B12_Q_A_First_Round__0003.docx

· Would the whole 3,400 acres need to be grazed or will it be targeted areas within the 3,400 acres, and if so how many acres would that be?

Answer - The operator should be prepared to provide grazing services on all 3,400 acres which is about 75% annual and perennial grassland, and 25% shrub/woodland mix.

· Can we use chainsaws/weedeater to clear paths where we will erect the electric fence?

Answer - Operators are allowed to use chainsaws and weed-eaters to cut paths for electric fence. Previous operators were able to clear paths using machetes to site temporary fences, but chainsaws and other powered cutters with properly fitted spark arrestors would be acceptable.

· What would you say the percentage of the area that needs to be treated is brush or grasslands? For example, would you say it's 75% sheep country and 25% goat country?

Answer - The BLM has experimented with operators using sheep, goats and both at the same time under different contractual arrangements. Previous sheep operators were commercial meat producers and unable to sustain grazing treatments in some of the grassland units without weight loss of the herds. As such, grassland units were not being treated adequately to knock back thatch buildup and reduce fuel loadings to a desired level. See this reference outlining some studies of previous operations ( https://ir.library.oregonstate.edu/concern/graduate_projects/3r075240t).

· Is there an exact address/map available or a site walk through possible?

Answer - We encourage interested operators to review the report cited above. There is no scheduled tour, however, interested operators may access the land from State Route 68 by parking at the BLM Badger Hills Trailhead.

· In the description it states that all water tanks are to be no more than 10' feet off the asphalt on Barloy Caynon Rd. Is that in reference to storage tanks and from there we can drive water tenders to where the goats/sheep are?

Answer - Gravel or paved roads (including Barloy Canyon Road) traverse the treatment areas and should be used by water tenders to fill tanks for water troughs. All of these roads are closed to public motor vehicle travel, but may be used by operators to access their operations. Water trucks should not drive off roads to fill tanks or troughs. Barloy Canyon Road has special considerations because it is on County park land and requires coordination with the County for use and staging. A side note on this is that all of these roads are used heavily by hikers, joggers and cyclists so the operator should be aware the grazing treatments are within a heavy use recreation area.

· Can we graze longer than 5 months out of the year?

Answer - Yes, depending upon the timing and number of goats and/or sheep used and the rain/forage conditions, the operator may operate in the treatment areas more than 5 months a year. For illustrative purposes only, a grazing treatment operation that begins in November or December with 500-1000+ would traditionally be acceptable until April when the herd/band could be reduced to 500 for dry month operation in May and June.