ROD - ARMP: Bradshaw-Harquahala April 22, 2010 ROD - ARMP iii Table of Contents Dear Reader Letter ...................................................................................................................... xv 1. Record of Decision ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Overview of the Alternatives ............................................................................................ 1 1.2.1. Alternative A: (No Action Alternative) ................................................................. 1 1.2.2. Alternative B: Management for Increased Recreational Use ................................ 2 1.2.3. Alternative C: Management for Use and Landscape Protection ............................ 2 1.2.4. Alternative D: Management for Primitive Landscape Protection .......................... 2 1.2.5. Alternative E: Management for Resource Sustainability and Consistent Uses (Proposed Plan) .................................................................................................... 2 1.3. Results of Protest Review ................................................................................................. 3 1.4. The Decision ..................................................................................................................... 4 1.4.1. What the Decision/Approved RMP Provides ........................................................ 4 1.4.2. What the Decision/Approved RMP Does Not Provide .......................................... 6 1.4.3. Implementation Decisions ..................................................................................... 7 1.4.4. Modifications and Clarifications ............................................................................ 7 1.4.5. Modifications ......................................................................................................... 7 1.4.6. Clarifications .......................................................................................................... 8 1.5. Management Considerations for Selecting the Approved Plan ........................................ 9 1.6. Mitigation Measures ....................................................................................................... 11 1.7. Plan Monitoring .............................................................................................................. 11 1.7.1. Implementation Monitoring ................................................................................. 11 1.7.2. Effectiveness Monitoring ..................................................................................... 12 1.8. Implementation of the Management Plan ....................................................................... 12 1.9. Public Involvement ......................................................................................................... 12 1.10. Availability of the Plan ................................................................................................. 13 1.11. Field Manager Recommendation .................................................................................. 13 1.12. District Manager Concurrence ...................................................................................... 13 1.13. State Director Approval ................................................................................................ 14 2. Approved Resource Management Plan .................................................................................. 15 2.1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 17 2.1.1. Purpose and Need ................................................................................................ 17 2.1.2. Planning Area Description ................................................................................... 18 2.1.3. Scoping Issues ...................................................................................................... 19 2.1.4. Issues Addressed .................................................................................................. 19 2.1.5. Issues Considered but not Further Analyzed ....................................................... 20 2.1.6. Planning Criteria .................................................................................................. 20 2.1.7. Planning Process .................................................................................................. 21 2.1.7.1. Collaboration/Partnership Relationships .................................................. 21 2.1.7.2. Intergovernmental, Inter-Agency, and Tribal Relationships ..................... 21 2.1.7.3. Cooperating Agencies ............................................................................... 22 April 22, 2010 Table of Contents iv ROD - ARMP 2.1.7.3.1. Transportation Agencies ................................................................ 22 2.1.7.3.2. Arizona Game and Fish Department .............................................. 22 2.1.7.4. Compliance ............................................................................................... 23 2.1.7.4.1. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service ....................................................... 23 2.1.7.4.2. Sikes Act ........................................................................................ 23 2.1.8. Related Plans ........................................................................................................ 23 2.1.9. Policy ................................................................................................................... 24 2.1.10. Mission and Goals .............................................................................................. 24 2.2. Management Decisions ................................................................................................... 25 2.3. Decisions Applicable to Entire Planning Area ............................................................... 26 2.3.1. Biological Resources ........................................................................................... 26 2.3.1.1. Special Status Species (TE) ...................................................................... 27 2.3.1.1.1. Desired Future Conditions ............................................................. 27 2.3.1.1.1.1. Desert Tortoise .................................................................... 27 2.3.1.1.1.2. Gila Topminnow, Gila Chub, and Desert Pupfish ............... 27 2.3.1.1.1.3. Spikedace ............................................................................ 27 2.3.1.1.1.4. Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ........................................ 27 2.3.1.1.1.5. Bald Eagle ........................................................................... 27 2.3.1.1.1.6. Yellow-billed Cuckoo ......................................................... 28 2.3.1.1.2. Land Use Allocations ..................................................................... 28 2.3.1.1.3. Management Actions ..................................................................... 28 2.3.1.1.3.1. Desert Tortoise .................................................................... 28 2.3.1.2. Threatened or Endangered Species ........................................................... 29 2.3.1.2.1. Gila Topminnow, Gila Chub, and Desert Pupfish .......................... 30 2.3.1.2.2. Spikedace ....................................................................................... 30 2.3.1.2.3. Southwestern Willow Flycatcher ................................................... 30 2.3.1.3. Wildlife and Fisheries (WF) ..................................................................... 31 2.3.1.3.1. Desired Future Conditions ............................................................. 31 2.3.1.3.2. Management Actions ..................................................................... 31 2.3.1.4. Vegetation (VM) and Riparian (RP) Management ................................... 33 2.3.1.4.1. Desired Future Conditions ............................................................. 33 2.3.1.4.2. Management Actions ..................................................................... 34 2.3.2. Cultural Resources (CL) ...................................................................................... 34 2.3.2.1. Desired Future Conditions ........................................................................ 34 2.3.2.2. Land Use Allocations ................................................................................ 35 2.3.2.3. Management Actions ................................................................................ 36 2.3.3. Fire Management ................................................................................................. 37 2.3.3.1. Desired Future Conditions ........................................................................ 37 2.3.3.2. Land Use Allocations ................................................................................ 38 2.3.3.3. Management Actions ................................................................................ 38 2.3.4. Land Health Standards ......................................................................................... 41 2.3.4.1. Desired Future Conditions ........................................................................ 41