Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan JanJary 1998 Contributors

This publication was made possible through the generous financial contributions ofthe following agencies and individuals City of Flagstaff Arizona USDA Forest Service Coconino National Forest Flagstaff Arizona National Park Service Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Program American Greenways Program The Conservation Fund Michael Trauscht Tempe Arizona

GIS Mapping GeoEnvironmental Consulting Company Flagstaff Arizona United States Geological Survey Biological Resources Division Colorado Plateau Field Station Northern Arizona University Flagstaff Arizona

Layout and Desigm Northland Graphics Flagstaff Arizona

Printed by Creative Litho Phoenix Arizona

satellite The cover art was generated using part of a Landsat Thematic MapperTM 400 miles image collected on May 10 1993 from an altitude of approximately were 700 km Landsat spectral bands 2 green 3 red and 4 nearinfrared used to make the color composite Vegetation shows up in various shades of red because of its high nearinfrared reflectance which was used as the red were component in the color composite The image processing and manipulation United States done by Miguel Velasco under the direction of pat Chavez at the results be Geological Survey USGS Flagstaff Field Center and image can seen at httpterrawebwrusgsgovTRS

For additional information you may contact

City of Flagstaff Coconino National Forest Planning Division Supervisors Qffice 21 West Aspen Avenue 2323 Greenlaw Lane Flagstaff AZ 86001 Flagstaff AZ 86001 520 7797685 52O 52736OO FAX 520 7797693 FAX 520 5273620

This publication is printed on recycled paper Flagstaff Area Open Space and Greenways Committee

Agency Representatives Citizen Members Michael Bencic Jon Baker Coconino County Parks and Recreation City of Flagstaff Parks and Fair and Racing Department Recreation Commission

Arian Colton Bill Burke Arizona State Land Department Flagstaff Resident MemberatLarge Arizona Preserve Initiative Jeff Johnson Al Hendricks City of Flagstaff Beautification Commission Arizona State Land Department Mark Lamberson Division Forestry Flagstaff Chamber of Commerce Rick Miller Pat Loven of City Flagstaff Northern Arizona Realtors Association Planning Division Jean Peters Ursula Montafio City of Flagstaff Parks and of City Flagstaff Recreation Commission Planning Division Jean Richmond Bill Towler Northern Arizona Home Builders Coconino County Norm Wallen Community Development Department Sierra Club

Advisors David R Wilcox

Museum of Northern Arizona Katherine Farr Coconino National Forest Facilitators Sam Henderson National Park Services Rivers Trails National Park Service and Conservation Assistance Program Flagstaff Area National Monuments Michael Creasey Debbie Kill Holly Van Houten Coconino National Forest Bonnie Waninger Peaks District Ranger Joe Winfield Sharon Metzler Coconino National Forest Peaks Ranger District

Kim Watson National Park Service Flagstaff Area National Monuments Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Section 1 Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions 16 17 Open Space Categories Primitive 17 19 Semiprimitive 20 MultipleuseConservation 21 Neighbooods CulturalHistoricalRecreational Facilities 22

24 Landscape Districts 24 Open Space Category Criteria Descriptions 27 Table 1Open Spaces Category Criteria Descriptions

Section 2 Recommendations Common to all Landscape Districts 30

Introduction 31

31 Land Ownership and Development 31 Development Within Neighborwoods 32 Land Ownership in Neighborwoods 34 Development Within the MultipleuseConservation Category Considerations for Burrers Between Communities and 34 Between More Primitive Landscapes

35 Recreation Trail Linkages and Access Roads General Recreation Recommendations by Open Space Category 35 36 Camping Outdoor Facilities 37 37 Groups and OulrilterGuides 39 Winter Recreation 39 OHV OffHighway Vehicle Use 40 TrailRoad Linkages System 41 The Rio de Flag Linkage 42 Methods for Developing the Recommended Linkage Network 43 General Access by Open Space Category Forest Service AccessRoads 44

46 Resource Management 46 General Wildlife Management 47 Wildlife Corridors 49 Wildlife Viewing and Education Opportunities Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and reenways Plan

Section 2 continUed

Shooting 49

Hunting 50 Rare and Unique Species Habitat 50 Fire Management 51

Riparian Oommunity 52

Watershed 52

Traditional American Indian Uses 52

Oultural and Historical Sites 52 Research 53 general Forest Products 53

6razing 54 Timber Management 55

Mining 56

Firewood Cuffing and Gathering 56

Community Participation Information and Education Agency Collaboration and Law Enforcement 58

Community Padicipation in Neighborwoods Management 58 Information and Education 59 Improving Communication Cooperation and Oollaboration and Among Belween Agencies and the Public 60

Law Enforcement 61

Section 3 Recommendations Unique to Specific Landscape Districts 62

Introduction 63

OpenSpace Retention Recommendations 63

Desired Futures and Expected Outcomes 64

Implications for Future Land Exchanges and Sales 65

A1 Mountain Landscape District 68 Table 31AMountain Landscape District Lands Recommended for Retention

Griffiths Springs Landscape District 74 Table 32Griffiths Spring Londscape District Lands Recommended for Retention 77

Kachina Peaks District Landscape 84 Table 3Kachina Peoks Landscape District Lands Recommended for Retention 89

Mt Elden Landscape District 90 Table 34Mt Elden Landscape District Lands Recommended for Retention 94 Table of Oontents

Section 3 continued

Old Caves Landscape District 96 Table 35Mt Elden Landscape District Lands Recommended for Retention 1 O0

Pumphouse Wash Landscape District 108 Table 36Pumphouse Wash Landscape District Lands Recommended for Retention 111

Sunset Crater Landscape District 114 Lands Iecommended for Retention in the Sunset Crater Landsca 3e District 117

Walnut Canyon Landscape District 118 Table 37Walnut Canyon Landscape District La nds Recommended for Retention 123

Wing Mountain Landscape District 126 Table 38Wing Mountain Landsccpe District Lands Recommended for Retention 129

Section 4 Conclusion 131

Creation of an Open Spaces Coalition 131

Appendix 1 Open Spaces and Greenways Implementation Tools A11 to A121

Appendix 2 Implementation Agencies and Processes A21 to A211

Appendix 3 Resource Mals A31 to A39

Appendix 4 Memorandum of Understanding A41 to A411 Plan Area

0 miles that residents in the greater Flagstaff communities be able to reach open spaces no more than 15 minutes from their neighborhoods

Greater Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

The Greater Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways following is a list of the values associated with Plan is intended to provide guidance in protect open spaces and greenways These values are the Plan in the and ing and preserving existing open spaces with referred to throughout goals the demands of urban growth Residential objectives recommendations and implementa populations are expected to double by the year tion strategies 2020 This will the structure of growth change community identitycontained anddirectedgrowthdevelopmentnonmotorizedtransportationcorridorsrecreationalopportunitiesscenicquality the landscape and limit opportunities to experi wildlifemovementcorridorshabitatwaterandairqualityfloodcontrolThegoalsobjectivesofthe Planweredetermined bythecommunityandrepresentativesoflandmanagementagenciesthroughathreeyearplanningprocessTheprimarygoalGreaterFlagstaffArea OpenSpacesandGreenwaysPlanistomaintainFlagstaffsqualityoflifeby findingwaystobalancedevelopmentwiththeretentionofopenspacesandnaturalareasAkeyprincipleinrecommendationsis ence the benefits of greenways and open spaces More and more people desire to live in and visit Northern Arizona The number of visitors to the cool pines from the MetroPhoenix area is expected to increase as their populations also increase Land management decisions can no longer be made without more consideration of the interrelationships between natural and urban needs People in the Flagstaff area need to consciously choose where and how much of the open spaces that currently surround our communities will continue to exist into the

future Once existing open spaces are devel oped access to and connections between open spaces are difficult to regain The distribution size and shape of open spaces can be even more important than the mere presence of these open areas Because of these increasing demands there needs to be more communication coordi nation and cooperation between governmental entities residents and visitors to this part of Northern Arizona The values of open spaces affect the cultural

and natural resources of

the Flagstaff area The Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

The Importance of Open Spaces and Greenways

felt to contribute Open spaces are significantly Open spaces and greenways function to the of life in the quality greater Flagstaff in many ways for people and for wildlife These landscape areas protect the natural resources that people The is Flagstaff area surrounded by open depend on such as watersheds and lakes intermixed with space greenways Open space streams and aquifers timber rangelands and is simply undeveloped landl There are usually large areas of vegetation that help maintain few roads or humanmade structures buildings or improve air quality They protect developed Open space may be a wilderness a park a places from floods and storm water runoff In wildlife or a vacant lot in an urban refuge area addition designated open spaces and greem Broad areas of are for open space managed ways can be used to contain and direct growth conservation and such multiple uses as recre avoid the need for costly utility and infrastruc wildlife ation habitat watersheds education ture extensions and maintain scenic vistas and and natural resource commodities They can natural resources be centered on natural features such as moun Some of these lands are publicly owned tains and or on cultural canyons resources some are privately owned and some are the such as archaeological sites or astronomical result of publicprivate partnerships For exam observatories Open spaces are also nature ple some individuals may donate a conserva reserves recreational areas and monuments tion easement along a small strip of land Greenways are linear corridors of open bestow title of a large parcel to a conservation space in urban areas They are beneficial for organization or agree to maintain a buffer strip providing connections to larger open spaces for ofvegetation close to a riparian community people and wildlife along trails or watercourses Some are open to visitors others are not Greenways can follow natural features such as Some appeal to people others attract wildlife rivers or escarpments or humanmade features Together open spaces and greenways provide such as abandoned railroad corridors and a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts scenic roadways Greenways are trails wildlife Surrounding the greater Flagstaff area and corridors riparian communities and utility cor adjacent communities are undeveloped lands ridors They link nature reserves parks cultural These forested lands dotted with mountains features and historic sites with each other and and dissected by canyons provide many varied with populated areas They are planned natural opportunities for recreation and traditional for corridors linking large natural areas such as est uses oftimbering and grazing while shelter parks and national forests or wildlife refuges ing and serving as corridors for wild animals Greenways maintain native habitats and wildlife and providing water for many uses Residents migration routes and tourists enjoy these easily accessible tranquil settings of wide open spaces natural vistas rare riparian communities and unbroken forested landscapes These places are ribbons of green around the Flagstaff communities that provide opportunities for people to enjoy nature These open lands bring the outofdoors to peoplesown doorsteps Much of the land around Flagstaff is administered for the benefit of the public by the Forest Service and National Park Service In addition State Trust lands are managed for the benefit of the Trust Each agency has a different mission and in the past has often exchanged or sold lands adjacent to urban areas These Executive Summan

changes in ownership have not always been guided by longrange planning but have resulted from inde pendent requests and have not always considered the long term implications Often exchange of these lands has been an advantage to the agency allowing it to divest itself of lands

that are difficult to

manage or that have management objec The Interstate 17Interstate 40 interchange on the south side of Flagstaff is currently tives not in concert The increased undergoing a major expansion to handle increased traffic more efficiently with the agencys demand for such development underscores the importance of implementing a regi0nwide mission Nonetheless plan for determining the course 0ffuture development and controlling its pace one of the results has been undesirable pat terns of urban sprawl and the frustration experienced by many citizens Flagstaff and Coconino County and who valued the open space character and use of implemented by the cooperating agencies those oncepublic lands Flagstaff and nearby through changes to their management plans area communities are largely dependent on the this Plan should become a key component of continued retention of Forest Service and State a regionwide coordinated flexible growth Trust lands to maintain the lifestyle to which management process The City of Flagstaff local citizens are accustomed Coconino County and other agencies will use recommendations in the Plan to coordinate In 1994 recognition of the unwanted conse the land activities to maintain a mix quences ofthis process led to the formation of management of and the Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways development open spaces This Plan is not intended to be a Committee established and coordinated by the sitespecific document For the Plan does not set City Committee members included representa example tives from the City of Flagstaff Arizona Game and Fish Department Arizona State Land Department Coconino County local citizens and various business recreation conservation tourism and education interests Advisory to

the Committee were the Forest Service Coconino National Forest and the National Park Service National Monuments All Committee members were residents of the greater Flagstaff area Throughout the Plansdevelopment there were public forums and continual contact with interested members of the public This Plan will serve as the principal guide to the future protection of the open spaces and greenways surrounding Flagstaff and adjacent communities Qnce adopted by the City of Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways PJan

priorities for development of the Flagstaff open spaces and greenways will help to define the Urban Trail System but it does indicate a pafferns of future development prevent further need for future development of a linkage system encroachment into unique locations and maintain between locations It various does not tell agen peoplesconnections to the land cies what to dol but makes recommendations Open spaces and greenways are the view for agencies to consider during their own plan sheds or scenic vistas the land ning This Plansrecommendations attempt to throughout scape Viewsheds around strike a balance between conscious longterm surrounding Flagstaff communities consist ofwhat can see choices for the future of wildland resources and people when look the subdivisions the needs of an expanding resident and visitor they beyond or centers population By implementing this Plan regional shopping Through thoughtful open these viewsheds land management agencies and communities space planning can be retained will be better able to create maintain and even amid humanmade changes to the enjoy the benefits of open spaces and green landscape In the have ways for local longterm benefit past open spaces often existed default and were often The The Committee identified general reasons by temporary pat based on values resources and characteristics tern of urban sprawl made development of trail and recreation why open spaces and greenways were important longterm systems areas to them These reasons guided the Committees difficult because locations used informally for development of management recommendations trails and recreation could end up being devel for lands surrounding Flagstaff The Open Spaces oped at a later time Urban sprawl increases and Greenways Plan was developed as a result of the cost of providing services to residents this collaborative effort The City of Flagstaff has long been attempting to minimize these costs in part by designating Retainnatural appearing landscapes adjacent an Urban Service Boundary within which the to urban and residential areas the throughout gen City provides services such as water sewer eral area and Flagstaff outlying communities The trash removal and snow plowing

The Urban Flagstaff Trail System is a prime example of a highquality alternative mode corridor between transportation the city communities and outlying areas Such trails will enable residents to leave their homes and reach a park or other open space within a 15minute walk Executive Summary

Provide continued recreational oppoffunities for area residents and visitors by retaining and improving recreational values of open lands near residential areas

Undeveloped areas surrounding communi ties are used for individual and family recre ation permitted activities and gathering resource products All of these uses have increased over time and because ofthe growth of the Flagstaff and Phoenix metropolitan populations this trend will likely continue Establishing open spaces and greenways will distribution the area help communities and public agencies to shift The desired of wildlife in Flagstaff includes and small the management priorities of these lands currently maintaining songbirds animals such as this squirrel throughout the city and toward uses that maintain and enhance recre surrounding communities Concentrations of them ational uses while considering community als0 will be maintained in some locations conducive and future health Some uses safety ecological to wildlife viewing will be altered many will not change Future monitoring of impacts from various uses and people will be an ongoing process

Connect communities open neighborhoods makes this landscape a special place to live cultural sites and natural areas by spaces parks Although many people in Flagstaff enjoy seeing nonmotorized corridors to providing transportation wildlife people and wiidlife are never completely the between communities and between the city compatible and areas city outlying As Flagstaff has grown development has disturbed wildlife habitats or driven wildlife Flagstaff area residents should be able away from some neighborhoods As places to leave their neighborhoods and reach a trail oftraditional wildlife foraging have been devel park or other open space within a 15minute the mix ofwildlife species has changed walk which is part of a lifestyle currently oped and some areas have lost much of their value enjoyed by Flagstaff citizens This requires as wildlife habitat Urban development without access points in neighborhoods and develop consideration for wildlife can lead to loss of ment of a network oftrails and roads People critical wildlife habitat Wildlife movement will use these routes for recreation or commut corridors allow wildlife populations to migrate ing The network would connect the City of from one area to another area according to Flagstaff Coconino County and National Forest seasonal patterns weather and foodsupply locations with trail corridors near paved roads conditions If wildlife populations cannot travel for example as well as a trail network in more to find the food shelter and water they need remote areas to connect peripheral communi their numbers decrease and their populations ties and sites become less viable Disruption of travelways could reduce wildlife populations on a regional Conserve natural ecosystems and wildlife rather than on a local scale The best landscape habitats to be compatible with human needs for design for wildlife around Flagstaff is one in recreation functioning watersheds and community which natural areas are connected wide cor Minimize the loss of critical wildlife habitat by safety ridors that contain the most diverse habitats to keep wildlife in and around Flagstaff available However how wildlife use these corri Wildlife Conserving and enhancing wildlife dors and other open spaces will greatly depend habitat within and adjacent to Flagstaff is an on how humans use these corridors Many open important part of the quality of life in Flagstaff space and greenway design considerations tradeoffs between human uses and As long as people have lived in Flagstaff they involve have considered wildlife to be part of what habitat values Flagetaf Area Open Spaces and reenways PJan

Downtown boasts a number Flagstaff of historic and cultural sites such as the Babbit which was built between and Building 1888 1904 Such historic strctures are tangible evi dence the of past and are therefore important to preserve f0 current and future generations

Some open space design decisions will use riparian communities enjoying the cooler have to be based on the desired future distribu climate lush green vegetation wildlife viewing tion ofwildlife around This Flagstaff desired opportunities and fishing Some riparian com distribution currently includes maintaining munities also provide sites for outdoor educa songbirds and small animals throughout the tion activities Some American Indians attach and city surrounding communities and concen traditional cultural values to certain springs trations of them in some locations conducive and creeks to wildlife viewing Large animals such as deer FieThe forests that and elk could still be seen on the outskirts of ponderosa pine cover the Rim contain the city including greenways that people use currently Mogollon many more trees acre than when minimally to moderately Wildlife movement per European set tlers arrived in the mid and The corridors would exist further from urban areas late1800s and would provide travelways for animals that intense grazing at the end of the 1800s coupled with fire and broadscale timber migrate seasonally move between subpopula suppression ing with a few fine seed tions need more remote habitats or simply converged years early this to create the need more space such as bears century nearly continuous coverage of young ponderosa pine trees that communities IJloian Riparian are lands is seen today There is an urgent need to reduce on the of bodies edges of water These places the number of small trees because current should be conserved for many reasons primari densities increase the risk of fire starting and because few natural communities ly riparian spreading quickly This could be done by exist in the landscape surrounding Flagstaff mechanically removing the younger trees and because these habitats have a high diversity andor through the use of prescribed fire of plant and animal life Where effluent systems Another benefit of prescribed fire is the exist or are proposed riparian opportunities reduction of debris that has accumulated on should be enhanced and taken advantage of the forest floor from leaves and limbs over the as natural communities just riparian are years because there have been very few fires Wildlife and domestic animals depend Prescribed fires can be humanstarted low on communities riparian for water People intensity fires or prescribed natural fires from Executive SummaJ

lightning strikes that are allowed to burn Prehistoric and historic structures are tang therefore if they meet prescription and management ible evidence of the past and are for current and future objectives Prescribed fires reduce fuels such important to preserve branches as pine needles leaves and tree By generations around hold reducing the amount of fuels available for wild Some locations Flagstaff Indian fires through thinning and prescribed fire there significant spiritual values for American For some American Indians can be a significant reduction in the risk of life cultures example for medicinal and needs and property loss due to wildfire At the same gather plants spiritual visit certain to and reflect time prescribed fire programs mimic fires nab others places pray the environ ural role in nutrient cycling American Indians want to retain mental health of these special places and have Waresslued The of a piece of land to ability raised concerns about their future such as the and store water is influenced absorb transport overuse advertisement or promotion and pos many activities such as pavement and con by sible degradation of resources Consequently soil caused crete structures and compaction by consultation with American Indians is an impor roads trails or intense livestock grazing Open tant part of planning and making decisions and greenway lands can be used to man space about open spaces and greenways age these factors to improve or maintain the health ofwatersheds Vegetation and healthy Provide buffers between communities and slow water from surface soils can or capture between more primitive landscapes rain and snowmelt Water moving over land fills and can be used intermittent streams which in turn fill larger Open spaces greenways urban while creeks rivers and lake basins Water moving to contain sprawl maintaining between and the underground through the soil percolates down separation Flagstaff outlying communities a visual separation into aquifers Providing will each community maintain a sense Flagstaff area communities depend on help its as well as a sense of snowmelt springs aquifers and lakes for water of own identity belong to the community sources Therefore maintaining healthy water ing larger through linkages Continuation of current uses on State sheds that can successfully capture and filter public and lands is one means to this water is important for the longterm availability Trust private end In the case of State Trust lands continua of water The overall priority is to protect the tion of nonurbanleases and revenuegenerab quality and cluantity of the water in order to will retain those lands in an open maintain enhance and restore rivers streams lng activities condition and urban and riparian habitat space help prevent sprawl Many of the same spaces and corridors that Preserve the historic and prehistoric cultural separate the communities can also serve as with history of the area recreation areas and connectors foot bike and horse trails and will Open spaces greenways help pro A tiered buffer system is proposed in which tect and maintain the of cultural and variety the more remote and primitive landscapes par historical resources of these resources Many ticularly the lands designated Semiprimitive link of different cultures to their people pasts and Primitive are to carry less human impact Some the more cultural and his of prominent and activity Lands adjacent to urbanized devel toric sites serve visitors who may observe learn opment receive the most use with usage taper about and connect themselves to local history ing off on the more remote lands by seeing prehistoric and historic dwellings historic railroad grades and prehistoric and historic petroglyphspictographsdendroglyphs In addition scientific research on prehistoric and historic remains have helped describe how past cultures interacted with the environment Areas of unique scientific importance need to be preserved to allow such studies to continue

ii Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Ptan

Planning Process

he of process developing this Open Spaces and habitats to culturalhistoric values remoteness Plan Greenways began as part of the update of visitor use potential for social encounters and the of Growth City Flagstaffs Management Guide economic uses such as grazing and wood cut 2000 The OMO 2000 had identified many possi ting Five Open Space Categories emerged from ble benefits that the City of Flagstaff and sur analyses of these data communities could realize from devel rounding Primitive oping an Open Spaces and Greenways Plan With these benefits in mind the City of Flagstaff Semiprimitive invited land management agencies and local m MultipleuseConservation citizens to take part in an and open spaces m Neighborwoods greenways committee to develop the Plan CulturalHistoricalRecreational The first public forum was held in 1994 to These generate ideas and gauge support for plan Open Space Categories represent a of ning the areas open spaces and greenways range resource values uses and opportuni Community participants expressed their ties and types of experiences the Potential opinions on value of open spaces and linkages were identified Linkages greenways and potential obstacles to identify were defined as lands that allow wildlife to ing and maintaining them move from one area to another during seasonal Resource assessments were then conducted migrations that serve as trail corridors for peo in which information was collected on environ ple and may provide open space buffer areas mental conditions prehistoric and historic between communities Linkages including sites contemporary and traditional land uses National Forest trails and the Flagstaff Urban economic Trails also wildlife benefits educational oppor System were carefully considered tunities scenic areas and recreational opportu as part of an overall system nities The information was plotted onto area In 1996 the Committee developed policy maps and presented to the public at open recommendations and suggested implementa houses held in February and March 1995 tion tools and strategies for each open space In 1995 the Committee reviewed the inven category within each landscape district tory assessments and public input and defined These recommendations were presented an overall study area of about 578000 acres to the public for review and comment through in and around the city of Flagstaff This was open houses and provision of draft Plan copies broken into nine landscape districts where at various public agency locations and similar activities and biophysical characteristics libraries The Committee adjusted its informa with tion exist recommendations specific to each and recommendations according to public district The districts are Ag Mountain Griffiths input and incorporated changes into the final Spring Kachina Peaks Mt Elden Old Caves Open Spaces and Greenways Plan Pumphouse Wash Sunset Crater Walnut Finally in 1997 the agencies involved in and Canyon Wing Mountain this process prepared a Memorandum of A set of criteria was developed to classify Understanding MOU Through the MOU the lands within the study area The criteria included agencies committed to using the Open Spaces from everything vegetation types and wildlife and Greenways Plan in their future planning

II Executive Surnrnary

Current Land Ownership Patterns

The Lands for Retention Map presented in Lands currently used as open space around 3 shows the checkerboard pattern Flagstaff are owned or managed primarily by Appendix State Lands in the the Forest Service or the State of Arizona and of region follows different mandates fall within the political jurisdiction of either Each agency in its lands while private individuals the City of Flagstaff or Coconino County managing lands to their own mis Flagstaff is unique in that it is surrounded use their according Each also acquires primarily by publicly owned lands In many sions government entity in For other communities private land acquisition and disposes of land different ways the Forest Service is a large part of meeting open space goals example primarily disposes limited In the area covered by the Plan National Forest of lands through exchanges though sales do whereas the Sate Land Service System lands can provide many of the occur of State Trust lands open space needs There are however quasi Department disposes private State Trust lands managed by the through leases or sales Disposition of Federal urban Arizona State Land Department for the express and Trust lands often leads to develop which has an on unde purpose of generating revenues for the Trust ment impact adjacent These lands are not as accessible nor are they veloped land and on the communities that currently guaranteed to remain as open space provide infrastructure services

Table ES1

Ownership Percent of Total Approx Acres PrivateCity 8 50000 State Land Department 6 34000 National Park Service 1 6300

Coconino National Forest 85 487700

Total 1 O0 578000

Planning Area

area after conducting resource nventories The study area ofthis Plan covers approximately study the 578000 acres It includes the city of Flagstaff and receiving input from public and extends from Flagstaff beyond the San Based on later input and evaluation the Francisco Peaks into the piton and juniper southern boundary of the Plan was adjusted woodlands south to the Oak Creek Canyon slightly to one that was more locatable onthe Qverlook east near Winona and West to ground and that will facilitate future implemen Bellemont The Flagstaff Area Open Spaces tation by the Coconino National Forest and Greenways Committee established this

II Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Goals and Objectives

there are four that the goals guide objectives Retain existing open space to contain and of the Plan These goals are the basis ofthe rec direct urban growth Urban sprawl consumes ommendations and implementation strategies land at a greater rate than population growth derived from resource assessments public and is often characterized by leapfrog devel input and the work of the Area Flagstaff Open opment Leapfrog development leaves behind Spaces and Greenways Committee Each goal pockets of open space that are often discon is followed by the objectives and the rationale nected from more valuable open space lands for each objective This sprawl increases the cost of providing infrastructure and makes it difficult to provide 1 Achieve a balance between the demands traditional amenities of open space and urban development Preserve Forest Service and State Trustands Retain open space as buffers between os part of a comprehensive open space system communities and surrounding urban areas Federal and state lands provide scenic views Greenways and open spaces create buffers wildlife habitat and corridors community between separate communities which helps buffers and recreation opportunities serve as to maintain buffers to community identity These lands sensitive areas by absorbing many serve as buffers for more sensitive or primitive of the outdoor recreational users or contain lands as well as providing valuable open space threatened endangered or rare plant species adjacent to urban areas and as connectors or archeological sites Future land exchange between communities Historically public lands or sale decisions should be balanced with adjacent to existing developed areas have been potential gains and losses of open space exchanged sold or leased by the Forest Service values Development should be balanced or State Land Department with retention of open spaces that provide corridors for wildlife and where this is not possible development should at a minimum provide greenway linkages between develop ments and public open spaces

Protect scenic viewsheds Retaining open space will protect scenic viewsheds Viewsheds are the backdrops visible along scenic byways transportation corridors city centers and

community gateways Scenic viewsheds are valued by residents and tourists who associate the community with the scenic views unique to the area

Keep human impacts to a level that provides a for healthy forest Attractive open spaces are often loved to death through overuse and are stripped oftheir qualitative values resulting in the need to close an area until it is stabilized

and restored Human activities such as live stock grazing tree harvesting and recreational use should be managed at levels that conserve environmental quality and open space values Cumulative use and impact should be moni tored and adjusted to an equilibrium consistent with carrying capacity Executive Summary

2 Develop an interconnected open space and greenway network providing access and recreational opportunities

Provide a range ofopportunities for recreation in open spaces and greenways The different open space categories offer a wide variety of recreation opportunities Primitive open space wilt provide a different experience from an urban greenway The recreation needs for all ages abilities and skill levels can be met by retaining a diverse system of open spaces

Develop a network of interconnected frails for recreation and commuting In some instances the use of the road is in itself a recreational activity in others the road is used to reach areas to engage in nonmotorized recreational activities An interconnected network of trails could connect separate communities and rural and urban areas and provide multiple access to public lands monuments parks and cultural network trails serve as non sites A of can Retaining open spaces will protect scenic viewsheds motorized transportation routes for commuting such as this grove of aspen trees Viewsheds are the between residential commercial and employ backdrops visible along scenic byways and other corridors ment centers transportation

Protect access to public lands Encroaching development often restricts access to public lands A limited number of access points con and rare occurrences ofvegetation may require centrates users which may impact adversely restricted access to designated open spaces natural resources and lessen the experience of fire and hazard the user Providing an interconnected network Encourage management of trails and roads will allow multiple accesses mitigation Open spaces and greenways near without urban areas are to wildfires The to open space on public lands adversely susceptible impacting the environment risks should be reduced by fire management and hazard mitigation techniques This may call for the reduction of fuel tree canopy cover 3 Promote the conservation and restoration and In urban areas the risk of natural and cultural resources vegetation density may be reduced by using appropriate building Enhance wildlife management in and near and landscaping materials urban areas The presence of wildlife is a valued Preserve and restore riparian communities characteristic to the residents of the Flagstaff Riparian communities in Arizona have dimin area Yet wildlife in urban areas can be a hazard ished greatly due to increased development to people and property Wildlife in and around throughout the state Riparian habitat is found an urban area should be carefully managed for along watercourses that support a greater diver the benefit of both wildlife and the community sity and density of vegetation than surrounding Protect and restore unique and sensitive veg areas because of limited water in an arid land etation and plant communities Vegetation and Many wildlife species depend on these sites recreation Use plant communities are important for their bio which are also popular areas logical scenic educational and habitat values must be managed to protect the vegetation For protection these sensitive outstanding and wildlife Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Improve watershed protection Open spaces Provide for sustainable economic uses of and are to greenways valuable watershed health open spaces Historic economic uses of the The open spaces serve as recharge areas and open spaces in and around the Flagstaff area help in flood control by capturing runoff Open are grazing logging mining and tourism spaces are essential for the quality of water Each land managing agency has specific man resources because absorb they and disperse agement policies governing these uses These pollution uses should be managed to prevent irreversible impacts to the environment while still providing Encourage the protection of cultural resources the desired opportunities through education Evidence of prehistoric occu pation and historic sites exists throughout the Create an advisory coalition for the Open area cultural sites associ Flagstaff Existing are Spaces and Greenways Plan Open spaces and ated with the traditional practices and beliefs greenway development and management prob of various communities Many of these sites lems often cross land ownership and jurisdic are located within public open spaces The tional boundaries requiring the cooperation of of such importance sites should be recog multiple agencies and citizens to address them nized and efforts made for the protection The coalition could include representatives of of these sites government agencies special interest groups and residents A collaborative relationship 4 Encourage cooperation among community among coalition members would assist in the landowners educators residents and land implementation of the recommendations and management agencies in achieving the goals in attaining the overall goals of the Plan of this Pan Establish Neighborwoods stewardship associ ations Because Encourage educational opportunities The of their proximity to urban areas and convenient the open spaces and greenways system offers access Neighborwoods are some of the most desired for opportunities for education about history pre recreation partic history and natural resources Information and ularly by nearby residents Neighborwoods associations can education will encourage an understanding of help public agencies pro vide the environment and appropriate uses as well care improvements maintenance and enhancement as the values of open space of Neighborwoods while instil ling a sense of stewardship Promote scientific research Open spaces and greenways offer invaluable research opportuni ties A multitude of research projects is already under way Scientific research on a wide variety of topics should be encouraged to examine the effects of human use on the ecosystems and vice versa Executive Summary

Recommendations

Open spaces and greenways are put to a broad spectrum of uses This Plan proposes numerous recommendations for how open and spaces and greenways can be preserved enjoyed while also considering the continuing demands for growth in residential commercial and recreational uses The principal recommen

dations are

1 Residents in the greater Flagstaff area communities should be able to reach

open spaces within a 15minute walk

2 Means should be identified and pursued should a trail for the acquisition of State Trust private The County develop system the Forest Servicesand and Forest Service lands through the use to connect to and that connects to of various alternatives such as leases Citys systems park and educational sites fee title acquisition regulatory and con cultural gressional action conservation easements 9 Maintain connected vegetation that pro and donations vides wide corridors made up of diverse number 3 The Forest Service should maintain more habitats for use by the greatest wildlife while urban wildlife public lands for recreational cultural and of preventing habitats such other compatible uses rather than divest conflicts Maintain special as communities water sources ing itself of lands in the urban interface riparian and where traditional agricultural uses may snags no longer be feasible 10 Reintroduce firesnatural role in the fire pro 4 Attempts should be made to protect ecosystem through prescribed the risk of loss private lands that have significant resource grams Mitigate property balance values from wildfire while maintaining a among aesthetics wildlife habitat and the 5 Efforts should be made to retain State retention of as many large trees as is con Trust lands for open space activities sistent with fire mitigation objectives 6 Neighborwoods associations should be 1 Preserve and protect traditional cultural established to promote stewardship of properties and consult with American lands adjacent to developed neighbor Indians about all aspects of the planning hoods and communities affect them process that may 7 If development should occur in the 12 Grazing hunting mining wood products Neighborwoods provisions should be harvesting and firewood cutting and gath made for retaining key open space values ering should be continued with appropriate through linkages and overall development planning for and in consideration of recre planning to avoid changes in current public ation and scenic and wildlife resources accessibility If State Trust and privately 13 Individual and recreation activities owned lands are ready to develop before group should be evaluated to meet future they can be acquired or protected then recreation development shall occur according to demands provide enjoyable scenic wildlife the recommendations in Section 2 experiences and maintain and other natural resources Development Within Neighborwoods 14 Provide educational opportunities includ 8 The City and Forest Service should coordi outdoor classrooms nate and connect their trail systems ing wildlife viewing Access Roads Camping Facilities Groups and Outfitter Guides Winter Recreation Off Highway Vehicle Use Trail Road Linkages System Rio de Flag Linkage by Open Space Category Forest Service Resource Management Wildlife Corridors Viewing Education Opportunities Shooting Hunting Rare Unique Species Habitat Fire Riparian Communities Watershed Traditional American Indian Uses Cultural Historical Sites Research

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces nd Greenways Plan

and ecosystem information to gain 18 The Arizona Game and Fish Department informed with the compliance laws rules should begin the process of pursuing and that resource regulations protect values the incorporation of this Plan into its and provide safety strategic plans 15 The of and City Flagstaff Coconino County 19 An Open Spaces Coalition should be estab through a regional landuse planning effort lished to advise and aid the various govern should the of their begin process amending mental entities on open spaces and green and general plans zoning maps ways issues and activities 16 The Forest Service should amend the 20 The Open Spaces Coalition should C0c0nin0 National Forest Plan and use the Open promote public understanding and and Plan in Spaces Greenways its upcoming support for the Open Spaces and Greenways Forest Plan revision Plan by engaging the public 17 and other The National Parks Service should begin governmental departments incorporating this Plan into its National in furthering its goals Park Service General Management Plan and Strategic Plan

Contents of the Plan

Section 1

Contains descriptions of the five open spaces categories Primitive Semiprimitive MultipleuseConservation Neighborwoods and CulturalHistoricalRecreational This section also includes descriptions of the nine landscape districts

A1MountainGriffithsSpringKachinaPeaksMtEldenOldCavesPumphouse WashSunsetCraterWalnutCanyonWingMountainSection2ProvidesgeneralrecommendationsonthefollowingtopicsLandOwnershipandDevelopmentwithinNeighborwoodsMultipleuseConservationCategoriesBuffersbetweencommunitiesmoreprimitivelandscapesRecreationTrailLinkagesSystem contained in the Plan Appendix 2 Implementation Agents and Processes describes missions legal regulatory mandates of public agencies or near Flagstaff who are responsible for developing managing open space lands 3 contains recreation wildlife economic cultural site maps used categories It also landscape districts land retention priority desired futures community linkage system The Memorandum Understanding is presented 4

Executive Summary

GeneralForestProductsGrazingTimber ManagementMiningFirewoodCuttingandGathering CommunityParticipationInformationandEducationAgencyCollaborationLawEnforcementSection3Providesrecommendationsunicluetoeachlandscapedistrictshouldbeusedinconjunctionwith2providesadescriptionofthebygeneralizedgeographicboundaryvegetationprehistorytraditionalusesrecreationaleconomicculturalFor landscapedistrictatableispresentedindicatinglandsrecommendedforretentionFinallythereareadditionalrecommendationsuniquetoeachlandscapeSection4TheconcludingsectionofthePlan

4containsaproposalfortheformationofanOpenSpacesCoalitiontoassistinimplementingPlanAppendicesThehasfourappendicesAppendix1andGreenwaysImplementationToolssuggestionscarryingoutrecommendations Ponderosa pine is common in lands classified as Neighborwoods Typically Neighborwoods extend a from neighborhood or community to a radius of approximately one to oneand ahalfmiles People commonly use these lands for recreational activities such as walking jogging bicycle riding horseback riding or allterrain vehicle riding Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

Open Space Categories

Open space lands within landscape districts fall into five open space categories Primitive Semiprimitive MultipleuseConservation MUCNeighborwoods and Cultural HistoricalRecreational CHRThe eleven criteria used to develop the categories are surface features vegetation wildlife habitat cultural sites economic uses accessibility remoteness naturalness potential for social encounters visitor use and visitor facilities and site management These criteria and the differences between categories are displayed in the matri at the end of this section Not every location designated as an open space category meets every single criterion Primitive rather a combination of criteria helped deter mine which places fit into which category The Lands in the Primitive category ehibit with smaller little evidence of cur process is a broadscale designation natural conditions with pockets of one category or another existing with rent human activities These areas have many in the larger areas Lines were also drawn on a unique significant and prominent surface fea should not be considered site broad scale and tures such as the highest mountains deepest These will be used as a specific designations canyons and most unique geologic formations conditions within guide for describing existing that help define the greater Flagstaff landscape Possible future the greater Flagstaff landscape and provide area residents a sense of place in changes in category designation are presented For example most people think of Flagstaff the Desired Futures subsections of Section 3 when they see the San Francisco Peaks Walnut The Forest Service has developed a frame Canyon or the surrounding cinder cones Many work for understanding the various recreational people also feel spiritually connected to the relationships and interactions occurring on Primitive category features and American National Forest lands This framework referred Indians in particular have strong religious to as the Recreation Qpportunity Spectrum connections to many of the areas mountains ROS has seven major classes primitive semi and canyons These areas provide solitude primitive nonmotorized semiprimitive motor which believe can enhance their ized roaded natural rural and urban Although people and mental health self this Plansopen space categories may reflect creativity physical esteem and some similarities to the RQS system there are independence and diverse vegetation exists significant differences and the two systems are Unique this category mixed not meant to be interchangeable throughout including The characteristics and the valuesfunctions conifer forests riparian vegetation and vegeta such the tundra on the of each open space category are described below tive communities as Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

San Francisco Peaks A of this large percentage mechanized use including mountain biking is Wildlife Habitat category Key is prohibited Wildlife Habitats are Key biologically Direct economic uses are minimal and diverse areas that contribute a great deal to occur in few sites though there are some direct habitat values on adjacent lands and would economic benefits and many indirect economic affect if lost large areas or modified Both benefits This category is used by many busi vegetative diversity and wildlife species diver nesses for various purposes including outfitter sity are high in most key wildlife areas guide trips livestock grazing and commercial Vegetation patches are large enough to pro artphotography projects The scenic and recre ational values vide all habitat needs and space requirements of these places draw many local and nonlocal recreation for most of the native wildlife species that uses which in turn would be support recreationbased businesses in town expected in these areas Locally rare Some these species are associated with some areas people simply enjoy living near nat ural even visit The Primitive category also provides wonders though they rarely them People visiting the Primitive sel ecological benchmarks or places to study nat category dom encounter other people The sights and urat ecological processes and human influences sounds of urban environments are remote few on the processes This category usually has high visitor facilities exist and there are large areas biodiversity and is important to maintaining where a person can find solitude challenge longterm biodiversity The lands are a refuge and a close association with unaltered nature for many species such as bears and mountain Approximately twothirds of this category is lions that depend on large remote undis Congressionally designated Wilderness such turbed habitats as well as for species adapted as the Kachina Peaks while the remainder has to unique habitats such as tundra birds plants wildernesslikecharacteristics such as Walnut rock wall canyon dwellers and riparian plants Canyon According to the Wilderness Act of and animals Access to the Primitive category 1964 a Wilderness is an area of undeveloped is and restricted trails are primarily designated Federal land retaining its primeval character for nonmotorized Where use congressionally and influence without permanent improve designated Wildernesses exist motorized or ments or human habitation

Hikers venture into the Kachina Peaks Wilderness a prime example of the Primitive Primitive landscape category lands provide s01itade which people believe can enhance their creativity physical and mental health selfesteem and independence Section l Open Space Oategories and Landscape District Descriptions

roads are primitive and passable only by high clearance vehicles Few twowheel drive roads exist Trail densities are low in most of the Semi primitive category with the exception of the Mt EldeWDry Lake Hills and Fisher Point areas Direct economic uses are minimal to

moderate and occur in few to several sites Semiprimitive category lands offer more direct economic benefits than the Primitive category because there is a somewhat greater variety of activities This category is used by many busi nesses and individuals for various purposes including outfitter guide trips livestock grazing commercial photography hunting and some types of woodproduct harvesting Semiprimitive Recreationists often encounter other peo ple but the sights and sounds of urban envi The Semiprimitive category encompasses ronments are distant Visitor use has a slight lands that show some evidence of past human to moderate impact on the Semiprimitive activities but this category also has a substan category and some visitor facilities exist Much rial amount of land with naturalappearing like the Primitive category the Semiprimitive conditions Semiprimitive lands offer many of category provides solitude which people the same ecological values as Primitive lands believe can enhance their creativity physical but are seen as helping to maintain or buffer and mental health self esteem and indepen the Primitive category it surrounds These areas dence This category also offers scenic vistas are larger parcels of land that tie together key and prominent landscape features wildlife areas Many of the Semiprimitive cate gory lands contain unique and diverse vegeta tion in association with key topographical fea tures This category encompasses slopes side canyons mesas and ridgelines which are key to maintaining wildlife habitat and travel corri dors scenic backdrops and outdoor recreation experiences Like the Primitive the Semiprimi tive category is largely forested A large percentage of Semiprimitive lands are Key or High Quality Wildlife Habitat impor tant for feeding breeding and travel corridors between winter and summer ranges High Quality Wildlife Habitats are larger parcels of land that tie together Key Wildlife habitats These areas have somewhat high plant and ani mal diversity and provide refuge for a variety of species including deer elk turkey raptors and small mammals There are large undisturbed

areas where animals sensitive to disturbance can live and where offspring can be raised safely The Semiprimitive category also provides eco logical benchmarks Forest Road 420 a view Many important cultural sites occur in this provides spectacular of Agassiz Peak in this Semiprimitive landscape category as do places that hold important tradi Recreati0nists encounter other people but the tional cultural values 0fen sights and sounds of urban environments are distant Access into and through the Semiprimitive category is somewhat restricted because most Flagstaff ea Open Spaces and GFnway PIa

A high percentage of this category is High Quality Wildlife Habitat and there are pockets of Key Wildlife Habitat The plants and trees provide feeding and breeding areas for wildlife A number of species such as elk and pronghorn antelope rely on these large tracts of ponderosa pine and pitonjuniper forests In some cases the MUC lands help maintain and protect the Semiprimitive category that they surround by serving as buffer a and receptor of heavier human usage The distribution of cultural sites in the MUC category is highly variable but many important sites do occur

There are many opportunities to access MultipleuseConservetion the MUC category on roads passable by two wheel drive vehicles There is also Lands categorized as Multipleuse a variety of roads Conservation MUCappear natural but unimproved passable by highclearance vehicles When show some evidence of past human activities people travel through MUC This category has rolling land features and lands they feel that they are in the forest and pockets of unique and diverse plant species far from developed areas even though they are interspersed among ponderosa pine and piton likely to see other people and vehicles along juniper forests The MUC category is dominated these roads However people can find solitude by forests and contains large portions of unfrag by leaving the main road system and traveling mented open spaces Although this category on secondary roads or on trails has less unique geology and plant diversity Economic use ofthese lands is moderate than the and Primitive Semiprimitive cate to high and occurs in several to many sites This the conifer and is gories trees interspersed category used by businesses and many indi create a familiar grasslands landscape viduals for a wide variety of purposes including outfitter guide trips livestock grazing wood products harvesting firewood gathering and hunting Indirect economic benefits are gained from large numbers of recreationists who use these areas for a variety of activities including hiking camping jogging bicycling horseback riding and riding motorcycles allterrain vehi des and offhighway vehicles The MUC category provides easily accessi ble places where people can remove themselves from urban environments relax and spend time alone or with family and friends The lands offer forest scenery and to some extent they pro vide places for studying natural processes and human influences on these processes People may encounter other people sometimes to often along Forest Service roads and infre Pronghorn antelope and other large grazers such quently on trails and away from roads The as deer and elk rely on the tracts large 0f p0nder0sa sights and sounds of urban environments are pine and pi0njuniper forests common in distant throughout most of this category Multiple seC0nservati0n lands There is a moderatetohigh use of the MUC category and some visitor facilities eist Section l Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

The forest on Observatory Mesa serves as the Neighb0rw00ds for these homes in the Cheshire community Neighb0rw00ds have trees grasses and rolling landf0rms that improve the beauty of developed areas by softening urban edges and adding natural features

the boundaries and define the separateness of residential developments People commonly use the Neighborwoods for afterworkrecreational activities such as walking jogging bicycle riding horseback riding or allterrain vehicle riding State lands are often used for Neighborwoods activities but since these are quasiprivate lands a recre ation permit or hunting and fishing licenses are required to avoid violation of trespassing laws Most uses occur here by default rather than under planned management With increasing numbers ofpeople using the Neighborwoods a more managed condition is necessary Increased involve Neighborwoods neighborhood ment and stewardship can help create and Lands categorized as Neighborwoods maintain the natural character and facilities exhibit natural conditions that have been of this category These places should be areas modified by humans Neighborwoods are open that residents want to care for and maintain spaces near residents homes which provide as open spaces easily accessible places where people can Neighborwoods have trees grasses and remove themselves from urban environments rolling landforms that improve the beauty of relax and spend time alone or with family developed areas by softening urban edges and friends Based on patterns and intensity and adding natural features For the most part of recreational use the Neighborwoods are Neighborwoods have land features similar mapped extending from a neighborhood or to those ofthe MultipleuseConservation community at a radius of approximately one category with relatively flat landscapes and to oneandahalf miles Neighborwoods ponderosa pine pitonjuniper vegetation types located between communities help maintain native grasses and small pockets with unique Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

geology or plant diversity Neighborwood help to maintain the character ofthe adjacent MUC and Semiprimitive categories Most of this category serves as habitat for common and usually small wildlife species though some larger animals such as elk and deer sometimes pass through High densities of cultural sites may occur in many Neighborwoods Access to Neighborwoods is virtually unlimited because this category is near communities and has roads or numerous nonvehicular entry points Often these areas serve as unofficial parks or as gateways to more remote open spaces

Economic use of these lands is moderate In some Neighborwoods direct benefits include firewood gathering grazing and beekeeping CulturaVHistoricaVRecreational In some parts of the Neighborwoods campfires Lands categorized as CulturalHistorical camping and firewood gathering are prohi Recreational CHRhave been highly and bited Indirect economic benefits are gained permanently modified by humans to provide when move to the area because people Flagstaff facilities for local residents and visitors This of the nearby outdoor recreation accessibility category helps give Flagstaff area residents and scenic qualities of Neighborwoods a sense of place and pride Some facilities People encounter other people sometimes research document and interpret cultural to often and the sights and sounds of urban and natural history while other facilities offer environments are nearby and even within this developed recreational areas for both small category Visitors heavily use roads trails and and largescale events recreation sites in Neighborwoods Some visitor Two examples are the Snowbowl and Fort facilities exist in this category People using Tuthill Thousands of people visit the Arizona Neighborwoods usually feel that they are in Snowbowl every year to downhill ski use the the woods because they see forest vegetation ski lodges see the vistas from the San Francisco and see and hear wildlife Peaks and ride the skyride The Snowbowl also provides summertime access to the Kachina and Humphreys Trails The Fort Tuthill County Park is the site of the Coconino County Fair various festivals and other largescale events The Park also provides facilities for large group or family gatherings This category has diverse surface features and combinations of natural and maintained landscaped vegetation Wildlife habitat is limited due to the amount of human occupation though birds small mammals and various tiny fauna live here Much ofthis category is managed to exclude large animal species Section Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

Arizona Sn0wb0wl in the San Francisco Peaks is one of the most popular CulturalHist0rical Recreational sites in the Flagstaff area Thousands of people visit the facility each year to downhill ski use the ski lodges see the vistas from the San Francisco Peaks and ride the skyride

Cultural sites in these areas are of nation points and visitor use is high in the other high value developed sites Users often encounter urban Access to the facilities of the CHR cate people and the sights and sounds of distant gory is open to all modes of travel on surfaced environments range from nearby to and roadways Developed sites include facilities services Direct economic benefits are gained from designed for comfort and convenience numer obvious entrance and user fees at visitors centers and ous informational signs exhibits and facilities Visitors choose these areas as desti controls on activities and sites of use ization and difficult to access has main tained most of its naturalness Relative the other categories there are very few social encounters almost no visitor facilities or site management Surface Feature features geologic forma tions that create land form They classified as either unique prominent substantial Geologic formations region such San Francisco Peaks Walnut Canyon considered Prominent surface those highly visible large cinder cones Q Leary Peak A 1 Mountain Examples Old Caves Crater major drainages Pumphouse Wash Vegetation is described diverse common Common describes vegetation

FIogsfeff Are Oen Spaces e Greeys Ple

Landscape Districts

Adjacent open space lands were grouped into nine landscape districts The boundaries were drawn based on similar biophysical characteris tics Community identity was also an important factor Each landscape district may contain more than one open space category The purpose of these landscape district designations is simply to break the larger study area into more work able geographic areas for reference The nine landscape districts are AIMountain Landscape District encompassing AIMountain Observatory Mesa the adjacent communities of Fort Valley and the westsideneighborhoods of Flagstaff m Griffiths Spring Landscape District encompassing Griffiths Spring lands surrounding the communities of Kachina Village and Mountainaire and lands bordered by Lake Mary Road KachinaPeaksLandscapeDistrictencompassing theSanFranciscoPeaksinKachina WildernessanditslowerslopestheHochderfferHillsHartPrairie communitiesMtEldenLandscapeDistrictencompassingandtheDryLakeHillsincludingportionsofSchultzPassRoadareasadjacenttonorthernFlagstaffBuffaloParkOldCaves Landscape District encompassing theDoneyParkcommunitiesandportionsofOldCavesONeillTurkeyHillsCratersPumphouseWashLandscapeDistrictencompassingRogersLakeWoodyRidgeareassouthKachinaVillageMountainaireMary SunsetCraterLandscapeDistrictencompassingportionsoftheCinderHillsVolcanoNationalMonumentandStrawberryQLearyCratersWalnutCanyonareasadjacentto FairfieldCountryClubcommunitiesWalnutCanyonNationalMonumentCampbellMesaandAndersonWingMountainLandscapeDistrictencompassingKendrickareasadjacenttotheBellemontcommunitiesTheselandscapedistrictsserveasmanageableplanningunitswithinlargerstudyareaAmoredetaileddescriptionofeachlandscapedistrictisgiveninSection3this PlanandthelandscapedistrictsareindicatedonLandscapeDistrictmappresentedinAppendix3OpenSpaceCategoryCriteriaDescriptionsThefollowingisadescriptionofcriteriausedtodevelopdelineateopenspacecategoriesdistinctionbetweencategoriesbasedeachcategoryhavingthatmoreprevalentonethananotherForexamplePrimitivewasfoundhavecharacteristicsnotsameextentotherIthasuniquesurfacefeaturesvegetationkeywildlifehabitatmostremotefrom urban Section 1 Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

that is commonly found in this region such as and house logs Different categories exhibit ponderosa pine and grass forests or large areas a different variety and intensity of these uses of pifion and juniper forests Diverse vegetation refers to mixed conifer species such as limber CommemialEconomic Gain pine Douglasfircorkbark fir white fir aspen Commercialeconomic gain refers to and the associated grass and shrub understories a variety of forest uses where products or ser Unique vegetation refers to grass forb or shrub vices are obtained and sold for profit Examples species that occur only in small areas or are include wood product for paper latillas for rare when compared to the rest of the region home building firewood cutting and gathering Examples of unique vegetation include San outfitter guiding and commercial photography Francisco Peaks groundsel and BebbsWillow The number and variety of uses and the areas where they occur vary among categories Wildlife Habitat Key Wildlife Habitat Land areas mapped Cultural as key wildlife habitat are for the most part Cultural refers to prehistoric and historic undeveloped areas that are biologically diverse remains that connect presentday cultures to These areas contribute a great deal to habitat the past Cultural also refers to the spiritual values on adjacent lands and would affect large connection people hold for areas or places areas if lost or modified Both vegetative diver Each of the categories contains a variety of sity and wildlife species diversity are high in remnants of the past and spiritual values most key wildlife habitats Vegetation patches Thus there is not a clear distinction between are large enough to provide all habitat needs categories for this value rather cultural values and space requirements for most native wildlife exist throughout the Plan area species that would be expected in these areas Remoteness Locally rare species are associated with some Remoteness refers to the level at which areas Examples of key wildlife habitat within the and sounds of urban areas are the vicinity of Flagstaff include the San sights For in some Francisco Peaks Rogers Lake Mount Elden experienced example portions of the Plan area a visitor hears little traffic the Hochderffer Hills Rio de Flag Dry Lake very noise human voices or while in Woody Ridge and Walnut Canyon dogs barking other portions ofthe Plan area a visitor hears High Quality Wildlife Value Areas These and sees many of these urban sights and larger parcels of land tie together key wildlife sounds Each category has a different level habitats Ponderosa forest dominates the pine of remoteness vegetation with aspens oaks or other large shrubs additional These providing diversity Accessibility abundance wildlife areas support an of species Accessibility is tied to the road system and Disturbance from vegetative diversity past and access points Some portions of the Plan and other is development management variable area contain many access points off of main these disturbed although areas are usually more highways roads and trails Other portions habitat than lands designated as key wildlife of the Plan area are reached by only one or Locally rare species are associated with some two access points and roads and trails are areas These lands have high wildlife values but less frequent Access also refers to the mainte are of lesser importance and greater extent than nance level of the roads For example some key wildlife habitat and do not have as much roads are easily passable by twowheel drive effect on wildlife values on adjacent lands vehicles while others are passable only by highclearance vehicles Person01 Gain Personal gain refers to a variety of forest N0turalness uses that benefit individual households Naturalness refers to the level of human Examples are firewood for home heating changes to the landscape Some portions of wildings and rocks for home landscaping the Plan area contain many utility lines roads Christmas tree cutting pionnut gathering trails and signs Other areas may contain many Flagstaff rea Open Spcces and Greenvays Plan

tree stumps fences water tanks or other described as High Moderate to High Low evidence of human and forest commodity use to Moderate and Low use Different categories have different levels of naturalness and fire suppression has created Visitor Facilities and Site Management a different forest condition than would appear Facilities refers to physical structures if fire had played its natural rote that are used by the visitor such as developed campgrounds picnic tables grills parking Social Encounter areas and trailhead signs as well as services Social encounters refers to the relative associated with these facilities These include number of times a visitor sees another person water and toilets in some locations and infor or group of people For this Plan the number mation and educational services in others of social encounters is described as High Site management refers to the rules or con Moderate to High Moderate to Low Few trols placed on visitors At highly developed and Very Few with the fewest being found in campgrounds for example there is usually a the Primitive category and the highest in the set of rules to follow In other portions of the CulturalHistoricalRecreational CHRcategory Plan area there are few rules governing behavior Site management also refers to the number of Visitor Use directional signs and facilities that help the Zisitor Use refers to the level and location visitor to feel secure and well guided There of recreation In the Plan use some portions of are portions of the Plan area where directional area high levels of recreation use occur along aides and facilities exist and other portions main Forest Service roads sites or developed of the area where little exists and the visitor In other portions of the study area low levels experiences the challenge of finding his or is of uses occur This a general distinction her own way

II Section l Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

Table 1

CulturalHistoricalRecreational Neighborwoods CHR Facilities These natural areas are near neighborhoods and urbanized environments They experience sub Primarily high visitoruse areas providing for stantial human use and serve os parks and a wide variely of level of users with highly gateways to more remote open regions developed facilities and services and evidence of permanent alteration of the natural landscape

flat terrain Surface Features Diverse Features may be unique promi Relatively nent or substantial and significant

Vegetation Maintained Generally consists of natural Common vegetation but is maintained andor cultivated

Wildlife Habitat Few habitats managed for encroachment Habitat serves common and usually small from large animal species wildlife species

Personal Gain Number of uses and areas are none or Number of uses and areas are moderate very few

moderate Commercial Number of uses and areas are prevalent Number of uses and areas are Economic Gain

Cultural Value High Varied

and within and Remoteness Remoteness from urbanized environments Close to neighborhoodS sight environments is of liltle impodance sound of urbanized

Vehicular accesses are numerous and there Accessibility Full access is available for all types and alternate modes of trans modes of travel to the facility although is much access for some sites with the CHR area may not podation be accessible by vehicle

Naturalness High modification to accommodate facili Considerable modification particularly by ties and high number of uses nearby residents

Moderate to number of encounters with Social Encounters High number of encounters with others high others

on trails and recreation sites Visitor Use High use at developed sites High use roads

and Visitor Facilities Developed facilities designed for comfort Campground facilities dispersed camping information is available Controls are obvious Site Management and convenience Numerous signs exhibits and controls are obvious

Inhabitants Traditional Use Areas High Quality Wildlife Habitat and Key Wildlife Habitat see p 25 Prehistoric Historic and Native Ftagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Table 1

MultipleUseConservation MUC SemiPrimitive

are These areas defined by their multipleuse These areas exhibit some evidence of past and a of aspects combnoton the choractertstics actvties and alteration of the natural landscape of other regions While there is obvious evidence These activities are subordincrie to theoverall of is some of past activities there retention the landscape which is noted for its prominent natural landscape and opportunities for indepen features dent recreational and sporting experiences

Surface Features Substantial Prominent feature or cluster of substantial features

Vegetation Pockets of unique and diverse vegetation Unique and diverse vegetation in most of the area

Wildlife Habitat High percentage of High Quality Wildlife High percentages of Key andor High Quality Habitat and small pockets of Key Wildlife Wildlife Habitat Habitat

Personal Gain Number of uses and areas are moderate Number of uses and areas are few to to high moderate

Number Commercial of uses and areas are moderate Number of uses and areas are few to Economic Goin to high moderate

Culturol Volue Varied Moderate to high

Remoteness Sights and sounds of urbanized Sights and sounds of the urbanized environment are distant in most areas environment are distant

Accessibility Unimproved roads are passable by Most roads are primitive passable by high 2wheel drive vehicles in season and clearance vehicles 4wheel drive is required at other times

Naturalness Retention of natural setting in some places Substantial retention of the natural environment with some evidence of past activities with some evidence of past activities

Social Encounters Moderate to high number of contacts with Few encounters with others others on roads and moderate to Iow con tacts with others on trails

Visitor Use Moderate to high use on roads at dispersed Low to moderate use camping sites

Visitor Facilities Dispersed camping is available Services Dispersed andorsemideveloped camping Site Management are not available Little control with little is available Few services are available information Little control with little information

High QualihWildlife Habitat and Wildlife Key Habitat see p 25 Prehistoric Historic and Native inhabitants Traditional Use Areas Section l Open Space Categories and Landscape District Descriptions

Table 1

Primitive

These areas exhibit a high degree of naturalness with little human impact evident They provide opportunities for solitude independence and selfreliance

Surface Features Unique

Vegetation Unique and diverse vegetation throughout

Wildlife Habitat High percentage of Key Wildlife Habitat

Personal Gain Number of uses and areas are none or very few

Commercial Number of uses and areas are few Economic Gain

Cultural Value Varied

Remoteness Sights and sounds of the urbanized environ ment are very remote if seen or heard at ali

Accessibility Access is highly restricted and consists primarily of nonmotorized trails

Naturalness Primarily unaltered natural environment with liltle to no evidence of past activities

Social Encounters Very few encounters with others

Visitor Use Low use overall except on heavily used trails

Visitor Facilities Minimal to no facilities services or Site Management information

High Qualily Wildlife Habitat and Key Wildlife Habitat see p 25 Prehistoric Historic and Native Inhabitants Traditional Use Areas Standing dead trees snags especially large ones are used by more than 40 bird species and at least seven bat species Protecting such features in order to maintain wildlife as part of the quality of life in the greater Flagsfaff landscape is one of the primary goals of this Plan Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

Introduction

For Recommendations are organized into two of achieving the recommendations a listing 1 areas Recommendations Common to All of these tools see the tables in Appendix Landscape Districts Section 2 and Section 2 is divided into four parts Recommendations to a Unique Specific Land Ownership and Development Landscape District Section 3 For example Recreation Trail and objectives for an overall trail linkages system Linkages AccessRoads are described in the Recommendations Common to All Districts and Landscape Resource Management specific trail needs to serve a community Community Participation Information and or place names of connections are described Education Agency Collaboration and Law in Recommendations Unique to a Specific Enforcement Landscape District Sections 2 and 3 should be considered Section 3 is divided into nine parts one nine together as a comprehensive package of recom for each landscape district Each of the mendations Where discrepancies may occur sections contains a description specific infor between Sections 2 and 3 then Section 3 which mation on lands recommended for retention is more specific takes precedence as open space recommendations unique to In addition to the recommendations the specific landscape district and potential a menu of implementation tools has been desired futures or possible expected outcomes developed These tools are potential means of management recommendations

Land Ownership and Development

The following discussion addresses develop then development shall occur according to the ment within the Neighborwoods and Multiple recommendations in the following subsection useConservation MUCcategories onlyl Development Within Neighborwoods not the Primitive Semiprimitive or Cultural HistoricalRecreational CHRcategories Development Within Neighborwoods Development of a residential commercial or Because of their proximity to urban areas industrial nature is not expected in these three the are both the most suscepti latter categories However it is recognized that Neighborwoods ble to development and the most desired for State Trust and privately owned lands within retention as the the Semiprimitive category may be developed open space by adjacent neigh borhoods that value them This Plan does not unless they are acquired or protected for open list or sections for space purposes If these lands are ready to dev specific parcels appropriate within the Rather elop before they can be acquired or protected development Neighborwoods

ii Adjoining neighborhoods should play a role in planning and maintaining Neighborwoods The proposed Open Spaces Coalition can enlist the assistance of associations this If development occur provisions be made for retaining key open space values through linkages overall to avoid changes current public accessi bility urbanized areas within city will needed support effort Land use decisions must based on best information available input goals objectives recommended Plan Developments along forested gateways into Flagstaff complementary subordinate landscape screened with vegetation Future signage minimal discrete appropriate not detract from Ownership recommendations listed below also followed when considering land owner ship Development refers all resi dential non residential Recommendofion lands that contain substantial or significant evidence resources characteristics are exchange further resource inventories analyses done determine exact locations these their relationships surrounding deter mine devel opment have

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

such as new recreation facilities water and sewer facilities or road rightsofway in addi tion to the potential demand for residential purposes The release of public lands for these needs could be appropriate Iecommendtions

it is the intent of the Plan that Neighborwoods be preserved to the extent possible because they create buffers between communities and provide recreational opportunities for nearby residents The prioritization of State and Forest Service lands can help in making such determi nations However regardless of a sections rank ing there is still the need for sitespecific evalu ation and community involvement prior to any state or federal land ownership change or devel opment decisions It is not the intent of this Plan to stop development but rather to shape growth in accordance with the open space val

ues articulated in this Plan It is a main intent of this Plan to consciously consider how to develop in response to the communitys future growth For example by placing primary empha sis on infilling within currently urbanized areas sprawl can be contained Because of their proximity to high levels of populations and accessibility Neighborwoods absorb heavy recreation use thus protecting Semiprimitive and Primitive categories from overuse and potentially degrading impacts Many factors should play into future devel opment decisions In some cases whole parcels of land may not be needed for open space rather easements corridors or portions of the sections may satisfy open space needs It should also be noted that there may be instances in which the community will want additional land for a community purpose Section 2 Recommendations Common to All LandscpeDistricts

space values resources and characteristics Neighborwoods but offer few open space they should not be exchanged or devel characteristics or benefits to the public oped Various means extending from pur This will reduce the patchwork of private chase through fee title donations and and Forest Service land ownership and allow for homeowners associations to man conservation easements may be employed the lands to acquire development rights age open space Consolidating land ownership where possible will ease If resource inventories determine that pub Forest Service administration of these lic lands proposed for development are not lands Before this occurs however site needed in their entirety to meet open space specific inventories and analyses should goals provisions should be made for con be done with appropriate public involve necting trail linkages wildlife corridors and ment and access should be considered access points to surrounding public lands as described elsewhere in the Plan In addition provisions should be made for When future land obtaining open spaces that provide outdoor making ownership recreational opportunities within develop change decisions consider what can be and ments Development should be blended gained overall for open spaces green into the landscape to limit visual degrada ways For example certain public lands of tion on ridges slopes or major roadways lower priority could be offered in exchange and patches of natural landscape features for a highly valued privately owned parcel such as large trees shrubs native grasses that may contain a riparian community and rock should be retained Local agencies could orchestrate win scenarios that work toward Vegetation should be retained along major longterm retention and maintenance of the most roads and building heights limited where needed to meet scenic values valued natural places in the greater Flagstaff landscape while still providing Land exchanges can be conducted where for desired development small areas of Forest Service land surround mosaic or are adjacent to private land and are highly Promote a of developed and valued by adjoining private landowners as undeveloped areas where development

Roads and trails accessible from Flagstaffarea Neighb0rw00ds receive heavy recreational enthusiasts use from mountain bikers joggers and other outdoor recreation Consequently Neighb0rw00ds protect Semiprimitive and Primitive lands from 0veruse and potentially degrading impacts Greenways Plan since open spaces often happened by default and were temporary The pattern of urban sprawl makes development trail systems recre ation areas difficult because places that are used informally for trails recreation can end up being developed at a later time decision to have maintain buffers between around communities is intended encourage the currently undeveloped lands infilling redeveloping within existing therefore over containing This in turn requires decisions regarding which develop retain as greenways beginning takes into account fact more detailed analysis evaluation public involvement necessary site specific level this process continues Qpen be visual separation

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

is clustered and surrounded by open spaces Retain natural buffers and greenway link ages between communities Retain close tohome outdoor recreation opportunities Limit resident and wildlife conflicts where possible This can be done by avoiding the creation of false or dead end corridors in wildlife movement areas that trap migrating or emigrating wildlife into neighborhoods Inform and educate residents on how to

either attract or avoid attracting wildlife including small mammals and birds in their neighborhoods TheOpenSpacesandGrenways CoalitionshouldprovideinterpretationofthePlantocommunityInadditionprovidingrecreationalopportunitiessomelandswithinNeighborwoodsarecriticalFlagstaffopenspacesandgreenwayssystemforoneormorefollowingreasonswThey containspecialresourcevaluessuchasriparianhabitatTheyprovideanimportantwildlifetravelwayorotherconsiderationopenspacetraillinkagesculturalhistoricalsitesbuffersbetweencommunitiestofragileareasmaintainsceniccorridorsalongmajorroadwaysridgelinesandhillsidesDevelopmentWithintheMultipleuseConservationCategoryAfewselectedofMUCcategorymaybedevelopedinfutureparticularlyprivatelandscurrentlyzonedfordevelopmentwithinWingMountainLandscapeDistrictBellemontvicinityRecommendotionsThesameguidelinesdescribedaboveNeighborwoodsshouldfollowedConsiderationsBuffersBetweenCommunitiesMorePrimitiveLandscapesUrbansprawlincreasescostprovidingservicesresidentsFlagstaffhaslongbeenattemptingminimizethesecostsCitydonethissince1982bydesignatServiceBoundarywhichprovidespatternurbanalsocontributeddesiredevelopOpen Spaces and Areas outside of major road corridors designated roads and trails should provide solitude challenge

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

exists between Flagstaff and the outlying A tiered buffer system is proposed in this communities Providing a visual separation Plan in which the more remote and primitive will help both Flagstaff and the outlying com landscapes particularly the lands designated munities keep a sense of their own identities Semiprimitive and Primitive are to carry less as well as a sense of belonging to the larger human impact and activity Lands adjacent community The same spaces and corridors to urbanized development receive the most that separate the communities can also serve use with usage tapering off on the most as recreation areas and connectors for foot bike remote lands and horse trails Recommendations The existing communities represent many Not should buffers and a mosaic of of the good points of the rural village concept only natural vegetation be maintained between which seeks to provide residents with a sense existing communities but identification of of belonging to a community which is small buffers should be a consideration for new enough to grasp and large enough to provide developments essential qualityoflifeservices and amenities character of the providing a buffer around each of the smaller Conserve the primitive with communities that make up the larger community more remote open space categories MUC maintains the quality of life and a sense of the Neighborwoods and areas place and home serving as buffers

Recreation Trail Linkages and Access Roads

General Recreation Recommendations by While this Plan does not designate camping limited Open Space Category sites camping may have to be to appropriate sites Where high levels of use Section 3 contains recreation recom many occur camping sites should be designated mendations specific to the various landscape Congressionallydesignated Wildernesses districts Below is a summary of recreation should be managed as a place where natur opportunities in the different categories If al processes occur and human influence is there is a conflict between the recommenda minimal Limit group sizes to meet tions given in this section and the more specific Wilderness goals recommendations in Section 3 the specific rec ommendations in Section 3 take precedence Continue to provide for recreational oppor tunities while balancing this use with Primitive wilderness spiritual and wildlife values There are fewer types of outdoor recreation activities occurring in this category relative to Semiprimitive the Semiprimitive MUC and Neighborwoods This category provides for local as well as categories visitor use Emphasis will be on retaining the nature of the These Recommendations Semiprimitive category lands should be maintained with lower num a most of this encoun Throughout category bers of people and fewer recreational opportu ters with other should be infre people nities than the MUC and Neighborwoods cate quent with the exception of popular trails gories especially away from designated roads such as the Trail Humphreys and trails Trail corridors within the Primitive category Recommendations can receive moderate to high levels of use while maintaining the areas between trail corridors as wild and primitive providing solitude and challenge Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Overnight camping opportunities should The Plan recognizes that use or develop be provided ment without prior planning could have greater impacts on the character of the Neighborwoods MultipleuseConservation MUC than planned uses or development Therefore This category provides for both local and active management of future recreation use is visitor uses needed to retain the desirable characteristics Recommendations and recreation qualities of Neighborwoods Recommendations This category should have a wide variety and high level of recreation opportunities Recognize the value of the Neighborwoods including overnight dispersed camping and and encourage a sense of neighborhood motorized and nonmotorized uses interest involvement and responsibility for them Neiglb0rwoods Maintain an environment in the Traditionally management of the Neighborwoods that provides an outdoor Neighborwoods has not been active for very forest experience and emphasizes daytime many reasons A primary assumption has been activities with limitations on overnight that the lands would be developed someday so camping spending money on recreational improvements Manage the Neighborwoods to provide did not seem to be a wise choice even though a safe and aesthetically pleasing backyard the trails or other improvements would have with some informal opportunities for hik received use in the interim This Plan recom ing leisure walks horseback riding bicy mends changing this assumption Urbanized cling and bird watching for example growth is increasing on existing private lands Monitor and control transient and the sale and subsequent development of the camps that are established in the State Trust lands is likely Increased numbers Neighborwoods and a fire risk to the of people living in Neighborwoods will increase pose surrounding communities the demands for recreation opportunities on surrounding public lands Further evaluate lands around Neighborwoods communities for meeting future recreation demands

Actively manage future use so as to not lose the Semiprimitive characteristics of nearby lands which could be encroached upon if Neighborwoods are overused in the future

CulturalHistoricalRecreational CHR Recommendations

Continue managing these sites to accom modate large numbers of people and pro vide recreation in keeping with the manag lng entities missions and overall themes

Camping

There are many opportunities for camping on public lands around Flagstaff though some Horseback riding is just one of many recreational areas currently prohibit camping and campfires activities supported by lands categorized as Neighb0rw00ds Retaining such areas throughout the Recommendations Flagstaff area is a central g0al of the Plan In consideration of fire danger and public safety in the Neighborwoods overnight Section 2 Recommendations Oommon to All Landscape Districts

There are many opportunities for camping on public lands around Flagstaff However different controls may be necessary for camping depending on the open space category

camping is discouraged anywhere campfires resource protection objectives Examples of could increase risk of wildfire or where needed facilities may be additional parking sanitation or public safety concerns exist staging areas with toilet facilities picnic facilities and signs on trails If new camp The MUC category is appropriate for are needed should be placed camping especially along road corridors grounds they on MUC lands Camping within the Semiprimitive category Facilities should continue to be should be encouraged along main road and provided and for convenience at the CHR trail corridors only designed sites by the managing agencies Within the Primitive category consider No new facilities are recommended in designating overnight camp sites and rotate this Plan within the Primitive their use to allow for recovery of vegetation category In the Semiprimitive category develop In the CHR category camping sites ment of some minor new user facilities are designated per management agency be appropriate but should policies might they be few in number and simple in design Outdoor Facilities Groups and OutfitterGuides Ideas for implementing new facilities include constructing City and County park facilities on Groups National Forest lands entering into agreements Gatherings of people in the outofdoors in which the local agency provides and adminis can have an effect on the land and its vegeta ters recreation use on National Forest lands tion soil and animals People visit certain working cooperatively to obtain grant monies places with the intention of seeing or hearing and developing publicprivate partnerships few people in other locations larger groups are The for increased conflict Recomrnendtions expected potential between users and their effects on the environ In the MUC and cate Neighborwoods ment indicates a need to set some objectives for recreational facilities should be gories group size and the type and location of events provided where possible to meet existing demands and maintain a balance with

ecommendotions signs providing education on appropriate and and in general the Primitive category should use developing following event for a locations support groups of 12 or fewer people regulations designed especially in designated Wilderness Large welPbeing events such as walkathons or mountain OutfitterGuides bike races are not recommended in the individuals Primitive category with mountain bikes Outfitterguides are or compa nies who take clients out for being prohibited in Wildernesses a particular recre ation experience for a fee Examples of guiding In the SemPprimitive category larger in the greater Flagstaff landscape include groups should use designated sites and mountain bike tours hunter guides jeep tours use of these sites needs to be rotated to and climbing expeditions It is difficult to say allow recovery of vegetation and to prevent how many more outfitterguide activities are overuse appropriate Because many people have strong in the MUC category some groupuse feelings about some locations they do not want sites may need to be designated in popular more commercialism However outfitter areas such as Hart Prairie and Schultz guiding can help alleviate impacts in highuse Pass Other portions ofthe Multipleuse areas in that one jeep or van tour with several Conservation category can support dis people visiting a place may be better than four persed group use but monitoring should or five individual vehicles simultaneously visit occur to ensure some sites are not ing the same area overused Large events are appropriate ecommendotions along most major roads and trails in should the MUC category Outfitterguides be managed to meet the goal of sustaining the natural Smaller size groups such as family values within each of the categories In gatherings are recommended in the other words ecosystem management Neighborwoods for daytime activities needs should drive the type and number only Large events such as races may occur of outfitterguides throughout the Neighborwoods on designat A ed road and trail routes However impacts communitywide effort should be under taken on nearby residents must be considered by the responsible administrative agency to answer the following questions Very large events such as festivals are recommended at the CHR sites where 1 What are the current demands from facilities and parking can support the large the public in terms of type and length numbers of people Efforts to raise funds of activity for infrastructure and and park expansion 2 How can outfitterguides be used at Fort Tuthill should be improvements to meet the goal of using the natural that Fort Tuthill continue supported so can lands while maintaining their ecologP to be used as a festival site Very large cai health events are not recommended for the 3 What kinds of cooperative actions Neighborwoods MUC Primitive or Semi might be taken between agencies and primitive categories The Coconino National to provide the best Forest should evaluate the demand for outfitterguides experience and informationeducation very large events and their appropriate to the public sites and needs The goals and objectives of this Plan should Intensive use of a specific location by be included in the Forest Services annual any group should be accompanied by direct operating plans and should be considered assistance from the user groups to provide when issuing permits for outfitterguides maintenance on the site Examples of and other recreation permits assistance include patrols trash cleanup adoptatrail adoptafacility providing Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

Agency Administration of Group Uses OHV OffHighway Vehicle Use and OutfitterGuide Permits there are demands for both It is important for government agency Currently more miles and awider variety of motorized personnel to spend time monitoring and super trail in the vising permitted activities Unfortunately the opportunities greater Flagstaff The urban trails and Forest increase in the number of permits issued corre landscape Citys Service trails are for nonmotorized sponds with a decrease in the agencies abilities mostly Forest Service roads to administer permits given current staffing and uses though provide many road experiences Under National Forest budgets This Plan does not provide a solution driving users must follow state law on all Forest to this dilemma rather the Plan reiterates the order Service roads State law that Forest importance of monitoring and supervising per requires Service used licensed elimi mits and requesting stewardship and self roads be by drivers ATV and policing by all users nating AllTerrain Vehicle motorcycle use by young unlicensed drivers Other desires the have been to con Winter Recreation expressed by community vert an old cinder pit or other appropriate site Habitats for wildlife are different in winter to a motocross course and to provide additional hibernate to winter as many species or migrate motorized trail opportunities for young people ranges These are then available for places Recommendations human use with a reduced possibility of wild life conflict Initiate a planning process to identify In general winter recreation experiences appropriate areas and opPortunities should be similar to summertime experiences for summertime OHV trails and promote For example the likelihood of encountering a managed trail system other should be low in the many people Motorized use and mountain bikes are pro Primitive and Semiprimitive categories More hibited in the congressionallydesignated and wider of encounters with others a variety Wildernesses of the Primitive category in uses is likely to occur the MUC category Education and enforcement of these rules All of the CHR facilities provide yearround should be increased services and large numbers of social encoun Motorized use is discouraged in the ters can be expected Primitive category and is prohibited within Recommendations congressionallydesignated Wildernesses w Winter motorized activities are popular Generally in the Semiprimitive category Therefore the opportunities for and the motorized trails are and should be infre impacts and conflicts of these activities quent but should provide connections need to be identified Winter wildlife needs In the MUC category more summer should be considered when planning motorized trails may be developed routes corridors and trails Where motor however more motorized trails north of ized closures exist or are proposed it needs Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to be determined whether or not snow in the DeadmansWash area are not mobiles should be included in the closures recommended Evaluate the location of designated snow When designing motorized trails consider areas as issues access and play safety wildlife habitat and corridors where roads parking continue to face the community and their use can affect wildlife movement during the snow months Currently the Forest Service provides some winter parking Workwith nearby residents to design location and use of roads and trails for places where snow is plowed but they are limited motorized activity

The Forest Service should work with other

agencies QHV user groups and other recreationists to mitigate impacts in areas visitor use such as the Flagstaff Visitor s Center and hotel motels to National Monuments cultural educational sites

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways PJan

Terrain Vehicle motorcycle and OHV Off Highway Vehicle use Ideally Flagstaff area residents should be able to leave their neigh borhoods and use the network to reach a trail park or other open space within 15 minutes The quantities of roads and trails available

in the network will vary within each open space category For example the Primitive category will be roadless the Semiprimitive category will have few roads and the MUC and Neighborwoods categories will have moderate road densities Similarly the kinds of experi ences people can expect to have on roads and trails will vary within an open space category In the Primitive and Semiprimitive categories trails are remote and encounters with people infrequent In the MUC category people will see evidence of past activities adjacent to the Sunset Crater Volcano on trails such as road work utility corridors Monument These effects include sounds and logging and will be likely to see other OHV tracks on the cinder cones and vehicle people In Neighborwoods people will feel intrusion onto the Monument and Forest that they are in a natural environment but Service lands outside of the OHV area Some will probably see other people and hear sounds have suggested that OHV activities be moved from urban areas Users will have to be aware from the southern boundary of Sunset Crater of the variety of experiences and opportunities Volcano National Monument At this time available and the relationship of accessibility and for the foreseeable future the Forest in order to choose places to visit Service is not this solution considering Recommendations Movement of this activity could cause even Residentsshouldbeable toleavetheirneighborhoodsandwalkanopenspaceareawithin15minutesJLinkcommunitieswithCityCountyparksschoolseducationalsitessuchastheLowellObservatoryMuseumofNorthernArizonaUniversityCoconinoCommunityCollegehubsFortTuthillSnowbowlWalnutCanyonNationalMonumentDowntownFlagstafffollowingoutlyingareasKachinaVillageMountainairealongLakeMaryRoad Route66andWoodyMountainRoadDoneyParkBlackBillTimberlineFernwoodCosninoFortValleyLinkhubsthatreceivehigh worse conflicts than those now occurring at the edge of the Monument The Forest Service shohld continue to monitor vegetation impacts and designate trails in some areas to maintain the vegetation

TrailRoad Linkages System

A network of trails and roads for people to use for recreational and commuting purposes is desirable It will allow for additional opportu nities in addition to the welPknown trails The network would connect the City of Flagstaff Coconino County National Monuments and National Forest lands These connections would link neighborhoods to Neighborwoods parks educational and cultural sites recreational

areas other communities and outlying areas People would be able to use the network to travel between specific places and to access areas where they can walk jog bike and ride horses They would also be able to access places designated for snowmobile ATV All Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Lndscape Districts

Connect schools to each other and to local the Elden Kachina and Humphreys Trails parks and natural public lands as well as Lockett Meadow Construct hardsurface pathways where Use differing corridor widths to accomplish appropriate Hardsurface trails may be best different objectives in accommodating bicy used in Neighborwoods or urban settings clists OHV users and other types of recre ationists Separate the various users where Provide loop trails as often as possible feasible At all times emphasize the need Create mininetworks of designated trails to provide general user etiquette informa in of social trails where place undesignated tion and general interpretation the social trails would disturb important among wildlife habitat or cause erosion Engender cooperation agencies and communities particularly the Arizona railsto4rails opportunities Explore Department ofTransportation ADOT to Provide both motorized and nonmotorized promote safe crossing at state and federal opportunities for the elderly and for per roadways for alternate modes of transporta sons with disabilities Locate these oppor tion Various methods such as signs lights tunities near residential areas where possi culverts overpasses or underpasses could ble but also design and construct pathways be used depending on site conditions and so people using wheelchairs or other assis types of users Seek opportunities for road tive equipment can access and use facilities way scenic buffers offroadway viewing and at other locations letting users make recreation parkingstaging with trail access informed decisions about how and where points along major highways to use the trail system Accelerate the establishment of trails Connect the Flagstaff Urban Trail System through aggressive pursuit ofArizona FUTS to Forest Service trails and roads Heritage funds ISTEA lntermodal Surface and where possible Transportation Efficiency Act funds and other sources Develop a county trail system to connect to Pursue easements and the FUTS Forest Service trails and National on private state lands needed the Park sites and cultural recreational and as for linkage system educational sites The Rio de Flag Linkage Provide trail corridors parallel to estab lished roads for and paved commuting The Rio de Flag is defined by wide grassy recreational opportunities stream course sections and narrow rocky sec Provide trail corridors parallel to future tions with dense riparian vegetation Many paved roads on City County and Forest sections of the Rio are beautiful The City of urban trail has Service lands for commuting and recre Flagstaffs considerably enhanced sections the Rio while ational opportunities where necessary long of pro access to it sections but keep in mind the preference for sep viding Walking along many is arating motorized from nommotorized an aesthetic experience unmarred by visual traffic Parallel trail corridors should be or noise clues to the nearby urban environment the Rio is located a safe distance from road traffic However not completely acces sible Access is currently blocked in two signifi Work with developers in designing and cant locations first by the Santa Fe Railroad building a trail network seeking trail and embankment on the east side of town where greenway connections for new development the Rio also goes through an industrial area trails to winter Develop or improve provide before reaching Picture Canyon and second recreation opportunities such as cross on the south side of Flagstaff where the Rio and country skiing snowmobiling is privately held Additional private lands are Mitigate the heavy and damaging use located along the Rio south of Butler Avenue of some trails and areas on Forest Service and in the southern portion of the Doney Park lands where possible These sites include communities Damming and channelization

Il or provides grants for the work

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

have occurred in some places Sewer lines have been placed here because the Rio is the lowest part of the watershed but fortunately this also means the Rio has remained a public rightof way in some places The community must be reacquainted with the Rio and its environmental educational and aesthetic values including important scientific information By walking the Rio one can envi sion what the site of Flagstaff looked like in ancient times when the Sinagua Indian popula tion lived along the Rio An understanding of Flagstaffshistory from pioneer settlements in the Fort Moroni Fort Valley area to the place where the first Flagstaff was erected com memorated in Thorpe Park can be gained by traveling the Rio Thus it is possible to under stand how the cultural landscape has evolved over the last two millennia up to the present day Projects by the City the Museum of Northern Arizona and the Army Corps of Engineers have or will enhance the viability of the Rio and add to the publicsknowledge Many institutions are linked along the Rio including from upstream to downstream the Museum of Northern Arizona the Francis Short Pond the Flagstaff Public Library City Hall the Chamber of Commerce a City water reclamation plant Knoles Elementary School Sinagua High School a wastewater treatment plant and Picture Canyon

Recommendations

J Continue to promote use of the Rio de Flag as a linkage corridor of the Flagstaff Urban Trail System extending a trail corridor farther north to Fort Valley and east to the Doney Park area

In some of the wider sections of the

Rio de Flag golf courses ballparks or City parks may be suitable and adaptive to large flood events

IncreaseeducationopportunitiesrelatedtoripariancommunitiesandhistorybyprovidingtrailssignsmaterialJ PreserveuniqueecologicalandculturalsiteswheretheyoccuralongtheRiodeFlagProtectenhancepocketsofriparianvegetationappropriatealsorevegetatebarebanksexistifEnhancebirdwatchingopportunitiesonsectionsProvideanopenchannelforpossibleitsimproveitwithtrailsotheramenitiesPursuereroutingrecreationopportunitiesthroughdowntownpursuerestorationcommunitiesMethodsDevelopingRecommendedLinkageNetworkThefollowingactionsarerecommendeddevelopingtrailroadnetworkPartnershipsAchievingawelllocatedmarkedmaintainedtraiProadwithinaroundcitywillrequirepartnershipapproachForexampletolocatecorridorsadditionaldiscussionsbeneededindividualresidentshomeownersassociationsgovernmentagencyspecialistslawenforcementpersonnelWhileFlagstaffhasurbansystemFUTSCountynotyetdevelopedoneinoutlyingareasToconstructmaintainnewsignsmoniesfromnumerousentitiesrequiredcomprehensivelyserveneighborhoodscountyForestServiceusersMultiplecomplementaryeffortscanuseddevelopgreenwaysPartnersmightincludegovernmentagenciesgrantfundingorganizationsISTEA fundingfromtheArizonaDepartmentofTransportationmightbeusedtodevelopatrailcorridorparallelHighways89and180LakeMary RoadQtherpartnershipscouldincludeinteragencygroupscitizencommissionsandtaskforcesthatplanconstructmaintaintheFlagstaffUrbanTrailSystemnearbyForest ServicetrailsInadditionneighborhoodassociationscouldadoptandmaintainsectionsofintheirNeighborwoodsAnonprofitorganizationalsobeformedtodeveloproadsJobsforyouthmightapart ofthepartnershipprocessDifferentagenciescancontributeindifferentwaysonemightuseitspersonneltoaccomplishworkwhileanothercontracts out There should be a system of roads passable by two wheel drive vehicles to provide access into these areas Trails are mostly standard Forest Service trails and them via roadways

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

Access 0nd Crossing Points new trails in the network should be continually Access and trail crossing points through distributed to hotels restaurants outdoor roadways and developments will prevent breaks sporting goods stores visitors centers and in the trailroad network and will help people other businesses where people might request enter use and exit the network more easily information about recreational opportunities To ensure that access and crossing points are created and maintained in the trailroad net General Access by Open Space Category work they need to be established and preserved Where various in in both old and new developments including possible at locations all gated communities Otherwise developments categories access should be provided to people of and abilities could block critical access points or cut off varying ages Information about and should network links At the same time it is important facilities conditions accessibility be made available make informed to consider the concerns of residents living so users may decisions about how and where to the trail adjacent to access points and minimize effects use road on residents through careful design and man systems agement of trail accesses Access should be Access in the provided via trail connections Forest Service Neighborwoods road connections and stagingparking areas Recommendations The County City Forest Service and residents Access from communities to Neighbor should work together to discourage uncontrolled woods should be provided via trail con access and access designate appropriate points nections Forest Service road connections highways and stagingparking areas Easements TheCountyCityADOTForestServiceresidentsandbusinessesshouldwork togethertodesignateandmaintainaccesspointsscenicbufferswithineachcommunityAccessshouldalsobecontrolledreduceconflictsbetweenrecreationistsprivatelandownersAdditionalstagingparkingareasdesignatedfacilitiessuchastoiletsorpicnictablesmayappropriateatsomeNeighborwoodsroadsystemsdesignedlocatedmaintainedpreventerosionprovideadequaterecreationopportunitiesintheMultipleuseC0nserv0ti0nMUCC0tegoryRecommendationswcategoryachievedbyexitingmainhighwaysontoForestServiceroadsdrivingfrom Recreation rightsofway or easements will need to be acquired for the trailsroads network Development could cut off access points and linkages in the network so it is important to work with developers to have access to trails and greenways These connections can benefit the developers and homeowners by enhancing land values with this amenity Purchase or lease of trail rightsofway across State Trust lands are options that should be pursued The most immediate easement needs are on State and undeveloped private lands because these lands are likely to be sold and developed Easement needs are listed in Section 3 for each landscape district These needs are currently very general and will require future sitespecific analysis and appropriate public involvement

Information and Education Interpretive and informational brochures maps and signs on trails and roads will help people understand the trailsroads network and the natural and wildlife environments around it These interpretive and informational materials help urban citizens feel connected to the forest around them

Agencies organizations and other groups should be encouraged to provide outdoor education information and activities at access points along the network Information about travel Large areas exist where no roads or trails should be provided Maintenance of this level remoteness is recommended Access in the Cultural Historical Recreation Category ecommendations to C H R sites directly off main highways Paved reach each site and paved parking generally Trails facilities provide access for people with disabilities Maintaining year round all types vehicles Forest Service Roads ecommendotions Roods Only Provide an open road system vehicular traffic that includes high clearance a passenger cars The Primitive category have at perimeter points only Semi primitive few car some fairly large non roaded On average densities less than two miles per square mile In density much requires future area by analysis MU several wheel drive numerous Open approximately lowest within wildlife corridor t continue major Neighborwoods vary terms Some Neighbor woods similar vehicle such are likely other it might more appropriate outlying while converted still there may very motorized closure How designed depends on s land characteristics needs nearby communities systems located maintained prevent erosion

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Road and trail maintenance should be at

appropriate levels to allow any type of user access to this category while preventing erosion and avoiding other negative resource impacts

Access in the Semiprimitive Category

ecommendotions

Access to the Semiprimitive category from highways or MUC roads should be achieved by a few Forest Service roads with twowheel drive clearance Other high clearance roads exist in the interior but there also should be large areas where roads are not provided and alternate means of travel are necessary

u Trails are standard Forest Service trails and

access to them should be via Forest Service roadways Road and trail maintenance should be at appropriate levels to allow any type of user access to this category while preventing erosion and avoiding other negative resource impacts

Qnly a few primitive roads access this category and this level of access should be maintained

Access in the Primitive Category

ecommendotions

Access to the Primitive category should be achieved by leaving highways or main Forest Service roads and reaching exterior points only From the exterior points access to the interior ofthe Primitive category is limited to alternate means and in designated Wildernesses is limited to foot and horse Section 2 Recommendations Common to Ail Landscape Districts

Forest Service roads provide access to a variety of landscape categories in the Woody Mountain area including MultipleUse Conservation Semiprimitive and Primitive lands Recommendations for the maintenance or establishment of Forest Service roads vary by landscape category

provide adequate access to recreation with a road closed sign Current policy also opportunities allows crosscountry vehicle travel throughout most with seasonal closures Encourage the Forest Service to maintain areas some once or twice with the full range of existing Recreational Traveling crosscountry just Opportunity Spectrum classes in the a wheeled vehicle can set tracks that stay on the Plan area site for a very long time and when other vehi cles travel the same tracks it creates a new In every category road users should be social road Social roads and trails develop encouraged to stay on designated roads frequently and quickly However during the last 20 use levels on Forest Service roads Closed Unless Designated Open Roads years have increased to the that road mainte At present some areas have more roads point in than are needed The current road management nance cannot keep up with damage heavily policy trend on national forests is to maintain used areas Even in less frequently used areas fewer roads at standards suited for twowheel road maintenance is becoming more and more in drive lowclearance vehicles Overall an ade of a problem years with large amounts of cluate number of open roads will be maintained rain or snow Too roads and trails lessen the throughout Forest Service lands but many many roads will be closed or obliterated One reason quality of wildlife habitat and can contribute for less road maintenance and more road clo to erosion and scenic degradation Roads sures is that the Forest Service has less funding contribute dust to air pollution and make it now than in past years for maintaining roads more difficult to find peace and quiet When Other reasons include improving wildlife habi fewer people were using the Forest Service tat reducing water pollution from dirt road roads the open unless designated closed runoffl reducing dust pollution in the air and policy made sense but now a change needs improving recreation opportunities for non to be considered even though it will reduce motorized recreation motorized access Current Forest Service road policy around A closed unless designated open policy Flagstaff allows travel on any road not marked may be difficult to implement and enforce connections also provide a way for less human tolerant species such as the black bear to move through greater Flagstaff area without becoming trapped in residential or business areas Many humamwildlife conflicts result from blocked dead end migration corridors false Corridor widths determine which wildlife will use these different have varying needs security food and shelter For example turkey require that are about two miles wide regular but skunks raccoons only 25 feet In general support variety of dependably retain Il

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

unless it is applied on a Forestwide basis The recommendation is that the Coconino National Forest consider changing its roads policy to closed unless designated open as a response to the increasing levels of road use and creation of social or impromptu roads Some details would need to be worked out such as how to continue allowing firewood cutting and other activities where limited offroad use is reason able These details and the extent of closures could be worked out through a public involve ment process

Recommendations

Shifttoaclosedunlessdesignatedopenpolicyinwhich crosscountrytravelwouldnotbeallowedunlessdesignatedonthegroundSuch apolicywouldmeetmanyofthe objectivesofthe greenwayshoweverimplementingitforthePlanareamaynotbefeasiblewithoutundertakingastudyofeffects ontheentireCoconinoNationalForestandpossiblyStateTrustlandsIfroadsareclosedexceptwheredesignatedopenthere arereducedimpactsonairqualitywaterwildlifehabitatscenicbeautyandforageproductionIf aForestwidepolicychangeisnotpossibleatminimum a closed unlessdesignated openpolicyisrecommendedwithinthePrimitiveandSemiprimitivecategoriesUnderthissuggestedchangeitwillbenecessarytoprovideanadequateroadsystemExpansionofdesignated systemwillhelpensureadequateaccessSomesecondaryroadsandthelandstheywouldnotbeavailableformotorizeduseunderthisrecommendationTherecommendationistotheclosedroadsasareadymadetrailssystemforhikinghorsebackridingandbicycleswhereappropriateResource ManagementGeneralWildlifeTheobjectiveofincludingwildlifeinthedesignopenspaceandgreenwaysistomaintainaspartqualitylife inthegreaterFlagstafflandscapeAdesirablefutureincludesmaintainingsongbirdsandsmallanimalsthroughoutdevelopedareaswithsomeprovidingopportunitiesforwildlifeviewingInlarge animalssuchasdeerorelkmay stillbeseenontheoutskirtsofurbanareasincludinggreenwayswherehumanuseisnotverygreatConnectionsandmovementcorridorsforanimalsthatrequireseasonalmovementsmoreremoteorsimply morespacewouldbemaintainedonlandsfartherremovedfrom urbanareasTheabilityofanimalstomovebetweenseasonalrangesandsubpopulationsisimportantshouldbemaintainedSeveralwildlifemanagementconceptsrelated wildlifetravelcorridorsandspecialhabitatcomponentscan guidetheintegrationofwildlifeneedsintodesignopenspacesandgreenwaysTheseconceptsaredescribedbelowwConnectionsbetweenportionsspaceprovidetravelcorridorsthatallowtofindusehabitatstheyneed wildlife Recommendations This travel corridor should be maintained Any future intentional increase in recre ational use would conflict with movement so it is recommended that increases all forms of recreational development avoided Maintenance cover especially important this because high levels human and the narrow width Careful planning needed to maintain vegetative without increasing fire risk unnecessarily

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

more resident wildlife species than do narrow passages

Therewillbemore diversewildlifeusingcorridorsthathaveagreatervarietyofvegetationandtopographyMammalswillbemoreattractedtoarelandscapedwithnativeplantsusedbyCertainhabitatcomponentsespeciallyimportantForexampleanydependablesourcewaterattractsstandingdeadtreessnagslargeones40orbirdspeciesatleastsevenbatLargelogsonthegroundprovidecoverforsmallmammalssuchaschipmunksoldponderosapineoakfoodsheltervariousincludingbandtailedpigeonsturkeydeernuthatcheswoodpeckersmanysongbirdsmWherethereripariansitesisdiversityvegetationnearwithinurbanareasmaintenanceenhancementbrushcanbirdsThis allowspeoplelivinginurbanareastoenjoyavarietyofbirdsandsmallmammalsverycloseproximitytheirhomesThebestsituationforwildlife istohaveaconnectedwidecorridormadeupofthemostdiversehabitats availableUseoftheopenspacesandgreenwaysoranytypecorridorbywildlifewillbeheavilyaffected humanuseManyoftheopenspaceandgreenwaydesign considerationsinvolvehidden tradeoffsbetweenhumanuseandnaturalareavaluesassociatedwithwildlifewild plantsHowevermuchplanningisdonetotryavoidundesirableencountersbetweenpeopleandwildlifetheycannotbeprecludedentirelyWildlifeCorridorsThissubsectionpresentssomeimportantcorridorsthatshouldmaintainedAcorridordefinedbyhistoricalcurrentusemovementsManyofthesecanalsoservethehuman needsforlinkagesdiscussedelsewhereinthePlanOnlywhenacorridor isverynarroworlacksvegetativecoverwouldhumanuseprecludebywildlife MorespecificrecommendationsappearinthediscussionsoneachlandscapedistrictSection3A1MountainCorridorThiscorridorisonlyremainingmovement fromthefoothillsofSanFranciscoPeakstowestandsouthSnowbowlRoadThecorridorprimarilyprovidesforseasonalmovementsdeerelkturkeyfromsummertowinterrangeItisquitenarrowas400yardsinsomelocationsRecreationparticularlylatenightpartiesand bonfiresinthecorridorisbelievedtohaverecentlydiscouragedusebywildlifeDecisionsonroadclosuresmadeaspartofA1Mountain10K Blockplanningby thePeaksRangerDistrictof ForestServicewillhelpincontinuingtokeepthe corridorinuseby travel corridor should be maintained Walnut Canyon Corridors Areas both north and south of serve as wildlife movement areas Both are ilPdefined but important Animals including elk antelope turkey use the to move from lower eleva tions east South movements take place all along rim Anderson Mesa North area is restricted by Interstate 40

Flagstaff Are Open Spices and Greenways Plm

Rio de Flag Corridor the potential for sale and development of State The Rio de Flag provides a natural move Trust lands which could sever these wildlife ment and concentration area for wildlife The travel corridors of available water enhances its value presence Iecommendotions for wildlife It is mostly used by birds and small This wildlife travel corridor should be mammals and provides some of the best bird maintained watching opportunities within the City of Flagstaff Much of the length of the Rio de Flag Mogollon Rim Corridors not privately owned within the city is already Areas along the Mogollon Rim are impoP developed as part of the Flagstaff Urban Trails tant for eastwest interchange between wildlife System FUTS Some of the best opportunities populations and seasonal movements off for nature education along the FUTS occur in the Rim to wintering areas Development on the Rio de Flag Planned flood control along the Highway 89A south of section 26 T20N R6E Rio could have major effects on the attractive or on Interstate 17 between the south edge ness of some stretches of the Rio de Flag of section 30 T20N R7E and north of Munds to wildlife Park could potentially have serious impacts ecommendotions on the eastwest movements of elk deer turkey Take advantage of outdoor education and and bear refer to maps in Appendix 3 A con birdwatching opportunities especially nection is also needed east from Interstates17 Lower Lakes where uniquediverse vegetation exists to Mormon Lake Upper and Mary and Anderson Mesa however the placement Maintain water availability where possible is not as critical as other corridors and many and maintain uniquediverse vegetation options remain open Encourage plantings of native vegetation in some stretches of the Rio de Flag such ecommendotion Rio de Water Reclamation as near the Flag This wildlife travel corridor should be Plant to enhance the area as wildlife habi maintained tat and as a watchable wildlife education

and recreation site San Francisco PeaksSunset Crater Corridor A wide area along the top of the ridge near 140Naval Mountain ObservatoryWoody the entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano National Movement Corridor Monument from Highway 89 serves as a wildlife This corridor connects the areas north of movement corridor This corridor is probably the interstate and south to the Mogollon Rim most used in winters with high snowfall The movement corridor crossing Interstate 40 Protecting the corridor would become more in the vicinity of the Naval Observatory is used important if any additional development occurs mostly by birds including raptors moving north of the ridge that would block wildlife and around along Woody Ridge continuing movement to the north Mars Hill The ponderosa pineoak foresttype Recommendotion vegetation is attractive to many animals This route was probably more of a movement Thiswildlife corridor for large mammals and turkey before completion of the interstate Some elk and deer apparently still use the corridor and cross the interstate helping to maintain genetic interchange between herds north and south of the interstate Major wildlife habitat areas south of the interstate still connect to this corridor including the Woody Mountain Woody Ridge Rogers Lake and Camp Navajo areas Woody Ridge is a major movement area for elk deer and turkey south of the interstate The principal wildlife management concern is recreational use might cause them to lose their value as wildlife habitat and lessen the opportunities for neighbor hood viewing Neighborhood places should be maintained by ensuring diversity of vegetation including a variety tree sizes shrubs maintaining special such water sources snags vegetative cover encourage continued Shooting near residential areas raises concerns with public safety Conflicts between shooting other uses within city limits are issues concern

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

and rural subdivisions The corridor north of the canyon potentially could become more restricted depending on which pieces of land are developed in the future It is important to the wildlife north of Walnut Canyon to keep a corridor open to the east A corridor closer to the canyon would likely receive more use than one closer to the Interstate so maintain

lng open space close to the canyon will be a higher priority for wildlife

ecornrnendations

Thiswildlifetravelcorridorshould bemaintainedWildlifeViewingandEducationOpportunitiesviewinghasbecomeincreasinglypopularinthegreaterFlagstaffareaRecentlyintenseinterestbaldeagleswinterelksummerdemonstratedthishighlevelofopportunitiescandevelopedanumberwaysForexampleexistingsomeareassuchasLowerLakeMarycouldenhancedbyprovidingmoreparkingInothereffortstoreduceimpactonwildlifeaccomplishedbuildingblindsorDevelopmentadditionalgeneralinformationmeeteducationalpublicdemandwouldbenefitprogramEachlandscapedistrictidentifiesoutdooreducationspecificallyPeoplehaveidentifiedplacesneartheirhomesManydonotcriteriafordevelopmentdesignatedbecausetheyareHighQualityHabitatsInsteadthesewhatreferredneighborhoodThese areasdonotalwayshaveahighnumberofwildlifeHoweverthethatresidentsseeintheseplacesishighlyvaluedManysitesbeenprotectedorenhancedWithinthisPlanneighborhoodviewing areincludedaspartoftheNeighborwoodstecomrnendationsOnlyareaswithhighwildlifeusethat canretaintheirwildlifevalueinthefaceofincreasedrecreationaluseshouldbepromotedforviewingDevelopmentimprovedopportunitieswithinorneargreenways isrecommendedIncreasetheuseofinterpretivesignsandmake informationalmaterialsavailableDevelopmentofadditionaloutdoorclassroomsandotherenvironmentaleducationareasisrecommendedSometimesallthatneededlettingeducatorsknowwhatopportunitiesexistOthermayrequiresomesiteimprovementordevelopmentcurriculumtomakethemmoreusefulMoreattentionshould notbecalledtotheneighborhoodwildlifeviewingplacesasadditional are to protect life and property by mak ing the forest more resistant fire

Section 2 Recommendetions Common to Ail Landscape Districts

In some cases maintenance and preserva campsites are sometimes established which tion of rare plant communities can be compa poses a high risk of wildfires tible with development construction and heavy For the most part the Plan relies on recreation use In other instances use may the judgment of community fire prevention degrade these places to the extent that scenic suppression specialists in conjunction with educational or biological values decline other specialists and interested parties such Threatened endangered and other rare as the Forest Stewardship Review Team to determine the best fire tool species of animals live in the open spaces and management to use in a situation or location greenways system The bald eagles osprey and given in the peregrine falcons seen along Lake Mary provide Wildfire suppression greater unique opportunities for environmental educa Flagstaff landscape is coordinated through tion and wildlife viewing an interagency team called the Ponderosa Fire Council The recommendations Tolerance of human presence by rare Advisory PFAC in this Plan are intended to species can vary widely In some cases envi expressed comple ronmental education wildlife viewing fishing ment and support PFAC goals boating and other types of recreation are com Recommendations patible with the species use of an area For Reintroduce firesnatural role in the eco less tolerant or more vulnerable species more system through prescribed fire programs protection may be desirable or necessary and mitigate the risk of property loss Agreements between landowners or other inter from wildfire ested parties volunteer efforts wellplanned w Where fire may recreation use fencing and signs are some appropriate prescribed be used as a tool to maintain and enhance of the tools that might facilitate use of areas open andor scattered shrubs by both rare species and humans grasslands to provide a mosaic of cover and openings Recommendations and plant species diversity As many large Maintain or enhance plant communities trees as possible should be retained consis with use of native landscaping interpretive tent with other fire mitigation objectives signs fencing wellplanned trail locations Fuelreductionactivitiesshouldbedesignedtomaintainabalancewith Firemanagement prioritiesfortheNeighb0rw00dsandMultipleuseC0nserationcategoriesupwindfromdevelopments recreational use sites and easements

Evaluate rare plant communities to deter mine their compatibility with various uses and their tolerance of human impact while not compromising their biological scenic or educational value

Fire Management

Because the Plan area is a desert forest pine needles and branches do not break down like they do in wetter climates Fire is a major nutrient cycling agent of the SouthWest and was frequent prior to Anglo settlement and subse quent fire suppression Fire management priorities for the Neighborwoods and MultipleuseConservation categories upwind from developments are to protect life and property by making the forest more resistant to fire The goal is to create envi ronmental conditions that will keep a firestart from spreading rapidly Because of the Neighborwoods proximity to urban areas with water and other services nearby longterm use away from riparian communities New development of recreational facilities should take into account the need to con serve and protect Education efforts are needed explain importance protecting habitat encourage people these places Aquifers feeding springs not be depleted through ground water pumping Watershed Overall watershed conditions protected maintained Recommendotions Promote healthy vegetation by designing constructing roads trails mini mize erosion Maintain in good condition Land management agency guidelines for design location other disturbing activities followed minimize soil slopes retain Traditional American Indian Uses Several tribes have important cultural associations with land resources sites greater Flagstaff area These groups include Hopi Navajo Hualapai Havasupai Zuni Yavapai Apache Federal agencies procedures consulting it is recommended that all parties Plan engage similar consultations Recommendations concerns taken consideration any future changes use especially if they involve potential encroachment on sacred or limitations access them Indians plant pi nut gathering areas traditional uses The Arizona Burial Protection Law 1990 requires discovery burials State private lands reported Museum To foster com pliance this law City County employees public educated sensitive issue Cultural Historical Sites There much evidence prehistoric occupation some traces pioneer history throughout landscape Existing federal regulations provide identification study event affected actions only projects but also involving licensing permitting funding Similar historic preservation regula tions exist Trust pertains both Iii

Fetoff Aee Oen Saces ond Gmeweys Plo

aesthetics wildlife habitat and the reten tion of as many large trees as possible that is consistent with the fire mitigation objectives

Undertake multipublic agency safety efforts to prevent the establishment of Neighborwoods campsites while recog nizing that the forest can and should serve a diverse palette of recreational uses including shortterm camping Thinning out smaller trees burning slash piles and regularly burning needles and otherwoody accumulations on the forest floor may be required to reduce the potential of a catastrophic fire in the urban interface

Riparian Community

Riparian communities are places where the presence of standing or flowing water influences the vegetation such as along lakes streams or canyon bottoms Riparian communities provide essential diverse habitats but few exist in the greater Flagstaff area and these communities continue to decline statewide Consequently it is desirable to maintain and enhance their qualities wherever they exist

ecommendtions

Developstrategiesforimprovingripariancommunitiessuchasfencingsitesfromlivestockorelkrequiringdispersedcampingtobesituatedoutofcanyonbottomsandspringplacingroadsparking and sustainability of the natural landscapes is an integral part long term quality life for residents visitors to greater Flagstaff open spaces Ecosystem health incorporates resiliency diversity a variety plant animal com munities processes that connect them through time The public space lands around provide products taking from National Forest administered by Service permit system State Land Department leases areas grazing logging other uses Revenues gained Trust augment Fund In recent years philosophical shift has occurred about forest Instead man aging land solely produce product are managing ecosystem Design management can no longer be done on single resource basis Wood example now intended result meeting objectives not end in itself That thinning trees

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

Prehistoric ruins arefound throughout the Flagstaff area This ruin is located in Walnut Canyon National Monument

There are also places in the greater Flagstaff landscape associated with the cultural practices and beliefs of a variety of ethnic groups Such places are rooted in the history of these communities and are important to maintaining the continuity of their traditional beliefs and practices These places are called traditional cultural properties and are eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places While many of these places are important to American Indian tribes other local ethnic groups such as the Hispanic Basque and Anglo communities also have traditional cultural properties Existing federal regulations provide for consultation with appropriate ethnic groups concerning the management and evaluation oftraditional cultural properties

Recomrnendctions

CoconinoCountyandtheCityofFlagstaffshouldcontinueorestablishasnecessaryhistoricpreservationprograms thatcanworkwithethniccommunitiesfederalagenciesandtheStateHistoricPreservationQfficetopreserveprotecttraditionalculturalpropertiesFederalstateshouldcontinuepracticeofconsultingappropriategroupsconcerningevaluationmanagementResearchItisimportantopportunitiesforscientificstudiescontributepublicsknowledgeforestlandsCurrently researchersfromNorthernArizonaUniversitytheRockyMountainForestandRangeExperimentStationotherscientificinstitutionsconductsuchstudiesonopenspacegreenwaylandsecommendcztionsContinue andexpandthepracticeofpermittingscientificresearchstudiesthatpromotecommunitiesknowledgeecosystemGeneral ForestProductsThelongtermhealth open cut fences or break down by climbing over them livestock scatter onto lands that are scheduled for rest from grazing To alleviate this problem cattleguards should be placed on major roads and explanatory signs education provided

conducted to reduce fire risk create diversity of tree sizes and improve habitat for some species of wildlife Being able to sell merchantable wood products is a result of this action not the reason for the harvesting Another shift in commodity use is an increase in the variety of products taken from public lands Historical uses were dominated by logging and domestic livestock grazing with some mining To some extent these activities

are still carried out Now however a much wider variety of uses occurs including cutting of trees for latillas logs posts and poles Christmas trees and firewood for home heating gathering of pine cones and pine whorls gath ering of wildings lava malpais and common rock for landscaping and masonry work mining of cinders and aggregate rock for construction and pumice for landscaping beekeeping and pifion nut gathering Over time additional products are likely to be identified Currently grazing firewood gathering and wood product harvesting occur in many of the Neighborwoods However the longterm trend is toward lower levels of these uses As Neighborwoods become more important for daytime recreation for a greater number ofpeo ple product needs may be a lesser priority in the Neighborwoods However as fire mitigation is extremely important in the Neighborwoods it is likely that wood products will still result from future thinning projects

Recommendations

Grazinghuntingaspen wildingswoodproductharvestingandfirewoodgatheringshouldbecontinuedwithappropriateplanningforinconsiderationofrecreationopportunitiesscenicvalueswildliferesourcesManageuseskeepingdesiredrecreationexperiencesforestdiversityhabitatneedseachopenspacecategoryThePrimitiveespeciallydesignatedWildernessdoesnotlenditselftoawidevarietyorhighintensityThereforeonlyminimallowimpactoccurtheInSemiprimitivesuchascuttinggrazingarebutkeptatlevelsthatdojeopardizehabitathumanexperiencesolitudechallengeAlthoughMultipleuseConservationprovidesgreatesthighestallcategoriesmuststillmanagedsustainhealthNeighborwoodsForestServiceconsidermanaginglandsgreatermoreimportantrolehasabovewhileprovidingtreethinningneededfiremanagementpurposesOnStateTrustMUCcommodityproductionachievegoalsecosystemrevenuegenerationWhererecommendationsfromthisPlanconsideredinputsannualoperatingplanspermitscontractsadministrationGrazing ImprOvingthe diversityquantityandqualityofnativeplantspeciesisaprimaryobjectiveTheamountforagegrass variesdependingondensity0ftreecoversoiltypesandpastgrazinghistoryWherelivestockaregrazedtaeymovedfrompasturetoaccordingtheavailableforageHoweverexcessive usecanoccurandhasoccurredinsomepasturescauslngdegradedconditionsGrazingbylargenumbersofelkhadaeffectonthedensityvarietyavailabilitygrassesforbsTheneedtoprovidewater forlivestockhasresultedingreaternumbersofelkthis landscapethanwerehistoricallypresentElkandlivestocknumbersshouldbein balancewiththeabilityoflandtosustainandproducethemThekeyimprovingrangeconditionswhilegrazingdomesticlivestockiskeeplivestock inspecifiedpasturesatdesignatedtimesWhenrecreationistsleavegates relationships Vegetation especially trees should be used to screen urbanized gateways into Flagstaff

Section 2 Recommendations Oommon to Ali Landscape Districts

ecommendotions Vegetation Structural Stage VSS is a method used the Forest Service to describe Work should be done to improve specific by stand and structure VSS is based on locations with degraded conditions and density tree size and vertical structure to increase plant composition and forage canopy cover The different VSS classes describe young mid production for a variety of native plant and and old forests There is an animal species age currently unequal distribution of structural stages with Grazing management practices need to a larger percentage of VSS 3 young forest pole consider recreation scenic and wildlife size pine There are relatively few very young or concerns very old trees A better distribution of age class

Cattleguards should be placed on major es and sizes will meet the needs for a diversity roads and explanatory signs and education of wildlife species now and in the future should be provided as methods of improv Thinning of the understory ponderosa pine ing range conditions by keeping livestock trees at various densities allows some trees to in designated pastures grow faster than others The result is larger trees in the thinned and better balance Wherever appropriate open space recom areas a trees mendations should be considered as input of large and small This forest diversity to the Forest Services annual operating obiective combined with fire mitigation objec main plans and permits for grazing tives is currently the reason for Forest Service timber harvesting trees wildlife Timber Management Aspen support species adapted to them enhance forest diversity and provide A brief history of forests provides a better for fall color viewing Lack of fire has limited

understanding of current forest management the number of new aspen stands created and activities Harvesting of the regions timber grazing animals such as livestock and elk eat resources as firewood railroad ties and build new sprouts within existing aspen areas pre lng materials began with pioneer settlement venting the young trees from growing This in the 1880s The Coconino National Forest combination of factors is leading to a decline which manages the Forest Service lands of of the acres of aspen this Plan was created in 1908 Large commer Recommendations cial logging operations occurred in the early Continuation of tree is recom 1900s and an extensive railroad system and thinning mended where appropriate for roadway network were created to support enhancing these operations forest health and diversity and mitigating risk As development occurred people began fire suppressing fires to protect their farms ranches Activities to reestablish young aspen and buildings Water sources for livestock were oak trees and shrub species as appropriate constructed throughout the area increasing the should be continued and increased numbers and changing the patterns of deer elk Open space category descriptions and and livestock use objectives described in this Plan should be landscape has been shaped by past Todays considered when designing future projects climatic conditions as well as by these human B and should be activities Climatic conditions in 1919 com Strategies plans developed with consideration of interrelated bio bined with logging grazing and the reduction logical social and cultural components of wildfires created a good seedbed and ideal of forest should no ponderosa pine regeneration conditions Design management longer be done on a single resource basis This resulted in large areas of similarage trees Rather management strategies should be throughout the landscape including the thick based on ecological inter stands of closely spaced polesize pines seen in many places today Some large wildfires however have occurred over the years creat ing a few large open grassy areas appropriate Land management and jurisdictional agencies should begin to determine uses for discontinued mining pits with input assistance from nearby communities Firewood Cutting Gathering Families have been gathering firewood since Flagstaff was established even before when the area inhabited by early peoples In recent decades Forest Service has administered this use through a permit system Individual or family is closely associated access roads therefore different open space categories levels of availability The recognizes that large dead trees snags are now fewer in number valued habitat they provide wide variety species reason reduction due combination past timber prac tices cutting order retain current future sev eral years ago began limiting size stand ing could be cut

Flagstaff Area Open Spaoes and reenways Plan

Mining lands There are active and discontinued mining pits on these lands Geologic features on Forest Service lands Recommendations around Flagstaff are dominated by past volcanic activity The San Francisco Peaks as well as Certain locations should be withdrawn from other prominent peaks are extinct volcanoes availability for mining claims These places Because of this formation and geologic type include but are not limited to large moun has been limited to the mining activity produc tains canyons and prominent cinder cones tion of and other cinders pumice aggregate as indicated in Section 3 material Community needs for mining of common On Forest Service lands the Forest Service variety materials should be met in an envi regulates minerals mining under three cate ronmentally sound manner exclusive of gories locatable common variety and leasable mountains canyons and prominent minerals Locatable minerals are administered large cinder cones Existing common through the General Mining Law of 1872 and variety operations should be administered and are limited to minerals of uncommon value monitored by the responsible agency typically precious metals such as gold or silver or other minerals that have unique characteris Cinder and aggregate rock use should be tics that make them more valuable Pumice consolidated to one site as much as possi is considered a locatable mineral when of ble to limit the bite out of every apple a certain size and economic value appearance of cinder cone mining Common the second cate variety minerals m Where rehabilitation of existing rockand are mineral materials of common occur gory cinder pits is needed efforts should be rence that are generally used in construction undertaken to reshape slopes plant vegeta and road work Common variety materials such tion and clean up the sites as as cinders and aggregate rock are managed through Forest Service permits where sites are designated and operations are overseen by the Forest Service The third category leasable minerals

includes energy resources such as oil and gas There has been some geothermal activity in the open space planning area Under the Mining Law of 1872 the Forest Services authority for locatable minerals is limited to determining mitigation measures necessary to reduce adverse environmental impacts associated with the mining operations The Forest Service has the authority to recluire reasonable actions by the claimant to reduce environmental impacts but cannot deny activity on a valid claim Under the 1872 Mining Law unless a formal withdrawal from future mining claims is made new claims can be made and mining for locatable materials undertaken Existing claims cannot be withdrawn Section 3 lists specific locations desirable for withdrawal from future mining claims within each land scape district Those identified areas provide scenic backdrops to communities and contain recreational spiritual and wildlife values Common variety cinders and aggregate rock are also obtained from State Trust and private number of new roads created

Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

aspen may be appropriate These sales are designed much like larger timber sales where landscape and ecosystem objectives are met through cutting of the firewood trees There are some places where snags are deficient oak is limited and roads and trails need to be managed intensively to keep people on designated roads and trails Where these conditions exist it may be appropriate to pro hibit firewood gathering No specific places are listed at this time but as Neighborwoods man agement progresses these issues should be considered when determining future firewood gathering locations as well as taking into account the impact on households that Oak has also been recognized as having depend on nearby firewood gathering sites very habitat value for wildlife both as a high lecornmendtions food source and as cavities for nesting Qak was Continue to commercial firewood and still is a very popular firewood for home provide to meet overall heating Again the Forest Service saw a decline cutting ecosystem objec tives Commercial use is in in large oak trees resulting from a combination appropriate of permitted firewood cutting and illegal wood the MUC category and may also be appro poaching In order to retain remaining large oak priate in some places in Neighborwoods trees the Forest Servicehas prohibited cutting to mitigate fire hazards Commercial fire standing dead oak for firewood wood cutting is appropriate in some parts The Arizona State Land Department of the Semiprimitive category if needed provides firewood gathering and cutting and to meet other objectives such as fire sal Christmas tree cutting opportunities under vaging Commercial firewood cutting is in Primitive special circumstances with an Incidental Use not appropriate the category Permit and through commercial sale Where appropriate continue to provide Pifion and juniper are also popular firewood for individual and family firewood gathering for home Current firewood heating permits demands while ensuring the presence of allow the cutting of dead standing pifion and snags oak and other important wildlife juniper of any size and some locations of green habitat components pitonjuniper are also offered in the Primitive category the lack of roads Another recent concern has been offroad and Wilderness objectives preclude fire driving to reach firewood areas Many people wood gathering for home use Firewood drive off of Forest Service roads and create new gathering is appropriate in the Semiprimi social roads Others follow and push the new tive but should be restricted to road farther and farther into the forest The category locations with designated open roads ongoing challenge is how to continue to offer The MultipleuseConservation category firewood while reducing the number of new can firewood in many roads created provide gathering places because there is a higher density of In addition to individual family permits open roads If future restrictions on general the Forest Service identifies some places for firewood gathering occur within the commercial firewood cutting For these places Neighborwoods retain the option of special a contractor purchases a permit cuts the wood firewood cutting projects in which residents and sells it as firewood The number of loca and agencies work in to reduce tions available for commercial firewood has partnership fuel hazards diminished over the years but some areas are Addressthechaliengeofhowtocontinueofferfirewoodwhilereducing still available every year The primary species for commercial cutting is pitonjuniper although ponderosa pine and in some places FJagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways PJan

Community Participation Information and Education Agency Collaboration and Law Enforcement

The Neighborwoods are where City and County ofthe land is changed so that it no longer meets outdoor recreation needs meet Forest Service the mission of the Forest Service Generally this management objectives and needs Here local mission is to achieve quality sustainable land recreation use meets general public recreation management Without a long tradition of mare use on a daily basis Neighborwoods can no aging lands as urban open space this task is longer be administered by any one particular particularly challenging for the Coconino agency or used by one particular group of National Forest especially in these times of people The longterm wellbeing and sustain downsizing and budget reductions The Forest ability ofthese lands depends on multifaceted Service will need to create partnerships with coordination cooperation and management other government agencies and private parties This is less the case in the Multipleuse to fulfill this new role Conservation MUC Semiprimitive Primitive Over the past few years as the Flagstaff and CulturalHistoricalRecreational CHR area communities have grown and uses categories which are farther removed from have intensified the places designated developed communities Therefore these as Neighborwoods have experienced some not dealt with here categories are degradation In some instances too many impromptu trails have developed some of the Neighborwoods contain party spots some have transient camps some have been used as dumping grounds for refuse and others have an overabundance of twotrack social roads As Flagstaff grows these conditions could continue and the Neighborwoods could lose their appeal and value as places to escape the hustle and bustle of modern urban life The cycle of use abuse and development could push access to wildland farther and farther away from residential areas and forever change the character ofthe city This cycle however can be broken by restoring these blighted spots to their natural conditions The preferred vision for Neighborwoods is that they be a significant component of the Open Spaces and Greenways Plan and a benefit to Community Participation in Neighborwoods the local community while providing public Management access and maintenance of appropriate resource values Developing access for the Most of the land as designated Neighbor whole community and in some locations deveP woods is Coconino public land managed by the oped recreation facilities might be better than National Forest lands for Managing Neighbor random uses which may impact larger areas woods as described in this Plan would be a Users can and should help with management new role for the Forest Service Historically the planning They should help determine how Forest Service would make lands close to urban many and which trails and roads will be need centers that are heavily used by the local com ed Trails and roads that are not needed will munity for park like recreation activities avail be eliminated and others may need to be able for exchange and remove them from public rerouted to avoid causing erosion and other ownership This is especially true if the character negative impacts Once the road and trail Section 2 Recommendations Common to All Landscape Districts

and can make the system for a Neighborwoods has been practices Neighborwoods attractive to birds and small mam identified the local users a blockwatch or more wildlife Neighborwoods association could be mobilized mals thus enhancing the urban for future maintenance and monitoring The experience stewardship group would encourage appropri Intensive use of any area should be accom ate use see that litter does not accumulate panied by direct assistance from the users trails do not ensure that new unplanned to manage lands for the enjoyment of develop and help foster an atmosphere of future generations neighborliness Identification of places to be developed as picnic sites parking areas fitness Information and Education trails and access points to trails is another In order to carry out the and recom potential function of the partnerships goals mendations contained in this Plan more infor In addition to questions regarding the mation needs to be to the public and number of roads and trails in a Neighborwoods provided the users recreationists as well as land use users should become better acquainted with permittees Education at all levels and in differ the local wildlife and how people can live in ent venues whether school children or post harmony with the birds and animals secondary education of adults would be very ecornmendations helpful in understanding the importance of the m The community especially the community rules regulations and courtesies required to the outdoors envi of users and the local governmental agen sustain protect and enjoy cies needs to share the responsibility for ronment and to avoid conflicts caring and providing the stewardship need Information regarding the Plan should ed for Neighborwoods to protect and sus be delivered in a compelling and professional rain the lands into the future Local state manner through partnership efforts that create and federal agencies can provide the know an opportunity and desire for the public to how while the community will be asked become an active and willing partner in the and of finite natural to provide some of the muscle protection preservation resources Presentations should build on exist m Establish a blockwatch or Neighborwoods ing efforts currently under way by a variety of association to provide land stewardship agencies and entities that explain natural assist with management planning deter cultural and historical values mine how many and where roads and trails Important topics for public discussion are needed and identify places to be devel and input include but are not limited to the oped as picnic sites parking areas fitness following trails and access points to trails s Neighborwoods management and s Neighborwoods implies neighborliness opportunities Increasing populations means changing m land use outlooks toward nearby forests Develop Regional growth management ing access to wildlands for the whole com s Fire management and ecology and for devel munity designating places Motorizednonmotorized recreation recreation will be better for the land oped opportunities and natural resources than random use Wildlifehuman interaction Neighborwoods users can participate in s User activities to make the forest and their responsibilities personal properties more resistant to fire Economic implications s Assist in developing appropriate people ecommendtions habits to ensure that and food garbage pet Provideeducationalandinformational opportunitiesregardingtheconceptsandissuesofOpenSpacesGreenwaysPlan itsrelationshiptoforestecosystemmanagementdeliveredinamannerappropriatefordiverseaudience do not become death sentences for wildlife such as a bear moving through the Neighborwoods Provide education to Neighborwood residents on what types of vegetation Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

Establish strong educational programs learn enjoy recreate and make the best aimed at informing people of the impacts use of their time in the forest of the Plansactions on natural and cultural Provide accessible sites in accordance with resources and a sense of resource fostering the Americans with Disabilities Act and out the served stewardship among public by door recreation information that allows this Plan people to make informed choices Ensure a balanced and thoughtful presenta Continue educationinterpretation of her tion of the issues to facilitate the publics itage resources through partnerships signs opportunity to participate in decision brochures site steward programs guiding making through a variety of forums and other methods Share various missions public agency and Work closely with the hospitality and policies with the public as they relate to the tourism industry to ensure that it is able agencies respective roles in the manage to dispense accurate information to its ment and preservation of open space lands customers Identify and use electronic Strengthen partnerships between organiza opportunities to facilitate trip planning

tions that currently provide information Establish a resource list for groups to con to the public such as the National Park tact regarding clarification or orientation to Service Forest Service Arizona Natural the Plan Ensure that potential users of the History Association Chamber of Plan are provided needed interpretation Commerce and the Flagstaff Visitors of the Plan when it is presented Center Efforts should be made to brief agencies that are not a part of this plan Improving Communication Cooperation and ning effort on the content of the Plan and Collaboration Among and Between Agencies encourage them to include this information and the Public in discussions with the public Partnerships will be especially important Ensure wide distribution ofthe Open Spaces for maintaining open spaces and greenways as and Greenways Plan and the accompanying agency funds decrease while demand for use video and summary and through strategic and protection of these lands increases Qpen locations of the Plan for public review space and greenway development management and use problems and solutions are broad in scope and Provide information to new or prospective cross land ownership boundaries therefore homeowners via standard realtor packets agencies and other stakeholders must work in cooperation with the Northern Arizona across jurisdictional boundaries to analyze Board of Realtors and address these problems Current efforts are under way to improve Provide brochures on specific issues such communication and between as ATV Opportunities and Responsibilities understanding This reflects local in information kiosks agencies process agencies commitment to collaboration If agencies information on minimum Incorporate continue to improve their communication and impact use with information on local attrac interactions each can increase its efficiency and tions and features and the natural history effectiveness and consequently serve the pub and of the geology heritage greater lic better As agencies better understand each Flagstaff visitors not landscape Many may othersmissions operations and services some be woods wise and lack of information agencies can eliminate public services hat are be to may contributing resource damage duplicated by other agencies They can also Lack of information also contributes to more effectively share information and skills unwanted traffic as patterns people wander among the agencies and with the public for their destination looking Adequately Agencies might pursue joint management orient visitors to opportunities and the of lands for a particular purpose For example responsibilities that accompany a visit there may be places where Forest Service lands so they may safely and nondestructively are suitable for intensive recreation use This policies of group self policing or cooperative funding for law enforcement should be pursued

Section 2 Recommendations Common to Ail Landscape Districts

use might be administered on a daily basis by the City or the County in the form of a regional park or other facility Another example would be a local school using a wildlife viewing area constructed by the Arizona Game and Fish Department and maintained by the students and schools Through partnerships agencies can antici pate open space changes rather than react to them They can also coordinate their open space efforts and make decisions about open spaces based on shared community objectives The processes described and contacts listed in this Plan will help ease the review and approval land processes that agencies perform prior to sales exchanges and developments Public involvement is crucial to the imple mentation of this Plan Possibilities for public involvement include groups organized for a par ticular location or groups organized for a partic ular topic For example a group may form to help implement road trail and sign needs for the Mt Elden landscape district or a group may form to help implement the overall trail link ages system such as Friends of Flagstaff Trails Successful working groups within the com munity could be used as examples and some ofthe objectives ofthis Plan could be accom plished with their assistance These groups are the Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council PFAC CityCounty Regional Planning Committee and the current collaboration among law enforcement personnel In addition to acquisition of open space lands and implementation of management actions committees work groups and commis

sions could serve as a conduit for discussions about open space issues Providing forums and processes such as those used in developing this Plan would allow people with very different viewpoints to come together to discuss issues These discussions could lead participants to win resolutions for issues related to open space development and management

ecommendtions

Anoversightand coordinatingcoalitionshouldbeformedasajointCityCountygovernmentalagencycitizengroupThisseetotheimplementationofideasandrecommendationspresentedinthisPlanItcouldidentifyseekmechanismsforacquisitionopenspacelandsassistinterpretingfosterpartnershipsusemanagementobtainfundingdevelopmentrecreationalsitesactthirdpartyortrustacceptingdonationsfacilitatediscussionswithNeighborwoodsassociationsmightalsoprovideforumprivatelandownersdeveloperspromotegoalsTheserveconduitinformationpubliconprogressmadetowardNeighborhoodworkgroupscommitteesarerecommendedhelpimplementappropriateFederalStateagencieswouldhandlecomplianceaspectsA locallandtrustwould bebeneficialtoactasathirdpartyinlandadjustmentsmeetopenspacegoalsCommitteesworkgroupsandcommissionscouldestablishedserveconduitfordiscussionsaboutissuesAgencies shouldstreamlinecommunicationchannelsbysharinginformationatmeetingsandproviding stafftocontinueinteragencycollaborationWhereappropriatepursuethefeasibilityofagenciesmanaginglandsjointlyforaspecificpublicpurposeLawEnforcementCompliancewithlawsandregulations isimportantinmaintainingresourcevaluesandprovidingforsafetyAlthoughlawenforcement fallsunderthejurisdictionofnumerousagenciesincludingNationalParkServiceArizonaGameandFishDepartmentCoconinoSheriffsForestCityFlagstaffpatrolslawenforcementofficersarefewspreadoutoververylargeareasRecommendationsTogaininformedcomplianceitisnecessarytoprovide informationtotherecreatlngpublicaAsrecreationroadsand trailsaredesignedlawenforcement shouldbeincludedintheplanningWherelargegroupeventsoccur aerial An photograph of the Greater Flagstaff area shows large parcels of forested open areas surrounding the city and its transportation corridors Portions of five landscape districts are visible here including Mt Elden Pumphouse Wash AIMountain Old Caves and Walnut Canyon A total of nine landscape districts are presented in Section 3 The characteristics of each district are described in detail and specific recommendations for the retention or creation of open spaces and greenways are listed Recommendations Unique to Specific Landscape Districts

Introduction

Section 3 is divided into four sections per tial and nonresidential development Some landscape district Description of Landscape development consistent with Plan goals can District Recommended Policies Expected also occur in portions of the Neighborwoods Outcomes of Management Recommendations However within the Neighborwoods there are or Desired Futures and Lands Recommended places vital to retain as undeveloped lands for Retention as Qpen Space The focus in this These areas contain important resource values section is on the characteristics of each land or provide a valuable close4ohome outdoor scape district and on the recommendations recreation experience Where existing MUC and unique to the district This section is designed Neighborwoods lands have been designated on to supplement the Recommendations Common the Desired Futures Map as Semiprimitive to all Landscape Districts in Section 2 If there development is strongly discouraged see is a conflict between recommendations in Appendix 3 Section 2 and recommendations in Section 3 At this time only a few private land parcels then Section 3 takes precedence For some have been identified for retention as open These have been identified for landscape districts there may not be a recom space parcels future a mendation for a particular function or use potential acquisition assuming willing several other because the recommendations common to seller There are however private within the Plan have not been all landscape districts are adequate and refer parcels area They identified as for retention as ence to Section 2 is sufficient high priority they are farther removed from the urbanized and

areas and are not considered a Open Space Retention Recommendations developed high risk for development at this time These Lands within the existing Semiprimitive parcels should be assessed as to their viability and Primitive categories and lands with a for meeting open space criteria and goals desired future of Semiprimitive or Primitive Nonetheless due to growth trends some are recommended for retention as natural land outlying parcels that are currently undeveloped scapes with appro have the potential priate public access for development even where adjacent This could have to interstates and major effects on National highways Most adjacent lands within the Forest resources increased Multipleuse through Conservation traffic loss of scenic MOCcategory vistas increased

are recommended use and impacts sensitive for retention as well on wildlife although a few of habitat Sitespecific and these sites may be evaluation com suitable for residem munity involvement sponds with the Desired Futures Map pre sented in Appendix 3 Due to site characteristics or current agency management practices that impact land usage lands noted and Expected Outcomes

Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

must occur prior to any land ownership change or development decisions Mechanisms for retention include maintain ing existing ownership exchanging ownership between agencies or acquisition by other par ties such as land trusts homeowner associa

tions or Neighborwoods stewardship groups A variety of tools for achieving these goals is listed in Appendix 1

Land Retention Prioritization Process

The following lands are listed in the retention tables

All State Trust lands within the Plan area

ForestServicelandsclassifiedasNeighborwoodsm SomeForest Service lands classified as MUCandSemiprimitivewhereadjacenttodevelopedareasPrivatelandswithinthePlanareawithcriticalresourcesThecriteriausedforrankingincludedvaluesfeaturesrelatedriparianwetlandstopographywildlifeculturerecreationvistasFurtherwhetherornotservedassignificantbuffersbetweencommunitiesfunctionediftheywerepartofafragmentedblocklargeopenspacetractthatwouldhaveitsintegrityfunctionhighlycompromisedretainedinconsolidatedstateInsomeinstancestractslandencompassinganentiresectionmaypresentlyberecommendedretentionWithfurtherevaluationatmoresitespecificlevelitmightdeterminedonlyportionisneededconservationtablesthisdisplayprioritieseachscapedistrictprimarilybutsolelyNeighborwoods

portionsWiththeexceptionofafewsectionsMUCandSemi primitivelandsMUCSemi primitiveandPrimitivelandsarenotdisplayedinthetablesAllotherwithinSemiMUCcategoriesofeachlandscapedistricthighestpriorityforretentionasopenspaceThealsoindicatewherelinkagesneededStateTrusthavebeengivenrankingsfirstsecondthirdfourthwithhaving Fourthprioritylandsarethosewherelinkagesneededbutdonotrequirelargetractsforopenspace conservation ForestServicelandshavebeenrankedhighorlowpriorityforretentionwithallrequiringsomeoflandlinkagepurposes AllForestServicelandwithinthePrimitiveorSemiprimitivecategoryandmostMUClandsarehighpriorityManyNeighborwoodsalsoforretentionSomeoflow priorityNationalForestlandsrankedlowbecausetheirboundariesareintermixedwithprivatemakingadministrationbytheServicedifficultIntheseinstancesretentionasopenspacecouldstillbeanobjectiveifweretoownedentityotherthanPrivateinholdingshavealsoreceivedahighorrankingforconsideredinclusiononlyonwillingsellerbasisTheresultingpictureofthisprioritizationprocessisdepictedLandRetentionPrioritiesmappresentedAppendix3nottoolevaluatingfuturelandadjustmentsrathershouldusedtogetherspacesandgreenwaysgoalsobjectivesIftherediscrepancybetweentablesSectionthenprevailsectionsfollowinglocatablesectionnumbertownshiprangedirectionDesiredFuturesExpectedOutcomesOvertimemanagementchangeswillcausesomeareasmovetowarddifferentsetconditionssubsequentlycategoryThisdescribesexpectedeachlandscapedistrictcorre Section 3 Recommendations Unique to Specific Landscape Districts

of Management Recommendations subsection did not qualify for the desired open space cate gory designations at the present time Because it is expected that conditions will change and that the lands indicated in the Desired Futures subsection for each land

scape district will move into the Semiprimitive Primitive or MUC category they have been included as high priority for retention if conditions change changes can be made to the map to reflect the new conditions and designations Lands recommended for retention as open spaces and their priority will not change except through a review by the Qpen Spaces Coalition

Implications for Future Land Exchanges and Sales

prior to any land ownership change or develop Management practices policies and legal ment decision mandates for the two primary land managers Lands were prioritized with general infor and owners are different The implications mation only As future discussions arise and of and general recommendations for Forest more sitespecific information is gathered the Service and State Land land Department all Plan may require adjustments However or sales are indicated exchanges respectively future discussions and decisions should take in the following sections into account the recommendations provided in this Plan Future Forest Service Land Exchanges Some community members have raised Land exchange proposals should be a land trade issue with the Forest Service pursued when lands received by the Forest They want the Forest Service to retain all Service meet community open space goals Forest Service lands in public ownership or have important scenic riparian wildlife However the Plan recommends that land or resource values Land exchanges heritage exchanges should remain a valid tool where should be in cooperation with local designed they help achieve the acquisition of important agencies and the public to achieve an overall State Trust or private lands that if sold and benefit community developed could have significant negative National Forest lands identified as desir effects on riparian values outdoor recreation able to retain as open space have been priori opportunities or wildlife habitat There may into for tized two groupings high priority also be instances in which the community will retention as and low for open space priority want additional land for a community purpose Lands in the low retention as open space such as new school sites water and sewer facil include that the adminis priority listing areas ities landfill or road rightsofway The current tering agency may consider for exchange or location of the Flagstaff Medical Center is an sale Decisions should be based on opportuni example of a recent land exchange that met ties to acquire and maintain higher priority a community need lands through exchange Retention of linkages Currently the C0c0nin0 National Forest Plan and corridors should be considered when identifies National Forest lands that may be parcels are exchanged or sold Any proposed appropriate for land exchanges and calls them future exchange should continue to have public BaseforExchange This system has led to input and involve public agencies and the some misunderstanding that only lands Open Spaces Coalition Sitespecific evaluation designated baseforexchange are available for and community involvement should occur exchange On the contrary all Forest Service Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Plan

lands are technically available for exchange the APl applies only to lands within three miles Land trade proposals are considered on their of the citys corporate boundaries and the individual merit and the Forest Service does majority ofthe State Trust sections in the Plan not predetermine which lands might be are beyond that limit Also there is no state appropriate to exchange The Coconino funding source to assist in the acquisition of National Forest is willing to consider managing these lands all lands the tables and retention by using map All available options need to be considered in this and Plan it is Open Spaces Greenways Thus to ensure productive usage to maximize rev recommended that the Forest Service update enue This means the State Trust lands serve its so that it no BaseforExchange map longer as de facto open space though they are not includes lands identified within the area cov managed for open space ered this Plan by Future national legislation may allow the Future land decisions must be exchange exchange of State lands for National Forest based on the best information available when lands It is recommended that the options of decisions are actually being made including purchase condemnation exchange andor the the public comment overall goals and objec Arizona Preserve Initiative be considered to tives recommended in the and Open Spaces meet the needs of the open space system Greenways Plan and any other community In the meantime State Trust lands with their or documents County City longrange planning current uses meet open space objectives Given past budget experience and expected State Trust lands have been prioritized for the Forest Service has reduced trends resources retention as open space in four main groupings for pursuing land exchanges The Forest Service first priority second priority third priority and will be unable to take on many land exchange fourth priority Some of these lands may be projects and those that are undertaken are suitable for conservation purposes under the likely to proceed slowly It is possible that Arizona Preserve Initiative APl This Plan iden other agency involvement could facilitate land tifies State Trust lands within the threemile exchanges by assisting with some of the design radius of the citys corporate boundaries desig public input and environmental analysis work nated by the APl that could be considered for Such involvement is recommended where the conservationl It is important to note that some land exchange meets community needs and sections with very high resource values are lands acquired have been identified as high located at Rogers Lake which is outside of priority in this Plan for retention as open space this threemile radius Some of the State Land sections situated Future State Trust Land Sales south of Rogers Lake are located far from urban Some State Trust Land sections have been services and may be less likely to receive sale identified as lands based potential open space proposals These more distant State lands are on their resource and outdoor recreation val currently managed as open space in conjunc ues the Arizona State Currently Constitution tion with surrounding National Forest lands the State Land from prohibits Department Forest commodity uses naturalappearing land or sector land public private exchanges scapes and recreation access by permit are Acquisition of State Trust lands requires available here The State Land Department purchase at public auction or if authorized by should continue to administer these lands Congressional legislation federal condemna to meet open space opportunities tion An additional the Arizona Preserve option Trail easements are desired through some Initiative is APl now available for use by local sections of State land and the agencies and communities and others Upon submission of public should continue to work toward attaining a formal petition and bond a community can these critical linkages Notifying the Open that the State Land request Commissioner Spaces Coalition of impending sale or lease reclassify a parcel of Trust land as suitable for of State Trust lands would be beneficial to the conservation purposes The community could implementation of this Plan Such notification then to auction go an to purchase or lease the may provide the opportunity for sitespecific land at fair market value However in Flagstaff evaluation and community involvement Section 3 Recommendations Unique to Specific Landscape Districts

Continued communication with the director measure Condemnation is a valid tool that resource of the Arizona Preserve Initiative is also recom can be used to acquire lands with high identified the mended to keep the State Land Department values as though Open Spaces The is for aware of the desires of the Flagstaff community and Greenways Plan primary objective Forest Service lands identified for retention Condemnation and Land Retention to remain under management ofthe Coconino Recommendations National Forest However in the event that an Should federal legislation be proposed to exchange or acquisition is proposed that serves permit acquisition of lands by federal agencies the overall beneficial purpose of the Plan spe through condemnation when there is a party cific proposals should be considered by the willing to release lands the Open Spaces agency with the decision authority Coalition should strongly consider this Flagstaff Area Open Spaces and Greenways Ptan

A1 Mountain Landscape District

Description driving for pleasure crosscountry skiing snowmobiling occasional foot and bike The AIMountain landscape district races and huntingdog trials Residents of adjacent includes Observatory Mesa and A 1 Mountain communities take opportunities for daily jog and is bordered by Thorpe Park Lowell ging dog walking and other Neighborwoods Observatory and the Museum of Northern activities Arizona on the east Interstate 40 is to the An important wildlife travel corridor exists south Bellemont lies to the west and the within this district for deer elk bear turkey and communities of Fort Valley and Hidden small mammals The landscape district connects Hollow are to the north the Woody Ridge area to the south with A1 Ponderosa pine with shrubs and grasses Mountain and north to the San Francisco Peaks on the forest floor and large grassy open areas Historical educational and cultural sites make up most of this landscape district The that provide facilities and interpretive activities slopes of the Mesa and AiMountain contain are the Museum of Northern Arizona and thick forests with small of oak pockets aspen Lowell Observatory Evidence of pioneer settle and mixed conifer Springs and side drainages ment and use can be found in the Fort Valley exist on the southern of the Mesa There slopes area and along the Rio de Flag are excellent views of the San Francisco Peaks TheFort Valley Experimental Forest from Mesa and the of the Observatory slopes research facility is located in this landscape dis mesa 180 a scenic vista facing Highway provide trict It was established after the turn of the 20th Forest uses ofthis district commodity century to study the effects of logging grazing include wood grazing products harvesting and fire on ponderosa pine and its regenerative firewood and gathering beekeeping Multiple capabilities This research is considered the recreation activities enjoyed here are hiking most comprehensive longterm study of its horseback biking riding dispersed camping kind and is still pursued to this day

Ponderosa with shrubs and pine grasses on the forest floor and large grassy open areas make up most of the A Mountain landscape district The slopes of Observatory Mesa and A I also Mountain contain small pockets of oak aspen and mixed conifer There are excel lent views the of San Francisco Peaks from Observatory Mesa and the slopes of the mesa facing Highway 180 provide a scenic vista Section 3 Recommendations Unique to Specific Landscape Districts A1 Mountain

The potential for ignition of a wildfire is high in this landscape district Due to the prevailing winds the close proximity of buildings to dense stands of trees and Cur rent high levels of recreational use the proba bility of property loss is high Fire is a natural component of the ponderosa pine for est ecosystem and should be reintroduced to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and to maintain a healthy ecosystem In the future the preferred forest ecosystem could be reached through the creation of a mix of forest condi tions in the Neighborwoods through the retention of large old pines the thinning of younger trees to lower densities and promoting healthy grasses This area is heavily used by both west the areas open space values The Museum of Flagstaff and Fort Valley residents and its value Northern Arizona is also a scientific cultural as a Neighborwoods should be protected in and educational asset to the Flagstaff commu the future as there is a potential for more adja nity Continue to promote outdoor education cent development on some State Land sections opportunities in conjunction with the public and as yet undeveloped private lands event activities at the museum Collaboration at all levels public and private needs to be established or continued Fire and strengthened to accomplish the goals Because of the areas close proximity needed to preserve the resources and main to urban areas with water and other services rain them in an ecohealthy environment nearby longerterm campsites are sometimes established here increasing the risk of wildfires Uses and Values Recommendations Encourage multipublic agency safety efforts that prevent the establishment of such camps Cultural Sites end Uses while recognizing that the forest can and should The Fort Valley Experimental Station was serve a diverse palette of recreational uses the first forest established in the experimental including shorbterm camping country Support the use of the Experimental Station as an educational and research facility Forest Commodity Uses Promote protection of the remaining original At existing mining claim sites require historic buildings appropriate mitigation measures to lessen the visual effects from Highway 180 and Research Education and Interstate 40 There are no areas within this educational The Rio de Flag could provide landscape district identified for withdrawal opportunities on prehistorical historical and from future mining claims ecological topics Consider partnerships with the Museum of Northern Arizona the Pioneer Recreation Corridors and Linkages History Museum and other institutions to Develop and maintain alternate modes enhance the opportunities for outdoor class of transportation linkages between Lowell room instruction Lowell Observatory is a Observatory Thorpe Park Rio de Flag the scientific cultural and educational asset to the Arizona Historical SocietyPioneer Museum Flagstaff community Continue to promote out and Coconino Center for the Arts the Museum door education opportunities in conjunction of Northern Arizona and the Fort Valley with the activities at the Lowell Visitor Center Experimental Forest and from these sites to Section 17 T21N R6E see Land Retention map neighborhoods in the City of Flagstaff and the in Appendix 3 is owned by Lowell and adds to County communities of Hidden Hollow and