Bellevue Triangle and Foothills

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bellevue Triangle and Foothills Draft for BCC review 1-5-21 View from Timmerman Hill: Photo credit - Carol Waller Bellevue Triangle and Foothills Location and Context The Bellevue Triangle and Foothills subarea Creek Preserve, are located here. The many spring-fed encompasses over 236,000 acres of land in in the streams that feed into Silver Creek and the Big Wood southwestern corner of the Blaine County. It extends to River form important natural features. Magic Reservoir “Queen’s Crown” - the distinctive promontory between is located in the southwest corner at the confluence of Picabo and Carey - on the east and to the ridgelines the Big Wood River and Camas Creek. south of Croy Canyon and Sharps Canyon on the north. The subarea is accessed by both State Highway 75 and The agricultural area commonly known as the US Highway 20, which along with Gannett Road forms “Bellevue Triangle” is at the heart of this subarea, the “triangle” giving the area its informal name. For surrounded by the foothills of the Smoky and Pioneer many County residents, the iconic view of the Bellevue Mountain ranges and the Picabo and Timmerman Hills. Triangle from the top of Timmerman Hill is a visual “homecoming” as the Triangle’s open and agricultural This subarea includes the small communities of spaces, the sagebrush foothills and the peaks of the Gannett and Picabo. Silver Creek, the world-famous Pioneer and Boulder Mountains come into view. fly-fishing stream, and The Nature Conservancy’s Silver 1 | C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e – B e l l e v u e Triangle and Foothills Land Use Characteristics manages 117,409 acres, primarily for grazing and recreation. Other public land includes 15,190 acres Ownership/Management managed by the Idaho Department of Lands, many leased for grazing. This subarea is unique in the County, having no land There is a greater percentage of privately held land in managed by the US Forest Service within its this subarea than any other - approximately 44% of the boundaries. Only 50% of this subarea is federally total land area (roughly 100,000 acres in about 1450 managed, a lower number than any other subarea in parcels). Blaine County. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) 6% Land Ownership/ Management Land Ownership/ 50% 44% Management C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e - Bellevue Triangle and Foothills | 2 Draft for BCC review 1-5-21 Conservation easements As of 2020, permanent conservation easements exist Ranch easement protects 10,400 acres of ranch land on over 24,000 of the 100,000 acres of privately owned and scenic vistas in the western part of Blaine County. land - nearly 25%. These easements protect working The County’s Land Water and Wildlife Levy Program ranches, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat and much of the has provided financial support to obtain and promote valuable spring-fed Silver Creek complex. Riparian and conservation easements in this subarea. wetland habitat associated with Silver Creek and its tributaries provide habitat connectivity to the adjacent The Land Ownership/Management map below, Silver Creek Preserve. This area includes extensive showing these easements, tells a more complete story wintering grounds for elk, deer, moose, bald eagle, and of the protection of the land. Trumpeter Swan. The massive Rinker Rock Creek Land Ownership/ Management - with Conservation Easements 3 | C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e – B e l l e v u e Triangle and Foothills Land Cover This subarea is predominantly shrub (60%) in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to the west, the Pioneer foothills to the east, and the Picabo Hills and Timmerman Hills to the south. Grassland covers nearly another quarter (24%) of total land area. While cropland comprises only 10%, this land use covers much of the private land area, and the majority of the valley Land Cover by Percent floor. (All remaining) 2%2% 2% 10% Land Cover 24% 60% C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e - Bellevue Triangle and Foothills | 4 Draft for BCC review 1-5-21 Existing Land Uses found in the foothills areas. Large tracts of land in the western part of the County, off Camp Creek Road, are Agriculture owned by entities out of Gooding and Hagerman for summer grazing. The historic Sheep Bridge, This subarea contains 18,373 acres of prime constructed in 1965 and located just off US Hwy 20 agricultural land on the valley floor. Farms range from two miles west of Stanton Crossing, is still utilized by small specialty crop endeavors to farms of hundreds herders moving their sheep to and from summer of acres in size. Numerous farms and ranches are pastures. family-owned, multigenerational enterprises. Primary crops include barley, alfalfa, hay, seed potatoes and forage blends for cattle and horses. Some of the most progressive crop rotation techniques in the County were initiated at the farms and ranches here. Organic barley grown in the area is of high quality, earning twice the price over conventional malt barley. Beef cattle, operations and horse breeding and equestrian operations are also found in this area. Agricultural trends noted in this subarea include: Larger, more mechanized operations to capture economies of scale Land being purchased by non-agricultural entities Increased use of technology such as no-till production, GPS guidance, drones, soil moisture sensor and others Growing emphasis on protecting watersheds and rebuilding soil health An increase in direct to consumer farming models, including Idaho's only USDA-listed food hub, serving retail customers throughout the County with goods aggregated from over 70 regional producers A local grain mill opened in 2019 and produces Sheep Bridge: Photo credit - Lisa Horowitz 1.5 million pounds of flour annually from local wheat and barley, and is sold wholesale to area Some “agricultural businesses” are allowed through bakeries. the Conditional Use Permit process in the Productive Agriculture districts. Some of these existing Conservation easements play a large role in businesses include a composting business, landscape protecting farmland in this area. contractor, commercial nurseries, stables, pet While most of the agriculture is located in and near boarding, and transportation services. the triangle itself, extensive ranching and grazing is 5 | C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e – B e l l e v u e Triangle and Foothills Residential parcels. These lots are generally organized on a grid pattern with streets and alleys. The Townsite lies just Because this subarea is more agricultural in nature, it west of Gannett Road about seven miles south of has fewer residential “neighborhoods” than the other Bellevue. Like other townsites, the lots are Wood River Valley subareas. There are a few multiple- substandard in size for the R-.4 zoning (many well lot subdivisions and some unplatted areas that are under a quarter acre). Gannett is strictly residential as sometimes referred to as neighborhoods, as well as of 2020, although one lot is zoned General the platted townsites. These are described below, Commercial containing a vacant building. generally north to south. Picabo Southern Star Acres This 18-lot subdivision was platted in 2001. It accesses Platted in 1917 by the Kilpatrick Brothers Company, via Labrador Lane less than one-half mile from Picabo Townsite platted 227 lots within 16 blocks. Bellevue’s southern city limit. All lots are 5 acres. Block 10 was designated as Kilpatrick Park. With several re-plats and combinations of lots, there are Bellevue Farms now 90 Picabo town parcels. The community also The 1980 Bellevue Farms subdivision includes 30 lots includes a few adjacent residential lots in the Picabo lying between Highway 75 and Gannett Road, Hills Subdivision, along with several non-residential accessed via Equus Drive. The lots are generally from uses lying just north of the old Townsite and along 5 to 10 acres in size. both sides of U.S. Highway 20. Several of the southernmost parcels of the old Townsite are in Griffin Ranch agricultural use. Griffin Ranch consists of Griffin Ranch Subdivision and West Magic three phases of Griffin Ranch PUD Subdivision, all lying directly east off Gannett Road, less than two The small community referred to as West Magic - on miles south of Bellevue. It comprises approximately the west shore of Magic Reservoir - consists of over 70 lots and 8 common area parcels. Two of the 200 lots in Magic Subdivision, Government common area parcels, together roughly 60 acres, are Subdivision, West Side Subdivision and Fred Evans actively farmed. Subdivision. Most of these lots are very small, substandard in size, and many have been combined Freedom Loop area or modified over the years. Many have mobile and Roughly 20 unplatted lots are adjacent to Freedom manufactured homes, and some accommodate Loop road (accessed via Freedom Lane off East recreational vehicles. A large number are seasonal Glendale or Derby Road off Highway 75). These lots cabins. The community lies partly in Blaine County are generally 10 acres and 20 acres in size. and partly in Camas County. The community also includes the West Magic Resort. West Glendale/Poverty Flats While not a single subdivision or closely placed lots, East Magic this is an area with roughly 40 homes and referred to The small community referred to as East Magic - on by many locals as a “neighborhood.” the east shore of Magic Reservoir - consists of roughly 75 cabin sites within East Magic Resort and on Gannett property owned by Big Wood Canal Company. As in Originally platted in 1916, the old Gannett Townsite West Magic, these sites are very dense and plat included 179 lots.
Recommended publications
  • Evaluation of Streamflow Records in Big Wood River Basin, Idaho
    GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR 192 , EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS IN BIG WOOD RIVER BASIN, IDAHO By R. P. Jones UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR. Oscar L. Chapman, Secretary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY W. E. Wrather, Director GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CIRCULAR .129 EVALUATION OF STREAMFLOW RECORDS IN BIG WOOD RIVER BASIN, IDAHO ByR P.Jones Washington, D. C., 1962 Free on application to the Geological Survey, Washington 26, D. C. CONTENTS Page Page Abstract................................. 1 Syllabus of gaging-station records--Cont. Introduction............................. 1 Gaging-station records--Continued. Purpose and Scope ••••••••••.• . • • • . • . • • 1 Big Wood River--Continued. Acknowledgments........................ 1 Big Wood River above North Gooding Physical features of the basin........... 2 Canal, near Shoshone .....•••..•••. 33 Utilization of water in the basin........ 3 Big Wood River below North Gooding Water resources data for Big Wood River Canal, near Shoshone •..•...••.••.• 35 basin in Idaho. • . • . • • • . 5 Big Wood River near Shoshone .••...•.• 36 Streamflow records. • . • • • • • . • • . 5 Big Wood River above Thorn Creek, Storage reservoirs. • . • . • . • • • . ·5 near Gooding...................... 37 Adequacy of data •...•..•..••......•.... 12 Big Wood (Malade) River at Gooding Syllabus of gaging-station records •••.... 15 (Toponis). • . • • . • . • . • . • . • 38 Explanation of data.................... 15 Dry Creek near Blanche ...•..•....•. 39 Gaging-station records ........••....... 16 Little Wood River: Big Wood River
    [Show full text]
  • Idaho Fishing 2019–2021 Seasons & Rules
    Idaho Fishing 2019–2021 Seasons & Rules 1st Edition 2019 Free Fishing Day June 8, 2019 • June 13, 2020 • June 12, 2021 idfg.idaho.gov Craig Mountain Preserving and Sustaining Idaho’s Wildlife Heritage For over 25 years, we’ve worked to preserve and sustain Idaho’s wildlife heritage. Help us to leave a legacy for future generations, give a gift today! • Habitat Restoration • Wildlife Conservation • Public Access and Education For more information visit IFWF.org or call (208) 334-2648 YOU CAN HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NOXIOUS WEEDS IN IDAHO! 1. Cleaning boats, trailers and watercraft after leaving a water body 2. Pumping the bilge of your boat before entering a water body 3. Cleaning boating and fishing gear from any plant material 4. Reporting infestations to your County Weed Superintendent CALL 1-844-WEEDSNO WWW.IDAHOWEEDAWARENESS.COM DIRECTOR MOORE’S OPEN LETTER TO THE HUNTERS, ANGLERS AND TRAPPERS OF IDAHO y 6-year-old grandson caught his first steelhead last year. It was a wild fish and he had Mto release it. We had quite a discussion of why Grandpa got to keep the fish that I had caught earlier, but he had to release his. In spite of my explanation about wild fish vs. hatchery-raised fish, he was confused. Although ultimately, he understood this, when his dad caught a wild steelhead and he had to release it, as well. Both of my grandsons insisted on taking a picture of us with my fish. These moments in the field with our families and friends are the most precious of memories that I hope to continue to have for several decades as a mentor of anglers and hunters, demonstrating “how to harvest” and more importantly how to responsibly interact with wildlife.
    [Show full text]
  • Wood River Basin IDWR Observations and Conclusions 2021
    Wood River Basin Hydrologic and Hydrogeologic Relationships Prepared for the BWRGWMA Advisory Committee IDWR Observations March 17, 2021 Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) 1) Snowmelt runoff is the primary source of water for irrigation and other purposes in the Big Wood River basin. Based on snowpack measurements made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), the snow water equivalent (SWE) on March 15, 2021 for the Big Wood River basin was 78% of the median for the period 1981 to 2010. Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) 2) The Surface Water Supply Index (SWSI) is a predictive indicator of surface water availability in a basin compared to historic supply. The NRCS computes the SWSI by summing the two major sources of surface water supply for irrigation; streamflow from runoff and reservoir storage. According to the NRCS website, “SWSI uses non-exceedance probabilities to normalize the magnitude of annual water supply variability between basins. The non- exceedance values are then rescaled to range from +4.1 (extremely wet) to -4.1 (extremely dry). A SWSI value of 0.0 indicates a median water supply as compared to historic occurrences.” Magic Reservoir Water Supply 3) At the beginning of each month, the NRCS publishes a SWSI for many of the irrigated basins in the western United States including the Big Wood River basin below Magic Reservoir. On March 1, 2021, the Big Wood SWSI for the most probable case (50% exceedance) was -2.2, which is in the bottom one-third of values for the period 1991 to 2020.
    [Show full text]
  • Magic Valley
    22 (! Mackay r Jim McClure-Jerry (! iv e 75 e R Sawtooth "! Hemingway-Boulders Peak Wilderness Idaho Fishing Seasons &Rules2019-2021 idfg.idaho.gov s i Wilderness "!2 1 o Wilderness Jerome (! B r k F o e R !( k h o i s iv e r e t B Atlanta e !( MAGIC VALLEY k r r X o r Y F r C Howe o l e REGIONAL d Mile 136.2 Bridge l C i N d i a (North Fork r M y OFFICE T k R ££93 Idaho k Big Wood River) ! r o ( o d t F o National m Baker Sun as o S k E W Laboratory g Lake e ig Arco Arrowrock i e Valley B (! ^ Trinity ngs r £ _ R B i £ !( v r C 20 Reservoir i e B Lakes r p S a Featherville X r rm Y ££ a u 93 C Mile 122.2 ££ W g 26 Lucky e h £ r £26 s Bridge C e W Peak i v r Be a i l o National Forest ££ l 20 Reservoir o "!75 B w C S r Little Wood o Anderson Ranch e Glendale Rd e Reservoir u k Bridge X Reservoir Y t Craters h (Dam) Hot Springs Carey of the Moon F o r k Fairfield X Little Camas Y (! Landing Lake Reservoir ££93 Wilderness X Y (! ££20 Magic s C Silver Creek Carey CYN D I C OU LTE R ID F G/I FW IS 2 0 1 9 a m a r e e k Reservoir C (separate map) (Dam) X Y Ri ch f Maps for general ie l d reference only.
    [Show full text]
  • IDAHO WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT June 1, 2021
    Natural Resources Conservation Service Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report June 1, 2021 North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River Photo by Peter Youngblood, May 1, 2021 The abnormally warm and dry spring conditions continued throughout May with only a brief respite from a much needed storm system. This resulted in faster snowmelt, diminished streamflow, and earlier peak streamflow than normal across many basins. Short and long-term weather forecasts predict that warm and dry weather are here to stay for the foreseeable future. As we head into summer, which is typically our dry season, it’s likely that drought conditions will intensify and persist across our region. IDAHO WATER SUPPLY OUTLOOK REPORT June 1, 2021 Overview This spring has been one of the driest on record, leading to earlier and higher irrigation demand. Idaho Department of Water Resources has declared drought emergencies in eight counties in Idaho and more southern counties could follow suit. The NRCS snow- monitoring network shows that snow remains only at the highest elevation sites across our state. Streamflow conditions vary by basin with some rivers experiencing below normal flow levels for this time of year. It’s likely this week’s hot weather will melt most of the remaining snow and lead to streamflow peaking soon. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, ~61% of Idaho land is in drought status compared to 20% one year ago. Drought conditions are expected to persist in counties already experiencing drought this summer, while drought conditions are expected to develop in the Treasure Valley, northern and eastern Idaho.
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Big Wood River Ground Water Management Plan
    RECEIVED SEP O9 2020 September 9, 2020 DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES Idaho Department of Water Resources 322 E. Front Street, Suite 648 P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0098 Attn: Gary Spackman, Director Dear Director, The Galena Ground Water District and South Valley Ground Water District have completed the enclosed Big Wood River Ground Water Management Plan for your review. Our collaborative effort in drafting this plan has included extensive research and guidance from our respective hydrologists to create a plan that manages the aquifer in the Big Wood River Management Area. In anticipation of 2021 irrigation season, we are submitting this plan for review and eventual approval. We look forward to working together with IDWR to manage our aquifer and maintain it's health for years to come. Sincerely, Galena Ground Water ~­ Pat McMahan, Chair ff/,A-- South Valley Ground Water Kristy Molyneux, Ch · Encl. Cc: Brian Patton, IDWR Matt Weaver, IDWR BIG WOOD RIVER GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT AREA PLAN Introduction Idaho law authorizes the Director of the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) to designate ground water management areas within the State of Idaho, upon a determination by the Director that the ground water basin or any part thereof is approaching the conditions of a critical ground water area. (Idaho Code § 42-233b) . The Director has exercised that authority in a number of locations around the state. The Big Wood Ground Water Management Area (BWGWMA) was designated by Order of the Director on June 28, 1991. Attached as Exhibit 1A is a copy of the Order. In designating the BWGWMA, the Director determined that the surface and ground waters of the Big Wood River drainage are interconnected and that management policies were necessary to address the connection between ground and surface water within the Camas Creek, Silver Creek, and Big Wood River drainages above Magic Reservoir.
    [Show full text]
  • Ketchum Land Exchange (IDI-35331) Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ID-T030-2012-0008-EA
    United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Twin Falls District Shoshone Field Office 400 West F Street Shoshone, Idaho 83352 Telephone: (208) 732-7200 Fax: (208) 732-7317 Environmental Assessment DOI-BLM-ID-T030-2012-0008-EA Ketchum Land Exchange (IDI-35331) Applicant: Blue Canyon Corporation (Land Exchange IDI-35331) Prepared for the Bureau of Land Management by ERO Resources Corporation June 2012 Contents 1 Purpose and Need ................................................................................................................... 4 1.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.1.1 Federal Parcel.............................................................................................................. 5 1.1.2 Non-Federal Parcels................................................................ .................................... 5 1.2 Purpose and Need for Action................................ .......................................................... 6 1.3 Decision to be Made ....................................................................................................... 6 1.4 Conformance with Applicable Land Use Plans .............................................................. 6 1.5 Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, or Other Plans .................................................... 8 1.5.1 Federal........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Geologic Map of the Fairfield 30 X 60 Minute Quadrangle, Idaho
    Geologic Map of the Fairfield 30 x 60 Minute Quadrangle, Idaho Mapped and Compiled by Dean L. Garwood, John D. Kauffman, Kurt L. Othberg, and Reed S. Lewis 2014 Geologic Map of the Fairfield 30 x 60 Minute Quadrangle, Idaho Compiled and Mapped by Dean L. Garwood, John D. Kauffman, Kurt L. Othberg, and Reed S. Lewis INTRODUCTION The northeast part of the quadrangle is underlain by Devonian, Permian, and Pennsylvanian strata (Mahoney and others, 1991). Cretaceous and Eocene intrusive The geologic map of the Fairfield 30′ x 60′ rocks crop out extensively north of the Prairie (Lewis quadrangle identifies rock units exposed at the surface and Kiilsgaard, 1991; Kiilsgaard and others, 2001) and or underlying thin surficial cover of soil and colluvium. many of the hills both north and south of the Prairie and The map is the result of field work conducted in 2013 east of the Big Wood River are composed of Eocene and compilation of previous mapping by the authors. Challis Volcanic Group, andesitic and dacitic to rhyolitic Mapping by previous workers, noted below, was field rocks and associated sedimentary units (Sanford, 2005). checked and incorporated where appropriate. Soils The Eocene rocks are locally capped with Miocene information is from Case (1981). Major oxide and trace basalt and rhyolite tuff. The rhyolite tuff is considered element analyses of samples in the quadrangle were part of the Miocene Idavada Volcanics of Malde and done at Washington State University’s GeoAnalytical Powers (1962). Younger rhyolite in the Magic Reservoir Laboratory in Pullman, Washington; analytical results area has been studied by Leeman (1982), Struhsacker are available for download from the IGS website.
    [Show full text]
  • Bellevue Triangle Draft As Approved By
    Draft as approved by BCC View from Timmerman Hill: Photo credit - Carol Waller Bellevue Triangle and Foothills Location and Context The Bellevue Triangle and Foothills subarea Creek Preserve, are located here. The many spring-fed encompasses over 236,000 acres of land in in the streams that feed into Silver Creek and the Big Wood southwestern corner of Blaine County. It extends to River form important natural features. Magic Reservoir “Queen’s Crown” - the distinctive promontory between is located in the southwest corner at the confluence of Picabo and Carey - on the east and to the ridgelines the Big Wood River and Camas Creek. south of Croy Canyon and Sharps Canyon on the north. The subarea is accessed by both State Highway 75 and The agricultural area commonly known as the US Highway 20, which along with Gannett Road forms “Bellevue Triangle” is at the heart of this subarea, the “triangle” giving the area its informal name. For surrounded by the foothills of the Smoky and Pioneer many County residents, the iconic view of the Bellevue Mountain ranges and the Picabo and Timmerman Hills. Triangle from the top of Timmerman Hill is a visual “homecoming” as the Triangle’s open and agricultural This subarea includes the small communities of spaces, the sagebrush foothills and the peaks of the Gannett and Picabo. Silver Creek, the world-famous Pioneer and Boulder Mountains come into view. fly-fishing stream, and The Nature Conservancy’s Silver 1 | C h a p t e r 8 – L a n d U s e – Bellevue Triangle and Foothills Land Use Characteristics manages 117,409 acres, primarily for grazing and recreation.
    [Show full text]
  • Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report March 1, 2020
    Natural Resources Conservation Service Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report March 1, 2020 Boise Foothills near Bogus Basin Road Snow Course, February 28, 2020 Photo courtesy of Melissa Ghergich The Bogus Basin Road snow course (5,568 ft), visible above in the sunlit aspect of the image foreground, serves as an important barometer for transition zone snowpack. The March 1 snow measurement yielded 8.6” of snow water equivalent (SWE), which is 130% of normal. Several other snow measurement sites in the Payette and neighboring Boise River basin depict a similar story: above normal snowpack in the ‘lower’ elevation (~5,000 to 6,000 ft) zones. Interestingly, in and near the Boise River basin, all measurement sites below 5,700 ft are reporting above normal SWE, while all stations above 5,700 ft are reporting below normal SWE. Continue reading the full report for snowpack and water outlook details throughout Idaho. Water Supply Outlook Report Federal - State – Private Cooperative Snow Surveys For more water supply and resource management information: Contact: Your local county Natural Resources Conservation Service Office Internet Web Address: http://www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow/ Natural Resources Conservation Service Snow Surveys 9173 West Barnes Drive, Suite C Boise, Idaho 83709-1574 (208) 378-5700 ext. 5 To join a free email subscription list contact us by email at: [email protected] How forecasts are made Most of the annual streamflow in the western United States originates as snowfall that has accumulated in the mountains during the winter and early spring. As the snowpack accumulates, hydrologists estimate the runoff that will occur when the snow melts.
    [Show full text]