Riparian Areas

Riparian areas in the SEUALG region are important for several reasons. First, they are rare and essential components of the region’s terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. For example, they occupy only 1% of the entire Manti-La Sal National Forest [1]. According to the Utah Wildlife Action Plan, “riparian areas are the richest habitat type in terms of species diversity and wildlife abundance.” These areas provide habitat to a wide range of wildlife including mammals, birds, amphibians, insects, and fish. Riparian habitats provide wildlife with canopy cover, nesting areas, shade, and food sources.

Second, riparian areas play a major role in moderating erosion processes by slowing water, trapping sediment, and stabilizing river banks. Finally, riparian areas provide highly productive forage for livestock and are valuable areas within grazing allotments.

The health of riparian areas is influenced by many factors including hydrology, topography, climate, invasive species, and land use. Because riparian areas are highly sensitive to human disturbances, it is important to manage them appropriately.

Riparian areas can be negatively impacted in many ways, including:

• Farming
• Grazing
• Noxious weeds
• Road building
• Fire
• Development
• Dams
• Recreation

Management of riparian areas occurs at all levels for government. Local and county governments employ general planning processes and documents to establish policies and objectives for riparian areas. Carbon and Grand counties, as well as Price City and Ferron City, address riparian area management in terms of protection and preservation through good science and monitoring [2] [3] [4].

Federal agencies manage riparian areas and floodplains under Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, Sections 303 and 404 of the Clean Water Act, and also the Endangered Species Act. Riparian areas are also managed under individual resource management plans and other agency policies and guidelines, such as the US Bureau of Land Management’s Riparian Area Management Policy [5].

Riparian areas should be managed to protect vegetation characteristics. Best management practices (BMPs) for riparian areas focus on preserving or restoring  proper vegetative composition and function. BMPs should also address nearby land uses, which may also impact the health riparian area, such as stormwater runoff.

The Flowline data, Wetlands data, and Waterbody data can be used to identify riparian areas in the county.

Livestock: Grazing and watering can significantly impact riparian vegetation through trampling, soil compaction, excessive nutrient input, and consumption of vegetation. Proper management of livestock in these sensitive areas will prevent the most serious impacts. Management actions include vegetation use limits, fencing, herding, change of livestock class, temporary closures, repair of erosional channel features, change of season, and/or alternate development or relocation of water sources [6].

Noxious weeds: Weed control is an important component of riparian area management. Riparian areas are often disturbed by flooding, human land use, and other events, and they may become prime locations for the establishment of invasive and noxious weeds. In the SEUALG region, tamarisk and russian olive are common within riparian areas. Management includes good detection procedures, weed control and treatment, proper land use protocols, and restoration [7].

Conservation: This includes preserving existing riparian areas as well as restoring degraded ones. Preservation should include the dedication of sufficient water and groundwater to support vegetation. Limiting the removal of water from the system is critical for this purpose. Restoration efforts must consider factors like hydrology, floodplain, and adjacent land use. Restoration design of riparian areas should follow a protocol that accounts for stream hydrology, soil characteristics, vegetation, adjacent land use, recreation, and other influences [8]. Stream or river modifications may require permits. The Utah Division of Water Rights processes stream alteration permits in conjunction with the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Land use: Development, including oil and gas leases, should be excluded from riparian areas. US Bureau of Land Management regulation 43 CFR 3101.1-2 allows, at a minimum, the relocation of proposed oil and gas leasing operations up to 200 meters and/or timing limitations of up to 60 days for additional protection to ensure that proposed operations minimize adverse impacts to resources, uses, and users [5]. Logging operations and the use of heavy equipment should be avoided in riparian areas. Other human uses, such as camping, should also be excluded from riparian areas for certain parts of the year [1].

Stormwater: Management of stormwater from developed areas and agricultural operations is an important factor in maintaining riparian areas. Runoff containing excess sediment and nutrients, high salinity levels, heavy metals, and petroleum products can damage sensitive riparian areas. It is often possible to address these pollutants with engineered structures such as constructed vegetated swales [8].

Because riparian areas result from overlapping aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the factors that affect waterbodies and adjacent uplands have the most direct impacts on riparian areas.

Along with wetlands, riparian habitats are critical for species on the Endangered Species List (ESA) such as the southwest willow flycatcher and Gunnison sage-grouse [11] [12] [13]. These habitats are also important to prevent other species from being listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA, such as the greater sage-grouse [14].

The Southeastern Utah Riparian Partnership, which operates in Grand and San Juan counties, has successfully brought common interests and resources together to improve 4,500 acres of riparian area [15]. A 2010 Study done in Oregon estimated that the average per acre cost to restore riparian area would be $4,695 [16]. The partnership, therefore, brought $21,127,500 of value to the southeastern Utah riparian areas.

The Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative data shows projects (Proposed, Current, Completed, Pending) that may affect riparian areas.