United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pike and San Isabel National Forests, Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands Pikes Peak Ranger District FINAL Bear Creek Watershed Assessment August 2013 DRAFT Bear Creek Watershed Assessment Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................... 1 Regulatory Basis ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Step 1: Setting Up the Analysis .................................................................................................................... 5 Objectives ................................................................................................................................................. 5 Scope and Scale ........................................................................................................................................ 5 Analysis Plan ............................................................................................................................................ 6 Interdisciplinary Team Members .............................................................................................................. 7 Information Sources .................................................................................................................................. 8 Step 2: Describing the Situation.................................................................................................................. 11 Land Management Direction .................................................................................................................. 11 Travel Management Direction ................................................................................................................ 12 Analysis Area Description ...................................................................................................................... 13 Physical Environment ......................................................................................................................... 13 Biological Environment ...................................................................................................................... 13 Human Environment ........................................................................................................................... 14 Roadless Areas and Wilderness .......................................................................................................... 14 Existing Transportation System .............................................................................................................. 14 Step 3: Identifying Issues ............................................................................................................................ 21 Public Involvement Process .................................................................................................................... 21 Issue Summary ........................................................................................................................................ 24 Access ................................................................................................................................................. 25 Aquatic Species and Habitat ............................................................................................................... 25 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................. 25 Economics ........................................................................................................................................... 25 Information, Education, and Enforcement .......................................................................................... 25 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................. 25 Recreation ........................................................................................................................................... 25 Social Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Special Uses ........................................................................................................................................ 26 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................... 26 Watersheds .......................................................................................................................................... 26 Wildlife ............................................................................................................................................... 26 Step 4: Assessing Benefits, Problems, and Risks ....................................................................................... 27 Aquatic, Riparian Zone, and Water Quality ............................................................................................ 27 Terrestrial Wildlife .................................................................................................................................. 28 Ecosystem Functions and Processes ....................................................................................................... 28 Economics ............................................................................................................................................... 28 Timber Management ............................................................................................................................... 28 Minerals Management ............................................................................................................................. 29 Range Management................................................................................................................................. 29 Water Production .................................................................................................................................... 29 Special Forest Products ........................................................................................................................... 29 Special-use Permits ................................................................................................................................. 29 General Public Transportation ................................................................................................................ 29 Administrative Use ................................................................................................................................. 29 Protection ................................................................................................................................................ 30 Roaded and Unroaded Recreation ........................................................................................................... 30 Passive-use Value ................................................................................................................................... 30 i DRAFT Bear Creek Watershed Assessment Social Issues ............................................................................................................................................ 31 Civil Rights and Environmental Justice .................................................................................................. 31 Step 5: Describing Opportunities and Setting Priorities ............................................................................. 33 Access ................................................................................................................................................. 33 Adaptive Management ........................................................................................................................ 34 Aquatic Species and Habitat ............................................................................................................... 35 Cultural Resources .............................................................................................................................. 36 Economics ........................................................................................................................................... 36 Information, Education, and Enforcement .......................................................................................... 37 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................. 37 Recreation ........................................................................................................................................... 38 Social Issues ........................................................................................................................................ 38 Special Uses ........................................................................................................................................ 39 Vegetation ........................................................................................................................................... 39 Watersheds