Hells Canyon National Recreation Area

Congressional District: 2 Oregon Wallowa-Whitman Member: Greg Walden National Forest

Location Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA) is Acquired to Date located in the far northeastern corner of Oregon and Method Acres Cost ($) western Idaho where it straddles the Snake River Purchase 1,731 $1,500,000 that divides the two states. Exchange 0 0

Donation 0 0 Preserve the natural beauty, historical, and Purpose archaeological values, and enhance the recreational Other 0 0 opportunities, ecological values, and public Partners enjoyment of an American treasured landscape. President’s Budget FY2011 Method Acres Cost ($) The remainder of a 5,907-acre purchase of private Purchase 2,695 $2,800,000 inholdings within the HCNRA. President’s Budget FY2012 Purchase Method Acres Cost ($) Opportunity The Nature Conservancy--When the tracts were being sold, The Nature Conservancy stepped up to Purchase 1,481 $1,417,500 Partner assist, bringing money to the table to quickly secure the lands for future conveyance into public ownership.

Supporters Local county and municipal support, Wallowa County Commissioners; Hells Canyon Preservation Council; local permittees/landowners; local and state-wide conservation organizations; local and national sportsman groups; local Tribal, State and Federal Fish and Wildlife Services; Bureau of Land Management.

Project The signature feature of HCNRA is Hells Canyon, carved by the mighty Snake River into the deepest river Description gorge in North America. However, the HCNRA was established to preserve a vast remote and rugged region that includes portions of tributaries to the Snake River and the adjacent lands with dramatic changes in elevation, terrain, climate and vegetation.

The Imnaha River, a designated component of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System along its entire length, and the 4,000-foot-deep Imnaha River Canyon are key features of the HCNRA. The tracts proposed for acquisition concentrate mainly along seven miles of the Imnaha River and six miles of tributary creeks that provide critical fish habitat and high-quality riparian habitat. Crystal clear waters of the Imnaha River support four fish species that are federally listed as threatened: Snake River steelhead, spring Chinook salmon, fall Chinook salmon, and bull trout. The landscape ranges from deep mountain canyons with steep open hillsides and rock faces to river bottoms and ridge tops providing key habitat for wildlife species including Oregon’s largest Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep herd and at-risk bird species such as the yellow breasted chat, mountain quail, Lewis’ woodpecker, and willow flycatcher. MacFarlane’s four-o’clock, a rare plant that is a federally-listed, grows on the steep grassy slopes. Additionally, the tracts are gateways to thousands of acres of public lands. Acquisition of these tracts will ensure public access to lands previously closed to the public for fishing, hunting, hiking, and other forms of recreation; increase management efficiency for fuel and weed treatments and fire suppression; and prevent further parcelization and loss of open space ( these tracts have been legally subdivided).

From 2002 through 2006, the Forest Service attempted to acquire these lands through a large, complex transaction known as the Blue Mountain Land Exchange; however, the exchange was terminated due to valuation and estate issues. With assistance from The Nature Conservancy and an appropriation from congress, the Agency completed phase one of this acquisition in FY 2010.

O&M Cost Estimated “start up” costs: $10,000 Estimated “annual” maintenance: cost savings

Strategic Maintain healthy watersheds and diverse habitats, prevent conversion to other uses, minimize Goals fragmentation impacts, conserve open space, enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, secure entry to National Forest lands, manage this congressionally designated area to protect and enhance the values for which it was designated. Forest Service 2010 Acquisition Parcel Proposed Acquisition Parcel

Hell's Canyon Wilderness Area

2011 Acquisition Parcel

W a ll ll o w a -- W h ii tt m a n N a tt ii o n a ll F o rr e s tt

The Nature Conservancy Lands

2010 Acquisition Parcel

H le P a Litt k o t ree in ep C t She

Vicinity Map Legend Hell's Canyon NRA Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Imnaha Parcels Conservation Land Holder FY 2012 LWCF Other State Managed Lands Administrative Forest Boundary This map depicts USDA Forest Service Land Status Record data and the approximate location of the proposed purchase parcel. Wild Scenic River Area Wilderness Area Townships 1/2/3/4 North, 1 South, Range 48/49 East, Williamette M Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area State of Oregon 2010 Acquisition Parcel Forest Service Region 6 2011 Acquisition Parcel Wallowa National Forest Proposed Acquisition Parcel The USDA Forest Service Makes no warranty, expressed or implied, National Forest System Lands regarding the data displayed on this map, and reserves the right to Map Creation Date - 01/11/2011 0 1.25 2.5 5 correct, update, modify, or replace this information without notification. Map Revision Date - Miles

file: c:\(data\lwcd2012\r6\maps\pacific\ Arlene Heap Hells Canyon National Recreation Area (HCNRA)

Hells Canyon NRA and Imnaha River Drainage

Imnaha Wild and Scenic River