Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report Wilderness ID: 127 Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report National Forest: Siskiyou National Forest State: OR Counties: Coos, Curry General Location: South West Oregon Acres: 27,211 Thursday, May 17, 2012 Page 1 of 4 Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report Wilderness ID: 127 Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness Wilderness Categories Information Specific to this Wilderness Year Established 1978 Establishment Notes Endangered American Wilderness Act of 1978 Designation Clean Air Act Class 2 Administrative Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, Umpqua Unique Landscape Features Surrounding the Wild and Scenic Rogue River, the rugged and complex canyon landscape of the Wild Rogue Wilderness provides watershed protection for the Wild portion of the river. The area is characterized by steep terrain of near vertical cliffs, razor- sharp ridges and cascading mountain creeks. The lure of gold in the 1850's attracted a numbers of miners, hunters, stocker raisers and subsistence farmers. Conflicts between white settlers and Native Americans culminated in the 1855-56 Rogue River "Indian War." After their defeat, Native Americans were taken to reservations. For settlers, life in the Rogue Canyon was difficult and isolated. Although extensive gold mining operations took place, overall production was low. The remnants of mining, such as pipe, flumes, trestles, and stamp mills can still be found. While the Rogue River flows through the core of the Wilderness, legislation specifically directed that it be managed under Wild and Scenic River direction. Because of this, there are some activities and development, such as motorboat use and lodges, which would normally not occur in a wilderness. The Rogue River is nationally known for its salmon and steelhead fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities, both of which require permits. Approximately 15 miles of the 40 mile Rogue River Trail #1160, a National Recreation Trail, provides year-round hiker only access to the river corridor from Graves Creek down to Big Bend near Illahe. The Panther Ridge Trail #1253 follows Panther Ridge from Clay Hill to Buck Point along the upper elevation of the northern wilderness border. A side trail provides access to the unique vista of Hanging Rock, which is a large rock outcrop on a sheer vertical cliff. It provides excellent views into Eden Valley and the Rogue River Canyon. Other outstanding views can be obtained from the Mt. Bolivar Trail #1259 which provides access to the summit of Mt. Bolivar at 4,319 feet. The Mule Creek Trail #1159, located on the Bureau of Land management portion of the wilderness, provides a steep route on an out mining trail between the river and Panther Ridge. In general cross country travel is not advised due to steep slopes and heavy vegetation. Along the river you may see deer and otters, or even black bears looking for a meal of salmon. Bears, grown accustomed to easy pickings from boaters, may prove a nuisance in numerous campsites. Birds abound, such as fish eating osprey and great blue heron and lizards hasten over the dry slopes above the water. Ticks and rattlesnakes are often encountered. The river corridor is also excellent habitat for poison oak, whose stems and shiny leaves in groups of three can be a problem throughout the year. Mosquitoes are present during a good part of the season and yellow jackets can be a nuisance during the typically hot, rainless summer days. The Blossom Complex Fire, which occurred in 2005, resulted in damage to the Rogue River Trail. At present time, a 2 mile portion of the trail, between Marial and Paradise Creek, which initially had to be closed in 2005 to the spring of 2006, remains open. This section of trail will be monitored and maintained on a yearly basis. Lakebed Geology Sensitivity N/A Lakebed Geology Composition Not reported in the database. Visitor Use Not reported in the database. Thursday, May 17, 2012 Page 2 of 4 Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report Wilderness ID: 127 Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness Wilderness Categories Information Specific to this Wilderness Mean Annual Precipitation Not reported in the database. Elevation Range 34 - 1315 (meters) Mean Max Aug Temp Not reported in the database. Mean Min Dec Temp Not reported in the database. Lake Acres Not reported in the database. Pond Acres 1 Lake Count Not reported in the database. Pond Count 4 TES Flora Adiantum jordanii, Bensoniella oregana, Encalypta brevicolla var. crumiana, Leucogaster citrinus, Lewisia cotyledon var. howellii, Lobaria scrobiculata, Pinus albicaulis, Scirpus pendulus, Smilax californica TES Wildlife Bald Eagle TES Fish Not reported in the database. Ozone Sensitive Plants Not reported in the database. Air Quality Sensitive Lichens Not reported in the database. Cultural Resources Not reported in the database. Status/Trends: Acid Deposition: Not reported in the database. Status/Trends: Nutrient Not reported in the database. Enrichment: Status/Trends: Ozone Impacts: Not reported in the database. AQRV's Fauna Fauna Priority: Low Fauna Receptor: Fish Fauna Indicator: Concentration of methyl mercury Fauna Trends: Not reported in the database. Fauna Actions: Collect resident fish and analyze for mercury. Concurrently, collect water quality samples. Flora Flora Priority: High Flora Receptor: Lichens Flora Indicator: Changes in community composition Flora Trends: Not reported in the database. Flora Priority 2: High Flora Receptor 2: Lichens Flora Indicator 2: Concentrations of N, S, P, Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, Ni, Ti, V and Zn Flora Trends 2: Not reported in the database. Flora Priority 3: Medium Flora Receptor 3: Ozone Flora Indicator 3: Visible injury on ozone-sensitive plants Thursday, May 17, 2012 Page 3 of 4 Wild Rogue Wilderness Air Quality Report Wilderness ID: 127 Wilderness Name: Wild Rogue Wilderness Flora Trends 3: Not reported in the database. Flora Actions: Conduct repeat site visits to lichen plots, once every 10 years. Consider surveying vegetation, while on-site, for indications of ozone injury. Visibility Visibility Priority: Medium Visibility Receptor: Scenic Views Visibility Indicator: Regional haze Visibility Trends: Not reported in the database. Visibility Actions Nearest IMPROVE visibility monitoring site is KALM1 - near the Kalmiopsis wilderness. Water Water Priority: Medium Water Receptor: Water Chemistry Water Indicator: ANC Water Trends: Not reported in the database. Water Priority 2: Medium Water Receptor 2: Water Chemistry Water Indicator 2: DIN: TP Water Trends 2: Not reported in the database. Water Priority 3: Low Water Receptor 3: Diatoms Water Indicator 3: Community Composition Water Trends 3: Not reported in the database. Water Actions: Consider collecting water quality samples, if fish are collected for mercury. Challenge Points Fauna Challenge Points: Not reported in the database. Flora Challenge Points: 6 Total Plots: 2 Desired Plots: 1 Additional Plots Needed: -1 Data Type: Baseline Round 1 Visits: 0 Round 2 Visits: 2 Baseline %: 166 Trends %: 0 Visibility Challenge Points: Not reported in the database. Water Challenge Points: Not reported in the database. Thursday, May 17, 2012 Page 4 of 4 .