DOCSLIB.ORG

Custer Gallatin NF Assessment

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Custer Gallatin NF Assessment Assessment Forest Plan Revision Draft Existing Designated Areas Report Prepared by: Lauren Oswald Wilderness, Recreation, and Wild & Scenic Manager for: Custer Gallatin National Forest November 29, 2016 Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 1 Potential Need or Opportunity for Future Designations .......................................................................... 4 Process and Methods .................................................................................................................................... 4 Scale .............................................................................................................................................................. 4 Existing Information Sources ........................................................................................................................ 5 Congressionally Designated Wilderness, Wilderness Study Area, Cabin Creek Wildlife and Recreation Area ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Current Forest Plan Direction ................................................................................................................... 5 Existing Condition ..................................................................................................................................... 6 Designated Wilderness ......................................................................................................................... 6 Wilderness Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 8 Cabin Creek Recreation and Wildlife Management Area ................................................................... 11 Key Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 11 Trends and Drivers .................................................................................................................................. 12 Information Needs .................................................................................................................................. 13 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Inventoried Roadless Areas ........................................................................................................................ 14 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 14 Current Forest Plan Direction ................................................................................................................. 17 Existing Condition ................................................................................................................................... 17 Key Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 19 Trends and Drivers .................................................................................................................................. 19 Information Needs .................................................................................................................................. 19 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Forest Plan Recommended Wilderness and Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ............................................. 19 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 19 Current Forest Plan Direction ................................................................................................................. 19 Existing Condition ................................................................................................................................... 20 Forest Plan Recommended Wilderness .............................................................................................. 20 Forest Plan Eligible Wild and Scenic Rivers ......................................................................................... 21 Trends and Drivers .................................................................................................................................. 23 Key Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 23 Information Needs .................................................................................................................................. 24 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Travel Ways: National Designated Trails and the Beartooth Highway ....................................................... 24 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 24 Current Forest Plan Direction ................................................................................................................. 24 Existing Condition ................................................................................................................................... 25 i Trends and Drivers .................................................................................................................................. 27 Key Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 27 Information Needs .................................................................................................................................. 28 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 28 National Natural Landmarks and Special Geologic Area ............................................................................ 28 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 28 Current Forest Plan Direction ................................................................................................................. 28 Existing Condition ................................................................................................................................... 28 Trends and Drivers .................................................................................................................................. 29 Key Benefits to People ............................................................................................................................ 29 Information Needs .................................................................................................................................. 29 Key Findings ............................................................................................................................................ 29 Literature Cited ........................................................................................................................................... 30 List of Tables Table 1. Total forest visits, forest visits within designated wilderness, and percent of use within designated wilderness ................................................................................................................ 8 Table 2. Inventoried roadless areas and locations ..................................................................................... 18 Table 3. Forest plan recommended wilderness areas ................................................................................ 20 Table 4. Forest plan eligible rivers .............................................................................................................. 22 Table 5. Custer Gallatin national recreation trails ...................................................................................... 25 List of Figures Figure 1. Existing designated areas on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, west side ................................ 2 Figure 2. Existing designated areas on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, east side ................................. 3 Figure 3. Current roadless inventory on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, west side ........................... 15 Figure 4. Current roadless inventory on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, east side ............................ 16 ii Assessment - Draft Existing Designated Areas Report Introduction Milestone legislation was established by Congress in the 1960s to create a system of designated areas that included, in part, the National Wilderness Preservation System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers, and the National Trails System. These
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Custer Gallatin National Forest Beartooth Ranger District Information Packet
    CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST BEARTOOTH RANGER DISTRICT INFORMATION PACKET www.fs.usda.gov/custergallatin Did You Know? • The highest 41 peaks in Montana are in the Beartooth Mountains. 22 of these are over 12,000ft. • Granite Peak is Montana’s highest peak, at 12,799ft. It is known for its remoteness and extreme weather. • The Absaroka- Beartooth Wilderness is the 6th largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states. • There are over 300 lakes and 10 major sub-alpine tundra plateaus in the Beartooths, with even more lakes across the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. • At 3.96 billion years old, rock samples from the Beartooths are some of the oldest rocks on Earth. • The Beartooth Highway reaches an altitude of 10, 947 ft. and is often considered one of the most beautiful roads in America. 406-446-2103 ∙ 6811 Hwy 212, Red Lodge, MT 59068 You are camping in bear country. Wilderness Restrictions and Regulations The Beartooth Ranger District has an area of 587,000 acres. Of this, 345,000 acres are within the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The boundary of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness continues west into the Gallatin National Forest (in all, the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness is 943,626 acres). General Use 15 people is the maximum group size 16 days at a camp site is the maximum camp stay limit No camping/campfires within 200 feet of a lake No camping/campfires within 100 feet of flowing water No use/possession of motorized vehicles, motorboats, chainsaws and other mechanized equipment Bicycles, wagons, carts, hang gliders or other mechanized equipment cannot be possessed or used Dispose of human waste properly.
    [Show full text]
  • Wilson Creek Visitors Can Camp in Mortimer Campground, National Wild and Scenic River Located Next to Thorpe Creek Off NC 90
    Where can we camp? Wilson Creek Visitors can camp in Mortimer Campground, National Wild and Scenic River located next to Thorpe Creek off NC 90. This first- Trail Guide come first served campground offers 19 sites with tent pads and grills and a picnic shelter with four Pisgah National Forest tables. Accessible flush toilets and showers are available. Hiking trails and a trout stream are nearby. In addition, many opportunities exist for dispersed camping in Wilson Creek. For more information, call the Grandfather District Office at (828) 652-2144. Where can’t we camp? No overnight camping is allowed for a two-mile stretch for 500 feet on either side of Wilson Creek in the gorge. Drinking of alcoholic beverages is CHECK OUT VISITOR CENTER... also banned in these gorge areas. To remind visitors An angler casts his line for trout in Wilson Creek, The Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce operates this visitor center April through November on considered wild waters and wild trout waters. of these regulations, signs are posted along Brown Wilson Creek Road. (Photo provided by Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce) (Photo by Bill Lea) Mountain Beach Road. In addition, camping is not allowed in maintained wildlife openings. 1 2 TRAIL DIFFICULTY 4" MIN. EASY DIA. Can we hunt and fish? 4' Rock These routes are appropriate for Find a good novice through advanced users. The Fishing and hunting are very popular in the branch and Toss rope Wilson Creek. Many game animals, such as deer, balance food 15 ' over branch. trails generally follow obvious, bags. WILSON black bear and wild turkey thrive in the area in well-marked trails and roads.
    [Show full text]
  • Research Natural Areas on National Forest System Lands in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Wyoming: a Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and Educators
    USDA United States Department of Agriculture Research Natural Areas on Forest Service National Forest System Lands Rocky Mountain Research Station in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, General Technical Report RMRS-CTR-69 Utah, and Western Wyoming: February 2001 A Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and E'ducators Angela G. Evenden Melinda Moeur J. Stephen Shelly Shannon F. Kimball Charles A. Wellner Abstract Evenden, Angela G.; Moeur, Melinda; Shelly, J. Stephen; Kimball, Shannon F.; Wellner, Charles A. 2001. Research Natural Areas on National Forest System Lands in Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, and Western Wyoming: A Guidebook for Scientists, Managers, and Educators. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-69. Ogden, UT: U.S. Departmentof Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 84 p. This guidebook is intended to familiarize land resource managers, scientists, educators, and others with Research Natural Areas (RNAs) managed by the USDA Forest Service in the Northern Rocky Mountains and lntermountain West. This guidebook facilitates broader recognitionand use of these valuable natural areas by describing the RNA network, past and current research and monitoring, management, and how to use RNAs. About The Authors Angela G. Evenden is biological inventory and monitoring project leader with the National Park Service -NorthernColorado Plateau Network in Moab, UT. She was formerly the Natural Areas Program Manager for the Rocky Mountain Research Station, Northern Region and lntermountain Region of the USDA Forest Service. Melinda Moeur is Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain ResearchStation in Moscow, ID, and one of four Research Natural Areas Coordinators from the Rocky Mountain Research Station. J. Stephen Shelly is Regional Botanist and Research Natural Areas Coordinator with the USDA Forest Service, Northern Region Headquarters Office in Missoula, MT.
    [Show full text]
  • Coronado National Forest Draft Land and Resource Management Plan I Contents
    United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Coronado National Forest Southwestern Region Draft Land and Resource MB-R3-05-7 October 2013 Management Plan Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona, and Hidalgo County, New Mexico The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Front cover photos (clockwise from upper left): Meadow Valley in the Huachuca Ecosystem Management Area; saguaros in the Galiuro Mountains; deer herd; aspen on Mt. Lemmon; Riggs Lake; Dragoon Mountains; Santa Rita Mountains “sky island”; San Rafael grasslands; historic building in Cave Creek Canyon; golden columbine flowers; and camping at Rose Canyon Campground. Printed on recycled paper • October 2013 Draft Land and Resource Management Plan Coronado National Forest Cochise, Graham, Pima, Pinal, and Santa Cruz Counties, Arizona Hidalgo County, New Mexico Responsible Official: Regional Forester Southwestern Region 333 Broadway Boulevard, SE Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 842-3292 For Information Contact: Forest Planner Coronado National Forest 300 West Congress, FB 42 Tucson, AZ 85701 (520) 388-8300 TTY 711 [email protected] Contents Chapter 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Trapper's Cabin Ranch
    TRAPPER’S CABIN RANCH Montana is known as “The Last Best Place” - an appropriate term for one of the least developed and least populated states in the Lower 48. Within Montana, there are incredibly beautiful places, untouched by development, such as the Bob Marshall, Great Bear and Lee Metcalf Wilderness areas. In particular, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), which is one of the few remaining, nearly intact ecosystems left on the Earth. Strategically located, Trap- per’s Cabin Ranch is a complete section of land (640+/- acres) totally surrounded by public land, and is within one mile west and north of the boundary of the Taylor Hilgard unit of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The ranch was purchased the 1930’s, from what is now the Burlington Northern Railroad, by Dr. Caroline McGill, the co-founder of the Museum of the Rockies, which is located on the campus of Montana State University in Bozeman. Subsequently ownership passed to the Dr. McGills family, until it was pur- chased in 1965 by the present owners. Trapper’s Cabin Ranch offers one of the most authentic connections to nature that exists in the en- tire country, with solid buildings reminiscent of an earlier time, in a place that cannot be duplicated. Often the term “legacy” is used when describing a property - in reality not many places qualify, but this is a legacy property where four generations of the same family have loved, laughed, recreated and created a place almost untouched by anything except nature. Lightning Creek, a major tributary to the West Gallatin River begins in the high elevations of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness and flows for over a mile through the heart of Trapper’s Cabin Ranch.
    [Show full text]
  • Yellowstone National Park Geologic Resource Evaluation Scoping
    Geologic Resource Evaluation Scoping Summary Yellowstone National Park This document summarizes the results of a geologic resource evaluation scoping session that was held at Yellowstone National Park on May 16–17, 2005. The NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD) organized this scoping session in order to view and discuss the park’s geologic resources, address the status of geologic maps and digitizing, and assess resource management issues and needs. In addition to GRD staff, participants included park staff and cooperators from the U.S. Geological Survey and Colorado State University (table 1). Table 1. Participants of Yellowstone’s GRE Scoping Session Name Affiliation Phone E-Mail Bob Volcanologist, USGS–Menlo Park 650-329-5201 [email protected] Christiansen Geologist/GRE Program GIS Lead, NPS Tim Connors 303-969-2093 [email protected] Geologic Resources Division Data Stewardship Coordinator, Greater Rob Daley 406-994-4124 [email protected] Yellowstone Network Supervisory Geologist, Yellowstone Hank Heasler 307-344-2441 [email protected] National Park Geologist, NPS Geologic Resources Bruce Heise 303-969-2017 [email protected] Division Cheryl Geologist, Yellowstone National Park 307-344-2208 [email protected] Jaworowski Katie Geologist/Senior Research Associate, 970-586-7243 [email protected] KellerLynn Colorado State University Branch Chief, NPS Geologic Resources Carol McCoy 303-969-2096 [email protected] Division Ken Pierce Surficial Geologist, USGS–Bozeman 406-994-5085 [email protected] Supervisory GIS Specialist, Yellowstone Anne Rodman 307-344-7381 [email protected] National Park Shannon GIS Specialist, Yellowstone National Park 307-344-7381 [email protected] Savage Monday, May 16, involved a welcome to Yellowstone National Park and an introduction to the Geologic Resource Evaluation (GRE) Program, including status of reports and digital maps.
    [Show full text]
  • Outstanding Natural Areas (ONA) - an Area with High Scenic Values That Has Been Little Altered by Human Impact
    Special Designations Presidential Designations (outside the scope of an RMP) National Monument - An area designated by the President, under the authority of the Antiquities Act of 1906, to protect objects of scientific and historical interest that are located on federal lands. Criteria for a National Monument can be found in the legislation (June 8, 1906, c. 3060, Section 2, 34 Stat. 225). Congressional Designations (Can be recommended through the RMP process) National Conservation Area - An area designated by Congress to provide for the conservation, use, enjoyment and enhancement of certain natural recreational, paleontological, and other resources, including fish and wildlife habitat. National Wilderness Area - An area designated by Congress and defined by the Wilderness Act of 1964 as a place “where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.” Designation is aimed at ensuring that these lands are preserved and protected in their natural condition. Wilderness areas, which are generally at least 5,000 acres or more in size, offer outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type of recreation; such areas may also contain ecological, geological, or other features that have scientific, scenic, or historical value. Criteria for lands to be designated by BLM as Wilderness Study Areas and subsequently considered by Congress for designation as a National Wilderness Area can be found in the Wilderness Inventory and Study Procedures Manual (H-6310-1). National Wild and/or Scenic Rivers - A river or river section designated by Congress or the Secretary of the Interior, under the authority of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968 (WSRA), to protect outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural, or other similar values and to preserve the river or river section in its free- flowing condition.
    [Show full text]
  • Wilderness Study Areas
    I ___- .-ll..l .“..l..““l.--..- I. _.^.___” _^.__.._._ - ._____.-.-.. ------ FEDERAL LAND M.ANAGEMENT Status and Uses of Wilderness Study Areas I 150156 RESTRICTED--Not to be released outside the General Accounting Wice unless specifically approved by the Office of Congressional Relations. ssBO4’8 RELEASED ---- ---. - (;Ao/li:( ‘I:I)-!L~-l~~lL - United States General Accounting OfTice GAO Washington, D.C. 20548 Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division B-262989 September 23,1993 The Honorable Bruce F. Vento Chairman, Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Committee on Natural Resources House of Representatives Dear Mr. Chairman: Concerned about alleged degradation of areas being considered for possible inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System (wilderness study areas), you requested that we provide you with information on the types and effects of activities in these study areas. As agreed with your office, we gathered information on areas managed by two agencies: the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management (BLN) and the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service. Specifically, this report provides information on (1) legislative guidance and the agency policies governing wilderness study area management, (2) the various activities and uses occurring in the agencies’ study areas, (3) the ways these activities and uses affect the areas, and (4) agency actions to monitor and restrict these uses and to repair damage resulting from them. Appendixes I and II provide data on the number, acreage, and locations of wilderness study areas managed by BLM and the Forest Service, as well as data on the types of uses occurring in the areas.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Department of the Interior Geological
    UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Mineral resource potential of national forest RARE II and wilderness areas in Montana Compiled by Christopher E. Williams 1 and Robert C. Pearson2 Open-File Report 84-637 1984 This report is preliminary and has not been reviewed for conformity with U.S. Geological Survey editorial standards and stratigraphic nomenclature. 1 Present address 2 Denver, Colorado U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/NEIC Denver, Colorado CONTENTS (See also indices listings, p. 128-131) Page Introduction*........................................................... 1 Beaverhead National Forest............................................... 2 North Big Hole (1-001).............................................. 2 West Pioneer (1-006)................................................ 2 Eastern Pioneer Mountains (1-008)................................... 3 Middle Mountain-Tobacco Root (1-013)................................ 4 Potosi (1-014)...................................................... 5 Madison/Jack Creek Basin (1-549).................................... 5 West Big Hole (1-943)............................................... 6 Italian Peak (1-945)................................................ 7 Garfield Mountain (1-961)........................................... 7 Mt. Jefferson (1-962)............................................... 8 Bitterroot National Forest.............................................. 9 Stony Mountain (LI-BAD)............................................. 9 Allan Mountain (Ll-YAG)............................................
    [Show full text]
  • Conservation in Yellowstone National Park Final Report on the COVER Wolverine Tracks in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
    Wolverine Conservation in Yellowstone National Park Final Report ON THE COVER Wolverine tracks in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Photo by Jason Wilmot. Wolverine Conservation in Yellowstone National Park Final Report Authors John Squires Kerry Murphy US Forest Service US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Jackson Ranger District 800 East Beckwith Avenue PO Box 25 Missoula, Montana 59801 Jackson, Wyoming 83001 [email protected] [email protected] (formerly Yellowstone Center for Resources, With contributions from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming) Robert M. Inman Wildlife Conservation Society Jason Wilmot Wolverine Program Field Office Northern Rockies Conservation Cooperative 222 East Main Street PO Box 2705 Lone Elk 3B Jackson, Wyoming 83001 Ennis, Montana 59729 [email protected] [email protected] Jeff Copeland Mark L. Packila US Forest Service Wildlife Conservation Society Rocky Mountain Research Station Wolverine Program Field Office 800 East Beckwith Avenue 222 East Main Street Missoula, Montana 59801 Lone Elk 3B [email protected] Ennis, Montana 59729 [email protected] Dan Tyers US Forest Service Doug McWhirter Gardiner Ranger District Wyoming Game and Fish Regional Office PO Box 5 2820 State Highway 120 Gardiner, Montana 59030 Cody, Wyoming 82414 [email protected] National Park Service Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone Center for Resources Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming YCR-2011-02 March 2011 Suggested citation: Murphy, K., J. Wilmot, J. Copeland, D. Tyers, J. Squires, R. M. Inman, M. L. Packila, D. McWhirter. 2011. Wolverine conservation in Yellowstone National Park: Final report. YCR-2011-02. National Park Service, Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
    [Show full text]
  • National Conservation Lands
    ^ BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT National Conservation Lands The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) system of National Conservation Lands includes approximately 36 million acres of nationally significant landscapes with outstanding historic, cultural, ecological, and The Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument in central scientific values. Congress and presidents have Montana protects a historic landscape that is tremendously popular for outdoor recreation. The monument includes key provided specific designations to these lands segments of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the to conserve, protect, and restore them for the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, as well as the Fort Benton National Historic Landmark. benefit of current and future generations. PHOTO BY BOB WICK/BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT National Conservation Lands The National Conservation Lands FY 2021 Appropriations Request system include BLM lands with the following congressional and presidential Please support $49.5 million for the Bureau of Land designations: Management’s National Conservation Lands in the FY 2021 • National Monuments Interior Appropriations bill. • National Historic Trails • National Scenic Trails • Wild and Scenic Rivers APPROPRIATIONS BILL: Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies • Wilderness Areas AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management • Wilderness Study Areas ACCOUNT: Management of Lands and Resources • National Conservation Areas ACTIVITY: National Landscape Conservation System (National • Additional areas designated by Conservation Lands)
    [Show full text]
  • Lee Metcalf and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Areas (2) Max S
    University of Montana ScholarWorks at University of Montana Max S. Baucus Speeches Archives and Special Collections 2-20-1981 Lee Metcalf and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Areas (2) Max S. Baucus Let us know how access to this document benefits ouy . Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/baucus_speeches Recommended Citation Baucus, Max S., "Lee Metcalf and Spanish Peaks Wilderness Areas (2)" (February 20, 1981). Max S. Baucus Speeches. 163. https://scholarworks.umt.edu/baucus_speeches/163 This Speech is brought to you for free and open access by the Archives and Special Collections at ScholarWorks at University of Montana. It has been accepted for inclusion in Max S. Baucus Speeches by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at University of Montana. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Printing, Graphics & Direct Mail ONBASE SYSTEM Indexing Form Senator * or Department*: BAUCUS Instructions: Prepare one form for insertion at the beginning of each record series. Prepare and insert additional forms at points that you want to index. For example: at the beginning of a new folder, briefing book, topic, project, or date sequence. Record Type*: Speeches & Remarks MONTH/YEAR of Records*: February-1 981 (Example: JANUARY-2003) (1) Subject*: Lee Metcalf & Spanish Peaks Wilderness Areas (select subject from controlled vocabulary, if your office has one) (2) Subject* DOCUMENT DATE*: 02/20/1981 (Example: 01/12/1966) * "required information" CLICK TO PRINT BAUCUS STATEMENT BY SENATOR MAX BAUCUS February 20, 1981 THE LEE METCALF AND SPANISH PEAKS WILDERNESS AREAS Fifteen-.years ago., Senator Lee Metcalf wrote to the U.S.
    [Show full text]