Management of Park Resources

As a unit of the national park system, Mojave must Plan Actions be managed in accordance with the National Park Mojave will assemble baseline inventory data Service preservation mission as provided in the describing the natural and cultural resources under agencies authorizing legislation (Organic Act of its stewardship, and will monitor the resources at 1916; 16 USC 1), which provides that the primary regular intervals to detect or predict changes. The purpose of park units is: resulting information will be analyzed to detect changes that may require intervention and to pro- “...to conserve the scenery and the natural and his- vide reference points for comparison with other, toric objects and the wild life therein, and to pro- more altered environments. Mojave will also use this vide for the enjoyment of the same in such a man- ner and by such means as will leave them unim- information to maintain — and, where necessary, paired for the enjoyment of future generations.” restore — the integrity of natural systems, and to pro- tect the public, park staff, and the park infrastructure.

RESOURCE PROTECTION GOALS AND Mojave will develop and implement a systematic, integrated program to identify, inventory, and moni- CRITERIA tor its natural and cultural resources. This program Specific resource protection goals and criteria have will be developed through collaborative partnerships not yet been established. Management of the with government agencies and public and private Preserve’s resources is currently guided by direction organizations with natural and cultural resource provided in the enabling legislation and NPS regula- management or research expertise. A comprehen- tions and policies. A set of protection goals and cri- sive strategy will be developed and implemented to teria will be developed through the inventory and ensure that regional, local or national trends are doc- monitoring program to establish a standard set of umented and appropriate actions undertaken. The resource protection guidelines. National Park Service has identified twelve data sets that each park unit should collect in order to have a basic understanding of their resources. Mojave is INVENTORYING AND MONITORING actively working in cooperation with other desert parks on an integrated inventory and monitoring Background strategy, using the vital signs approach. Inventorying and monitoring of the Preserve’s natural and cultural resources is necessary to gain a more An example of a needed inventory is a biological complete understanding of their value and condition. inventory of all spring and wetland areas on Preserve lands, including the identification of Project priorities are determined on the basis of threats, impacts, and necessary protections. existing staff availability and funding. An annual Included in the inventory will be recommendations performance plan is prepared annually that provides for restoration. In addition to federal lands, the goals, objectives, and annual work plans. Mojave’s National Park Service will work with private holders strategic plan also establishes five-year goals that of water rights to restore modified water sources to provide a limited view of resource issues and alloca- natural conditions while still allowing for valid exist- tion of staffing and funding. ing uses. Mojave will consult with the research community The Bureau of Land Management established long- regarding the benefits of retaining exclosures if the term monitoring areas in the Ivanpah Valley and cattle grazing permits are retired. near Colton Hills. These are fenced areas that have precluded cattle and burro grazing for many years. Dr. Hal Avery of the Biological Resource Division, NATURAL RESOURCES USGS, Riverside, California, is presently conducting research and monitoring of the desert tortoise the Physical Resources Ivanpah area. A reexamination of the plant growth Air Quality/Visibility within and outside of Colton Hills enclosure has not been conducted for almost 20 years. This area has Background been segregated from large mammal grazing pres- The Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District sure for over 30 years and may be used to measure manages and enforces the Clean Air Act’s air quali- the effects of grazing on the desert environment. ty standards in the Mojave National Preserve. The

30 The Plan district includes the desert portion of San Plan Actions Bernardino County. The National Park Service will seek class I designa- tion for the Preserve and will seek to perpetuate the Congress established the Prevention of Significant best possible air quality in parks because of its criti-
Deterioration program as part of the Clean Air Act. cal importance to visitor enjoyment, human health, Management of Park Resources To facilitate the implementation of this program, an scenic vistas, and the preservation of natural sys- area classification scheme was established. This clas- tems and cultural resources. The National Park sification scheme has class I receiving the highest Service will work toward promoting and pursuing degree of protection with only small amounts of measures to safeguard these values from air pollu- certain kinds of additional air pollution (sulfur diox- tion’s adverse effects and will strive to set the best ide and particulate matter) allowed. The other two example for others to follow in all the agency’s areas are class II, which allows moderate increases in development and management activities. In cases of certain air pollutants; and class III, which allows a doubt as to the effects of existing or potential air large amount of new air pollution (Congress has yet pollution on park resources, the National Park to designate any class III areas). There are no class I Service will err on the side of protecting air quality areas in the California Mojave Desert. Mojave and related values for future generations. National Preserve is a class II floor area, meaning that it may never be redesignated to class III. Since Mojave is located in a nonattainment area for one or more air pollutant, no action proposed in this The Clean Air Act developed national ambient air plan will lead to violations of federal or state air pol- quality standards for a finite number of criteria pol- lution control laws or regulations, and no action will lutants. The criteria pollutants are: sulfur dioxide, increase emissions or violate the state conformity carbon monoxide, total suspended particulates, requirements. The Preserve’s staff will work with nitrogen oxides, lead, ozone, and particulate matter appropriate air pollution control officials to ensure less than 10 microns in diameter (PM10). compliance with all requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency has classified Viewsheds/Visual Quality the Mojave National Preserve as a nonattainment area for ozone and PM10 standards. Nonattainment Background areas are areas that are not in compliance with the Visibility is probably the most important air quality national ambient air quality standards, and there- resource in the desert region, and it is the most eas- fore must reduce pollution to reach compliance. ily affected by activities that generate dust (espe- cially fine particulates) and sulfur dioxide. Visibility The National Park Service is responsible for protect- impacts occur from long-range transport of pollu- ing air quality under both the 1916 Organic Act and tants from as far away as the San Joaquin Valley and the Clean Air Act. Although the Clean Air Act gives the Los Angeles basin (RESOLVE study 1988, cited in the highest level of air quality protection to class I BLM 1995). areas, it also provides many opportunities for the National Park Service to participate in the develop- Nearby sources of emissions include the Army’s ment of pollution control programs to preserve, pro- National Training Center at Fort Irwin; Viceroy Mine tect, and enhance the air quality of all units of the near Searchlight, Nevada; the Mojave Generation national park system, including class II areas. Station near Laughlin, Nevada; Molycorp Mine and Stateline Power Generation Station near Primm Sections 118 and 176 of the Clean Air Act require (Stateline), Nevada; and vehicle traffic on Interstates federal agencies and facilities to meet all federal, 15 and 40. state, and local air pollution control laws and regu- lations. If units or facilities are located in areas that Local pollution sources in the desert consist primari- do not meet federal or state air pollution control ly of particulate matter from off-road vehicles, wind- standards (nonattainment areas), those units or blown soil, mining operations, livestock grazing, facilities must conform to requirements established and agricultural activities. These sources have left to attain and maintain those standards. The require- certain areas denuded or sparsely vegetated, allow- ments may include provisions to reduce emissions ing wind erosion to occur and air quality to suffer from existing facilities and limit emissions from pro- and occasionally causing violations of particulate posed facilities on a greater than 1:1 basis. standards at many locations.

31 The National Park Service will seek to enhance ben- Night Sky eficial effects and to mitigate adverse effects in ways consistent with its policies and management Background objectives. The agency will encourage compatible Mojave is a naturally quiet desert environment with adjacent land uses and seek to mitigate potential very dark night skies that offers visitors and adverse effects on park values by actively participat- researchers opportunities for natural quiet, solitude, ing in planning and regulatory processes of neigh- and star gazing with few human caused noise or boring jurisdictions, other federal, state, and local light glare sources. However, the northern and agencies, and Native Americans. southern boundaries are interstate highways. Traffic on these highways and the lights from Baker, Plan Actions California, Primm, Nevada, and Laughlin, Nevada are beginning to have a noticeable adverse effect on Mojave National Preserve will prepare guidelines for the night sky. No known background data currently the built environment to establish visual consistency exist that document the dark sky. Mojave recognizes and themes in facility development. Guidelines will that preservation of this resource is critical to the also be created for reaching visual compatibility future visitor experience. with surrounding landscapes, significant architec- tural features, and site details. The primary objective Plan Actions of these guidelines will be to create harmony between the built environment and the natural The National Park Service will partner with commu- environment. nities and local government agencies to minimize reflected light and artificial light intrusion on the With the increasing use of cellular communication dark night sky, recognizing the essential component equipment, more antennas and relay equipment are that a carpet of stars against a black night sky is for being installed throughout the country. The overall a natural outdoor experience. The National Park management goal of each NPS unit is to protect and Service will strive to set the best example in all maintain the visual quality of the landscape and the developments that involve the use of artificial out- built environment. To help achieve this goal, a com- door lighting, ensuring that such lighting is limited munication management plan will be prepared that to basic safety requirements and shielded to the will address the NPS goals and the need to establish maximum extent possible, to keep light on the sites for communication equipment. No new permits intended subject and out of the night sky. Baseline will be issued until the completion of such a plan. light measurements will be established to monitor The plan will include the following requirements: changes over time.

■ All above-ground communication equipment Natural Ambient Sound must not distract from the visual quality of the Background scenery. Mojave National Preserve is generally a quiet land- ■ Each new proposal for radio or cellular anten- scape, with occasional, short-term interruptions of nas or towers must demonstrate that the the natural quiet. Depending on the atmospheric equipment would provide a critical service for conditions, the closeness to a noise source, and visitors and NPS staff and is not duplicative. topographic features, visitors generally experience very little human-caused noise while in the back- ■ The installation of new equipment outside the country. Occasional overflights of commercial jets at Preserve or on existing communication towers cruising altitudes, small private aircraft, and rare mil- or at defined sites must be considered before itary jets at low altitudes may be heard. Vehicle the construction of new sites is considered. noise is generally not an issue within the Preserve in ■ New locations will be reviewed through the spite of some nearby major roads (I-15, I-40, and environmental assessment process, which must major paved roads). Because of the Preserve’s vast- consider impacts on the visual quality of the ness, most areas are well away from traffic and its scenery. noise. Other areas where localized noise occurs are at the Rasor Open Area, adjacent to the western The National Park Service will work with neighbor- boundary of the Preserve, the Union Pacific and ing landowners on topics of mutual interest being Santa Fe rail lines, and mining operations. The sensitive to the influences and effects that park Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroad lines are management might have on adjacent landowners. heavily used, but the faint distant rumble of freight

32 The Plan trains is faintly audible when one is within a few practices may be implemented to reduce impacts. miles of the tracks. Importation of offsite soil or soil amendments may be used to restore damaged sites. Offsite soil nor- Plan Actions mally will be salvaged soil, not soil removed from
pristine sites, unless the use of pristine-site soil can The National Park Service will strive to preserve the Management of Park Resources natural quiet and sounds associated with the physi- be achieved without causing any overall ecosystem cal and biological resources of Mojave. Activities impairment. Prior to using any offsite materials, causing excessive or unnecessary sounds in or adja- Mojave will develop a prescription, and select the cent to parks, including low-level aircraft over- materials that necessary to restore the physical, flights, will be monitored, and action would be chemical, and biological characteristics of original taken to prevent or minimize unnatural sounds native soils without introducing any exotic species. adversely affecting park resources and values or vis- itor enjoyment. The National Park Service will coop- When soil excavation is an unavoidable part of an erate with the Department of Defense to minimize approved facility development project, Mojave will impacts on visitors and resources from military over- limit the excavation to the minimum amount neces- flights. The National Park Service will strive to set sary, and avoid erosion or offsite soil migration dur- the best example in all developments that involve ing and after the development activity. the use of equipment that produces noise. Water Soils Background Background Groundwater. Groundwater is found underneath A wide array of soils comprises Mojave National most of the Preserve and varies greatly in depth and Preserve. Examples include: soils with sandy textures quality. The Mojave River is the primary subsurface with gravel and cobble cimas; soils with medium water source for the Preserve (BLM 1996). textures; soils with calcium carbonate (e.g. caliche) Groundwater is the Preserve’s principal source for accumulations; fine textured soils found in playa desert springs, seeps, and a few ephemeral streams, prone areas; soils with a developed horizon reflect- and its only perennial spring, Piute Creek. The main- ing age or formation during a different moisture tenance of groundwater quality and quantity is crit- regime; shallow soils; and upland soils. The park ical to the survival of desert surface waters and their also contains escarpments, ephemeral streams, a associated plant and animal life. large area of dunes, and a lava flow area (e.g. Lava Beds). Detailed soil surveys have not been conduct- Surface Water Sources. Over 200 springs and ed. However, a digitized, general soils map is avail- seeps have been identified in the Preserve (King and able from the statewide digital soils database. Casebier 1981). Many, if not most, have been altered by the installation of retention dams, Plan Actions pipelines, and troughs for livestock use. Most are Mojave will seek to inventory and preserve its soil also available for wildlife and burro use. In the east- resources, and to prevent, to the extent possible, ern portion of the Preserve is a 1-mile perennial the unnatural erosion, physical removal, or contam- stream called Piute Creek, which is an important ination of the soil, or its contamination of other wildlife water source as well as a popular recreation resources. Soil surveys will follow National site. The small springs and seeps in the Preserve Cooperative Soil Survey Standards. Products will offer isolated and limited water for plants, wildlife, include soil maps, determinations of the physical or domestic or commercial purposes. Some springs and chemical characteristics of soils, and the inter- produce potable water, but overall water quality is pretations needed to guide resource management poor because of high dissolved mineral concentra- and development decisions. In particular, areas of tions (BLM 1996). existing disturbance and potentially sensitive soils, such as cryptogammic crusts, will be highlighted for Water wells have been drilled primarily for domestic possible restoration or protection. use and livestock needs, but a number of wells have also been drilled for mining use. Viceroy Gold Mine Potential impacts on soil resources will be monitored has developed a well field that is adjacent to and as necessary. Management action will be taken to within the Preserve. This well field is within a 9- prevent or mitigate adverse, potentially irreversible, square mile area located northwest of the mining impacts on soils. Conservation and soil amendment site. Viceroy is permitted to pump 725 acre-feet per

33 year, but it has been averaging about 400 acre-feet vides the mechanism by which the United States, (about 11 million gallons per month) since 1995 when properly joined, consents to be a defendant in (BLM 1997). a suit to adjudicate water rights. The precise nature and extent of the National Park Service’s water Water wells have also been drilled specifically for rights probably will remain uncertain until the visitor and administration use at the Mid Hills camp- United States is joined in an adjudication, the ground and Hole-in-the-Wall campgrounds. Department of Justice files claims to water rights on behalf of the National Park Service, and the court Floodplains and Wetlands. No systematic inven- decrees the United States. Hence, it is the responsi- tory of 100 and 500-year floodplains, or wetland bility of both the National Park Service and the areas has been undertaken in the Preserve. Some Bureau of Land Management to protect the general information is available on USGS topo- reserved water rights established under the graphical maps. Specific inventories are often con- California Desert Protection Act and other applica- ducted when a development project may encounter ble federal authorities. these resources. Plan Actions Water Rights. Initial research on outstanding water Groundwater and Surface Water. Water for the rights in the Preserve that are recorded at the State preservation, management, development, and use Water Resources Control Board in Sacramento of the Preserve’s water system will be obtained and revealed that there were approximately 110 appro- used in accordance with legal authority and with priated water rights claims on 97 water sources due consideration for the needs of other water (springs, seeps, streams, wells) in their records that users. Water will be used efficiently and frugally. The existed in the Preserve in 1997. Many of these were National Park Service will seek to protect, perpetu- obtained by ranchers who lease grazing allotments. ate, and possibly restore surface water and ground- In April 2000, the NPS accepted donation of the water as integral components of park aquatic and Granite Mountains grazing permit, including water terrestrial ecosystems. Surface water and ground- rights on 29 water sources. Other rights may exist water withdrawn for public use will be the mini- that have not been recorded with the State. In mum amount necessary to achieve Preserve purpos- November 2000, the National Park Service also es. All water withdrawn for domestic use will be accepted donation of the Kessler Springs and returned to the watershed system once it has been Lanfair Valley permits, including 53 water rights. treated to ensure that there will be no impairment of Preserve resources. Interbasin transfers will be The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 in sec- avoided. The effects to the Preserve’s resources from tion 706(a), with respect to each wilderness area, water withdrawn from sources outside of the reserves a quantity of water sufficient to fulfill the Preserve (for example, developments at Primm and purposes of the act. Section 706(b) mandates that mining activities at the Molycorp mine at Mountain the Secretary of the Interior and all other officers of Pass) would be monitored. If adverse effects were the United States take “all steps necessary to pro- found, the National Park Service will take all legal tect the rights reserved by this section.” Federal and appropriate steps necessary to protect natural reserved rights generally arise from the purposes for resources from the effects attributed to such activi- the reservation of land by the federal government. ties. The park will work with holders of water rights When the government reserves land for a particular to restore modified waters sources to natural condi- purpose, it also reserves, explicitly or by implication, tions while still allowing for valid uses consistent enough unappropriated water at the time of the with the State permit. reservation as is necessary to accomplish the pur- poses for which Congress or the president author- Pursuant to Congressional direction in the California ized the land to be reserved, without regard to the Desert Protection Act, Mojave National Preserve will limitations of state law. The rights vest as of the seek to restore, maintain, or enhance the quality of date of the reservation, whether or not the water is all surface and ground waters within the Preserve actually put to use, and are superior to the rights of consistent with the Clean Water Act (33 USC et those who commence the use of water after the seq.) and other applicable federal, state, and local reservation date. General adjudications are the laws and regulations. means by which the federal government claims its reserved water rights. The McCarran Amendment Floodplain and Wetland Areas. The occupancy (66 Stat. 560, 43 U.S.C. 666, June 10, 1952) pro- and modification of floodplain and wetland areas

34 The Plan will be avoided wherever possible. Where no practi- ■ because use of percolating groundwater does cable alternatives exist, mitigating measures will be not require a permit from the state of implemented to minimize potential harm to life, California, participate in local government pro- property, and the natural floodplain and wetland ceedings that authorize nonfederal parties to

values. Management of floodplain and wetland withdraw percolating groundwater where such Management of Park Resources areas is subject to the provisions of Executive Order withdrawals may impact water sources within 11988, “Floodplain Management” (42 USC 4321), their respective jurisdictions to which federally Executive Order 11990, “Protection of Wetlands” reserved water rights are attached (42 USC 4321), and the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 ■ participate in any proceedings pursuant to USC 401 et. seq.), and section 404 of the Clean Nevada state water law that may authorize Water Act (33 USC 1344). withdrawal of groundwater where such with- drawal may impact water sources within their Water Rights. Should the National Park Service jurisdictions to which federally reserved or seek to acquire private land within its boundaries, the appropriated water rights are attached essential water rights attached to those lands will also be sought for acquisition. Paleontological Resources The National Park Service in its general planning Background process for each unit of the national park system, The Preserve contains a fragile and irreplaceable and the Bureau of Land Management in its planning paleontological record. The richness and diversity of process for each wilderness area, have jointly agreed that record is unknown as significant inventory work to incorporate their respective policies, guidelines, has not been performed on the various geologic for- and administrative procedures and apply the follow- mations that do or could contain fossil resources. ing principles to discharge their responsibilities under Fossils have many values including (1) stratigraphic section 706 of the California Desert Protection Act to indicators for correlation of deposits containing manage and protect federal reserved water rights them and for determination of relative geologic age, (Desert Managers Group 1995): (2) records of past life forms showing the course of evolutionary trends of plants and animals, and (3) ■ inventory all water sources within the bound- evidence of changing paleoenvironments. aries of the wilderness area/park unit ■ identify as a federally reserved water right all A literature and records search was completed for unappropriated water from any water source the Preserve area by Robert E. Reynolds, Curator, identified on federal lands within the bound- Earth Sciences, San Bernardino County Museum, aries of designated wilderness and/or park Redlands, California. The records and literature areas in the California desert search identified a number of potentially sensitive ■ share water source inventory data fossiliferous areas in the planning area. Significant paleontological resources and records relating to ■ jointly request from the California Division of paleobiostratigraphic events that occur within or Water Rights notification of any filing for near the Preserve are as follows: appropriated water rights within or adjacent to the boundaries of BLM wilderness or units of ■ The world’s oldest mitosing cells, 990 million the national park system years old, are preserved in silica in the Beck ■ defend federally reserved water rights through Spring Formation. the state of California administrative process ■ Significant Cambrian trilobite and invertebrate and, if necessary, seek judicial remedy in the fossil localities mark the boundary of the appropriate courts Paleozoic Era, 550 million years of age. ■ quantify the amount of water reserved to fulfill ■ The only dinosaur tracks in California and the the purpose of the reservation as part of any only record of Jurassic dinosaurs in California adjudication in California in which the United are in the Mescal Range, just north of the States may be joined under the McCarran Mojave National Preserve. Amendment ■ Early records of crustal extension and breakup ■ where necessary, pursue acquisition of any that occurred 24 million years ago to form existing nonfederal appropriated water right basins in the Mojave Desert are found in or near within their respective jurisdictions the Preserve. Significant occurrences of fossils,

35 including rhinoceros, camel, canid, felid, bird complex and diverse due to igneous and metamor- track, and plant, are located in the Ship phic activity and structural deformations associated Mountains, Little Piute Mountains, Hackberry with these activities. Erosional geologic processes Mountains, Castle Mountains, Lanfair Valley, have altered the landscape resulting in outcrops of and Wild Horse Mesa in or near Mojave rocks ranging from Precambrian to Recent ages. National Preserve. ■ There are significant Plio-Pleistocene fossil localities, The Mojave is characterized by isolated mountain which are being damaged by erosion and amateur ranges and ridges separated by alluvium-filled, collecting, at Valley Wells and Kingston Wash. irregular large valleys. Dividing Mojave National ■ Cave deposits in the Mescal Range have pro- Preserve in half is the northeast trending Providence– duced significant vertebrate fossils. Mid Hills–New York Mountain ranges. The principal valleys within the Preserve include Ivanpah Valley, Plan Actions Kelso/Cedar Wash, Lanfair Valley, Devils Playground, Paleontological resources, fossils and their associated Piute Valley and the northern area of Fenner Valley. data, are the physical evidence of past life on the Ivanpah Valley and Kelso/ Cedar Wash line up in a earth and include representatives of all kingdoms of northeasterly to southwesterly fashion, but drain in life — Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plantae, and Animalia. opposite directions because of an inconspicuous Trace fossils (burrows, tracks, etc.) are included. These northwest trending divide near the town of Cima. resources will be managed in accordance with NPS Both Lanfair and Piute Valleys drain via Piute Wash Management Policies and goals established by the into the Colorado River. The remaining valleys have National Park Service Strategic Plan. self-contained drainage systems as represented by playa lakes such as Soda and Ivanpah. Paleontological resources will be inventoried, moni- tored, protected, and preserved, and where appro- Plan Actions priate, made available for scientific research. Mojave will inventory, preserve and protect geolog- Collection of specimens will only be allowed in lim- ical resources as integral components of the natural ited circumstances. All specimens collected from the systems, including both geologic features and geo- park will be appropriately curated and have ade- logic processes. The park will work with partners to quate documentation of the specimen, the locality, assess the impacts of natural processes and human- the geologic context, and other pertinent data. related events on geologic resources; maintain and Where appropriate, the resources will be managed restore the integrity of existing geologic resources; for public education and interpretation in accor- integrate geologic resource management into park dance with park management objectives and operations and planning; and interpret geologic approved resource management plans. The National resources for park visitors. Park Service will identify areas where additional research by the academic community will aid in pro- As a natural ecosystem, geologic processes will pro- tection of the resources. The park will also seek to ceed in Mojave unimpeded. Geologic processes are develop collaborative partnerships with other parks, the natural physical and chemical forces that act government agencies and public and private organ- izations with paleontological resource management within natural systems, as well as upon human devel- or research capabilities/expertise. opments, across a broad spectrum of space and time. Such processes include, but are not limited to, ero- To protect paleontological resources from harm, sion and sedimentation, karst processes, seismic and theft, or destruction, Mojave will ensure that the volcanic activity. Geologic processes will be addressed nature and specific location of these resources during planning and other management activities in remain confidential. Mojave will take all actions nec- an effort to reduce hazards that can threaten the essary to prevent unauthorized collection and safety of park visitors and staff and the long-term via- removal of fossils. The sale of scientifically significant bility of park infrastructure. original paleontological specimens (which includes all vertebrate specimens) is prohibited in parks. Mojave will protect geologic features from the adverse effects of human activity, while allowing Geological Resources natural processes to continue. Geologic features include rocks, soils, mineral specimens, cave and Background karst systems, canyons, sand dunes, dramatic or The geology of Mojave National Preserve is very unusual rock outcrops and formations, and fos- 36 The Plan silized plants and animals. In Mojave, recognition of in NPS Director’s Order 77, the Federal Cave valid existing mineral rights may affect our ability to Resources Protection Act, and goals established by prevent all adverse effects, unless they are deemed the Park Service Strategic Plan. In general, the park significant or funding is available to purchase the will manage caves in a manner that protects the
valid right. natural conditions such as drainage patterns, air- Management of Park Resources flow, and plant and animal communities. Caves Atmospheric, geologic, biological, ecological, and cultural resources will be addressed and managed in Background accordance with approved cave management plans. Caves, as defined by the Federal Cave Resources Protection Act, include any natural feature that a The National Park Service will enhance its own person can enter. They include talus caves, erosion- knowledge of the resources present through com- al caves, dissolution caves, lava tubes, and others. prehensive inventory and monitoring programs. It They do not include mine adits, shafts, or declines. will also identify areas where additional research by The Mitchell Caverns area within the Preserve has the academic community will enhance the protec- significant cave resources. Many other areas within tion of the resources. The park will also seek to the Preserve are also known to contain caves as develop partnerships with academia, government defined by the Federal Cave Resources Protection agencies (in particular USGS), geological and pale- Act. One of these is the fairly well known lava tube ontological societies, and others to enhance our in the Cima/Lava Beds area of Mojave. Other tubes conservation and management of the resources. may occur, but a comprehensive inventory has not been completed. The National Park Service will continue to work cooperatively with the California Department of Most of the caves have not been inventoried, so lit- Parks and Recreation to assist with inventory, study tle is known of the specific resources at the sites or and protection of significant cave resources that are the impacts on them. The presence of speleothems found in the Providence Mountains. (limestone cave depositional features), cultural materials, and bat usage will likely be found in many In general, the NPS management direction is to of the caves. avoid development of caves and to perpetuate nat- The Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve was estab- ural conditions, while seeking to protect the lished in 1954 to protect and interpret two caves resource. Potentially harmful developments or uses, connected by a constructed tunnel. The 97-acre including those that allow for general public entry, Mitchell Caverns Natural Preserve is within the larg- such as pathways, lighting, and elevator shafts, will er 5,890-acre Providence Mountains State not be allowed in, above, or adjacent to caves until Recreation Area, which is operated by the California it can be demonstrated that these will not signifi- Department of Parks and Recreation. The developed cantly affect natural cave conditions, including sub- cave area consists of two small, but well decorated surface water movements. Developments already in caves. A tunnel connected the two caves, known as place above caves will be removed if they are signif- El Pavika and Tecopa, in 1968. The caves contain icantly altering natural conditions. Where significant areas of interesting speleothems, provide roost area cave resources exist, a cave management program for at least two species of bats (one of which is should be developed which may include the follow- Plecotis townsendii), and may hold archeological ing elements, depending on the situation: material in the entrance areas. This cave has had a long history of recreational use and has been ■ interpretive program impacted by human activity. ■ visitor safety Cave of the Winding Stair is a small but deep cave ■ cave protection guidelines in the recreation area, open by permit to experi- ■ enced vertical cavers. Several other small and unsur- cave restoration program veyed caves exist with the local area. Very little is ■ trail and lighting system maintenance known about these caves and a comprehensive ■ inventory is needed. cave zoning classification system ■ safety and health guidelines Plan Actions ■ Cave resources will be managed in accordance with cave geographic information system the NPS Management Policies and specific guidance ■ inventory system and guidelines 37 Biological Resources Community types common elsewhere in the desert and also present within the Preserve are the playas, Background saltbush, creosote-covered flats and alluvial fans, The wildlife and vegetative resources of Mojave and Joshua tree woodlands. There are also many National Preserve reflect the mingling of three major important unique or rare habitats within the North American deserts: the Great Basin, the Mojave. The Preserve is unusual in the complexity Mojave, and the Sonoran deserts. Vegetation con- and density of the Joshua tree community, which is sists primarily of species common to the Mojave represented on Cima Dome. The quality and sheer Desert, but the Preserve also contains floral species vastness of the Joshua tree forest on Cima Dome is of the Great Basin, Sonoran, and even some ele- unparalleled anywhere in the world. There are seven ments of the California coastal zone. Mojave different types of wash plant species associations National Preserve was established to preserve an including catclaw acacia, smoke trees, and desert ecologically diverse, yet fragile desert ecosystem, willows. Higher elevations support grassland, sage- comprised of scenic, geologic and wildlife values brush, blackbrush, pinyon-juniper woodlands as unique not only to the Mojave, but the Great Basin well as unique remnant habitats containing small and Sonoran desert environs as well. This transition white fir forests, and pinyon-junipers with oak. The zone, ranging from nine hundred to nearly eight Piute Creek desert oasis also supports a very fragile thousand feet in elevation, embraces a plethora of and limited community. A total of 803 species of landforms: cinder cones, sand dunes, dry lake beds, plants representing 85 plant families have been alluvial fans, mountain ranges, table-top mesas, identified in the Preserve (Thomas, 1999). large desert bajadas (alluvial fans) and valleys. This harsh Mojave desert landscape provides refugium Plan Actions for over one thousand plant and animal species, including threatened and endangered species. Mojave National Preserve is considered a unique floristic area, with many plant species found only Plan Actions within its boundaries. Mojave will seek to perpetuate Management emphasis at Mojave will be on mini- native plant life (such as vascular plants, ferns, moss- mizing human impacts on native ecosystems and es, algae, fungi, and bacteria) as critical components the dynamics of naturally functioning populations. of natural desert ecosystems. Mojave will seek to Native ecosystems occur as a result of natural develop a complete inventory of all floristic compo- processes that have occurred, are now occurring, or nents and establish monitoring programs to serve as may occur in the future. Any species that have early warning systems for health of the system. moved onto park lands directly or indirectly as the result of human activities are not considered native. Plants and plant communities will be manipulated only when necessary to achieve approved manage- Flora ment objectives. To the maximum extent possible, plantings will use seeds, cuttings, or transplants rep- Background resenting species and gene pools native to the eco- The Preserve consists primarily of vegetative attrib- logical portion of the park in which the restoration utes of the Mojave Desert but contains floral species project is occurring. In some isolated cases, plants of the Great Basin, Sonoran and even some ele- that are historically appropriate for the period or ments of the California Chaparral Zone. event commemorated may be used. Use of exotic plant species is restricted to situations that conform Many plant species are distributed only within its boundaries; while other areas such as the New York to the exotic species policy. Plants and plant com- Mountains contain species of manzanita, California munities may be manipulated to maintain habitat lilac, oak, and silk tassel, which are normally asso- for threatened or endangered species, but only ciated with coastal California. The Mid Hills have native plants may be used if additional plantings are significant stands of Great Basin sagebrush and done, and manipulation of existing plants will be Utah juniper. The strongest association however, is carried out in a manner designed to restore or with the Sonoran Desert, whose northernmost enhance the natural functioning of the plant and range is often recognized to intermingle with the animal community of which the endangered species southern border of the park. Sonoran plant species is a natural part. such as pancake prickly pear and smoke tree are found extending a dozen or more miles into the Use of non-natural plantings [exotic plants] may be southeast portion of Mojave National Preserve. permitted under the following conditions: 38 The Plan ■ In localized, specific areas, screen plantings may of native species. The NPS policy is to maintain all be used to protect against the undesirable components and processes of naturally evolving impacts of adjacent land uses, provided that the park ecosystems, including the natural abundance, plantings do not result in the invasion of exotic

diversity and ecological integrity of all native
species. species. The park will not promote actions that will Management of Park Resources ■ Where necessary to preserve and protect the attempt to solely preserve or enhance populations presentation of significant cultural resources of individual species (except threatened, endan- and landscapes, trees and other plants, plant gered, and sensitive species). Intervention in natural communities, and landscapes will generally be processes will only be undertaken: (1) when direct- managed to reflect the historic designed land- ed by Congress, (2) in emergencies when human life scape or the scene that prevailed during the his- and property are at stake, (3) to restore native toric period. ecosystem functioning that has been disrupted by ■ Where needed in developed areas, plantings past or ongoing human activities, or (4) when would use native or historic species and materi- directed by an approved recovery plan or conserva- als to the maximum extent possible. Certain tion strategy. native species may be fostered for aesthetic, interpretive, or educational purposes. Sensitive Species

Fauna Background

Background Within the Mojave National Preserve are confirmed In its entirety, the California desert contains no finer populations or potentially viable habitat for 3 feder- grouping of different wildlife habitats than in ally endangered, 1 federally threatened, 6 state Mojave National Preserve, both from the standpoint (California) endangered and 1 state threatened of total number of species and the total number of plants and animals. animals. Federally listed species known to inhabit the Mojave The intermingling of the three desert environments National Preserve are the desert tortoise (Gopherus has produced approximately 35 wildlife habitat agassizii) and the Mohave tui chub (Gila bicolor types. The diverse habitats support about 300 mohavensis). Final recovery plans exist for both of species of wildlife. The literature documents 36 these species. The southwestern willow flycatcher species of reptiles, 206 species of birds and 47 (Empidonax trailli extimus) and least Bells vireo species of mammals. A few of the most notable species include the gila monster, desert tortoise, (Vireo bellii pusillus) are listed birds that could peri- Mohave tui chub, Mojave fringe-toed lizard, regal odically inhabit riparian areas such as Piute Spring ring-necked snake, and desert striped whipsnake. but have not been verified to occur in the Preserve. Significant avian fauna include the prairie falcon, Bendire’s thrasher, California thrasher, gray vireo, California listed species known to occur in the golden eagle, Lucy’s warbler, mourning dove and Preserve are the desert tortoise, the Mohave tui Gambel’s quail. The Preserve has one of the more sig- chub, and the willow flycatcher (Empidonax trailli). nificant bat faunas of the California desert. There are The California (or western) yellow-billed cuckoo also populations of rock squirrels in pinyon-juniper (Coccyzus americanus occidentalis), normally in woodland, a relict population of dusky-footed need of broad riparian cover, may have some, but woodrats, mule deer, porcupines, mountain lions, and limited potential to appear in the Preserve. desert bighorn sheep. There are no known federally listed or proposed A large portion of the Preserve is critical desert tor- plant species in the Preserve. Thorne’s buckwheat toise habitat. Some of the highest densities of tor- (Eriogonum ericifolium var. thornei) is listed by the toise are found in the Ivanpah Valley in the north state of California as an endangered species. It is end of the Preserve. known from only two occurrences in the Preserve’s New York Mountains. This buckwheat is found at Plan Actions elevations upward of 5,500 feet in pinyon and The NPS management goal will be to preserve and juniper woodland and prefers copper-rich gravel protect native wildlife and their natural habitat in a (The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California, manner that will result in self-sustaining populations James C. Hickman, ed.) 39 Plan Actions and rocky, boulder terrain are occasionally used The National Park Service will identify, inventory, (FWS 1994). Desert tortoises spend a large portion monitor and promote the conservation of all feder- of the year underground to avoid extreme tempera- ally listed or proposed threatened or endangered tures and, for younger tortoises, to avoid a variety species and their critical habitats in ways that are of predators, such as coyotes, foxes, raptors, and consistent with the purposes of the Endangered ravens (BLM 1996). Tortoises generally are active Species Act. As necessary, the National Park Service during spring, early summer, and autumn when will control visitor access to and use of critical habi- annual plants are most common and daily tempera- tats and might limit access to especially sensitive tures are tolerable. Additional activity occasionally areas. Active management programs will be con- occurs during warm weather in winter months and ducted as necessary to perpetuate the natural distri- after summer rainstorms (BLM 1996). bution and abundance of threatened or endan- gered species and the ecosystems on which they Desert tortoise habitat has been destroyed, degrad- depend. Such programs will be undertaken only ed, and fragmented as a result of urbanization, agri- after appropriate consultation with the U.S. Fish and cultural development, livestock grazing, mining and Wildlife Service and the California Department of roads. The removal of tortoises by humans for pets Fish and Game. or for use as food or folk medicine is also a major factor in the decline of the desert tortoise popula- The National Park Service will also identify, invento- tion (FWS 1994). A respiratory disease is an addi- ry, monitor and promote the conservation of all tional cause of desert tortoise mortality and popula- state and locally listed threatened, endangered, tion decline, particularly in the western Mojave rare, declining, sensitive, fully protected, or candi- Desert (FWS 1994). date species that are native to and present in the Preserve, as well as their critical habitats. Controlling The Mojave population of the desert tortoise (an access to critical habitats or conducting active man- administrative designation for animals living north agement programs might be considered that would and west of the Colorado River) is listed as a threat- be similar to activities conducted to perpetuate the ened species by the federal government since 1990 natural distribution and abundance of federally list- and the State of California. Critical habitat for this ed species. Plant and animal species considered rare species was designated in 1994 (FWS 1994). or unique to Mojave National Preserve will be iden- tified, their distribution mapped, and programs In June 1994, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established to monitor their status. All management released the Desert Tortoise (Mojave Population) actions for protection and perpetuation of special Recovery Plan, which presented recommended pre- status species will be determined through the scriptions for population recovery and included Preserve’s resource management plan. maps of the tortoise’s critical habitat and where recovery actions are recommended. The National Park Service will develop collaborative partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies There are two areas of designated critical habitat in that manage lands adjacent to Mojave National the Preserve. The northern area includes Ivanpah Preserve, and with academic institutions with Valley, south of Nipton Road, including the areas research capabilities in desert ecology or ecosystem north, west and south of Cima Dome, extending up management to help achieve these goals. to Interstate 15. This area totals approximately 492,360 acres (769 square miles) and is within the Desert Tortoise Eastern Mojave Recovery Unit. The second area of the park that contains desert tortoise critical habitat Background is the Fenner/Clipper Valley. This area contains The range of the desert tortoise includes the Mojave 280,103 acres (438 square miles) of federal land. This and Sonoran deserts in southern California, habitat is also within the Eastern Mojave Recovery Arizona, southern Nevada, the southwestern tip of Unit. Private, state and local agency lands were not Utah, and Sonora and northern Sinaloa, Mexico. considered in this general management plan recov- ery effort and are not considered part of the recov- The Mojave population of the desert tortoise prima- ery effort unless the land is subsequently acquired rily occupies valleys and bajadas characterized by by the adjacent managing agency. These two areas scattered shrubs. The soils range from sand to of critical habitat combined total about 772,463 sandy-gravel, though caliche soils, desert pavement, acres (48%) of the Preserve designated as critical

40 habitat for this species (FWS 1994). Critical habitat for recovery purposes is misleading since it is mar- The Plan also extends north of the Preserve onto BLM lands in ginal tortoise habitat. Any tortoises in this area will the Shadow Valley area up to the southern slope of still be fully protected because of the wilderness the Kingston Range and on adjoining BLM lands designation and other protective measures the park north of Nipton Road up to Ivanpah Dry Lake. There proposes to put in effect.
Management of Park Resources are also large areas of critical habitat to the south and east of the Fenner/Clipper valley area in California and Nevada.

The recovery plan provides five criteria for delisting, which are: 1. As determined by a scientifically credible moni- toring plan, an upward or stationary trend with- in a recovery unit for at least 25 years; 2. At least one protected area (called Desert Wildlife Management Area by the Recovery Plan) with reserve level management of 1,000 square miles or more, except under unusual cir- cumstances; 3. A population lambda (discrete growth rate) of at least 1.0 in each protected area; 4. Regulatory mechanisms and land management commitments are adequate and in place to ensure long-term habitat protection; and 5. The population is likely to remain stable or increase in the future. In order to ensure the long-term protection of the desert tortoise in the park, Mojave will implement Plan Actions or continue the following measures to protect the The management goal of this plan is the full recov- desert tortoise: ery and delisting of the desert tortoise following recovery of the Mojave population. NPS manages Management policies already in effect: for multiple species and protection of habitats for all native species. Desert tortoise management is ■ Vehicles are permitted only on existing roads, directly linked with the management of grazing, camping and parking areas. All vehicles must be burros, hunting, and camping (see those discussions street legal and licensed. No offroad or wash for details). driving is allowed anywhere in the Preserve. ■ No competitive motorized events are permitted. As part of this desert tortoise recovery proposal, the Organized events that do not involve timed NPS recommends that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife races might be acceptable on existing roads, out- Service modify existing critical habitat boundaries to side desert tortoise active periods, with appropriate coincide with the category I desert tortoise habitat restrictions and subject to other NPS statutes and as mapped by tortoise biologists. Category I habitat regulations. is an older BLM classification of tortoise habitat. ■ Category I was the best quality habitat identified by No existing or new landfills are allowed any- tortoise biologists during their surveys in the 1970s. where in park units under NPS regulations. The Critical habitat was designated in the Preserve to National Park Service is currently closing and coincide with the category I habitat, except for cleaning up old, informal trash dumps. The Cima Dome, which was not classified, and the area National Park Service enforces regulations pro- south of Kelso Depot, which was BLM category II. hibiting dumping and littering. The lands in Mojave above 4,000 feet on Cima ■ The National Park Service aggressively manages Dome were not classified by BLM biologists as cate- trash and litter to avoid subsidizing ravens. gory I desert tortoise habitat. We believe that con- Raven proof trash containers are being installed sidering them as part of the critical habitat acreage throughout Mojave.

41 ■ No agricultural clearing or commercial vegeta- provide access to range developments, active tion harvest is permitted on park lands. mines or other development sites will be closed ■ No surface disturbance is permitted on park and restored when no longer needed for that lands, unless it is balanced with appropriate function. restoration or acquisition of replacement lands ■ Congressional wilderness designation in 1994 for mitigation. resulted in the permanent closure of approxi- ■ The National Park Service imposes strict limits mately 147 miles of unmaintained backcountry on research in the desert tortoise critical habitat dirt roads in designated critical habitat. During that might adversely affect the desert tortoise. the wilderness/backcountry management plan development over the next two years the NPS ■ The National Park Service closely monitors per- will inventory and evaluate all remaining open mit actions and requires special stipulations to dirt roads in desert tortoise critical habitat and ensure desert tortoises are protected. determine duplicate or unneeded routes. The ■ The National Park Service has removed over goal will be to permanently close up to an addi- 3,000 burros from the Preserve since 1997. A tional 100 miles of roads. management goal of zero feral burros will ■ The park will strive to eliminate unnecessary remain in effect and removals will continue until rights-of-way (ROWs) and easements and will the goal is reached. require minimum maintenance in order to pre- ■ Mojave enforces NPS regulations (36 CFR vent increased vehicle traffic. Holders of ROWs 2.4(a)(2)(ii)) prohibiting plinking (random target and easements may be required to install desert shooting). tortoise barrier fencing through the desert tor- ■ NPS regulations require dogs to be on a leash toise critical habitat if traffic levels suggest a (or under physical or voice control of owner for problem and fencing is identified as enhancing ensuring that their pets do not harass wildlife if protection of the tortoise. Maintenance activi- used for hunting). ties on rights-of-way will be allowed only after the holder conducts an adequate survey of tor- ■ No collecting of any natural or cultural toise burrows along the route and complies resources, including desert tortoise, is permitted with all stipulations from the USFWS biological under NPS regulations, unless done under a opinion on this plan. research collection permit. ■ The park will establish an active restoration pro- ■ In order to prevent the spread of disease from gram for disturbed areas after appropriate site- captive tortoises, the National Park Service pro- specific historical review and compliance. hibits the release of captive desert tortoises in accordance with 36 CFR 2.1. The park would ■ The National Park Service will make lands with- work with other federal and state agencies to in the desert tortoise critical habitat a high pri- develop a cooperative program where residents ority for acquisition. can drop off unwanted and injured desert tor- ■ The National Park Service will develop extensive toises, and can adopt healthy, previously captive educational materials on the life history, threats desert tortoises. and recovery efforts of the desert tortoise for use in schools, museums, clubs, published Additional NPS management actions to be taken: media, site bulletins, and displays in the park information and visitor centers. ■ In high desert tortoise use areas, during the active season, the park will undertake addition- ■ The National Park Service will adopt minimum- al temporary signing and staffing of heavily impact fire suppression techniques in the desert used entrances on busy weekends to raise visi- tortoise critical habitat, followed immediately by tor awareness of tortoise presence. If necessary, restoration of disturbed areas. speed limits may be temporarily adjusted. ■ The National Park Service will encourage and ■ The National Park Service will support and par- support research on the impacts of fire on the ticipate in an interagency regional study of desert tortoise. raven predation in order to determine the ■ The park will inventory and eliminate hazards to appropriate management actions. the desert tortoise from abandoned mining ■ No new roads will be built in the desert tortoise activities or facilities (e.g., install devices to critical habitat. Duplicate roads and those that exclude the tortoise from mine shafts).

42 ■ The park will modify existing water develop- predation on juvenile tortoises exceeds natural The Plan ments (mostly small game guzzlers) to prevent levels. The raven is protected under federal law desert tortoise from gaining access and to ensure as a migratory bird and USFWS is the agency they are able to escape from them. responsible for their management. Also, man- agement of raven populations must be under-
Management of Park Resources Recommended Cooperative Interagency taken on a broad scale across many jurisdictions. Management Actions: ■ The National Park Service recommends that the ■ The National Park Service will support the pro- California Department of Transportation fund and posed cooperative interagency desert tortoise install desert tortoise barrier fencing material on population inventory and monitoring effort their existing fences along 25 miles of Interstate using protocols and methods adopted by the 15 and 39 miles of Interstate 40 that bisect interagency Desert Managers Group. A coordi- desert tortoise critical habitat. These major nator was hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife highways are already significant habitat intru- Service to oversee this effort and Mojave has sions and receive substantial amounts of traffic. hired a wildlife biologist to coordinate our mon- They also have numerous existing culverts to itoring and research. The park will inventory provide occasional tortoise passage. and monitor desert tortoise populations ■ Mojave does not support the concept of throughout the Preserve in coordination with installing new desert tortoise barrier fencing on the interagency, rangewide efforts. paved roads in the Preserve. Mojave has already ■ The National Park Service will work with the undertaken measures (entrance signs and infor- California Department of Fish and Game to limit mation kiosks) to increase awareness of travel- hunting in Mojave to big game and upland ers of potential tortoise and other wildlife game bird species during their normal state sea- encounters. Fencing will lead to further habitat sons and cottontails and jackrabbits from fragmentation and will conflict with our goal of September through January. This action, com- eliminating fencing in the Preserve as grazing bined with the existing policy on no target permits are retired. Other measures have been shooting, will eliminate the discharge of firearms identified above that will be implemented sea- during the active tortoise period in the spring. sonally to heighten awareness and slow traffic. However, the park will consider allowing barrier ■ The National Park Service will work with the fencing along sections of the Kelso-Cima road if county to find a suitable location outside the installed by Union Pacific as a construction mit- Preserve to relocate the Baker waste transfer igation measure. The fence will be placed out of station. The National Park Service will also visual site so as to not increase the visibility of encourage and provide support for the reloca- tortoises walking along the fence. The fence tion of the open sewage lagoons so as to elim- will be left in place for a period of five years inate odors at the Preserve entrance and to after construction and the park will undertake reduce raven subsidizing. research to compare the fenced portion of this ■ The National Park Service recommends that road with a similar unfenced portion to deter- Caltrans, and communities of Baker, Nipton and mine the advantages and disadvantages to tor- Ludlow, and the County of San Bernardino, toise and other animals. adopt and enforce appropriate steps to elimi- ■ Mojave will work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife nate raven access to trash and food subsidies in Service, the U.S. Geological Survey, the areas within their immediate control. The California Department of Fish and Game, and National Park Service also recommends that the San Bernardino County to develop road these entities work with the National Park maintenance standards that minimize impacts Service to develop and install public education on desert tortoise. Berms and roadside vegeta- materials on desert tortoise life history and tion are two issues that need standards to be threats at all rest stops along Interstates 15 and developed. 40, and at other heavily used public use areas throughout the desert. If a development project is proposed on federal land ■ The National Park Service recommends that the within the desert tortoise critical habitat (e.g. a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service develop and imple- right-of way, mining, range development) and will ment a coordinated interagency program of disturb or otherwise modify the native plant com- raven control and reduction in areas where raven munity or ground surface, the developer will be

43 required to purchase equivalent habitat for the California State University to identify management desert tortoise’s preservation in accordance with the objectives and strategies, consistent with the recov- compensation formula established by the Desert ery plan, for maintaining the Mohave tui chub pop- Tortoise Management Oversight Group. Similar ulation (such as cattail and other aquatic plant requirements are enforced by U.S. Fish and Wildlife removal and dredging of the pond). Mojave Service (USFWS) on private lands. Some activities National Preserve will also pursue funding to pro- might be required to provide for tortoise monitoring vide for continued maintenance of the ponds and during the project. The National Park Service will monitoring of the population. apply stipulations as appropriate, for all activities permitted in areas where potential encounters with desert tortoise may occur. Mojave will continually evaluate ongoing research and consult with USFWS to modify these stipulations to reflect current research recommendations.

Mohave tui chub Background The Mohave tui chub (Gila bicolor mohavensis) is in the minnow family and can reach over 10 inches in Desert Bighorn Sheep length. The Mohave tui chub was listed as an endangered species in 1970 by the U.S. Fish and Background Wildlife Service. The Mohave tui chub is the only Native populations of Nelson’s bighorn sheep (Ovis fish native to the Mojave River basin in California. canadensis nelsonii) are found in most of the moun- The arroyo chub (Gila orcutti) was introduced into tainous terrain of the park, with population estimates the Mojave River system in the 1930s. This exotic as of 1994 at between 400 and 675 or more animals chub successfully hybridized with the Mohave tui (Torres, S. G. et al. 1994). The population is listed as chub, and by 1970 the latter fish species was “fully protected” by the state, primarily due to the believed to have been eliminated by this process of fragmentation of habitat throughout its range. It is introgression. A small population of genetically pure not a federally listed species. Mojave National Mohave tui chub was found at a small pond (6 feet Preserve provides substantial protected habitat for deep and 9 feet in diameter) at Soda Springs on the desert bighorn sheep and is also one of the few western bank of the dry Soda Lake (FWS 1984). places in California where bighorn sheep hunting is Since its rediscovery, populations have been success- allowed. Limited hunting of bighorn sheep began in fully introduced to constructed ponds at Soda Lake, 1987 (BLM 1988). A limited number of permits to Camp Cady, and China Lake Naval Air Weapons hunt bighorn sheep are issued each year by CDF&G Station. The total estimated population at these four through a lottery system. (See Table 1: Bighorn Sheep areas is between 10,000 and 20,000 fish (Mohave Populations in or near Mojave National Preserve). tui chub recovery team meeting, November 1996). Plan Actions The Mohave tui chub is morphologically similar to The park management goal is to inventory, monitor, the Owens tui chub (G. b. Snyderi) and the and protect a self-sustaining population of bighorn, Lahontan tui chub (G. b. obesa) (FWS 1984). A while allowing some hunting as mandated by genetic study, completed in September 1997, found Congress. Research will be encouraged and support- that the Mohave tui chub is a distinct subspecies ed to address the following management issues: (May et al. 1997). ■ To determine the need for artificial water guz- Plan Actions zlers and predator control. A population of the endangered Mohave tui chub ■ To determine the impact that rock-climbing has (Gila bicolor mohavensis) is maintained in small arti- on sheep lambing in the Clark Mountains. ficial ponds at Soda Springs. A final recovery plan exists for this species. Mojave will develop a coop- ■ To determine potential effects of jet noise from erative agreement between the National Park the proposed development of a major regional Service, California Department of Fish and Game airport only miles from the park’s northern (CDF&G), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and boundary.

44 Sensitive Habitats trees are susceptible to wildfire, and above ground The Plan portions of the plants are often killed. Background Chaparral Habitat: Several canyons, located within Plan Actions the New York Mountains, contains a unique assem-

Mojave will inventory, map and monitor sensitive, Management of Park Resources blage of plants and an interesting blending of plant unusual and limited distribution habitats. The communities not found elsewhere within the National Park Service will also encourage and sup- Preserve. Besides the small stand white fir trees (see port research to assist in determining threats and section below), an “enriched” pinyon-juniper-oak appropriate management strategies. The park will woodland, or interior chaparral community, is found encourage and support visitor use and education in Caruthers, Keystone, and Live Oak Canyons. efforts in order to promote understanding of them. Manzanita (Arctostaphylos pungens), oaks (Quercus chrysolepis and Q. turbinella), silktassel (Garrya White Fir: Fire planning will address efforts to pro- flavescens), single-leaved ash (Fraxinus anomala) tect white fir stands from wildfire, since they are not western service-berry (Amelanchier utahensis), tolerant to extremes in heat and have a thin outer holly-leafed redberry (Rhamnus ilicifolia), yerba bark. Its seedlings need shade to germinate and santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium), and desert olive establish, so if a stand were destroyed by fire, con- (Forestiera neomexicana) are all species that occur in ditions for new tree growth will not be favorable. the chaparral habitats of California and Arizona. Chaparral is typically a fire tolerant community, sup- Joshua Tree Woodlands: Park management goals porting intense fire due to volatile compounds in will include: the plants, but recovering over time to a similar community. Calcicolous scrub, a community that ■ Inventory and monitor the extent, density, and grows only highly calcic soils, is also found within age distribution of the Joshua tree woodland. the New York Mountains. ■ Research the long-term effects of grazing and, possibly, how the removal of cattle would effect White Fir Populations: Small populations of Rocky population dynamics of the Yucca species. Mountain white fir (Abies concolor concolor), relict ■ populations from the late Pleistocene-early Investigate fire management strategies that Holocene period can be found in the upper reaches consider short and long-term fire effects on of the New York Mountains and on Clark Mountain. components of this community and determine These pockets of white fir trees probably exist due appropriate strategies. to favorable conditions at the microsite level, with humidities in these small areas sufficient to favor Other Unusual Plant Communities sufficiently low evapotranspiration rates (Latting and Background Rowlands 1995). These north-facing canyons are Calcicolous Scrub: Vegetation associated with lime- wetter and cooler than the surrounding desert and stone and dolomitic outcrops occurring in the shelter these relict stands. Providence, New York, and Clark mountains. Characterized by the occurrence of many uncom- Joshua Tree Woodlands: The most obvious feature mon plants. of Cima Dome, next to its unique geological form, is the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia jaegeriana). The Sagebrush Scrub: Great Basin sagebrush (Artemisia Joshua tree woodland covering the dome and sur- tridentata tridentata) occurs in the Round and Gold rounding areas is considered to be the largest and Valleys in the Mid Hills area. This community is typ- most dense stand within the tree’s range, covering ical of the Great Basin desert to the north and is one in excess of 150 square miles and probably contain- example of the intersection of the three great ing more than a million trees. Although methods of southwestern deserts. aging of the trees are still subject to some disagree- ment, some of the trees with base diameters in Desert Grassland: A large expanse of desert grass- excess of three feet and heights of 30 feet or more, land containing about 20 species of perennial grass- may be 500–1,000 years old. The Joshua tree forest es is found in eastern Lanfair Valley. on the Cima Dome has not been surveyed and mapped for age distribution, nor are there any Shadscale Scrub: A stand of Atriplex confertifolia quantitative data to indicate the status of new occurs at Valley Wells and is characteristic of alkaline seedling recruitment into the population. Joshua soils of the Great Basin Desert.

45 Kelso Dunes: The Kelso Dunes, reaching over 600 or are limited in distribution, will be inventoried, feet above the surrounding terrain, are the largest monitored and studied to determine appropriate accumulation of sand within the Devil’s Playground management actions. area. The Kelso Dunes are one of six “booming” dune systems in the entire world. These are dunes Introduced Species that emit audible booming, humming, or buzzing sounds as they shift. Sand from the Kelso Dunes Background originated in Afton Canyon fan at the southern end Exotic (nonnative) species can include both plants of Soda Lake (Lancaster). They also support psam- and animals. They are generally defined as those mophytic, or sand-growing plant communities and species that occur in a given place as a result of a diverse, but largely unseen contingent of diverse direct or indirect, deliberate or accidental actions by and sometimes rare invertebrates. Dune inverte- humans. The exotic species introduced because of brates include arthropods such as scorpions, roach- such human action would not have evolved with es and beetles. Scorpions prey on smaller insects. the species native to the place in question and Roaches and beetles depend on wind-blown organ- therefore would not be a natural component of the ic material for both food and for nursery sites. ecological system characteristic of that place. There are 60 known nonnative plant species that have Mojave Yucca: The slopes of the Hackberry, Woods, been identified in the Preserve. Examples of exotic and Providence mountains support stands of very tall wildlife species in the Preserve include burros and (up to 25 feet) Yucca schidigera. chukar, and plants like tamarisk, goat-head thorns, halogeton, cheat grass and Russian thistle. Succulents (Cactus Gardens): Many slopes of the Preserve mountains support extensive stands of suc- Plan Actions culent shrubs, including barrel, silver cholla, buck- Nonnative plants and animals will not be used/intro- horn cholla, hedgehog, Mojave mound, beavertail, duced, except at historic sites where treatment plans and prickly pear cacti. (using the “Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Historic Properties”) have been approved by the Riparian: Piute Creek, the Preserve’s only perennial superintendent. The management of populations of stream, and the ephemeral Bull Canyon’s stream in exotic plant and animal species, up to and including the Granite Mountains supports a lush stand of cot- eradication, will be undertaken in accordance with tonwoods, willows, and other riparian vegetation. NPS Management Policies wherever such invasive Seeps and springs are relatively scarce and some- species threaten park resources or public health and times support riparian species. Studies have shown when control was prudent and feasible. riparian areas, including large washes, to be extremely important for ecosystem biodiversity and Burros sustainability. Background Mesquite: Mesquite thickets, which indicate a high Before the passage of the California Desert water table, occur in substantial numbers near Protection Act, the Bureau of Land Management Crucero, south of Soda Lake. Illegal offroad vehicle (BLM) administered herd management areas usage from the adjacent BLM Rasor OHV area poses (HMAs) in what is now the Mojave National threats to this community. Preserve. Their prescribed number of burros for what is now the main unit of the Preserve was 130 Smoke Tree: The smoketree (Dalea spinosa) is a species animals. On February 28, 1995, the superintendents reaching its northern distribution in or near the of Death Valley National Park and Mojave National Preserve. This Sonoran desert plant occurs in washes Preserve signed an agreement with the BLM to an primarily along interstate 40, although it is also found interim management policy for burros on lands for- in the Mojave River drainage west of the Preserve. A merly managed by the BLM. large assemblage of smoketree in Piute Valley was rec- ognized by the Bureau of Land Management as a A survey conducted in September 1996 estimated Sensitive Unusual Plant Assemblage. there were 1,415 burros in the surveyed portion of Mojave (National Park Service, 1997). This figure Plan Actions was produced from mark-recapture estimates Plant communities, identified as “unusual,” mean- derived from over 200 hours of helicopter aerial sur- ing they may be particularly sensitive to disturbance, veys. The areas chosen for the survey included

46 The Plan approximately 985,000 acres of the 1.6 million-acre removed; and in 1999, Mojave captured and park. Funds limited the amount of land that could removed 650 animals; for a total of 1,770 burros be surveyed; therefore, the study targeted previous removed from Mojave during the two and one-half BLM Herd Management Areas. year period. Assuming a 25% average annual pop-

ulation growth, plus these three years of captures, Management of Park Resources Since the survey was conducted, burro distribution there were approximately 915 burros in Mojave at has been discovered to be more extensive than orig- the beginning of calendar year 2000 (see table 2). inally determined. The number of burros estimated to exist within the Preserve outside of the original Plan Actions study area, based on casual observations by the Feral burros are an invasive, nonnative species that park’s field biologist, is at least a few hundred bur- damage native habitat and compete with desert ros. Although an exact number cannot be deter- bighorn, desert tortoise and other native species for mined unless a new survey is conducted, for plan- limited forage. The proposed management goal at ning purposes, a revised population estimate of Mojave is to remove all burros from inside the 1,650 animals is believed to have existed in Mojave boundary and implement actions, to the extent at the time of the 1996 survey. practicable, to ensure that they do no reenter.

To plan the burro removal program in Mojave, Thirty days after the “Record of Decision” was annual population increases due to reproduction are signed, the National Park Service’s multi-phased calculated. Empirical evidence indicates that burro plan for the removal of the remainder of Mojave’s herd sizes can increase at rates ranging from 11 to burros became effective. Burros will be removed in a 29 percent per year (Douglas and Hurst, 1993; multi-phased approach similar to that used success- Morgart and Ohmart, 1976; Ruffner et. al., 1977; fully in Death Valley National Monument (NPS, 1982) Woodward, 1976). Experience at Mojave suggests as described below. that a reproduction rate at the upper end of this spectrum is most representative of Mojave burro Phase One. During phase one, up to two years will herds, as indicated by: be allowed for the live capture and removal of as many burros as possible. The methods and proce- ■ Results of the 1996 Mojave survey showed that dures for capture, transport, and placement are the “when the reproductive rate is looked at as a same as those used in the existing management percentage of the adult population accompa- program. They are summarized below and present- nied by colts, the values…averaged 25.8%” ed in detail in the Action Plan for the Removal of (National Park Service, 1997). Feral Burros (NPS, 1998c). The capture techniques ■ Of the 520 burros captured in Mojave during will include water trapping, horseback wrangling, calendar year 1998, approximately 50% were helicopter-assisted roping and trapping, and net gun- female. Of those females, nearly every animal ning. The captured burros will be placed through the was either pregnant or accompanied by a colt1. BLM adoption program, animal protection groups, or direct or indirect placement programs of the National Taking into account these indicators of high repro- Park Service. ductive rates, it is therefore reasonable to assume a herd reproduction rate of 25% for estimating the Four capture methods will be used or considered size of the Mojave burro population during the mul- for Mojave’s burro program: 1) water trapping, 2) tiyear capture and removal program. horseback wrangling, 3) helicopter-assisted roping and trapping, and 4) net gunning. A phased Mojave received Natural Resource Preservation approach will be employed in implementing these Program (NRPP) project dollars to remove burros methods. Water trapping is considered the easiest from 1999–2001. and least expensive means of capture, with horse- back wrangling and helicopter methods becoming In September 1997, Mojave began removing burros increasingly more difficult and expensive. The more by live trapping them in corrals. In one month 600 difficult capture methods, however, are also more burros were captured and removed. Between June effective at capturing elusive, remote, and solitary and October 1998, 520 burros were captured and animals. It is anticipated that as water trapping

1 This observation implies an even higher reproductive rate than the 1996 survey suggests, but these numbers are not from a representative sample, so generalizations cannot be made about the entire population of Mojave burros.

47 becomes less effective, horseback wrangling and successful, because the burro herd will be helicopter methods will become the primary focus reduced to only those animals that drink at nat- of capture operations. ural sources.

The four capture methods are described in detail 2. Horseback Wrangling. As burro numbers are below. The number of burros that are removed with reduced, water trapping will become less effec- each method is subject to modification as the pro- tive. One alternative is horseback wrangling, gram progresses and various capture methods prove where riders capture burros by driving them more or less effective than anticipated. into corrals or by roping the animals and lead- ing them into corrals. Efforts would be made to 1. Water Trapping. Burros are habituated to use existing corrals or set up temporary corrals drinking at certain cattle corrals and developed (using six-rail livestock panels) in previously dis- waters in the desert. During water trapping, the turbed areas. Like water trapping, burros will be animals enter a corral through a one-way gate moved to a central holding corral where they known as a “finger trap” or “trigger” to obtain await removal from the park. They will be held water, and cannot exit. Only existing corrals or no more than five days, would have free access previously developed water sources are used. to water, and will receive regular food. Temporary corrals would be set up around those developed water sources planned for trapping It is anticipated that horseback wrangling will be where no corral exists. Temporary corrals are used throughout the life of the program to cap- made of 6-rail livestock panels. No trapping is or ture animals that cannot be water trapped and would be conducted at springs, wetlands, ripar- are not concentrated enough to warrant the ian areas, or other sensitive environments. All expense of helicopter capture. Costs per animal trapping locations are previously heavily impact- capture are expected to increase over the life of ed by livestock and feral burro use. the program as burros become harder to reach due to terrain factors and distance from roads. Traps are checked for animals every day during water trapping operations. Trapped animals are 3. Helicopter-Assisted Roping and Trapping. loaded on a trailer and hauled to a central hold- During helicopter-assisted trapping, a helicopter ing corral, where they await shipment out of is used to locate burros and herd them into a Mojave. Holding corrals, like the trapping cor- funnel trap. Wranglers wait until the burros rals, are located on ground that is previously enter the mouth of the funnel trap and then heavily disturbed by livestock use. Only existing close in behind the animals, herding them into corrals are used. Burros wait in the holding cor- ral no more than five days before shipment out the corral. During helicopter-assisted roping, a of the park. Whether in the trap or in the hold- helicopter is used to herd the animals to a cap- ing corral, burros are given constant access to ture site where wranglers are waiting. The water and are provided adequate feed. wranglers rope the animals and lead them to a corral. Like the other two methods, captured Water trapping has been highly successful at burros will be placed in a temporary holding Mojave, resulting in the capture of 1,841 burros corral where they would be cared for while during three separate trapping seasons. awaiting removal from Mojave. Experience in other locations suggests that water trapping is most effective in the summer, Helicopter-assisted roping and trapping will be when the animals are more thirsty and more employed to capture burros in those areas were willing to enter a trap to get a drink, and when water trapping and horseback wrangling are there are fewer natural water sources available. not feasible or effective, and where there is a Based on the effectiveness of the water trap- high enough concentration of burros that heli- ping program to date, however, Mojave is copter methods will prove cost effective. Costs attempting to water trap burros on a year- per animal capture are expected to increase round basis. If water trapping becomes ineffec- over the life of the program as burro numbers tive in the spring, fall, or winter, trapping during are reduced. In FY2000, Mojave initiated heli- these seasons will be halted. Additionally, it is copter-assisted roundups in the Lava Beds and anticipated that as the program progresses, even Granite Mountains, resulting in the capture of warm-season water trapping will become less over 513 burros by this technique.

48 The Plan 4. Net Gunning. During net gunning, a net is fired resulting in the placement of hundreds of bur- onto the animal from an overhead helicopter. ros. Mojave will continue to use this contract to Animal handlers (either already on the ground place burros in the future. or in the helicopter) then move the burro to a
designated holding corral. Captured animals will 3. Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse Management of Park Resources be placed in a temporary holding corral where and Burro Adoption Program. The BLM has a they are cared for while awaiting removal from well-established adoption program for horses Mojave. It is anticipated that only the most and burros removed from the wild. During remote and elusive burros will be captured 1997, Mojave placed 600 burros through the through net gunning. Net gunning will be used BLM program. Another 100 animals were sparingly and only in those situations where no placed with BLM in 1999. Due to a saturated other option exists for burro capture. Costs per market, fiscal considerations, and BLM’s inter- animal are expected to be extremely high. pretation of the 1971 Wild and Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act, BLM’s ability to take bur- Mojave currently utilizes three placement sources ros from Mojave is limited, but this option will for captured burros. The market for burros in the be used in the future where appropriate. United States is limited, and no single placement source is capable of absorbing all the burros that Burro herd migrations, size of the park, and must be removed. Cost also factors into decisions uncertainties associated with the effectiveness of on placement. The three placement sources are: the various capture methods make predictions on the timing of burro capture very difficult. 1. The Fund for Animals’ Black Beauty Ranch. Generally, horseback wrangling and helicopter- The Black Beauty Ranch, located in East Texas assisted capture will be conducted during the and owned by the late Cleveland Amory’s Fund warmer months when burro herds are concen- for Animals, is a haven for unwanted animals. trated around water sources. Water trapping, In a signed general agreement with the NPS, which is assumed to be more effective in the sum- the Fund has agreed to accept up to 300 mer, will nevertheless be attempted year-round to Mojave burros per year at the Black Beauty test the efficacy of a four-season operation. Ranch. Under the terms of the agreement, the Fund takes the animals free of charge. The NPS Predictions about capture locations are also difficult must finance shipping the animals to Texas, plus to make. Mojave is a large area with few geographic all necessary veterinarian check-ups and blood boundaries that can inhibit burro migration within work. Mojave contracts for shipping and veteri- the park. The 1996 survey (NPS, 1997) and burro narian services. monitoring over the last three years by park staff, Upon arrival at the Black Beauty Ranch, the bur- suggest that burro herds are concentrated in the fol- ros become the property of the Fund for lowing general locations: Granite Mountains, Animals, and they are adopted to interested Providence Mountains/Clipper Valley, Woods/ parties or live out their lives on the ranch. In Hackberry Mountains, New York Mountains, Ivanpah 1998, 100 burros were successfully sent to the Mountains, Cima Dome, Cinder Cones, and Clark Black Beauty Ranch under this agreement. In Mountain. The combined area of these locations 1999, 300 animals were placed there. totals over one million acres. Predicting burro herd locations within these general geographic areas is 2. Private Contractor. In 1998, Mojave contract- problematic. Decisions on general capture areas will ed with a private company to remove and mar- be based on monitoring observations taken approxi- ket burros for the NPS. The company picked up mately two weeks prior to capture operations. the burros from the park, transported the ani- mals to their facilities, and sold them to private Decisions regarding specific trap and holding corral entities. Their market included selling burros for locations will be made immediately after the deter- pets, breeding, pack stock, and other recre- mination of the general capture locations. The spe- ational purposes. Under contract stipulations, cific number of livestock corrals in Mojave that could no burros were sold for slaughter, and the com- serve as potential traps or holding facilities is pany made available to the NPS records indicat- unknown, but may number in the dozens. Potential ing where each burro was sold. The program holding facilities exist within a few miles of almost all with this company has been highly successful, capture locations.

49 Phase Two. Upon signing of the “Record of ■ Fence the Clark Mountain unit of the Mojave Decision,” the National Park Service will provide a National Preserve, following the Preserve maximum of six months during which animal pro- boundary. To allow for deer and bighorn sheep tection groups may remove any remaining animals, ingress and egress, critical portions of the fence at their expense, from areas of the Preserve where would be constructed similar to that proposed live trapping/capture techniques have achieved the by Andrew, Lesicka, and Bleich (1997), which maximum cost effective results. If the group’s pro- allows deer and bighorn sheep to pass, but not posal is agreeable with the NPS, an agreement will burros or cattle. This alternative could not be be negotiated and signed between the National Park implemented until the existing cattle grazing Service and the interested group(s). The National permits within the park are retired. Park Service will provide oversight, logistics support, ■ Work cooperatively with BLM and CDF&G on and the use of some equipment and corrals. conducting joint gathers and aerial surveys. It is anticipated that most of the Mojave’s burros will Rocky Mountain Mule Deer likely be captured and removed through phases one and two. If an agreement with an animal protection Background group is not reached within six months of the sign- The California Department of Fish and Game intro- ing of the “Record of Decision,” the NPS will imme- duced the Rocky Mountain mule deer (Odocoileus diately begin Phase three. Phases one and two must hemionus hemionus) into the New York and result in adequate removals each year to reduce the Providence Mountains of the Preserve in February populations substantially in the area being targeted. and March of 1948 from Arizona (Dasmann 1968). If phase one proves unsuccessful in the first year, the Nine bucks and 31 does were released. The first NPS could move to phases two and three as needed authorized hunt of this population was in 1955. The to achieve the desired results. One area of the department estimates that about 25 deer are taken Preserve may remain in phase one, while other areas per year. The population has remained relatively sta- proceed to phases two and three as necessary. ble since the first introduction.

Phase Three. In phase three, NPS staff or contrac- Mule deer are native to the Mojave Desert and tors will eliminate the remaining few animals in a occur in nearby mountain ranges. Although the humane manner to achieve a zero population. This deer in Mojave were introduced by the California action will occur only when desert tortoises are not Department of Fish and Game, anecdotal informa- active above ground. By timing operations in this tion suggests that a resident population may have manner, juvenile tortoises will not be subject to occurred in the pinyon-juniper and sagebrush habi- increased predation by ravens, which are likely to tat prior to these introductions. It is likely that these congregate near burro carcasses. Phase three will deer have interacted and bred with adjacent herds continue for an indefinite time. The park also main- over the last 50 years and may now be genetically tains the option of implementing phase three if live similar. DNA studies would help to resolve this captures do not succeed in reducing populations. As apparent information discrepancy. captures proceed, a particular area of the park could be placed in phase two or three separate from the Plan Actions rest of the park. No actions to remove this species are warranted until the genetics of the deer population are studied. The NPS is aware of the burro’s potential for rapid population growth (up to 25% per year). The above Chukar proposed removal strategy will result in a burro pop- ulation that approaches zero within five years of its Background initiation in 1997. The chukar (Alectoris graeca), an upland game bird popular among hunters, was first introduced into A BLM burro Herd Management Area (HMA) lies California (from India) in 1932 (Mallette c.1970). adjacent to Clark Mountain, with no natural or con- Between 1932 and 1955, more than 52,000 birds structed barriers to prevent burros from entering were released by the California Department of Fish this satellite unit of the Preserve. No other BLM and Game (Mallette c.1970). The birds prefer rocky HMAs exist immediately adjacent to Mojave. In open hills and flats. Sightings have been reported addition, the BLM proposes to retain cattle grazing from below sea level to above 12,000 feet in the surrounding the Clark Mountain area. Because of White Mountains and Sierra Nevada. The animal is this situation, the National Park Service will: abundant in parts of the Preserve. 50 The Plan Plan Actions Plan Actions In order to protect the native quail population and Tamarisk. Mojave will continue to identify and to maintain a native desert ecosystem, the NPS will remove the invasive nonnative salt cedar tamarisk encourage reductions in this population of exotic (Tamarisk ramosissima). Successful control of
birds by seeking a higher bag limit, as compared to tamarisk has been demonstrated in numerous proj- Management of Park Resources the native quail population. No new releases of ects throughout the southwest. Only authorized her- these, or other exotic species, will be authorized. bicides will be used in tamarisk control efforts. Such herbicides are non-persistent, non-toxic to aquatic Nonnative Plants life and are used in accordance with accepted man- agement practices and proper dosages. Any use of Background poisons or other chemical agents on federal lands within the Preserve, including use by the park or by There are 60 known nonnative plant species that permittees, requires review and permission under have been identified in the Preserve. Tamarisk or salt the NPS Integrated Pest Management program. cedar (Tamarix ramosissima), Russian thistle, and introduced annual grasses (from Europe and Asia) are Athel tamarisk trees (Tamarisk aphylla), such as those some of the more pernicious exotics within the planted along the Union Pacific railroad corridor for Mojave National Preserve. These species often out- protection of the tracks from blowing sand, do not compete native vegetation, subsequently eliminating spread easily and are not considered a threat. or displacing natives and associated native animals. Retention of athel tamarisk trees at Kelso Depot and Annual plants such as introduced grasses and Russian Zzyzx as part of the historic landscape will be evalu- thistle often cause an unnatural increase in the ated during planning efforts for those sites. amount of dried material available as wildfire fuel.

Salt cedar, an introduced shrub or small tree 5 to 20 CULTURAL RESOURCES feet tall, is an opportunistic invader of moist areas. Program Goals Both the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service have ongoing control pro- The National Park Service will develop and imple- grams that are attempting to manage this invasive ment a systematic, integrated cultural resource plant. Continuing control is needed to prevent this management program in accordance with the NPS weedy tree from outcompeting and eliminating Management Policies (2001) and Director’s Order native vegetation. A larger, less invasive relative, the 28. This program will identify, inventory, monitor, athel (T. Aphylla), has been planted (typically as a and evaluate archeological sites, historic properties, windbreak or sand-break) in a number of locations cultural landscapes, and ethnographic resources; in the Preserve (e.g., near Kelso Depot). This species nominating significant resources to the National does not spread easily and is not considered a Register of Historic Places and will manage, protect, threat. Some of these trees may be considered part and preserve such listed properties in a way that will of the historic landscape would be evaluated during preserve their documented archeological, architec- planning efforts for those sites. tural, ethnographic, historic, or research values. The program will be developed through collaborative Russian thistle (commonly called tumbleweed) is partnerships with government agencies and public common in many disturbed areas in Mojave National and private organizations with cultural resource management expertise. Preserve, such as at old mining sites and along road- sides. Introduced annual grasses such as Bromus and Schismus species are serious pests when mature (Hitchcock and Chase 1971). “The narrow, sharp- pointed minutely barbed florets (or fruits) with their long rough awns work into the eyes, nostrils, and mouths of stock, causing inflammation and offer serious injury” (Hitchcock and Chase 1971). The increase of these grasses throughout much of the arid west is believed to be an important contributing factor in the increase in desert wildfires, which were uncommon at one time. 51 Mojave’s resource management plan will address evaluated as not qualifying for the National the requirements, projects, and funding to imple- Register. The historic resource study should ment the cultural resource program. To support this evaluate privately-owned properties within the program, the National Park Service will develop col- Preserve without preparation of NR forms so laborative partnerships with government agencies, that should such properties later be acquired or as well as public and private organizations with be potentially affected by some Federal action, expertise in cultural resource management or their status will already have been evaluated. research capabilities. These entities could include Mojave National Preserve is so large an area and federal, state, and county agencies, academic insti- current funding for historic resource studies tutions, local and regional cultural and historical comes in such small amounts that it will be nec- associations, and Native American tribes affiliated essary to schedule a series of historic resource with lands in the Preserve. As requested, the studies, each focused on a different topic, to National Park Service will cooperate with owners of cover the history of the resources within the historic properties within the Preserve boundaries to Preserve: (1) mining; (2) ranching; (3) home- ensure the their preservation. To achieve cultural steading (4) exploration; (5) transportation resource program objectives, under the authority of routes (trails [Old Spanish Trail], wagon roads 36 CFR 1.5, the National Park Service might control [Beale’s Road, Mojave Road], railroads, automo- or limit human activities in areas designated as cul- bile roads [Route 66], etc.) and communication turally sensitive or threatened. facilities; (6) settlements and towns; (7) military camps, Patton’s Desert Training Center facilities, Baseline Data and Desert Strike training (1964); (8) military operations against Desert Indians; (9) prohibi- The National Park Service will develop and implement tion and law enforcement; miscellaneous other a systematic applied cultural resource research pro- topics not covered by the foregoing Recreation] gram to ensure that (1) there will be adequate base- etc. line information on location, condition, threats, and significance/integrity of resources; (2) interpretation ■ a scope of collections statement and a collec- and preservation treatment of resources will be accu- tion management plan rate; and (3) appropriate means will be used to man- age, protect, preserve, and interpret Native American ■ revising the list of classified structures, cultural heritage or other ethnographic resources. The landscape inventories, evaluations, and assess- research program will include the following studies: ments with emphasis on themes of the history of western exploration and settlement, mining, ■ archeological studies, including a regionally ranching, and railroading based archeological research plan, an archeo- logical overview and assessment, and archeo- logical identification and evaluation studies List of Classified Structures ■ ethnographic studies, including an ethno- The List of Classified Structures (LCS) is a park’s com- graphic overview and assessment, a cultural puterized inventory of known historic and prehistoric sites inventory, and cultural affiliation studies structures having historical, architectural, or engi- ■ historic resources studies (including possible neering significance in which the NPS has, or plans separate studies of ranching, mining, trans- to acquire, any legal interest. Properties included in portation, and military use), historic structure the LCS are either on or eligible to the National reports, historic furnishings plans, an adminis- Register or are to be treated as cultural resources by trative history, and special history studies. A his- law, policy, or decision reached through the planning toric resources study is an illustrated narrative process even though they do not meet all National history and normally is accompanied by draft Register requirements. The LCS documents signifi- National Register forms together with requisite cance, condition, use, threats, treatments, cost esti- maps and photographs for all properties identi- mates for treatment, and physical description. fied within the study as meeting National Seventy-two structures are currently listed in the Register criteria, while the study itself identifies Preserve’s LCS. This list is a preliminary list and will be those which lack either sufficient age, or maintained and updated as necessary to reflect cur- integrity, or significance, and thus have been rent research, surveys and interpretations.

52 Cultural Landscapes determined to be eligible for the National Register The Plan of Historic Places. Background The Cultural Landscape Inventory (CLI) is an evalu- A Cultural Landscape Inventory of the Kelso Club ated inventory of all cultural landscapes (landscapes, House and Restaurant Historic District was complet-
Management of Park Resources component landscapes, landscape features, and ed in FY 2001. A Cultural Landscape Inventory of component landscape features) having historic sig- the Soda Springs Historic District commenced in FY nificance in which the National Park Service has or 2000. The basic cultural landscape inventories have plans to acquire legal interest. The CLI provides the been completed for: baseline information for a cultural landscape. As such, the CLI assists park managers and cultural Zzyzx Mineral Springs Historic District (Draft resource specialists in planning, programming, and Nomination) (Landscape) recording treatment and management of listed Kelso Depot Historic District (Draft Nomination) landscapes. The Cultural Landscape Inventory has (Landscape) three primary functions: Mojave Road (Landscape)

■ To identify and inventory cultural landscapes in Potentially Significant Landscapes that will be evalu- a national data base, ated: ■ To record information about these resources related to their identification, location, descrip- Marl Springs tion, characteristics, historical development and Rock Springs current management, and Paiute Pass (feature) New York Hills Historic District (1890s) ■ To provide park staff with the information nec- (Landscape) essary to make informed decisions about appro- Death Valley Mine (Landscape) priate treatment of these cultural resources. Vanderbilt Site (Component) Providence Mountains Historic District A Cultural Landscape Report (CLR) serves two (Landscape) important functions; it is the principal treatment Foshay Pass (Feature) document for cultural landscapes and the primary Macedonia Mining District (Landscape) tool for long-term management of those land- Rock Springs/Government Holes (Component) scapes. A CLR guides management and treatment Ivanpah Historic District (Landscape) decisions about a landscape’s physical attributes, Ivanpah (Component) biotic systems, and use when that use contributes Clark Mountain Mining District (Landscape) to historical significance. A comprehensive Cultural General Patton’s Desert Training Center (Camp Landscape Report has three parts, which include: Essex) (Landscape) Lanfair Valley (Landscape with multiple owners) ■ A site history with maps, a description of the existing conditions, and an analysis and evalua- Given the following historic landscapes are not tion of the identified resources, managed by the NPS there are no plans to evaluate ■ Proposed treatment of the landscape, and these resources for possible listing: ■ A record of treatment for that landscape Union Pacific Los Angeles to Salt Lake City Line At least sixteen potential historic landscapes have (Landscape) been identified in Mojave National Preserve that are Boulder Transmission Line (Landscape) potentially eligible for listing on the National Mitchell Caverns (Landscape) Register of Historic Places, but cultural landscape studies have not been undertaken to identify their National Register Properties character-defining elements. Background Plan Actions Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act Landscapes reflecting mining, ranching, railroading, of 1966 and administered by the NPS in the and ethnographic activities can be seen throughout National Center for Cultural Resources Stewardship the Preserve. The Preserve will inventory the cultur- and Partnership Programs, the National Register is al landscapes and prepare nomination for those the nation’s official list of districts, sites, buildings,

53 structures, landscapes and objects in both public were associated with Dr. Springer and the Zzyzx and private ownership that are significant in Mineral Springs. The report may recommend the American history, architecture, archeology, engi- preparation of development concept plans for the neering, and culture. Section 110 of the NHPA man- coordination of new and existing facilities to better dates that all federal properties that are over 50 support current and proposed operations. years of age must be inventoried and evaluated for eligibility to the National Register. It further directs As a result of the series of historic resource studies, that those properties over 50 years of age that have a large number of other properties, including not yet been evaluated be treated as though they numerous ranches, homesteads, townsites, railroad were eligible to the National Register until docu- stations, mines, springs, and ranching develop- mented as non-eligible. ments may be evaluated for their historical signifi- cance and integrity. The following properties within Mojave NP are list- ed on the National Register: Ethnography ■ Kelso Depot Background ■ Piute Pass Archeological District Attention to the peoples whose lifeways are tradi- ■ Aikens Wash National Register District tionally associated with resources under National ■ Historic Boulder Transmission Lines 1, 2, and 3 Park Service stewardship is mandated in legislation Archeological District and the NPS Management Policies (2001). Ethnography, part of cultural anthropology, is con- Plan Actions cerned with the peoples associated with parks, with The Kelso Depot was listed on the national register their cultural systems or ways of life, and with the in August 2001. A Historic Structure Report con- related technology, sites, structures, other material taining history, archeology and architecture sec- features, and natural resources. In addition to tradi- tions, and both historic, HABS, and other recent tional regimes for resource use and family and com- drawings has been completed and published on the munity economic and social features, cultural sys- Kelso Depot. A Historic Furnishings Report for the tems include expressive elements that celebrate or Kelso Depot has also been completed (November record significant events and may carry considerable 2001) for certain rooms that are proposed to be symbolic and emotional weight. These include ritu- refurnished to their historic appearance. als, sacred narratives such as origin myths, verbal arts including folk tales, and performing and graph- The following properties have been determined to ic arts. Cultural anthropologists refer to behavioral, be potentially eligible to the National Register and value, and expressive patterns, and technology, as National Register nomination forms are being pre- features of cultural systems. Preservation specialists pared for them: may use the term “intangible” to refer to behavior, values, and expressive culture. ■ Soda Springs Historic District ■ Mojave Road Plan Actions ■ Rock House Developing programs, policies, guidelines, and data to help Preserve management identify and protect The Historic Resources Study, scheduled for comple- culturally significant resources falls to the Preserve’s tion by 2005, will identify and evaluate additional applied ethnography program. A major goal is to properties that may be nominated to the National facilitate collaborative relationships between the Register such as the Ivanpah and Providence town- NPS and the people, including Native American sites and the Death Valley Mine. groups and the ranching and grazing communities If the Soda Springs Historic District is determined to be in the Preserve area, whose customary ways of life eligible to the National Register, management of the affect, and are affected by, NPS resource manage- facility could be affected. The National Park Service ment. Seeking practical outcomes, the program will produce a Cultural Landscape Report / Historic identifies issues that concern management, com- Structures Report that will specify the historic preser- munities, and the resources they both value and vation treatments for the various historic structures provides information to promote mutually accept- and cultural landscape elements at Soda Springs that able solutions. 54 While no ethnographic or traditional cultural prop- Archeological Resources The Plan erties have been identified in the Preserve, this may change during future dialogues, between NPS staff, Background the Native American tribes, and the ranching and Archeological resources occur in almost every unit
grazing communities. of the national park system. What makes archeo- logical resources significant are their identity, age, Management of Park Resources location, and context in conjunction with their Collections Management capacity to reveal information through the investi- gatory research designs, methods, and scientific Background techniques used by archeologists. Such resources The Preserve has existing collections onsite, includ- are critical to understanding and interpreting ing a library, a growing collection of paper and pho- American prehistory and history; however, archeo- tographic archives, and a few historic items from logical resources are fragile and may be easily Kelso Depot. Archeological materials emanating destroyed unless proper attention is paid to their from compliance activities currently are stored at management as mandated by the following federal WACC. A recently purchased collection of laws and policies, and their respective implementing Chemehuevi baskets is being curated at Death regulations, standards, and guidelines: Valley National Park. Future acquisitions may include ■ archeological collections, historical collections relat- NPS Management Policies (2001) ing to mining, ranching/homesteading, native and ■ Antiquities Act of 1906 ethnographic communities, and modern military ■ Sections 106 and 110 of the National Historic exercises; and contemporary items associated with Preservation Act of 1966 recreation/tourism (for example, Soda Springs). ■ Archeological and Historic Preservation Act ■ Archeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 Plan Actions ■ Native American Graves Protection and The National Park Service will prepare a scope of Repatriation Act of 1990 collections statement and a collection management plan to address and document the management, There is significant documentation of archeological protection, preservation, and use of natural and cul- information at Mojave which continues to expand. tural specimens, objects, documents, photographs Since 1997, Mojave has been developing an arche- or electronic media in accordance with the provi- ological sites management inventory system sions of NPS Director’s Order 77. The scope of col- (ASMIS). The ASMIS database is the NPS standard lections statement will address the significance of database for archeological resources and provides the collections and set limits on collections consis- data necessary to complete GPRA reporting require- tent with the park’s mission, purpose and identified ments. All Mojave archeological base maps on file in themes in its interpretive prospectus. It would also San Bernardino have been digitized. Archeological address collections generated by research, resource and project data collected up to 1999 (approxi- management, and compliance activities. The collec- tion management plan will document and evaluate alternative approaches to management, preserva- tion, and protection of collections identified in the scope of collections statement. Alternatives will include developing in-house collection manage- ment capability, with a museum storage facility, or developing cooperative agreements with other park units, other federal agencies, or universities and museums. Mojave staff are currently working with the Pacific Great Basin and Columbia Cascades staff curators and the Death Valley National Park curators regarding these alternatives and other curatorial planning needs. Curatorial storage preference will be given to local facilities that will be more readily accessible to park staff and researchers. 55 mately 1,300 sites) has been entered in the data- base maps at the San Bernardino Information Center. base. All available site files have been scanned, ver- ified, and entered in the database. A GIS has been Plan Actions created to integrate all available data through a Mojave National Preserve will seek to identify, pro- series of custom tools in ArcView. ASMIS is the only tect, preserve, and interpret archeological resources electronic site database for national parks in under its jurisdiction. California like Mojave. The development phase of the ASMIS program will In 1996 the California Historical Resources continue with completion anticipated in 2001. Information System (CHRIS) was initiated, with the Updates to the database would be undertaken as support of the Desert Managers Group, for the development of an Internet-based GIS application new information becomes available. Except as nec- for the digitizing archeological information available essary for projects with proposed land disturbance, in the California Information Centers. A massive little new archeologically-based research is antici- undertaking, thus far the CHRIS has digitized all the pated in the foreseeable future.

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