The Riparian Area Management Plan Authors: Gene Surber, MSU Extension Natural Resources Specialist Bob Ehrhart, Research Specialist, RWRP, Univ. of Montana

Introduction Ranchers – “do-ers” Planning – systematic way of thinking Work smarter, not harder

Questions / Steps Where do we want to be Set goals Where are we now? Inventory resources How are we going to get there? Identify & implement strategies How will we know we’re moving? Monitor the resources for desired change

Step 1: set goals Provide purpose and focus Specific goals Long-term & Short-term

Goals should be SMART S – specific M – measurable A – attainable R – related T – tractable

Step 2: Inventory resources Where are you now? Inventory Conditions of riparian area Resources you have / don’t have

Step 2: Inventory resources Inventory (assessment) methods One method = “Stream channel & riparian monitoring guide” Basic method Can be used with little training

Step 2: Inventory resources Labor Money Expertise Equipment Time

Step 3: Decide & Implement What – actions to take Where – the actions will occur When – the actions will happen How – the actions will be done What – the actions will achieve

Step 4: Monitor the impacts Use the assessment guides for monitoring, as well Photo-monitoring Many assessments taken over time

Step 4: Monitor the impacts Why? Why are you monitoring? What? What are you monitoring?

Step 4: Monitor the impacts Where? How many sites? 3 sites Depends upon size of pasture Depends upon different types of riparian areas Accessibility Time

Step 4: Monitor the impacts When? Time of year Regular basis – trends over time Same sites, same time each year

Photo-monitoring Compares past with present Record physical & biological changes What am I trying to show? How can I best “capture” it? Is location appropriate now & in time?

Determining photo locations Shrubs block your view in 5 to 10 years Anticipate floods Same site from different directions

Permanent locations Use markers GPS readings (or compass bearings)

Landscape view Use “photo placard” Date Location Time of day Direction of shot Vertical point (notch in hill, rock outcropping)

Close-up view 3 ft. x 3 ft. square Stand on north side Metal fence post or steel pole (100 ft away)

Recording information Location on map Compass bearing Allotment and/or pasture name Date, type of film, camera lens size Information explaining each photograph

Storing the information Notebook Slides: non-pvc, non-acidic sheets CD or DVD of digital photos

Limitations – photo monitoring Quantifiable data may be missed Small notebook PDA or Palm Pilot Micro-cassette