Aravaipa Canyon Ecosystem Management Plan
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
BLM Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan Final Aravaipa and Environmental Assessment Ecosystem Management Plan and Environmental Assessment Arizona • Gila District • Safford Field Office Field • Safford •District Gila Arizona September 2015 i April 2015 Mission Statements Bureau of Land Management The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is responsible for managing the National System of Public Lands and its resources in a combination of ways, which best serves the needs of the American people. The BLM balances recreational, commercial, scientific and cultural interests and it strives for long-term protection of renewable and nonrenewable resources, including range, timber, minerals, recreation, watershed, fish and wildlife, wilderness and natural, scenic, scientific and cultural values. It is the mission of the BLM to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. Arizona Game and Fish Department The mission of the Arizona Game and Fish Department is to conserve Arizona’s diverse wildlife resources and manage for safe, compatible outdoor recreation opportunities for current and future generations. The Nature Conservancy The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Cover photo: Aravaipa Creek. Photo © Greg Gamble/TNC BLM/AZ/PL-08/006 ii United States Department of the Interior BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Safford Field Office 711 South 14th Avenue, Suite A Safford, Arizona 8 5546~3335 www.blm.gov/azl September 15, 2015 In Reply Refer To: 8372 (0010) Dear Reader: The document accompanying this letter contains the Final Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan, Environmental Assessment, Finding ofNo Significant Impact, and Decision Record. This Plan will enable the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to improve its management of the Aravaipa Management Area. The Environmental Assessment analyzes the impacts expected from implementing the Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan. Based on this analysis, the Finding of No Significant Impact detennines that impacts are not expected to be significant. The Decision Record documents the Bureau of Land Management's Final Decision. The Draft Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan was released for public review and comment in August 2010. Comments on the draft plan were analyzed and included into the writing of the final plan. Public comments and responses can be found in Appendix 8 - Public Comments and Responses. The Environmental Assessment and Decision Record are subject to appeal in accordance with procedures contained in the 43 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 4. A special thanks to all who participated in this planning process and contributed to the development of this document. Sincerely Scott C. Cooke Field Manager Safford Field Office Bureau of Land Management iH (Interntionally Left Blank) iv Final Aravaipa Ecosystem Management Plan And Environmental Assessment Prepared by: U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Safford Field Office Arizona Cooperating Agencies: Arizona Game and Fish Department Region V The Nature Conservancy Arizona Chapter September 2015 v Table of Contents DECISION RECORD ................................................................................................................. 1 DECISION: .......................................................................................................................................1 RATIONALE FOR DECISION: .............................................................................................................1 ALTERNATIVES FOR CONSIDERATION ..............................................................................................1 IDENTIFICATION OF ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE ALTERNATIVES ..............................................2 COMPLIANCE ..................................................................................................................................2 MITIGATION MEASURES THAT ARE NOW ADOPTED INTO THE ROD ..................................................2 EXPLANATION OF MONITORING AND ENFORCEMENT PROGRAMS ..................................................2 APPEALS .........................................................................................................................................2 APPROVAL ......................................................................................................................................3 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT .................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER 1. PURPOSE AND NEED ......................................................................................... 7 A. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................7 B. Partners .....................................................................................................................................8 MAP 1 Aravaipa Ecosystem Planning Area .......................................................................................9 C. Planning Area ............................................................................................................................9 D. Planning Process ...................................................................................................................... 10 E. Relationship to Statutes, Regulations, & Other Plans ................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2. VISION FOR THE ARAVAIPA ECOSYSTEM .......................................................... 14 CHAPTER 3. ECOSYSTEM RESOURCES .................................................................................. 15 A. Climate .................................................................................................................................... 15 B. Hydrology and Water Quality ................................................................................................... 17 C. Geology ................................................................................................................................... 22 D. Vegetation and Soils ................................................................................................................ 24 E. Wildlife .................................................................................................................................... 32 F. Air Quality................................................................................................................................ 37 G. Visual Resources ...................................................................................................................... 38 H. Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................... 38 I. Socioeconomic Resources ......................................................................................................... 38 J. Livestock Grazing ...................................................................................................................... 39 K. Recreation ............................................................................................................................... 41 L. Travel Management ................................................................................................................. 45 vi M. Special Area Designations ....................................................................................................... 47 CHAPTER 4. PLANNING ISSUES AND MANAGEMENT CONCERNS .......................................... 53 A. Planning Issues ........................................................................................................................ 53 B. Issues Solved by Laws, Policy, or Other Planning, or Beyond the Scope of This Plan ................... 58 CHAPTER 5. OBJECTIVES AND MANAGEMENT ACTIONS ...................................................... 61 A. Water Resources ..................................................................................................................... 61 B. Upland Resources .................................................................................................................... 62 C. Riparian Resources ................................................................................................................... 65 D. Wildlife Resources ................................................................................................................... 67 E. Cultural Resources ................................................................................................................... 70 F. Recreation Resources ............................................................................................................... 73 G. Travel Management ................................................................................................................. 74 H. Special Area Designations ........................................................................................................ 78 I. Public Information and Education .............................................................................................. 85 J. Law Enforcement and Public Safety ........................................................................................... 87 CHAPTER 6. MONITORING AND ADAPTIVE