Feasibility Study for the LITTLE COLORADO RIVER VALLEY NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA DRAFT Prepared by the Center for Desert Archaeology April 2008 table of contents 1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND.................................................................. 1 Introduction...................................................................................................................... 1 What is a National Heritage Area ......................................................................... 1 Background ......................................................................................................................2 Basic Description of the Study Area: Little Colorado River Valley..........................................................................................................................4 Study Process and History of Effort to Achieve Designation .......................... 6 Scope of Public Outreach and Involvement ........................................................ 7 Supporting Concurrent Efforts of Other Organizations .................................. 15 Preparation of Feasibility Study .......................................................................... 16 2. PROPOSED CONCEPT ................................................................................................ 18 Principles ........................................................................................................................ 18 Heritage Education ................................................................................................ 18 Voluntary Preservation ......................................................................................... 19 Security of Property Rights .................................................................................. 19 Local Management ................................................................................................. 19 General Guidelines ........................................................................................................ 20 Goals... ............................................................................................................................ 21 Goal 1: Development and Increase of Heritage Tourism, and a Resulting Boost in Economic Revenues and Value of Local Lifestyles .................................................................................................................. 21 Goal 2: Additional Source of Funding for Locally Important Projects Pertaining to Cultural Education and Resoruce Conservation ........................................................................................................... 21 Goal 3: Increased Ability to Effectively Network with Multiple Organizations on a Regional Scale and Pool Resources to Complete Tourism, Educational, and Conservation Projects ......................... 22 Goal 4: Increased Support for Local, Rural Economies ................................... 22 Goal 5: Expanded Opportunties and Resources for Volunteer Stewardship of Natural Resources and Elements of the Region’s Heritage ................................................................................................... 23 Goal 6: Balanced Preservation and Promotion ................................................. 23 Future Local Coordinating Entity and Conceptual Financial Plan ....................... 23 Federally Appointed Commissions .................................................................... 24 Locally Appointed Commissions ........................................................................ 25 Departments of Public Universities .................................................................... 25 Draft: 8 April 2008 Table of Contents Page ii Nonprofit Corporations ........................................................................................ 25 Future Local Coordinating Entity for the Little Colorado River Valley National Heritage Area .................................................................................... 27 Conceptual Financial Plan .................................................................................... 30 Proposed Boundaires .................................................................................................... 35 Roles of Different Organizations After Designation ............................................... 36 Petrified Forest National Park ............................................................................. 36 Little Colorado Heritage Partnership, Inc. ........................................................ 36 Center for Desert Archaeology ............................................................................ 37 3. HERITAGE THEMES AND RELATED RESOURCES ........................................... 38 Development of the Heritage Themes ....................................................................... 38 Theme 1: Sacred and Enchanted Lanscapes ............................................................. 40 Summary of Theme................................................................................................ 40 Description of Theme ............................................................................................ 41 Geology ............................................................................................................. 41 Paleontology .................................................................................................... 43 Hydrology ........................................................................................................ 44 Biology .............................................................................................................. 46 Distinctiveness of Theme ...................................................................................... 48 Related Resources .................................................................................................. 49 Related Resources List .......................................................................................... 49 Primary References ................................................................................................ 54 Theme 2: Trails, Roads, and Rails of the West ......................................................... 55 Summary of Theme................................................................................................ 55 Description of Theme ............................................................................................ 55 Native Trade and Travel Routes .................................................................. 55 Spanish Exploration........................................................................................ 57 Mormon Migration South.............................................................................. 58 East-West Corridor ......................................................................................... 60 Distinctiveness of Theme ...................................................................................... 69 Related Resources List .......................................................................................... 70 Primary References ................................................................................................ 74 Theme 3: Living from the Land .................................................................................. 75 Summary of Theme................................................................................................ 75 Description of Theme ............................................................................................ 76 Agricultural Antiquity, Continuity, and Change ...................................... 76 Food and Farming Diversity in Arid Landscapes ..................................... 76 Cattle Ranching and Sheepherding.............................................................. 79 Lumber ............................................................................................................. 84 Mining ............................................................................................................... 86 Distinctiveness of Theme ...................................................................................... 86 Related Resources List .......................................................................................... 87 Primary References ................................................................................................ 91 Theme 4: Native Nations ............................................................................................. 93 Summary of Theme................................................................................................ 93 Description of Theme ............................................................................................ 93 Hopi................................................................................................................... 94 Zuni ................................................................................................................... 98 Navajo ............................................................................................................. 102 White Mountain Apache .............................................................................. 105 Distinctiveness of Theme .................................................................................... 108 Related Resources ................................................................................................ 109 Related