93d Congress, 2d Session ------House Document No. 93-31!)

PROPOSALS FOR THE ADDITION OF FIFTEEN NEW AREAS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE TRANSMITTING

PROPOSALS FOR THE ADDITION OF FIFTEEN NEW AR- EAS TO THE NATIONAL WILDERNESS PRESERVATION SYSTEM, THE AUGMENTATION OF TWO PREVIOUSLY- SUBMITTED PROPOSALS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS AGAINST INCLUSION IN THE SYSTEM OF SEVEN ROAD- LESS AREAS STUDIED, PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF THE WILDERNESS ACT OF 1964 [16 USC 1132]

PART 2

HAVASU and And additions to previously submitted proposals PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT AND SEQUOIA-KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK CALIFORNIA

JUNE 13, 1974. — Message and accompanying' papers referred to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs and ordered to be printed with illustrations

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON : 1974 34-K1I3 () LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

To the Congress of the United States: There is no greater challenge facing America today than the dis- covery and development of new energy resources. As we move toward national self-sufficiency in energy, however, we must be diligent in protecting and preserving our natural heritage of unspoiled wilderness areas and the ecosystems which they support. With this goal in mind, and pursuant to the Wilderness Act of 1964, I am today proposing 15 new additions to our National Wilderness Pres- ervation System. These additions comprise more than 6 million acres and would nearly double existing wilderness acreage. I would also like to take this opportunity to urge once again that Congress enact the eastern wilderness legislation I recently submitted, now embodied in legislation labeled S. 2487 and H.R. 10469. On May 31, the Senate passed a bill which would designate certain wilderness areas in the Eastern United States. The Senate bill, I believe, is inadequate. I urge the House to give early and favorable consideration to wilder- ness legislation incorporating the Administration proposal, and I urge the Congress to adopt it as the most balanced approach to studying and designating wilderness areas in the Eastern United States. Briefly described, the additions I am proposing today are: (1) Crater Lake National Park, Oregon-122,400 acres. Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the country and, in its ancient caldera setting, one of the most beautiful. The lake is surrounded by rugged and varied ter- rain, most of which is recommended for wilderness designation. (2) Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, California-2,510 acres of Sonoran desert land. Located in one of the hottest and driest areas of the country —rainfall averages only 4.73 inches per year—this refuge is the home of such rare or endangered species as the Yuma clapper rail, the Gila monster, and the peregrine falcon. (3) Semidi National Wildlife Refuge, Alaska-256,000 acres com- prising nine islands and surrounding submerged lands in the western Gulf of Alaska. The refuge's fragile estaurine system is a breeding ground for vast colonies of sea birds and other forms of wildlife. (4) Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge, Hawaii—1,742 acres on various islets and reefs distributed among some 800 miles of ocean between the main Hawaiian Islands and Midway Island. Among the rare forms of wildlife found within this refuge are the Laysan teal, found only on Laysan Island; the Hawaiian monk seal; and the green sea turtle. (5) Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge, Illinois —4,050 acres. This refuge is a haven for such migratory waterfowl as Canada geese, snow and blue geese, and mallard ducks. (6) Zion National Park, Utah —120,620 acres. This park is a superla- tive example of the effect of erosion on an uplifted plateau. The great bulk of its towering peaks and pinnacles, arches, and natural bridges are recommended for wilderness designation. (7) Katmai National Monument, Alaska —2,603,547 acres. Situated near the base of the Alaskan Peninsula, this massive area comprises three entirely different ecosystems: a coastal area dotted with fjord- like bays; a mountainous area atop ancient volcanic basement rocks; and a plain crisscrossed by lakes of glacial origin. (8) Rice Lake and Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuges, Minne- sota—1,407 acres. Consisting largely of bog, forest, and lakes, Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge supports a variety of birds, notably the ring- necked duck. Both of the islands which constitute the small, nearby Mille Lacs National Wildlife Refuge are also included in this recommendation. (9) Glacier National Park, Montana —927,550 acres. Located in the Rocky Mountains of Montana, this park—nearly all of which is suitable for wilderness designation —contains some 50 small glaciers and 200 lakes. (10) Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Montana-32,350 acres. Although it harbors a multitude of ducks, as well as such mam- mals as moose, elk, deer, and antelope, the primary purpose of this refuge is to protect the once-rare trumpeter swan, largest of all Amer- ican waterfowl. (11) Olympic National Park, Washington —862,139 acres. The home of more than 50 wildlife species, this landscape of rain forests and sea- shore lies in the wettest winter climate in the lower 49 States. (12) Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota —2,138 acres. One of the most important sanctuaries along the Mississippi Flyway, this area hosts thousands of pairs of ducks during the annual nesting season. (13) Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado —239,835 acres char- acterized by massive peaks, Alpine lakes, and mountain forests. Among the wildlife found here are wapiti, mule deer, and bighorn sheep. (14) Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge, Vermont—620 acres. Lo- cated less than a mile from the Canadian border, this refuge supports primarily waterfowl but also a population of 100 whitetail deer, a spe- cies which was all but nonexistent in this area 30 years ago. (15) Unimak Island (Aleutian Islands National Wildlife Refuge), Alaska —973,000 acres. A rich diversity of wildlife, including the Alaskan brown bear and the one-rare sea otter, inhabit this island. Its scenic coastline, rugged mountains, and volcanic remnants make the island ideal for the study of interrelated marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In addition, two proposals which have been previously submitted — Pinnacles National Monument and Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Parks, all in California —have been augmented by sufficient acreage to warrant resubmission to the Congress. The enlargements, which are attributable to revised management philosophy and plans and the re- cent acquisition of private inholdings, amount to 5,970 acres in the case of Pinnacles and 68,800 acres in the case of Sequoia-Kings Canyon. Three other areas —previously proposed —Cabeza Prieta Game Range, Arizona; Desert National Wildlife Range, Nevada; and Glacier Bay National Monument, Alaska—contain surface lands suitable for wilderness designation. However, because two of these areas are open to mining, and all three may contain minerals vital to the national in- terest and have not been subjected to adequate mineral surveys, I am recommending that action on these proposals be deferred pending the completion of such surveys. After a review of roadless areas of 5,000 acres or more and roadless islands, the Secretary of the Interior has concluded that seven areas are not suitable for preservation as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. These are: Savannah National Wildlife Refuge, Georgia; Little Pend Oreille National Wildlife Refuge and Turnbull Na- tional Wildlife Refuge, Washington; Bowdoin National Wildlife Refug-e and the National Bison Range, Montana; National Elk Refuge, Wyo- ming; and Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin. In addition to this message, I am transmitting herewith to the Congress letters and reports from the Secretary of the Interior regard- ing these wilderness proposals. I concur with the recommendation of the Secretary in each case, and I urge the Congress to give early and favorable consideration to all of these proposals. RICHARD NIXON. THE WHITE HOUSE, June is, 1974. United States Department of the Interior

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240

March 27, 1974

Dear Mr. President:

It is with pleasure that I reconmend the establishment of areas totaling approximately 2,510 acres in Havasu National Wildlife Refuge as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System.

The recommendation stems from this Department's responsibility under the Wilderness Act (78 Stat. 890) to recommend to the President areas within its jurisdiction suitable for designation as wilderness. Having reviewed potential areas in Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, we conclude that 2,510 of the refuge's 1)1,^95 acres should be designated wilderness.

The Havasu Refuge is located in the Sonoran desert, along the lower in western Arizona and eastern California. It was established by Executive Order in 19^1 to protect and manage wildlife on the area flooded when Parker Dam was constructed. The refuge lies in one of the hottest and driest areas of the country: it has an average annual rainfall of only ^.73 inches. At least ho species of mammals, 265 of birds, and 20 of reptiles and insects have been observed on the refuge. Among the rare or endangered species found within its borders are the Yuma clapper rail, the gila monster, and the peregrine falcon.

The refuge is divided into three distinct management units—Topock Marsh, Bill Williams Delta and Topock Gorge. The Topock Marsh Unit lies north of Topock, Arizona, where U. S. Highway 66 crosses the Colorado River. This unit is extensively developed and managed for waterfowl, and additional development is planned. None of this unit is suitable for wilderness designation.

The Bill Williams Delta is downstream about 20 air miles from the south end of the Topock Gorge Unit. Though not developed, the area is shaped in a slender band such that the highway which runs its length renders a wilderness experience in this area all but impossible. Thus, the reconmended wilderness area centers on the third management unit in the refuge—Topock Gorge, which extends downstream into both states approximately 17 miles below Topock, Arizona. The proposed wilderness originally comprised 17»ll6 acres within this unit—14,606 in the Mojave Mountains of Arizona and 2,510 in the of California.. However, it has been determined that mineral rights owned by the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad Company on alternate sections of land on the Arizona side of the river preclude designation of any land on that side as wilderness. Therefore, the proposal encompasses only the 2,510-acre portion of the Topock Gorge unit on the California side of the river. The area covered by the proposal is withdrawn from entry under the mining and mineral leasing laws and has no known mineral value.

In accordance with the requirements of the Wilderness Act, a public hearing on the recommendation was held at City, Arizona, on December 10, 1971» and continued in Needles, California, on December 11. Analyses of the hearing records and written expressions received, to- gether with the letters received from other Federal agencies, are con- tained in the enclosed synopsis. Complete records have been compiled and are available for inspection by the public.

Enclosed is a draft bill which, if enacted, would incorporate the recommended area of Havasu National Wildlife Refuge into the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Sincerely yours,

Assistant Secretary of the Interior

The President The White House Washington, D. C. 20500

Enclosures A B I.LL.

To designate certain lands in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, San Bernardino County, California as wilderness.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the

United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in accordance with section 3(c) of the Wilderness Act of September 3, 196U (78 Stat. 890,

892; 16 U.S.C. 1132(c)), certain lands in the Havasu National Wildlife

Refuge, California, which comprise about 2,510 acres and which are depicted on a map entitled "Havasu Wilderness Proposal" and dated

December 1971 (Revised February 197*0» are designated as wilderness.

The map shall be on file and available for public inspection in the offices of the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, Department of the Interior.

SEC. 2. As soon as practicable after this Act takes effect, a map •. *\ •' of the wilderness area and a description of its boundaries shall be filed with the Interior and Insular Affairs Committees of the United

States Senate and House of Representatives, and such map and description shall have the same force and effect as if included in this Act: Provided, however, That correction of clerical and typographical errors in such description and map may be made.

SEC. 3. The wilderness area designated by this Act shall be known as the "Havasu Wilderness" and shall be administered by the Secretary of the Interior in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Wilderness

Act governing areas designated by that Act as wilderness areas, and any

• reference in such provisions to the Secretary of Agriculture shall be deemed to be a reference to the Secretary of the Interior. Public Hearing Analysis ^Havasu Wilderness Proposal

A public hearing to receive comments upon the Needles Wilderness Proposal was held in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, on December 10 and continued in Needles, California, on December 11, 1971. The hearing record remained open until January 11, 1972 so that written statements could be submitted for consideration.

* One State Senator from California, the Chemehuevi Tribal Council, the Arizona Game and Fish Department, the California Department of Fish and Game, 32 "conservation" organizations, one four-wheel drive . organization, and 137 individuals indicated support for the estab- lishment of a wilderness area on the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge. The Bureau of Reclamation concurred in the wilderness proposal sub- mitted at the public hearing.

The Arizona Water Commission, the Colorado River Board of California and the Department of Defense submitted statements expressing no objection to the proposal.

The Mohave County Board of Supervisors opposed the Inclusion of the 3 sections where mineral claims have been filed.

I The Mayor of Needles, California, 3 mining organizations, one development corporation, one civic club and 5 individuals expressed opposition to wilderness designation.

34-893 O - 14 - pt. 2 - 2 The Public Hearing

A total of 26 statements were presented during the two day hearing. Three speakers took no position on the proposal, nineteen speakers supported wilderness designation and 4 speakers opposed wilderness designation. The Wilderness Society was represented twice, once 1n Lake Havasu City and once in Needles, with both speakers supporting wilderness designation.

ARIZONA

Thirteen statements were made with 2 speakers taking no position on wilderness and 11 statements supporting wilderness designation.

Public Officials Mr. Chris Corr, representing Congressman Sam Steiger, made a brief statement with no reference to the wilderness proposal.

No statement was made by Governor Williams, Senator Fannln, Senator Goldwater or Representatives Rhodes and Udall.

State Departments and Agencies Robert D. Curtis, representing the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, presented a statement supporting wilderness designation of a portion of the Havasu Refuge, but suggesting several changes to the Bureau proposal. Mr. Curtis suggested that the proposal name be changed to the "Topock Gorge Wilder- ness", that the wilderness extend down to the main channel of the Colorado River, that the wilderness be expanded to in- clude all refuge lands south to Oops Landing on the Arizona shore and Clear Bay on the California shore (adding approxi- mately 1,700 acres to the proposal), and that the Bureau begin studies to designate this portion of the river as a "wild river".

Local Officials and Agencies No statements were presented by or for local officials and agencies.

Federal Departments and Agencies No statements were presented by or for any Federal Department or Agency.

Organizations and Individuals Nine statements were presented representing 12 conservation organizations. All 12 organizations endorsed establishment of a wilderness area within the Havasu Refuge with boundaries extending down to "the water", designation of the river as a "wild river", and the addition of land to the refuge at Bill Williams Delta with the establishment of a wilderness unit east of'State Highway 95. The river boundary supported by these organizations varied from "the water's edge" to "the main river channel". Ten organizations suggested that the proposal name be changed to "Topock Gorge Wilderness". Six organizations supported expansion of the wilderness south to Jops Landing and Clear Bay.

One individual expressed concern about boating access to the refuge, but did not comment upon the wilderness proposal.

One individual endorsed the Bureau proposal with the qualifi- cation that he be permitted access to certain mining claims which he has filed immediately adjacent to the proposal.

CALIFORNIA

Thirteen statements were made with 1 speaker taking no position on wilderness, 8 speakers supporting wilderness designation and 4 speakers opposed to wilderness designation.

Public Officials Mr. Elgin T. Gates, speaking both as an individual and as a representative of State Senator Coombs, made a statement opposing wilderness on the basis that future management "would" close the area to hunting, fishing and free boating access.

No statement was made by Governor Reagan, Senator Cranston, Senator Tunney nor the 38 Representatives from California.

State Departments and Agencies Mr. Eldon D. Smith, representing the California Department of 34-893 O - 74 - pt. 2 (Face p. 12)

TABULATION OF RESPONSE TO PROPOSAL BY ORGANIZATIONS Supporting Wilderness Opposing Wilderness Boundary at Water's Bureau Proposal Boundary at Edge and Wild River Water's Edge Designation 1. Chemehuevi Tribal 1. Desert Protective 1. Arizona Conservation 1. Phelps Dodge Corporation Council Council Council 2. American Mining Congress 2. School of Biological 2. Needles Gem and 2. Arizona Wildlife Federa- Sciences, University Mineral Club tion 3. Mohave County Small Mine of California Operators Association 3. The Wilderness 3. Arizona Chapter - The 3. Federation of Western Society Wildlife Society 4. Havasu Heights Ranch and Outdoor Clubs Development Corp. 4. Kenai Peninsula 4. Chemehuevi Environmental 4.- Nevada Open Spaces Chapter, Alaska Con- Council 5. Needles Lions Club Council servation Society 5. Arizonans for Quality 5. Garden Club of Environment America 6. Tucson Audubon Socient 6. Michigan United Conservation Clubs 7. Audubon Institute of Desert Ecology 7. National Four-Wheel Drive Association 8. Marlcopa Audubon Society 3. Ecology Club of San 9. Arizona Citizens For Diego High School Environmental Control 10. The Sierra Club 11. The Wilderness Society 12. Izaak Walton League 13. The Conservation League 14. National Parks and Conservation Assoc. 16. saguaro High School Conservation and Ecology Club. 16.- San Diego Ecology Center 17. San Diego Zero Population Growth 18. San Diego Friends of the Earth 19. Grossmont College Ecology Workshop 20. Wilderness Workshop 21. Help - The Tule Elk 22. Arizonans For Quality Environment Fish and Game, presented a statement which supported the Bureau's wilderness proposal.

Local Officials and Agencies Mrs. Francis Stillman, Chairwoman of the Fort Mohave Tribal Council, presented a statement posing questions concerning refuge programs but making no reference to the wilderness proposal.

Mr. fdward "Tito" Smith, Vice-Chairman of the Chemehuevi Tribal Council, presented a statement supporting the Bureau's proposal and suggesting that the name be changed to the "Chemehuevi-Mohave Wilderness Area".

Mr. Pete Jewell, Mayor of Needles, made a statement opposing wilderness designation because he felt such a designation would restrict growth of the Needles comraunity.

Federal Departments and Agencies No statements were presented by or for any Federal Department or Agency.

Organizations and Individuals

One raining organization presented a statement opposing wilder- ness designation because of the restrictions on mineral entry and access to ore deposits within the proposal. Three conservation organizations presented statements supporting wilderness. One conservation organization supported wilderness designation with boundaries at the main channel of the Colorado River and also supported enlargement of the Bill Williams Delta and the establishment of a wilderness unit east of State High- way 95. One conservation organization supported wilderness designation with the boundary established as the banks of the Colorado River channel, with the name changed to Topock Gorge Wilderness, with designation of the river channel as a "wild river", and with enlargement of the Bill Williams Delta and establishment of a wilderness unit east of State Highway 95. One organization supported wilderness designation - "with the river included".

One individual expressed opposition to wilderness, because of the restrictions on access and his belief that the public would be "closed out" of the area.

Three individuals supported wilderness. One supported the Bureau proposal without qualification and two supported in- clusion of the river as wilderness.

Correspondence

FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES

The Department of Justice, Federal Power Commission, Assistant Secretary of the Interior Dole, and Assistant Secretary of Commerce Wake!in acknowledged receipt of the public hearing announce- ment and advised that their agencies had no comment upon the pro- posal.

The Bureau of Reclamation submitted a statement concurring in the wilderness proposal, "on the basis that the boundaries are in ac- cordance with our letter of October 6, 1971, on this subject and Its enclosure". The proposal does agree with those submitted in the subject letter.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Sheridan submitted a state- ment indicating no objections to the proposal.

The Geological Survey submitted a statement pointing out that they had made no mineral survey of the proposal area and stating, "we have no comments on the mineral potential of the area".

The Forest Service submitted a statement posing several questions concerning the proposal and indicating concern over the inclusion of the Chemehuevi unit and a portion of the Mohave unit because of their proximity to the river and the fact that these areas "...would be subject to the sight and sound of power boats which would invade the solitude ...". i ARIZONA

Statements were received from 2 State Agencies, one local agency, 9 organizations and 60 citizens. Public Officials No written statements were received from Governor Williams, Senator Fannin, Senator Goldwater, nor from Representatives Rhodes, Steiger and Udall.

No statements were received from any of the public officials 1n Arizona.

State Departments and Agencies The Arizona Department of Health acknowledged receipt of the public hearing material.

The Arizona Water Commission submitted a statement indicating no objection to the proposal. This statement did object to Inclusion of the Colorado River and its banks into wilderness and to designation of this portion of the river as a "wild river".

Local Officials and Agencies The Mohave County Board of Supervisors opposed inclusion of the 3 sections of land with mineral claims into the wilderness proposal. The Board made no other comment regarding the pro- posal .

I Organizations and Individuals Two mining organizations and one development corporation sub- mitted statements opposing wilderness designation. The mining organizations indicated opposition because of the lack of a mineral survey, because the two access trails and mine shafts disqualified the area for wilderness and because the proposal discriminated against persons without boats to provide access to the area. The development corporation ob- jected because of the restriction upon mining, because of the trails which disqualified the area for wilderness con- sideration and because portions of the proposal are suitable for development and livestock grazing.

Six conservation organizations supported wilderness designa- tion with extension of the boundaries to the water or to the river channel and designation of the channel as a "wild river". Two of the organizations supported changing the name to Topock Gorge Wilderness, and 5 supported the addition of lands to the refuge at Bill Williams Delta with the designa- tion of a wilderness unit east of State Highway 95.

Sixty statements from individuals were received with 58 supporting wilderness designation. Nine of these citizens supported the Bureau proposal, 6 supported establishment of the boundary at the water's edge or at the river channel, 3 supported the proposal with the river channel designated as a "wild river", and 40 supported establishment of the boundary at the water or river channel and designation of

34-893 O - 74 - pt. 2 - 3 the channel as a "wild river". Two Individuals supported changing the name to Topock Gorge Wilderness, one opposed the name change, one supported closing the area Immediately to mineral entry and 40 supported the addition of land at Bill Williams Delta and establishment of a wilderness unit east of State Highway 95. |

Of the two individuals opposing wilderness, one offered no reasons and one objected to "land grabbing" by the Department of the Interior.

CALIFORNIA

Statements were received from 2 elected officials, 2 state agencies, ' i 6 organizations and 43 individuals.

Public Officials Congressman Edward R. Roybal acknowledged receipt of the public hearing packet and indicated he would follow the recommendations of Congressman Pettis.

California State Senator Clark L. Bradley submitted a statement supporting wilderness designation. > State Departments and Agencies The California Department of Fish and Game supported the Bureau proposal. The Colorado River Board of California

10 expressed concern over the vague description of the boundaries and offered no objection to the proposal if the backwaters were excluded.

Local Officials and Agencies No statements were received.

Organizations and Individuals Four organizations supported wilderness designation, three with the boundary at the water or river channel and one supported the Bureau proposal. One organization acknow- ledged receipt of the public hearing packet, but made no comment concerning wilderness.

One organization opposed wilderness designation because of restricted access, restriction upon the economy of Needles and suggested that the refuge become a part of the National Park System.

One organization supported changing the proposal name to "Topock Gorge Wilderness" and one supported the addition of lands at Bill Williams Delta and establishment of a wilder- ness unit east of State Highway 95.

A total of 43 statements from individuals were received with 41 supporting wilderness and two opposing wilderness designa- tion. The two statements objecting to wilderness were both from the same individual who opposed "the denial of personal rights" and questioned the Bureau's authority to "make these decisions" in his first letter submitted prior to the public hearing. In his second letter, submitted after the hearing, he presented 4 actions that should be accom- plished prior to designation: (1) development of trails and campsites; (2) placing breaks, for animal access to water, in the fence he believes surrounds the proposal; (3) issuance of a policy statement disclaiming ownership over any part of the Colorado River and; (4) insurance that the use and occupancy of the river for boating, anchoring of boats and use of the shore line for picnicking and emergency campsites be continued.

Of the 41 statements supporting wilderness, 16 supported the Bureau's proposal, 7 supported a wilderness boundary at the water, 2 supported wild river designation of the river channel and 16 supported a wilderness boundary at the water and wild river designation of the river channel. Seventeen of these individuals also supported the addition of lands to the refuge at Bill Williams Delta and establishment of a wilderness unit east of State Highway 95. CORRESPONDENCE FROM OTHER STATES

Statements from 12 organizations and 34 individuals were received, all supporting wilderness designation. Five organizations and 22 Individuals supported the Bureau proposal, 2 organizations and 1 individual supported wilderness with the boundary at the water or river channel, and 5 organizations and 11 individuals supported wilderness to the water or river channel with the channel desig- nated as a "wild river". One organization supported changing the name to Topock Gorge Wilderness and extending the boundaries to Jops Landing and Clear Bay, while 4 organizations and 9 individuals supported the addition of lands to the refuge at Bill Williams Delta and establishment of a wilderness unit east of State Highway 95.

Suggested Changes To The Wilderness Proposal

Several changes to the Bureau proposal were suggested at the public hearing and in correspondence received for the official record. None of these suggestions were incorporated into the proposal and the recommendations submitted are those approved by the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and pre- sented at the public hearing.

1. Extend the wilderness boundary to the main channel of the Colorado River. 2. Extend the wilderness boundaries to "the water", assumed to mean the water's edge.

Such a boundary would be extremely difficult to describe. Water levels reflect power and irrigation demands at Davis Dam, fluctuating as much as 2-3 vertical feet daily and 10-12 vert.ical feet seasonally. This boundary would also be altered by siltation and other changes in river conditions.

While this boundary would not prohibit maintenance and enhancement of wildlife habitat in the backwaters, it would interfere with these programs by prohibiting the placement of support facilities on the shore.

These restrictions would also interfere with operations by the Bureau of Reclamation in their programs.

3. Extend the wilderness boundaries south to Jops Landing on the Arizona shore and Clear Bay on the California shore.

This suggestion would result in two narrow fingers of wilderness immediately adjacent to intensive developments • Crystal Hills Subdivision in Arizona and the Chemehuevi Indian Reservation in California. The lands proposed in- clude no significant scenic, geologic or historic features and their designation as wilderness would create major administrative problems. 4. Change the name of the proposal to "Topock Gorge Wilderness". —

The term Topock Gorge is a modern term which has come into usage with the various governmental agencies since initiation of their programs on the river. Proponents of this name rationalize that publicity concerning dredging in the Topock Gorge unit has popularized the name into common usage. While this is true, the gorge area has historically been called "Mohave Canyon" and 1s so named on U.S.G.S. topographic maps. A further con- sideration is that the proposal does not include Topock Gorge, only those lands adjacent to this topographic feature.

The name Needles has historically been used to describe the rugged peaks which were landmarks to early travelers in the region and its usage dates back well over a hundred years. . The proposal does include these formations.

5. Designate the main channel of the Colorado River as a wild or scenic river.

The Colorado River, as it passes through the Topock Gorge unit, is considerably influenced by Lake Havasu, the reservoir impounded by Parker Dam. The river current is significantly slowed as far up river as Topock Marsh which was created as a result of the slowing of the river flow. Today, river flows through Topock Gorge are determined by releases from Davis Dam. Irrigation and power demands result in significant daily, weekly and annual variations in the river flows. The river could hardly be considered a free-flowing, natural condition, an essential requirement for designation as a wild or scenic river.

6. Add lands to the refuge at Bill Williams Delta and designate those refuge lands east of State Highway 95 as a wilderness unit.

A withdrawal of lands for addition to the refuge at the Bill Williams Delta has been under consideration since the mid-1950's. The addition of these lands to the Havasu Refuge was a part of the Lower Colorado River Land Use Plan and, as such, was approved by the various agencies who concurred in the plan. Attainment of refuge objectives will require habitat management and development of certain portions of this area for wild- life purposes, particularly feeding areas for migratory waterfowl. Designation as wilderness would preclude these management activities. A 440-acre research natural area has been recommended within the Bill Williams Delta unit. THE WILDERNESS PROPOSAL

Nationawr j ° ln ifafWildlify ° 11 TI 'B • <^e "w^fRefugc f> j> e

ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA THE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

The Refuge System is a National network of lands: and waters managed ami safeguarded for preservation and enhancement of the human benefits associated with wildlife and their environments. It presently consists of over M20 units, embracing nearly HO million acres in 46 States. About 90 refuges containing 25 million acres in over 30 States qualify for wtudy under the Wilderness Act. WILDERNESS ACT

The Wilderness Act of September 3, 1964 (Public Law 88-577) requires that the Secretary of the Interior review every roadless area of five thousand contiguous acres or more and every roadless island, regardless of size, within the National Wildlife Refuge System within ten years after the effective date of the Act, and report to the President of the United States his recommendation as to the suitability or nonsuitability of each such area or island for preservation as wilderness. A recommendation of the President for designa- tion as wilderness will not become effective unless provided by an Act of Congress. In defining wilderness, the Act also included areas of less than 5,000 acres that are of sufficient size to make practica- ble its preservation and use in an unimpaired condition. Sections 4(a) and (b) of the Wilderness Act provided that: (1) the Act is to be within and supplemental to the purposes for which National Wildlife Refuges are established and (2) Wilderness areas shall be administered so as to preserve their wilderness character and shall be devoted to the public purposes of,recreational, scenic, scientific, educational, con- servation, and historical use, insofar as primary refuge pur- poses permit. Wilderness designation does not remove or alter an area's status as a National Wildlife Refuge. This brochure describes a national wildlife refuge that has been studied by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife at the direction of the Secretary of the Interior to determine its potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preserva- : System, INTRODUCTION Havasu National Wildlife Refuge straddles the Lower Colorado River about halfway be- tween Las Vegas, Nevada and the Mexican Border. Its 41,495 acres of river, marsh and upland desert are distributed along the River from Needles, California to Lake Havasu City and near Parker Dam. The Refuge was established by Executive Order in 1941 to protect and manage the wild- TOPOCK CORCK life resources of the area flooded when Parker Tht' l-oposi'rf A'< '('

Stt>arn!>(iat of the Ires Expedition 1857 %*«££ .>v:.>V:'' ' >•-"/ The Refuge lies within the northern confines of the Sono- ran Desert — one of North America's hottest and driest regions. Through this area flows the Colorado River creating . a winding ribbon of green in sharp contrast with the harsh- ness of the surrounding upland desert. The three refuge units exemplify this contrast. Topock Marsh Unit provides the bulk of the waterfowl habitat. Its 16.000 acres have been developed into a vast network of channels and ponds interlacing cattail-bulrush stands. The Bill Williams Delta at the mouth of the Bill Williams River near Parker Dam is isolated from the remainder of the Refuge. This 1744-acre mud delta sustains a varied plant and animal life. A dense woodland of cottonwood and willow on parts of the Delta provide habitat that has virtually dis- appeared from the Lower Colorado. It is bisected by a high- way and a highway bridge. The proposed Needles Wilderness of 17,116 acres com- prises most of the Topock Gorge Unit. It surrounds the River as it twists through the precipitous Mohave Canyon. The scenic values are further enhanced by the Needles, a series of pinnacles rising abruptly out of the surrounding landscape. The Needles, remnants of the area's volcanic past, are prominent landmarks of historic note. Most of this unit is mountainous upland desert. Marsh can be found only in sheltered backwaters formed along the Canyon's walls. The proposed wilderness is in two parts, a California segment of 2,510 acres and a larger Arizona segment of 14,606 acres. The Colorado is a navigable river and not included as part of the proposal. RESOURCES The Refuge is noted for its concentrations of wintering waterfowl. It also provides for the life needs of thousands of migrating birds of many species. The waters of Topock Marsh and the BUI Williams Delta are most attractive to waterbirds. The Delta with its varied habitat is the haunt of many species not found elsewhere on the Refuge. Along the Colorado as it flows through the proposed wilderness, pockets of backwater marsh support a wide variety of wildlife. The endangered Yuma clapper rail, Gila monster and peregrine falcon, along with numerous other forms of wildlife, find this area to their liking. In adjacent desert uplands Gambel's quail, roadrunners and white-winged doves are numerous. An estimated 40 bighorn sheep inhabit the more inaccessible sites and along with feral burros and horses are occasionally seen on the River's bank. A sharp demarkation exists between plant and animal com- munities of the riverbank and those of the upland desert. Riparian vegetation is dominated by cattails, bulrush and saltcedar, whereas, creosote-bush is easily the most abundant desert plant. Other desert plants typical of this region include paloverde, bursage and brittle- bush. Sand dunes in the Devils Elbow and Blankenship Valley are the site of lush displays of desert annuals in years of abundant rainfall. Some mineralization occurs within the proposed wilderness and a few small mines have been operated in the past, however, no substantial mineral deposits are known in either the nearby Mohave or Chemehuevi Mountains. Probably the greatest value of the area's geologic resources is that to be derived from its scenic and educa- tional opportunities. IL INI (Pd HAVASU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE MOHAVE AND YUMA COUNTIES, ARIZONA AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

LEG EN D REFUGE BOUNDARY, PROPOSED WILDERNESS OTHER REFUGE LANDS

Bill Williams Unit

SCALE IN MILES PARKER 0 . . I DAM ~ SCALE IN MILES

Rock

PRELIMINARY-SUBJECT TO CHANGE Yumn dapper Kail

PUBLIC USE Recreation on the Lower Colorado is increasing at a very rapid pace. The Refuge lies on one of the most popular stretches of river. In the last five years refuge visitation has averaged 700,000 annually. Very little of this use occurred in the upland desert of the proposed wilderness. Canoes A variety of recreational opportunities exist but visitors are primarily interested in the River and use is heavily water-oriented. The climate permits a year-around boating

Recreation in the upland desert is a cool weather pastime. During summer, the traditional vacation season, extreme temperatures make the desert very inhospitable to the foot traveller and can be dangerous to the novice. Topock Marsh is the only unit with extensive development. Future development calls for a system of levees, brush clearing and a 300-aere expansion of the farm. Hill Williams Delta has not, been developed, and no future development is contem- plated. No developments for wildlife are, present on the proposed wilderness, and none are planned. Developments for other purposes include only two small abandoned mines. A U.S.G.S. gauging station is the only development on the river, and is located outside the proposal. No planned developments by private sources are known, but they retain various rights within the proposed wilderness. The Santa Ke Pacific Railroad Company owns mineral rights to 7,417 acres in alternate sections — remnants of an early railroad land grant. Other inholdings include 10 acres of private land near the gauging station, three known mining claims, and 40 acres of Ari/ona State land. Future management may necessitate some development, of the backwaters to pre- serve their waterfowl and fisheries habitat. For this reason, river bottom lands should not be included in wilderness. Most refuge lands along the river are under the primary jurisdiction of the Bureau of Reclamation for use in control and management of the river. Changes in river conditions from those existing today may necessitate future maintenance activity in the. gorge. MANAGEMENT Topock Marsh is extensively managed for the needs of waterfowl and waterbirds. Future management of the unit will be intensified. The proposed Needles Wilderness will continue to be maintained in an undisturbed state. Active management will be limited to that required to perpetuate these ecosystems. Basic refuge objectives for the proposed wilderness will necessitate inventory, harvest and limited management of wildlife populations. These activities will be infrequent and require only a minimum of disturbance.

S^M^i SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS In the past economics of this region were dominated by mining and agriculture. Social attitudes were highly influ- enced by developments and decisions related to these in- dustries. Recently, the Lower Colorado River has "come of age" as a recreation mecca. The discovery of the Colorado by tourists and recreationists, primarily from the metropolitan areas of Southern California is amply documented in the pyramiding use occurring along the entire river from Lake Mead to the International Boundary. Also increasing are those choosing this area as a home or, at least, a winter home. In less than seven years Lake Havasu City, a planned community just south of the proposed wilderness, has gone from desert to a population of 7,000. It is not likely that these trends will abate in the future. The Lower Colorado will be subjected to ever-increasing recreational pressures, and ever-decreasing quantities of un- developed, undisturbed landscape will be available for public enjoyment. Inclusion of the proposed wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System will result in no loss of eco- nomic activity. Since most of the area is either inaccessible or closed to motor vehicles and since most public use is from boats along the River, inclusion of this area in the System will not result in a loss of recreational opportunity. Changes Subsequent to the Public Hearing Havasu Wilderness Proposal The Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife recommend that 2,510 acres of the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge be proposed for designation as a unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System under the name "Havasu Wilderness Area."

The proposed wilderness lies wholly within San Bernardino County, California and encompasses 2,510 acres of desert upland habitat.

This recommendation represents several significant changes from the proposal presented at the public hearing. These changes are: (1) Deletion of lands on the Arizona side of the Colorado River (14,606 acres). Third'party mineral rights are held by the Santa Fe Pacific Railroad Company on alternate sections of lands (7,400 acres) on the Arizona side of the river. These rights include all subsurface minerals and generally any surface rights needed to retract or utilize and minerals found on the lands. The pattern of the third party holdings precludes designation as wilderness of.-those sections held wholly by the United States, and thus, the entire area on the Arizona side was deleted from the proposal.

(2) Name changed from "Needles Wilderness Proposal" to "Havasu Wilderness Proposal." The Needles are a geological feature found on the Arizona side of the river and which do not continue on to the California side. With deletion of the "Needles" portion, the name no longer is indicative of the area and to conform to normal wilderness unit names (merely adopting the refuge name) the remaining proposal is identified as the "Havasu Wilderness Proposal." HAVASU WILDERNESS PROPOSAL

Final Recommendations

Wilderness SCALE Castle ///// Deleted from initial Rock ////. Wilderness Proposal

3rd Parsy Mineral HoldingspR£ Lj M |N AR y -SUBJECT TO CHANGE CONCLUSION

The proposed Needles Wilderness Area on Havasu Na- tional Wildlife Refuge contains some of the most rugged and scenic lands along the Lower Colorado River. Inclusion of these lands as wilderness would be a valuable addition to the diversity of the National Wilderness Preserva- tion System. Dedication as wilderness would not interfer with the refuge objectives — instead it would aid in achieving these objectives by providing the isolation needed for preservation of the area and its wildlife in their natural state.

Anyone interested in this proposal is encouraged to in- spect the area by contacting the Refuge Manager, Havasu National Wildlife Refuge, Needles, California 92363 or write the Regional Director, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wild- life, Federal Building, 500 Gold Avenue SW, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87103. Additions to previously submitted proposals r PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT AND SEQUOIA-KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK CALIFORNIA EXHIBIT E WILDERNESS PLAN PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR ---

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f CHALONE ANNEX

VISITOR CENTER PINNACLES

LEGEND MT. \ DEFIANCE " ' ^ I MONUMENT BOUNDARY •?*&?• "—, c PROPOSED BOUNDARY

ROADS /

SERVICE ROAD {MANAGEMENT USE ONLY) • ) \ N CHALONE / TRAIL V-\ S PRIVATE LAND feVV.'i'.i: ' <«3?-e5SS*«m * CAMPGROUND TO SOLEfiAO & U S ROUTE 1 RANGER STATION

PICNIC AREA

WILDERNESS

POTENTIAL WILDERNESS ADDITION

ACREAGE

GROSS PARK ACREAGE 14.497.77

FEDERAL LAND 14.177.77

PRIVATE LAND 320.00

WILDERNESS 10.980 2.000 4,000 6.000 8,000 POTENTIAL WILDERNESS ADDITION 3?0 -FEE^T

114 I 20.000 JUNE 73] DSC

34-893 O - 74 - pt. 2 (Face p. 43) United States Department of the Interior OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240

June 5, 1974 Dear Mr. President:

On March 29, 1968, and March U, 1971, respectively, I recommended to you that 5,330 acres in the Pinnacles National Monument, California, and 721,970 acres in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California, be designated wilderness. The recommendations stemmed from this Department's responsibility under the Wilderness Act (78 Stat. 890) to'recommend to the President areas within its jurisdiction suitable for designation as wilderness.

This Department has recently reexamined the wilderness potential of areas excluded from those recommendations. I am pleased to recommend that the Pinnacles Wilderness proposal be enlarged by the addition of 5»970 acres and the Sequoia-Kings Canyon proposal by the addition of 68,800 acres.

Of the increase in the Pinnacles proposal, which if revised would comprise 11,300 acres or about 78 percent of the national monument, 5,650 acres consist of lands originally intended to be reserved as a management zone along the monument's boundary but no longer needed for this purpose, lands formerly expected to be traversed by a pro- posed road across the monument, and private inholdings recently acquired by the Federal Government. The balance of 320 acres, now privately owned, is recommended as potential wilderness, to be desig- nated as wilderness after acquisition by the Federal Government. This revised recommendation is depicted on the map entitled "Wilderness Plan, Pinnacles National Monument, California," numbered 114/20,000 and dated June 1973, which is available for inspection in the office of the National Park Service and enclosed herewith. *

The addition to the Sequoia-Kings Canyon proposal would increase its size to 790,770 acres or about 93 percent of the combined parks. Of this addition, 28,720 acres consist of a planned management zone at the edge of the parks which is no longer needed and various enclaves for non-wilderness uses. (We have abandoned the enclave theory as an artificial method of dealing with minor departures from wilderness uses; instead, we now recommend that such items as patrol cabins and hydrologic devices'not be carved out of a wilderness * See map facing this page. proposal so long as they are the minimum tool necessary for management of the wilderness area.) The balance of 40,080 acres, located in the vicinity of Redwood Canyon in the western portion of the parks, consists of private inholdings and lands subject to a forestry research program and is recommended as potential wilder- ness, to be designated wilderness after acquisition by the Federal Government or the termination thereon of uses inconsistent with wilderness status, as the case may be. (The research program is scheduled for completion in 1982; thus, the acreage involved would under our proposal become wilderness on January 1, 1983.) This revised recommendation is depicted on the map entitled "Wilderness Plan, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, California," numbered 102/20,003-A and dated September 1973, which is also available for inspection in the office of the National Park Service and enclosed herewith.

On the basis of our re examinations, I believe that these additional portions of the roadless areas in the Pinnacles National Monument and the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are suitable for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

Sincerely yours,

Secretary of the Interior

The President The White House Washington, D. C. 20500 EXHIBIT E J~ WILDERNESS PLAN

SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS \ \ CALIFORNIA

SCALE IN MILES

LEGEND

PARK BOUNDARY •-' JOHN M U I H

EXISTING ROAOS WILDERNESS PRIVATE LANDS p

PATROL CABIN O

SHELTER —"

SNOW COURSE OR GUAGE + /^V , j ^ LOOKOUT • WILDERNESS

POTENTIAL WILDERNESS pw. ADDITIONS

POTENTIAL WILD. UNIT WILDERNESS ADDITIONS 1 698,910 160

2 51,780 160

3 39.760 TOTAL 750,690 40,080

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34-893 O - 74 - pt. 2 (Face p. 45) CORRECTION TO WILDERNESS PLAN for SEQUOIA AND KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, CALIFORNIA Drawing number 102/20,003-A, dated September 1973

June

The recommended potential wilderness additions includes three parcels of privately owned land which total 320 acres within Wilderness Units 1 and 2, but does not include lands in Unit 3 shown on this plan.

It -is recommended that legislation designating wilderness within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks provide for the designation of 39»760 acres shown as Unit 3 on January 1, 1983, when uses inconsistent with wilderness management have ceased. List of Document Parts - House Document 93-319

PART

1. CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OREGON 2. HAVASU NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA (and additions to previously submitted proposals: PINNACLES NATIONAL MONUMENT and SEQUOIA-KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA) 3. SEMIDI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ALASKA 4. HAWAIIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE 5. CRAB ORCHARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, ILLINOIS 6. ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH 7. KATMAI NATIONAL MONUMENT, ALASKA 8. MILLE LACS AND RICE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES, MINNESOTA . 9. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA 10. RED ROCK LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, MONTANA 11. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WASHINGTON 12. TAMARAC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, MINNESOTA 13. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, COLORADA 14. MISSISQUOI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, VERMONT 15. UNIMAK ISLAND (ALEUTIAN ISLANDS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE), ALASKA 16. Deferred areas: CABEZA PRIETA GAME RANGE, ARIZONA; DESERT NATIONAL WILDLIFE RANGE, NEVADA; and GLACIER BAY NATIONAL MONUMENT, ALASKA 17. Unsuitable roadless areas; SAVANNAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, GEORGIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA; LITTLE PEND ORIELLE and TURNBULL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES, WASHINGTON; BOWDOIN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE and NATIONAL BISON RANGE, MONTANA; NATIONAL ELK REFUGE, WYOMING; and HORICON NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, WISCONSIN o