Bitterroot NatGiorenaatle Fr orest Figure 3 Missoula GeograpMhissoiucla Areas Lolo NF Stevensville Lolo NF Clearwater NF A O N H A A T Sapphire D N I O M Hamilton Bitterroot Nez Perce NF Beaverhead - Deerlodge Darby NF East Fork West Fork Sula West Selway Fork Vicinity Map CANADA USA MONTANA Salmon NF Miles IDAHO Payette NF 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 4/2006 Proposed Bitterroot National Forest Land Management Plan 2006 Geographic Area Desired Conditions Component Introduction While the forest-wide desired conditions indicate broad trends which we expect to see over the next 10 to 15 years, we recognize that individual places across the Bitterroot National Forest have unique characteristics and conditions. These places, referred to as “geographic areas,” define a landscape that people associate with on the Forest. Plan Components Identifying these areas gives us the opportunity to fine-tune our forest-wide management to better Desired Conditions respond to more local conditions and situations. Objectives Although private land is contained within the broad Suitability of Areas boundaries of the geographic areas, the desired Special Areas conditions apply only to the national forest lands Guidelines within these areas. The Bitterroot National Forest has been divided into the following five geographic areas (see the vicinity map on the preceding page): • Bitterroot • Sapphire • East Fork • West Fork • Selway Geographic Areas Each geographic area description provides the following: Geographic area map shows management areas (defined in Chapter 2) and acres in each, locations of unique features, primary population centers, and major rivers and roads. Unique characteristics and general overview provides a brief characterization of the area such as landscape features, primary land uses and ownership patterns, resource and recreational uses, and an indication of social and economic factors. Geographic area desired conditions describe what we want to achieve in specific geographic areas that are not necessarily covered by forest- wide desired conditions. While all resources have been considered, the only desired conditions specified here are those that are not adequately addressed by forest-wide desired conditions. Chapter 1: Vision Geographic Area Desired Conditions Page 43 P e t t y C r e e k Figure 4 Bitterroot NatiMoissnoulal Forest Bitterroot Geographic Area MA Acres Lolo NF 1.1 208,062 1.2 35,397 Lolo Peak 2.1 0 2.1a 7,622 3.3 2.2a 11,492 Bass 2.2b 0 Creek 6.1 3.1 0 1.1 1.2 Bitterroot River 3.2 5,150 RNA 3.3 37,662 Stevensville Big 4.1 16,785 Cre ek 4.1 5.1 25,672 Clearwater NF 6.1 4,782 B i t t e Total 352,624 r r o o 4.1 t 1.1 R i 1.2 v Lolo e Fred Burr Creek r NF 2.2a Mill Creek ek Blodgett Cre 2.2a 2.1a 1.2 Bitterroot Mtn Hamilton Snow Avalanche 1.2 RNA 1.1 3.3 Legend 1.2 3.2 Geographic Area 2.1a 2.2a Lost H Lost Horse orse C 3.2 5.1 Guard Station reek Wilderness Study Area Upper Lost Horse Canyon 1.1 Lick Creek Management Areas RNA Lower Lost 6.1 Horse Canyon 1.1 Designated Wilderness ek Rock Cre Lake RNA Como 1.2 Recommended Wilderness Selway Bitterroot Nez Perce 2.1 Wild & Scenic Rivers - Designated NF Wilderness eek Cr Darby 2.1a Wild & Scenic Rivers - Eligible or Suitable up n C Ti 5.1 2.2a Backcountry (non-motorized travel) 1.2 1.1 2.2b Backcountry (limited motorized travel) Trapper 3.1 Areas Under Special Management Peak 3.2 Research Natural Areas 3.3 General Forest Low Intensity Management 4.1 General Forest Moderate Intensity Management West Fork Sula 5.1 General Forest High Intensity Management 0 2.5 5 10 15 20 6.1 High Use Recreation Complexes or Use Areas 4/2006 Miles Proposed Bitterroot National Forest Land Management Plan 2006 Bitterroot Geographic Area Unique Characteristics • The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, part of the largest unroaded area in the lower 48 states. • The Bitterroot Mountains, a prominent and highly scenic feature visible from the Bitterroot valley. • Wilderness dams, which predate establishment of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. • Lick Creek Research Demonstration Forest. • The Big Creek Lake Area and Lost Horse Guard Station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. • Lake Como is one of only two lakes on the Bitterroot National Forest where motorized recreation is allowed. • The Lake Como National Recreation Trail. • Tribal cultural significance of Lake Como area. • Bass Creek Recreation Area. • The highest nesting density of peregrine falcons in Montana. • The only four known locations of Bitterroot bladderpod (Lesquerella humilis) on the Bitterroot National Forest and in the world are within this geographic area. • Rock Creek Fen, a unique low elevation peatland. • The Bitterroot River, Bitterroot Mountain Snow Avalanche, Upper Lost Horse Canyon and Lower Lost Horse Canyon research natural areas. • Pinesdale Municipal Water Supply. General Overview Dominated by the Bitterroot Mountains, this geographic area includes the transition zone between the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness and the developed private lands on the lower slopes and valley bottom. Rising sharply on the west, the Bitterroot Mountains run the length of this geographic area. Classic glacial features, miles of prominent rock outcrops and ridges, and a series of near-vertical rock-walled canyons are carved into this mountain range and provide a highly scenic and valued backdrop to the Bitterroot valley. Approximately 74 percent of the Bitterroot Geographic Area is within designated wilderness, recommended wilderness, wild and scenic rivers, or backcountry areas (MA 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, and 2.2). About 26 percent of this Chapter 1: Vision Geographic Area Desired Conditions Page 45 Proposed Bitterroot National Forest Land Management Plan 2006 geographic area offers opportunities for higher intensities of resource management. The proximity of trailheads along the eastern front of the Bitterroots make it possible for people to leave home in the morning, hike or fish all day in a scenic wilderness or backcountry setting, and return home by evening. Due to the predominance of rock faces, technical rock climbing is a popular activity, particularly in some of the canyon areas. Ravalli County is one of the fastest growing counties in Montana with much of the county’s population growth and land subdivision occurring within this geographic area. The Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness provides high quality water to the valley floor. However, water withdrawals for irrigation cause stream dewatering beyond the forest boundary which has left isolated populations of westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout in the upper stream reaches. Blodgett Creek and Lost Horse Creek have been found eligible for potential designation in the Wild and Scenic River System1. Desired Conditions Wildlife and Plant Species Diversity • Peregrine falcons would inhabit and successfully reproduce in their cliff habitat. • Existing populations of Lemhi penstemon (Penstemon lemhiensis), storm saxifrage (Saxifraga tempestiva), rough fleabane (Erigeron asperugineus), and Bitterroot bladderpod (Lesquerella humilis), and an alpine lichen species (Nodobryoria subdivergens) would persist or expand. • The Rock Creek Fen would be protected from impacts associated with management activities. Forest Products • McClain Creek and the upper portion of Lost Horse Canyon are mapped as MA 4.1, but would provide only low levels of timber production. Permanent roads would not be constructed in these areas. These two areas would provide moderate levels of recreation development consistent with MA 4.1 recreation suitability described in Forest-Wide Desired Conditions Plan Component Forest-Wide Chapter 2. 1 Information on the outstandingly remarkable values (ORV), for which the river was found eligible and its potential classification, is in the Plan Set of Documents. Chapter 1: Vision Geographic Area Desired Conditions Page 46 Proposed Bitterroot National Forest Land Management Plan 2006 Developed and Dispersed Recreation The Bass Creek Recreation Area • A unique mix of camping, picnicking, hiking, and horseback riding opportunities in a roaded natural setting would be provided. • New or improved facilities would maintain the quality of the setting and associated experience. • Non-motorized recreation would be emphasized in the Larry Creek area. • Habitat connectivity would continue to exist between valley bottom habitats and upland wildlands in the vicinity. The Lake Como Recreation Area • A broad range of recreation opportunities including water-based recreation, camping, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, cabin rental, and backcountry use would be provided. • Expansion or improvement of the recreation facilities would be limited and would maintain the quality of the setting and associated experience. • As use levels increase, limitations on use of the area would be imposed if needed to maintain the quality of the recreational experience or to address health and safety issues. In the Lost Horse Canyon Area • Dispersed recreation opportunities would continue to exist in the Lost Horse Canyon. • The Lost Horse Canyon Road would remain a low standard road for motorized access to the Bitterroot Divide and high mountain reservoirs. Geographic Area Desired Conditions Plan Component • The Lost Horse Canyon Road and hardened dispersed sites along the road corridor would not affect water quality and fisheries. At the upper end of Lost Horse Canyon • The Lost Horse cabin would be on the cabin rental program. • Developed recreation sites in the Twin Lakes area would meet health and safety