Fishlake National Forest Sustainable Multiple Use Alternative Transportation and Recreation
VISION
Management Challenges
By mid-century our nation's population is projected to increase by nearly 50% (USFS 2000a). There are increasing desires for a variety of high quality, year-round Forest recreation opportunities, especially day-use activities including hiking, picnicking, driving, and off-road vehicle use, as well as access to dispersed areas, away from developed Forest facilities.
According to the visitor use monitoring report for the Fishlake NF (Koci et al. 2003), 41.5% of Forest recreationists engage in non-motorized activities: 30.3 percent hike or walk; 7.0% mountain bike; and 4.2% engage in other human/horse powered activities. While 31.5% of visitors drive for pleasure on roads, only 25.8% engage in off-road motorized recreation. (individual activities add up to more than 100% because of overlapping participation.) Off-road vehicle driving, however, has become a major issue in terms of widely-distributed impacts, conflicts with motor-independent Forest users, and intensity of ORV user demands.
The overwhelming impact on the Forest from motorized recreation is reflected by the Fishlake inventory of 322 miles of ATV routes (Motorized Trails) and 1,590 miles of Forest Service roads open to ORVs (email from Dale Deiter, 1/19/05). In addition there are 907 miles of unclassified routes currently being used by ORVs (licensed 4WD vehicles and dirt bikes as well as unlicensed ATVs and dirt bikes). (Unclassified routes are not part of the Forests classified travel system. They include user made roads/routes, and logging and fire roads/routes that have been unsuccessfully closed according to plan.) Adverse impacts on wildlife security, habitat and forage, and on quiet and solitude for humans are acknowledged.
There are 889 miles of classified and 106 miles of unclassified non-motorized trails in the Fishlake, many of which have been illegally taken over, in whole or in part, by off-road vehicles.
Rapidly increasing tourism is the greatest single threat to preserving cultural and historical resources. Impacts mount as more visitors come to these sites. When the Forest develops facilities, or allows extractive development, avoidance of cultural sites is too often equated with preservation (Moore et al. 1994). The presence and use of roads and off-road vehicle routes, and cross-country travel greatly increase site visitation, looting and vandalism (Gucinski et al, 2001).
How recreation funding can be used is strictly limited. The Forest Service is relying increasingly on volunteers, concessionaires, interpretive associations, and other partnership opportunities.
Within this framework specific management challenges to motorized recreation management include:
RESOURCE AND ECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT
·Nationally, 31% of National Forest lands are inventoried by the Forest Service as roadless (58.5 million acres out of 191 million total acres) (USFS 2004b).
·In Utah 49.1% of National Forest lands are inventoried as roadless (4,013,000 acres out of 8,179,000) (Ibid.).
·49% of Fishlake NF lands are classed as Inventoried Roadless Areas by the Forest (717,000 acres out of 1,461,000) (Ibid.).
·The Utah Forest Network (UFN) Roadless Inventory determined that 86% of Fishlake NF lands qualify as Roadless (1,257,018 acres out of 1,461,000).
Table 8 lists the inventory of roadless areas and acreages. See Appendix F for area descriptions and maps. (Note: descriptions are not completed yet. Maps have been sent to Dale Deiter)
Table 8. The UFN Roadless Inventory for the Fishlake National Forest
|
ROADLESS AREA NAME |
ACRES |
||
|
Andy Canyon |
3,404 |
||
|
Black Mountain - Wet Hollow |
2,834 |
||
|
Box Creek |
6,739 |
||
|
Browns Hole North |
8,117 |
||
|
Browns Hole South |
13,271 |
||
|
Bull Valley |
13,659 |
||
|
Bullion Delano - City Creek |
47,555 |
||
|
Canyon Mountains |
101,120 |
||
|
Circleville Mountain |
43,636 |
||
|
Copley's |
17,389 |
||
|
Coyote Hollow |
13,114 |
||
|
Fishlake Mountain |
47,979 |
||
|
Flat Canyon |
16,895 |
||
|
Greenwich Creek |
8,256 |
||
|
Hilgard Mountain |
37,526 |
||
|
Johns Peak |
15,961 |
||
|
Langdon |
25,168 |
||
|
Little Creek Peak |
13,388 |
||
|
Lookout Peak - Wayne Wonderland |
30,394 |
||
|
Marysvale Peak |
31,524 |
||
|
McDonald Basin |
7,166 |
||
|
Mt. Marvine - UM Plateau - Red Creek Hole |
53,758 |
||
|
Musinia Peak |
8,175 |
||
|
Mytoge |
22,984 |
||
|
North Pavant |
73,694 |
||
|
Old Woman Plateau |
20,048 |
||
|
Pavant |
73,215 |
||
|
Pole Creek |
3,130 |
||
|
Pyramids - Dog Valley |
51,593 |
||
|
Robber's Roost |
15,756 |
||
|
Sargent Mountain |
23,528 |
||
|
Sheep Creek |
9,696 |
||
|
Shingle Mill Creek |
2,496 |
||
|
Signal Peak |
39,794 |
||
|
Solomon Basin |
28,385 |
||
|
Steves Mountain |
19,574 |
||
|
Strawberry Canyons - Beehive Peak |
66,042 |
||
|
The Rocks |
14,379 |
||
|
Thousand Lake Mountain |
34,432 |
||
|
Three Creeks - Graveyard Hollow |
33,776 |
||
|
Tibadore |
12,705 |
||
|
Tushar Mountains |
112,378 |
||
|
Twin Peaks - Forshea Mountain |
2,844 |
||
TOTAL 1,257,018
Desired Condition: Human impacts from roads and motorized access/recreation are minimal or non-existent. Biological strongholds are increased because natural disturbance regimes are minimally impeded and habitat is unfragmented by roads.
Roadless Areas serve vital roles by providing:
· undeveloped lands;
· biological strongholds for many species, from wide-ranging large carnivores down to tiny invertebrates and endemic species with narrow and specific habitat requirements;
· large, remote areas where vital natural disturbance regimes (fire, insect infestation, etc) are less impeded;
· plant and animal habitat unfragmented by roads;
· movement corridors for wildlife;
· reduced harassment of wildlife and reduced vandalism of cultural resources;
· near-elimination of creation of user-created routes and roads impacts;
· connections with roadless or protected areas in adjacent BLM, USFWS, UDWR, NPS and other public lands;
· a heightened chance for sustaining biodiversity within historical range of variability;
· a reference comparison to roaded areas;
· reduced introduction of exotic and invasive species;
· heightened protection of Forest watersheds;
· opportunities for solitude and primitive types of recreation;
· undeveloped and natural or natural appearing landscapes;
· undeveloped buffers for the primitive outdoor laboratories of Research Natural Areas;
· reduced construction, maintenance, and management costs.
· Nationally, 18.25% of National Forest lands are designated wilderness (34,867,591 acres out of 191 million total acres).
· In Utah, 9.5% of National Forest lands in Utah are designated wilderness (774,892 acres out of 8,179,000).
· On the Fishlake NF, 0.0% percent is designated as wilderness. (Wilderness.net. 2004)
· Variously, 49% (USFS inventory) to 86% of the Manti-La Sal NF is considered roadless (717,000 to 1,257,018 acres)
Table 10 is a list of proposed Wilderness areas and acreages. See Appendix F for area descriptions and maps
Table 10. Proposed wilderness unit names with area and acreage for the
Fishlake National Forest.
|
PROPOSED WILDERNESS UNIT NAME |
ACRES |
|
Andy Canyon |
3,404 |
|
Black Mountain - Wet Hollow |
2,834 |
|
Box Creek |
6,739 |
|
Browns Hole North |
8,117 |
|
Browns Hole South |
13,271 |
|
Bull Valley |
13,659 |
|
Bullion Delano - City Creek |
46,367 |
|
Canyon Mountains |
101,037 |
|
Circleville Mountain |
34,685 |
|
Copley's |
17,389 |
|
Cottonwood Basin |
8,752 |
|
Coyote Hollow |
12,142 |
|
Ferguson |
6,060 |
|
Fishlake Mountain |
45,746 |
|
Flat Canyon |
16,895 |
|
Graveyard Hollow |
11,233 |
|
Greenwich Creek |
8,256 |
|
Hilgard Mountain |
37,526 |
|
Johns Peak |
15,961 |
|
Langdon |
24,206 |
|
Little Creek Peak |
12,996 |
|
Lookout Peak - Wayne Wonderland |
30,310 |
|
Marysvale Peak |
31,354 |
|
McDonald Basin |
7,166 |
|
Moroni Peak |
13,359 |
|
Mt. Marvine - UM Plateau |
32,141 |
|
Musinia Peak |
8,175 |
|
Mytoge |
12,345 |
|
North Pavant |
73,733 |
|
Old Woman Plateau |
13,682 |
|
Pavant |
64,080 |
|
Pole Creek |
3,130 |
|
Pyramids - Dog Valley |
51,424 |
|
Red Creek Hole |
7,932 |
|
Robber's Roost |
10,617 |
|
Sargent Mountain |
13,704 |
|
Sheep Creek |
9,696 |
|
Shingle Mill Creek |
2,496 |
|
Signal Peak |
39,366 |
|
Solomon Basin |
28,385 |
|
Steves Mountain |
19,574 |
|
Strawberry Canyons - Beehive Peak |
64,433 |
|
The Rocks |
14,379 |
|
Thousand Lake Mountain |
33,235 |
|
Three Creeks |
22,477 |
|
Tibadore |
12,705 |
|
Tushar Mountains |
110,436 |
|
Twin Peaks - Forshea Mountain |
2,844 |
|
White Mountain |
29,540 |
|
Wildcat Knolls |
6,301 |
|
TOTAL 1,216,293
|
|
|
|
|
Desired Condition: All roadless areas qualified for wilderness status are recommended by the Forest Service for wilderness designation and are either designated by Congress as wilderness or proposed by Congress for wilderness designation. All areas qualified for wilderness status are managed to protect wilderness suitability.
By mid-century our nation's population is projected to increase by nearly 50%. There are increasing desires for a variety of high quality, year-round Forest recreation opportunities, especially day-use activities including hiking, picnicking, driving, and off-road vehicle use, as well as access to dispersed areas, away from developed Forest facilities.
According to the visitor use monitoring report for the Fishlake NF, 41.5% of Forest recreationists engage in non-motorized activities. Thirty percent hike or walk ; 7% mountain bike; and 4.2% engage in other human/horse powered activities. While31.5% of visitors drive for pleasure on roads, only 25.8% engage in off-road motorized recreation. (Koci et al. 2003),
Desired Condition: The Forest provides much needed open space, solitude, and a wide variety of recreation opportunities. Maintaining and expanding these opportunities depend on the protection and restoration of the rustic character and wildlands atmosphere that define the Forest. Recreation participation, activities and services contribute to visitors' physical and mental well-being and relationship with the Forest. A commitment to certainty of protection for natural resources allows for timely and appropriate responses to unforeseen environmental impacts or misuse, as well as recreational equipment developments and trends not now anticipated. Recreation is managed in a holistic manner using least-impact principles, in order to protectnatural, cultural and historical heritage, and to minimize conflicts.
High use areas are managed within ecological capacities in order to maintain the quality of experiences and natural ecology. Conflicts between recreationists, with private lands and homeowners adjacent to National Forest land, and with natural resources are addressed and resolved in a timely manner. Resolutions are consistent with area objectives and management direction.
Funding and staffing shortfalls have forced the Forest to look increasingly to volunteers, concessionaires, interpretive associations, and other partnership opportunities to help fill in management gaps.
Desired Condition: The Forest sets priorities for recreation stewardship activities that are appropriate for developing partnerships with local communities of forest recreationists (e.g. equestrians, climbers, mountain bikers, hikers, hunters, ORVers, skiers, food gatherers, etc.) (From here forward called Partnerships). The Forest also sets priorities for recreation stewardship activities that must be carried out independently by the agency itself. Partnerships promote the understanding of issues related to specific Forest uses and the Forest's unique natural, cultural, and historical heritage. These Partnerships uphold minimum impact techniques and a sound land ethic; maintain and/or reclaim routes and trails; and help address management concerns that were not anticipated at the time of the Forest Plan.Recreational users are aware of opportunities and encouragement to help steward the natural and cultural resources their recreation inevitably impacts.
FACILITY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Roads/Routes: The large presence on the Forest of motorized recreation is reflected by the Fishlake inventory of 321 miles of ATV routes and 1,590 miles of Forest Service roads open to both licensed and unlicensed ORVs (email from Dale Deiter, 1/19/05). In addition there are 907 miles of unclassified routes currently being used by ORVs, including logging and fire roads/routes that have been unsuccessfully closed as had been planned. Adverse impacts on wildlife security and habitat, and on quiet and solitude for humans are acknowledged.
Trails: There are 889 miles of classified and 106 miles of unclassified non-motorized trails in the Fishlake, many of which have been taken over by ORVs.
Routes designated for motorized recreation are, ecologically, the same as roads and, therefore, need to be subject to the same desired conditions, objectives, and limitations as roads. Numerous effects of roads and motorized routes detrimental to wildlife, watershed, and ecosystem function have been documented. Road/route density is a good predictor of habitat suitability for large mammals, with habitat effectiveness and population viability declining as road density increases (Thomson, et al 2004; Wisdom, et al 2004; Hartley, et al 2003; Wildlands CPR 2003; Creel, et al 2002; Gilbert 2002; Gucinski, et al 2001; Trombulak and Frissell 2000; Wisdom, et al 2000; Wildlands CPR and The Wilderness Society 1999; Forman and Alexander 1998; Reed, et al 1996; Van Dyke, et al. 1986). The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has determined that 1.35 miles/square mile is the average road/route density for a subwatershed compatible with the density objectives listed below (USFS 2003).
Desired Condition: Travel management planning creates a travel and recreation system that provides appropriate access to public lands and contributes as needed to the regional transportation system while also ensuring that biodiversity, wildlife habitat condition, a diverse range of recreational opportunities, and overall landscape condition and function are maintained or improved. A comprehensive and responsible travel management plan considers a full range of cumulative factors at the local and landscape scale.
The system of roads, routes, designated undeveloped camping sites, and trails is safe, and environmentally sound; responsive to public preferences; and efficient and affordable to manage. The system provides public access for recreation, special uses and fire protection activities and supports Desired Conditions. The system is well maintained. Unnecessary roads, routes, camping sites, and trails are actively removed and restored, and the surrounding landscape is restored passively, or if necessary, with active intervention. Dead-end motorized routes, which invite unauthorized route creations, are eliminated.
An environmentally sustainable, integrated system of backcountry, urban and rural nonmotorized trails is maintained. The system accommodates a range of experience in high-quality settings, and is managed to minimize conflicts while providing opportunities for partnerships, learning, stewardship and mental and physical renewal for a diverse visitor population. Day use "loop" trail opportunities are increased.
Motorized travel occurs only on system roads and routes. Off-road vehicle systems provide a range of recreation opportunities and experiences for ORV enthusiasts through an integrated system of routes and maintenance level 3 roads. Only those roads and routes are designated that the Forest has the personnel and resources to monitor, maintain, and enforce use restrictions.
Wildlife species and other natural and cultural resources are protected by a scientifically-informed travel plan.
Wilderness Descriptions:
Fishlake National Forest
[Descriptions are not ready yet. Maps have been sent to Fishlake NF]
STRATEGY
Objectives
Rdls. Obj. 1 All roadless areas identified by the Utah Forest Network inventory, regardless of size, are formally designated for either:
· protection of wildland characteristics, and the ecological and social benefits deriving from their roadless condition; or
· recommended for Wilderness designation to ensure permanent protection.
Rdls. Obj. 2 Close, and where necessary, decommission roads and motorized routes within roadless areas.
Rdls. Obj. 3All roadless areas are managed for their primeval qualities, including quiet and solitude.
Rdls. Obj. 4Remediate damage from roads and off-road vehicles
Rdls. Obj. 5Coordinate the management of all Forest roadless areas to:
· link populations of native species occurring in large areas; and
· provide habitat linkage for ecologically sound populations of wild native ungulates and associated predators.
Monitoring
Rdls. Mon. 1All Roadless Areas will be annually monitored for encroachment of unauthorized activities or impacts and effectiveness of road and route closures.
Objectives
Wlds. Obj. 1 Impacts that are substantially unnoticeable to the average lay visitor are not used to disqualify roadless areas from being included within the Forest Service's recommendations for wilderness designation.
Wlds. Obj. 2 All qualified roadless areas are recommended by the Forest Service for Congressional wilderness designation.
Wlds. Obj. 3 Roadless areas recommended for Congressional wilderness designation are managed to preserve wilderness character, i.e., to protect and restore natural processes and to preserve the areas' roadlessness, naturalness, opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation, and features of ecological, Geological, scientific, educational, scenic, or historical value. (Public Law 98-428, §201(4))
Monitoring
Wlds. Mon. 1 Encroachment of inappropriate activities on Designated wilderness areas and roadless areas that are recommended for Wilderness designation will be recorded whenever noted by Forest Service workers and reported by Forest users; all wilderness and roadless areas recommended for Wilderness designation will be monitored annually.
Objectives (General)
Gen. Rec. Obj. 1Place all new forms of recreation under effective management to protect native biodiversity, cultural resources, and ecosystem functions.
Gen. Rec. Obj. 2 Recreational use impact thresholds are identified on an ecological basis in areas where recreational activities have the potential to conflict with reproduction, nesting, or rearing of plant or wildlife species of concern, including native species whose populations are declining on the Forest.
Gen. Rec. Obj. 3 Forests eliminate overuse and overcrowding in sensitive habitats by one or more of the following:
· closing areas where, or when, biological resources are at risk;
· monitoring and enforcing permanent or seasonal closures;
· directing users towards more resilient areas;
· educating users on the incompatibility of certain recreational activities with sustainable natural conditions;
· use permitting.
Gen. Rec. Obj. 4 Improve availability of information to enable visitors to select settings to match the experiences they desire and know what to expect before they arrive.
Gen. Rec. Obj. 5Resolve conflicts between off-road vehicle users, other recreationists, commercial recreation activities, or private landowners, and related resource issues in a manner consistent with the off-road vehicle Executive Orders (11644 an 11989), publicly and in a timely manner.
Objectives (Non-motorized)
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 1Assure ample availability of hiking, equestrian, backcountry skiing, mountain biking as well as wildlife and landscape viewing opportunities throughout the Forest, in areas free from the audio and visual impacts of motorized recreation.
Examine the effects of cross country foot travel on wildlife movement, feeding and breeding patterns; limit this activity where and when human impact may significantly alter natural patterns.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 2 Primitive backcountry equestrian, hiking, and skiing opportunities are not compromised by visual or sound intrusions from motorized recreation. Prohibit all winter use in areas where human activity significantly disturbs species of concern.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 3Conflicts between target shooting and sensitive resources are reduced by the Forest cooperating with community partnerships to establish shooting ranges in areas away from sensitive resources.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 4 Conflicts between hunters and other users are reduced, in cooperation with UDWR to establish a non-hunting zone in each Geographic Area, with desirable non-motorized recreation opportunities at a range of elevations, whose location varies from year to year, to provide non-hunters with a safe area to visit during hunting season.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 5 Use of motorized drills by climbers is restricted during sensitive times for wildlife (e.g., breeding, nesting) and in areas where other visitors may be disturbed.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 6Climbing is seasonally restricted to protect nesting raptors during critical phases of the courtship, nesting, and fledging periods. Temporary closures may be established for other wildlife protection as necessary. Climbing is restricted with respect for the traditional uses of sacred sites.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 7A permit or approval system for fixed anchors may be developed and implemented if the Forest determines it is necessary, through research and monitoring, to protect natural and cultural resources.
Non-Mo. Rec. Obj. 8Development of sport climbing areas is allowed, provided that the base of climbs and staging areas does not obstruct designated FS trails, fixed anchors on climbs less than 100 feet from designated trails have a matte finish, and lowering anchors do not utilize webbing or cordage.
Objectives (Motorized)
Mo. Rec. Obj. 1 Allow motor travel/recreation only on roads and routes that are designated open on the Forest Travel Map following route-specific NEPA analysis and signed as open, specifying allowable use.
Mo. Rec. Obj. 2 Allow cross country travel by tracked vehicles only on designated over-snow routes and only when there is sufficient packed snowpack, provided such use meets all resource protection and user conflict related Objectives for those areas. Prohibit wheeled vehicles from over snow travel.
Mo. Rec. Obj. 3Make widely available Forest Travel Maps that indicate the following:
· access locations and requirements (e.g., spark arrestors, silencers, registration stickers) for vehicles that are not street legal;
· routes and roads that are legally open for off-road vehicle use;
· allowable motorized and non-motorized uses, including seasons of allowable use;
· sensitive resources and ecological constraints;
· road/route mileage and density; and
· road/route condition.
Mo. Rec. Obj 4The Forest requires the display, on all unlicensed motorvehicles, of registration numbers issued by the Div. of State Parks and Recreation that are legible from 150 feet.
Monitoring
Apply monitoring measures specified under wildlife and vegetation sections to recreation activities.
Rec. Stew. Obj. 1The Forest, encourages Partnerships with recreationists for the ultimate protection of the Forest, to maintain appropriate access and to instill among community members the ideals of minimum impact and a sound land ethic.
Rec. Stew. Obj. 2The Forest maintains a web site regarding current Partnerships that enables them to keep members informed about issues and desired conditions.
Rec. Stew. Obj. 3 The Forest sets clear sideboards on what activities are appropriate for Partnerships and what activities must be completed solely by the Forest. Cooperative agreements with Partnerships providing for education, monitoring, route maintenance, and repair of resource damage from illegal use are strictly regulated by published protocols, which ensure that:
· all Partnership communications and documents are publicly available;
· existence of a Partnership does not guarantee use---use requires a public decision making process;
· Partnership status conveys neither special privileges nor ownership of facilities such as signs or kiosks;
· surveys and monitoring reports that comply with the protocols cannot be dismissed; and
· Forest use is managed to ensure that activities remain within the ecological constraints of healthy native ecosystems.
Rec. Stew. Obj. 4Forest protocols guide the activities of voluntary user group Forest Patrols, voluntarily established to protect the resource, educate visitors, guard against illegal activities, provide necessary assistance and perform search and rescue functions in cases of emergency incidents.
Rec. Stew. Obj. 5The Forest
may allow its off-road vehicle partners to establish a system that facilitates
the display of registration numbers issued by the Div. of State Parks and
Recreation that are legible from 150 feet.
See Mo Rec Obj 4
Monitoring
Rec. Stew. Mon. 1Annually report approximate numbers of volunteer hours, donation amounts, and reports on actions accomplished by Partnerships.
FACILITY OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
Objectives (General)
Gen. Facil. Obj. 1 There is no net gain of total classified road and motorized route mileage during the life of the plan.
Gen. Facil. Obj. 2Protect sensitive species, riparian areas, and watersheds through appropriate use requirements:
· designated undeveloped camping sites, nonmotorized and motorized, at least 200 feet from the nearest water source;
· campfire restrictions in keeping with vegetative community and fire management Desired Conditions;
· year-round or seasonal closures in areas of vulnerable species, seasonal needs, and habitat;
·
seasonally close
roads/routes without hardened surfaces that are subject to damage and erosion when wet during wet periods such as spring and
early fall rain/snow conditions.
Gen. Facil. Obj. 3 Inventory classified roads and routes and analyze existing and potential use. Identify areas where that use is inconsistent with resource protection and public safety, and mitigate or eliminate problems over time.