- fication action. Lack of action on some inadequate applications has resulted in de facto approval for continued use. The BLM regulations related to approval of sites for solid waste disposal were revised in May, 1972 (Instruction Memorandum 72-181). The revised procedures were issued to define the minimum standards for disposal sites under the R & PP Act. The memorandum provides interim guidance for new or renewal leases until the Fed- eral guidelines implementing Section 209 of the Resource Recovery Act, as amended, are finalized by the EPA. All applications for new or renewal of leases will be submitted to the Regional Offices of the EPA for review prior to issuance. The State Department of Environmental and Community Services and the BLM have developed a procedure for establishing solid waste sites on BLM land (Appendix A). The procedure for classifi- cation of public land for sanitary landfills is given in Figure 2. Eight of the twenty-two R & PP dump sites were reviewed on a random basis. Federal facility inventory forms were completed for sites observed (Appendix B). None of the sites are sanitary land- fills; two sites receive periodic coverage. Burning, odors, vectors, and blights on the landscape are problems at most of the sites. The sites at Glenns Ferry and Hammett (Appendices B-6 and B-7) were the ------- Figure 2. Cycle of an R & PP Application for Solid Waste Disposal Site Step 1 (a) Application is filed in State Office. (b) Posted to records. (c) Sent to L & M for pre-adjudication. Step 2 (a) In pre-adjudication if deficiencies are noted . in application, a notice is sent to applicant. (b) A report from Idaho State Department of Environ- mental and Community Services is requested. Step 3 Case is referred to District Office for classifica- tion and recommendations. Step 4 (a) District Office writes Field Report which includes environmental consideration. (b) Issues proposed classification. (c) Issues initial classification decision. Step 5 Case file is referred back to State Office. Step 6 State Office reviews case to see that all reports have been submitted. If all is in order, a copy of pertinent data is submitted to Environmental Protection Agency for their review and recommenda- tions. Step 7 If Environmental Protection Agency issues a favor- able report, lease is prepared for signature of applicant with stipulations attached and sent for signature and first year's rental. Step 8 Upon receipt of above, lease is issued. ------- 15 worst R & PP sites observed, considering quantity of refuse and po- tential pollution. The sites are shown in Figure 3. BLM operated dumps at Silver City and Cove Recreation Site were observed (Appendices B-4 and B-ll). Both dumps are used to dispose of refuse from BLM recreation sites. The dump at Silver City is also used by residents of the City.* The present site replaced one that had leachate and aesthetic prob- lems. The soil at the present site is lithic and paralithic and cover material for the site is not locally available. The physio- graphy of the area limits suitable sites for sanitary landfills. The site at Cove Recreation Site is less than 0.41 hectares (1 acre), and is used primarily as a convenience in maintenance at the campground. It is less than 8 kilometers (5 miles) from the modified landfill at Bruneau. The site is shown in Figure 4. With scheduled coverage and disposal, the Bruneau site would meet the proposed Federal guidelines for a sanitary landfill. The site could be used for disposal of refuse from Cove Recreation Site. Indiscriminate or trespass dumping is a serious problem in the District. Several dumps with quantities of refuse ranging from less than 45 kilograms (100 pounds) to several tons were observed (Appen- dix B-8). The large and somewhat isolated land areas of some of the District and the limitations of BLM personnel to frequently monitor activities on public land have contributed to the wide-spread use of *The modified landfill at Kuna will be used for Silver City with recent agreement. ------- 16 public land for indiscriminate dumping. Many of the indiscriminate dumps are in areas where desert land entries have been allowed. Entryrnen use the adjoining public land for refuse disposal. In many areas every family or two will begin dumping in an area. Several of these type dumps were observed in the Bruneau Arm area adjacent to the Snake River and in the Murphy area (Appendix B-14). The largest and most serious potential polluting indiscriminate dumps were observed in Indian Cove in northeast Owyhee County and north of Middleton in northeast Canyon County. The Indian Cove dump (Appendix B-8) is in a seasonally dry draw. Dumping began approximately 2 kilometers (1 mile) up the draw and has progressed toward the county road. The site is shown in Figure 5. All types of refuse are disposed of in the area, including several pesticide containers. Spring runoff water moves through the area to the Snake River, approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) away. The indiscriminate dump north of Middleton extends approximately 1 kilometer (Appendix B-13) up a seasonally dry draw to a railroad fill. Dumping apparently began at the head of the draw and progressed toward the county road. Dumping is currently adjacent to the road. Leaching, burning, vectors and aesthetics are problems with all the dumps. The lack of cooperation from Recreation and Public Purposes Lessees and local units of government in solid waste management has discouraged the District from vigorously pursuing a solution to the ------- 17 problem. The magnitude and severity of the solid waste problems are recognized but there appears to be a feeling of inability to solve the large scale problem. A status quo situation is there- fore perpetuated. Recommendations Solid waste disposal is one of the major environmental prob- lems in the District. Specific recommendations for improved solid waste management are: 1. BLM take more of a leadership role in area wide solid waste management planning in Southwest Idaho. An additional effort to- ward a regional solid waste program should be actively pursued with local governments. 2. Conduct solid waste management planning on a District basis to bring solid waste disposal sites into compliance with proposed Federal guidelines. 3. A current inventory of unauthorized or trespass dumps should be developed along with a priority listing of dumps to be closed. Resources to close the dumps on a priority basis should be budgeted, and a firm schedule for accomplishment developed. 4. Corrective actions for the Indian Cove and Middleton Area trespass dumps should be taken immediately, including posting as a minimum. 5. Alternative methods of solid waste disposal, such as trans- fer stations, should be evaluated immediately for BLM operated open dumps at Cove Recreation Site and Silver City. ------- 18 Sanitary Waste There are three developed and one partially developed recreation sites managed by the District. The partially developed site is at Silver City. Recreation sites locations are shown in Appendix C. Two administrative sites to provide quarters for summer lodging are maintained. The District headquarters in the City of Boise is on the municipal sewerage system. Vault toilets are used at the recreation and administrative sites. Vault pumpings are done by contract to commercial operators. Operators are selected on a random basis from the telephone directory. It is assumed that vault pumpings are dis- posed of in the municipal sewage treatment plant at Boise. The ven- dors' final disposition of pumpings, however, has not been questioned. Most recreation site toilets were observed. In addition to water pollution potential, the facilities were checked for structural con- ditions, odor problems, and evidence of rodent activities. A sum- mary of observations at campgrounds is in Appendix C. All of the observed facilities were in good structural condition. Odor problems were evident at toilets in the middle of Beggs Recreation Site and in the Silver City facilities provided by the BLM. Rodent activity or damage related to toilets was minor at observed sites. Vaults at Beggs and Silver City needed pumping at the time of observations.* Delaying pumpings until the beginning of the next season of use will increase the infiltration potential of vault *The site at Beggs has been closed; it was not used enough to justify operation. ------- 19 contents and may allow transport during spring runoff. Recommendations 1. The District's operations personnel should ensure that pumpings from vaults are adequately disposed of in sewage treatment plants or sludge digesters, by vendors contracted to do pumpings. A regulation or contract stipulation to this effect should be developed. 2. Vault pumpings should be scheduled to minimize potential ground and surface water pollution from overflow. Full or near-full vaults should be pumped at the conclusion of season of use or be- fore spring runoff. Water Supplies Developed water supplies are available at the three improved recreation sites in the District. The two District administrative sites also have developed supplies. The community water supply at Silver City is used (not encouraged by BLM) by recreation users in the area. The recreation sites and the Silver City area were observed. A reconnaissance level evaluation of water supplies was made of the sites. A summary of the observations is shown in Appendix C. Water samples were taken at two of the sites and at Silver City for total coliform bacteriological analyses. Fhe Millipore Portable Water Test Kit was used for the bacteriological analyses for total coliform, ------- 20 Results of the analyses are given in Table 3. The only positive test occurred in the community supply at Silver City. Silver City. The present water system serves only part of the community. The remainder is served by individual wells or springs. The source of the community supply is a natural spring. The collec- tion facilities at the spring are not adequate to provide for the sanitary protection of the water obtained.— The systems storage is provided by a 94,635 liters (25,000 gallons) ground level wood stave reservoir which is in poor condition (Figure 6). All of the existing distribution pipelines are in extremely poor condition.-/ Administrative Sites. The two District administrative sites at Mud Flats in Southwest Owyhee County and Crane Creek in South- east Washington County have developed water supplies. The supplies are from wells with a distribution system at Mud Flats. The systems are used periodically during the field season when employees use the sites for temporary quarters. Both sites were inaccessible because of weather during the field evaluation. Bacteriological data for all sites sampled during 1972 (June - September) were reviewed in the District files. All samples were analyzed by the Idaho Department of Health. Data reviewed indicated 1. Samples for bacteriological tests were not collected before some seasonally operated sites were opened (Cove initial sampling 7/12/72, Beggs and Steck 6/13/72). I/Idaho Water Resource Board, Comprehensive Rural'Water and Sewerage Study. Owyhee County Idaho, 1972. ------- TABLE 3 RECREATION SITES - WATER SUPPLIES SAMPLED FOR TOTAL COLIFORM BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES 10/31/72 - 11/3/72 Results (total coliforms) Recreation Site or Area 100 ml sample* Cove Negative Steck Negative Silver City Positive (potable supply - Perkeys) (3 colonies) *Two samples were taken at each site ------- 22 2. Positive tests were reported for the Mud Flat administrative site 6/2, 6/20 and 6/23. Chlorox was flushed through the distribution system following the 6/23 sample analysis. The one subsequent test (7/12/72) was negative. No further test results were on file. 3. Samples were not taken on a regular scheduled basis for some supplies. No record of samples for Cove were available for June and August, 1972. ' 4. Several sample records had no collection date. 5. Several samples were over 48 hours old when received in the laboratory for analyses, including all June, July, August and September samples from Beggs and Steck sites. Samples were analyzed with all negative results. Standard Methods-/ recommends the time elapsing between collection and examination of individual potable water supplies sent to a laboratory should in no case exceed 30 hours. Chemical analyses are not done periodically on water supplies. Chemical analysis data during initial development of water supplies were not readily available in the files. The Public Health Service (PHS) Drinking Water Standards state that, under normal circumstances, chemical analyses need be made only semiannually; the frequency should be increased or decreased when warranted by conditions affecting the water supply at the system. 2/APHA, AWWA and WPCF, Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 13th Edition.197TIp. 659. ------- 23 Recommendations Water supply sampling, inspection and reporting programs for recreation sites should be strengthened. Actions suggested to im- plement this include: 1. Transfer control for District water supplies from Resource Area personnel to a District water supply specialist. The specialist's duties could include: a. Making sure bacteriological samples are collected in accordance with specified frequencies. b. Making sure water samples are taken in accordance with Standard Methods for Examination of Water, specifically as it relates to time elapsing between collection and examination of in- dividual potable water supplies. c. Follow-up action on any unsatisfactory sample. d. Initiating a routine chemical analysis program for parameters included in the PHS Drinking Water Standards on all re- creation sites. Since there is no data base for chemical analysis of water supplies, supplies should be analyzed once per year for one or two years to establish a data base. A complete analysis every three years (unless specific problems develop) afterwards would be adequate for District supplies. e. Conducting annual and follow-up sanitary surveys on all drinking water systems, including those found unsatisfactory during season of use. ------- 24 2. Water supply facilities at administrative sites such as Mud Flats and Crane Creek, that are apparently physically deficient should be reviewed for compliance with Public Health Service Drink- ing Water Standards for location, construction, protection and maintenance before continued bacteriological sampling. 3. Conducting periodic training sessions for other employees involved with water supplies. ------- NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT Range Management Range management related activities are a major part of the District's program. Grazing and range improvements are common in all parts of the District. BLM lands are administered under the authority and provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act of June 28, 1934, and the 0 & C Act of August 28, 1937 (BLM Circular No. 2313) as amended and supplemented. Regulations are specified for grazing administration, awarding of grazing privileges, management prac- tices, supervision and inspection, advisory boards and records and administrative procedures. Regulations are specified for areas inside and outside of grazing districts. Grazed areas, general range conditions and the overall range management prografn were reviewed. Specific range management pro- grams as seedings and herbicide uses were also reviewed. An annual license for grazing privileges is required, unless a term permit is issued. The total number of livestock of all classes licensed on the District as of April 26, 1972 were 273,224, with an Animal Unit Month (AUM) forage requirement of 528,364. The annual grazing statistical report for 1971 is in Table 4. There are approximately 150 allotments in the District. Allot- ment management plans have been completed for thirty of the allot- ments. These plans are the available mechanisms to ensure that grazing and livestock use considerations are compatible with other ------- TABLE 4 ANNUAL GRAZING REPORT, BOISE DISTRICT, March 1, 1971 to February 28, 1972 Livestock and Range Data Authorized Nonuse Authorized Active Use Crossing Permi ts Total Licensed Obligation Exchange of Use Total Authorized Use Cattle and Horses Number 4,223 116,535 108 116,643 4,856 121,499 AUM's 67,218 415,958 49 416,007 27,066 443,073 Sheep and Goats Number 2,000 138,645 10,500 149,145 2,580 151,725 AUM's 28,007 76,739 1,004 77,743 7,548 85,291 Total livestock of all classes licensed 273,224 Total AUM's of forage required of licensed livestock 528,364 Estimated Grazing Capacity in AUM's AUM's of Range Available For: Livestock 518,660 Big Game 45,000 Type of Operators Regular Crossing Total Number of Exchange of Use Licenses Number of Term Permits Cattle and Horses 512 1 513 101 139 Sheep and Goats 41 7 48 12 6 Total Number 553 8 561 113 145 ------- 27 resource uses. The allotment management plans are programs of action designed to reach specific range management objectives. The completed plans cover approximately one-third of the District (607,500 hectares approximately 1.5 million acres). The AUM assess- ment for District grazing privileges is 0.66 cents per AUM for each grazing allotment for cattle and sheep, and twice that amount for horses. Several areas of varying grazing intensities were observed. The most commonly observed problems were areas subjected to over- grazing, as shown in Figure 7. The magnitude and severity of the overgrazing as it relates to environmental management was difficult to ascertain in a reconnaissance evaluation. Sediment production from overgrazing is a problem in many areas. Soils in the District are dominantly developed from lacustrine sediments, alluvium and loess over basalt, rhyolite and granite. The most common soil textures are silt loam, loam, and fine sandy loam. With exposed areas of mineral soils as shown in Figure 7, associated with overgrazing, soil erosion and sedimentation suscep- tibility is increased. The 14,580 hectares (36,000 acres) Echo Springs range seeding in the Bruneau area was observed. The area was plowed and seeded to crested wheat grass in 1967 and 1968. Large area seedings for increased grazing capacity restricts multiple use land management options. Several areas in the seeding project had been overgrazed with large areas of exposed mineral soil. ------- 28 The impact of grazing on water quality has not been documented on the District. River and creek valleys are heavily used in grazed areas because of proximity to water. The BLM has recognized the need for information on water quality changes related to various land management practices including grazing. The BLM, in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Reynolds Creek Experimental Watersheds Studies, began studies in October, 1972 on water quality characteristics of range land watersheds. Characteristics of range land watersheds under natural conditions and various practices of range management will be studied. The study is designed to provide needed information for range manage- ment decisions related to water quality. The study is scheduled for completion in June 1975. Recommendations To minimize pollution potential from grazing, the following actions are recommended: 1. Continue present planning and management program at an accelerated pace. 2. Through establishment and operation of permanent monitoring stations, document base-line water quality for District waterways. 3. Relate base-line water quality data to various intensities of grazing as a guide to identification of problem areas. ------- 29 4. Assess problems related to grazing, and on a priority basis, identify springs, water bodies, etc., that should be fenced or other- wise protected. Pesticides Uses The BLM pesticides program was amended in October, 1972 with Instructional Memorandum - 72-413. The instructions were issued to relate the Bureau's program to the Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972 (PL-92-516) and to clarify BLM internal procedures for review of all pesticide projects. BLM policy requires review by a National Technical Pesticide Screening Committee of all pest control requests. The committee makes recommendations for revisions or rejections of requests for pesticide uses. The procedure for annual review of pest control programs by the Technical Committee are in Appendix D. There has been no pest control program on the District since 1967. Two projects are planned for Fiscal Year 1974. The areas proposed for treatment are located 48 kilometers (30 miles) south of Glenns Ferry, Idaho (East Devil Creek Spray Project) and 32 kilo- meters (20 miles) southwest of Marsing, Idaho (King Spray and Seed Project). Both areas are open range with dense stands of big sage- brush (Artemisa tridentata). Treatment is proposed on a block pattern basis. The East Devil Creek project is 2,430 hectares (6,000 acres) and the King Spray project is 608 hectares (1,500 * > acres). ------- 30 The herbicide 2, 4-D is proposed for application, at a rate of 1 kilogram (2 pounds) active ingredient per 0.41 hectares (acre). The formulation proposed is 3 kilograms per 4 liters (6 pounds per gallon) of water emulsion with aerial application by helicopter. General information about the proposed projects is in Appendix E. An Environmental Analysis Record and possibly an Environmental Im- pact Statement will be prepared before the proposed pest control program is implemented. The National Instructional Memorandum recognizes the require- ments of PL-92-516, Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972. The law requires certification for all persons handling, applying, or monitoring pesticides or pesticide projects. BLM monitoring responsibilities are also defined. The BLM is responsible for monitoring any application of pesticide on National Resource Land, and for ensuring compliance with all State and Federal laws, equipment standards, chemical formulations and application procedures, Recommendations 1. Prepare an environmental impact statement on pesticide projects, particularly East Devil Creek and King Spray and seed projects, which may have a significant environmental impact.* 2. BLM personnel used in the District's pesticide program for monitoring and inspection of applications should be certified pesticide public operators, under the State certification program. *Projects were cancelled. ------- 31 3. Require contractors used for pesticide applications on BLM land to define methods and locations for disposal of pesticide residues and containers. 4. Plans for handling accidental spills involving pesticides should be included in contingency planning. Timber Management General Description The northern part of the Cascade Resource Area north of Boise in the Idaho Batholith is the major area of commercial timber managed by the District. Small areas of commercial timber are also in parts of Elmore and Owyhee Counties. The timber management program is relatively small with timber harvesting varying from two to eight million board feet annually. The number of timber sales varies from two or three to seven or eight per logging season (May to December) depending upon areas cruised, adequacy of inventory in- formation of potential sale areas and salvage sales. The estimated hectares of commercial timber are 24,300 (60,000 acres). The im- portant species are Douglas fir, grand fir, ponderosa pine, western larch, alpine fir, lodge pole pine and Englemann spruce. Field Observations Recently completed and proposed timber sale areas were reviewed. The Packer John No. 1 sale area was observed: 4.5 million board .* feet were harvested in 1970. The area was selectively logged. ------- 32 Damage to residual stand was a problem on the sale. Log decking in and near some intermittent streams was also a problem. Both prob- lems appeared to have been minimized by firm contract administration. A road failure related to runoff was observed on a spur road. Water was allowed to run over the road bed, resulting in erosion. The area is shown in Figure 8. The Packer John No. 2 proposed sale area was also reviewed. The sale area covers approximately 169 hectares (418 acres). Approxi- mately four million board feet will be harvested from the area. The 4 kilometers (2 miles) of road construction related to the sale were observed. Weather conditions (road partially snow covered) prevented a detailed observation of the road. The road is in soils that are generally unstable (coarse loamy surface), however, because of the relatively gentle gradient, stability problems were minimized. The East Garden Valley proposed sale area was reviewed with the District Resource Team prior to preparation of an environmental analysis record. Approximately three million board feet are pro- posed to be harvested. The volume is spread over approximately 907 hectares (2,240 acres). The intent of the Team review was to have an interdisciplinary approach to resource evaluation prior to the proposed action. At the time of the evaluation, the Paddy Creek area was being cruised for advertisement in the fall of 1972. Approximately 3/4 million board feet may be harvested from the area. The area will ------- 33 be selectively logged. Field considerations during cruising including leave tree selection, buffer strips along creeks and dry draws and skid trail selection appeared adequate. General Observations Brush and slash disposal on BLM timber sales are done by the Idaho Department of Public Lands (IDPL), or by contractors under IDPL supervision. Operators are required to deposit a trust fund per thousand feet of timber harvested for slash disposal. Burning is the major mechanism used for volume reduction, lopping and scattering is also used. A report on meteorological conditions is used before and during burning operations to predict smoke dispersion characteristics. The average annual amount of slash generated in the District during Fiscal Years 1969 to 1972 was approximately 15,000 metric tons. An estimated five percent or 750 metric tons of slash gener- ated were burned annually during fiscal years 1969 to 1972. The remaining slash was lopped and scattered and left in the forest for natural decomposition. Burning woody materials affects air quality through the emis- sion of hydrocarbons, particulate matter and carbon monoxide. Be- cause of the broad variety of fuel constituents and burning methods involved, accurate emission inventories for sources of air pollution ------- 34 are difficult to obtain. Consequently, the lack of an adequate emission inventory or other suitable data makes it difficult to assess the impacts of slash burning on the atmospheric environment. The most obvious concern about forest residue burning is the reduction in visibility due to smoke generation, and the potential for regional transfer of the smoke into an area encountering air pollution episodes'. The timber sale contracts for the most part have adequate stipulations to ensure environmental protection. The major exception is in procedures for dealing with resource damages that occur after the sales have been completed, such as road failures. Road failures are common in soils developed in the Idaho Batholith. The soils are high in volcanic ash and are mixed with and underlain by granite. The environmental impacts of timber harvesting are difficult to assess at the reconnaissance level. The Management Framework Planning Process appears to be the area available to adequately assess environmental impacts and evaluate alternatives to BLM actions. The BLM Planning System is shown in Table 1. With the small size of the timber program and the potential long term effects of timber management activities on other resource uses, the MFP is necessary to minimize impacts from timber harvesting. ------- 35 Recommendations Timber management activities may have significant long term environmental impacts although the program is relatively small in the District. Actions which may be used in reducing degradation from timber management activities are: 1. Develop Management Framework Plans for areas of timber management on a high priority basis, and prepare environmental im- pact statements on plans. 2. Until Management Framework Plans are developed for timber management areas, prepare an environmental impact statement on the timber sales planned for a two or three year period. Include in this statement areas to be cut., methods of cutting, placement of roads, slash disposal, and general soil characteristics necessary to evaluate the impacts of timber harvesting. Develop procedures for predicting in the planning phase, effects from individual tim- ber sales, including whether these activities will comply with water and air quality standards. If deviations are expected, list the magnitude and the anticipated duration. 3. Develop a program to monitor air and water quality affected by logging, for compliance with Federal, State and local air and water pollution laws and regulations, and for comparison with effects predicted in number (2) above. 4. Based on potential damages associated with proposed logging and road building operations, determine extent of contract administration ------- 36 necessary to ensure compliance with environmental standards. Log- ging and road construction should be limited in accordance with the extent adequate administration can be provided. 5. Procedures should be developed to respond immediately, upon the occurrence of road failures and similar damages, to mini- mize continued resource damages, and to gain information for use in prevention of such failures in the future. Mining The problems associated with types of mining and exploration, mine drainage, and abandoned mines were observed. Mining-related activities such as road construction and past mining activities were also evaluated. The BLM administers the general mining laws of 1872, as amended which authorize location, entry and patent of mineral lands in or reserved from, the public domain. There are approximately 2,500 unpatented mining claims in the District. In addition to known claims there are hundreds of old claims of unknown validity or status scattered throughout the District. The BLM retains surface rights on all unpatented mining claims. Geological surveys and past mining history indicated areas of gold, silver and monazite in the Boise Basin, Boise Front, Marshall Mountain and Silver City areas. The most concentrated mineralized area is in the Silver City vicinity. The area received ------- 37 its name from early (1863 to 1875) mineral discoveries of ore extremely rich in silver. Although there are no active mines in the Boise District where minerals are being extracted for commercial processing, there are several claims where extensive exploratory prospecting work is in progress. The Owyhee Mountains southwest of Boise is the major area of current activities. The exploration in the Silver City area was observed with a State (Department of Public Lands and Inspector of Mines) and Boise District, BLM Team to evaluate resource damage and determine if any State or Federal laws were being violated. D-7 caterpillars were being used for excavating trenches which were approximately two to three meters deep and ninety meters long. Several trenches were excavated in the Florida and DeLamar Mountain areas as shown in Figures 9 and 10. There are no available plans for restoration of the areas or minimizing the environmental impacts from the ex- ploratory excavations. The Evaluation Team concluded that soil resource damage was major. Adverse aesthetic impact was also evident. The excavations were primarily on patented land; the BLM's authority to regulate activities was limited. An access road was constructed by the Mining Company in the Silver City area. Soils in the road bed and cuts were coa.rse loamy and highly susceptible to erosion, with slopes from 15 to 25 percent. Minimum erosion protection construction ------- 38 measures such as outsloping, water bars and culverts were not used. Sediment transport was evident during field observations. A recent 1972 Idaho State law, Senate Bill No. 1152, requires restoration of excavated areas related to mining. The law is ad- ministered by the State Department of Public Lands. There were some questions on the applicability of the State law since it applies only to areas of at least two contiguous acres. Although the individual excavated trenches were less than two acres, the total acreage was greater than two acres. No action is being taken by the Department of Public Lands pending an interpretation of this point by the State Attorney General. The problems related to the excavations were discussed with the mining company. The Evaluation Team requested cooperation in minimizing adverse impacts from their activities. The National Environmental Policy Act 102(2)(c) impact state- ment process is not being used by the BLM in Idaho for such mining related activities as patenting of claims and constructing roads. The impact statement process should be useful in evaluating mining activities. The Silver City area is honeycombed with shafts and abandoned mines. Mine drainage from some of these areas is a problem. Studies by Idaho Fish and Game Department—' indicated mercury contamination in Jordan Creek, which is bordered by Silver City and DeLamar. -/S. Gebhards, F. Shields and S. O'Neal; Mercury Levels in Idaho Fishes and Aquatic Environments. Idaho Fish and Game Department and Department of Health, 1971. ------- 39 Fish collected from streams and Antelope Reservoir, which receives water from Jordan Creek, contained much higher mercury residues than those collected from streams above the reservoir. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 (PL 92-500), Section 402 contains regulations for controlling dis- charges into surface waters. All inactive, active and future mines having a point source discharge into surface waters must obtain a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit. Effluent limitations regulations for mining operations are being developed by EPA. Recommendations Unauthorized or trespass activities as road construction off claims by prospectors, exploration without filing a claim, and abandoned mines are problems. Actions which may be used in re- ducing impacts from mining activities are: 1. Use environmental impact statement process to cover or assess mining related activities on BLM land. 2. Include the cost of environmental protection as a mining cost in evaluating the validity of a mineral discovery. 3. Develop an inventory of abandoned mines; identify those mines having-a pollution potential; needed corrective actions and the entity responsible for corrections. 4. Established water quality standards should be used to regulate mining related discharges to water bodies. ------- 40 5. There is a major need for revision of the current national mining laws to give the BLM and other land management agencies additional regulatory authorities for mining-related activities on the lands they manage. Road Construction General Description There are approximately 2,414 kilometers (1,500 miles) of roads on the District's Transportation Plan. Approximately 483 kilometers (300 miles) of roads are maintained. There are two major types of system roads constructed on the District, the single lane road with a width from four to five meters (12 to 16 feet) and the double lane road with a width greater than six meters (20 feet) with a gravel or bituminous surface. The remainder of the roads were constructed for a specific project or used on a temporary basis. Road construction is done according to provisions of the Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-69, by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Road construction special provisions supplement FP-69 are also used. Section 110 of the special provisions specify water pollution and soil erosion control measures to be included in construction contracts. Contract language appeared adequate to minimize environmental impacts from road construction. ------- 41 Field Observations The Deep Creek road was observed from the Idaho and Oregon boundary in western Owyhee County to the end of the improved road near the base of the Owyhee Mountains, a distance of approximately 21 kilometers (13 miles). Construction began in 1969 on the road to connect the north central part of the District in the Grandview area to the south western part near the Idaho and Oregon boundary. The length of road to be constructed is 64 kilometers (40 miles). The construction is approximately three-fourths completed. Con- struction has been done seasonally since 1969. Five additional miles will be constructed in Fiscal Year 1974. The road is a single lane gravel road with a five meter (16 feet) bed. It is being constructed for access and administration of the area. The major problems associated with the portion of the road observed were: lack of outsloping in places, allowing water to accumulate, and transport sediment. Road cuts in the vicinity of the South Fork of the Owyhee River were left unprotected or not mulched or seeded. The areas will be sediment sources for the adjacent river during runoff. The soils in the road cut are high in silt and clay with a high erosion potential on the steep slopes (greater than 25 percent). Rutting from excessive traffic during saturated condition was also a problem on the road. Erosion and water pollution control measures as mulching, seeding, -* outsloping and water diversion were needed in many areas to minimize ------- 42 erosion. Construction and healing of road banks, fills, etc. be- fore resource damage occurs is the major problem with the Deep Creek road construction. Several other roads were observed on the District, many having a limited adverse environmental impact. Road stability and erosion problems are the primary environmental problems associated with road construction. Recommendations Construction and healing of road banks, fills, etc. before resource damage occurs is a problem, particularly in medium and fine textured soils. Actions which may be used to reduce degrada- tion from road construction are: 1. Schedule construction to allow such resource protection measures as seedings and" mulching to be completed before runoff creates erosion and sedimentation problems. 2. Revise design standards for the Deep Creek road to decrease the distance runoff water is permitted to travel before diversion. Apply the revision to continued construction of the road as well as to previously constructed segments where needed. ------- OTHER ACTIVITIES Desert Land Entries The BLM administers the Desert Land Laws related to public land. The Bureau's basic authority is the Desert Land Act of March 3, 1877 as amended. The purpose of the laws is to permit the reclamation by irrigation of arid public land through individual effort and private capital. Before an application is approved or allowed, lands involved must be examined by the BLM and classified suitable for desert land entry. To be classified suitable for agricultural purposes, the land must be more valuable for that purpose than any other, such as recreation and public purposes or wildlife habitat. The Desert Land Act permits the development of not more than 130 hectares (320 acres) of public land for the use and benefit of each entryman. The basic requirements for allowing desert land to be entered as agricultural are (1) land must be classified suitable, (2) the entryman must have good faith intent to reclaim the land for his personal benefit, and (3) individuals must have necessary capital or adequate financial backing to develop the land. The Boise District is one of the few remaining areas in the country with relatively large areas which may qualify for desert land entries. Whether or not to allow the conversion of public land to an essentially single use in private ownership is a major administrative decision to be made by the Bureau. ------- 44 Desert land entry statistics for pending applications are in Table 5. The general locations of group applications are in Figure 11. The District had 167 individual, and 276 group desert land entry applications on file as of December, 1972. Applications cover approximately 56,700 hectares (140,000 acres). Approximately 10,935 hectares (27,000 acres) are covered by approved applications (where entrie.s are being developed to acquire patent). Approximately 85 allowed entries have patents pending. The pending applications are for entry of lands located in all resource areas. The majority are filed on lands in the Moun- tain Home, Grandview and Kuna, Idaho areas in Southwest Idaho. Ten of the groups in Table 5 consist of eight or less entrymen, with the remaining seven groups varying in size from 12 to 97 mem- bers. Any proposal where two or more applicants plan to use a com- bined water system for irrigation is considered a group. The proposed source of irrigation water for most of the 167 pending individual applications is sub-surface water from deep well drillings. The majority of the group applications propose to use water from the Snake River by high lift pumpings. Therefore, the potential impacts on water quality and quantity from the entries are significant. Many other parameters such as air quality, solid waste management, and pesticide introduction will be influenced by the entries. ------- TABLE 5 PENDING APPLICATIONS FOR DESERT LAND ENTRIES BOISE DISTRICT, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT December 21, 1972 Resource Areas Bruneau Cascade Jarbidge Owyhee Number of individual applications 114 1. 18 2. 27 3. 8 4. 167 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. Group Entries Cottonwood Canal Green Valley Cold Springs Grindstone Butte Skyles Neeley Indian Cove Grigg Smith Twin Buttes Oregon Trail Mt. View Birch Creek Sinker Butte Basin Mutual Bell Rapids Tuana Mutual Libby-Mell Canyon View Number of Entries 4 4 4 43 2 8 3 16 6 32 14 97 6 12 15 4 6 Location in District-Figure A B C - D - E F G H I _ J K _ K Total individual entries 167 Total Group Entrymen 276 Total Desert Land Applications 443 ------- FIGURE 11 . STATE OF IDAHO BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT SOUTH BOISE DISTRICT A CANYON" NOTE: Letter locations denote areas of proposed Desert Land Entries. Refer to Table 5. ------- 47 The BLM policy (BLM Manual 1791, May 4, 1972) requires that an Environmental Analysis Record (EAR) be prepared for every Bureau action which may affect the quality of the environment. The EAR is a documented analysis of the possible environmental im- pacts of an action. All reasonable alternatives are considered during formulation of the action to determine whether adverse im- pacts can be modified and if an environmental impact statement is required to comply with Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environ- mental Policy Act (NEPA, PL 91-190). The EAR for Proposed Intensive Agricultural Development in the Saylor Creek Planning Unit was reviewed as part of the evalua- tion. Approval of the proposed action would result in 16,200 hec- tares (40,000 acres) being converted from public land to private agricultural land under the authority of desert land laws. Comments related to the EAR for the Saylor Creek Planning Unit are: 1. The interpretation of the NEPA 102(2)(c) statement require- ment is questionable. The EAR implies that an impact must be ad- verse before a 102(2)(c) statement is required. 2. The EAR emphasizes that after patent is issued on the pro- posed entries, most authority to mitigate adverse impacts will rest with agencies administering State and Federal environmental laws. These agencies were not included with other agencies consulted in preparing the EAR. ------- 48 The environmental impact statement process (NEPA 102(2)(c) statement) has not been used by the District for desert land entries since its enactment. The implication is that desert land entry actions have not significantly affected the quality of the human environment. Several areas of past desert land entries were observed. The overall environmental impacts related to entries are broad and dif- ficult to define. Several areas of obvious impacts were easily identifiable such as (1) several areas (Indian Cove and Bruneau Arm) had several small open dumps, with common open dump problems as blight and vectors and (2) one of the major environmental prob- lems associated with entries is water quality impacts. Soil erosion and sedimentation were common problems observed in many entry areas (Bruneau and Indian Cove). Field observations of past desert land entries suggest a need for additional public participation in land management decisions related to allowing proposed entries. The 102(2)(c) impact state- ment process would allow the needed participation. Local groups as Soil Conservation Districts, State and local environmental manage- ment agencies, and other Federal agencies should have an opportunity to evaluate significant land management decisions such as group desert land entries. Current regulations related to proposed entries (43 C.F.R. 2521.6 (1971)) require publication notices of proposed BLM land classifications or actions to allow protest. However, ------- 49 the 102(2)(c) statement would allow a more comprehensive evaluation and participation in actions related to group entries. Recommendations The following recommendations are made recognizing the BLM's statutory requirements to administer public lands in compliance with desert land laws. Actions available that could be used to minimize environmental degradation are: 1. The environmental impact statement process should be used for all large group entries of more than 400 hectares (1,000 acres). The National Environmental Policy Act, 102(2)(c) statement should be prepared and filed for all such entries to allow local, public, group and other agency participation in this significant administra- tive decision. 2. Agencies administering State and Federal environmental laws, specifically the Idaho Department of Environmental and Com- munity Services and the Environmental Protection Agency, should be consulted in preparing the environmental analysis records or en- vironmental impact statements for large group entries. 3. Local and State agencies, specifically those with expertise in soil and water conservation like the Idaho Soil Conservation Commission and the local Soil Conservation Districts, should be used whenever possible. Formal input or recommendations should be requested by the BLM to aid in the administrative decision to approve any entry. ------- 50 4. Current minimum flow needs studies by the Interagency State and Federal study team for the Snake River and its tributaries should be used to assess potential impacts of additional water diversions for desert land entries. Environmental Emergencies The Boise District includes the most densely populated area in the State. Major transportation routes include Interstate Highway 80 North, U.S. Highways 93 and 95, State Highways 16, 21, 44, 45, 51, 52, 55 and 67 and several other major arterials. The District routes and accessibility in several areas increases the potential for such accidental pollution as spills of oil, pesticides and other hazardous materials from commercial or private carriers. There is not a documented contingency plan for handling acci- dental spills of oil, pesticides and other hazardous materials available on the District. Executive Order 11507, Section 4(a)(4), February 7, 1970, requires development by all Federal agencies of emergency plans and procedures for dealing with accidental pollution. Plans developed pursuant to the authority shall be in accordance with appropriate regional oil and hazardous substances pollution contingency plans. Recommendation It is recommended that a contingency plan for handling acci- dental pollution or spills as required by Executive Order 11507 be ------- 51 developed for the District. An employee training or information program should be conducted to be sure all District personnel are aware of the plan, and knowledgeable regarding its contents. Surveillance and Monitoring The District is not directly involved in any scheduled sur- veillance or monitoring of its activities. The Agriculture Research Service's (ARS) Watershed studies discussed in the range management section are being conducted in cooperation with the BLM. The ARS studies are limited in scope and do not cover or assess all District programs. Several Federal and State agencies are involved in collecting water quality data within the District's boundary as part of a regional program. The U.S. Geological Survey, EPA, and the State Department of Environmental and Community Services either have or are presently collecting data within or adjacent to the District's boundary. A latitudinal and longitudinal block retrieval of water quality data was made from the STORET system to evaluate the potential usefulness of available data to a District program. The program retrieval was for the block 45°30', 117°30', 45°30', I14°30', 42°, 114°30', 42°, 117030'. Twelve stations from the STORET data are on or adjacent to BLM land. The stations names and STORET numbers are in Appendix F. Several other stations in the retrieval are within the District's ------- 52 boundary. The data include measurements of a number of parameters. The stations vary in length of collection from 1957 to 1973. Recommendations 1. Baseline air and water quality data should be collected on District managed land. 2. Effects of District activities on air and water quality should be determined with a monitoring system. Specific activities like grazing, timber sales and road construction should be moni- tored for turbidity, nutrients, temperature and other appropriate parameters. ------- FIGURE 3 RECREATION AND PUBLIC PURPOSES DUMP AT GLENNS FERRY. THE LEASE EXPIRED JANUARY II 1972. BLM IS HOLDING RENEWAL APPLICATION. FIGURE 4 BLM DUMP AT COVE RECREATION SITE. BLOWING OF WASTE IS A PROBLEM. ------- FIGURE 5 INDISCRIMINATE DUMP IN INDIAN COVE AREA. PESTICIDE CONTAINERS, DEAD ANIMALS AND ALL TYPE REFUSE IS SCATTERED UP A DRY DRAW. FIGURE 6 WOOD STAVE COMMUNITY WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIR AT SILVER CITY. THE RESERVOIR IS OPEN AND UNPROTECTED. ------- - f • •» "*- FIGURE 7 OVERGRAZED AREA BRUNEAU ARM AREA, ADJACENT TO C J STRIKE RESERVOIR ON SNAKE RIVER. FIGURE 8 ROAD FAILURE IN IDAHO BATHOLITH AREA. WATER WAS ALLOWED TO RUN ROAD BED. ------- FIGURE 9 MINING EXPLORATION IN DELAMAR MOUNTAIN AREA. NO RESTORATION PLANS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THE AREA. (BLM PHOTO) FIGURE 10 MINING EXPLORATION IN FLORIDA MOUNTAIN AREA. NO RESTORATION PLANS AVAILABLE FOR AREA. ------- APPENDICES ------- 59 APPENDIX A PROCEDURE FOR ESTABLISHING A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT SITE ON BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND* 1. After an application for a solid waste management site has been filed and reviewed, the Bureau of Land Management will notify the Environmental Improvement Division of the Idaho Depart- ment of Health by forwarding them a copy of the application which contains the: a. Name of applicant b. Address of applicant c. Legal description of the land d. Pertinent remarks or comments 2. The Environmental Improvement Division will notify the appropriate district health department of the application. 3. The district health department engineer or sanitarian will contact the applicant and visit the site to see if it is suitable to recommend further testing of soil characteristics and soil depth. He will'review the Idaho Solid Waste Control Regula- tions and Standards with the applicant. If the site is found to be unsuitable, he will notify the Environmental Improvement Division and the applicant. 4. The applicant shall obtain information on soil depth to ten feet below the lowest point of proposed solid waste fill. These data are required for the actual proposed fill area. The depths shall be indicated on a map at a scale of 31 meters to the inch with two-foot contours. A log of the soil analysis shall accompany this map. Also to be shown on this map are: on site; water supplies; proposed fill area; proposed and existing fences; proposed and existing structures; borrow areas; roads; grades for proper drainage; existing and proposed utilities; watercourses, ponds and lakes; weighing facilities, 1f provided; employee sani- tary facilities, if provided; special drainage devices, if needed; area for burning of trees, if provided; a separate trench for animal carcasses and highly putrescible wastes, if provided; and a cross-sectional drawing of a typical lift. ------- 60 APPENDIX A-2 5. A small map, prepared in triplicate on a scale of four inches to the mile and showing the location of the site, shall be submitted showing the entire proposed lease area in relation to off site roads, wells, structures, utilities, watercourses, ponds and lakes, within 155 meters of the site. It shall show the initial trenches or other structures. The direction and distance to the nearest communities shall also be shown. An estimate of the population to be served shall be placed in the legend. 6. An operational plan, prepared in triplicate and with the small map attached, shall be submitted with the contour map. The operational plan shall consist of a statement signed by the parties to whom the lease is to be issued which states "The solid waste management operation, operated at the site described in this lease, shall be managed according to the Idaho Solid Waste Control Regulations and Standards." If there are proposed variations from these stan- dards, they shall be indicated in detail. 7. When the project plan and maps have been reviewed and ap- proved by the district health department and the State Health De- partment regional engineer, they are forwarded to the Environmental Improvement Division with recommendations for approval. The En- vironmental Improvement Division will forward two copies of the plan and small map to the Boise State Office of the Bureau of Land Management with a letter of concurrence. 8. The Bureau of Land Management will not release any land for a solid waste management site until the project plan and maps by the applicant along with an approval letter by the Environmental Improvement Division of the Idaho Department of Health, have been received by the Bureau. 9. Any direct application made to the Idaho Department of Health or a district health department will be referred to the Boise Office of the Bureau of Land Management for normal processing. 10. Leases for Solid Waste Management Sites will contain such terms and conditions as are necessary to protect the public health and safety and to prevent avoidable adverse effects. Failure to observe the terms and conditions could result in cancellation of the lease. Where warranted by the circumstances, the posting of an indemnity bond may be required. Environmental Improvement Division Idaho Department of Health December 1, 1971 *Some parts of the procedure have been modified since 1971. ------- APPENDIX B-l 61 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 10/28/72 Name of Site Bruneau Site Location Bruneau Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA, Federal Activities Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by Community of Bruneau Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? yes Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) The site is used primarily by community of Bruneau Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic X Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? no Frequency of Cover infrequent Does Waste Contact Groundwater? no Obvious Leachate Problem? no Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? This is an improved site that is fenced; although not a sanitary landfill, it is one of the most im- proved sites in the District. ------- 62 APPENDIX B-2 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Canyon Date 11/15/72 Name of Site Canyon County landfill Site Location T.3N., R.4W. Sec. 8 Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA, Federal Activities Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by .Canyon County Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? yes 1-015448 Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Canyon County residents o Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X_ Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? not obvious Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover Scheduled 1 or 2 per Does Waste Contact Groundwater? week Obvious Leachate Problem? pol ""Known Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? The site is a modified sanitary landfill, no fencing or procedure for controlling blowing litter and coverage is once or twice per week. The soil material at site is lacustrine sediments (stratified).The landfill area is a depression below terrace; it's near an alluvial fan position. Water accumulation from draws into area is a potential problem during runoff. ------- APPENDIX B-3 63 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Washington Date 11/16/72 Weiser Area 11 kilometers Name of Site County Dump Site Location (1 miles) from Rock Creek Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPAf Federal Activities Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by County (check land ownership to be sure) Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) County residents SW Washington County Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover infrequent Does Waste Contact Groundwater? -- Obvious Leachate Problem? no Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans for Closing or improving the site. The site is adjacent to the county road; flowing refuse is a major problem. Refuse is covered on a periodic basis. ------- 64 APPENDIX B-4 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 10/28/72 Name of Site Cove Dump Site Location At cove - BLM Rec. Site Name of Person Completing Form E- Moore Organization EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by BLM - Boise District Does Federal Agency: Own Site? Use Site? Yes No X Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? no _ Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) BLM ma.ior user; some recreation site users may use dump directly. Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd* Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal _ Agricultural Demolition Toxic Industrial Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Frequency of Cover none Obvious Leachate Problem? no Adjacent to Waterway 3/4 mi. approx. Does Waste Enter Water? no Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Does Waste Contact Groundwater? no. not evident Name of Waterway C. J. Strike Reservoir - Snake River Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans for closing or improving the site. ------- APPENDIX B-5 65 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Gem Date 11/1/72 Name of Site Gem County Dump Site Location T. 6N., R3W., Sec. 9 Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization FAC Section, EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by Gem County Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? Use Site? Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Gem County residents Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover none Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _ Obvious Leachate Problem? Adjacent to Waterway dry draw Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? during runoff Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? Yes, the site is scheduled for closing as soon as the county receives approval for another area (adjacent to present site) for operation of a sanitary landfill. The new application (1-5814) nas been received by BLM, tentatively approved by the State Health Dept., and the Environmental Analysis Report and the preliminary land classification have been made by the Boise District BLM. Will be sent to EPA for review before issuing the recreation and public purposes lease. ------- 66 ' APPENDIX B-6 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Elmo re Date 11/22/72 Name of Site Glenns Ferry Dump Site Location T.5S.. R.10E. Sec. 21 Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization FAC Section, EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by City of Glenns Ferrv Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? x Use Site? _X_ Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? ves 1-017447 Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Residents of Glenns Ferry and surrounding areas. Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? Frequency of Cover infrequent -..no Does Waste Contact Groundwater? schedule Obvious Leachate Problem? potential Adjacent to Waterway dry draw Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans to close. The lease was suppose to be renewed 1/11/72. BLM is holding renewal application. ------- APPENDIX B-7 67 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County El mo re Date 11/22/72 Name of Site Hammett Dump 1-08210 Site Location T.5S., R8E., Sec. 26 Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization FAC Section EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by JOB Club (Leasee) Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) The site is used primarily by the community of Hammett 3 Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover none Does Waste Contact Groundwater? Obvious Leachate Problem? unknown Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No - the renewal of the R 7 PP lease was due 8/29/70 ------- 68 APPENDIX B-8 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 11/22/72 Name of Site Indian Cove Dump Site Location Indian Cove Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by • No one, unauthorized dump Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? no Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) The site is used by residents of Indian Cove Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic X Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover none Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _ Obvious Leachate Problem? no not evident Adjacent to Waterway dry draw Name of Waterway Dry draw that Does Waste Enter Water? yes drains to Snake River during runoff Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans for closing dump. This is one of the worst sites observed on the District. A number of pesticide cans, dead animals, municipal waste, etc, are scattered up the draw for approximately 1/4 to 1/2 mile. Dumping apparently began up draw and has orociressed toward the road; dumping is now near road. ------- APPENDIX B-9 69 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Canyon Date 11/16/72 Name of Site Middleton Landfill site Location North of Middleton Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA, FAC Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by Canyon County Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) County residents in the vicinity of Middleton o Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition _X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover 1 or 2 per week Does Waste Contact Groundwater? no Obvious Leachate Problem? Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? The site is a modified landfill, it is not fenced. Blowing and lack of regular coverage appear to be the major problems. ------- 70 APPENDIX B-10 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 11/16/72 Name of Site Murphy Dump site Location Across from airfield Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA, FAC Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Murphy Area residents Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? Past evidence is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover none Does Waste Contact Groundwater? Obvious Leachate Problem? no Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? There has been limited recent dumping. Most of refuse appears to have been dumped in past years. ------- APPENDIX B-ll 71 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 10/27/72 Name of Site Silver City Dump Site Location Silver City, Idaho Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by BLM - Boise District Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) The site is also used by community residents and visitors to Silver City o Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural Demolition Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover none Does Waste Contact Groundwater? no Obvious Leachate Problem? no not evident Adjacent to Waterway no Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? no Are There PTans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans for closing dump. ------- 72 APPENDIX B-12 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 11/16/72 Dump Name of Site So. Fork. Rabbit Ck. site Location T. 2S.r R. 2W. Sec. 34 Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization Federal Activities Coordination Section Federal Agency Associated with Site Site Operated by • No one Bureau of I and Managpmpnt Does Federal Agency: Own Site? Use Site? Yes X No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Residents around Murphy - Rabbit Creek Canyon area residents Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd' Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal _ Agricultural X Demolition Toxic Industrial Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? yes Frequency of Cover none Obvious Leachate Problem? Adjacent to Waterway Dry draw Does Waste Enter Water? During runoff Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _ Name of Waterway Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? No immediate plans to close dump. The area is adjacent to the intermittent Rabbit Creek, and during runoff refuse is adjacent to Creek. An area in the vicinity of this dump (1-3817) has fc been requested for lease. BLM has not received development plan or prepared land report. The State Department of Env. and Comm. Serv. has not approved the site. ------- APPENDIX B-13 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Canyon Date 11/16/72 Name of Site UA Open Dump Site Location near Gem-Canyon Co. line Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization FAC Section, EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by No one Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? No Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Residents in NE Canyon County and SW Gem County Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition X Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? Past evidence Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover None Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _ Obvious Leachate Problem? --- Adjacent to Waterway Dry draw Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? during runoff Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? This is an unauthorized site that apparently began several years ago at the head of the dry draw. Dumping has gradually moved toward road. Currently dumping is ad.iacent to road side. The area also has recent dumping along road. This is a bad site and corrective actions should be taken. ------- 74 APPENDIX B-14 FEDERAL FACILITIES INVENTORY Solid Waste Disposal Sites Used or Regulated by a Federal Agency State Idaho County Owyhee Date 11/22/72 Name of Site UA Dump Site Location Bruneau Arm Name of Person Completing Form E. Moore Organization FAC Section, EPA Federal Agency Associated with Site Bureau of Land Management Site Operated by No one Does Federal Agency: Yes No Name and Address of Owner if Other than the Federal Agency Own Site? X Use Site? X Issue Permit/Lease for Use of Site? No Names of All Users of Site (Communities, Federal Agencies, etc.) Desert Land Entries in the area. o Estimated Annual Quantities Tons Yd Check Types of Waste Deposited Municipal X Industrial Agricultural X Demolition Toxic Other (Specify) Site Characteristics Does Burning Take Place? No Is Blowing Waste a Problem? yes Frequency of Cover None Does Waste Contact Groundwater? _ Obvious Leachate Problem? No Adjacent to Waterway Dry draw Name of Waterway Does Waste Enter Water? during runoff Are There Plans for Closing or Improving the Site? This is a small unauthorized dump that was apparently started by DLE's on the Bruneau Arm. The dumping is in a draw or over the bank. ------- APPENDIX C DEVELOPED RECREATION SITES - BOISE DISTRICT, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Recreation site or area Beggs Steck Cove Silver City Season of Use Location May-Nov. 29 mi. N.W. of Cambridge Hwy. #71 May-Nov. 23 mi. N.W. Weiser, Hwy. #70 March-Nov. 2 mi . West Bruneau on State #51, then N.W. 5 mi . on County Road May-Oct. 60 mi. S.W. of Boise No . No . C T Tables and F 30 15 39 23 12 33 Day Yes 25 Only Day yes Only Toilet Water Toilets B F Hi Hu S Supply yes X X X X well yes X X X X well yes X X X X X well yes X X X X Community supply Key to Abbreviations C - Campsites T - Trailers Usable No. Tables and Fireplaces B - Boating F - Fishing Hi - Hiking Hu - Hunting S - Swimming *Private community supply, not recommended for use by BLM. ------- 76 APPENDIX C-2 SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS OF RECREATION SITES BOISE DISTRICT, BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Beggs Recreation Site The toilets are all vaults of corrugated metal sealed by cement. Lower toilet near gate at entrance had minor odor prob- lem, also jthe two middle toilets. The women toilet in middle of site needed pumping, waste and water were near the top of vault. There were no evidence of rodent activity. The facilities appeared to be in good structural condition and the site was well maintained. Water supply pumps were turned off for the season. Cove Recreation Site The water supply is provided by a subsurface pump with a distribution system. A water sample for bacteriological analysis was taken. The sample was negative. All facilities were well maintained and in good structural condition. The major problem at the site is the open dump used for solid waste disposal of refuse generated. Steck Recreation Site The water supply is provided by a subsurface well and distri- bution system. Bacteriological test for site was negative. Lower toilet had minor odor problem and rodent activity. Toilets at the upper end of the site had acute odor problems. The facilities were ------- 77 in good structural condition. Routine maintenance as cleaning and paper replacement were needed. Silver City Area Site The area has a de facto recreation site. The site is a minimum development. The BLM installed two vault toilets to accommodate the heavy visitor use in the area. The toilets needed pumping at the time they were observed; they also had an acute odor problem. There is no developed water supply at the site. The facilities were in good structural condition. ------- 78 APPENDIX D ANNUAL REVIEW OF PEST CONTROL PROGRAMS BY THE TECHNICAL PESTICIDE SCREENING COMMITTEE Instructions to Field Offices Background The Washington Office has established a Technical Pesticide Screening Committee. This committee is responsible for the review of all Bureau pesticide programs, both current and proposed. Pro- grams will be reviewed from the standpoint of safety and hazard to human health, to livestock and crops, to fish and wildlife, to other elements of the environment, to effectiveness and economic impact, as well as their compliance with Bureau management objec- tives. Based on such review, the Screening Committee will recom- mend approval, rejection, or modification of program proposals it feels will best serve the interests of the Bureau and the public. Review of Planned Programs All pest control programs or projects which propose the use of pesticides will be forwarded to the Screening Committee for review. Each field office will prepare a detailed description of all of its anticipated pest control programs or projects that fall in- to one or more of the following categories: a. Usage of a pesticide that is not registered under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act for that particular purpose or in that particular way.* b. Usage of any of the compounds listed in Appendix 1, Page 3 (.06), BLM Manual 9222, except termite control and interior use, provided registered directions on the label are fol- I owed. c. Any pesticide that would be applied to water or could reasonably be expected to get into water.** d. Any program or project in which 100 or more contiguous acres would be treated as one application. ------- APPENDIX D-2 79 e. Use of pesticides on a Federal installation when that usage is not directly supervised by, nor under the on-site respon- sibility of, a Federal employee trained***in the current safe and effective use of pesticides, * Any application of a registered chemical which is aberrant to the detailed registry label constitutes non-registered use. ** Applications less than 31 meters from a perennial stream. *** Employee has participated in a pesticide training course and received certification. ------- APPENDIX E Planned Pest Control Program, Boise District, FY 74 Objective (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) (c) (a) (b) Project Target Pest Purpose East Devil Creek Big Sagebrush Soil Stabilization and Range Improve- ment King Spray and Seed Big Sagebrush Pesticide (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) Common Name Form Applied Lbs/Acre Lb./Gal. 2, 4-D Water Emul- 2 Ibs/acre sion 6 Ibs/gal. 2, 4-D Invert 2 Ibs/acre Emulsion 6 Ibs/gal. Application Method Unit To Treat Helicopter Range- land One Field Helicopter Rangeland One Field 1 ,500 acres Sensitive Areas (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) (b) Season Planning Unit May Jarbidge May Owyhee (a) (b) (a) (b) (a) Acres to be Avoided Acres to be Treated with Caution None None McBride Creek 1/2 mile from spray area (a) (b) Remarks Use of Trained/ Certified Personnel Precautions Trained and experi- enced Bureau person- nel will supervise (a) Trained and ex- perienced Bureau personnel will supervise (c) Soil Stabilization and Range Improve- ment (b) Hay field 1/4 mile from spray(b) Invert Emulsion area to reduce drift ------- APPENDIX F Boise District, Bureau of Land Management Surveillance Network Stations on or Adjacent to BUM Land 81 Station Name Station Number Snake River below Swan Falls Dam Snake River below C.J. Strike Dam Snake River near Hammett Snake River near Hagerman Payette River Garden Valley Dam Site So. Fork Payette 2 miles below Garden Valley Bruneau River at Bruneau Bruneau River near Hot Springs Bruneau River at Hot Springs Big Jacks Creek near Bruneau Snake River below Lower Salmon Falls Cove Creek near Hagerman, Idaho 151069 151068 13157100 150022 153012 151114 151067 13168500 151066 13169500 13135000 13152900 * GPO - 798-095 ------- |