Former Bennett Freeze Area Draft Integrated Resource Management Plan May 2020 “A rehabilitated Former Bennett Freeze Area (FBFA) with well-managed natural resources and environmental conditions, improved economic conditions and quality of life, with preserved Diné culture and traditions.” Navajo Nation Prepared by: The Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources and the United States Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Region Disclaimer – Information provided to the Bureau of Indian Affairs by other entities may use different terminology (e.g., Navajo Nation Chapter House names). However, this information is not the intellectual property of the authors or the Bureau of Indian Affairs and therefore has not been changed. In addition, the Chapter House boundaries referenced are not official boundaries. Table of Contents 1. Introduction ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Previous Work .............................................................................................................................. 2 1.3 Location and Setting ..................................................................................................................... 2 1.4 Purpose and Need ......................................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Resource Management Tribal Codes and Federal Laws ............................................................... 5 2. Planning Process and Public Involvement ............................................................................................ 7 2.1 Planning Process ........................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.1 Concurrence and Approval Process ...................................................................................... 8 2.1.2 Plan Implementation ............................................................................................................. 9 2.2 Tribal Membership Participation ................................................................................................ 11 2.2.1 Community Input Received during the Planning Process ................................................... 11 2.2.2 Issues and Concerns ............................................................................................................ 12 2.3 Community Vision and Goals ..................................................................................................... 12 2.3.1 Vision Statement ................................................................................................................. 12 2.3.2 Community Goals ............................................................................................................... 12 3. Integrated Resource Management Planning Alternatives ................................................................... 14 4. Resource Descriptions......................................................................................................................... 14 4.1 Soils, Water, Air Quality, and Climate ....................................................................................... 14 4.1.1 Soils ..................................................................................................................................... 14 4.1.2 Water ................................................................................................................................... 28 4.1.3 Air Quality .......................................................................................................................... 37 4.1.4 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 40 4.2 Agriculture and Rangeland Management ................................................................................... 41 Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region May 2020 - i - 4.2.1 Agriculture .......................................................................................................................... 43 4.2.2 Rangeland ........................................................................................................................... 51 4.3 Forestlands .................................................................................................................................. 57 4.4 Fish and Wildlife ......................................................................................................................... 83 4.4.1 Vegetation Communities ..................................................................................................... 84 4.4.2 Threatened and Endangered Species ................................................................................... 87 4.4.3 Resource Concentration Protection Areas .......................................................................... 87 4.4.4 Navajo Nation Priority Species and Habitats ...................................................................... 91 4.5 Cultural Resources ...................................................................................................................... 91 4.5.1 Historic and Archaeological Resources .............................................................................. 94 4.5.2 Traditional Cultural Properties ............................................................................................ 95 4.5.3 Navajo Nation Policy for the Protection of Jishchaa': Gravesites, Human Remains, and Funerary Items .................................................................................................................................... 95 4.6 Outdoor Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 96 4.7 Minerals ...................................................................................................................................... 96 4.7.1 Resource Use Patterns ......................................................................................................... 97 4.7.2 Navajo Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation/Uranium Mine Tailing Remediation .......... 98 5. Management Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 99 5.1 Primary Goals and Objectives ..................................................................................................... 99 5.2 Water ......................................................................................................................................... 100 5.3 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................ 102 5.4 Climate Change ......................................................................................................................... 102 5.5 Agriculture ................................................................................................................................ 103 5.6 Noxious/Invasive Weeds........................................................................................................... 104 5.7 Rangeland ................................................................................................................................. 106 5.8 Forestland .................................................................................................................................. 108 5.9 Fish and Wildlife ....................................................................................................................... 111 Navajo Nation Division of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Navajo Region May 2020 - ii - 5.10 Cultural Resources .................................................................................................................... 112 5.11 Outdoor Recreation ................................................................................................................... 113 5.12 Minerals .................................................................................................................................... 114 5.13 Land Use and Administration ................................................................................................... 114 6. References ......................................................................................................................................... 117 Appendices Appendix A Memorandum of Understanding between the Navajo Nation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Navajo Regional Office Appendix B Intergovernmental Compact between the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe Appendix C – Former Bennett Freeze Economic and Market Feasibility Study Appendix D – Excerpts from Former Bennett Freeze Area Chapter Land Use Plans Appendix E – Ecological Site Descriptions Appendix F – Chapter Land Use Authorities List of Tables Table 4-1. Number of Springs and Condition in the Former Bennett Freeze Area .................................... 30 Table 4-2. Irrigation and Livestock Water Sources in the Former Bennett Freeze Area ............................ 31 Table 4-3. Percent of FBFA Households without Access to Public Water System