United States Department of Agriculture Prescott National Forest Service Forest Land and Southwestern Region November 1986 Resource Includes Amendments 1- 12 Management Plan 2004 Republish The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (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 USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326- W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Printed on recycled paper – December 2004 Contents Chapter 1. Introduction ......................................................................................1 Purpose of the Forest Plan .....................................................................................................1 Organization of the Forest Plan..............................................................................................2 Chapter 2 • Public Issues, Management Concerns and Opportunities ..........3 Overview................................................................................................................................3 Issues......................................................................................................................................3 Water Quality and Quantity, Watershed Condition, and Soil Productivity ...........................3 Water Quality .........................................................................................................................3 Water Quantity .......................................................................................................................3 Watershed Condition..............................................................................................................4 Soil Productivity ....................................................................................................................4 Range Management ...............................................................................................................4 Firewood Management ..........................................................................................................5 Enhance the Quality of the Recreation Experience................................................................5 Construct, Operate, and Maintain Transportation and Other Facilities.................................6 Transportation ........................................................................................................................6 Facilities.................................................................................................................................6 Prevent Unauthorized Forest Use and Activities ...................................................................7 Public Information ....................................................................................................... 7 Maintain or Improve Fish and Wildlife Habitats ......................................................... 7 Adjust Landownership as Needed to Support Resource Management Goals...................... 7 Chapter 3 • Summary of the Management Situation.......................................9 Overview............................................................................................................................... 9 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 4 • Management Direction..................................................................11 Overview..............................................................................................................................11 Mission.................................................................................................................................11 Desired Future Conditions ...................................................................................................11 Goals ....................................................................................................................................11 General........................................................................................................................11 Range ......................................................................................................................... 12 Environmental Eductation/Interpretive Services ....................................................... 12 Recreation .................................................................................................................. 12 Visual Resources........................................................................................................ 12 Wilderness.................................................................................................................. 13 Prescott National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan i Contents Timber........................................................................................................................ 13 Wildlife and Fish Habitat........................................................................................... 13 Minerals ..................................................................................................................... 13 Soil and Water............................................................................................................ 13 Riparian...................................................................................................................... 14 Air Quality ................................................................................................................. 14 Fire Management ....................................................................................................... 14 Law Enforcement....................................................................................................... 14 Lands and Special Uses ............................................................................................. 14 Facilities..................................................................................................................... 14 Land Management Planning ...................................................................................... 14 Human Resources ...................................................................................................... 15 Vegetation Management ............................................................................................ 15 Objectives ........................................................................................................................... 15 Management Prescriptions.................................................................................................. 15 Management Area Description .................................................................................. 16 Analysis Area............................................................................................................. 16 Management Emphasis .............................................................................................. 16 Program Element ....................................................................................................... 16 Management Information Handbook (MIH) Activity Code ...................................... 16 Applicable Analysis Areas ......................................................................................... 16 Standards and Guidelines........................................................................................... 16 How to Apply Prescriptions....................................................................................... 17 Management Prescriptions Applicable to All Management Areas Except Wilderness...... 17 Standards and Guidelines........................................................................................... 17 Heritage Resources .................................................................................................... 21 Visual Quality ............................................................................................................ 24 Recreation Administration ......................................................................................... 25 Wildlife ...................................................................................................................... 27 Range Management ................................................................................................... 32 Timber Management.................................................................................................. 36 Soil, Water and Air..................................................................................................... 38 Minerals ..................................................................................................................... 41 Human and Community Development ...................................................................... 42 Lands.........................................................................................................................