Sierra Vista RANGER DISTRICT

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 1 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-2 www.skyislandaction.org CHAPTER 12 Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area

The Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area to Ramsey Canyon Preserve, managed by The Nature (EMA) encompasses the rugged southern portion of Conservancy, renowned for its outstanding scenic the Huachuca Mountains, and the rolling hills of the beauty and the diversity of its plant and animal life. Patagonia Mountains and Canelo Hills. The sprawling Approximately twelve miles east of the Forest 277,607 acre management area spans elevations boundary lies the San Pedro Riparian National ranging from 3,800 feet in the grasslands to 9,455 feet Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land at the summit of Miller peak. Management. The San Pedro River, flowing north The formerly rural area surrounding this through the conservation area, is one of the management area is experiencing rapid population outstanding biological gems of Arizona. The southern growth. Development from the outward growth of slopes of the Huachuca Mountains drain south to the nearby Sierra Vista is pushing up to the eastern base of headwaters of the San Pedro River (Figure 12.1). the Huachuca Mountains. The northeast side of area is The San Rafael Valley lies at the heart of the bordered by Fort Huachuca Military Reservation, Huachuca Management Area. The valley, primarily which encompasses much of the northern portion of consisting of privately-owned land, is a pocket of the Huachuca range. The southern EMA boundary rolling grasslands some of which still retain their runs along the U.S.-Mexico international border. natural composition of native grassland species. Coronado National Memorial, managed by the Patagonia Lake State Park, an impoundment on National Park Service, is nestled at the southeast Sonoita Creek along the western edge of the Patagonia corner of the EMA between the Forest land and the Mountains, is a popular recreation destination. Parker international boundary. The Huachuca EMA harbors Canyon Lake, also a popular recreation spot, is an a number of outstanding riparian habitats. Ramsey impoundment of Parker Canyon. Across the U.S.- Canyon on the eastern flank of the mountains is home Mexico border, lies Rancho Los Fresno in the state of

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 3 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Figure 12.1 Overview of the Huachuca EMA

Sonora Mexico. Los Fresno is a 10,000 acre ranch smallest flycatchers occurring in the United States, is jointly managed by The Nature Conservancy, known to breed in the Santa Catalina, Huachuca and Naturalia and Biodiversidad y Desarrollo Armónica. Chiricahua Mountains. Canelo Hills ladies’ tresses, The Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area is an slender white orchids, are found in a handful of important destination to Forest users seeking a Cienega habitats in the Canelo Hills. Endangered wilderness experience. A 1997 study found that over Huachuca water umbel is found only in the Huachuca 70% of people surveyed came to the Huachucas Mountains and along the San Pedro River in the specifically to hike and engage in hiking associated United States, with a few scattered sites in Mexico. activities such as sightseeing, wildlife watching, bird The Huachuca Mountains harbor six perennial 1 watching and wilderness exploration. streams where several species of fish native to Arizona Natural History still survive in the well-watered canyons. Longfin dace For their size and elevational range, the Huachuca inhabit the watershed complex of Bear Creek, Lone Mountains are comparatively rich in species. Forest Mountain Canyon, Cave Creek, Joaquin Canyon and land here harbors nine listed Threatened or Sycamore Canyon that drains from the western side of Endangered species including the colorful Sonoran the Huachuca Mountains south to the headwaters of tiger salamander, and Huachuca water umbel. Besides the San Pedro River. Bear Creek and Cave Creek supporting much of the same biological diversity currently harbor populations believed to be free of found across the Sky Island region, the Huachuca nonnative fish. Red Rock Canyon in the Patagonia Management Area has its own unique and exciting Mountains provides habitat for Gila topminnow and species. The buff-breasted flycatcher, one of the other native fishes. These streams have exceptional

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-4 www.skyislandaction.org value for native fisheries and other riparian- southern Arizona by way of the upper Santa Cruz dependent species. The western barking frog, River, passing north across the San Rafael Valley and dependent on deeply-fissured limestone or rhyolite over the Canelo Hills via Canelo Pass into the upper outcrops, is known to breed in the southern Babocomari River valley.4 The Canelo Hills were later Huachucas on the Coronado National Memorial. traversed by Father Eusebio Kino in the 1690s during Mammal diversity and abundance of the area supports his explorations of southern Arizona. Coronado a large population of mountain lions. encountered ancestral Sobaipuris living in villages The Huachuca Mountains grassland valley along the San Pedro River. complex harbors isolated populations of species such The Sobaipuris probably colonized the San Rafael as Endangered Sonoran tiger salamander and Valley area starting in the 15th century and lived in Candidate (for listing) mountain tree frog, that are scattered rancherìas. They utilized the San Rafael found nowhere else in the Sky Island region. Valley and the surrounding Canelo Hills, and the Twenty-six populations of avian “species of Patagonia and Huachuca Mountains for hunting, conservation concern” can be found here. Some of gathering of agaves, yucca, acorns, walnuts, beargrass these populations are only found in the United States and other plants found in plains grasslands and in the borderland Sky Islands including Elegant evergreen woodlands. By the late 17th century when Trogon, Whiskered Screech Owl, and Buff-Breasted Kino and his companions first encountered them, the Flycatcher. Also found in the Huachucas are rare neo- Sobaipuris were already battling natives identified by 5 tropical species found only in the southern most sky Spaniards as Janos, Jocomes, and Apaches. Resident islands of the Coronado. These include Berylline Apaches managed to largely hold their own first Hummingbird, Blue-Throated Hummingbird, Violet- against Spanish, then Mexican, and later U.S. armed 6 Crowned Hummingbird, White-Eared Hummingbird, forces and settlers for the next 300 plus years. and Sulphur-Bellied Flycatcher. The Huachuca Boundaries of the Sky Island region coincide Mountain range supports the largest number of almost perfectly with the known range of the breeding pairs of Elegant Trogon and likely the largest Chiricahua Apaches, with Chokonen (or Chiricahua), population of Whiskered Screech Owl in the United Bedonkohe, Chihenne, and Nedhni groups occupying States. The Huachuca Mountains along with the various subdivisions of the region.7 Members of the Chiricahua Mountains host the greatest diversity of Chokonen band ranged across the Dragoons, Sierra Madrean neo-tropical birds in the United Chiricahuas, Dos Cabezas, Peloncillo and probably the States. The Huachucas support a great diversity of Huachuca mountains on both sides of the present hummingbirds with over fourteen species recorded in U.S.-Mexico border.8 The compressed latitudinal and the range. They are the site of ongoing hummingbird elevational gradients that characterize the Sky Island research such as mapping nectar resources. region and the area’s high productivity provided year- Particularly of note is their diversity of oaks with round hunting and gathering opportunities, which eleven distinct oak species found on the Management enabled the Chiricahua Apaches to remain the only Area.2 entirely non-agricultural culture in the American Human Prehistory and History Southwest during this era. The first solid archeological evidence of human The name Huachuca is a Chiricahua-Apache word habitation in this area shows Clovis hunters spearing meaning thunder. Canelo comes from the Spanish mammoths in the San Pedro Valley by 9,000 years word meaning cinnamon in reference to the color of B.C.3 Next came the long occupancy of the Cochise the Canelo Hills from a distance.9 Culture of hunter-gatherers, eventual introduction of At the turn of the century, Sunnyside Canyon in domesticated crop plants, and development of more the southeastern portion of the management area was densely settled networks of farming peoples. filled with the hustle and bustle of two copper mines Written history of the area around the San Rafael and a sawmill. The community of Sunnyside once Valley began with Coronado’s 1540 journey from boasted 80 residents. Today, this canyon’s intermittent Mexico City to the Zuni area of New Mexico. One stream supports a riparian community where proposed route has this epic journey entering songbirds and other wildlife are abundant.

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 5 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Elements of Biological Diversity and Cultural Heritage

The Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area species of plants and animals including nine harbors a unique combination of vegetation types and Threatened or Endangered species, along with other species that contribute to the biological diversity of species determined to be Species of Concern or the Coronado National Forest. The Forest Service Species of Interest (Table 12.1). These species will be recognizes that building a framework for ecological used to guide management decisions. sustainability will require management of entire Ecological systems and the processes that sustain biological communities combined with special them are the foundations of native biological diversity. management for particular species. For revision of the Vegetation communities and aquatic habitats that are Forest Plan the Forest Service identified species that especially species rich, diverse, or threatened; or are will be the focus of planning efforts. Species and endemic to the region or locality are of particular vegetation types of management interest found across management concern. To evaluate current conditions the Coronado National Forest were described and and management prescriptions for ecological systems listed in the Forest Overview (Table 1.1, page 1-11). the Forest Service is using the framework of Potential Described here are species and vegetation types Natural Vegetation Types. Potential Natural Vegetation specifically found on the Huachuca Ecosystem Types are defined as the vegetation that would Management Area. The Forest Service identified 126 dominate a site under natural disturbance regimes

Figure 12.2 Ecological Systems of the Huachuca EMA DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-6 www.skyislandaction.org Table 12.1 Species Identified by the Forest Service to Guide Management Decisions

Amphibians Mollusks Sonoran Snaggletooth Ambystoma tigrinim stebbinsi Sonoran Tiger Salamander Gastrocopta prototypus Stocky Holospira Eleutherodactulus augusti Western Barking Frog Holospira ferrissi Huachuca Springsnail cactorum Pyrgulopsis thompsoni Heart Vertigo Hyla wrightorum Arizona Tree Frog Vertigo hinkleyi Rana chiricahuensis Chiricahua Leopard Frog Rana subaquavocalis Ramsey Canyon Leopard Frog Plants Agave parviflora ssp. parviflora Birds Allium rhizomatum Redflower Onion Ammodramus savannarum Arizona Grasshopper Sparrow (=glandulosum) ammolegus Amsonia grandiflora Arizona Slimpod Coccyzus americanus occidentalis Western Yellow-billed Cuckoo Arabis tricornuta Rincon Mountain Rockcress Empidonax fulvifrons pygmaeus Northern Buff-breasted Flycatcher Asclepias lemmonii Lemmon Milkweed Glaucidium brasilianum Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-owl Asclepias uncialis ssp. uncialis Greene's Milkweed cactorum Astragalus allochrous var. Halfmoon Milk-vetch Meleagris gallopavo mexicana Gould's Turkey playanus Pachyramphus aglaiae Rose-throated Becard Astragalus hypoxylus Huachuca Milk-vetch Polioptilla nigriceps Black-capped Gnatcatcher Brickellia simplex Sonoran Brickell-bush Trogon elegans Elegant Trogon Browallia eludens Elusive New Browallia Species Carex ultra Cochise Sedge Insects Conioselinum mexicanum Mexican Hemlock-parsley Adopaeoides prittwitzi Sunrise Skipper Coryphantha scheeri var. Pima Pineapple Cactus Aeshna persephone Persephone's Darner robustispina Agathymus evansi Huachuca Giant-skipper Coursetia glabella Smooth Baby-bonnets Astylis biedermani A Notodontid Moth Cynanchum wigginsii Narrow-leaf (Wiggins) Swallow- Automeris patagoniensis Patagonia Eyed Silkmoth (=Metastelma mexicanum) wort Eumorsea balli Ball's Monkey Grasshopper Delphinium andesicola Chiricahua Mountains Larkspur Nectopsyche dorsalis A Caddisfly Draba petrophila var. viridis Rock Whitlow-grass Oligocentria delicata A Notodontid Moth Drymaria effusa var. effusa Pinewood Drymary Ophiogomphus arizonicus Arizona Snaketail Erigeron arisolius Arid Throne Fleabane Piruna polingii Four-spotted Skipperling Erigeron lemmonii Lemmon's Fleabane Speyeria nokomis coerulescens Bluish Fritillary Escobaria vivipara var. bisbeeana Bisbee's Pincushion Cactus Sphingicampa raspa A Royal Moth Fraxinus papillosa Chihuahua Ash Sphinx smithi A Sphinx Moth Heterotheca rutteri Rutter's Golden-aster Stygobromus arizonensis Arizona Cave Amphipod Hexalectris spicata var. arizonica Crested Coralroot Sympetrum signiferum Spot-winged Meadowhawk Hexalectris warnockii Purple-spike Coralroot Hieracium rusbyi Rusby's Hawkweed Fish Hymenoxys quinquesquamata Rincon Bitterweed Agosia chrysogaster Longfin Dace Ipomoea plummerae var. Huachuca Mountain Morning- Poeciliopsis o. occidentalis Gila Topminnow cuneifolia glory Rhinichthys osculus Speckled Dace Ipomoea tenuiloba var. lemmonii Lemmon's Morning-glory Ipomoea thurberi Thurber's Morning-glory Mammals Laennecia eriophylla Cochise Woolwort Choeronycteris mexicana Mexican Long-tongued Bat Lilaeopsis schaffneriana var. Huachuca Water Umbel Lasiurus blossevillii Western Red Bat recurva Panthera onca Jaguar Lilium parryi Lemon Lily Sciurus arizonensis Arizona Gray Squirrel Lupinus huachucanus Huachuca Mountain Lupine Sorex arizonae Arizona Shrew Macromeria viridiflora var. Giant-trumpets Thomomys umbrinus Southern Pocket Gopher thurberi intermedius Macromeria viridiflora var. Giant-trumpets viridiflora

continued

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 7 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Table 12.1 Species Identified by the Forest Table 12.2 Foundations of Native Service to Guide Management Decisions continued Biological Diversity

Mammillaria grahamii var. oliviae “Potential Natural Vegetation Types” (bold) as they Mammillaria wrightii var. wrightii Wright Fishhook Cactus correspond with The Nature Conservancy’s “Ecological Margaranthus solanaceus Netted Globeberry Systems” Marina diffusa Spreading Marina ______Matelea (=Pherotrichis) balbisii Balbis (=Huachuca Milkweed Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest Vine) Desert Riparian Woodland and Shrubland Muhlenbergia palmeri (=M. Southwestern Muhly Desert Communities dubioides) Chihuahuan Desert Scrub Nissolia wislizeni Arizona Yellowhood Nothoscordum texanum Texas False-garlic Interior Chaparral Pectis imberbis Beardless Chinch Weed Interior Chaparral Pellaea ternifolia ssp. arizonica Three-leaved Cliffbrake Madrean Encinal Woodland Penstemon superbus Superb Beardtongue Madrean Encinal Phaseolus supinus Supine Bean Phoradendron bolleanum ssp. Rough Mistletoe Madrean Pine-oak Woodland pauciflorum Madrean pine-oak Woodland Pinaropappus roseus var. foliosus Mixed Broadleaf Deciduous Riparian Forest Potentilla wheeleri Wheeler's Cinquefoil Montane Riparian Woodland and Shrubland Psilactis gentryi Gentry's Bare-ray-aster Mixed Conifer Forest Ranunculus hydrocharoides var. Frog's-bit Buttercup Montane Mixed Forest stolonifer Roldana hartwegii (=Senecio Seemann (Hartweg's) Semi-desert Grasslands hartwegii, with syn = S. Groundsel Apachean Grassland and Savannah seemannii, S. carlomasonii, and R. Apachean Shrubland carlomasonii) Wetland/Cienega Rumex orthoneurus Blumer's Dock Cienega Samolus vagans Chiricahua Mountain Brookweed Scutellaria tessellata Huachuca Mountains Skullcap Physiographic Features Senecio huachucanus Huachuca Groundsel ______Sisyrinchium arizonicum Arizona Blue-eyed-grass Limestone and Rhyolite Outcroppings Spiranthes delitescens Canelo Hills Ladies'-tresses Talinum humile Pinos Altos Mountains Community Flameflower ______Talinum marginatum Tepic Flameflower Sacaton Riparian Grassland Viguiera dentata var. lancifolia Sunflower Golden-eye Woodsia cochisensis Cochise Woodsia Woodsia phillipsii Phillips' Cliff Fern

Reptiles Aspidoscelis burti stictogramma Canyon Spotted Whiptail Crotalus pricei Twin-spotted Rattlesnake Crotalus w. willardi Arizona Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake Sceloporus slevini Slevin's Bunchgrass Lizard Tantilla wilcoxi Chihuahuan Black-headed Snake Thamnophis eques megalops Northern Mexican Garternsake

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-8 www.skyislandaction.org and biological processes. Using this classification shallow soils, limestone outcroppings), and local allows current vegetation to be compared effectively to climate.10 Figure 12.2 shows the distribution of vegetation under historic conditions. Because ecological systems in the Huachuca EMA. Through Potential Natural Vegetation Types are relatively broad contact with regional scientists and experts, and other groupings, and because the Forest contains a high people familiar with the Huachuca EMA, we identified diversity of vegetation types, we present ecological ecological systems, physiographic features, additional systems as a focus for management direction. These species and cultural resources that should also be ecological systems are cross-walked with the Potential considered in the Forest Plan revision. Natural Vegetation Types used by the Forest Service Species that will need special management (Table 12.2). Although there are many fine variations attention include species that are endemic to the in plant communities on the Huachuca Management region or locality, species that have a restricted Area, ecological systems classify plant communities distribution within the region, and species dependent into broader groups so as to be most useful for on specialized habitat. Other species that will need management actions such as mapping, land special consideration are species that area rare, management, and monitoring. Plant communities vulnerable or declining throughout their ranges; are were grouped based on shared characteristics such as rare, imperiled or vulnerable in the U.S. portion of natural processes (e.g. fire and flood), substrates (e.g. their ranges that overlap the Coronado National

Table 12.3 Additional Species that Require Special Management Consideration

Amphibians Mammals Rana pipiens Northern Leopard Frog Corynorhinus townsendii pallescens Pale Lump-nosed Bat Rana yavapaiensis Lowland Leopard Frog Cynomys ludovicianus Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Macrotus californicus California Leaf-Nosed Bat Birds Myotis ciliolabrum Western Small-Footed Myotis Bat Aimophila botterii Botteri's Sparrow Myotis thysanodes Fringed Myotis Bat Aimophila carpalis Rufous-Winged Sparrow Myotis velifer Cave Myotis Bat Ammodramus bairdii Baird's Sparrow Sigmodon ochrognathus Yellow-Nosed Cotton Rat Asturina nitida maxima Northern Gray Hawk Athene cunicularia hypugaea Burrowing Owl Mollusks Buteo albonotatus Zone-Tailed Hawk Pyrgulopsis thompsoni Huachuca Springsnail Buteogallus anthracinus Common Black-Hawk Callipepla squamata Scaled Quail Reptiles Ceryle alcyon Belted Kingfisher Cnemidophorus burti stictogrammus Canyon Spotted Whiptail Chloroceryle americana Green Kingfisher Cnemidoporus opatae Huico de Oputo Colaptes chrysoides Gilded Flicker Eumeces callicephalus Mountain Skink Cyrtonyx montezumae Aplomado Falcon Plants Fish Amoreuxia gonzalezii Santa Rita Yellowshow Catostomus clarki Desert Sucker Aster potosinus Lemmon’s Aster Catostomus insignis Sonora Sucker Dryopteris patula var. rossii Mexican Shield Fern Catostomus wigginsii Matalote Opata Echinomastus erectocentrus var. Needle-spined Pineapple Cactus Cyprinodon macularius Desert Pupfish erectocentrus Cyprinodon macularius macularius Desert Pupfish Erigeron pringlei Pringle's Fleabane Gila intermedia Gila Chub Euphorbia macropus Woodland Spurge Graptopetalum bartramii Patagonia Mountain Leather-Petal Insects Hexalectris revolute Chisos Coral-Root Abedus herberti Giant Water Bug Hieracium pringlei Pringle's Hawkweed Ancyloxypha arene Tropical Least Skipper Macroptilium supinum Supine Bean Heterelmis stephani Stephan's Heterelmis Riffle Beetle Matelea (=Pherotrichis) balbisii Balbis (=Huachuca Milkweed Vine) Muhlenbergia dubioides Box Canyon Muhly

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 9 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Forest; or are harvested for economic interests. These objects or assemblages of material culture. Human species may not be adequately protected by managing uses of the land compatible with the protection of for ecological systems and may require specific biological diversity are an important part of the management actions or monitoring. Table 3 lists Cultural Heritage of the area (Table 12.4). additional species whose needs should be assessed during plan revision. Table 12.4 Elements of Cultural Heritage The Huachuca Mountains contain a wealth of prehistoric and historic influences. Visible and Opportunities for quiet and solitude physical remnants of previous human habitation of Opportunities for primitive recreation the area include built structures, physical sites, or

Desired Conditions

The Huachuca EMA remains situated in a landscape The Huachuca EMA contributes to the health and in which wide-ranging species (black bear, mountain recharge of the San Pedro Watershed, Davidson lion, deer, pronghorn, Mexican gray wolf, jaguar, coati, Canyon and the Cienega Creek watershed. and others) are able to move between the Huachuca Scenic resources, including geological features and EMA and the following: Santa Rita EMA, Whetstone EMA, Tumacacori EMA, lands in northern Mexico viewsheds, do not lose value from their current and other surrounding wildlands. classifications. Development around the Huachuca EMA does not Native species persist over large scales of time and prevent the continued use of prescribed fire and space. Viable populations of all native species are wildland fire as management tools. restored to natural patterns of abundance. Extirpated and imperiled native species return to their historical Ecological systems on the Huachuca EMA ranges. experience the natural pre-fire suppression burn Human uses on the Huachuca EMA are in both cycles. Burn cycles restore a broad mosaic pattern of habitat types that maintain the biological diversity short-term and long-term harmony with the expected for each vegetation type. High-intensity ecological health of the land. stand-replacing fires occur at pre-fire suppression The Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area intervals due to the composition of fire-adapted continues to be a high quality location for primitive vegetation types. recreation with opportunities to experience quiet and solitude. Wildlife and human visitors are free from direct disturbance and noise.

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-10 www.skyislandaction.org Conservation Assets

Conservation assets work on behalf of Forest fisheries and the health and recharge of the Cienega health on the Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area. Creek and Davidson Canyon watersheds. They will contribute to the Forest Service’s ability to Huachuca Area Fire Partners maintain ecological and social sustainability. The The Huachuca Area Fire Partners are an alliance of following emerged as strengths and opportunities for public and private groups that came together to conservation on the Huachuca Ecosystem restore and manage fire on 500,000 acres of land that Management Area. span from the San Pedro River on the east to the Audubon Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch Patagonia Mountains on the west. The group worked The Research Ranch is a cooperative partnership together to produce a Fire Management Plan based on among the National Audubon Society, U.S. Forest ecological rather than jurisdictional boundaries. Service, Bureau of Land Management, the Nature Managing fire in this way will help to return ecological Conservancy, Swift Current Land and Cattle systems to their pre-fire suppression composition and Company and The Research Ranch Foundation. The resiliency. The group continues to work on landscape Research Ranch provides ecosystem conservation level compliance and implementation. through restoration of natural processes, erosion Huachuca Important Bird Area control, eradication of exotic species, replanting of The Huachuca Important Bird Area encompasses native grasses and reestablishment of fire. The Ranch an area of the Huachuca Mountains surrounding is the location research on protecting the remaining Ramsey Canyon on the eastern side. Vegetative grassland ecosystems in the southwest, and is a leader communities consist primarily of Madrean montane in regional education and outreach. coniferous forest supporting Chihuahua and Apache Canelo Hills Coalition pine, and evergreen forest and woodland. This site The Coalition is a group of ranches in Santa Cruz supports 26 populations of avian “species of County working to improve water quality in Red Rock conservation concern” whose range in the U.S. is Canyon, a tributary to Sonoita Creek and the Upper limited to the Sky Islands of southern Arizona such as Santa Cruz watershed. The Coalition is working with the Buff-Breasted Flycatcher, Whiskered Screech Owl the Coronado Resource Conservation and and Elegant Trogon). Also found in this area are rare Development Area, Inc. on this project to address neo-tropical bird species (the Berylline sediment delivery by improving watershed health Hummingbird, Blue-Throated, Violet-Crowned, and through the implementation of best management White-Eared Hummingbirds, and Sulphur-Bellied practices that facilitate a rest-rotation grazing system Flycatcher. to maximize vegetation on the watershed. Ramsey Canyon Preserve Canelo Hills Preserve This preserve encompasses the spring-fed riparian This preserve is owned and managed by the environment of Ramsey Canyon on the eastern slopes Arizona chapter of The Nature Conservancy. It of the Huachuca Mountains. Owned and managed by protects one of the best remaining cienegas in The Nature Conservancy the preserve protects southern Arizona. Cienegas are dominated by sedges excellent riparian habitat that supports the and other herbaceous woody wetland plants. Endangered Chiricahua leopard frog. Over 170 species O’Donnell Creek is a small perennial stream that runs of birds are found on the preserve along with through the Cienega and supports a population of mountain lion, canyon tree frog, lemon lily, ridge- Gila Chub. The cienega also harbors a population of nosed rattlesnake and dozens of species of butterfly. the imperiled Canelo Hills ladies’ tresses. The preserve The reserve protects habitat for a number of sensitive contributes to the protection of rare species and native and imperiled species.

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 11 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Threats to the Forest: A Need for Change

The Coronado National Forest and surrounding ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION lands have experienced a variety of changes in the Past fire suppression has lead to a build up of dense twenty years since the current Forest Plan was written. fuels particularly in the pine-oak, ponderosa pine and Management concerns and threats exist in the Douglas fir habitats in mountainous areas. High fuel Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area that are not loads in these habitats create the potential for high- addressed in the Forest Plan, or have not been intensity stand replacing fires. These types of fires will adequately dealt through management. The plan have impacts on water infiltration in upland areas, revision will update existing management direction species composition, and watershed function and flow and add new management direction, both of which regimes. Drought exacerbated by human activity has should address these concerns. The following issues contributed to changes in watershed function and present challenges to ecological sustainability on the species composition. Huachuca EMA. Affected resources include: Apachean and ADJACENT LAND USES grassland savanna, Madrean pine-oak woodlands, Rapid growth of the city of Sierra Vista is creating a Madrean encinal; riparian systems and associated suburban fringe along the eastern boundary of the species, springs, ephemeral watercourses, seeps; all Forest. The Lone Mountain land exchange in the native vegetation types and their associated flora and southeastern portion of the Ecosystem Management fauna; native amphibian and fish species. Area is on the market and could be at threat for EXTRACTIVE USES development, which will almost certainly lead to more Livestock Grazing subdivision of land. This type of development Heavy grazing by cattle on the northern and threatens the integrity of wildlife corridors between western slopes of the Huachuca Mountains, mountain ranges, causes direct loss of wildlife habitat, particularly in riparian habitats within canyons and creates social resistance to grassland fires. presents a major localized threat on the EMA. Important wildlife linkages between the Huachuca Mountains and the San Pedro River Valley to the east Mining will suffer from continued development. This also Mining claims currently exist in the west area of leads to more areas of wildland/urban interface and Canelo Hills. There are known copper-porphyry, increases the threat of invasive species spreading from beccia-pipe, manganese, alunite and base- and surrounding developments onto the Forest. precious-metal deposits at various locations in the Resources likely affected by land development Patagonia Mountains and Canelo Hills but the Bureau adjacent to the EMA include: geological features, of Mines believes none are economically feasible for 11 springs, ephemeral watercourses, seeps, scenic commercial development. resources, all ecological systems, all native vegetation INVASIVE SPECIES types and their associated flora and fauna; species Crayfish pose a real problem to native populations particularly sensitive to direct human disturbance of fish and amphibians and the riparian habitat that (e.g., bats, lizards, desert box turtle, jaguar, ocelot, supports them. Stretches of Bear Creek, Cave Canyon, Mexican Spotted Owl, Coues’ white-tailed deer); Parker Canyon, Sycamore Canyon and Temporal wide-ranging species of terrestrial animals: mountain Gulch were all found to contain crayfish. These waters lion, jaguar, ocelot, black bear, white-nosed coati, support important populations of native fish and pronghorn, deer; prehistoric and historical sites, amphibians and are in close proximity to other structures, and artifacts; Apachean grassland and perennial stretches of water. Threats include predation savanna, Madrean pine-oak woodland, Madrean on and competition with native species. Affected encinal grasslands, and animal species dependent on species include Gila topminnow, longfish dace, fire-adapted vegetation communities (e.g., Mexican speckled dace, Chiricahua leopard frog and Sonoran Spotted Owl). tiger salamander.

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-12 www.skyislandaction.org ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM network, the precious few remaining roadless areas The Huachuca EMA contains the most extensive must be recognized and adequately protected. Core road network of any of the mountain ranges in the areas of roadless habitat help to protect the ecological Coronado National Forest. Increases in volume of integrity of the area and are an essential tool for the motorized users and user irresponsibility is creating Forest Service to maintain ecological sustainability. an expanding network of illegal user-created routes. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER The western portion of the Canelo Hills are heavily The Huachuca EMA is simultaneously threatened roaded. Because of their topography they are by foot and vehicular traffic from immigrants, particularly susceptible to widespread motorized smugglers and border patrol interdiction efforts and abuses. Threats include existing illegal user-created by the proposed construction of a border wall. routes and creation of new non-system unauthorized Although foot travel of migrating people often occurs roads, routes creating exclusive access, and lack of along washes and ridges rather than on designated enforcement of the legal authorized transportation hiking trails, there is heavy migrant foot traffic along system.11 The illegal and legal system of routes on the the Arizona Trail where it traverses the ridgeline of the Huachuca EMA contribute to extensive habitat Huachuca Mountains. Checkpoints along State fragmentation, soil erosion, water, air and noise Highway 90 to the east of the EMA affect the flow of pollution, and degradation of riparian vegetation. migrant traffic as attempts are made to avoid the Affected resources include: springs; ephemeral checkpoint. Impacts from migrant foot travel include watercourses; seeps; scenic resources, all ecological erosion due to off-trail walking especially in steep systems, all native vegetation types and their terrain and near waterways, deposition of trash, and associated flora and fauna, riparian plant and animal increased danger of uncontrollable wildfire at species, species especially sensitive to direct unnatural times of the year. disturbance, wide-ranging species of terrestrial Affected resources include: springs, all ecological animals, game species; prehistoric and historical sites, systems, all native vegetation types and their structures, and artifacts. associated flora and fauna, grasslands and savannas, SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS lowland flora and fauna, riparian vegetation and Brushy Peak, Canelo, and Mount Hughes roadless species, and vegetation and communities not adapted areas were not mentioned in the 2001 roadless rule. In to frequent fire. a Management Area with such an extensive road

Recommended Objectives and Management Actions

The Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area addresses threats will create a long-term framework (EMA) encompasses a broad diversity of habitat types for ecological health and sustainability in the and an array of imperiled species found nowhere else Huachuca EMA. To confront threats and capitalize on in the United States. The area contains outstanding conservation assets, we recommend the following riparian habitat that is essential to the health of native objectives and management actions to be fish in Arizona. These outstanding features of the incorporated into the revision of the Coronado Huachuca EMA should be a major focus and driver National Forest Plan and subsequent project level for future management of this area. New management activities. direction that shows foresight and proactively

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 13 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Adjacent Land Uses Objectives Actions Maintain wildlife corridors between the Huachuca EMA and (1) the Santa Coordinate management on the EMA with that of private land adjacent to it. Rita EMA, (2) the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area, (3) the Work collaboratively with Cochise County to influence land planning on lands northern Sierra Madre Occidental, (4) Las Cienegas NCA, and (5) other adjacent to the eastern side of the EMA. surrounding natural areas.

Ecological Restoration Objectives Actions Restore the pine-oak and mixed conifer ecological systems to a resilient Work to implement the Fire Management Plan written by the Huachuca Area forest that tolerates wildfire, flood, and insect infestation and contains a Fire Partners. mosaic of habitat. In the remaining mixed conifer and Madrean pine-oak woodland utilize Restore natural disturbance regimes to promote naturally functioning mechanical thinning and prescribed fire to return these ecological systems to ecosystem processes. their pre-fire suppression structure. Restore and maintain pre-fire suppression fire patterns and frequencies. Prevent catastrophic stand-replacing wildfires. Maintain the health and function of all watersheds.

Nonextractive Uses Objectives Actions Maintain recreational opportunities for people seeking quiet and solitude on Work closely with Tribes, nongovernmental organizations, and other experts to the Forest. identify and protect additional cultural resources. Maintain a balance between motorized and muscle powered quiet recreation Ban paintball activities on the EMA. opportunities. Designate sound sheds in which quiet recreation is the primary suitable use. Promote visitor appreciation of historical and cultural resources.

Roads/Transportation System Objectives Actions Reduce the transportation network to the minimum that is consistent with Enforce existing regulations that prohibit cross-country travel and off-highway the Travel Management Rule. vehicle use in restricted areas such as washes and special closure areas. Restore roaded areas degraded by indiscriminate driving. Enforce the restriction of motorized vehicles to current system routes. When the Prevent proliferation of wildcat roads. travel map is made final, enforce the use of the revised legal transportation system. Maintain opportunities for low-density, high-quality primitive outdoor experiences. Do not allow the construction of any new roads in the Huachuca EMA. Relieve pressure from off-road driving on National Forest law enforcement Close roads that are experiencing high levels of motorized recreation abuse staff. including roads from which drivers are creating new illegal roads.

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-14 www.skyislandaction.org Figure 12.3 Area Suitable for Wilderness and to be Managed for Wilderness Characteristics

Special Management Areas Objectives Actions Maintain the intact nature, and unfragmented habitat, of the Huachuca EMA. Properly map the Brushy Peak and Mount Hughes Roadless Areas and Maintain lands with wilderness characteristics. designate them as protected roadless areas. Do not allow any road incursion or construction of new roads in these areas. Maintain and enhance opportunities for primitive backcountry recreation. Manage 88,093 acres with outstanding wilderness characteristics to maintain their wilderness suitability. (See Figure 12.3 for a map of the area to be managed for wilderness suitability.)

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 15 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Wilderness

Miller Peak Wilderness highest peak in the Huachuca range topping out at an Miller Peak Wilderness was designated through the elevation of 9,455 feet. Characterized by sheer cliffs, passage of the Arizona Wilderness Act of 1984. this area is known for large, intensive fires. An Consisting of 22,228 acres, it encompasses some of the astounding diversity of wildlife has been identified most rugged country in southern Arizona. The here including 170 species of birds, 60 species of Wilderness area takes it name from Miller Peak, the reptiles and 78 species of mammals.

Special Management Areas

RESEARCH NATURAL AREAS Botanical Area and Red Rock Canyon Special Research Natural Areas are special management Management Area. areas established to protect land in perpetuity as Proposed Scotia Canyon Zoological and Botanical Area living, learning centers for ecological research and Scotia Canyon harbors perennial stream flow that ecosystem restoration. They should include broad supports a variety of sensitive and imperiled species. representation of the ecological diversity that occurs The area encompasses unique seep, creek and Cienega on the Forest. Two Research Natural Areas (RNA) habitat that has high restoration potential and currently exist in the Huachucas, Canelo Hills RNA contributes to the biological diversity of native and Elgin RNA. riparian dependent species. Canelo Hills Research Natural Area NAME: Scotia Canyon, Huachuca Mountains. Elgin Research Natural Area Cochise County, Arizona Elgin Research Natural Area encompasses 600 SIZE: 2,589 Acres acres comprised of National Forest, state and private BOUNDARIES: Scotia Canyon Watershed above lands. The land is in the transition zone between FR48. (See Figure 12.5) southwestern grasslands and oak savanna. Common oaks in the area include Mexican blue oak, and Emory ELEVATION: Approximately 5700 to 6400 feet oak. A diversity of grasses are present and include blue GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF AREA: Scotia Canyon lies gramma, sideoats gramma, plains lovegrass and kane on the southwestern slope of the Huachuca beardgrass. Topography varies from relatively flat Mountains in the upper San Pedro River subwatershed ridges to rolling slopes. Part of the area is located on at approximately 6,000 feet (see Project Location the National Audubon Society Research Ranch at Map). Uplands and slopes are characterized by oak Elgin. and pine-oak woodlands, while the riparian bottom SPECIAL INTEREST AREAS supports Arizona sycamore, walnut, and willows. The Special Interest Areas are designated to protect stream flows through approximately 1.5 miles of the unique values including botanical, zoological, canyon. Stream flow is perennial where the canyon is geological, historical, or scenic values. They may also constricted, and ephemeral where the canyon has be designated to protect and manage sensitive or greater width. imperiled species or other elements of biological Scotia Canyon is currently undergoing restoration diversity. Special Interest Areas help the Forest Service work. In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, the preserve important historic, cultural and natural U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Arizona Game and Fish aspects of our national heritage. The extraordinary Department, The Nature Conservancy, and Fort characteristics of the Huachuca Ecosystem Huachuca, Sky Island Alliance developed a restoration Management Area warrant the designation of two new plan to restore a more natural hydrological regime to Special Interest Areas, Scotia Canyon Zoological and the canyon and remove bullfrog breeding sites.

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-16 www.skyislandaction.org Figure 12.4 Scotia Canyon Proposed Zoological and Botanical Area

CURRENT USES: Scotia Canyon is actively grazed The canyon is particularly rich in sensitive species, during the winter by cattle as part of the Coronado including the federal endangered Huachuca water National Forest’s Lone Mountain Allotment. The umbel (Lilaeopsis schaffneriana var. recurva) and canyon is also popular with campers, hikers, critical habitat for this species; Huachuca springsnail birdwatchers, hunters, and off-highway vehicle (Pyrgulopsis thompsoni) — a candidate for federal enthusiasts. In recent years the canyon has received listing under the Endangered Species Act; and much use from undocumented immigrants, Mexican garter snake (Thamnophis eques), which has smugglers, and associated law enforcement (primarily been petitioned to be listed as a federal endangered U.S. Border Patrol). The canyon also adjoins the U.S. species and is an Arizona Game and Fish Department Army’s Fort Huachuca, which has unique security and (AGFD) Species of Special Concern. The Huachuca other management needs. Mountain population of the Mountain treefrog (Hyla wrightorum, a candidate for federal listing) breeds in JUSTIFICATION FOR DESIGNATION: Scotia Canyon contains a unique mid-elevation perennial spring, Scotia Canyon, is only known from a few sites, and is seep, creek and ciénega system. These types of Sky disjunct from other populations in the Sierra Madre Island region systems have been highly modified by Occidental and on the Mogollon Rim. The federal water diversion for human and livestock use, and threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Rana many that still retain some function are not perennial. chiricahuensis) and federal endangered Sonora tiger salamander (Ambystoma tigrinum stebbinsi) (both are

www.skyislandaction.org 12- 17 State of the Coronado Forest DRAFT 11.05.08 Figure 12.5 Scotia Canyon Proposed Zoological and Botanical Area

DRAFT 11.05.08 State of the Coronado Forest 12-18 www.skyislandaction.org AGFD draft Species of Special Concern) inhabited the RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE USE: A livestock canyon until recently. Restoration of habitat and and wildlife water will be constructed on the ridge just reestablishment of Sonora tiger salamanders in Scotia south and above the perennial reach of the stream to Canyon was recommended in the recovery plan for reduce livestock use in the canyon bottom. A water the salamander (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 2002). right exists for a small portion of spring flow from Scotia Canyon was also recommended as a Sylvania Spring before it enters Peterson Tank; this reestablishment site for Gila chub (Gila intermedia), a proposed special designation will not effect this water federal threatened species that is also on AGFD’s draft right nor the right of way established to allow access to Species of Special Concern, and longfin dace (Agosia the spring and waterline. With careful monitoring of chrysogaster, Stefferud and Stefferud 2004). We believe the flood and drought cycles of the canyon, livestock Scotia Canyon is also appropriate as habitat for the could be allowed in to help maintain some open water federal endangered Canelo Hills ladies’ tresses to add diversity to the spring, cienega and stream (Spiranthes delitescens). habitat. This small and fragile stream habitat should The Huachuca Mountains are unique and species- remain relatively secluded from the public and the rich due to their location in the transition between the growing local population recreating in the canyon Rocky Mountain species to the north and the should be managed intensively. To control public use subtropical thornscrub and Sierra Madrean species to the closure of motorized routes that cross the stream the south. It is likely that plant and animal species will should be seriously considered. Continued support for be discovered at this site that reach their northern the restoration plan and for long-term monitoring, most distribution making them rare in Arizona. maintenance, and management must be a priority in annual workplans and in long-term Forest Service planning.

1 Gimblett, R and C. Kahlow. 1997. Huachuca Mountain 7 Opler, M. E. 1941. An Apache Life-Way: The economic, Recreation and Associated Benefits of Leisure and Needs social, and religious institutions of the Chiricahua Indians. Assessment Study. Coronado National Forest, Sierra Vista University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, London. Ranger District, USDA Forest Service, Challenge Cost- 8 USFS. 1995. Share Program Final Report. 9 Barnes, W. C. 1988. Arizona Place Names. The University 2 S. Wilbor. 2004. Huachuca Mountains a chapter in The of Arizona Press. Tucson, Arizona. Arizona Important Bird Area Program Catalog of Important Bird Areas. Tucson Audubon Society. 10 Marshall, R.M., D. Turner, A. Gondor, D. Gori, C. Enquist, G. Luna, R. Paredes Aguilar, S. Anderson, S. 3 Reid, J., and S. Whittlesey. 1997. The Archeology of Schwartz, C. Watts, E. Lopez, P.Comer. 2004. An Ecological Ancient Arizona. University of Arizona Press, Tucson. Analysis of Conservation Priorities in the Apache Highlands 4 Wilson, J. P. 1995. Islands in the Desert: A History of the Ecoregion. Prepared by The Nature Conservancy of Uplands of Southeastern Arizona. University of New Arizona, Instituto del Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo Mexico Press, Albuquerque. Sustentable del Estado de Sonora, agency and institutional 5 United States Forest Service. 1995. Land Use History of partners. 152 pp. the San Rafael Valley, Arizona (1540-1960). General 11 United States Bureau of Mines. 1994. Mineral Appraisal Technical Report RM-GTR-269. USDA Forest Service, of Coronado National Forest, Part 7: Patagonia Mountains- Washinton D.C. Canelo Hills Unit. Intermountain Field Operations, 6 Thrapp, D. L. 1967. The Conquest of Apacheria. Denver, Colorado. 62 p + Appendices. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.

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