Final Report, September 1998 Vegetative Cover Monitoring, Public Perception Survey, and Public Outreach Programs for Chino Winds Demonstration Project (Phases I and II): Use of BMPs on Arizona Rangelands to Minimize NPS Discharges from Grazing Activities

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

On key areas of the ranch, document baseline vegetative cover and changes that occur during the project.

The flow of surface water from the demonstration area is intermittent, as is most of the water from rangelands throughout Arizona, and water quality primarily is affected by sediment load. Variability in water flow and sediment content results in a situation in which it is impossible to document changes in water quality attributable to management changes.

Vegetative cover, however, is a surrogate measurement for water quality. Vegetative cover responds to management changes in key areas, and is included as a major factor in erosion prediction models such as the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), the U.S. Forest Service EROSON program and the Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model which currently is being developed for predicting erosion changes associated with management changes on crop and rangelands. Measurement of changes in vegetative cover over time as correlated to specific management changes, therefore, is included in this demonstration project to document the changes associated with the implementation of the time controlled grazing demonstration project and to demonstrate the practicality of indicating changes in water quality by monitoring vegetative cover.

Establish a baseline of public perception relative to attitudes of the public as they relate to the demonstration project, Yavapai Ranch, and current erosion and water quality conditions associated with the project area.

The population of the Prescott/Chino Valley area has increased greatly in recent years with many new residents with diverse backgrounds. Knowledge levels and attitudes of this diverse population is an aid to development of an outreach educational program associated with the demonstration project.

Encourage public participation in the project and conduct a public outreach education program regarding rangeland management, livestock grazing, and water quality.

A demonstration project implies that there is a audience that is expected to see the results of the project. An educational program during the project and continuing into the future years is essential to obtain knowledge based public support for rangeland watershed projects.