Antelope Island State Park Resource Management Plan 2009 Utah State Parks Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Planning Section 1594 West North Temple, Ste. 116 P.O. Box 146001 Salt Lake City, UT 84116-6001 (877) UT-PARKS stateparks.utah.gov i i This page intentionally left blank ii Acknowledgements Antelope Island State Park Resource Management Planning Team Steve Bates – Wildlife Range Manager, Antelope Island State Park Jay Christianson – Northwest Region Manager, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Steve Hadden – Coordinator, Antelope Island Trail Patrol Gary Hamblin – Park Concessionaire, Buffalo Point Inc. Joe Hull – Citizen Member, Board of Utah State Parks and Recreation Dan McConkie – Citizen Member Scott McFarlane – Wildlife Biologist, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Kirk Nichols – Faculty Member, Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, University of Utah Gary Pack – Citizen Member Don Peay – Citizen Member Barbara S. Riddle, CMP – President/CEO, Davis Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Ron Rood – Assistant State Archeologist, Division of Utah State History Ron Taylor – Park Manager, Antelope Island State Park Cindy Yorgason – Citizen Member Support Staff Crystal Carpenter – Naturalist, Antelope Island State Park John Good – Publications Coordinator, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Jamie Fields – Planner, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Deena Loyola – Public Affairs Coordinator, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Stefanie Michaelson – Outreach Program Specialist, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Rock Smith – Planning Coordinator, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Edie Trimmer – Planner, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Administration Mary Tullius, Director, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Bruce Hamilton, Deputy Director for Operations, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Mark Forbes, Deputy Director for Administration, Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation Michael R. Styler, Executive Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources Robyn Pearson, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources Darin Bird, Deputy Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources iii This page intentionally left blank iv List of Figures and Maps Figures Figure 1 Antelope Island Visitation 2000-2007 Page 13 Figure 2 Average Monthly Visitation 1999-2005 Page 13 Figure 3 Antelope Island Revenue Page 14 Figure 4 Visitor Region of Residence Page 15 Figure 5 Do You Favor Hunting Page 16 Maps Map 1 Utah State Parks and Antelope Island RMP Page i Map 2 Antelope Island Point State Park and Vicinity Page 57 Map 3 Access Management Plan Map North Page 59 Map 4 Access Management Plan Map South Page 61 Map 5 Resource Management Zones Page 63 v This page intentionally left blank vi Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................iii List of Figures and Maps .......................................................................................... v Executive Summary................................................................................................... 1 Mission and Vision Statements ............................................................................... 5 Mission Statement.................................................................................................... 5 Vision Statement...................................................................................................... 5 Resource Management Plan Purpose and Process ............................................ 7 Purpose of the Plan .................................................................................................. 7 The Planning Process............................................................................................... 7 About the Park ........................................................................................................... 9 History ...................................................................................................................... 9 Physical Setting and Relationship to Surrounding Area ..................................... 12 Climate.................................................................................................................... 13 Park Visitation and Revenue................................................................................. 13 Demographics and Socioeconomic Impact............................................................. 14 Visitor Survey ........................................................................................................... 15 Summary of Results ............................................................................................... 15 Park Resources......................................................................................................... 19 Visual and Aesthetic Resources............................................................................. 19 Geography and Geological Resources.................................................................... 19 Biological Resources ............................................................................................... 21 Cultural Resources................................................................................................. 27 Natural Hazards Analysis ..................................................................................... 27 Issues and Recommendations ............................................................................... 29 Resource Management ........................................................................................... 29 Marketing and Public Support .............................................................................. 36 Funding and Revenue Enhancement .................................................................... 37 Interpretation and Education................................................................................ 38 Management Zones ................................................................................................ 39 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 51 References.................................................................................................................. 53 Maps ............................................................................................................................ 55 Appendices................................................................................................................. 65 Appendix A – Summary of Public Comments and Responses ............................. 67 Appendix B – 2001 Wildlife Management Plan Issues and Recommendations.. 71 Appendix C – 2004 Access Management Plan Executive Summary ................... 83 Appendix D – 1997 Fielding Garr Ranch Plan – Site Planning Section ............. 95 Appendix E – 2006 Comprehensive Interpretive Plan Matrix .......................... 101 Appendix F – Zoological and Botanical Checklists for Antelope Island............ 111 Appendix G – Public Scoping Information.......................................................... 119 vii This page intentionally left blank viii Executive Summary In February 2007, representatives • Offering interpretive and from the Division of Utah State Parks educational programs that provide and Recreation (Division) met with visitors the opportunity to develop community stakeholders to initiate a an appreciation of the park and its resource management planning effort unique ecological and cultural for Antelope Island State Park (AISP). resources The planning process was based on • Working with the Division to public input and involvement. The secure adequate funding, staff, Antelope Island State Park Resource equipment and support for the Management Planning Team - a park citizen-based team representing • Providing watchable wildlife community leaders, interested users, opportunities by maintaining local residents, neighbors, and agency healthy, abundant and diverse representatives – was at the core of wildlife populations and associated the process. The recommendations habitats contained in this document represent • Providing positive customer service months of work by the team as well as through knowledgeable and well- direct public input. trained staff, concessionaires and volunteers The plan provides recommendations founded upon nine primary vision elements that will guide the future management of the park. These elements focus on the following: • Developing, maintaining and enhancing infrastructure and facilities that offer safe and suitable water and land-based recreation opportunities for visitors • Providing management that White Rock Bay maintains traditional recreational experiences, while being open to These objectives are geared toward appropriate new activities improving and expanding the park’s • Being a positive factor for local and recreational opportunities, protecting state economic stability and its resources and providing visitors development with safe and enjoyable experiences. • Planning and cooperating with Achievement of these vision elements residents, civic groups, businesses will require the continued support of and agencies to enhance users, legislative and community recreational opportunities leaders, and the Division of Utah • Conserving park resources and the State Parks and Recreation. Great Salt