United States Department of Agriculture Eligibility Report for Forest Service Southwestern the National Wild and Region May 2009 Scenic River System Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 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, or 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 – May 2009 Eligibility Report for the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System Compiled By: Evelyn Treiman, Recreation Planner Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests 30 S Chiricahua Street PO Box 650 Springerville, AZ 85938 Approved By: Chris Knopp Forest Supervisor June 2009 This page intentionally left blank. Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................................................... 1 Summary of Major Changes to the 1993 Eligibility Evaluations ............................................................. 4 Little Colorado River Basin .................................................................................................................. 4 Salt River Basin .................................................................................................................................... 4 Upper Gila River Basin ......................................................................................................................... 5 Document Notes........................................................................................................................................ 7 Eligibility Evaluations .................................................................................................................................. 9 LITTLE COLORADO RIVER BASIN .................................................................................................... 9 Willow Creek ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Woods Canyon/Chevelon Creek ......................................................................................................... 15 West Fork Little Colorado River ........................................................................................................ 21 East Fork Little Colorado River .......................................................................................................... 29 South Fork Little Colorado River ....................................................................................................... 35 SALT RIVER BASIN ............................................................................................................................. 41 Bear Wallow Creek ............................................................................................................................. 43 Black River ......................................................................................................................................... 49 West Fork Black River ........................................................................................................................ 55 East Fork Black River ......................................................................................................................... 61 North Fork East Fork Black River ...................................................................................................... 67 Fish Creek ........................................................................................................................................... 73 UPPER GILA RIVER BASIN ................................................................................................................ 79 Campbell Blue Creek .......................................................................................................................... 81 Blue River ........................................................................................................................................... 89 KP Creek ............................................................................................................................................. 97 Little Blue Creek ............................................................................................................................... 103 Turkey Creek .................................................................................................................................... 111 Pigeon Creek ..................................................................................................................................... 119 San Francisco River .......................................................................................................................... 125 Coal Creek ........................................................................................................................................ 131 Dix Creek .......................................................................................................................................... 139 Sardine Creek .................................................................................................................................... 147 East Eagle Creek ............................................................................................................................... 153 Eagle Creek ....................................................................................................................................... 161 Appendices ................................................................................................................................................ 167 Appendix A - Regional Forester Memo ................................................................................................ 169 Appendix B - Forest Service Handbook guidance ................................................................................ 171 Appendix C - Summary Form for Wild and Scenic River Eligibility Status ........................................ 173 Appendix D - Wild and Scenic River Inventory Documentation ......................................................... 179 Appendix E - Ineligible Rivers ............................................................................................................. 183 Willow Springs Canyon .................................................................................................................... 185 Home Creek ...................................................................................................................................... 189 Chitty Creek ...................................................................................................................................... 193 This page intentionally left blank. WSR Eligibility Report Introduction Introduction BACKGROUND The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 (Public Law 90-542; 16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.) to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. The Act is notable for safeguarding the special character of these rivers, while also recognizing the potential for their appropriate use and development. It encourages river management that crosses political boundaries and promotes public participation in developing goals for river protection. Rivers may be designated by Congress or, if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior. Each river is administered by either a federal or state agency. Designated segments need not include the entire river and may include tributaries. For federally-administered rivers, the designated boundaries generally average one-quarter mile on either bank in the lower 48 states and one-half mile on rivers outside national parks in Alaska in order to protect river-related values. Rivers are classified as wild, scenic, or recreational. • Wild rivers - Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments and generally inaccessible except by trail, with watersheds or shorelines essentially primitive and waters unpolluted. These represent vestiges of primitive America. • Scenic rivers - Those rivers or sections of rivers that are free of impoundments, with shorelines or watersheds still largely primitive and shorelines largely undeveloped, but accessible in places by roads. • Recreational rivers - Those rivers or sections of rivers that are readily accessible by road or railroad, that may have some development along their shorelines, and that may have undergone some impoundment or diversion in the past. The 1987 Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests (ASNFs) Plan made the following recommendations for Wild and Scenic Rivers (WSR):