GWT Is a Great Idea
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United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service D R A F T Intermountain Region Ogden, Utah MARCH 2000 GREATGREAT WESTERNWESTERN TRAILTRAIL NATIONAL TRAIL STUDY D R A F T GREAT WESTERN TRAIL National Trail Study National Trail Study Great Western Trail March 2000 This report has been prepared to provide the United States Congress and the public with information about the feasibility of adding the Great Western Trail to the national Trails System. Publication and transmittal of this report, including any discussion of a course of action, should not be considered an endorsement or a commitment by the USDA Forest Service to seek or support either specific legislative authorization for the project or appropriations for its implementation. Authorization and funding for any new commitments by the USDA Forest Service will have to be considered in light of competing priorities for existing units of the Forest Service system and other programs. United States Department of Agriculture ~ Forest Service ~ Intermountain Region G R E A T W E S T E R N T R A I L i National Trail Study Great Western Trail March 2000 This National Trail Study presents information on the feasibility and desirability of adding the Great Western Trail to the National Trails System. The study concludes that the Great Western Trail is a nationally significant trail that meets National Trails System Act requirements. The study concludes that establishing a continuous trail is physically feasible. The study concludes that desirability of recognizing the trail is dependent upon the level of community involvement and support available. Also, that adequate funding must be ensured at the time of designation of the trail. The study examines four alternatives for designation of the trail under existing National Trails System categories. The study also examines two alternatives under the proposed Na- tional Discovery Trail category. Agencies and the public may comment during the 30-day draft review period ending April 14, 2000. Comments should be addressed to: USDA Forest Service Great Western Trail Study 2647 Kimberly Road East Twin Falls, ID 83301-7976 Attn: Roshanna Stone For additional information, please write to the above address or telephone (208) 737-3223. G R E A T W E S T E R N T R A I L iii Table of Contents Summary ............................................................................................. 3 Introduction ............................................................................................. 9 Description of the Trail ........................................................................................... 11 The Role of the USDA Forest Service ..................................................................... 11 Development of the Great Western Trail Proposal ................................................... 11 Public Interest and Attitudes ................................................................................... 12 Great Western Trail Concept ................................................................................... 14 Existing State of the Trail ........................................................................................ 15 Other Trail Designation .......................................................................................... 16 Criteria for National Trails ........................................................................................... 25 National Scenic Trails ........................................................................................... 25 National Historic Trails........................................................................................... 26 National Recreation Trails ....................................................................................... 26 Connecting and Side Trails ..................................................................................... 26 Other Trail Categories ........................................................................................... 27 National Discovery Trails .............................................................................. 27 Future Planning Requirements................................................................................ 27 Description of Proposed Trail Corridor ........................................................................ 31 Historic Sites and Recreation Opportunities ........................................................... 31 Arizona ........................................................................................... 31 Utah ........................................................................................... 34 Idaho ........................................................................................... 38 Wyoming ........................................................................................... 42 Montana ........................................................................................... 42 Major Trails in Vicinity of Great Western Trail........................................................ 46 Connector Routes ........................................................................................... 49 Planning Process ........................................................................................... 53 Study Scope ........................................................................................... 54 Issues ........................................................................................... 57 Resource Protection ........................................................................................... 57 Trail Access ........................................................................................... 58 Trail Conflict ........................................................................................... 58 Economics and Social Environment ........................................................................ 58 G R E A T W E S T E R N T R A I L v Alternatives ........................................................................................... 61 Purpose ........................................................................................... 61 Benefits of National Trail Designation .................................................................... 61 Vision for the Trail ........................................................................................... 62 Resource Protection ...................................................................................... 63 Trail Management ......................................................................................... 63 Economics and Social Environment .............................................................. 63 List of Alternatives ........................................................................................... 63 Alternative A: No-Action Alternative............................................................ 64 Alternative B: National Scenic Trail (Mexico to Canada) .............................. 66 Alternative C: National Scenic Trail (Arizona, Utah, eastern Idaho, western Wyoming) ......................................................... 70 Alternative D: No National Trail Designation – Coordinated Administration and Management ..................................... 70 Other Alternatives to be Considered if a National Discovery Trail Category is Created .......................................................... 72 Alternative E: National Discovery Trail (Mexico to Canada)......................... 72 Alternative F: National Discovery Trail (Arizona, Utah, eastern Idaho, western Wyoming) ......................................................... 74 Alternatives Considered but Eliminated from Further Study ................................... 75 National Recreation Trail .............................................................................. 75 National Historic Trail .................................................................................. 75 National Scenic Trail (Federal Lands only) .................................................... 75 National Discovery Trail (Federal Lands only) ............................................... 75 Affected Environment ........................................................................................... 79 Introduction ........................................................................................... 79 Natural Resources Overview ................................................................................... 79 Threatened and Endangered Species ....................................................................... 83 Heritage Resources ........................................................................................... 83 Prehistory ........................................................................................... 83 History ........................................................................................... 84 Historic Sites ........................................................................................... 84 Scenic and Visual Resources .................................................................................... 85 Socio-Economic Environment ................................................................................ 87 Demographics ........................................................................................... 87 Visitor Use ........................................................................................... 87 Recreation Trends.........................................................................................